Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor that recognizes multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns. It is a cytoplasmic immune factor that responds to cellular stress signals, and it is usually activated after infection or inflammation, forming an NLRP3 inflammasome to protect the body. Aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation is reportedly associated with some inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases. Recently, there have been mounting indications that NLRP3 inflammasomes play an important role in liver injuries caused by a variety of diseases, specifically hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, hepatitis, and liver failure. Herein, we summarize new research pertaining to NLRP3 inflammasomes in hepatic injury, hepatitis, and liver failure. The review addresses the potential mechanisms of action of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and its regulation in these liver diseases.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/physiology* ; Animals ; Liver Diseases/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*

Geriatric oral health care encounters significant challenges with the increase in the proportion of older individuals. Age-related changes in the dentition, muscles, and joints result in a decline in objective masticatory function, subjective restoration requirements, and acceptability among the elderly population, with individual variations influenced by systemic health. Considering functional requirements, the adaptability of stomatognathic and systemic health conditions, health economics and other factors, the authors believe that it should not be limited to the conventional "one-to-one" strategy for replacing missing teeth in geriatric prosthodontics. There is an urgent need for a precise and adaptable restoration strategy that is more suitable for older individuals. The proposal of a new concept of functional tooth loss updates the minimal restoration standards for elderly patients and establishes the theory of age-friendly functional restoration. Based on the restoration strategy of functional tooth loss, this paper proposes a new concept termed "age-friendly functional restoration of the stomatognathic system", which integrates treatment considerations including endodontics, periodontology, mucosa, muscles, temporomandibular joint, and systemic health. Efforts should be made in four areas as follows. Firstly, the "assessment of accessible function" should be enhanced by considering the interrelationship between stomatognathic and systemic health. Secondly, the "evaluation of appropriate function" is supposed to be optimised in view of subjective needs and objective evaluation of the stomatognathic system. Moreover, the "formulation of treatment plans" needs to be accomplished with the aid of assistive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to accurately exert appropriate functional restoration. Lastly, the "management and maintenance of health" is likely to be strengthened through follow-ups, propaganda and education, and preventive healthcare, so as to improve quality of life and ultimately achieve healthy ageing among older individuals.
Humans ; Tooth Loss/therapy* ; Aged ; Stomatognathic System ; Oral Health ; Dental Care for Aged ; Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods*

The development, progression, and curative efficacy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are influenced by complex interactions between epithelial and immune cells. Nevertheless, the specific changes in the nature of these interactions and their underlying molecular mechanisms in HNSCC are not yet fully understood. Cuproptosis, a form of programmed cell death that is dependent on copper, has been implicated in cancer pathogenesis. However, the understanding of cuproptosis in the context of HNSCC remains limited. In this study, we have discovered that cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (CRLs) known as JPX play a role in promoting the expression of the oncogene urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU) by competitively binding to miR-193b-3p in HNSCC. The increased activity of the JPX/miR-193b-3p/PLAU axis in malignant epithelial cells leads to enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HNSCC. Moreover, the overexpression of PLAU in tumor epithelial cells facilitates its interaction with the receptor PLAUR, predominantly expressed on macrophages, thereby influencing the abnormal epithelial-immune interactome in HNSCC. Notably, the JPX inhibitor Axitinib and the PLAU inhibitor Palbociclib may not only exert their effects on the JPX/miR-193b-3p/PLAU axis that impacts the malignant tumor behaviors and the epithelial-immune cell interactions but also exhibit synergistic effects in terms of suppressing tumor cell growth and arresting cell cycle by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4/6) for the treatment of HNSCC.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/genetics* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/genetics* ; Cell Movement ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness

Objective To investigate the stability of the two kinds of rat models of chronic renal failure,aiming to provide a basis for establishing a feasible and stable animal model of chronic renal failure.Methods The rat model of chronic renal failure was established by unilateral nephrectomy+adenine gavage+high-phosphorus diet and high-phosphorus+adenine diet,respectively.Erythrocyte and hemoglobin levels,serum urea and creatinine levels were detected at the end of modeling and 6 weeks after modeling,and histopathological examinations of kidney and bone were performed.The tubulointerstitial fibrosis index(TBI)and the percentage of collagen fiber area in renal tissue were calculated.Results At the end of modeling,compared with the normal group,the erythrocyte and hemoglobin in the model group 1(unilateral nephrectomy+adenine gavage+high-phosphorus)were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the serum urea and creatinine were significantly increased(P＜0.05),TBI and the percentage of collagen fiber area in kidney tissue were slightly increased(P＜0.05),and the femur lesions were significantly increased.6 weeks after modeling,compared with the normal group,the erythrocyte and hemoglobin in model group 1 showed a slight decrease(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in serum urea and creatinine levels.The TBI and collagen fiber area percentage in renal tissue showed a slight increase(P＜0.05),and there was no obvious change in femoral lesions.At the end of the modeling,the erythrocyte and hemoglobin in the model group 2(high-phosphorus+adenine diet)were significantly decreased compared with the normal group(P＜0.05),serum urea,creatinine,TBI and the percentage of collagen fiber area in kidney tissue were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the lesions of femur were obvious.6 weeks after the end of modeling,compared with the normal group,the erythrocyte and hemoglobin in the model group 2 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),serum urea,creatinine,TBI and the percentage of collagen fiber area in kidney tissue were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the lesions of femur were obvious.6 weeks after the end of modeling,compared with the model group 1,the erythrocyte and hemoglobin in the model group 2 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the serum urea,creatinine,TBI,the collagen fiber area percentage of kidney tissue and femur lesions were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions A stable rat model of chronic renal failure can be established by high phosphorus+adenine diet.

Therapeutic plasma exchange can quickly remove the pathogenic macromolecular sub-stance in vivo,and its application is gradually expanded. With the maturity and development of plasma ex-change technology,the effect of high volume plasma exchange in liver failure,thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura,sepsis and other diseases is obvious. But there is still controversy about the wide use of high volume plasma exchange in ICU. This review aimed to discuss the use of high volume plasma exchange in patients with critical diseases.

Objective To compare clinical efficacy between the situ secondary spleen pedicle amputation in laparoscopic splenectomy and open splenectomy for traumatic spleen rupture.Methods From January 2013 to June 2015 a total of 70 patients with splenic rupture undergoing splenectomy were devided into laparoscopic surgery (35 cases) and open surgery (35 cases) group.Clinical data included total intraoperative blood loss,the time spent on splenic artery ligation,total operation time,postoperative drainage volume,postoperative hemoglobin,platelet and albumin levels,time of anal exsufflation,hospital stay and postoperative complications.Results The average operation time in the OS group was shorter than that in LS group (P ＜ 0.05).However,LS group was better than the OS group in splenic artery ligation time,postoperative drainage volume,anus aerofluxus time,postoperative platelet count,postoperative albumin recovery,hospital stay and postoperative complications (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The laparoscopic splenectomy by the amputation of in situ secondary spleen pedicle for traumatic spleen rupture has the advantages of a rapid recovery and a low postoperative complication.

With the development of aging population, the morbidity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing. Electroacupuncture on several acupoints, especially Baihui (GV20), may improve the cognitive function, brain morphology, and reduceβ-amyloid deposition and tau protein phosphorylation, in AD models.

Objective To evaluate the quality of observational studies on pelvic organ prolapse in China.Methods The checklist of strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement was applied to evaluate the observational studies.The articles were searched in the SinoMed database using the terms:prolapse,uterine prolapse,cystocele,rectal prolapse and pelvic floor;limited to Chinese core journals in obstetrics and gynecology from January 1996 to December 2015.With two 10-year groups (1996-2005 and 2006-2015),the x2 test was used to evaluate inter-group differences.Results (1) A total of 386 observational studies were selected,including 15.5％(60/386) of case-control studies,80.6％(311/386) of cohort studies and 3.9％ (15/386) of cross-sectional studies.(2) There were totally 22 items including 34 sub-items in the checklist.There were 17 sub-items (50.0％,17/34) had a reporting ratio less than 50％ in all of aticles,including:1a (study's design) 3.9％ (15/386),6a (participants) 24.6％(95/386),6b (matched studies) 0 (0/386),9 (bias) 8.3％ (32/386),10 (study size) 3.9％,11 (quantitative variables) 41.2％ (159/386),12b-12e (statistical methods in detail) 0-2.6％ (10/386),13a (numbers of individuals at each stage of study) 18.9％ (73/386),13b (reasons for non-participation at each stage) 18.9％,13c (flow diagram) 0,16b and 16c (results of category boundaries and relative risk) 9.6％ (37/386) and 0,19 (limitations) 31.6％ (122/386),22 (funding) 20.5％ (79/386).(3) The quality of articles published in the two decades (1996-2005 and 2006-2015) were compared,and 38.2％ (13/34) of sub-items had been significantly improved in the second 10-year (all P＜0.05).The improved items were as follows:1b (integrity of abstract),2 (background/rationale),6a (participants),7 (variables),8 (data sources/measurement),9 (bias),11 (quantitative variables),12a (statistical methods),17 (other analyses),18 (key results),19 (limitations),21 (generalisability),22 (funding).Conclusions The quality of observational studies on POP in China is suboptimal in half of evaluation items.However,the quality of articles published in the second 10-year have significantly improved.

Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of insulin(INS) on brain in septic rats,and explore the possible role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in these effects.Methods Fifty male specific pathogen free(SPF) Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control (CN) group(n=10),lipopolysaccharide(LPS) group(n=20) and INS group (n=20) according to random number table.The septic rat model was established through an intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg LPS of gram-negative bacteria.The rats in the INS group received a 1 U/kg INS injection subcutaneously 30 minutes before the injection of LPS,and the rats in the CN group were given equivalent 9 g/L saline in the same way.Eight rats in each group were killed,and their cerebral cortex were collected after the injection of LPS for 24 h.Pathological change of cerebral cortex was detected by Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining.The cerebral cortex mitochondia were extracted for detecting the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD).Neuronal apoptosis was detected by terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining.UCP2 mRNA expression was detected by quantitative real-time(RT)-PCR.Apoptosis-associated protein B lymphocyte tumor-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),cleaved cysteinyl aspartate specific protease(cleaved Caspase-9) and UCP2 protein expression were determined by Western blot.Results (1)Compared with the CN group,obvious abnormal pathological change was revealed by HE staining in cerebral cortex of rats in the LPS group and the INS group,but the pathological change was attenuated in the INS group compared with the LPS group.(2)Compared with the CN group,the levels of mitochondrial ROS[(210.01±14.09) RFU vs.(49.06±7.28) RFU] and MDA[(2.19±0.18) nmol/mg pro vs.(1.25±0.11)nmol/mg pro]in the LPS group significantly increased,whereas SOD activity significantly decreased [(238.49±35.60) U/g pro vs.(446.66±24.90)U/g pro],and the differences were significant(all P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the levels of ROS [(152.69±15.83) RFU vs.(210.01±14.09) RFU] and MDA[(1.55±0.14) nmol/mg pro vs.(2.19±0.18) nmol/mg pro] in the INS group decreased,while SOD activity increased[(327.8±23.26) U/g pro vs.(238.49± 35.60) U/g pro],and the differences were significant(all P<0.05).(3)Compared with the CN group,the neuronal apoptosis index of cortex in the LPS group was elevated[(54.16±6.84)% vs.(5.45±1.43)%],while the expression of Bcl-2 decreased (627±0.018 vs.0.739±0.020),but the expressions of Bax(0.768±0.019 vs.0.520±0.010) and cleaved Caspase-9(0.739±0.016 vs.0.467±0.030) increased,and the differences were significant(all P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the neuronal apoptosis index of cortex in the INS group decreased [(33.30±3.07)% vs.(54.16±6.84)%],but the Bcl-2 expression increased (0.743±0.022 vs.0.627±0.018),and Bax (0.687±0.034 vs.0.768±0.019) and cleaved Caspase-9(0.551±0.013 vs.0.739±0.016) were reduced,and the differences were significant (all P<0.05).(4)Compared with the CN group,the mRNA (2.248±0.155 vs.1.000±0.100) and protein expression of UCP2 (0.659±0.016 vs.0.599±0.018) were elevated in the LPS group.Compared with the LPS group,the UCP2 mRNA (2.944±0.117 vs.2.248±0.155) and UCP2 protein (0.719±0.018 vs.0.659±0.016) increased,and the differences were significant(all P<0.05).Conclusions INS can protect the brain of septic rats through alleviating mitochondrial oxidative stress and inhibiting the mitochondrial-initiated apoptotic pathway to reduce neuronal apoptosis.INS upregulates UCP2 expression in the brain of septic rats,which may play a role in the protective effects mentioned above.

Background:Chronic inflammation is closely associated with occurrence and development of gastric cancer,and inflammatory cytokines,interleukin-18(IL-18)and IL-1β are involved via a variety of mechanisms. Aims:To determine the serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in patients with different gastric mucosal lesions and to explore the role of these two cytokines in gastric cancer and their clinical significance. Methods:Serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA in patients with different gastric mucosal lesions,including 324 gastric cancer,40 chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG),13 chronic atrophic gastritis with or without intestinal metaplasia(CAG/ IM)and 20 mild to moderate dysplasia. Helicobacter pylori(Hp)IgG antibody was detected in patients with gastric cancer. Correlations of serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β with clinicopathological parameters and Hp infection were analyzed in patients with gastric cancer. RoC curve was used to assess the performance of serum IL-18 and IL-1β for diagnosis of gastric cancer. Results:Serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β increased gradually from CNAG,CAG/ IM,dysplasia to gastric cancer;except for IL-1β between CNAG and CAG/ IM groups,significant differences were found between any two groups(P < 0. 05). In gastric cancer group,they were positively correlated with tumor size,lymph node and distant metastases,depth of invasion,TNM stage and Hp infection(P < 0. 05). Area under the RoC curve(AUC)of combined detection of serum IL-18 and IL-1β for diagnosis of gastric cancer was superior to that of IL-18 or IL-1β detection alone(0. 867 vs. 0. 837 and 0. 795). Conclusions:Serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β increase dynamically with the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer,and are closely related to growth, invasiveness and metastasis of gastric cancer. Combined detection of serum IL-18 and IL-1β might be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and tumor progression and prognosis assessment of gastric cancer.