Latest Articles
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As life expectancy among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases, a growing number of complications have been observed. This population displays an elevated risk of ischemic necrosis of the femoral head in comparison to the general population, which may be attributed to HIV infection, antiretroviral medication use, and hormone application. Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who also have necrosis of the femoral head tend to present at an earlier age, with a rapid disease progression and a high incidence of bilateral onset. ⋯ This represents a promising avenue for future research. The present article reviews the epidemiological study of HIV-infected patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head, local changes of the femoral head, possible mechanisms of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, occupational exposure during treatment, and surgical efficacy. The aim is to provide insights that can inform the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and mechanism of this condition.
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Review
Effect of cold atmospheric plasma on common oral pathogenic microorganisms: a narrative review.
The oral microbiota is a diverse and complex community that maintains a delicate balance. When this balance is disturbed, it can lead to acute and chronic infectious diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis, significantly affecting people's quality of life. Developing a new antimicrobial strategy to deal with the increasing microbial variability and resistance is important. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), as the fourth state of matter, has gradually become a hot topic in the field of biomedicine due to its good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor capabilities. It is expected to become a major asset in the regulation of oral microbiota. ⋯ CAP is effective against various oral pathogenic microorganisms, and it is anticipated to offer a new approach to treating oral infectious diseases. The future objective is to precisely adjust the parameters of CAP to ensure safety and efficacy, and subsequently develop a comprehensive CAP treatment protocol. Achieving this objective is crucial for the clinical application of CAP, and further research is necessary.
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Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the walls of medium and small vessels of the brain and leptomeninges, is a major cause of lobar hemorrhage in elderly individuals. Among the genetic risk factors for CAA that continue to be recognized, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the most significant and prevalent, as its variants have been implicated in more than half of all patients with CAA. While the presence of the APOE ε4 allele markedly increases the risk of CAA, the ε2 allele confers a protective effect relative to the common ε3 allele. ⋯ The primary physiological role of APOE is to mediate lipid transport in the brain and periphery; however, it has also been shown to be involved in a wide array of biological functions, particularly those involving Aβ, in which it plays a known role in processing, production, aggregation, and clearance. The challenges posed by the reliance on postmortem histological analyses and the current absence of an effective intervention underscore the urgency for innovative APOE-targeted strategies for diagnosing CAA. This review not only deepens our understanding of the impact of APOE on the pathogenesis of CAA but can also help guide the exploration of targeted therapies, inspiring further research into the therapeutic potential of APOE.
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Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are a significant clinical concern, with detection rates increasing due to advances in imaging technologies. However, precise mechanisms underlying their pathophysiology remain incompletely understood. Recent evidence suggests a pivotal role of oral microbiota dysbiosis, particularly periodontal pathogens, in systemic inflammation that may contribute to IA development and rupture. ⋯ The findings highlight the importance of maintaining oral microbiota homeostasis as a potential therapeutic target for preventing IAs. Interventions aimed at restoring oral microbial balance may represent a novel strategy for reducing the burden of IA formation and rupture, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to oral health and IAs prevention.
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A high recurrence rate is undesirable after treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones. A major risk factor identified for recurrence is that invasive techniques, including surgical or endoscopic treatments, will impair the biliary tract system either by direct incision of the CBD or by cutting or dilating the ampulla of Vater. ⋯ In this review, the relationship between endoscopic lithotomy and structural impairment or functional abnormality of the SO will be summarized, and their relationship with the recurrence of CBD stones will also be analyzed. Further improvement of these endoscopic methods or exploration of some novel methods, such as endoscopic endoclip papilloplasty, temporary insertion of a self-expandable metal stent, and combined application of peroral cholangioscopy, may aid in providing more appropriate treatment for patients with choledocholithiasis, repair or protect the function and structure of SO, reduce or prevent the recurrence of bile duct stones, and improve patient outcomes.