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Being one of the most important exocrine fluids of the human body, saliva can reflect the health status of the body. Soliva collection has various advantages--it is simple, painless, fast, and safe, and soliva can be collected multiple times a day. Therefore, it has been gradually applied in the exploration for biomarkers for disease detection, providing a basis for the monitoring of the course of diseases, medication monitoring, and efficacy evaluation. We should implement health management based on saliva testing, collect the medical data of the healthy and diseased individuals and monitor their whole life cycle health, perform clinical cohort study, aggregate the data on platforms for big data on health and medicine, manage and provide guidance for the health status of populations, pinpoint the high-risk factors for pathogenesis, and provide effective intervention, early warning, and assessment of the vital signs of individuals, thereby reinforcing health management of the whole life cycle and safeguarding people's health in an all-round way. In addition, it drives the development of the health industry and bears strategic significance for the promotion of national economic development. It is becoming a hot research topic promising great potential and impressive applicational prospects. Herein, we reviewed new techniques for clinical saliva testing and health management based on saliva testing.

Cyclic dimeric adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (c-di-AMP) is a newly-discovered second messenger in bacteria and archaea. By directly binding to or affecting the expression of target proteins, c-di-AMP regulates the physiological functions of bacteria, including maintaining osmotic pressure, balancing central metabolism, monitoring DNA damage, and controlling biofilm and spore formation. As a new pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), it binds to the host pattern recognition receptor (PRR), induces cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-STING signal axis to produce type Ⅰ interferon by activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), and promotes the secretion of inflammatory factors through nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, thereby playing an important role in host immunity to bacterial infection and tumorigenesis. Due to its immunogenicity, c-di-AMP could be used as an immune adjuvant to provide new targets for the development of vaccines. However, the specific mechanism of action of c-di-AMP in host immunity awaits further exploration. Herein, we presented the structure and biological characteristics of c-di-AMP, and summarized the possible mechanism of c-di-AMP's regulation of host immune response. In addition, we also reported the latest findings on using c-di-AMP as an immune adjuvant in clinical treatment. Research on the function of c-di-AMP and its mechanism of action on host immune response provides new ideas for finding clinical solutions to bacterial resistance, infection control, tumor prevention, and vaccine development in the future.

To analyze the salivary metabolic profile of patients with periodontitis through metabolomic techniques and to explore the metabolic patterns associated with periodontal diseases.Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technique in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) analysis and orthogonal partial least squares identification (OPLS-DA) method was used to study the metabolomics of saliva samples from gingivitis patients, periodontitis patients, and healthy controls, with 10 samples for each group. We examined the correlation between migration in metabolic profile and the progression of periodontal diseases.Saliva metabolite profiles of gingivitis and periodontitis patients was significantly different from those of the healthy controls. Significant differences were identified between the different groups for eight salivary metabolites, including arachidonic acid, tyramine, L-arginine, thymine, N-acetylgalactosamine sulfate, prostaglandin E2, L-phenylalanine, and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-riboside (AICAR). In comparison with those of the health controls, the concentration of AICAR in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis was lower and the metabolic trend was down-regulated, while the other metabolites were up-regulated.Salivary metabolic profile changes along with the progression of periodontal diseases. Abnormal metabolism of the periodontal tissue and of pathogenic microorganisms related to periodontal diseases is one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis, development and prognosis of periodontal diseases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. Research findings indicate that periodontal infection is an independent risk factor for CVD. Periodontal pathogens can cause cardiovascular diseases through various pathways, including direct invasion, induction of platelet activation and agglutination, immune inflammatory response, bacteremia, and oxidative stress. Moreover, CVD symptoms are relieved after the patients undergo periodontal interventional treatment. There have been substantial findings indicating that there may be a close connection between periodontal disease and CVD. However, periodontal disease is a chronic disease. The treatment of periodontal diseases and the improvement of periodontal health require long-term efforts. Long-term effective reduction of the incidence of CVD in clinical practice through prevention of periodontal disease remains a challenging area of study. Here we summarized and reported the latest findings on the mechanism of action of periodontal pathogens in cardiovascular diseases, intending to contribute to the better understanding of the pathogenesis of CVD and to provide potential targets and new ideas for its prevention and treatment.

CD47, a transmembrane glycoprotein widely expressed on the cell surface, is one of the important checkpoints through which cells escape innate immune surveillance. The important role of CD47-related signaling pathway and changes in expression level in immune regulation, pathogen infection and anti-tumor immunity has gradually come to be recognized. We reviewed herein the structure and biological characteristics of CD47, the interaction and the downstream signaling of CD47 with integrin, thrombospondin 1, and signal regulatory protein, and the upregulated expression of CD47 induced by the infection of different pathogens and the role of CD47 in different types of immune response to infection. Discussions were made regarding the prospective application of CD47 targeted immunotherapy in pathogenic infection-related cancers, intending to provide guidance for future research.

Bone remodeling, which is well orchestrated by osteogenesis of osteoblasts and osteoclastogenesis of osteoclasts, maintains the homeostasis of osteal development and metabolism under physiological conditions. Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1A, also known as activin receptor-like kinase 3 (ALK3), which exists on cytomembrane, is one of the key receptors of BMP factors, and is an important "gateway" that regulates the entrance of BMP signaling into cells in order to perform biological functions. The roles of BMP signaling in bone remodeling have been extensively studied. Many new discoveries have been reported in recent years through research based on transgenic mice models and focused on ALK3 as targets, shedding new light on the regulations of bone remodeling, cartilage and joint development, and the occurrence and treatment of bone-related diseases. Established understanding has been expanded, but new challenges on existing clinical application of BMPs also appeared. Hence, we reviewed recent studies on ALK3's involvement in bone formation and bone resorption, analyzed its mechanism of action in bone regulation, summarized the roles of ALK3 in the development of cartilage and temporomandibular joint, and reported the latest progress in treatment in preclinical studies, intending to provide references for subsequent studies and clinical applications in the future.

To explore the effects of nicotinamide (NAM) on the growth, biofilm formation and exopolysaccharides (EPS) production ofThe minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NAM onThe MIC of NAM onUnder the influence of NAM at certain concenrations, the growth, biofilm formation, and EPS synthesis of

Oral cavity, an important component of and the gateway to the digestive system, is also the colonization site and the microecological environment of trillions of microorganisms. The establishment and succession of oral microbiota are of great importance for the development of human immune system, and function as a major determinant of oral and systemic health. Within a few hours after birth, early colonizers such as

Gingival epithelial barrier is the first line of defense of periodontal tissues against the invasion of pathogenic bacteria. The destruction of gingival epithelial barrier is closely related to the development of periodontal disease. Studies have shown that periodontal pathogenic bacteria and their inflammatory microenvironment can inhibit the expression of gingival epithelial junctional proteins via molecular mechanisms such as the downregulation of the expression of grainyhead-like protein family and the upregulation of the methylation level of gene promoter of epithelial connexin, and thus cause damage to the gingival epithelial barrier and the development of periodontitis. We herein reviewed the effects of bacteria and inflammatory factors induced by bacterial infection on gingival epithelial intercellular junctions and related mechanisms, and summarized the research progress on the relationship between gingival epithelial intercellular junctions and periodontal pathogenic bacteria in recent years. Most recent studies were focused on

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease involving the entire joint. The pathogenesis and progression of OA bear close connection to the destruction and the abnormal metabolism of cartilage, subchondral bones and synovium. Platelet derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) is a critical mitogenic and chemotactic factor for a variety of cells, including chondrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and PDGF-AA promotes effective wound repair. This paper reviewed the pathological changes of cartilage, subchondral bones and synovium in the process of OA development, and summarized research progress regarding the effect of PDGF-AA on the tissues and related cells mentioned above. Current studies have basically clarified the pathological changes of cartilage, subchondral bones and synovium in OA patients, and have shown that PDGF-AA serves critical regulatory function in the tissues or cells involved in OA, the internal mechanism of which remains unclear, though. More studies should be done to find ways to apply PDGF-AA for clinic purpose and to diagnose and treat OA on the cellular basis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been raging across the world for over two years, but the daily reported numbers of new infections and deaths are still increasing. The newly identified Omicron variant has significant changes in its transmissibility and pathogenicity due to the multiple mutations in the spike protein, posing new challenges to the global public health. World Health Organization has categorized Omicron as a variant of concern (VOC). The spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants has caused disruptions to the dental practice worldwide. During the course of diagnosis and treatment of dental care, face-to-face communication at close quarters, droplets, aerosols, and exposure to saliva and blood increase the risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The emergence of new variants, especially the Omicron variant, has formed new challenges to dental healthcare provision. In addition, oral tissues, including the tongue and oral mucosa, can overexpress the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is also the binding receptors of SARS-CoV-2. As a result, the oral cavity is one of the target sites of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection in oral cavity may cause different oral complications, such as loss of taste. However, there are few reports about Omicron and the other variants of SARS-CoV-2 and their impacts on dental healthcare provision. Herein we made an overview of the Omicron variant and its characteristics, including its pathogenicity and immune evasion, and its potential impact on dental practice. We also proposed some control measures with the aim of reducing the possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants during dental care.

The study is aimed to help promote the development of the oral healthcare system and dental public health system in China and to help achieve the goal of improving the nation's oral health. We herein provided an overview and critical evaluation of recent developments in oral healthcare systems and dental public health systems in China and other countries, and discussed a number of potential directions for the future development of dental public health. The current global public health emergency of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was also taken into account in our discussions. Thus, to facilitate the accomplishment of the goals of the Healthy China 2030 Program, we suggested the establishment of a community-based, prevention-oriented model for the oral healthcare system and dental public health system. The model we proposed features the integration of oral and general health services, the utilization of technological innovations and big data concerning health, and a forceful promotion of remote dental services focused on prevention and early diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, under the background of COVID-19 becoming a normal part of people's lives, we should adopt differentiated prevention and protection measures and emergency response preplans appropriate for the actual epidemic situation of a particular region so that clinical services are strengthened while unnecessary wastes of resources are avoided. We should actively explore for alternative approaches to care in the face of special circumstances.

The proper development and the homeostasis maintenance of bones are important prerequisites for the normal functioning of the human body. Bone developmental deformities or homeostasis disorders, such as Kashin-Beck disease, craniosynostosis, cleft palate and osteoarthritis, severely affect the life of patients, causing significant stress to the family and the society. Fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) plays multiple functions through the course of the life of organisms. Abnormal expression of FGF8 may cause disorders of bone homeostasis and developmental abnormalities of bones. More and more studies have found that FGF8 may play an important role in bone development and may become a potential therapeutic target. Herein, we reviewed the role of FGF8 in a variety of skeletal abnormalities, intending to provide new perspectives for the prevention and treatment of related diseases in the future.

To study the effect of co-culturing chondrocytes with osteoblasts on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 pathway of chondrocytes and its mechanism.Chondrocytes and osteoblasts were separately extracted from the knee joint and skull of newborn mice by trypsin digestion. The co-culturing system of osteoblasts and chondrocytes was constructed by using Transwell inserts to culture the osteoblasts and 6-well plate to culture the chondrocytes. We used qRT-PCR to examine changes in the mRNA expression of HIFs and its target gene pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (The results of qRT-PCR and Western blot showed upregulated levels of HIF-1α gene and protein expression (Co-culturing with osteoblasts enhanced the ERK1/2 and p38 signaling of chondrocytes and upregulated the HIF-1 pathway of chondrocytes.

Chondrocytes have a limited supply of glucose and oxygen for metabolism since articular cartilages are relatively avascular. We herein reviewed the characteristics of chondrocyte glucose metabolism and the new research progress in chondrocyte glucose metabolism in the osteoarthritis process. Current research has shown that chondrocytes obtain glucose from synovial fluids and subchondral bones, take in glucose via specific glucose transporters, and metabolize glucose mainly through glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Glucose metabolism in chondrocytes is distinctive because it relies much more on glycolysis rather than mitochondrial respiration for ATP production, and shows Warburg effect and Crabtree effect. In osteoarthritic chondrocytes, the glucose metabolism disorder is presented as further suppression of mitochondrial respiration, over-active or impaired glycolysis, and decreased total production of ATP. However, the significance of the glucose supply for chondrocytes from synovial fluids and subchondral bones remains undefined. There are still disputes in the understanding of the changes in glycolytic pathways in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Therefore, future research is needed to explore the characteristics of glucose metabolism in normal and osteoarthritic chondrocytes in order to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis.

To explore the effect of polystyrene (PS) and PS-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) electrospun materials on the adhesion ability ofPS and PS-PVP electrospun materials were prepared with stainless steel needles in high-voltage electric field. The growth and adhesion ofSEM images showed that both PS and PS-PVP can be used to form electrospun fibers with a diameter of 0.2 μm. SEM images and CFU counts of the biofilm at 24 h and 48 h showed that there was a smaller amount ofPS and PS-PVP electrospun materials can be used to reduce the adhesion ability of

Tooth eruption is closely linked to the normal development of dentition and proper establishment of occlusion. Disturbances in tooth eruption may affect oral physiological functions, facial contour and aesthetics; it is therefore important to understand the eruption process. This process is a complex biological event involving dynamic changes at the tissue and cellular levels. It is guided by anatomical structures as well as biological and molecular factors that result in the movement of the tooth to its final functional position in the oral cavity. Evidence increasingly suggests that stem cells contribute to tooth development and eruption. Multiple stem cell populations have been discovered in teeth and in their supporting tissues, such as dental follicle precursor cells, orofacial bone-/bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, periodontal ligament stem cells, stem cells from the apical papilla and dental pulp stem cells. These stem cells exhibit distinct differentiation capacities and are closely linked to alveolar bone remodelling, periodontium development and root formation during the eruption process. The present review summarises the current knowledge of the characteristics and functions of orofacial stem cells in tooth eruption, with a particular focus on recent discoveries concerning their lineage allocation and regulatory mechanisms.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the most severe global public health emergency in over a hundred years. We have collected and organized prevention and control information from China and other counties and used it as an important reference for designing routine epidemic prevention and control measures and treatment process reengineering of outpatient dental services. Suggestions are made in the following aspects: standard precaution is adopted for all patients based on situational risk assessment conducted by the medical staffs; transmission-based precautions are adopted in addition while caring for patients who are suspected of or have been confirmed of having infectious diseases, in which scenario, standard precautions may not be enough; regarding clinical services, the triage process should be further improved, clinical service delivery areas should be redesigned to maximize safe distances, minimally invasive dentistry procedures should be prioritized for treatment, and postponement of treatment should be recommended appropriately; infection prevention and control guidelines should be regularly updated and relevant trainings provided to the medical staffs accordingly; COVID-19 incidents associated with delivery of dental care should be documented and evaluated; it is also important to communicate with Chinese and international colleagues and stress research and professional training.

According to Healthy China, a national strategy of the Government of China, new requirements were put forward for high-quality medical education, high-level surgical research, and precise clinical diagnosis and treatment. In the context of Emerging Medical Discipline, a strategic blueprint of medical education in China, this paper reviews the concept and core value of virtual reality (VR) and its significant role in the medical industry. On that basis, we explore the role of VR technology in medical training against the background of Emerging Medicine Discipline. Furthermore, typical cases are presented to help analyze and illustrate in detail the important role of VR technology in the teaching and training of stomatological and clinical procedures, skills assessment, online self-directed training, and clinical thinking skills training. We herein summarize useful information from past experience so as to help build innovative models of medical education in the context of Emerging Medical Discipline.

Personnel training is the core and cornerstone of stomatology education. This paper introduces the background and connotation of "New Medicine Department", and discusses the influence of new medicine on the development of stomatology from the aspects of precision medicine, transformation medicine and intelligent medicine, the new requirements of stomatology education in the new medical department construction under the health China strategy were analyzed, this paper puts forward some thoughts on how to promote the development of stomatology education in new medical disciplines from aspects of promoting the cross-integration of disciplines, consolidating the basis of talents training, promoting the training mode of general education, integrating moral education into the whole teaching process, promoting the coordination of Medical Education and education in all aspects, cultivating different types of stomatology talents, and building up a contingent of teachers in all dimensions, in order to provide reference for the reform and development of stomatology education in China.

Connexins and Pannexins play important roles in osteocytes and osteoblasts differentiation, intracellular signal transduction, maintenance of bone balance, and bone regeneration. This article reviews the progress and limitations of Connexins-mediated gap junctions and Pannexins mediated hemichannel in bone. Current research has shown that these molecules, in the form of gap junctions or separate hemichannels, deliver external stimuli to the skeletal system. However, little is known about the role of other cell types in bone development and homeostasis, such as pre-osteoblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, in maintaining normality. In addition, at present, the most well-studied member of the Connexins family is Connexin43 (Cx43), while the roles and mechanisms of other members in bone development are still behind the veil. Gene-edited animal models provide basic information on the role of Connexins and Pannexins in the skeletal system, but the similarities and differences between Connexins and Pannexins remain to be discovered. Targeting a specific function of Connexins or Pannexins for bone stimulation and bone disease remains a challenge, with pharmacological selective overlap between channels, compensation of other subtypes, differences in methods for assessing channel function, and genetic changes associated with transgenic mouse models. Therefore, better tools and research pathways are needed to understand the role of these pathways in bone and cartilage. An essential task for future research will be to identify specific compounds that regulate Connexins or Pannexins subtypes to enable them to be used as pharmaceutical agents in the treatment of bone diseases, providing the possibility to develop new therapeutic strategies for improving bone health and treating diseases of the skeletal system.

The oral environment provides suitable conditions for the colonization of various microorganisms. However, the oral microbials could be the initial factors of some kinds of oral infectious diseases, therefore the treatment against oral microbial pathogens has become an effective strategy. Artemisinin, a kind of sesquiterpene lactone extracted from Traditional Chinese Medicine

To investigate the effect ofAfter single- and co-cultivation ofThe OD

To study the antibacterial effect of berberine combined with amylmetacresol onBoth dilution method and live bacteria CFU were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of berberine and amylmetacresol onThe MIC of berberine was 512 μg/mL, and the MIC of amylmetacresol was 0.023 3%. 512 μg/mL berberine and 0.002 33% amylmetacresol had a weak killing effect on planktonicBerberine and amylmetacresol had synergism against

Oral cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck, and is one of the world's top ten malignancies. Microbial infection is an important risk factor of oral cancer. Candida albicans is the most popular opportunistic fungal pathogen. Epidemiological studies have shown that Candida albicans is closely tied to oral malignancy. Animal experimentation have also proven that infection of Candida albicans can promote the development of oral epithelial carcinogenesis. The current studies have revealed several mechanisms involved in this process, including destroying the epithelial barrier, producing carcinogenic substances (nitrosamines, acetaldehyde), inducing chronic inflammation, activating immune response, etc. However, current researches on mechanisms are still inadequate, and some hypotheses remain controversial. Here, we review the findings related to Candida albicans' effect on the malignant transformation of oral mucosa, hoping to provide reference for deep research and controlling oral cancer clinically.口腔癌是头颈部最常见的恶性肿瘤，也是全世界十大最流行的恶性病损之一。口腔微生物感染是口腔癌重要的危险因素。白色念珠菌作为口腔最常见的机会性致病真菌，大量流行病学资料证实，白色念珠菌感染与口腔黏膜恶变存在密切联系，而相关动物实验也证实，白色念珠菌感染能促进上皮癌变。现有研究表明，白色念珠菌可能的促癌机制涉及破坏上皮屏障、产生致癌物质（包括亚硝胺、乙醛）、诱导慢性炎症反应、激活免疫反应等。然而，目前关于这些机制的深入研究还不够充分，一些假说尚存在一定的争议。因此，本文就目前白色念珠菌对口腔黏膜疾病恶性转化作用的相关研究成果作一综述，为进一步的研究和临床口腔癌的防治工作提供参考。.

Phenolic compounds are widely found in natural Chinese medicinal plants and have excellent pharmacological properties, such as antioxidation and anti-inflammation. They are the main pharmacological components of many medicinal Chinese herbs. Oral microbiota, especially its composition and metabolism, is highly related to the balance of oral microecology and plays a key role in the occurrence and development of oral diseases. Recent studies have shown that phenolic compounds of traditional Chinese herbs can prevent and treat oral diseases, such as caries, periodontal disease, and oral mucosal infection, by regulating the composition, metabolites, and virulence of oral microorganisms. This review will summarize and discuss the regulation of phenolic compounds on oral microbes.酚性化合物广泛存在于天然中药植物中，具有抗氧化、抗炎等药理特性，是许多中药发挥药理作用的主要成分。口腔微生物的组成、代谢等关系着口腔微生态的平衡，是口腔疾病发生、发展的关键因素。近来的研究发现，中药酚性化合物可以调节口腔微生物组成、代谢及致病毒力等，从而在龋病、牙周病、口腔黏膜感染等口腔疾病的防治领域发挥着重要作用。本文就中药酚性化合物对口腔微生物的调节作用作一综述。.

Batch and column tests were conducted on untreated incineration bottom ash (IBA) samples from two incineration plants in Singapore, using seawater as the leachant. The main objective of this study was to investigate the change in the leaching behavior of certain elements (i.e. As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn) when IBA comes into contact with seawater. Such an investigation using seawater as leachant was not commonly carried out when investigating leaching behavior in IBA. The leaching tests were then carried out on the same IBA samples using DI water, as a comparison. Lower level of leaching was observed for Pb and Zn when seawater was used as the leachant. Cr and Sb showed significant cumulative release at Liquid-to-Solids (L/S) ratio 5 in the seawater column leaching. The influence of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) on Cu leaching seems to decrease after L/S 2 when using seawater in the column test. Although the leaching behavior of IBA was affected when seawater was used, for the column test, there was no significant difference during the initial release when compared to DI water. The initial L/S fractions collected were important as the low L/S ratios represent the pore water concentration and the maximum output in an actual application. The results from this study would be useful for the future study on using IBA in marine applications.

Human microbiome refers to the total microorganism genetic information of human body surface and internal, which is closely related to human health and disease. Oral and gut microbiomes are the most diverse microbial communities, which can interact and play a role in the development of the disease, and can reflect the health and disease state in real time. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Recent research has shown a link between microbes and diabetes. This article reviewed the latest research on the changes of oral and gut microbiomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, which expects to provide a reference for exploring the development of the disease model for prediction, diagnosis and prognosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on human microbiome characteristics.人体微生物组是指人体体表及内部的微生物的遗传信息总和，与人类健康与疾病状态存在密切关系。口腔和肠道微生物是最具多样化的微生物群落，两者可以交互影响，在疾病发生发展过程中共同发挥作用，并可以实时反映机体的健康与疾病状态。2型糖尿病是由遗传和环境因素引起的代谢紊乱，最近的研究指出微生物与糖尿病存在关联。本文结合近期的研究进展，就2型糖尿病患者口腔微生物和肠道微生物的特征进行综述，有望为探索基于微生物组特征的2型糖尿病风险预测、诊断和预后预测的疾病模型的建立提供参考依据。.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues initiated by oral biofilm. Cellular autophagy is an effective weapon against bacterial infection. Recent studies have shown that autophagy not only promotes the removal of bacteria and toxins from infected cells, but also helps to suppress the inflammatory response to maintain the homeostasis of intracellular environment, which is closely related to the development of periodontitis. Here, we reviewed the relationship between autophagy and periodontitis from three aspects: the interactions between autophagy and periodontal pathogen infection, the regulation of autophagy and immune inflammatory responses, and the relationship between autophagy and alveolar bone metabolism. We aim to provide ideas for further study on the mechanisms of autophagy and periodontitis, and ultimately contribute to a better prevention and treatment of periodontitis.牙周炎是由牙菌斑生物膜引起的牙周组织的慢性炎症性疾病。细胞自噬是宿主对抗细菌感染的有效武器。近年来研究发现，细胞自噬不仅可以促进感染细胞对细菌和毒素的清除，而且有助于抑制炎症反应，以维持细胞内环境稳态，与牙周炎的发生发展关系密切。本文从细胞自噬与牙周病原菌感染的相互作用，细胞自噬与免疫炎症反应的相互调控，以及细胞自噬与牙槽骨代谢的关系3个方面，对细胞自噬与牙周炎发生发展的关系进行综述，为深入地研究细胞自噬与牙周炎相关机制提供参考，为牙周炎防治的研究提供新的思路。.

Tooth preparation is the primary and core operation technique for dental esthetic restoration treatment, due to its effect of providing restoration space, bonding interfaces and marginal lines for dental rehabilitation after tooth tissue reduction. The concept of microscopic minimal invasive dentistry put forward the issue of conducting high-quality tooth preparation, conserve tooth-structure, protect vital pulp and periodontal tissue simultaneously. This study reviewed the concepts, physiology background, design and minimal invasive microscopic tooth preparation, and in the meantime, individualized strategies and the two core elements of tooth preparation (quantity and shape) are listed.牙体预备技术是口腔美学修复治疗必知必会的核心操作，通过一定量的牙修复体组织的磨除，为目标修复体提供容纳空间、粘接面与完成线等。如何在完成高质量牙体预备的同时还能保存牙体、保护活髓和牙周组织是美学修复牙体预备中亟需解决的难题。本文就微创牙体预备的概念及核心要素，显微牙体预备涉及的解剖生理学、显微牙体预备术前设计进行介绍，并总结了显微牙体预备技术临床路径，提出了显微牙体预备核心因素——量与形的新认知。.

Rare diseases are genetic, chronic, and incurable disorders with relatively low prevalence. Thus, diagnosis and management strategies for such diseases are currently limited. This situation is exacerbated by insufficient medical sources for these diseases. The National Health and Health Committee of China recently first provided a clear definition of 121 rare diseases in the Chinese population. In this study, we summarize several dental-craniofacial manifestations associated with some rare diseases to provide a reference for dentists and oral maxillofacial surgeons aiming at fast-tracking diagnosis for the management of these rare diseases.罕见病是一类遗传性的、慢性的、不可治愈且发病率相对较低的疾病。由于其发病率低，相关医疗资源较为缺乏，对其诊断及治疗的研究也受到限制。近期国家五部委发布的《第一批罕见病目录》纳入了121种罕见病，第一次明确界定了我国罕见病的范围。临床资料显示一些罕见病常伴有牙颌面表现，为了实现对罕见病的早期诊断与治疗，本文对目录纳入的罕见病牙颌面临床表现及相关治疗手段进行总结，以期为口腔科医生提供临床诊断依据。.

Dental implants represent the majority of treatment strategies used to replace missing teeth. However, peri-implant diseases caused by disturbance in peri-implant microbiological balance are among the reasons for implant failure. Since the 1980s, peri-implant microorganisms have been a hot research topic in dental microbiology. The bacterial ecology between the disease and health largely differs, which directly or indirectly increases the risk of peri-implant diseases. Accordingly, the determination of the 'core microbiome' of peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis is a key point of recent research.牙种植术是目前修复牙列缺损和牙列缺失的主要治疗方案，但是种植体周围微生态失衡易造成种植体周围疾病的发生，进而导致种植失败。从20世纪80年代开始，种植体周围微生物的研究就成为了口腔微生物研究的热点之一。正常种植体周围微生物和种植体周围炎症相关微生物存在着差异，这些差异直接或间接增加了种植体周围疾病的风险，因此寻找种植体周围黏膜炎和种植体周围炎“核心微生物组”是目前研究的关键。.

With the comprehensive application and development of implant dentistry in recent years, multi-institutional data have supported a large number of clinical research findings. A consensus was gradually reached on the evaluation of the state and effect of implants and types of indicators that were selected after restoration. This study aims to examine the frequently used criteria to define treatment success in implant dentistry.近年来口腔种植的广泛应用和发展，显现出多中心数据支持的临床研究结果，对种植义齿修复后该如何评价种植体的状态以及判断种植修复的效果，选择哪些指标来进行评价，逐步达成了一些共识。本文的目的是总结出临床最常用的评价种植修复成功的标准。.

The essence of pulp and periapical disease is bacterial infection. Thus, satisfactory infection control is the premise and foundation of healing, in which root canal preparation is a critical procedure. Root canal system anatomy, infection degree, physical cutting during root canal preparation, and certain cleaning measures affect the quality of infection control. Appropriate evaluation of the grades of infected root canals before treatment is necessary because different grades of root canal infection demand various disinfection schedules to facilitate tissue healing and guarantee the long-term success rate of endodontic treatment.牙髓及根尖周病的本质是感染，良好的感染控制是病变愈合的前提和基础。根管预备是感染控制的最关键程序，根管系统的解剖形态、根管自身感染程度、根管预备过程中的物理切削以及清理措施的选择均会影响根管感染控制的质量。治疗前应正确评估根管感染程度及解剖形态难度并选择相应的预备方案，合理配合使用成形与清理手段，严重感染的根管建议可选用新型镍钛系统、超声和激光等多种根管清理措施以更好地控制感染，促进组织愈合。.

D-alanine (D-Ala) is an essential amino acid that has a key role in bacterial cell wall synthesis. Alanine racemase (Alr) is a unique enzyme that interconverts L-alanine and D-alanine in most bacteria, making this enzyme a potential target for antimicrobial drug development. Streptococcus mutans is a major causative factor of dental caries. The factors involved in the survival, virulence and interspecies interactions of S. mutans could be exploited as potential targets for caries control. The current study aimed to investigate the physiological role of Alr in S. mutans. We constructed alr mutant strain of S. mutans and evaluated its phenotypic traits and interspecies competitiveness compared with the wild-type strain. We found that alr deletion was lethal to S. mutans. A minimal supplement of D-Ala (150 μg·mL−1) was required for the optimal growth of the alr mutant. The depletion of D-alanine in the growth medium resulted in cell wall perforation and cell lysis in the alr mutant strain. We also determined the compromised competitiveness of the alr mutant strain relative to the wild-type S. mutans against other oral streptococci (S. sanguinis or S. gordonii), demonstrated using either conditioned medium assays or dual-species fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis. Given the importance and necessity of alr to the growth and competitiveness of S. mutans, Alr may represent a promising target to modulate the cariogenicity of oral biofilms and to benefit the management of dental caries. An enzyme found to be crucial to the growth and survival of a bacterium found in the mouth could be targeted to prevent tooth decay. The Streptococcus mutans bacterium is a major cause of tooth decay; fed by high sugar intake, it generates acid that leads to tooth demineralization. Ming-Yun Li and co-workers at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, have demonstrated that an enzyme called alanine racemase (Alr) is crucial to the growth and maintanance of S. mutans cell wall structure. The team created alr mutant strain of the bacterium, and discovered that without the enzyme the bacterium cell wall tore easily, leading to cell disintegration. They also found that deleting Alr significantly reduced the bacterium's ability to compete effectively with other oral bacteria. The manipulation of the enzyme in oral biofilm could help reduce tooth decay.

Saliva is secreted from the salivary glands and has multiple functions, including mouth cleaning and protection, antibacterial effects and digestion. With the rapid advancement in salivaomics, saliva is well recognized as a pool of biological markers. Saliva, as a non-invasive and safe source, could be a substitute for blood in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. This review summarizes the latest advancements in saliva-related studies and addresses the potential value of saliva in the early diagnosis of oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal disease, as well as cancer, diabetes and other systemic disorders. Saliva biomarkers range from changes in the biochemical indices of DNA, RNA and proteins to the diversification of microbiota structures. This study integrates data reported in the recent literature and discusses the clinical significance and prospects for the application of saliva in the early diagnosis of diseases, translational medicine and precision medicine.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Galla chinensis chemical compounds on enamel caries remineralization in rats. Methods: A total of 40 rats were inoculated with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 and fed a cariogenic diet (Keyes 2000). The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated topically twice a day with each of the following extracts (or control) for 5 weeks: distilled and deionized water (DDW, negative control); 1,000 ppm NaF (positive control); 4,000 ppm G. chinensis crude aqueous extract (GCE), or 4,000 ppm gallic acid (GA). After the experimental period, Keyes' caries diagnosis and scoring technique was applied as a preliminary evaluation on the molar teeth. For more accurate remineralization data, the residual enamel volume of the first molar and the mineral density (MD) of the enamel were further analyzed by micro-CT. Results: The severity of molar enamel caries decreased in the following order of treatment groups: DDW > GA > GCE > NaF (p < 0.05). In addition, the residual first molar enamel volume and MD values increased in the order of DDW, GA, GCE and NaF treatment groups (p < 0.05). In most molars, remineralization layers were observed on the surface of lesions. Conclusion:G. chinensis compounds remineralize enamel caries lesions in a rat model.

The microbe is small in volume, but large in quantity and species. The symbiotic microbe, which is far more than human cells, code millions times of genes than human being. Somatic cells and these symbiotic microbe distributing in human body skin, respiratory tract, oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and other parts form a complex ecosystem whose dynamic balance is highly related to body health. With the successful implementation of Human Microbiome Project, more attentions have been paid to the next generation microbiome technologies. New tools and methods for ecological regulation of human microbiome are emerging. The way we improve the world of human microbiology will be more convenient. This paper will make a review on the modulation techniques of human microbiome.人体共生微生物数量远超过人体自身细胞数量，其编码基因数量甚至是人类的数百倍。人体可以看做是微生物与自身细胞共同形成的复杂生态系统。这些分布在人体皮肤、呼吸道、口腔、胃肠道、泌尿生殖道等部位的微生物群落之间的动态平衡与人体健康息息相关。随着各国人体微生物研究计划的先后开展，引发了新一轮微生物组技术研究和开发的热潮。人体微生物群落生态调节的新工具、新方法和新技术正在大量出现，改善人体微生态和预防感染性疾病的手段将变得更加丰富。本文就目前已有的微生态调节技术在人类感染性疾病预防中的研究进展作一综述。.

Taste is mediated by multicellular taste buds distributed throughout the oral and pharyngeal cavities. The taste buds can detect five basic tastes: sour, sweet, bitter, salty and umami, allowing mammals to select nutritious foods and avoid the ingestion of toxic and rotten foods. Once developed, the taste buds undergo continuous renewal throughout the adult life. In the past decade, significant progress has been achived in delineating the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing taste buds development and homeostasis. With this knowledges and in-depth investigations in the future, we can achieve the precise management of taste dysfunctions such as dysgeusia and ageusia.哺乳动物可感受酸、甜、苦、咸、鲜五种味道，不同的味觉有助于机体鉴别营养物质和有毒有害物质，对哺乳动物的生存具有极其重要的意义。味觉的产生需要味蕾、外周神经系统及中枢神经系统的协同工作。目前对哺乳动物味蕾的发育与重建已经有了较为深入的研究，特别是通过小鼠模型的研究，在分子层面对上述两个过程有了一定认知。这一领域内的深入研究将有利于对味觉障碍与味觉丧失等疾病进行精准防治。.

To investigate the dental caries status and related factors in Chinese elderly people, using data from the 4th National Oral Health Survey of China.In this cross-sectional study, a multistage, cluster strategy was used to recruit 4,431participants (2,222 male and 2,209 female) aged 65 to 74 years from all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of the mainland of China. The survey was performed according to the diagnostic standard proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Socio-demographic information was collected with a closed questionnaire.The caries prevalence in 65 to 74-year-olds was rather high; the report shows it was 98.0% (DMFT ≥ 1) among elderly people in China. The mean DMFT, DT, MT and FT was 13.33 ± 9.32, 3.33 ± 4.17, 9.50 ± 8.66 and 0.49 ± 1.41, respectively. The filling rate was very low, assessed as 12.8%. The number of DMFT related to gender, residential district type, educational level, level of annual household income, toothbrushing frequency, consumption frequency of desserts, attitudes to oral health and oral health-related knowledge.The prevalence of dental caries in Chinese elderly people is rather high and a lot of decayed teeth still need to be filled and suitable prevention and treatment for this group is urgently needed.

To investigate the differences in distribution of root caries and related factors between middle-aged and elderly people in China.In this cross-sectional study, a multistage, cluster strategy was used to recruit 4,410 participants (2,197 males and 2,213 females) aged 35 to 44 years and 4,431 participants (2,222 males and 2,209 females) aged 65 to 74 years from all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of the mainland of China. The survey was conducted according to the basic methods proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Sociodemographic information, oral health behaviour, attitude and knowledge, history of dental prophylaxis and general health condition were collected with a closed questionnaire.A great increase in the occurrence of root caries in Chinese adults from 35 to 44-year-old to 65 to 74-year-olds, with the prevalence (DFR ≥ 1) from 25.4% to 61.9% and with the mean DFR score from 0.54 ± 1.34 to 2.63 ± 3.75. Filling rates were also very low, only 1.8% and 3.0%, respectively. Females and residents of rural areas were more likely to suffer from root caries. In both the middle-aged group and the elderly group, root caries related to gender, education level, sweet food/drinks consumption, oral health knowledge and status of root surface explosion. In 35 to 44 year olds, toothbrushing is a significant protection factor (OR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.81 ~ 0.96), while using toothpicks is a risk factor (OR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.02 ~ 1.10). In 65 to 74 year olds, not having dental had scaling in the past 12 months is a risk factor (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.09 ~ 2.53).Root caries among middle-aged people and elderly people in China have different risk factors and need more attention in future research to develop proper prevention.

Deciduous teeth are the first dentition of humans and play an important role in children's physical and mental development. Dental caries are one of the most common oral diseases in children. According to the data of the World Health Organization, 60%-90% of school children worldwide develop dental caries. In China, dental caries of primary teeth feature high incidence and low rate of visits. Without timely treatment, the deep caries lesions of primary teeth can lead to teeth defect, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, and maxillofacial space infection. Moreover, the premature loss of deciduous teeth can cause malocclusion and eruption disorder of subsequent permanent teeth. These conditions all cause considerable effects on children's oral health and physical and mental development. Performing active and effective measures to treat deciduous teeth with deep caries lesions is important to maintain the integrity and normal physiological function of dentition and facilitate normal eruption of permanent teeth. The current situation of indirect pulp therapy in China was studied in this paper. Basic concepts, including indirect pulp capping, interim therapeutic restoration, partial caries removal, stepwise caries removal, and atraumatic restorative therapy, have been defined by consulting domestic and foreign literature. A theoretical basis for improving the clinical pathway of deciduous teeth with deep caries lesions is provided by explaining the technical connotation and therapeutic importance of indirect pulp therapy in primary teeth.乳牙是人类的第一副牙齿，其正常萌出建并行使生理功能对儿童的身心发育具有重要意义。乳牙龋病是儿童慢性疾病之首，是儿童口腔医学临床最常见的疾病之一。根据世界卫生组织调查数据显示，世界范围内60%~ 90%的学龄儿童患有龋病。乳牙龋病在我国具有患龋率高，就诊率低下的特点，如不及时治疗，可导致牙体组织缺损、生理间隙丢失、牙髓和根尖周病变及颌面间隙感染，严重者可致乳牙早失并伴发牙列畸形及后续恒牙萌出障碍等不良结果，影响儿童口腔健康及身心发育。因此，对深龋乳牙采取积极有效的治疗措施对保存必要乳牙及其牙髓活力，恢复正常生理功能，维持牙列完整性，诱导后续恒牙正常萌出建具有重要意义。本文从目前深龋乳牙间接牙髓治疗的研究认识现状出发，通过文献资料收集整理，对间接牙髓治疗、间接盖髓术、暂时性保髓充填、部分去龋法、分步去龋法和非创伤性修复治疗等相关概念进行了对比分析，阐明了乳牙间接牙髓治疗的技术内涵和治疗意义，对乳牙深龋的临床治疗路径完善提供了理论依据。.

As a natural traditional Chinese medicine, Galla chinensis has been widely used since ancient times for its astringency, stypticity, detoxification, and antibacterial activity. Our group has concentrated on the research about its potential of being an applicable anti-caries agent. The crude extract and some other components purified from it show remarkable efficacy on anticaries, and the most likely mechanism is proposed through specific research. For the fact that crude drugs consist of numerous compounds, and their bioactivity is a result of synergistic effects and/or antagonistic effects of several compounds, it is difficult to clarify the exact mechanism and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of G. chinensis. This review article systematically summarizes previous findings from the following aspects: (1) inhibitory effect on oral bacteria; (2) the demineralization inhibition property; (3) the remineralization-enhancing property; and (4) stability and toxicity evaluation, and thus indicates the further research direction.

Pyridinium functioned 7-hydroxy coumarin was presented as the first mitochondria-targeted ratiometric fluorescent probe CP for real time monitoring pH in living cells. Compared with commercially available mitochondrial trackers, CP possesses high specificity to mitochondria in living cells as well as good biocompatibility. Meanwhile, CP displays excellent pH sensitivity and anti-interference capability. Confocal image experiments confirm that CP can monitor mitochondrial pH changes associated with the mitochondrial acidification, cellular apoptosis and stress response efficiently in real time.

A series of cationic polymers (P1-P5) were designed and synthesized using a ring-opening polymerization strategy based on low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) and using diglycidyl ethers as the bridging moiety. Although these polymers have reduced amino group density relative to 25 kDa PEI, their pH buffering capacity and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) binding ability were seldom affected. They were able to condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) well to form nanoparticles of suitable sizes (150-300 nm) and positive zeta potentials (+25-40 mV). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays revealed that polyplexes formed from these polymers have lower cytotoxicity than those derived from PEI. Luciferase reporter gene delivery experiments indicated that these polymers have much better transfection efficiency than 25 kDa PEI, especially P2 and P5. Unlike PEI, serum has little negative effect on the transfection by these materials, and their transfection efficiencies were seldom reduced even with high concentrations of serum. Under optimized conditions, up to 400 times higher transfection efficiency than with PEI could be achieved. Several assays including gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy also confirmed the good serum tolerance of these polyplexes. The evenly distributed hydroxyl groups formed by the ring-opening polymerization are considered to contribute much to their high serum tolerance, and such polymerization might be a promising strategy for the design of efficient non-viral gene delivery vectors.