Objective: To investigate whether membrane vesicles (MVs) of Streptococcus mutans （S.mutans） contain autoinducer-2 (AI-2) and to preliminarily explore the effects of these MVs on the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans. Methods: MVs were isolated from the S. mutans UA159 strain using differential centrifugation. The isolated MVs were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis for particle size and concentration and observed by transmission electron microscopy. The presence of AI-2 was identified using the Vibrio harveyi BB170 bioluminescence assay: the BB170 diluent was supplemented with AB medium (control group), MV extract (MVs group), pre-ultrafiltration supernatant (Sup group), or post-ultrafiltration supernatant (Sup-af group). The effects of MVs on growth and biofilm formation were assessed using the S.mutans UA159 strain or a luxS deletion mutant as the control group, compared with experimental groups stimulated with gradient concentrations of MVs (MVs-2.0E+7, MVs-2.0E+8, and MVs-2.0E+9 groups). Growth curves, MTT assay, and colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were used to determine changes in growth capacity. Biofilm formation was evaluated using crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the anthrone method for polysaccharide quantification. Results: Enriched S. mutans MVs were successfully obtained, with an average particle size of approximately 94.19 nm and a concentration of 1.87E+11 particles/mL. The bioluminescence assay showed that the luminescence intensity of the Sup group was higher than that of the Sup-af group, and the MVs group exhibited higher intensity than the control group. Assessments via growth curves, MTT assay, and CFU counts indicated no significant differences in the growth capacity of the various S. mutans strains after treatment with different concentrations of MVs. Crystal violet staining quantification and confocal laser scanning microscopy observations revealed that high-concentration MV treatment (2.0E+9 particles/mL group) resulted in lower biofilm mass compared to the control. The anthrone method showed that the production of both water-soluble and water-insoluble polysaccharides was significantly lower in the high-concentration MV group than in the control. Conclusion S. mutans MVs contain the quorum sensing signal molecule AI-2. These MVs do not significantly affect the growth of S. mutans, but they can regulate biofilm formation and exhibit an inhibitory effect at high concentrations.

[摘 要] 目的：探讨胃肝样腺癌（HAS）的临床病理特征与免疫微环境异质性，筛选预后标志物，阐释其高侵袭性与疗效差的机制，为精准诊疗策略提供理论依据。方法:​​ 回顾性收集2013年1月至2025年5月期间海军军医大学第一附属医院与第二附属医院收治的65例HAS患者的临床信息及病理资料。采用免疫组织化学技术检测HAS​​肝样分化标志物、神经内分泌标志物​​等分子表达情况，通过Kaplan-Meier生存分析法明确与预后相关的靶点。利用多色免疫荧光技术鉴定肿瘤区域内免疫细胞亚群分布情况，以阐明其免疫微环境特征。结果：65例患者中，男性54例（83.1%），女性11例（16.9%），中位年龄68岁。肿瘤好发于贲门（40%），其次为胃窦（32.3%）和胃体（27.7%）。中位随访时间23.18个月，15例患者死亡，46例生存，4例失访。HAS的胃镜及手术标本大体观呈灰白色实性质硬肿物，镜下可见中低分化胃腺癌与肝细胞癌（HCC）样分化区交错分布。表达神经内分泌相关分子的HAS患者呈现出更多的淋巴结转移数量及更短的总生存期。免疫微环境解析显示，HAS总体缺乏免疫细胞浸润，呈现“冷肿瘤”特征；免疫细胞主要聚集于胃癌腺体周围区域，而在HCC样分化区域罕见淋巴细胞浸润。结论：HAS侵袭性强，根治性手术是主要治疗手段；神经内分泌转化提示不良预后，是个体化治疗的关键标志；免疫细胞浸润缺乏，可能是其免疫治疗响应不佳的原因。

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of action of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction against atherosclerosis （AS）based on macrophage polarization. METHODS Using atorvastatin served as the positive control， the drug-containing serum of the Qingre huatan huoxue decoction was prepared to treat RAW264.7 macrophages. Macrophage viability， apoptosis rate， and the fluorescence intensities of CD86 and CD206 were measured， along with the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Apolipoprotei n E-deficient （ApoE －/－ ） mice （AS model mice） fed with a high-fat diet were randomly assigned to model group， atorvastatin group （2.6 mg/kg）， and low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction （90， 180， 360 mg/kg）， respectively. C57BL/6J mice fed with a standard diet served as the normal control group， with 10 mice per group. The treatment group mice were administered the corresponding drugs intragastrically， once daily， for 8 consecutive weeks. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured in all groups. Lipid deposition in the aorta （assessed by the percentage of plaque in the entire aorta and aortic root） and morphological changes in the aortic root were observed. Expression levels of CD86 and CD206 in aortic tissue， as well as the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， arginase-1 （Arg-1）， AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）， and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPAR-γ） in aortic tissues were all detected. RESULTS Cell experiment results showed that， at concentrations of 5-100 μg/mL， the drug-containing serum of the Qingre huatan huoxue decoction significantly increased RAW264.7 cell viability （ P ＜0.05）. The drug-containing serum of the Qingre huatan huoxue decoction at concentrations of 10， 50， and 100 μg/mL， along with atorvastatin， significantly reduced apoptosis rates， CD86 fluorescence intensity， and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in RAW264.7 cells， while markedly enhancing CD206 fluorescence intensity （ P ＜0.05）. Animal experiment results showed that， compared with the model group， all dosage groups of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction and the atorvastatin group showed significantly reduced/down-regulated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum， along with decreased aortic total and root plaque percentages， CD86 expression， and iNOS protein expression. CD206 expression and Arg-1， p-AMPK/AMPK， PPAR-γ protein expression were significantly up-regulated （ P ＜0.05）. Pathological morphology of the aorta showed varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSIONS The formula of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction exerts its anti-AS effects by regulating macrophage polarization， increasing the proportion of M2 macrophages， thereby effectively inhibiting AS plaque formation and reducing inflammatory responses.

Fractals refer to structures whose component parts exhibit similarity to the whole in certain aspects. The retinal microvascular system, as the only terminal microvasculature that can be directly observed in vivo, possesses a tree-like branching morphology that conforms to the characteristics of fractals. Fractal dimension(FD)is a numerical value that describes the density and complexity of the overall retinal vascular network, complementing the limitations of vessel density alone in characterizing vascular structural features. In recent years, the widespread application of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)has enabled the visualization of blood flow across various retinal capillary layers, thereby extending the concept of fractal analysis to the retinal microvasculature. FD has been demonstrated to serve as a novel potential biomarker for ophthalmic conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, high myopia, and retinal vein occlusion, providing valuable metrics for the early diagnosis of these diseases. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the definition, calculation methods, influencing factors, and recent research developments regarding FD in various ophthalmic disorders.

Pulpitis is a common infective oral disease in clinical situations. The regulatory mechanisms of immune defense in pulpitis are still being investigated. Osteomodulin (OMD) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan family member distributed in bones and teeth. It is a bioactive protein that promotes osteogenesis and suppresses the apoptosis of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). In this study, the role of OMD in pulpitis and the OMD-induced regulatory mechanism were investigated. The OMD expression in normal and inflamed human pulp tissues was detected via immunofluorescence staining. Intriguingly, the OMD expression decreased in the inflammatory infiltration area of pulpitis specimens. The cellular experiments demonstrated that recombined human OMD could resist the detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. A conditional Omd knockout mouse model with pulpal inflammation was established. LPS-induced inflammatory impairment significantly increased in conditional Omd knockout mice, whereas OMD administration exhibited a protective effect against pulpitis. Mechanistically, the transcriptome alterations of OMD overexpression showed significant enrichment in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL1R1), a vital membrane receptor activating the NF-κB pathway, was significantly downregulated in OMD-overexpressing hDPSCs. Additionally, the interaction between OMD and IL1R1 was verified using co-immunoprecipitation and molecular docking. In vivo, excessive pulpal inflammation in Omd-deficient mice was rescued using an IL1R antagonist. Overall, OMD played a protective role in the inflammatory response via the IL1R1/NF-κB signaling pathway. OMD may optimize the immunomodulatory functions of hDPSCs and can be used for regenerative endodontics.
Pulpitis/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Dental Pulp/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipopolysaccharides

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant ; Consensus ; Mouth Diseases/therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/therapy* ; Oral Health ; Infant, Newborn ; Delphi Technique ; Oral Hygiene

Quality marker (Q-Marker) is an innovative concept and model for quality control of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which will navigate the new direction of quality development of TCMs. Yet, how to characterize the overall quality attributes of TCMs and their biological effects is still debating. In view of this key scientific issue, this paper proposes a research method based on mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology for the discovery and confirmation of TCMs Q-Marker. MSI is powerful in investigating the spatial distribution of molecules in a variety of samples, and visualizing the information obtained from MS. On this basis, combine with the five principles of TCMs Q-Marker validation, i.e., specificity, transmission and traceability, testability, prescription compatibility, and validity, were applied to confirm the finalized Q-Marker. It will lead the new direction of quality development of TCMs.

BACKGROUND:Platelet-rich fibrin(PRF)has many advantages,such as simple preparation,low production cost,and high safety,and has been widely used in the study of bone defect repair in oral and maxillofacial surgery,but there are problems such as too fast degradation rate and short release time of growth factors. OBJECTIVE:PRF was loaded into gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)hydrogel and its osteogenic properties were analyzed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS:(1)New Zealand white rabbit venous blood was extracted to prepare PRF.GelMA hydrogels containing 0,0.05,0.075,and 0.1 g PRF were prepared,respectively,and were recorded as GelMA,GelMA/PRF-0.05,GelMA/PRF-0.075,and GelMA/PRF-0.1,respectively,to characterize the micromorphology and in vitro slow-release properties of the hydrogels.(2)Four kinds of hydrogels were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells,respectively,and the cell proliferation activity was detected with the single cultured cells as the control.After osteogenic induction,alkaline phosphatase activity,mineralization ability,mRNA and protein expression levels of osteogenic genes(osteocalcin,osteopontin,RUNX2),ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein mRNA and protein expression levels were detected.(3)Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were taken.Four full-layer bone defects of 8 mm diameter were prepared in the skull of each rabbit,one of which was implanted without any material(blank control group),and the other three were implanted with GelMA hydrogel,PRF,and GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel,respectively.The bone defect was detected by Micro-CT and bone morphology was observed at 4,8,and 12 weeks after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscopy observed that all the hydrogels of the four groups had honeycomb pore structure,and the pore size of the hydrogels decreased slightly with the increase of PRF content,but there was no significant difference between the groups.The three groups of GelMA/PRF hydrogel could release transforming growth factor β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 at a certain rate,and the cumulative release of transforming growth factor β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 increased significantly with the extension of time.(2)CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that GelMA/PRF hydrogel could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.The results of alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,and osteogenic gene detection showed that GelMA/PRF hydrogel could promote the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells,and inhibit the expression of ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein,and showed a PRF content dependence.(3)Micro-CT scan showed that the bone mineral density and bone volume fraction in the bone defect of GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that compared with the other three groups,GelMA/PRF-0.1 hydrogel group had faster and more mature new bone formation at the bone defect.(4)These findings indicate that GelMA/PRF hydrogel has good osteogenic activity both in vivo and in vitro,which may be related to inhibiting the expression of ERK1/2-p38 MAPK pathway protein.

Photoacoustic microscopy(PAM)is an emerging, non-invasive, in vivo imaging modality that merges optical and acoustic principles. It offers high-resolution and high-contrast visualization of various ocular tissue structures and functional information, making it suitable for studying a wide range of ophthalmic diseases such as corneal neovascularization, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. The multi-wavelength illumination capability of PAM makes it particularly valuable for early disease screening and dynamic physiological monitoring. In stem cell tracking, PAM enables the dynamic monitoring of transplanted cells through contrast agent labeling. Moreover, when combined with multimodal imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography(OCT), PAM can enhance the detection accuracy and diagnostic capacity for ocular diseases. However, PAM still requires optimization in terms of imaging speed and contrast agent safety. This review summarizes the fundamental principles and development of PAM, explores its applications in specific ophthalmic diseases, and analyzes the challenges and optimization directions from animal experiments to clinical applications. PAM holds great promise for playing a more significant role in ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment.