[The prediction value of combined serum levels of TMAO and TML for poor prognosis in patients with heart failure]

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of combined serum levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and trimethyllysine (TML) for poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. Methods: This single-center prospective cohort study included hospitalized patients with heart failure and complete baseline data from the Department of Cardiology at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2017 to December 2020. Patients were categorized into four groups based on median serum levels of TMAO and TML after admission: TMAO low level TML low level group (TMAO<9.7 μmol/L, TML<0.73 μmol/L), TMAO low level TML high level group (TMAO<9.7 μmol/L, TML≥0.73 μmol/L), TMAO high level TML low level group (TMAO≥9.7 μmol/L, TML<0.73 μmol/L) and TMAO high level TML high level group (TMAO≥9.7 μmol/L, TML≥0.73 μmol/L). The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death and readmission for heart failure. Multiple factor Cox regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between serum TMAO and TML levels and poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. Results: A total of 471 patients with heart failure were included, with an mean age of (62.5±12.0) years and a median follow-up time of 1.61 (1.06, 2.90) years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, and traditional risk factors, the TMAO high level TML high level group had a higher incidence of primary endpoint events compared to the TMAO low level TML low level group (HR=1.71, 95%CI 1.05-2.77, P=0.03). Conclusion: Elevated serum levels of both TMAO and TML can effectively predict the occurrence of long-term adverse events in patients with heart failure.

A multi-functional nano-platform based on LiGa4.99O8:Cr0.01/IrO2 with near infrared-persistent luminescence, "afterglow" photodynamic and photo-thermal functions

Multi-functionalised nano-platforms based on persistent-luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) have attracted considerable attention for biomedical applications owing to their lack of background noise and suitability for in vivo imaging without the need for in situ excitation. However, nano-platforms based on PLNPs for continuous photodynamic therapy (PDT) are currently lacking. Herein, we report a nano-platform (LiGa4.99O8:Cr0.01/IrO2, LGO:Cr/IrO2) prepared using PLNPs (LiGa4.99O8:Cr0.01, LGO:Cr) covalently bonded with iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrO2 NPs), producing near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescence, "afterglow" PDT and photo-thermal therapy (PTT) effects. The LGO:Cr/IrO2 not only exhibits NIR-persistent luminescence at 719 nm and a PTT effect under 808 nm irradiation but also a continuous "afterglow" PDT effect without the need for in situ excitation owing to persistent energy transfer from LGO:Cr to the IrO2 NPs, in turn generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). This multi-functional nano-platform is expected to further promote the application of PLNPs in tumour treatment.

Role of Taste Receptors in Innate Immunity and Oral Health

Taste receptors are receptor proteins that detect ligands belonging to the 5 taste modalities: sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and umami. Taste receptors are not restricted to taste cells in taste buds; rather, they are distributed throughout the entire body. For example, solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) and tuft cells express taste signal proteins and are present in several mucosae. In the airways, SCCs sense bacteria, allergens, viruses, and noxious stimuli and drive evasive behavior, neuroinflammation, and antibacterial responses. In the gut, tuft cells detect helminth infection and bacterial dysbiosis and initiate type II immune responses characterized by tissue remodeling. In the gingiva, SCCs detect oral pathogenic bacteria, evoke innate immune responses and release antimicrobial compounds in the epithelium, and regulate the microbiome composition. This review summarizes the most recent research on extragustatory taste receptors and their function in antibacterial defense. We also discuss how these findings have provided insights into the development of potential therapeutic strategies for mucosal bacterial infection and dental diseases.

Autophagy in drug resistance of the multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 to doxorubicin

We investigated the effect of autophagy on drug resistance of multiple myeloma (MM) to doxorubicin (DOX). A DOX-resistant MM cell line (RPMI8226/DOX) was developed by progressively increasing the DOX concentration gradient. The drug resistance index was determined using the MTT method. Transmission electron microscopy, anti-light chain 3-fluorescein isothiocyanate immunofluorescence, and Western blotting were used to detect autophagy of MM cells. Flow cytometry was applied to detect changes in apoptosis of RPMI8226/DOX cells (stained with annexin-V/propidium iodide) caused by inhibition by hydroxychloroquine and 3-methyladenine on autophagy. The drug resistance index of RPMI8226/DOX to DOX was 10.8, and autophagy/lysosomal was clearly observed in RPMI8226/DOX cells under transmission electron microscopy, while immunofluorescence showed granular immunofluorescence in cells. Western blot analysis showed that light chain 3-II protein expression level was higher in RPMI8226/DOX cells than in RPMI8226/S cells. The apoptosis test showed that hydroxychloroquine or 3-methyladenine partially reversed the drug resistance of RPMI8226/DOX cells by inhibiting autophagy. Activation of autophagy in MM cells may explain the drug resistance of myeloma.

[Simultaneous intrusion and retraction of the anterior teeth using a three-piece base arch]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of the three-piece base arch on overbite correction of Class II malocclusion.

METHODS

20 patients with high angle, flared incisors were treated using a three-piece base arch appliance. The intrusion force of four upper incisors was adjusted to approximately 50 g. The line of force action was 2 mm distally to the resistant center(RC) and the retraction force was 20 g, the right and left posterior segments were joined by a palatal bar. Cephalograms were taken before treatment (T1) and six months after treatment (T2).

RESULTS

The upper molars moved mesially 0.60 +/- 0.35 mm and the distance of the vertical extrusion was 0.80 +/- 0.52 mm. The distances of the upper central incisor retraction and intrusion were -4.20 +/- 2.12 mm and 3.10 +/- 0.54 mm respectively. The RC of the central incisor retracted -4.12 +/- 1.96 mm and intruded 3.20 +/- 0.66 mm. The axial inclination of the upper incisor-palatal plane changed from 123.21 degrees +/- 4.26 degrees to 116.00 degrees +/- 3.96 degrees.

CONCLUSION

The three-piece segmented approach can effectively intrude and retract the upper anterior teeth for flared incisors and deep overbite.