Objective: To investigate the changes in oropharyngeal airway parameters and hyoid position in skeletal ClassⅡ adult female patients with different vertical skeletal types who were treated with maxillary anterior teeth retraction with maximum anchorage, and to provide a reference for orthodontic clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: This study was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from patients. Sixty adult female patients with skeletal ClassⅡ were selected and divided into a skeletal ClassⅡ normodivergent group and a skeletal ClassⅡ hyperdivergent group based on the patients’ mandibular plane angle. In both groups, the bilateral maxillary first premolars were extracted and the maxillary anterior teeth were retracted with maximum anchorage. Cone beam CT(CBCT) images were collected before and after treatment, and three-dimensional measurement software was used to analyze oropharyngeal airway-related parameters. Results: After retraction of the maxillary anterior teeth with maximum anchorage, the 10 parameters related to the oropharyngeal airway did not exhibit statistically significant differences in the normodivergent group (P>0.05), but the perpendicular distance from the highest point of the hyoid bone to the vertical line passing through the sella (H-X) value decreased (P<0.001). In the hyperdivergent group, the oropharyngeal area at the level of the epiglottis tip (OPA-E), anterior-posterior diameters of the oropharynx at the level of the epiglottis tip (E-AP), most constricted axial area of the oropharynx (OPA-MCA), and anterior-posterior diameters of MCA area of the oropharynx (MCA-AP) decreased after treatment (P<0.001). In addition, the oropharyngeal volume (OPV) decreased after treatment (P<0.05), and the perpendicular distance from the highest point of the hyoid bone to the horizontal line passing through the sella (H-Y) and the highest point of the hyoid bone to the epiglottis base (H-Eb) values increased after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion After retraction of the maxillary anterior teeth with maximum anchorage, there is no change in the oropharyngeal airway in skeletal ClassⅡ normodivergent female adult patients, while skeletal ClassⅡhyperdivergent female adult patients have a risk of reduction in the oropharyngeal airway after maximuim anchorage retraction of the maxillary anterior teeth.

Objective To construct a canine model of vocal cord scar by low-termperature plasma ablation and screen the target genes closely related to the formation of vocal cord scar.Methods Four Chinese rural canines were treated with plasma ablation under the support of laryngoscope and endoscope,and the left vocal cords were injured to the muscle layer.The contralateral sides were left untreated.The gross morphology of vocal cord was observed before operation,immediately after operation,3 weeks after operation and 12 weeks after operation.The pathologi-cal structure of vocal cords was observed by HE stainning,and the ultrastructure of vocal cords was observed by transmission electron microscopy.In addition,high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the differences in gene expression between the bilateral vocal cords,and the target genes with significantly different expression were screened out.Results In general morphology,the normal vocal cords were banded and well closed.At 3 weeks af-ter operation,the vocal cords were congested and swollen,with uneven edges and red granulation tissues were seen.At 12 weeks after operation,the vocal cord wound was localized contracture and depression,and scar was formed.HE staining showed obvious thickening of the squamous epithelium of the scarred vocal cords,thickening and disor-dered arrangement of the fiber layer,local clumping or bundle aggregation,and scattered fiber bundles were also seen in the muscle layer.Transmission electron microscopy showed interstitial thickening,uneven density,cell swelling,unclear intercellular boundary,proliferation of nuclei and mitochondria,and cells in an active state.High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that many gene families were involved in the process of vocal cord scar re-pair,including IL family,CCL and CXCL family,MMPs family and its inhibitor TIMPs family,Wnt family,HSP family,MAPK family and TGF-β family.Conclusion We successfully constructed the canine model of vocal cord scar by low-temperature plasma ablation and screened out the target genes closely related to the formation of vocal cord scar by high-throughput sequencing,which provides certain reference value for exploring the mechanism of vo-cal cord scar.

Objective To investigate the effect of ERK inhibitor PD98059 on the proliferation and differentia-tion of rat otocyst osteoblasts.Methods SD neonatal rat osteoblasts were extracted by two-step digestion with 0.25％pancreatin and type Ⅰ collagenase,and co-cultured with ERK inhibitor PD98059 at concentrations of 0 μmol/L,10 μmol/L,25 μmol/L and 50 μmol/L,respectively.Then,the osteoblasts proliferation of the four groups were assessed by EDU method for 4 consecutive days.The proliferation trend of each group was compared and analyzed.Osteoblasts were differentiated by β-sodium glycerophosphate,L-vitamin C and dexamethasone at concentrations of 10 mmol/L,50 ug/ml and 10-7 mol/L.After 24 h,the mRNA expression levels of osteogenic fac-tors which include Ocn,Bsp,Runx2,Bmp2,OPG and RANKL in each group were detected by RT-qPCR,and the differences of the results were analyzed.Results All the concentrations of ERK inhibitor PD98059 could inhibit the proliferation of osteoblasts in SD neonatal rat,and the inhibitory effect of PD98059 at concentrations of 10 μmol/L was significantly greater than that of the other three groups(P＜0.05).In addition,all the concentrations of PD98059 could inhibit the expressions of Ocn,Bsp,Runx2,Bmp2 and OPG mRNA.The mRNA expressions of Ocn,Bsp,Runx2 and Bmp2 in 10 μmol/L PD98059 group were significantly lower than those in 0 μmol/L,25μmol/L and 50 μmol/L PD98059 groups(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of OPG in 10 and 25 μmol/L PD98059 groups were significantly lower than those in 0 and 50 μmol/L PD98059 groups(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference between the first two groups(P＞0.05).The CT value of RANKL mRNA was not detec-ted in all groups.Conclusion ERK pathway inhibitor PD98059 can both inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in rat otocyst.Therefore,we speculate that ERK1/2-MAPK pathway may mediate the formation of tympanosclerosis by affecting the proliferation and differentiation of rat otocyst osteoblasts.

Endodontic diseases are a kind of chronic infectious oral disease.Common endodontic treatment concepts are based on the removal of inflamed or necrotic pulp tissue and the replacement by gutta-percha.However,it is very essential for endodontic treatment to debride the root canal system and prevent the root canal system from bacterial reinfection after root canal therapy(RCT).Recent research,encompassing bacterial etiology and advanced imaging techniques,contributes to our understanding of the root canal system's anatomy intricacies and the technique sensitivity of RCT.Success in RCT hinges on factors like patients,infection severity,root canal anatomy,and treatment techniques.Therefore,improving disease management is a key issue to combat endodontic diseases and cure periapical lesions.The clinical difficulty assessment system of RCT is established based on patient conditions,tooth conditions,root canal configuration,and root canal needing retreatment,and emphasizes pre-treatment risk assessment for optimal outcomes.The findings suggest that the presence of risk factors may correlate with the challenge of achieving the high standard required for RCT.These insights contribute not only to improve education but also aid practitioners in treatment planning and referral decision-making within the field of endodontics.

Objective　To explore the characteristics of toxic heavy metal pollution in atmospheric PM2.5 (Particulate matter 2.5) during winter in Nanning City and to evaluate the health risks for the population. Methods　Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were continuously collected in the urban areas of Nanning from January to February 2019. The concentrations of seven toxic heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and manganese (Mn) in atmospheric PM2.5 were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The pollution characteristics of toxic heavy metals were studied by geo-accumulation index and enrichment factor methods, and their health risks to children and adults were assessed using the health risk assessment model of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results　The mass concentration of atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanning in winter 2019 was (44±29) μg/m3, which was generally at a low level. Different degrees of pollution were found for Hg, Cd, As, Cr, and Pb in PM2.5, with Hg and Cd being more seriously polluted. Hg and Cd were highly enriched in PM2.5, followed by Pb with moderate enrichment. These three elements mainly originated from man-made pollution. As, Cr and Ni were mildly enriched and affected by both natural and anthropogenic sources. The non-carcinogenic risks were in the order of As>Pb>Hg>Cr>Cd>Mn>Ni. The total non-carcinogenic risks for the three populations were all less than 1, which is within acceptable limits. The carcinogenic risks were ranked as Cr>As>Cd>Ni, with Cr, As, and Cd posing carcinogenic risks to children and adults ranging from 1×10-6 to 1×10-4. Moreover, the total carcinogenic risks of heavy metals (Cr, As, Cd, and Ni) were higher than 1×10-4 for children, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk. Conclusions　The mass concentration of PM2.5 and heavy metal elements in Nanning City during the winter of 2019 was relatively low, but the pollution of heavy metals still exists. The non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals is within an acceptable range, but the carcinogenic risk poses a potential danger to children.

Early weaned piglets suffer from oxidative stress and enteral infection, which usually results in gut microbial dysbiosis, serve diarrhea, and even death. Rice bran oil (RBO), a polyphenol-enriched by-product of rice processing, has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties both in vivo and in vitro. Here, we ascertained the proper RBO supplementation level, and subsequently determined its effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal dysfunction in weaned piglets. A total of 168 piglets were randomly allocated into four groups of seven replicates (42 piglets each group, (21±1) d of age, body weight (7.60±0.04) kg, and half males and half females) and were given basal diet (Ctrl) or basal diet supplemented with 0.01% (mass fraction) RBO (RBO1), 0.02% RBO (RBO2), or 0.03% RBO (RBO3) for 21 d. Then, seven piglets from the Ctrl and the RBO were treated with LPS (100 μg/kg body weight (BW)) as LPS group and RBO+LPS group, respectively. Meanwhile, seven piglets from the Ctrl were treated with the saline vehicle (Ctrl group). Four hours later, all treated piglets were sacrificed for taking samples of plasma, jejunum tissues, and feces. The results showed that 0.02% was the optimal dose of dietary RBO supplementation based on diarrhea, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake indices in early weaning piglets. Furthermore, RBO protected piglets against LPS-induced jejunal epithelium damage, which was indicated by the increases in villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and Claudin-1 levels, as well as a decreased level of jejunal epithelium apoptosis. RBO also improved the antioxidant ability of LPS-challenged piglets, which was indicated by the elevated concentrations of catalase and superoxide dismutase, and increased total antioxidant capacity, as well as the decreased concentrations of diamine oxidase and malondialdehyde in plasma. Meanwhile, RBO improved the immune function of LPS-challenged weaned piglets, which was indicated by elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, β‍‍-defensin-1, and lysozyme levels in the plasma. In addition, RBO supplementation improved the LPS challenge-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Particularly, the indices of antioxidant capacity, intestinal damage, and immunity were significantly associated with the RBO-regulated gut microbiota. These findings suggested that 0.02% RBO is a suitable dose to protect against LPS-induced intestinal damage, oxidative stress, and jejunal microbiota dysbiosis in early weaned piglets.
Male ; Female ; Swine ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Rice Bran Oil ; Dysbiosis ; Dietary Supplements ; Diarrhea/veterinary* ; Weaning ; Body Weight

Digital guided therapy (DGT) has been advocated as a contemporary computer-aided technique for treating endodontic diseases in recent decades. The concept of DGT for endodontic diseases is categorized into static guided endodontics (SGE), necessitating a meticulously designed template, and dynamic guided endodontics (DGE), which utilizes an optical triangulation tracking system. Based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images superimposed with or without oral scan (OS) data, a virtual template is crafted through software and subsequently translated into a 3-dimensional (3D) printing for SGE, while the system guides the drilling path with a real-time navigation in DGE. DGT was reported to resolve a series of challenging endodontic cases, including teeth with pulp obliteration, teeth with anatomical abnormalities, teeth requiring retreatment, posterior teeth needing endodontic microsurgery, and tooth autotransplantation. Case reports and basic researches all demonstrate that DGT stand as a precise, time-saving, and minimally invasive approach in contrast to conventional freehand method. This expert consensus mainly introduces the case selection, general workflow, evaluation, and impact factor of DGT, which could provide an alternative working strategy in endodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Endodontics/methods* ; Tooth ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Dental Care ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Root Canal Therapy

Chaigui granules(CG)are a compound composed of six herbal medicines with significant antidepressant effects.However,the antidepressant mechanism of CG remains unclear.In the present study,we attempted to elucidate the antidepressant mechanism of CG by regulating purine metabolism and purinergic signaling.First,the regulatory effect of CG on purine metabolites in the prefrontal cortex(PFC)of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)rats was analyzed by ultra high-performance liquid chro-matography tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)targeted quantitative analysis.Meanwhile,purinergic receptors(P2X7 receptor(P2X7R),A1 receptor(A1R)and A2A receptor(A2AR))and signaling pathways(nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome pathway and cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)pathway)associated with purine metabolism were analyzed by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Besides,antidepressant mecha-nism of CG by modulating purine metabolites to activate purinergic receptors and related signaling pathways was dissected by exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of puri-nergic receptors in vitro.An in vivo study showed that the decrease in xanthine and the increase in four purine nucleosides were closely related to the antidepressant effects of CG.Additionally,purinergic re-ceptors(P2X7R,A1R and A2AR)and related signaling pathways(NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and cAMP-PKA pathway)were also significantly regulated by CG.The results of exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of purinergic receptors showed that excessive accumulation of xanthine led to activation of the P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway,and the reduction of adenosine and inosine inhibited the A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway,which was significantly ameliorated by CG.Overall,CG could promote neuroprotection and ultimately play an antidepressant role by inhibiting the xanthine-P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and activating the adenosine/inosine-A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway.

Objective To explore the efficacy and postoperative complications of transnasal en-doscopic low temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of children with snoring.Methods Clinical materials of 278 children with snoring were analyzed retrospectively,and they were divided into control group(n=128)and observation group(n=150)according to different op-eration methods.The control group was treated with adenoidectomy and bilateral tonsillectomy,while the observation group was treated with transnasal endoscopic low temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation.Perioperative indicators,the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score,inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-4(IL-4)and interleukin-8(IL-8)],stress response indicators[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione(GSH)],venti-lation function indicators[apnea hyponea index(AHI),oxygen desaturation index(ODI),the lon-gest apnea time(LAT)and nocturnal lowest blood oxygen saturation(LSaO2)],the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results In the observation group,the operation time,symptom relief time and hospital stay were significantly shorter than those in the control group,while the intraoperative bleeding volume was significantly less than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The VAS scores of the observation group at 6,24,48 and 72 h after operation were significantly lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).At 3 days after operation,serum TNF-α,IL-4 and IL-8 levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05);at 24 hours after operation,serum MDA level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group,while the levels of SOD and GSH were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05);at 6 months after operation,AHI,ODI and LAT in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the LSaO2 was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05);at 6 months after surgery,the PSQI score and incidence of complications in the observa-tion group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Tran-snasal endoscopic low temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation can reduce the levels of inflamma-tory factors,alleviate stress response,improve ventilation function,improve quality of sleep in chil-dren with snoring,and its safety is relatively high.

Objective : To explore the regulatory effects of ResolvinD1 (RVD1) on autophagy and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in aging rats , and the effects of RVD1 on mitochondria⁃associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) of myocardial tissue . Methods : Thirty 18⁃month⁃old SD rats were randomly divided into model group , low⁃dose RVD1 group and high⁃dose RVD1 group , with 10 rats in each group , and another 10 6 ⁃month⁃old SD rats were selected as control group . The low⁃dose RVD1 group and high⁃dose RVD1 group were injected with 50 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml RVD1 through the tail vein , respectively , control group and model group were injected with the same amount of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 21 days . The β ⁃galactosidase activity of rat myocardial tissue was determined by p ⁃nitrophenol method , the histopathological changes of rat myocardial tissue were detected by hematoxylin⁃eosin (HE) staining , and the collagen deposition in rat myocardial tissue was observed by Masson staining , apoptosis of rat myocardial cells was detected by dUTP in situ end labeling mediated by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase(TUNEL) , the expression of autophagy marker microtubule⁃associated protein 3 (LC3) was detecotide transferase(TUNEL) , the expression of autophagy marker microtubule⁃associated protein 3 (LC3) was detected by immunohistochemical S ⁃P method , the ratio of LC3 ⁃ Ⅱ/LC3 ⁃ Ⅰ and the expression of Beclin⁃1 , p62 in rat myocardial tissue were determined by Western blot , the structure of MAMs in rat myocardial tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy , the expression levels of glucose⁃regulatory protein 75 (GRP75) , volt⁃dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and mitochondrial fusion protein 2 (Mfn2) in rat myocardial tissue were determined by Western blot . Results : Compared with model group , β ⁃galactosidase activity of myocardial tissue decreased in low⁃dose RVD1 group and high⁃dose RVD1 group (P < 0. 05) , myocardial fiber breakage and myocardial cell damag were significantly alleviated , collagen fiber deposition was significantly reduced , and the proportion of TUNEL positive cells in myocardial tissue decreased (P < 0. 05) , the positive rate of LC3 protein increased (P < 0. 05) , the ratio of LC3 ⁃ Ⅱ/LC3 ⁃ Ⅰ increased , the relative expression level of Beclin⁃1 protein was up⁃regulated and the relative expression level of p62 protein was down⁃regulated ( P < 0. 05) , the structure of MAMs was tighter , and the percentage of MAMs in mitochondrial circumference also increased (P < 0. 05) , the relative protein expressions of GRP75 , VDAC1 and Mfn2 were up⁃regulated (P < 0. 05) . Compared with low⁃dose RVD1 group , β ⁃galactosidase activity in high⁃dose RVD1 group further decreased ( P < 0. 05) , no obvious damage was observed in myocardial tissue , collagen fiber deposition was further decreased , the proportion of TUNEL positive cells in myocardial tissue decreased (P < 0. 05 ) , and the positive rate of LC3 protein increased ( P < 0. 05 ) , LC3 ⁃ Ⅱ/LC3 ⁃ Ⅰ ratio increased , Beclin⁃1 relative expression level was up⁃regulated and p62 relative expression level was down⁃regulated (P < 0. 05) , the structure of MAMs was more compact , and their percentage in mitochondrial circumference further increased (P < 0. 05 ) , the relative expressions of GRP75 , VDAC1 and Mfn2 were further up⁃regulated ( P <0. 05) . Conclusion RVD1 can activate autophagy , alleviate myocardial apoptosis and collagen fiber deposition, and promote mitochondria⁃associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes in aging rats .