To develop and validate a model for predicting intensive care unit (ICU) mortality risk in patients with malignant tumors complicated by acute respiratory failure (ARF) based on an explainable machine learning framework.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the filling effects of three biomaterial root canal sealers [iRoot SP, C-Root SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB)] by using Micro-CT. METHODS: Sixty single-canal detached premolars were selected. After crown amputation, their uniform working length was set at 12 mm and prepared to a 06 taper 30# with M3 nickel-titanium file. The samples were randomly divided into six groups with different sealers and obturation techniques: iRoot SP+single-cone technique (SC), C-Root SP+SC, GFB+SC, iRoot SP+single cone-mediated ultrasonic technique (SU), C-Root SP+SU, and GFB+SU. Samples were scanned by Micro-CT, and the total and segmented filling rates were calculated with Mimics 22.0 software after 3D reconstruction. RESULTS: The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers was higher than 90%. The overall and coronal third and middle third segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SC, C-Root SP+SC was higher than that of group GFB+SC (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SC and C-Root SP+SC (P>0.05). On the apical third, no significant difference was found among each group (P>0.05). The overall and segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU was higher than that of GFB+SU (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU (P>0.05). The filling rate of the apical 1/3 of group C-Root+SC was lower than that of group C-Root+SU (P<0.01), and the filling rate of the coronal 1/3 of group GFB+SC was higher than that in the GFB+SU (P<0.01). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in other filling rate of two obturation techniques (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers using SC and SU are satisfactory. iRoot SP and C-Root SP have similar filling rates, which are significantly higher than that of GFB. C-Root SP combined with SU technique can improve the filling quality of the root apical.
Root Canal Filling Materials ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Humans ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Gutta-Percha ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations ; Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging* ; Bicuspid

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of nutritional risk in patients with radia-tion-induced oral mucositis and establish a predictive model.Methods A total of 126 patients with nasopha-ryngeal carcinoma and radiation-induced oral mucositis who visited the General Hospital of Shaoxing Second Hospital Affiliated Healthcare Group,Dongpu Street Community Health Service Center in Yuecheng District,Shaoxing City,and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2020 to January 2023 were selected as the model group and divided into the nutritional risk group and the nutrition-ally normal group according to the presence or absence of nutritional risk.Meanwhile,54 patients with radia-tion-induced oral mucositis due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma from February 2023 to March 2024 were selected as the validation group.Logistic regression was used to establish a risk prediction model,and a nomogram was developed and validated.Results Multivariate analysis showed that digestive discomfort symptoms,dietary structure score,and anxiety were factors influencing nutritional risk in patients with radiation-induced oral mucositis.In the model group,the area under the ROC curve was 0.992(95%CI:0.977 to 1.000),the maxi-mum Youden index was 0.961,corresponding specificity was 0.961,sensitivity was 1.000,χ2=4.668,P=0.792.In the validation group,the area under the ROC curve was 0.948(95%CI:0.897 to 0.999),the maxi-mum Youden index was 0.742,corresponding specificity was 0.742,sensitivity was 1.000,χ2=4.438,P=0.816.The model demonstrated good predictive ability.Conclusion A predictive model for nutritional risk factors in patients with radiation-induced oral mucositis is successfully constructed and can provide clinical reference.

AIM: To explore the intervention effect of Dahuangtang pellets (DHT) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) based on the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/unc-51-like kinase 1 (AMPK/mTOR/ULK1) signaling pathway. METHODS: Eight mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the dapagliflozin group, and the DHT (high, medium, and low dosage) group out of a total of 40 C57BL/KSJ-db/db (hereafter referred to as db/db) mice; another 10 C57BL/KSJ-db/dm mice were used as the normal group, saline was provided to the normal and model groups, and the mice in the treatment group received the appropriate medications. The medications were given for 10 consecutive weeks, once per day, to the mice in the treatment group. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 10 of administration, fasting blood glucose (FBG) was assessed by drawing blood at a predetermined time from the tail vein; Urine samples were taken at 0, 5, and 10 weeks after treatment to evaluate the levels of albumin and creatinine, and the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was computed. After 10 weeks, mice in each group were assayed for 24 h total urine protein, serum creatinine (Scr), urea nitrogen (BUN) levels; Western blotting analysis was conducted to detect the expression of p-AMPK, p-mTOR, and p-ULK1, as well as the expression of autophagy related proteins homolog of yeast Atg6 (Beclin-1), autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), P62 in renal tissue; Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of podocyte lacunar membrane proteins (Nephrin, Podocin) in renal tissues; The pathological morphology of renal tissue was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, FBG, ACR, and 24 h total urine protein were reduced in the dapagliflozin group and DHT groups of mice, and there was no statistically significant difference in Scr and BUN; In renal tissues, there is increased expression of p-AMPK and p-ULK1, decreased expression of p-mTOR, increased expression of LC3II / LC3I and Beclin-1, and decreased expression of P62 (P<0.01, P< 0.05); differentially upregulated in glomeruli are the podocyte lacunar membrane proteins Nephrin and Podocin (P<0.01, P<0.05); renal pathologic damage was reduced to varying degrees; transmission electron microscopy showed an increase in the number of autophagic vesicles and autophagic lysosomes. CONCLUSION: DHT can delay the development of DN by regulating the AMPK / mTOR / ULK1 signaling pathway, enhancing podocyte autophagy, and protecting glomeruli.

Objective:To assess the value of serum tumor specific protein 70 (SP70) for prognostic stratification in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:A cohort study design was adopted. 129 newly diagnosed AML patients from September 2022 to January 2024 at the Hematology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included, as well as a control group consisted of 120 healthy individuals and 7 cases with benign hematologic diseases during the same period (total 127 cases). Clinical data were collected from Electronic Medical Records. According to the 2023 edition of the Chinese Leukemia Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines, AML patients with good or moderate prognosis were categorized as low-to-intermediate risk, while those with poor prognosis were high-risk group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify variables significantly associated with AML prognostic risk. ROC analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic performance. A nomogram for predicting patient prognostic risk was constructed by R 4.0.2 software, and the internal validation was performed using bootstrapping.Results:Among 129 AML patients, there were 71 males (55.0%) and 58 females (45.0%), with 42 (32.6%) classified as high-risk and 87 (67.4%) as low-intermediate risk. The high-risk group had a significantly higher median age [62 (48, 67) years] compared to the low-intermediate risk group [50 (35, 63) years, Z=-2.381, P=0.017], and a significantly higher proportion of males (30 patients, 71.4%) compared to the low-intermediate risk group (41 patients, 47.1%, χ 2=6.760, P=0.009). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that serum SP70 ( OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.68-3.84, P<0.001), hemoglobin (HB) ( OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, P<0.05), and bone marrow blast (BM blast) ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13, P<0.05) were independent risk factors for high-risk prognosis in AML patients. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for SP70 predicting high-risk patients was 0.908 (cut-off value of 5.74 ng/ml, 95% CI: 0.845-0.952, sensitivity 90.5%, specificity 82.8%). The combined model of serum SP70, HB, and BM blasts had an AUC of 0.931 (95% CI: 0.890-0.973); C-index=0.925 (95% CI: 0.876-0.963),with no statistically significant difference compared to serum SP70 alone ( Z=1.693, P>0.05). Conclusion:Serum SP70 may be a promising non-invasive molecular biomarker for prognostic stratification in AML.

Background::Gastric cancer (GC), a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide; consequently, identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial for its corresponding treatment. NUF2, a component of the NDC80 kinetochore complex, promotes cancer progression in multiple malignancies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential of NUF2 as a therapeutic target to inhibit GC progression. Methods::Clinical samples were obtained from patients who underwent radical resection of GC at Lanzhou University Second Hospital from 2016 to 2021. Cell count assays, colony formation assays, and cell-derived xenotransplantation (CDX) models were used to determine the effects of NUF2 on GC progression. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of NUF2 or quercetin on cell cycle progression and apoptosis. A live-cell time-lapse imaging assay was performed to determine the effect of NUF2 on the regulation of mitotic progression. Transcriptomics was used to investigate the NUF2-associated molecular mechanisms. Virtual docking and microscale thermophoresis were used to identify NUF2 inhibitors. Finally, CDX, organoid, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were used to examine the efficacy of the NUF2 inhibitor in GC. Results::NUF2 expression was significantly increased in GC and was negatively correlated with prognosis. The deletion of NUF2 suppressed GC progression both in vivo and in vitro. NUF2 significantly regulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, promoted G2/M phase transition, and inhibited apoptosis in GC cells. Additionally, quercetin was identified as a selective NUF2 inhibitor with low toxicity that significantly suppressed tumor growth in GC cells, organoids, CDX, and PDX models. Conclusions::Collectively, NUF2-mediated G2/M phase transition and apoptosis inhibition promoted GC progression; additionally, NUF2 inhibitors exhibited potent anti-GC activity. This study provides a new strategy for targeting NUF2 to suppress GC progression in clinical settings.

Objective:To understand the epidemiology of rubella and the genetic characteristics of the virus circulating during the period 2021-2022, providing basic scientific data for rubella prevention and control in China.Methods:National rubella incidence data for the period 2021-2022 were obtained from the Infectious Disease Surveillance System module and the Surveillance Report Management module of the China′s Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Positive rubella virus(RuV)isolates were obtained from the National Measles/Rubella Laboratory Network. Two nucleotide (nt) fragments [F1-480 (8 633-9 112 nt) and F2-633 (8 945-9 577 nt)] located in the E1 gene were amplified and determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the target gene (E1-739) was obtained after collating and splicing. The sequences obtained in this study were used to construct a phylogenetic tree with the reported reference strains for genotype and lineage identification. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess their genetic relatedness of RuV strains prevalent in China during 2018-2020 from GenBank database.Results:In 2021-2022, the rubella incidence in China was 0.06/100, 000 (2021: 840 cases; 2022: 784 cases), with cases primarily concentrated in the western and southern provinces. Age distribution analysis showed that rubella cases in 2021-2022 was mainly in children under 5 years of age (2021: 34.17%, 287/840; 2022: 42.09%, 330/784), with the highest proportion in children aged 0-2 years. Further analysis of the immunization history of cases revealed that in the 8-23 months age group, a significant proportion of cases had received only one dose of rubella containing vaccine (RCV); cases in the 2-14 years age group were mainly among children who had received two or more doses of RCV; however, cases over 15 years of age were primarily found in individuals who had not received RCV or had unknown immunization history. National virological surveillance data showed that totally 22 RuV virus isolates were obtained, from 6 provinces in China during 2021-2022, which belonged to lineage 1E-L2 (11 strains) and 2B-L2c (11 strains). And these viruses displayed high genetic homology with RuV prevalent from 2018 to 2020.Conclusions:The incidence of rubella in China was maintained at a low level during 2021-2022, and the prevalent RuV strains were lineage 1E-L2 and 2B-L2c.

Objective:To assess the value of serum tumor specific protein 70 (SP70) for prognostic stratification in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:A cohort study design was adopted. 129 newly diagnosed AML patients from September 2022 to January 2024 at the Hematology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included, as well as a control group consisted of 120 healthy individuals and 7 cases with benign hematologic diseases during the same period (total 127 cases). Clinical data were collected from Electronic Medical Records. According to the 2023 edition of the Chinese Leukemia Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines, AML patients with good or moderate prognosis were categorized as low-to-intermediate risk, while those with poor prognosis were high-risk group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify variables significantly associated with AML prognostic risk. ROC analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic performance. A nomogram for predicting patient prognostic risk was constructed by R 4.0.2 software, and the internal validation was performed using bootstrapping.Results:Among 129 AML patients, there were 71 males (55.0%) and 58 females (45.0%), with 42 (32.6%) classified as high-risk and 87 (67.4%) as low-intermediate risk. The high-risk group had a significantly higher median age [62 (48, 67) years] compared to the low-intermediate risk group [50 (35, 63) years, Z=-2.381, P=0.017], and a significantly higher proportion of males (30 patients, 71.4%) compared to the low-intermediate risk group (41 patients, 47.1%, χ 2=6.760, P=0.009). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that serum SP70 ( OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.68-3.84, P<0.001), hemoglobin (HB) ( OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, P<0.05), and bone marrow blast (BM blast) ( OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13, P<0.05) were independent risk factors for high-risk prognosis in AML patients. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for SP70 predicting high-risk patients was 0.908 (cut-off value of 5.74 ng/ml, 95% CI: 0.845-0.952, sensitivity 90.5%, specificity 82.8%). The combined model of serum SP70, HB, and BM blasts had an AUC of 0.931 (95% CI: 0.890-0.973); C-index=0.925 (95% CI: 0.876-0.963),with no statistically significant difference compared to serum SP70 alone ( Z=1.693, P>0.05). Conclusion:Serum SP70 may be a promising non-invasive molecular biomarker for prognostic stratification in AML.

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome(PMDS) is a rare disorder that arises from a lack of active anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) or type Ⅱ AMH receptor(AMHR2) deficiency in males with a normal 46, XY chromosome karyotype.It presents that the external genitalia appears normally while the Müllerian duct structure(uterus, fallopian tubes, upper vagina) persists in the body.Common pathogenic factors are mutations in the AMH and AMHR2 genes, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.This study reported two families with PMDS.The first patient was diagnosed with PMDS due to cryptorchidism in May 2019.Gene sequencing analysis revealed a new missense mutation(c.579G>T; p.W193C) and a splicing mutation(c.622-3C>A; splicing) in the AMHR2 gene.His father had the missense mutation(c.579G>T; p.W193C), and his mother had the splicing mutation(c.622-3C>A; splicing).The second patient was diagnosed with PMDS due to bilateral cryptorchidism, transverse testis ectopia in the right testicle in March 2023.Undegraded Müllerian tube derivatives were found between the two testicles, and serum AMH levels were very high(565.00 μg/L).Gene sequencing analysis reported that the AMHR2 gene had a new deletion mutation(c.835_837del; p.Leu279del).Both his father and mother had a deletion mutation(c.835_837del; p.Leu279del).This study reports two new AMHR2 gene mutations that expand the mutation sites of this rare disease.It is recommended to consider PMDS in the differential diagnosis of cryptorchidism, undergo surgery as early as possible, and treat Müllerian duct derivatives based on individual anatomical characteristics.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects and mechanisms of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang on hepatic oxidative stress injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） rats based on the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） axis. MethodSix ZDF （fa/+） rats were as assigned to the blank group， and 30 ZDF （fa/fa） rats were used to induce the T2DM model by feeding a high-fat diet. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， metformin group （0.18 g·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang （0.54， 1.08， 2.16 g·kg^-1）， with six rats in each group. After 12 weeks of drug intervention， the body mass， liver mass， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， and oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） levels were measured. Serum total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， and the level of malondialdehyde （MDA） in liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Nrf2 in the liver. Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant increase in body mass， liver mass， and liver index （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and the medium and high dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed a significant decrease in body weight， liver mass， and liver index （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased TC， TG， and LDL levels （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased HDL levels （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly reduced TC levels （P<0.01）， and significantly reduced TG levels （P<0.05）. The medium and high dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly reduced LDL levels （P<0.05）. The metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly increased HDL levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased ALT and AST activities （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang and the metformin group showed significantly reduced ALT activities （P<0.05） and significantly reduced AST activities （P<0.01）. Compared with normal group， the model group showed significantly increased FBG at all time points （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly reduced FBG at 8， 10， 12 weeks. The OGTT results showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly increased blood glucose at all time points （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group showed significantly reduced blood glucose at all time points （P<0.01）， and the medium and high dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly reduced blood glucose at 90， 120 min （P<0.01）. HE pathology showed clear and regular liver cell structure in the normal group， while the model group showed disordered liver cell structure with visible fat vacuoles and a large number of deformed necrotic cells. The liver tissue structure improved in the metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang， with fewer necrotic cells. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly reduced SOD and GSH-Px levels （P<0.01）， and significantly increased ROS and MDA levels （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly increased SOD and GSH-Px levels （P<0.01）， and significantly reduced MDA levels （P<0.01）. The medium and high dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly reduced ROS levels （P<0.05）. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly reduced Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA expression levels （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and the medium and high dose groups of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly increased Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA expression levels （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly reduced positive expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed increased positive expression of Nrf2 and HO-1， with a significant increase in brown-yellow granules around the cell nucleus （P<0.05）. Western blot results showed that compared with the normal group， the model group had significantly reduced protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and all doses of modified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang showed significantly increased protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang can significantly improve the general condition and pathological changes of liver tissues in T2DM model rats. This improvement is likely achieved through ameliorating hepatic oxidative stress injury via regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 axis.