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Abstract Background People with the metabolically obese normal weight (MONW) phenotype have been confirmed to significantly increase the risk of unfavorable health consequences. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between traditional and novel anthropometric indices with the MONW phenotype and compare the predictive ability of different anthropometric indices in identifying individuals with the MONW phenotype. Methods This cross-sectional study involved a total of 26,332 participants aged 18 years or older with a normal weight from Nanjing, China. Sociodemographic information, biochemical measurements, and anthropometric indices were collected. The novel body fat anthropometric indices included body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), abdominal volume index (AVI), weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), body adiposity index (BAI), conicity index (CI), waist-hip-height ratio (WHHR), as well as traditional indices such as waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).The prevalence ratio (PR) from modified poisson regression and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were conducted to compare the association and predictive capacity of different obesity indicators for the MONW phenotype. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results Modified poisson regression analyses revealed that weight, WC, HC, BMI, WHR, WHtR, ABSI, BRI, AVI, WWI, BAI, CI, and WHHR were independently associated with higher risk of the MONW phenotype, regardless of whether they were treated as a continuous or categorical variable (P

Abstract Background This study quantitatively analyzed the anatomic structure of the alveolar bone in the maxillary molar region at three potential locations for Temporary Anchorage Device (TAD) placement. Additionally, the study compared the variability in this region across different age groups, sagittal skeletal patterns, vertical facial types, and sexes. Methods In this retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study, the buccal alveolar bone was analyzed in the posterior molar area of 200 patients, the measurement items include buccal alveolar bone height, alveolar bone thickness, interradicular distance, and maxillary retromolar space. Results Buccal alveolar height was greatest in the U56 region. The interradicular space was largest in the U56 region and increased from the alveolar crest to the sinus floor. Buccal alveolar bone thickness was highest in the U67 region and generally increased from the alveolar crest to the sinus floor. The maxillary retromolar space gradually increased from the alveolar crest to the root apex. Conclusions TADs are safest when placed in the buccal area between the maxillary second premolar and the first molar, particularly at the 9 mm plane. The U67 region is the optimal safe zone for TAD placement for maxillary dentition distalization. TADs placement in adolescents can be challenging. Maxillary third molar extraction can be considered for maxillary dentition distalization.

Abstract Objective This study introduced the modified Q-type purse-string suture duodenal stump embedding method, a convenient way to strengthen the duodenum, and compared it to the conventional one to assess its efficacy and safety. Methods This retrospective analysis examined 612 patients who received laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric Cancer at a single center. The patients were divided into Not Reinforced Group (n = 205) and Reinforced Group (n = 407) according to the surgical approach to the duodenal stump. The reinforced group was further divided into a modified Q-type purse-string suture embedding method group (QM, n = 232) and a conventional suture duodenal stump embedding method group (CM, n = 175) according to the methods of duodenal stump enhancement. Clinicopathological characteristics, operative variables, and short-term complications were documented and analyzed. Results The incidence of duodenal stump leakage(DSL) in the Not Reinforced Group was higher compared to the Reinforced Group, although the difference was not statistically significant [2.4% (5/205) vs 0.7% (3/407), p = 0.339]. Additionally, the Not Reinforced Group exhibited a higher rate of Reoperation due to DSL compared to the Reinforced Group [2 (1.0%) vs. 0, p = 0.046], with one patient in the Not Reinforced Group experiencing mortality due to DSL [1 (0.5%) vs 0, p = 0.158]. Subgroup analysis within the Reinforced Group revealed that the modified Q-type purse-string suture embedding group (QM) subgroup demonstrated statistically significant advantages over the conventional suture embedding group (CM) subgroup. QM exhibited shorter purse-string closure times (4.11 ± 1.840 vs. 6.05 ± 1.577, p = 0.001), higher purse-string closure success rates (93.1% vs. 77.7%, p = 0.001), and greater satisfaction with purse-string closure [224 (96.6%) vs 157 (89.7%), p = 0.005]. No occurrences of duodenal stump leakage were observed in the QM subgroup, while the CM subgroup experienced two cases [2 (1.1%)], though the difference was not statistically significant. Both groups did not exhibit statistically significant differences in secondary surgery or mortality related to duodenal stump leakage. Conclusion Duodenal Stump Leakage (DSL) is a severe but low-incidence complication. There is no statistically significant relationship between the reinforcement of the duodenal stump and the incidence of DSL. However, laparoscopic reinforcement of the duodenal stump can reduce the severity of fistulas and the probability of Reoperation. The laparoscopic Q-type purse-string suture duodenal stump embedding method is a simple and effective technique that can, to some extent, shorten the operation time and enhance satisfaction with purse-string closure. There is a trend towards reducing the incidence of DSL, thereby improving patient prognosis to a certain extent.

Abstract Background Combining conventional radiomics models with deep learning features can result in superior performance in predicting the prognosis of patients with tumors; however, this approach has never been evaluated for the prediction of metachronous distant metastasis (MDM) among patients with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma (RLS). Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT)-based deep learning radiomics model for predicting the occurrence of MDM in patients with RLS undergoing complete surgical resection. Methods A total of 179 patients who had undergone surgery for the treatment of histologically confirmed RLS were retrospectively recruited from two tertiary sarcoma centers. Semantic segmentation features derived from a convolutional neural network deep learning model as well as conventional hand-crafted radiomics features were extracted from preoperative three-phase CECT images to quantify the sarcoma phenotypes. A conventional radiomics signature (RS) and a deep learning radiomics signature (DLRS) that incorporated hand-crafted radiomics and deep learning features were developed to predict the risk of MDM. Additionally, a deep learning radiomics nomogram (DLRN) was established to evaluate the incremental prognostic significance of the DLRS in combination with clinico-radiological predictors. Results The comparison of the area under the curve (AUC) values in the external validation set, as determined by the DeLong test, demonstrated that the integrated DLRN, DLRS, and RS models all exhibited superior predictive performance compared with that of the clinical model (AUC 0.786 [95% confidence interval 0.649–0.923] vs. 0.822 [0.692–0.952] vs. 0.733 [0.573–0.892] vs. 0.511 [0.359–0.662]; both P

Technological advances are crucial for the optimization of gastric cancer surgery, and the success of any gastric cancer surgery is based on the correct and precise anatomical determination of the primary tumour and tissue structures. Real-time imaging-guided surgery is showing increasing potential and utility, mainly because it helps to aid intraoperative decision-making. However, intraoperative imaging faces many challenges in the field of gastric cancer. This article summarizes and discusses the following clinical applications of real-time optical imaging and fluorescence-guided surgery for gastric cancer: (1) the potential of quantitative fluorescence imaging in assessing tissue perfusion, (2) vascular navigation and determination of tumour margins, (3) the advantages and limitations of lymph node drainage assessment, and (4) identification of peritoneal metastases. In addition, preclinical study of tumour-targeted fluorescence imaging are discussed.

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is a heterogeneous disease whose development is accompanied by alterations in a variety of pathogenic genes. The phospholipase C Delta 3 enzyme is a member of the phospholipase C family, which controls substance transport between cells in the body. However, its role in gastric cancer has not been discovered. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and mechanism of action of PLCD3 in connection to gastric cancer. By Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, PLCD3 mRNA and protein expression levels were measured, with high PLCD3 expression suggesting poor prognosis. In N87 and HGC-27 cells, the silencing of PLCD3 using small interfering RNA effectively induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Conversely, overexpression of PLCD3 using overexpressed plasmids inhibited apoptosis in AGS and BGC-823 cells and promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion. In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms, we conducted further analysis of PLCD3, which indicates that this protein is closely related to the cell cycle and EMT. Additionally, we found that overexpression of PLCD3 inhibits apoptosis and promotes the development of GC cells through JAK2/STAT3 signaling. In conclusion, PLCD3 inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation, invasion, and migration, which indicated that PLCD3 might serve as a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Abstract Background This study aimed to create a nomogram for predicting the recurrence of small bowel obstruction (SBO) after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer (GC) in order to provide better guidance for its diagnosis and treatment. Methods A total of 173 patients undergone gastrectomy and developed SBO from January 2015 to October 2022 were admitted into this case–control study. The risk factors of postoperative recurrent SBO were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression, and a nomogram for predicting the recurrent SBO after gastrectomy was developed using R Studio. Results Thirty-nine cases of postoperative recurrent SBO occurred among the 173 GC patients who underwent radical gastrectomy, and the percentage of recurrent SBO was 22.54% (39/173). Age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.938, p = 0.026], WBC count (OR = 1.547, p

Background: It has been reported that the human family with sequence similarity 198, member B (Fam198b) play an important role in the occurrence and development of various cancers. Nevertheless, its function in gastric cancer is not completely clear. Hereby, we investigated the function and prognostic value of Fam198b in gastric cancer and further validated the results in gastric cancer through a series of in vitro experiments. Methods: We used R software and online bioinformatics analysis tools-GEPIA2, TIMER2, Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, TISIDB COSMIC, and STRING to study the characteristics and functions of Fam198b in GC, such as aberrant expression, prognostic value, genomic alterations, immune microenvironment, anticancer drug sensitivity, and related signaling pathways. In addition, in vitro experiments such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), cell function experiments, and signaling pathway experiments were performed to validate the key conclusions. Result: Fam198b is obviously highly expressed in gastric cancer, and its expression is intensively correlated with tumor prognosis. The etiology of abnormal Fam198b expression was superficially investigated and validated by associating genomic alterations and the immune microenvironment. Furthermore, Fam198b is intensively correlated with the sensitivity of multiple antitumor drugs. It was demonstrated by functional enrichment analysis that Fam198b was linked to myogenesis, angiogenesis, epithelial mesenchymal transition and cytokine binding. It was observed in vitro experiments that knockdown Fam198b could significantly inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration. These results were reversed when Fam198b was overexpressed. It was validated by signaling pathway experiments that Fam198b promoted gastric cancer progression by up-regulating the PI3K/AKT/BCL-2 signaling pathway. Conclusion: As a novel biomarker to predict GC prognosis and tumor progression, Fam198b is a promising therapeutic target to reverse tumor progression.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of inflammatory markers (NLR, PLR) combined with tumor markers (CA50, CA199, CEA) in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer metastasis by a single-center retrospective study. Methods A total of 1163 CRC patients who received treatments in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were enrolled retrospectively. Patients were grouped according to the absence of metastasis. The separate efficacy of tumor markers, NLR and PLR, was evaluated in the diagnosis of metastasis of colorectal cancer using ROC curve analysis, and their optimal cut-off values for distant metastases from colorectal cancer were determined. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the tumor markers combined with NLR and PLR was calculated by binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of metastasis of colorectal cancer. In addition, patients were divided into two groups of high and low levels according to the optimal cut-off values, and the effects of NLR, PLR, and tumor markers on distant metastasis of colorectal cancer were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Result The abnormal rate of CA50, CA199, CEA, NLR, and PLR in two subgroupsIt was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After AUC testifying, the diagnostic efficacy of NLR and PLR was equivalent to that of tumor marker (P > 0.05). In assessment of liver metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, and multiple metastasis, AUC of NLR and PLR with CRC-specific tumor markers showed higher predictive efficacy than AUC without combined NLR nor PLR. The CA50, CA199, CEA, PLR, and NLR were proved independently associated with metastasis using multiple logistic regression analysis (P < 0.05). Conclusion NLR and PLR are noted tumor markers of colorectal cancer, which are characterized by noninvasive, high diagnostic efficacy, easy availability, and low cost. They can be combined with traditional tumor markers to evaluate and diagnose colorectal cancer metastasis by clinicians.

Three new cyclic lipopeptides, olenamidonins A-C (1–3), in addition to two previously reported metabolites (4 and 5), were accumulated in the ΔdtxRso deletion mutant of deepsea-derived Streptomyces olivaceus SCSIO 1071. The structures of these cyclic lipopeptides were determined by a combination of spectroscopic methods and circular dichroism (CD) measurement. The antibacterial assay results showed that compounds 1–5 displayed different degrees of growth inhibition against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains Enterococcus faecalis CCARM 5172 and Enterococcus faecium CCARM 5203 with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1.56−6.25 μg/mL.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is gradually increasing, making it a widespread global health concern. Cadmium (Cd) is a common toxic heavy metal in the environment, and cadmium exposure may be associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the mechanism of Cd-induced DN remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of cadmium on diabetic kidney injury and the underlying mechanism in diabetic rats and a renal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK-52E cells). Our results could provide novel insights on the nephrotoxic mechanism of cadmium. HE, PAS, and Masson staining were used to observe pathological renal injury. COL-I, COL-IV, CTSB, and CTSD protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of p62 and LC3 proteins in kidney tissue. TEM was used to observe the ultrastructure of mitochondria and number of autophagosomes. After cadmium exposure, DM rats showed a dramatic decrease in body weight compared to the unexposed DM group. Relative kidney weight showed a contrasting trend after cadmium exposure. Urinary microalbumin/creatinine significantly increased in normal and DM rats after cadmium exposure. However, the trend was clearer in the DM groups than in the control groups. Endogenous creatinine clearance exhibited a contrasting trend. After cadmium exposure in DM rats, MDA content significantly increased and GSH, CAT, SOD, and GSH-PX activation reduced compared to normal controls. Pathological damage was more pronounced, and the expression of autophagy related proteins and apoptosis and fibrosis proteins was significantly higher in vivo and vitro in the cadmium-exposed groups than in unexposed controls. Further, lysosomal protein levels were lower, and ROS content and autophagosome count significantly higher in the cadmium exposed groups compared to the unexposed controls. Therefore, Cadmium exposure aggravates diabetic kidney injury via autophagy inhibition.

As one of the most important transportation hubs and industrial bases in China, Zhengzhou has suffered from serious PM2.5 pollution for a long time. However, the investigation of contamination status and possible exposure risks of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) in PM2.5 from Zhengzhou is rare. In this work, a comprehensive study of pollution levels, seasonal variations, sources, and potential health risks of PM2.5-bound EPFRs in Zhengzhou was conducted for the first time. The atmospheric concentrations of EPFRs in PM2.5 from Zhengzhou ranged from 1.732 × 1012 spin m−3 to 7.182 × 1014 spin m−3 between 2019 and 2020. Relatively serious contamination was noticed in winter and spring. Primary fossil fuel combustion and Fe-mediated secondary formation were apportioned as possible sources of PM2.5-bound EPFRs in Zhengzhou. Moreover, to avert the bias of the toxicity assessment induced by utilization of incompletely extracted EPFRs from sample filter, simulatively generated EPFRs were applied to toxicological evaluations (cell viability and reactive oxygen species assays). Corresponding experimental dosages were based on the estimated adults’ annual exposure amounts of EPFRs in real PM2.5 samples. The results elucidated that EPFRs might cause growth inhibition and oxidative stress of human lung cells, suggesting the possible exposure-induced health concerns for local people in Zhengzhou. This study provides practical information of real contamination status of PM2.5-bound EPFRs in Zhengzhou, which is favorable to local air pollution control and reduction of exposure risks on public health in central China.

This study assesses the enduring impact of combined school- and family-based interventions on reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among schoolchildren in China. Two primary schools were assigned at random to either the Intervention Group or the Control Group, in Nanjing, eastern China. All students were in grade three and received an invitation to participate. In the first year, students in the Intervention Group received one-year intervention measures, including monthly monitoring, aiming to decrease the consumption of SSBs. Students in the Control Group only received regular monitoring without interventions. In the second year, both groups received only regular monitoring, without active interventions. A generalized estimating equations model (GEE) was used to assess the intervention effects. After two years, relative to the Control Group, the Intervention Group had a significantly improved knowledge of SSBs and an improved family environment with parents. In the Intervention Group, 477 students (97.3%) had adequate knowledge about SSBs, compared to 302 students (83.2%) in the Control Group (X2 = 52.708, p < 0.001). Two years later, the number of students who stated ‘my home always has SSBs’ in the Intervention Group (7.8%) was fewer than that in the Control Group (12.4%), which was a statistically significant finding (p < 0.05). One year later, both the frequency and the quantity of SSB consumption in the Intervention Group were less than those in the Control Group; such differences between the groups remained statistically significant for the quantity but not for the frequency of SSB consumption two years later. In the Intervention Group, the frequency of SSB consumption was significantly reduced by 1.0 times per week, compared to a reduction of 0.1 times per week in the Control Group in the first year (p < 0.05). In the second year, the frequency of SSB consumption was reduced by 0.8 times per week in the Intervention Group, compared to 0.5 times per week in the Control Group (p > 0.05). In the first year, the volume of SSB consumption was significantly reduced by 233 mL per week in the Intervention Group, compared to an increase of 107 mL per week in the Control Group (p < 0.05). In the second year, the volume of SSB consumption was reduced by 122 mL per week in the Intervention Group compared to an increase of 31 mL per week in the Control Group (p > 0.05). The combined school-based and family-based interventions had a positive effect on the students’ knowledge of SSBs and their family dynamics during the first and second year. Relative to the Control Group, the Intervention Group had a statistically significant reduction in SSB consumption after 1 year, but not after 2 years.

Abstract Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), characterized by easy availability, multi‐lineage differentiation ability, and high proliferation ability, are ideal seed cells for cartilage tissue engineering. However, the epigenetic mechanism underlying chondrogenesis in DPSCs remains elusive. Herein, it is demonstrated that KDM3A and G9A, an antagonistic pair of histone‐modifying enzymes, bidirectionally regulate the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs by controlling SOX9 (sex‐determining region Y‐type high‐mobility group box protein 9) degradation through lysine methylation. Transcriptomics analysis reveals that KDM3A is significantly upregulated during the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs. In vitro and in vivo functional analyses further indicate that KDM3A promotes chondrogenesis in DPSCs by boosting the SOX9 protein level, while G9A hinders the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs by reducing the SOX9 protein level. Furthermore, mechanistic studies indicate that KDM3A attenuates the ubiquitination of SOX9 by demethylating lysine (K) 68 residue, which in turn enhances SOX9 stability. Reciprocally, G9A facilitates SOX9 degradation by methylating K68 residue to increase the ubiquitination of SOX9. Meanwhile, BIX‐01294 as a highly specific G9A inhibitor significantly induces the chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs. These findings provide a theoretical basis to ameliorate the clinical use of DPSCs in cartilage tissue‐engineering therapies.

Food safety is a widespread global concern with the emergence of foodborne diseases. Thus, establishing accurate and sensitive detection methods of harmful contaminants in different food matrices is essential to address and prevent the associated health risks. Among various analytical tools, mass spectrometry (MS) can quantify multiple impurities simultaneously due to high resolution and accuracy and can achieve non-target profiling of unknown pollutants in food. Therefore, MS has been widely used for determination of hazardous contaminants [e.g., mycotoxin, pesticide and veterinary drug residues, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, acrylamide, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and p-Phenylenediamine compounds (PPDs) in food samples]. This work summarizes MS applications in detecting harmful contaminants in food matrices, discusses advantages of MS for food safety study, and provides a perspective on future directions of MS development in food research. With the persistent occurrence of novel contaminants, MS will play a more and more critical role in food analysis.

Tooth enamel, which is a biological tissue mainly composed of well-aligned hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and an interlaced protein matrix, has remarkable mechanical and aesthetic behaviors. Nevertheless, it is challenging to regenerate enamel naturally, and potential pulp involvement and tooth loss may occur. As the hardest biogenic composite material, enamel has long been regarded as a promising load-bearing material. Thus, understanding the enamel formation process and enamel structural motif mechanisms is important for the design and engineering of high-performance biomimetic composites with high strength and physical resilience. Extensive studies have been conducted on mimicking the microstructure and mechanical properties of tooth enamel, and various enamel-like material synthesis protocols have been developed. In light of the engineering fabrication of enamel-like materials, this review focuses on recent progress in synthetic strategies for enamel-mimetic materials and provides a discussion of the potential applications of these materials.

Sample pretreatment is an essential step in the analytical process. Solid phase extraction (SPE) procedures are widely used for clean-up and enriching analytes in sample preparation due to the complex sample matrix and low concentration level of target compounds. The sorbent is the critical part and plays a vital role in the SPE process. The combination strategies of green sample preparation (GSP) with sorbents have been taken seriously to establish high-performance and environmental-friendly SPE methods. This work mainly reviewed the capacity of different functional materials to be used as SPE sorbents which fulfilled the GSP requirements, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), natural products, and carbon-based materials. Advanced computer-assisted strategies for the synthesis and usage of green SPE sorbents are also overviewed. Finally, recent advanced applications of these green adsorption materials for SPE procedure were summarized. This review aims to retrace latest research of green sorbents-based SPE techniques under the perspective of GSP, suggesting the future synthesis and application of adsorption materials should pose the features of less reagent and energy usage, less labor and time consuming, and high extraction efficiency.

Hydrogels are extracellular-matrix-like biomimetic materials that have wide biomedical applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, most hydrogels cannot simultaneously fulfill the mechanical and cell compatibility requirements. In the present study, we prepared a semi-interpenetrating network composite gel (CG) by incorporating short chain chitosan (CS) into a covalent tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) network. In addition to satisfying physicochemical, mechanics, biocompatibility, and cell affinity requirements, this CG easily encapsulated acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) via electrostatic interactions and chain entanglement, achieving sustained release for over 14 days and thus promoting periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. In vivo studies corroborated the capacity of PDLSCs and ASA-laden CG to enhance new bone regeneration in situ using a mouse calvarial bone defect model. This might be attributed to PDLSCs and host mesenchymal stem cells expressing monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which upregulated M2 macrophage recruitment and polarization in situ, indicating its appealing potential in bone tissue engineering.

Abstract Backgroud To analyze the morphological changes of the anterior alveolar bone after the retraction of incisors in premolar extraction cases and the relationship between incisor retraction and remodeling of the alveolar base represented by points A and B displacements. Methods Pre- (T0) and post-treatment (T1) lateral cephalograms of 308 subjects in the maxilla and 154 subjects in the mandible who underwent the orthodontic treatment with extraction of 2 premolars in upper or lower arches were included. Alveolar bone width and height in both the maxillary and mandible incisor area were measured at T0 and T1 respectively. By superimposing the T0 and T1 cephalometric tracings, changes of points A and B, and the movement of the incisors were also measured. Then the correlation between incisor movement and the displacements of points A and B was analyzed. Results The alveolar bone width (ABW) showed a significant decrease in both maxilla and mandible (P 0.05). The alveolar bone height (ABH) showed a significant increase in the labial side of maxilla and a significant decrease in the lingual side of maxilla and mandible. A strong positive correlation was verified between incisor movement and position changes of points A and B in both horizontal and vertical directions. Conclusions Anterior alveolar bone width and height generally decreased after orthodontic treatment. Incisor retraction led to significant position changes of points A and B. The decrease of anterior alveolar bone due to significant incisor retraction should be taken into account in treatment planning.

Abstract Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) has received an increasing amount of attention. CXC chemokines can regulate immune cell transport and tumor cell activity to exert anti-tumor immunity. However, studies on the expression and prognosis of CXC chemokines in cervical cancer (CC) are more limited. Methods The study investigated the role of CXC chemokines in TME of CC by using public databases. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of CXC chemokines were performed to further verify. Results The transcriptional levels of CXCL1/3/5/6/8/9/10/11/13/16/17 in CC tissues were significantly elevated while the transcriptional levels of CXCL12/14 were significantly reduced. We reached a consistent conclusion that the expression of CXCL9/10/11/13 was verified by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, CC patients with low transcriptional levels of CXCL1/2/3/4/5/8 were significantly associated with longer overall survival (OS). The CCL family was related to CXC chemokines neighboring alteration. RELA, NFKB1, LCK and PAK2 were the key transcription factors and kinase targets of CXC chemokines, respectively. We also found there were significant correlations between the expression of CXCL9/10/11 and the infiltration of immune cells (CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, neutrophils and dendritic cells). Conclusions In brief, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of CXC chemokines via clinical data and some online public databases. Our results may provide a new idea for the selection of immunotherapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for cervical cancer.

BackgroundRobotic rectal cancer surgery has proven to be a viable alternative to laparoscopic surgery in treating rectal cancer. This study assessed the short-term operative measures of robotic versus laparoscopic surgery.MaterialData was obtained retrospectively from July 2019 to November 2021. Patient demographics, pre-and post-operative features, initial bowel movement, length of hospital stay, and short-term postoperative outcomes such as harvested lymph node, sepsis, Clavien–Dindo Classification, and cost were evaluated.ResultsA total of 155 patients were treated for colorectal cancer, with 64 receiving robotic surgery and 91 receiving laparoscopic surgery. According to the Clavien–Dindo classification, there is a significant P

With the rapid development of the three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in recent decades, precise and personalized manufacturing has been achieved gradually, bringing benefit to biomedical application, especially stomatology clinical practice. So far, 3D printing has been widely applied to prosthodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery procedures, realizing accurate, efficient operation processes and promising treatment outcomes. Although the printing accuracy has improved, further exploration is still needed. Herein, we summarized the various additive manufacturing techniques and their applications in dentistry while highlighting the importance of accuracy (precision and trueness).

Most oral diseases originate from biofilms whose formation is originated from the adhesion of salivary proteins and pioneer bacteria. Therefore, antimicrobial materials are mainly based on bactericidal methods, most of which have drug resistance and toxicity. Natural antifouling surfaces inspire new antibacterial strategies. The super wettable surfaces of lotus leaves and fish scales prompt design of biomimetic oral materials covered or mixed with super wettable materials to prevent adhesion. Bioinspired slippery surfaces come from pitcher plants, whose porous surfaces are infiltrated with lubricating liquid to form superhydrophobic surfaces to reduce the contact with liquids. It is believed that these new methods could provide promising directions for oral antimicrobial practice, improving antimicrobial efficacy.

BackgroundLaparoscopic gastrectomy and robotic gastrectomy are the most widely adopted treatment of choice for gastric cancer. To systematically assess the safety and effectiveness of robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis on short-term and long-term outcomes of robotic gastrectomy.MethodsIn order to find relevant studies on the efficacy and safety of robotic gastrectomy (RG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in the treatment of gastric cancer, numerous medical databases including PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, and China Journal Full-text Database (CNKI) were consulted, and Chinese and English studies on the efficacy and safety of RG and LG in the treatment of gastric cancer published from 2012 to 2022 were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.ResultsThe meta-analysis inlcuded 48 literatures, with 20,151 gastric cancer patients, including 6,175 in the RG group and 13,976 in the LG group, respectively. Results of our meta-analysis showed that RG group had prololonged operative time (WMD = 35.72, 95% CI = 28.59–42.86, P 0.05.ConclusionsIn the treatment of gastric cancer, robotic gastrectomy is a safe and effective procedure that has both short- and long-term effects. To properly evaluate the advantages of robotic surgery in gastric cancer, more randomised controlled studies with rigorous research methodologies are needed.

Abstract Domain engineering in ferroelectrics endows flexibility for different functional applications. Whereas the domain engineering strategy for single crystals and thin films is diverse, there is only a limited number of strategies for bulk ceramics. Here, a domain engineering strategy for achieving a compact domain architecture with increased domain‐wall density in (K,Na)NbO3 (KNN)‐based ferroelectric ceramics via mesoscopic chemical inhomogeneity (MCI) is developed. The MCI‐induced interfaces can effectively hinder domain continuity and modify the domain configuration. Besides, the MCI effect also results in diffused phase transitions, which is beneficial for achieving enhanced thermal stability. Modulation of chemical inhomogeneity demonstrates great potential for engineering desirable domain configuration and properties in ferroelectric ceramics. Additionally, the MCI can be easily controlled by regulating the processing condition during solid‐state synthesis, which is advantageous to industrial production.

Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a DNA-binding protein widely generated in mammals, which has two biological characteristics that bind the cAMP response element (CRE). The mechanism of ATF4 as a transcription factor in gastric cancer affecting the Hedgehog pathway remains unclear. Here, we observed that ATF4 was markedly upregulated in gastric cancer (GC) using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting assays in 80 paraffin-embedded GC samples and 4 fresh samples and para-cancerous tissues. ATF4 knockdown using lentiviral vectors strongly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. ATF4 upregulation using lentiviral vectors promoted the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. We predicted that the transcription factor ATF4 is bound to the SHH promoter via the JASPA database. Transcription factor ATF4 is bound to the promoter region of SHH to activate the Sonic Hedgehog pathway. Mechanistically, rescue assays showed that ATF4 regulated gastric cancer cells’ proliferation and invasive ability through SHH. Similarly, ATF4 enhanced the tumor formation of GC cells in a xenograft model.

Aiming at shortage of metal materials, ceramic is increasingly applied in biomedicine due to its high strength, pleasing esthetics and good biocompatibility, especially for dental restorations and implants, artificial joints, as well as synthetic bone substitutes. However, the inherent brittleness of ceramic could lead to serious complications, such as fracture and disfunction of biomedical devices, which impede their clinical applications. Herein, several toughening strategies have been summarized in this review, including reinforcing phase addition, surface modification, and manufacturing processes improvement. Doping metal and/or non-metal reinforcing fillers modifies toughness of bulk ceramic, while surface modifications, mainly coating, chemical and thermal methods, regulate toughness on the surface layer. During fabrication, optimization should be practiced in powder preparation, green forming and densification processes. Various toughening strategies utilize mechanisms involving fine-grained, stress-induced phase transformation, and microcrack toughening, as well as crack deflection, bifurcation, bridging and pull-out. This review hopes to shed light on systematic combination of different toughening strategies and mechanisms to drive progress in biomedical devices.

Premature senescence of leaves causes a reduced yield and quality of rice by affecting plant growth and development. The regulatory mechanisms underlying early leaf senescence are still unclear. The Leaf senescence 1 (LS1) gene encodes a C2H2-type zinc finger protein that is localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. In this study, we constructed a rice mutant named leaf senescence 1 (ls1) with a premature leaf senescence phenotype using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of the LS1 gene. The ls1 mutants exhibited premature leaf senescence and reduced chlorophyll content. The expression levels of LS1 were higher in mature or senescent leaves than that in young leaves. The contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased and catalase (CAT) activity was remarkably reduced in the ls1 plants. Furthermore, a faster decrease in pigment content was detected in mutants than that in WT upon induction of complete darkness. TUNEL and staining experiments indicated severe DNA degradation and programmed cell death in the ls1 mutants, which suggested that excessive ROS may lead to leaf senescence and cell death in ls1 plants. Additionally, an RT-qPCR analysis revealed that most senescence-associated and ROS-scavenging genes were upregulated in the ls1 mutants compared with the WT. Collectively, our findings revealed that LS1 might regulate leaf development and function, and that disruption of LS1 function promotes ROS accumulation and accelerates leaf senescence and cell death in rice.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the top 15 most prevalent cancers worldwide. However, the current treatment models for OSCC (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combination therapy) present several limitations: damage to adjacent healthy tissue, possible recurrence, low efficiency, and severe side effects. In this context, nanomaterial-based photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted extensive research attention. This paper reviews the latest progress in the application of biological nanomaterials for PTT in OSCC. We divide photothermal nanomaterials into four categories (noble metal nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal compounds, and organic nanomaterials) and introduce each category in detail. We also mention in detail the drug delivery systems for PTT of OSCC and briefly summarize the applications of hydrogels, liposomes, and micelles. Finally, we note the challenges faced by the clinical application of PTT nanomaterials and the possibility of further improvement, providing direction for the future research of PTT in OSCC treatment.

Bone defects caused by injury, disease, or congenital deformity remain a major health concern, and efficiently regenerating bone is a prominent clinical demand worldwide. However, bone regeneration is an intricate process that requires concerted participation of both cells and bioactive factors. Mimicking physiological bone healing procedures, the sustained release of bioactive molecules plays a vital role in creating an optimal osteogenic microenvironment and achieving promising bone repair outcomes. The utilization of biomaterial scaffolds can positively affect the osteogenesis process by integrating cells with bioactive factors in a proper way. A high water content, tunable physio-mechanical properties, and diverse synthetic strategies make hydrogels ideal cell carriers and controlled drug release reservoirs. Herein, we reviewed the current advancements in hydrogel-based drug sustained release systems that have delivered osteogenesis-inducing peptides, nucleic acids, and other bioactive molecules in bone tissue engineering (BTE).

Bone defects, massive bone defects in particular, is still an issue clinically. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), also known as aspirin, has been proven to be conducive for mesenchymal stem cells osteogenic differentiation, which may be benefited for bone regeneration. In order to achieve a more appealing prognosis of bone defect, here we develop a well-defined tetra-PEG hydrogel sealant with rapid gelation speed, strong tissue adhesion, and high mechanical strength. After in-situ encapsulation of aspirin, this drug-loaded tetra-PEG hydrogel possessed a sustained release, anti-inflammation, and osteoinductive properties. In vitro experiments showed that the cell proliferation was slightly facilitated, and the osteogenic differentiation was notably augmented when periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were co-incubating with the hydrogel materials. Moreover, in vivo study manifested that the aspirin sustained release system significantly facilitated the PDLSCs mediated bone defect regeneration. Overall, tetra-PEG hydrogel-based aspirin sustained release system is applicable not only for enhancing the osteogenesis capacity of PDLSC but also providing a new thought of bone regenerative therapy.

Repairing tooth defects with dental resin composites is currently the most commonly used method due to their tooth-colored esthetics and photocuring properties. However, the higher than desirable failure rate and moderate service life are the biggest challenges the composites currently face. Secondary caries is one of the most common reasons leading to repair failure. Therefore, many attempts have been carried out on the development of a new generation of antimicrobial and therapeutic dental polymer composite materials to inhibit dental caries and prolong the lifespan of restorations. These new antimicrobial materials can inhibit the formation of biofilms, reduce acid production from bacteria and the occurrence of secondary caries. These results are encouraging and open the doors to future clinical studies on the therapeutic value of antimicrobial dental resin-based restoratives. However, antimicrobial resins still face challenges such as biocompatibility, drug resistance and uncontrolled release of antimicrobial agents. In the future, we should focus on the development of more efficient, durable and smart antimicrobial dental resins. This article focuses on the most recent 5 years of research, reviews the current antimicrobial strategies of composite resins, and introduces representative antimicrobial agents and their antimicrobial mechanisms.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are closely associated with carcinogenesis. Accumulating data indicate that miR-196b participates in the development of various types of cancers. However, the role of miR-196b in the formation of hydatidiform mole (HM) is still unclear. Our previous studies have demonstrated that miR-196b levels were decreased in JAR and BeWo cells and in HM tissue samples, as demonstrated by RT-PCR analysis. Furthermore, we discovered that overexpression of miR-196b in JAR and BeWo cells inhibited cellular proliferation, migration and invasion, as shown by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays, respectively. Subsequently, we explored the interaction of miR-196b with its target gene in human choriocarcinoma cell lines. MAP3K1 is a target gene predicted by bioinformatic analysis that was previously shown to exhibit reduced expression levels following treatment with miR-196b in JAR and BeWo cells. We demonstrated that MAP3K1 was a direct target of miR-196b using the dual-luciferase reporter assay in Hela cells. In summary, the present study demonstrated that miR-196b suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of human choriocarcinoma cells by inhibiting its transcriptional target MAP3K1. miR-196b and MAP3K1 may be considered potential targets for the clinical treatment of HM.

The oral cavity harbors complex microbial communities, which leads to biomaterial-associated infections (BAI) during dental and orthopedic treatments. Conventional antibiotic treatments have met great challenges recently due to the increasing emergency of drug-resistant bacteria. To tackle this clinical issue, antibacterial surface treatments, containing surface modification and coatings, of dental and orthopedic materials have become an area of intensive interest now. Among various antibacterial agents used in surface treatments, metallic agents possess unique properties, mainly including broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, low potential to develop bacterial resistance, relative biocompatibility, and chemical stability. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on underlying antibacterial applications and the mechanisms of metallic agents in dentistry and orthopedics. An overview of the present review indicates that much work remains to be done to deepen the understanding of antibacterial mechanisms and potential side-effects of metallic agents.