Pyroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases: from bench to bedside.

The central nervous system regulates all aspects of physiology to some extent. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) lead to the progressive loss and dysfunction of neurons, which are particularly evident in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and many other conditions. NDDs are multifactorial diseases with complex pathogeneses, and there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of NDDs.

Novel Digital Mouth Preparation Technique for Fabricating Implant-Retained Removable Partial Dentures with Distal Extension: a Case Report.

Implant-retained removable partial dentures (RPDs) are commonly used to resolve the complications associated with traditional distal extension RPDs; however, this technology does not consider the necessity and importance of parallelism between the path of RPD insertion and the long axis of the implant. This clinical report presents a novel digital preparation technique that involves the preparation of parallel guiding planes on abutment teeth and implant insertion in the distal extension area using a computer-aided design and manufacturing template. This clinical case of implant-retained RPDs illustrates the fabrication and application of the digital template.

Role of brahma-related gene 1/brahma-associated factor subunits in neural stem/progenitor cells and related neural developmental disorders.

Different fates of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and their progeny are determined by the gene regulatory network, where a chromatin-remodeling complex affects synergy with other regulators. Here, we review recent research progress indicating that the BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF) complex plays an important role in NSPCs during neural development and neural developmental disorders. Several studies based on animal models have shown that mutations in the BAF complex may cause abnormal neural differentiation, which can also lead to various diseases in humans.

Optimization of Lactoferrin-Derived Amyloid Coating for Enhancing Soft Tissue Seal and Antibacterial Activity of Titanium Implants.

A poor seal of the titanium implant-soft tissue interface provokes bacterial invasion, aggravates inflammation, and ultimately results in implant failure. To ensure the long-term success of titanium implants, lactoferrin-derived amyloid is coated on the titanium surface to increase the expression of cell integrins and hemidesmosomes, with the goal of promoting soft tissue seal and imparting antibacterial activity to the implants. The lactoferrin-derived amyloid coated titanium structures contain a large number of amino and carboxyl groups on their surfaces, and promote proliferation and adhesion of epithelial cells and fibroblasts via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

A biomaterial-based therapy using a sodium hyaluronate/bioglass composite hydrogel for the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, inflammatory and potentially malignant oral disorder. Its pathophysiology is extremely complex, including excessive collagen deposition, massive inflammatory infiltration, and capillary atrophy. However, the existing clinical treatment methods do not fully take into account all the pathophysiological processes of OSF, so they are generally low effective and have many side effects.

Manifestation and Mechanisms of Abnormal Mineralization in Teeth.

Tooth biomineralization is a dynamic and complicated process influenced by local and systemic factors. Abnormal mineralization in teeth occurs when factors related to physiologic mineralization are altered during tooth formation and after tooth maturation, resulting in microscopic and macroscopic manifestations. The present Review provides timely information on the mechanisms and structural alterations of different forms of pathological tooth mineralization.

White Blood Cell Counts to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio, as a Novel Predictor of Long-Term Adverse Outcomes in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

White blood cell (WBC) counts and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are widely available in clinical practice. However, the predictive value for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is uncertain. In the present study, we firstly assessed the prognostic value of WBC to HDL-C ratio (WHR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Gut Microbiome-Based Diagnostic Model to Predict Coronary Artery Disease.

In the present study, we aimed to characterize gut microbiome and develop a gut microbiome-based diagnostic model in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Prospectively, we collected 309 fecal samples from Central China and Northwest China and carried out the sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The gut microbiome was characterized, and microbial biomarkers were identified in 152 CAD patients and 105 healthy controls (Xinjiang cohort, = 257).

Conditional deletion of Adrb2 in mesenchymal stem cells attenuates osteoarthritis-like defects in temporomandibular joint.

β2-adrenergic signal transduction in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induces subchondral bone loss in osteoarthritis (OA) of temporomandibular joints (TMJs). However, whether conditional deletion of β2-adrenergic receptor (Adrb2) in nestin MSCs can alleviate TMJ-OA development remains unknown. In this study, nestin-Cre mice were crossed with Adrb2 flox mice to generate mice lacking Adrb2 expression specifically in the nestin MSCs (Adrb2), and TMJ-OA development in such mice was investigated.

[Methods of removing failed implants].

Implant restoration has become one of the most regular methods of restoring dentition defect or edentulous. Implant placement and osseointegration are partly unreserved (fracture, implant is not in the correct three-dimensional position and cannot be repaired, peri-implantitis-affected nonmobile implants) need to be removed. This article reviews the different methods of removing implants and discusses the limitations of each method, as well as the complications that may occur during the procedure.

[Mid-frequency transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with tamoxifen for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia].

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety and clinical effect of mid-frequency transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with oral tamoxifen (TAM) in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia.

Methods: We randomly and equally assigned 120 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia to receive oral TAM, mid-frequency TEAS, or TAM+TEAS, all for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, we recorded the semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, sperm motility, percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS), and the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotrophic hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in the peripheral serum and compared these parameters among the three groups of patients.

[Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time: Advances in studies].

Although premature ejaculation (PE) is a common type of male sexual dysfunction, to date we lack a unified definition of PE. The multidimensional definition of PE has been accepted by more and more clinicians. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) is one of the three important dimensions (time to ejaculation, inability to control or delay ejaculation, and negative consequences) for defining PE.

[Clinical efficacy of Paroxetine combined with mid-frequency electrical pulse acupoint stimulation for premature ejaculation].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of Paroxetine combined with mid-frequency electrical pulse acupoint stimulation (EPAS) in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).

Methods: Totally 69 PE patients were equally assigned to receive oral Paroxetine 20 mg/d, mid-frequency EPAS, or oral Paroxetine 10 mg/d combined with mid-frequency EPAS (P + EPAS) , all for 8 weeks. We obtained the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) and Chinese Index of Premature Ejaculation (CIPE-5) scores of the patients before and after treatment, and compared adverse reactions among the three groups of patients.

[Effects of down-regulation of CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) on proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effect of suppression of CCL5 ligand gene on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells.

Methods: A lentiviral vector carrying a short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CCL5 was transfected into human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of CCL5 mRNA in the cells was detected by real-time PCR.