中华口腔医学杂志最新文献

Stomatological education is highly dependent on the development of practical skills. However, traditional teaching models present significant limitations in terms of standardization, cost-control, assessment objectivity, and operational safety. Virtual simulation technology offers a novel solution to these issues and with the integration of virtual simulation technology and artificial intelligence (AI) further advances the field toward more intelligent, personalized, and precise applications in the field. AI has demonstrated a key enabling role in various aspects, including creating high-fidelity virtual teaching content, enhancing clinical simulation realism, implementing intelligent assessment with personalized adaptive learning, and providing smart interaction and guidance. However, its practical application in virtual simulation teaching still faces multiple challenges related to resource investment, faculty training, technological iteration, system usability, and ethical-legal regulations. Looking forward, the continuous advancement of AI and its integration into multimodal teaching systems are expected to play a crucial role in building higher-fidelity immersive learning environments, achieving more intelligent personalized teaching, developing comprehensive clinical competencies, and promoting data-driven educational reform. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current application status, key enabling pathways, primary challenges, and future prospectives of AI in virtual simulation-based stomatologcial education.

Meckel's cartilage (MC) was first delineated in 1820 by the German anatomist Johann Friedrich Meckel the Younger through his examination of human embryos. During early development, MC functions as a supportive structure for the mandible and serves as a template for the subsequent formation of the jaw bones. Ultimately, MC transforms into either skeletal tissue, ligaments, or completely resorbs, integrating with the continuously developing osseous structures. This review elucidates the influence of MC development and degeneration on mandibular morphogenesis, delineating cellular processes and key factors that govern chondrogenic fate determination. The analysis reveals how the alterations of MC affect mandibular and craniofacial development. As a transient cartilaginous structure, investigation into MC may yield valuable insights for understanding oral and craniomaxillofacial pathologies.

The periodontal chart comprehensively and objectively records the periodontal status of each tooth in the entire dentition, which is an important basis and essential for the correct diagnosis of periodontal diseases and treatment plan formulation. This article describes in detail the content and clinical significance of the periodontal chart, the key points of the implementation of the clinical completion of the periodontal chart and the step-by-step training mode. This article, as the fourth chapter in the basic skills training series for periodontal diagnosis and treatment, aims to provide guidance for the standardization of periodontal chart recording and application in the clinic and teaching, so as to promote the standardization of Chinese periodontal diagnosis and treatment and bring it on par with the international advanced level.

Rare diseases have become an issue of public health concern globally. In China, two rare diseases lists have been released officially in 2018 and 2023, respectively. However, due to its importance in research, clinical management , therapeutic drug development and health security, we still need a clear definition of rare diseases in China. Considering the current actual condition of our country and our population size, we would suggest a prevalence of less than 1/10 000 to define a rare disease in China.

Objective: To utilize single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to untangle the temporal expression profiles of molecules associated with congenital tooth agenesis and dental hard tissue formation during mouse molar development, and to construct a comprehensive cell atlas spanning the entire developmental period from E13.5 to P7.5, thereby providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal tooth development. Methods: scRNA-seq data of murine mandibular molar tooth germs at five developmental stages (E13.5, E14.5, E16.5, P3.5, P7.5) were obtained from the GEO database (accession: GSE189381). The Seurat pipeline was employed for quality control, data normalization, dimensionality reduction, and Harmony-based batch effect correction. Cellular subpopulations were identified through uniform manifold approximation and projection dimensionality reduction, while developmental trajectories were reconstructed using Monocle for pseudotime analysis. Results: scRNA-seq analysis profiling identified 27 distinct cellular clusters, which were annotated into twelve major cell types including epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, and endothelial cells. Msx1 exhibited a bimodal expression pattern. Pax9 reached its peak at E14.5 and then gradually decreased. Eda had a low expression level with a diffuse distribution. In contrast, Amelx and Enam were barely expressed during the embryonic stage and were activated at P3.5. Dspp was ectopically highly expressed in epithelial cells from P3.5 to P7.5, while Dmp1 was specifically upregulated in mesenchymal cells at P7.5. Conclusions: The temporal expression patterns of key regulatory genes for tooth agenesis (Msx1, Pax9, Eda), ameloblast differentiation (Amelx, Enam), and odontoblast development (Dspp, Dmp1) during mouse molar development. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and potential therapeutic targets for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying tooth agenesis and other developmental dental anomalies, paving the way for targeted clinical interventions.

Objective: To systematically investigate the causal effects of exposure factors on nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) using a phenome-wide mendelian randomization (MR-PheWAS) framework and identify pleiotropic loci. Methods: This study integrated genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for NSCL/P, including 1 069 cases and 1 724 controls, and systematically evaluated causal associations between exposures and NSCL/P using the MR-PheWAS framework. GWAS summary data for 2 106 Asian population-exposure phenotypes were obtained from the IEU OpenGWAS database. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method served as the core causal inference model, supplemented by weighted median and MR-Egger regression to verify the robustness of causal associations. Additionally, multivariable MR analysis was conducted to adjust for confounding effects, alongside sensitivity tests (Cochran's Q and MR-PRESSO). Genetic correlations were analyzed using LD Score regression, and cross-phenotype pleiotropy analysis (PLACO/CPASSOC) was employed to identify shared genetic loci. Pathway enrichment and gene annotation data were integrated to explore potential biological mechanisms. Results: MR analysis identified serum calcium (OR=0.12, P=0.019), high-density lipoprotein (HDL, OR=0.61, P=0.039), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC, OR=0.39, P=0.032) as protective factors, whereas serum sodium (OR=21.41, P=0.013) was a risk factor. Furthermore, in subsequent analyses of genetic correlation and genetic overlap, a strong association was observed between serum calcium and NSCL/P. Cross-trait analysis localized pleiotropic loci to 16q24.2 and 3q21.1, involving CASR and CSTA, with significant enrichment in vitamin D response pathways. Conclusions: Numerous environmental exposure factors may have a causal impact on the outcomes of NSCL/P, and metabolic homeostasis (especially calcium signaling) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of NSCL/P. Further genetic analyses identified potential pleiotropic loci primarily located at 16q24.2 and 3q21.1, involving key genes such as CASR and CSTA, and enriched in vitamin D response pathways. This study highlights the crucial position of genetic-environmental factors in the development of cleft lip and palate.

This study provides a comprehensive review of the development and achievements in the field of oral genetic disorders research in China. Since the 1950s, Chinese scholars have progressed from epidemiological surveys to the elucidation of molecular mechanisms and functional genomics, marking a transition from macro-level observations to micro-level analyses. The research focuses on three major categories: cleft lip and palate, dental developmental anomalies, and rare hereditary oral diseases. Several critical pathogenic genes have been identified, and their molecular mechanisms and phenotypic characteristics elucidated. This paper summarizes representative findings, analyzes current challenges, and outlines future research directions, aiming to provide theoretical support for advancing both basic research and clinical translation in the field of oral genetics in China.