Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the tooth-supporting tissues, and it constitutes a major global public health concern. Methylation modifications, including DNA methylation, histone methylation, and RNA m6A modification, represent reversible processes coordinately regulated by methyltransferases, demethylases, and binding proteins. In periodontitis, aberrant methylation modifications suppress Toll-like receptor 2 expression, leading to oral microbial dysbiosis. These modifications further disrupt normal immune regulatory functions through C-C motif chemokine ligands, Fc-γ receptor-mediated phagocytosis, and NF-κB signaling pathways, resulting in localized immune-inflammatory imbalance in periodontal tissues. In addition, various methylation modifications regulate the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteoblast-specific transcription factor Osterix (OSX), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), thereby interfering with osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation, disrupting bone homeostasis, and ultimately driving alveolar bone resorption. Methylation-related biomarkers demonstrate promising potential for periodontitis screening and prognostic evaluation. While numerous abnormally methylated sites have been identified in periodontitis, the precise signaling pathways and comprehensive epigenetic regulatory networks remain to be fully elucidated. This review systematically summarizes the functional roles of DNA methylation modifications in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and explores their potential value in etiological studies, diagnostic biomarker discovery, and targeted therapeutic interventions, with the aim of providing novel perspectives for periodontitis prevention and treatment strategies.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is characterized as a cell death pathway governed by specific gene-encoding requirements, plays crucial roles in the homeostasis and innate immunity of organisms, and serves as both a pathogenic mechanism and a therapeutic target for a variety of human diseases. Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1) functions as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor, utilizing its unique Zα domains to detect endogenous or exogenous nucleic acids and its receptor-interacting protein homotypic interaction motif (RHIM) domains to sense or bind specific signaling molecules, thereby exerting regulatory effects on various forms of PCD. ZBP1 is involved in apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and PANoptosis and interacts with molecules, such as receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), to influence cell fate under various pathological conditions. It plays a crucial role in regulating PCD during infections, inflammatory and neurological diseases, cancers, and other conditions, affecting disease onset and progression. Targeting ZBP1-associated PCD may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for related pathological conditions. This review comprehensively summarizes the regulatory functions of ZBP1 in PCD and its interactions with several closely associated signaling molecules and delineates the diseases linked to ZBP1-mediated PCD, along with the potential therapeutic implications of ZBP1 in these contexts. Ongoing research on ZBP1 is being refined across various disease models, and these advancements may provide novel insights for studies focusing on PCD, potentially leading to new therapeutic options for related diseases.

The biological nitrogen removal technology utilizing heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria has shown effectiveness in wastewater treatment. However, the nitrogen removal efficiency of HN-AD bacteria significantly decreases as the salinity increases. To tackle the challenge of treating high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater, we isolated a moderately halophilic HN-AD strain 5505 from a salt lake in Xinjiang. The strain was identified based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Single-factor experiments were carried out with NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, and NO₂^--N as sole or mixed nitrogen sources to study the nitrifying effect, denitrifying effect, and nitrogen metabolism pathway of the strain. The strain was identified as Halomonas sp.. It can grow in the presence of 1%-25% (W/V) NaCl and exhibited efficient nitrogen removal ability in the presence of 3%-8% NaCl. At the optimal NaCl concentration (8%), the strain showed the NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and NO₂^--N removal rates of 100.0%, 94.11% and 74.43%, respectively. Strain 5505 removed inorganic nitrogen mainly by assimilation, which accounted for over 62.68% of total nitrogen removal. In the presence of mixed nitrogen sources, strain 5505 showed a preference for utilizing ammonia, with a potential HN-AD pathway of NH₄⁺→NH₂OH→NO₂^-→NO₃^-→NO₂^-→NO/N₂O/N₂. The findings provide efficient salt-tolerant bacterial resources, enhance our understanding of biological nitrogen removal, and contribute to the nitrogen removal efficiency improvement in the treatment of high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater.
Halomonas/classification* ; Nitrogen/isolation & purification* ; Denitrification ; Nitrification ; Wastewater/microbiology* ; Aerobiosis ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Salinity

Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of persistent organic pollutants associated with adverse health effects including hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, and carcinogenicity, have undergone risk assessments by multiple international organizations, with dietary exposure being the primary pathway. Objective To characterize the exposure to PFAS from food and drinking water sources of elderly residents in Songjiang District of Shanghai and to evaluate associated health risk and health effects. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2024 in Songjiang District based on the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB) cohort. Dietary surveys were administered via face-to-face interviews among older adults aged 65 years and above, yielding 4 583 valid questionnaires. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of PFAS was calculated by integrating data from the Sixth National Dietary Survey and recent literature on PFAS concentrations in food and drinking water in Shanghai. Health risk assessment was performed using health-based guideline values (HBGV) proposed by various institutions and studies. Additionally, correlation analysis and linear regression modeling of EDI and biochemical indicators in the elderly were conducted to evaluate potential adverse health effects. Results The elderly population in Songjiang District exhibited dietary characteristics consistent with the Eastern Healthy Diet Pattern. Among PFAS compounds, PFOA showed the highest level of oral exposure [mean: 1.495 ng·(kg·d⁻¹)], followed by PFOS [mean: 0.637 ng·(kg·d⁻¹)], PFHxS [mean: 0.636 ng·(kg·d⁻¹)], and PFBS [mean: 0.273 ng·(kg·d⁻¹)]. Specifically, drinking water was the primary source of PFOA [1.415 ng·(kg·d⁻¹), accounting for 94.60%], while aquatic products were the major source of PFOS [0.278 ng·(kg·d⁻¹), accounting for 43.66%]. Using the HBGV derived by China's epidemiological studies, the mean hazard index (HI) for PFAS exposure was 1.39, indicating 54.35% of the population had potential health risks (HI>1). Following the 2024 standard established by the Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ), the HI value dropped to 0.11, suggesting negligible risk. PFAS exposure was negatively associated with triglyceride levels and the indicators of liver and kidney function, but positively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lung cancer markers in the elderly residents. Conclusion PFAS exposure among the elderly residents in Songjiang District is predominantly attributed to PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFBS, with drinking water and aquatic products identified as primary exposure sources. Current exposure levels demonstrate significant associations with biomarkers of lipid metabolism and lung cancer markers, suggesting potential population health risks. These findings underscore the urgent need to establish HBGV for PFAS compounds based on Chinese population-specific metabolic characteristics.

Objective To investigate whether microRNA-21-5p(miR-21)plays a protective role in hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury(HALI)by regulating ferroptosis through the STAT3/P53/SLC7A11 axis.Methods The interaction between STAT3 and P53 was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP).Fifty 9-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normoxia(Control)group,HALI group,miR-21 overexpression(miR-21)group,STAT3 inhibitor(HY-13818)group,and ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)group.After the mice from the miR-21 group received miR-21-5p AAV6 or empty vector via tracheal catheter instillation,the animals were then monitored for 3 weeks.The HY-13818 group was intraperitoneally injected with HY-13818(10 mg/kg)3 times weekly for 2 weeks.The Fer-1 group received 0.8 mg/kg ferrostatin-1 via tail vein injection once daily for 2 consecutive days during modeling.The HALI model was established by exposure to>90%oxygen.After 48 h of hyperoxia,blood samples were collected via orbital sampling for RT-PCR analysis of miR-21 expression.Lung tissues were harvested for wet/dry weight ratio and assessment of histopathological changes via HE staining for lung injury score.Activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and contents of malondialdehyde(MDA),Fe2?,glutathione(GSH),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were measured using photocolorimetry,spectrophotometry and fluorometry.Western blotting was used to evaluate the protein expression of STAT3,P53,SLC7A11,and GPX4.Results The results of Co-IP showed that STAT3 could bind to P53.The HALI group exhibited obviously destroyed alveolar structure,disordered arrangement,thickened interval,with a large number of infiltrated neutrophils and collapsed alveoli,and had significantly increased pathological score of lung injury and ratio of lung Wwet/Ddry weight when compared with the Control group(P<0.05).In the miR-21 group,HY-13818 group and Fer-1 group,the severity of lung injury was significantly reduced,and the pathological score of lung injury and the ratio of Wwet/Ddry weight were decreased(P<0.05)when compared with the HALI group.Compared with the control group,the contents of MDA,Fe2+and ROS were increased(P<0.05),the activity of SOD and content of GSH were declined(P<0.05),the protein levels of STAT3 and P53 were increased(P<0.05),and those of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were decreased(P<0.05)in the HALI group.Compared with the HALI group,decreased MDA and ROS levels(P<0.05),enhanced SOD activity,Fe2+and GSH levels(P<0.05),down-regulation of STAT3 and P53(P<0.05)and up-regulation of SLC7A11 and GPX4(P<0.05)were observed in the miR-21 group and HY-13818 group.Conclusion MiR-21 alleviates HALI,which may be related to its inhibition of ferroptosis through the STAT3/P53/SLC7A11 axis.

Objective To explore the value of dual-phase enhanced CT radiomics in predicting post-acute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus(PPDM-A).Methods A total of 145 patients with acute pancreatitis(AP)were retrospectively collected,including 62 patients in PPDM-A group and 83 patients in non-PPDM-A group.The patients were randomly divided into training set and test set at a ratio of 7︰3,the pancreatic parenchyma in arterial phase and venous phase was delineated and the radiomics features were extracted.Vari-ance threshold method,univariate selection method and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)were used to screen radiomics features.The prediction performance of the model was evaluated by the area under the curve(AUC).The DeLong test was used to compare the prediction efficiency between the models,and the calibration curve and decision curve were used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of the model.Results The AUC of arterial phase model,venous phase model,combined arterial venous phase model,clinical model and radiomics combined clinical model in the training set were 0.845,0.792,0.829,0.656 and 0.862,respec-tively.The DeLong test results showed that only the difference between the radiomics combined clinical model and the clinical model in the training set and the test set was statistically significant(P<0.05).The decision curve showed that the radiomics combined clinical model had high clinical practicability in a certain range,and the calibration curve showed that the radiomics combined clinical model had the best fitting degree with the actual observation value.Conclusion Based on the dual-phase enhanced CT radiomics combined clinical model,PPDM-A can be predicted more accurately,and it can provide a certain reference value for the clinical development of per-sonalized treatment programs.

Objective:To investigate the imaging quality of CBCT under different exposure parameters and the relationship between subjective and objective evaluation.Methods:CBCT scanners of 6 different suppliers[3D Accuitomo(Morita),i-mCAT(Kavo),5G(NewTom),Smart3D(Beijing Langshi),DCT Pro(Vatech),Vgi(NewTom)]were used to scan the spatial resolution models and head simulators under typical exposure conditions(different device with different tube voltage and current for exposure).The visibility of SedentexCT IQ phantom and anatomical structures generated by different CBCT scanners were compared.For objective evaluation,7 professional evaluators scored CBCT imaging qualities.For subjective evaluation,the resolution(LP/mm)of the images were com-pared among the devices.Results:No significant difference was found by 7 evaluators either intra or inter of the teams.By objective e-valuation,the score of NewTom 5G was 2,that of i-CAT was 5 and that of the others was 4.By subjective evaluation,the LP/mm of i-CAT was 1.8,that of Smart3D was 2.0 and that of the others was 1.0-1.7.The subjective evaluation of image quality obtained un-der different tube voltages and tube currents were significantly different.Conclusion:The subjective and objective evaluations of image quality are approximately consistent.The difference of the subjective image quality may be produced by the different tube voltage and current for exposure.

BACKGROUND:Excessive accumulation of uric acid in the body can lead to diseases such as hyperuricemia and gout,which is a risk factor for cardiovascular and renal dysfunction.Many sports medicine organizations at home and abroad advocate the formulation of exercise prescription to prevent and treat chronic diseases,but this method has not been effectively carried out in the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia. OBJECTIVE:Based on an overview of the formation of hyperuricemia and the regulation of uric acid by exercise and its related mechanisms,to condense a program suitable for popular exercise to prevent and assist in the treatment of hyperuricemia,and to propose precautions to be taken when exercising for patients with different stages of hyperuricemia. METHODS:PubMed and CNKI were searched for relevant literature published before October 2023 using the keywords of"uric acid,gout,aerobic exercise,strength training,high-intensity interval training,obesity"in English and Chinese,respectively.Initial screening was done by reading the titles and abstracts to exclude repetitive studies and literature with irrelevant content,and finally 64 papers were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The formation of hyperuricemia is caused by excessive synthesis of uric acid by the liver,insufficient excretion by the kidneys,or both.Exercise can improve the uric acid level in the body by regulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes,the expression of uric acid excretion protein and lipid metabolism.Aerobic exercise,strength training,high-intensity intermittent exercise can effectively regulate uric acid levels,reduce inflammation,promote the expression of uric acid excretion protein and lipid metabolism,and achieve good results in the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia.Currently,there is a lack of research on the mechanisms underlying direct regulation of uric acid levels by exercise,and future studies need to explore in greater depth the possible mechanisms of regulation of uric acid levels by exercise and refine the effects of different exercise modalities on patients with different characteristics of hyperuricemia.

In the context of delayed marriage and parenthood, decreased willingness in having children, and population aging in China, maternal and child health has become an important and urgent issue. Being essential platforms for research in maternal and child health, the importance of birth cohorts has been widely recognized. In the past 20 years, tens of birth cohorts have been established in major cities and regions of China, with cohorts ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands. These cohorts, particularly those large ones launched in recent years, have collected a wide spectrum of data and biological samples from mothers and children. Although they have made considerable preliminary achievements, there remain difficulties and challenges. The significant challenges include small and medium-sized cohorts' lacking of clear research themes; insufficient recognition of and emphasis on behavioral and social determinants of health while emphasizing biological determinants of health; variations in types of variables and quality of data collected, which make it difficult for cohorts to be merged and shared; lack of and difficulties in long-term follow-up; significant uncertainties in resources for long-term sustention of the cohorts, and so on. So, we argue that birth cohorts should focus on essential and urgent issues in maternal and child health in the country and seek recognition and support from the government and the entire society. Last but not least, the overall success of birth cohorts in the country requires scientists to be not only academically capable, but also realistic, persistent, altruistic, and collaborative.

Objective To systematically evaluate the self-management behavior transformation experience of cancer patients,providing a basis for the subsequent development of targeted self-management intervention measures.Methods Qualitative studies related to self-management behavior transformation experience of cancer patients from Cochrane Library,CINAHL,Embase,PubMed,Web of science,PsycINFO,and China National Knowledge Infras-tructure,VIP Database,Wanfang Database,and China Biomedical Literature Database were searched by computer,with a search deadline of July 2023.The literature quality evaluation was conducted using the qualitative research quality evaluation standards of the Evidence Based Health Care Center at the Joanna Briggs Institute in Australia,and the results were integrated using a pooled integration method.Results A total of 12 articles were included,and 50 research results were extracted and summarized into 14 new categories.4 integrated results were synthesized,including the forms of self-management behavior transformation,the characteristics of self-management behavior transformation,the driving factors of self-management behavior transformation,and the obstacles to self-management behavior transformation.Conclusion Medical staff should pay attention to the real experience of cancer patients'self-management behavior transformation.Targeted ability cultivation and psychological intervention can be carried out based on the characteristics and influencing factors of cancer patients'self-management behavior transformation,promoting their smooth transformation of self-management behavior.