Role of periodontal ligament fibroblasts in periodontitis: pathological mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) play a crucial role in the etiology of periodontitis and periodontal tissue regeneration. In healthy periodontal tissues, PDLFs maintain the homeostasis of periodontal soft and hard tissues as well as the local immune microenvironment. PDLFs also have the potential for multidirectional transdifferentiation and are involved in periodontal tissue regeneration.

Integrating bioinformatics and machine learning to uncover lncRNA LINC00269 as a key regulator in Parkinson's disease via pyroptosis pathways.

Background: Pyroptosis, a specific type of programmed cell death, which has become a significant factor to Parkinson's disease (PD). Concurrently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have garnered attention for their regulatory roles in neurodegenerative disorders. This study was designed to ascertain the key lncRNAs in pyroptosis pathways of PD and elucidate their regulatory mechanisms.

Ultrasound combined mechanical wall-breaking extraction of new Ganoderma leucocontextum polysaccharides and their application as a structural and functional improver in set fat-free goat yogurt production.

Herein, we investigate the yield, micro-structures, rheological properties and bioactivities of new Ganoderma leucocontextum polysaccharide (GLP) obtained from Kangding via ultrasound combined mechanical wall-breaking extraction (UBE), and examine the effect of GLP as a structural and functional improver on the physicochemical, sensory, aromatic, water-holding capacity (WHC), textural, rheological, micro-structural and protein structural properties, and bioactivities of set fat-free goat yogurt (set-FGY). Through response surface optimisation, the extracted GLP achieved a maximum yield of 2.18 %, showing good apparent viscosity and elastic behaviour in 3 % aqueous solution as well as good micro-structure and significant anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic activities.

Chronic kidney disease and thyroid hormones.

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and significantly impacts renal outcomes and mortality. This study investigated the associations between thyroid function and clinical outcomes, and also the therapeutic effects of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) in CKD patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the China Renal Data System.

Copper nanocluster based cascade amplified DNA electrochemical detection combining with bio-barcode assay and surface-initiated enzyme polymerization.

Early cancer diagnosis is paramount for enhancing treatment efficacy, extending patient survival, and improving the quality of life. We developed a highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for the detection of target DNA (tDNA) associated with gastric cancer. This advancement integrates dual signal amplification strategies: bio-barcode amplification (BCA) and surface-initiated enzyme polymerization (SIEP), with copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) serving as signal labels.

Species and genetic diversity of notorious dinoflagellates Pfiesteria piscicida, Luciella masanensis, and relatives in marine sediments of China.

The dinoflagellate genus Pfiesteria, encompassing Pfiesteria piscicida and P. shumwayae, became a hot topic in HABs research in the early 2000s due to numerous but controversial reports regarding life cycle and toxicity. While Pfiesteria presence has been reported from all continents, surprisingly, there has been no documented presence in China to date.

Association of serum alkaline phosphatase levels with bone mineral density, osteoporosis prevalence, and mortality in US adults with osteoporosis: evidence from NHANES 2005-2018.

Unlabelled: This study examined the association of serum total alkaline phosphatase (T-ALP) with bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis prevalence in the general population, and investigated its association with mortality in individuals with osteoporosis, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2005 and 2018. Elevated serum T-ALP levels were significantly associated with both reduced BMD and an increased risk of osteoporosis in all participants. Moreover, elevated T-ALP levels were linked to higher all-cause mortality among individuals with osteoporosis during this period.

Inflammation-based scores predict chronic kidney disease progression in patients with chronic kidney disease and chronic heart failure.

Background: Inflammation is associated with adverse outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or chronic heart failure (CHF), but few large data exist. We aimed to explore the clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of inflammation-based scores in patients with CKD and CHF.

Methods: This work was a retrospective cohort study.

Exploring Relationships Between Circulating Interleukins and Pulp and Periapical Diseases: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the links of genetic predisposition among 13 common circulating interleukins (ILs) and endodontic diseases by using a 2-sample Mendelian randomization method.

Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms were chosen as instrumental variables from summary data of genome-wide association studies (GWASs), using the inverse-variance-weighted method as the primary analysis. In addition, a variety of sensitivity analyses was conducted to evaluate the resilience of the primary outcomes and identify any inherent pleiotropic effects.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping reveals brain iron accumulation in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: associations with neurocognitive changes.

Brain iron deposition is correlated with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). This study aimed to investigate the pattern of altered iron distribution, using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), and to clarify the relationship between iron deposition and neurocognitive changes in MHE. We enrolled 32 cirrhotic patients without MHE (NHE), 21 cirrhotic patients with MHE, and 24 healthy controls, and used the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) to assess neurocognitive function.

Detection of C-shaped mandibular second molars on panoramic radiographs using deep convolutional neural networks.

Objectives: The C-shaped mandibular second molars (MSMs) may pose an endodontic challenge. The aim of this study was to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning system for the diagnosis of C-shaped MSMs on panoramic radiographs.

Materials And Methods: Panoramic radiographs and cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images were collected from a hospital in China and subsequently divided into two groups.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Commercially Available Phosphite Antioxidants.

Phosphite antioxidants exhibit superior anti-aging and color-stabilizing properties when incorporated into polymer materials. Their synergistic antioxidative effects are particularly noteworthy when used in combination with hindered phenol antioxidants and other primary antioxidants, serving as effective secondary antioxidants, displaying noteworthy synergistic antioxidation effects. This review systematically classifies the synthetic methods for phosphite antioxidants into three distinct categories based on the types of starting materials: synthesis from phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus-containing esters, and white phosphorus.

3D printed sodium alginate/gelatin/tannic acid/calcium chloride scaffolds laden bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to repair defective thyroid cartilage plate.

Due to the absence of blood vessels, cartilage exhibits extremely limited self-repair capacity. Currently, repairing laryngeal cartilage defects, resulting from conditions such as laryngeal tumors, injury, and congenital structural abnormalities, remains a significant challenge in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Previous research has often focused on enhancing the mechanical properties of synthetic materials.

Total, dietary, and supplemental calcium intake and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among U.S. adults: a prospective cohort study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Unlabelled: Calcium intake is widely recommended, but its association with mortality remains unclear. This study indicated higher levels of calcium intake were associated with lower mortality in American adults. However, a nonlinear association between calcium intake and mortality suggested that excessive calcium intake beyond a certain threshold may increase mortality risk.

Hydrothermal-Induced Cationic Vacancies in NiAl Hydroxide for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Activities through Optimization of e* Band Broadening.

Nickel-based hydroxides [Ni(OH)] have attracted significant attention as effective oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. In recent years, defect engineering has been extensively utilized in Ni(OH) modification research. Numerous studies have confirmed that the generation of defects can expose more active sites and regulate electronic states, particularly through the introduction of Al cationic vacancies, which enhance conductivity and thereby improve the catalytic performance.

In Vitro Differentiation of Naive CD4+ T Cells into Pathogenic Th17 Cells in Mouse.

In vitro T cell differentiation techniques are essential for both functional and mechanistic investigations of CD4 T cells. Pathogenic Th17 cells have been linked to a wide range of diseases in recent times, including multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, and other autoimmune disorders. However, the currently known in vitro differentiation protocols have difficulty achieving high purity of pathogenic Th17 cells, with the induction efficiency often below 50%, which is a key challenge in in vitro experiments.

Agent-free, highly sensitive, and simply operated Ag sensor with molybdenum disulfide-based field effect transistor.

Ag, as a good bactericidal reagent, has been extensively used to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria and viruses. However, overcommit of Ag would leave residues in environments, which is toxic to the human body even under minimal exposure. In this case, a fast and high selective sensing method based on field effect transistors (FET) has been proposed for monitoring Ag in aqueous solutions.

Examining Risk Factors Related to Cardiac Rehabilitation Cessation Among Patients With Advanced Heart Failure.

Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is beneficial in heart transplant and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients, but patterns of attendance remain poorly understood. We describe CR adherence and cessation in this population.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of heart transplant and LVAD recipients who attended ≥1 CR session at a tertiary medical center (2013-2022).

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, eGFR, and progression of kidney disease in chronic kidney disease patients without heart failure.

Background: Cardiorenal syndrome highlights the bidirectional relationship between kidney and heart dysfunction. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which is the gold standard biomarker in heart failure (HF), may be an important biomarker for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, NT-proBNP is negatively related with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).