Local anesthetics (LAs), such as articaine (AT), exhibit limited efficacy in inflammatory environments, which constitutes a significant limitation in their clinical application within oral medicine. In our prior research, we developed AT-17, which demonstrated effective properties in chronic inflammatory conditions and appears to function as a novel oral LA that could address this challenge. In the present study, we further elucidated the beneficial effects of AT-17 in acute inflammation, particularly in oral acute inflammation, where mitochondrial-related apoptosis played a crucial role. Our findings indicated that AT-17 effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nerve cell apoptosis by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. This process involved the inhibition of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and the subsequent activation of the NRF2 pathway. Most notably, improvements in mitochondria-related apoptosis were key contributors to AT-17's inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels. Additionally, AT-17 was shown to reduce mtROS production in nerve cells through the Na⁺/NCLX/ETC signaling axis. In conclusion, we have developed a novel local anesthetic that exhibits pronounced anesthetic functionality under inflammatory conditions by enhancing mitochondria-related apoptosis. This advancement holds considerable promise for future drug development and deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action.

Objective:To investigate whether the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on inflammation and apoptosis of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is related to its upregulation of microRNA (miR)-23a.Methods:The 3rd to 4th generation hDPSCs with good growth were taken and randomly divided into the blank control group, LPS group, LPS+ BBR group, LPS+ miR-NC mimics group, LPS+ miR-23a mimics group, and LPS+ BBR+ miR-23a inhibitors group according to the experimental requirements. The expression levels of miR-23a mRNA in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the expression levels of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) in the cell supernatants of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apoptosis rate of cells in each group was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression level of Cleaved caspase-3 of apoptosis-related proteins in each group was detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the LPS group, different concentrations of LPS+ BBR groups could significantly reduce the expression levels of cellular inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate, and apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase 3 in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the expressions of the cellular inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate and apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase in the LPS+ miR-23a mimics group, the LPS+ BBR group and the LPS+ BBR+ miR-23a inhibitors group were lower (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS+ miR-NC mimics group, the cellular inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate and the expression of apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase 3 in the LPS+ miR-23a mimics group and the LPS+ BBR group were all lower (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS+ BBR group, the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate and the expression of apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase 3 in the LPS+ BBR+ miR-23a inhibitors group were all higher (all P<0.05). Conclusions:BBR can inhibit the inflammatory and apoptotic responses of LPS-induced hDPSCs, which is related to its upregulation of miR-23a expression.

Objective:To investigate whether the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on inflammation and apoptosis of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is related to its upregulation of microRNA (miR)-23a.Methods:The 3rd to 4th generation hDPSCs with good growth were taken and randomly divided into the blank control group, LPS group, LPS+ BBR group, LPS+ miR-NC mimics group, LPS+ miR-23a mimics group, and LPS+ BBR+ miR-23a inhibitors group according to the experimental requirements. The expression levels of miR-23a mRNA in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the expression levels of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) in the cell supernatants of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apoptosis rate of cells in each group was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression level of Cleaved caspase-3 of apoptosis-related proteins in each group was detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the LPS group, different concentrations of LPS+ BBR groups could significantly reduce the expression levels of cellular inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate, and apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase 3 in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the expressions of the cellular inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate and apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase in the LPS+ miR-23a mimics group, the LPS+ BBR group and the LPS+ BBR+ miR-23a inhibitors group were lower (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS+ miR-NC mimics group, the cellular inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate and the expression of apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase 3 in the LPS+ miR-23a mimics group and the LPS+ BBR group were all lower (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS+ BBR group, the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, apoptosis rate and the expression of apoptotic protein Cleaved caspase 3 in the LPS+ BBR+ miR-23a inhibitors group were all higher (all P<0.05). Conclusions:BBR can inhibit the inflammatory and apoptotic responses of LPS-induced hDPSCs, which is related to its upregulation of miR-23a expression.

Objective:To evaluate the value of applying targeted next-generation sequencing on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens in screening pulmonary tuberculosis in older adults with lung infectious diseases.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, the clinical data of 370 patients with infectious lung diseases who received treatment at Shanghai Deji Hospital between January 2021 and July 2023 were analyzed. Bronchoscopy was performed to obtain 370 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens, and targeted next-generation sequencing confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in 28 patients. The clinical data of these 28 patients were retrieved from the electronic medical record system. Patient age, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, methods of diagnosis, imaging findings, and results of pathogen testing were analyzed.Results:The patients' ages ranged from 70 to 93 years. Among the 28 patients included, 16 patients were in the medium-age (> 70-80 years) group and 12 patients were in the advanced age (> 80 years) group. Clinical findings revealed that 9 patients (32.1%) exhibited fatigue, 8 patients (29.6%) presented with cough and sputum, 4 patients (14.3%) experienced chest tightness, 4 patients (14.3%) had loss of appetite, and 3 patients (10.7%) showed a reduction in body mass. Furthermore, 12 patients had diabetes mellitus, 10 patients had infectious lung diseases, 4 patients had lung cancer, and 2 patients had liver and kidney insufficiency. Tuberculosis was passively confirmed by the targeted next-generation sequencing test. Imaging findings indicated the presence of two or more lesions in the lungs of 24 patients (85.7%), while 4 patients (14.3%) showed only one lesion in the lung. There was a significant difference between the number of patients with two or more lesions compared with those with only one lung lesion ( χ2 = 25.79, P < 0.001). The positive rate of the conventional pathogen test among the 28 patients was 14.3%, which was significantly different from that obtained by targeted next-generation sequencing on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens ( χ2 = 68.55, P < 0.001). Conclusion:The onset of pulmonary tuberculosis in older adults is subtle, and its complications can result in clinical symptoms and imaging findings that lack specificity. Conventional methods of positive etiology detection often yield low accuracy rates. However, the application of targeted next-generation sequencing on bronchial bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens collected from older adult patients with respiratory infectious diseases at non-tuberculosis-designated hospitals can enhance the positive detection rate. This approach can facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in older adults, ultimately contributing to the prevention of its transmission.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in tumor registration areas of Shanxi Province in 2019.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. The tumor registration data reported by 13 tumor registration areas in Shanxi Province in 2019 were collected, and the overall incidence and mortality of breast cancer were analyzed. The stratified analysis was conducted by gender and region, and the incidence, mortality, accumulation rate (0-74 years old), age-specific incidence rate, age-specific mortality rate, Chinese population standardized rate and world population standardized rate were calculated. The standard population was based on the 2000 China population census standard population composition and Segi world standard population composition.Results:In 2019, there were 871 new cases of breast cancer in the tumor registration areas of Shanxi Province, with an incidence rate of 17.83/100 000, and 202 deaths, with a mortality rate of 4.13/100 000. The age-specific incidence of breast cancer was at a low level in 0-25 years old, it increased rapidly after 30 years old, and reached a peak in people aged 60 years old. The age-specific mortality showed a slow rising trend with the increase of age, and increased rapidly in people over 75 years old. The age-specific incidence and mortality of breast cancer in female were higher than those in male. Although the general trend of change concerning urban and rural age-specific incidence was similar, the trend of change concerning urban and rural age-specific mortality had their own characteristics. In 4 urban tumor registration areas, the highest male and female Chinese population standardized incidence rates were found in Yuci District of Jinzhong City (0.62/100 000) and Yangquan City (41.86/100 000). Male Chinese population standardized mortality rate was 0/100 000, and the highest female Chinese population standardized mortality rate was found in Yangquan City (12.62/100 000). In 9 rural tumor registration areas, the highest male and female Chinese population standardized incidence rates were found in Jishan County (2.59/100 000) and Pingding County (36.42/100 000). The highest Chinese population standardized mortality rates were found in Yuanqu County (0.89/100 000) and Jishan County (4.82/100 000).Conclusions:Women, urban area people and middle-aged and elderly people are the foci of breast cancer prevention and control in Shanxi Province.

Objective:To explore the effect of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) activator SRT1720 on inflammatory response in chronic periodontal disease mice and whether its mechanism is related to the toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway.Methods:Forty 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were selected and divided into a blank control group ( n=8) and an experimental group ( n=32). The experimental group mice were ligated with periodontal pockets and fed with high sugar drinking water. The experimental group was randomly divided into a model group ( n=8) and an SRT1720 group ( n=24). The blank control group and the model group were given physiological saline orally every day. The SRT1720 group was further divided into a low dose group [20 mg/(kg·d), n=8], a medium dose group [50 mg/(kg·d), n=8], and a high dose group [100 mg/(kg·d), n=8] based on the different doses of SRT1720. Four weeks later, the expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in gingival crevicular fluid of mice in each group were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, SIRT1, TLR4, NF-kB p65 in the gingival tissue of mice in each group; Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 proteins in mouse gingival tissue. Results:Compared with the blank control group, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 inflammatory factors in the gingival crevicular fluid of experimental group mice increased, while the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, TLR4, NF-κB p65 mRNA in gingival tissue increased. The expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65 protein in gingival tissue increased, while the expression levels of SIRT1 mRNA and protein in gingival tissue decreased, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1 inflammatory factors in the gingival crevicular fluid, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, TLR4, NF-κB p65 mRNA expression levels in gingival tissue, and TLR4, NF-κB p65 protein expression levels in the gingival tissue of SRT1720 group mice showed a dose-dependent decrease. The expression levels of SIRT1 mRNA and protein in gingival tissue showed a dose-dependent increase, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:SIRT1 activator SRT1720 can improve the inflammatory response of chronic periodontal disease mice, which may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway.

Objective: To isolate and identify the undescribed compounds from the fruits of Cinnamomum migao and evaluate its nitric oxide inhibition potential. Methods: The chromatographic techniques of silica gel, Sephadex, and HPLC were used for isolation and purification of the compounds, while HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, ECD, and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to characterize and confirm the isolated compounds. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was carried out to check inhibitory potential against the production of nitric oxide with RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Results: Camganoid A (1), a novel sesquiterpene possessing an unprecedented skeleton, and camganoid B (2), containing a unique eight-membered sesquiterpene moiety with a new carbon skeleton, were isolated and identified from the fruits of C. migao. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Among these compounds, compound 1 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against the production of nitric oxide with IC

Objective:To realize the understanding level of cancer awareness of residents in Shanxi Province, and to provide a scientific basis for cancer prevention and treatment.Methods:In April 2020, 1 897 local residents in Shanxi Province were recruited to fill in the core knowledge questionnaire of cancer prevention and treatment. The basic demographic information and the core knowledge of cancer prevention and control were collected, and the influencing factors for the understanding of the core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment were analyzed by using multivariate logistic regression model.Results:In the survey on the awareness rate of core knowledge of cancer prevention and control among residents in Shanxi Province, 37 940 items were answered, among which 29 396 items were known, and the awareness rate of the population was 77.48% (29 396/37 940). The single-factor results showed that there were statistically significant differences in awareness rates of core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment among the population with different gender, household registration, ethnic groups, education degree, occupation and different frequency of the health examination were statistically significant (all P < 0.05); there were no statistically significant differences in awareness rates of core knowledge among the population with different age, and smokers or non-smokers (all P >0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that education degree of junior middle school or above ( OR = 3.412-16.767, 95% CI 1.755-32.476) and receiving physical examination once a year ( OR = 2.291, 95% CI 1.154-4.549) were the favorable factors for knowing the core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment. Household location in rural area ( OR = 0.522, 95% CI 0.378-0.722) and non-Han nationality ( OR = 0.369, 95% CI 0.151-0.904) were the unfavorable factors for knowing the core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment. Conclusions:The awareness of core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment among residents in Shanxi Province is good, so it is necessary to continue to strengthen the publicity of cancer prevention and control and improve the awareness of cancer prevention and control in the future.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in the cancer registration areas of Shanxi Province in 2017.Methods:The cancer registration data reported by 12 tumor registration areas of Shanxi in 2017 were sorted out and stratified by urban and rural areas and gender. The number of incidence and death ,the crude incidence and mortality, the cumulative rate (0-74 years), age-specific incidence and mortality, Chinese population standardized rate and world population standardized rate were calculated. The incidence and mortality were standardized by the 2000 China census standard population composition and Segi's world standard population composition.Results:In 2017, there were 2 275 new cases and 1 736 deaths of lung cancer in the tumor registration area of Shanxi Province. The crude incidence rate of lung cancer was 46.72/100 000 (male 63.99/100 000, female 28.80/100 000, urban area 58.05/100 000, rural area 39.09/100 000), Chinese population standardized rate was 31.67/100 000, the world population standardized rate was 32.10/100 000, and the cumulative rate (0-74 years) was 3.87/100 000. The crude mortality rate was 35.65/100,000 (male 49.84/100,000, female 20.93/100,000, urban area 44.53/100,000, rural area 29.67/100 000), Chinese population standardized rate was 23.82/100 000, the world population standardized rate was 24.14/100 000, and the cumulative rate (0-74 years) was 2.69/100,000. Overall, the age-specific incidence and mortality of lung cancer in 2017 were at a low level in 0-44 years age group, and increased rapidly after 45 years age group, and reached a peak in 85 years age group. The incidence and mortality of lung cancer in males were higher than that in females. Although there were some differences in the incidence and mortality of patients with different ago range in urban and rural areas, the overall trend was similar.Conclusions:Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor threatening the health of residents in Shanxi Province. Male, urban areas and middle-aged and elderly population are the focus of cancer prevention and control in Shanxi Province. Lung cancer prevention and control should be targeted carried out according to the differences between urban and rural areas and gender.

Objective:To explore the cancer incidence and mortality in registration areas of Shanxi Province in 2014.Methods:The data of 12 cancer registration areas of Shanxi Province in 2014 were taken to analyze the characteristics of cancer incidence and mortality for patients with different age and gender in different areas. And then the results were compared with the malignant cancer incidence and mortality in the nationwide.Results:There were 11 703 new cases, including 6 559 males and 5 144 females in registration areas of Shanxi Province in 2014, and the incidence rate was 221.21/10 5, while the age-standardized incidence rate of Chinese population and world population was 163.91/10 5 and 163.25/10 5, respectively. The cancer incidence rate in urban areas was 247.02/10 5 and the age-standardized incidence rate of Chinese population was 171.35/10 5. In rural areas, the cancer incidence rate was 205.98/10 5 and the age-standardized incidence rate of Chinese population was 159.03/10 5. The common cancer sites were stomach, lung, esophagus, liver and colorectum for males. And breast, cervix, lung, esophagus, stomach were the common cancer sites for females. There were 7 283 malignant death cases, including 4 548 males and 2 735 females. The crude cancer mortality rate was 137.66/10 5, and the age-standardized mortality rate of Chinese population was 99.67/10 5 and world population was 100.11/10 5. The crude cancer mortality rate in urban areas was 141.03/10 5 and the age-standardized incidence rate of Chinese population was 92.84/10 5. In rural areas, the crude cancer mortality rate was 135.68/10 5 and the age-standardized mortality rate of Chinese population was 103.69/10 5. Male common malignant tumor deaths included lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer, while lung, stomach, liver, esophagus and cervix were the common cancer death sites for females. Conclusions:The incidence and mortality of malignant tumors in registration areas in Shanxi Province are mainly lung cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer and cervix uteri cancer. The incidence rates of stomach cancer and cervical cancer are high.