Identification of macrophages as an immune suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma using single-cell and bulk transcriptomics.

Introduction: Macrophages and T cells play crucial roles in liver physiology, but their functional diversity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown.

Methods: Two bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) cohorts for HCC were analyzed using gene co-expression network analysis. Key gene modules and networks were mapped to single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of HCC.

Negative feedback between PTH1R and IGF1 through the Hedgehog pathway in mediating craniofacial bone remodeling.

Regeneration of orofacial bone defects caused by inflammatory-related diseases or trauma remains an unmet challenge. Parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) signaling is a key mediator of bone remodeling whereas the regulatory mechanisms of PTH1R signaling in oral bone under homeostatic or inflammatory conditions have not been demonstrated by direct genetic evidence. Here we observed that deletion of PTH1R in Gli1+-progenitors led to increased osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis.

Investigating the Influence of a Tooth Absence on Facial Bone Growth Using a Porcine Model.

With the current state of knowledge regarding disorders of facial bone development, including anodontia, the development of a suitable animal model for preclinical studies is essential. The agenesis of dental buds occurs in about 25% of the human population. Prospects for treatment include the use of growth factors, stem cells, and bioengineering.

PITX2 expression and Neanderthal introgression in HS3ST3A1 contribute to variation in tooth dimensions in modern humans.

Dental morphology varies greatly throughout evolution, including in the human lineage, but little is known about the biology of this variation. Here, we use multiomics analyses to examine the genetics of variation in tooth crown dimensions. In a human cohort with mixed continental ancestry, we detected genome-wide significant associations at 18 genome regions.

SARS-CoV-2 infection of salivary glands compromises the production of a secreted antifungal peptide with potential implications for development of oral candidiasis.

Saliva contains antimicrobial peptides considered integral components of host innate immunity, and crucial for protection against colonizing microbial species. Most notable is histatin-5 which is exclusively produced in salivary glands with uniquely potent antifungal activity against the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to replicate in salivary gland acinar cells eliciting local immune cell activation.

Multiple factors regulate the expression of in .

Introduction: The gene cluster, encoding the sole iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster assembly system in , was recently shown to be up-regulated in response to oxidative stressors and Fe limitation.

Methods: In this study, luciferase reporter fusion assays, electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSA) and transcription assays (IVT) were used to dissect the and acting factors that regulate the expression of .

Results And Discussion: Results showed deletion of , for the only Fur-family transcriptional regulator in , resulted in >5-fold increases in luciferase activity under the control of the promoter (P<0.

The Human Pathology Atlas for deciphering the prognostic features of human cancers.

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for a deeper molecular understanding and the development of personalized treatments. The present study aims to establish a solid association between gene expression and patient survival outcomes to enhance the utility of the Human Pathology Atlas for cancer research.

Methods: In this updated analysis, we examined the expression profiles of 6918 patients across 21 cancer types.

Syndrome-informed phenotyping identifies a polygenic background for achondroplasia-like facial variation in the general population.

Human craniofacial shape is highly variable yet highly heritable with numerous genetic variants interacting through multiple layers of development. Here, we hypothesize that Mendelian phenotypes represent the extremes of a phenotypic spectrum and, using achondroplasia as an example, we introduce a syndrome-informed phenotyping approach to identify genomic loci associated with achondroplasia-like facial variation in the general population. We compare three-dimensional facial scans from 43 individuals with achondroplasia and 8246 controls to calculate achondroplasia-like facial scores.

CRISPR-Cas13d as a molecular tool to achieve targeted gene expression knockdown in chick embryos.

The chick embryo is a classical model system commonly used in developmental biology due to its amenability to gene perturbation experiments. Pairing this powerful model organism with cutting-edge technology can significantly expand the range of experiments that can be performed. Recently, the CRISPR-Cas13d system has been successfully adapted for use in zebrafish, medaka, killifish, and mouse embryos to achieve targeted gene expression knockdown.

Synthetic conduits efficacy in neural repair: a comparative study of dip-coated polycaprolactone and electrospun polycaprolactone/polyurethane conduits.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) represent the most common type of nervous system injuries, resulting in 5 million injuries per year. Current gold standard, autografts, still carry several limitations, including the inappropriate type, size, and function matches in grafted nerves, lack of autologous donor sites, neuroma formation, and secondary surgery incisions. Polymeric nerve conduits, also known as nerve guides, can help overcome the aforementioned issues that limit nerve recovery and regeneration by reducing tissue fibrosis, misdirection of regenerating axons, and the inability to maintain long- distance axonal growth.

Mapping genes for human face shape: Exploration of univariate phenotyping strategies.

Human facial shape, while strongly heritable, involves both genetic and structural complexity, necessitating precise phenotyping for accurate assessment. Common phenotyping strategies include simplifying 3D facial features into univariate traits such as anthropometric measurements (e.g.

Immune digital twins for complex human pathologies: applications, limitations, and challenges.

Digital twins represent a key technology for precision health. Medical digital twins consist of computational models that represent the health state of individual patients over time, enabling optimal therapeutics and forecasting patient prognosis. Many health conditions involve the immune system, so it is crucial to include its key features when designing medical digital twins.

Sex and Gender Health Education Tenets: An Essential Paradigm for Inclusivity in Dentistry.

Sex and gender are essential components of person-centered care. This article presents and discusses four important tenets regarding sex and gender health that should be incorporated into dental education and oral health care to foster inclusivity and improve care for all patients, including a sex and gender-diverse patient population.

Spectrum of Craniofacial and Oral Malformations in China, a Multicenter Study.

Objective: Craniofacial and oral malformations (COMs) represent an important class of human developmental disorders with profound implications on the anatomical structure, appearance, and various physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to define the spectrum of COMs and analysis its features or possible influencing factors to improve the surveillance and control of the disease.

Materials And Methods: We organized a multicenter survey of COMs from 19 hospitals in 14 provinces.

Molecular Analysis of ApiA, a Multi-Functional Protein.

ApiA is a trimeric autotransporter outer membrane protein (Omp) that participates in multiple functions, enabling to adapt to a variety of environments. The goal of this study is to identify regions in the gene responsible for three of these functions: auto-aggregation, buccal epithelial cell binding, and complement resistance. Initially, was expressed in .

Identifying Hub Genes and Metabolic Pathways in Collagen VI-Related Dystrophies: A Roadmap to Therapeutic Intervention.

Collagen VI-related dystrophies (COL6RD) are a group of rare muscle disorders caused by mutations in specific genes responsible for type VI collagen production. It affects muscles, joints, and connective tissues, leading to weakness, joint problems, and structural issues. Currently, there is no effective treatment for COL6RD; its management typically addresses symptoms and complications.

Optimization and Implication of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Craniofacial Bone Regeneration and Repair.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as a promising resource for craniofacial bone regeneration due to their high abundance and easy accessibility, significant osteogenic potential, versatile applications, and potential for personalized medicine, which underscore their importance in this field. This article reviews the current progress of preclinical studies that describe the careful selection of specific ADSC subpopulations, key signaling pathways involved, and usage of various strategies to enhance the osteogenic potential of ADSCs. Additionally, clinical case reports regarding the application of ADSCs in the repair of calvarial defects, cranio-maxillofacial defects, and alveolar bone defects are also discussed.

Effect of anti-sclerostin antibody on orthodontic tooth movement in ovariectomized rats.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of systemically administered anti-sclerostin antibodies (Anti-Scl Ab) on orthodontic tooth movements (OTM) in an ovariectomized rat.

Methods: Twenty-four 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) ovariectomy (OVX) group, (2) ovariectomy + romosozumab (ROMO) group. OTM was performed 8 weeks after OVX.

Heterozygous BTNL8 variants in individuals with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare condition following SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with intestinal manifestations. Genetic predisposition, including inborn errors of the OAS-RNAseL pathway, has been reported. We sequenced 154 MIS-C patients and utilized a novel statistical framework of gene burden analysis, "burdenMC," which identified an enrichment for rare predicted-deleterious variants in BTNL8 (OR = 4.

Regeneration of Chronic Alveolar Vertical Defects Using a Micro Dosage of rhBMP-2. An Experimental In Vivo Study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effect of the location of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) from the native bone and the periosteum for vertical alveolar bone augmentation.

Materials And Methods: Mandibular, chronic, standardized, bilateral, and vertical defects in 12 beagle dogs were evaluated using four modalities: a xenograft alone (XENO; n = 6); rhBMP-2 alone (BMP; n = 6); a technique with rhBMP-2 close to the host bone covered by xenograft (SAN; n = 6); and a technique with rhBMP-2 close to the flap on top of the xenograft (LAS; n = 6). After 8 weeks, a series of in vivo inspections, fluorescence microscopy, histologic and histomorphometric evaluations, and micro-CT analyses.

Dental and Craniofacial Anomalies in Fanconi Anemia: A Systematic Review and Additional 46 Reports.

Objective: Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare genetic disorder, has not been comprehensively studied regarding its dental and craniofacial phenotypes. This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on dental, occlusion, and craniofacial anomalies in individuals with FA and to describe the occurrence of these anomalies in a cohort from two Brazilian referral centers.

Materials And Methods: Electronic searches were conducted across six databases, supplemented by manual searches and gray literature.