ObjectiveThe controllability changes of structural brain network were explored based on the control and brain network theory in young smokers, this may reveal that the controllability indicators can serve as a powerful factor to predict the sleep status in young smokers. MethodsFifty young smokers and 51 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to construct structural brain network based on fractional anisotropy (FA) weight matrix. According to the control and brain network theory, the average controllability and the modal controllability were calculated. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups and Pearson correlation analysis to examine the correlation between significant average controllability and modal controllability with Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in young smokers. The nodes with the controllability score in the top 10% were selected as the super-controllers. Finally, we used BP neural network to predict the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in young smokers. ResultsThe average controllability of dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, lenticular nucleus putamen, and lenticular nucleus pallidum, and the modal controllability of orbital inferior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, gyrus rectus, and posterior cingulate gyrus in the young smokers’ group, were all significantly different from those of the healthy controls group (P<0.05). The average controllability of the right supplementary motor area (SMA.R) in the young smokers group was positively correlated with FTND (r=0.393 0, P=0.004 8), while modal controllability was negatively correlated with FTND (r=-0.330 1, P=0.019 2). ConclusionThe controllability of structural brain network in young smokers is abnormal. which may serve as an indicator to predict sleep condition. It may provide the imaging evidence for evaluating the cognitive function impairment in young smokers.

Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP), an abnormal vascular proliferative retinopathy of prematurity, is a serious condition that can lead to retinal detachment or blindness. With the development of neonatal medicine, the survival rate of low birth weight and low gestational age infants has been increasing, as well as the incidence of ROP. Therefore, studying ROP's pathogenesis and influencing factors is of great clinical importance. Numerous studies have been conducted on the risk factors for ROP, including gestational age, oxygen intake, mode of delivery, neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and the use of surfactants. At present, it is widely accepted both at home and abroad that preterm birth, low birth weight, and high oxygen concentration after birth are independent risk factors for ROP. In recent years, more and more scholars have found that abnormalities in blood indicators in preterm infants may be associated with the development of ROP. This article reviews the effects of platelets, haemoglobin, blood glucose, inflammatory cells, and lipids on ROP, providing a reference for identifying and preventing risk factors for ROP.

Objective To analyze the prevalence and genetic characteristics of influenza A(H3N2) viruses in the city of Xiangyang in 2022-2023, and to provide a scientific basis for predicting the epidemic and mutation of influenza virus. Methods Throat swab specimens of the influenza like cases were collected from national influenza monitoring sentinel hospitals in Xiangyang every week. RNA was extracted from the specimens for influenza diagnosing using real-time RT-PCR．Viruses were isolated from H3N2 positive specimens, and HA and NA genes were amplified and sequenced．3D modeling analyses were conducted. Results The gene phylogenetic tree showed that the H3N2 isolates in 2022-2023 belonged to 3C.2a1b.2a1 and 3C.2a1b.2a2 branches, respectively. The A(H3N2) influenza virus strains all had amino acid point mutation sites on important antigenic determinants of HA protein. The epitope mutations of the 2022 A(H3N2) strain mainly occurred in regions B, C, and D. The epitope mutations of the A(H3N2) strain in 2023 mainly occurred in regions C and D. Different glycosylation sites of HA gene were found in 2022-2023 strains. No variation was found in key amino acid sites associated with neuraminidase inhibitor resistance. The difference of overall structure was not obvious in the three-dimensional simulation structure diagram. Conclusion The A(H3N2) influenza strains isolated in this study have shown antigenic drift, especially the mutation of HA, which may affect the protective effect of the vaccine on the local population and lead to influenza epidemic. The variations of HA and NA suggest that close attention should be paid to the epidemic and genetic variation of H3N2 subtype influenza virus, to provide a scientific basis for the selection of influenza virus vaccine strains and the prevention and control of influenza.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is a chronic and diffuse disease of the meibomian glands, characterized by obstruction and(or)abnormal secretion of the terminal ducts. Clinically, it can lead to tear film abnormalities and inflammation of the ocular surface, resulting in symptoms of ocular irritation and potential corneal damage that may impact visual function. Meibomian gland dysfunction can be classified into two types based on meibomian gland secretion: low secretion type and high secretion type. The low secretion type further includes acinar atrophy type and obstruction type. In recent years, research has revealed that patients with diabetes experience chronic damage to their meibomian gland tissue in the early stages of the disease, leading to structural and functional changes. The incidence and severity of meibomian gland dysfunction are higher in diabetic patients. However, there are numerous complex factors contributing to this condition in diabetes patients, and mechanisms remain unclear at present. This article reviews both domestic and international research progress on the pathological mechanism underlying meibomian gland dysfunction in diabetes.

Assessment is an indispensable and critical activity in the educational process. In the recent decades, with the birth and development of competence-based educational paradigm, the rationale behind assessment is shifting from "assessment of learning" to "assessment for learning". Workplace-based assessment (WPBA), which aims to improve the quality of both learning and teaching through assessment in real workplace circumstances, is a set of assessment tools that conforms to the new concepts of medical education. In this article, with the purpose to promote the application of WPBA and thus enhance the quality of dental education in our country, a thorough discussion is performed regarding the core principles, tools, advantages of WPBA as well as attentions that should be noted when applying WPBA. It is recommended to establish a longitudinal assessment system which employs various WPBA tools and assesses the development of students' competencies through the whole educational process. Such a dynamic assessment system may be helpful to provide all-rounded and competent dental talents who can eventually benefit the society.

The study focused on individuals with influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and other respiratory symptoms) in three kindergartens in Tongzhou District, Beijing City, in April 2023. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect common respiratory pathogens in the collected specimens. Positive specimens were subjected to sequencing analysis of the highly variable region of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) G protein, homology analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 25 fever cases were collected from 3 kindergartens, aged 3-8 years old, with an age M ( Q1, Q3) of 4 (3.5, 5) years old. Ten confirmed cases of HRSV positive were screened and detected using the fluorescent quantitative PCR method, with a total detection rate of 40% (10/25). Typing identification and sequencing analysis confirmed that the main epidemic type was HRSV subtype B, which was highly homologous and closely related to previous epidemic strains in the region. Through pathogen investigation and analysis, it was preliminarily determined that this epidemic was dominated by HRSV subtype B.

Objective:To explore the relationship between lipid metabolism molecules in plasma and carotid atherosclerotic plaques,traditional cardiovascular risk factors and possible dietary related factors.Methods:Firstly,among 1 312 community people from those who participated in a 10-year follow-up study of subclinical atherosclerosis cohort in Shijingshan District,Beijing,85 individuals with 2 or more carotid soft plaques or mixed plaques and 89 healthy individuals without plaques were selected according to the inclusive and the exclusive criteria(＜70 years,not having clinical cardiovascular disease and other diseases,etc.).Secondly,10 cases and 10 controls were randomly selected in the above 85 and 89 individuals respectively.Carotid plaques were detected using GE Vivid i Ultrasound Machine with 8L de-tector.Lipid metabolism molecules were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spec-trometry.The detection indexes included 113 lipid metabolism molecules.Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were collected by unified standard questionnaires,and dietary related factors were collected by main dietary frequency and weight scale.The difference of lipid metabolism molecules between the case group and the control group was analyzed by Wilcoxin rank test.In the control group,the Spearman cor-relation method was used to analyze the correlation between statistically significant lipid metabolism molecules and traditional cardiovascular risk factors and dietary factors.Results:Among the 113 lipid metabolism molecules,53 lipid metabolism molecules were detected.C24∶0 sphingomyelin(SM),C22∶0/C24∶0 ceramide molecules,C18∶0 phosphoethanolamine(PE)molecules,and C18∶0/C18∶2(Cis)phosphatidylcholine(PC)were significantly higher in the carotid atherosclerotic plaque group than in the control group.The correlation analysis showed that C24∶0 SM was significantly positively correlated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C,r=0.636,P＜0.05),C18∶2(Cis)PC(DLPC)was sig-nificantly positively correlated with systolic pressure(r=0.733,P＜0.05),C18∶0 PE was significantly positively correlated with high sensitivity C-response protein(r=0.782,P＜0.01),C22∶0,C24∶0 ce-ramide and C18∶0 PE were negatively correlated with vegetable intake(r=-0.679,P＜0.05;r=-0.711,P＜0.05;r=-0.808,P＜0.01),C24∶0 ceramide was also negatively correlated with beans food intake(r=-0.736,P＜0.05)in the control group.Conclusion:The increase of plasma C24∶0 SM,C22∶0,C24∶0 ceramide,C18∶0PE,C18∶2(Cis)PC(DLPC),C18∶0PC(DSPC)may be new risk factors for human atherosclerotic plaques.These molecules may be related to blood lipid,blood pres-sure or inflammatory level and the intake of vegetables and soy products,but the nature of the association needs to be verified in a larger sample population.

Objective To investigate the age-related changes of the mandibular third molar root pulp visibility in individuals in East China,and to explore the feasibility of applying this method to deter-mine whether an individual is 18 years or older.Methods A total of 1 280 oral panoramic images were collected from the 15-30 years old East China population,and the mandibular third molar root pulp visibility in all oral panoramic images was evaluated using OLZE 0-3 four-stage method,and the age distribution of the samples at each stage was analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results Stages 0,1,2 and 3 first appeared in 16.88,19.18,21.91 and 25.44 years for males and in 17.47,20.91,22.01 and 26.01 years for females.In all samples,individuals at stages 1 to 3 were over 18 years old.Conclusion It is feasible to determine whether an individual in East China is 18 years or older based on the mandibular third molar root pulp visibility on oral panoramic images.

Objective:To analyze the therapeutic effect and safety of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy for lung cancer brain metastases.Methods:A total of 300 patients with lung cancer brain metastases admitted to the Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital from March 2021 to March 2023 were selected as the study objects. The patients were divided into control group ( n=150) and study group ( n=150) by random number table method. The control group received sequential three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, while the study group received simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The short-term and medium-term efficacy, target dose, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:The short-term and medium-term total effective rates of the study group were 73.33% (110/150) and 88.67% (133/150), respectively, which were higher than those of the control group [51.33% (77/150) and 71.33% (107/150) ] ( χ2=15.46, P<0.001; χ2=14.08, P<0.001). The D min in gross tumor planning target volume and whole brain clinical planning target volume of the study group were (23.78±1.11) and (58.46±0.55) Gy, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group [ (16.67±1.08) and (53.44±0.74) Gy], with statistically significant differences ( t=56.22, P<0.001; t=66.68, P<0.001). The D mean in gross tumor planning target volume and whole brain clinical planning target volume of the study group were (44.12±0.87) and (62.19±0.57) Gy, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group [ (37.55±0.89) and (57.78±0.82) Gy], with statistically significant differences ( t=64.65, P<0.001; t=54.08, P<0.001). The total incidence of adverse reactions was 30.67% (46/150) in the study group and 36.67% (55/150) in the control group, with no significantly significant difference ( χ2=1.20, P=0.271) . Conclusion:Compared with sequential three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy has better short-term and medium-term efficacy in patients with lung cancer brain metastases. Target dose can be increased without increasing adverse reactions.

AIM:To investigate the reparative effect of extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from H9 human embryonic stem cells(H9-hESCs)on endometrial injury.METHODS:EVs were isolated from the culture supernatant of H9-hESCs and characterized.A mouse model of endometrial injury was established,with bilateral uterine divisions into an EVs experimental group and a PBS control group.EVs and PBS were injected respectively.Histological changes in the endometrium were assessed using HE staining,and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)expression was analyzed via immunohistochemistry.The impact of EVs on the proliferation of human endometrial stromal cells(hEndoSCs)was eva-luated using EdU staining and Western blot.RESULTS:H9-hESCs-EVs exhibited a membrane-structured nanobody with a particle size of(144.7±2.1)nm and expressed characteristic proteins CD63 and TSG101.Compared to the PBS control group,the EVs group showed increased endometrial tissue morphology,thickness,and gland numbers.The average opti-cal density of PCNA expression significantly increased in the EVs group compared to the PBS group(P<0.05).Results from EdU staining and Western blot demonstrated that H9-hESCs-EVs promoted hEndoSC proliferation,with a positive correlation observed between H9-hESCs-EVs and EVs protein concentration(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:H9-hESCs-EVs enhance the repair of endometrial injury by stimulating the proliferation of endometrial stromal cells.