Periodontal therapy for hopeless mandibular anterior teeth: a retrospective case report with a multidisciplinary approach and a 20-year follow-up

Introduction: This case report presents the intentional periodontal maintenance of two periodontal hopeless lower central incisors with a multidisciplinary approach and 20-year follow-up. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male, in 2001, was diagnosed with aggressive periodontitis, gingival swelling, bleeding, and mandibular central incisors with mobility and poor prognosis. Following periodontal therapy (phase I), root canal treatment, and occlusal adjustment, #31 and #41 were gently extracted to remove the granulation tissues, calculus, and infected cementum from the root surface. Then, tetracycline-HCl was applied for 5 minutes on the root surfaces. The teeth were repositioned into the sockets and splinted with a lingual bar. At 3 months, the bar was removed, and a free gingival autogenous graft was done to improve the local keratinized tissue width. Mobility scores, pocket depths, and clinical attachment levels were recorded, and radiographs were taken at 1, 5, and 20 years. The 5-year follow-up showed that the teeth were clinically and radiographically in function. There was a reduction in probing depth and a gain in clinical attachment and radiographic alveolar bone levels. After 20 years, #41 was stable, but #31 had external root resorption, leading to a new treatment plan (dental implants) and extraction. Conclusion: The clinical result of this case was satisfactory for 20 years. Intentional periodontal maintenance of the teeth may be an alternative treatment, even considering the high level of complexity.

Virtual planning as a resource for correcting severe facial asymmetry ­ case report / Planejamento virtual como recurso para correção de assimetria facial severa ­ relato de caso

A hiperplasia hemimandibular é responsável por prejuízos estéticos, funcionais, motores e psicossociais. Com etiologia incerta, ocorre frente ao desequilíbrio de fatores regulatórios de crescimento presentes na camada cartilaginosa do côndilo. O relato objetiva descrever a tomada de decisões baseada em exames complementares específicos aliados à adequada intervenção cirúrgica da lesão. Paciente gênero feminino, 33 anos de idade, compareceu à clínica particular com queixa principal de "face assimétrica", foi requerido uma avaliação cintilográfica objetivando e confirmando a interrupção do crescimento condilar, descartando a hipótese de Osteocondroma e condilectomia. Após preparo ortodôntico prévio, os exames tomográficos foram utilizados na criação de um protótipo que foi impresso após a realização dos movimentos ósseos planejados. Mediante à reconstrução, foi concluído que a assimetria presente não seria totalmente corrigida somente através da intervenção ortognática, sendo necessária também uma osteotomia removendo parte da base do corpo e ângulo mandibular, através da confecção de um guia de corte, promovendo à reanatomização sem a necessidade de acesso extra oral submandibular, evitando uma cicatriz em face feminina. Paciente encontra-se em pós-operatório de 60 meses, sem queixas e satisfeita. Portanto, é evidenciado cada vez mais a influência positiva que o planejamento virtual pode trazer aos profissionais na otimização dos resultados cirúrgicos.

Hemimandibular hyperplasia is responsible for aesthetic, functional, motor, and psychosocial impairments. With an uncertain etiology, it occurs due to the imbalance of regulatory growth factors present in the cartilaginous layer of the condyle. The report aims to describe decision-making based on specific complementary exams combined with the appropriate surgical intervention for the condition. A 33-year-old female patient presented at a private clinic with the main complaint of "asymmetric face." A scintigraphic evaluation was requested to objectively confirm the interruption of condylar growth, ruling out the hypothesis of Osteochondroma and condylectomy. After prior orthodontic preparation, tomographic exams were used to create a prototype that was printed after planned bone movements. Through the reconstruction, it was concluded that the existing asymmetry would not be entirely corrected through orthognathic intervention alone, necessitating also an osteotomy to remove part of the base of the body and mandibular angle. This was done through the creation of a cutting guide, allowing for reanatomization without the need for submandibular extraoral access, thus avoiding a scar on the female face. The patient is 60 months postoperative, with no complaints and satisfied. Therefore, the increasingly positive influence of virtual planning on optimizing surgical outcomes for professionals is evident.

Percepção profissional sobre tratamento endodôntico em sessão única e múltiplas sessões / Professional perception of single and multi-session endodontic treatment

Na odontologia a decisão do tratamento é exclusiva dos cirurgiões dentistas e suas percepções, incluindo filosofia de tratamento, fazendo com que a prática de novos conceitos, tratamentos ou técnicas dependam não apenas de sua lógica ou eficácia biológica. Sendo assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os parâmetros envolvidos na tomada de decisão de cirurgiões dentistas clínicos e especialistas para a realização do tratamento endodôntico em sessão única ou múltiplas sessões. Para tanto, este estudo contou com uma coleta de dados através de um questionário online, aplicado cirurgiões dentistas clínicos gerais e especialistas em endodontia. As respostas foram tabuladas e analisadas por meio de estatística descritiva. Os resultados revelaram que a maioria dos endodontistas e dos clínicos gerais prefere realizar tratamento endodôntico em sessão única, devido ao menor desperdício de material, além do melhor domínio da anatomia e tratamento em um único momento. O motivo mais comum para os endodontistas e clínicos gerais escolherem o tratamento com múltiplas visitas é para dentes com prognóstico duvidoso e os casos em que o profissional aguarda a remissão dos sintomas antes da obturação. Em conclusão, a maioria dos endodontistas e dos clínicos gerais preferiu realizar tratamento endodôntico em sessão única.

In dentistry, treatment decisions are made exclusively by dental surgeons and their perceptions, including treatment philosophy, which means that the practice of new concepts, treatments or techniques depends not only on their logic or biological efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the parameters involved in clinical and specialist dental surgeons' decision to carry out endodontic treatment in single or multiple sessions. To this end, data was collected using an online questionnaire administered to general dental surgeons and endodontic specialists. The answers were tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the majority of endodontists and general practitioners prefer to carry out endodontic treatment in a single session, due to less wastage of material, as well as better mastery of the anatomy and treatment at a single time. The most common reason for endodontists and general practitioners to choose treatment with multiple visits is for teeth with a doubtful prognosis and cases in which the professional is waiting for symptoms to remit before filling. In conclusion, the majority of endodontists and general practitioners preferred to carry out endodontic treatment in a single session.

NIR responsive scaffold with multistep shape memory and photothermal-chemodynamic properties for complex tissue defects repair and antibacterial therapy.

Complex tissue damage accompanying with bacterial infection challenges healthcare systems globally. Conventional tissue engineering scaffolds normally generate secondary implantation trauma, mismatched regeneration and infection risks. Herein, we developed an easily implanted scaffold with multistep shape memory and photothermal-chemodynamic properties to exactly match repair requirements of each part from the tissue defect by adjusting its morphology as needed meanwhile inhibiting bacterial infection on demand. Specifically, a thermal-induced shape memory scaffold was prepared using hydroxyethyl methacrylate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate, which was further combined with the photothermal agent iron tannate (FeTA) to produce NIR light-induced shape memory property. By varying ingredients ratios in each segment, this scaffold could perform a stepwise recovery under different NIR periods. This process facilitated implantation after shape fixing to avoid trauma caused by conventional methods and gradually filled irregular defects under NIR to perform suitable tissue regeneration. Moreover, FeTA also catalyzed Fenton reaction at bacterial infections with abundant H2O2, which produced excess ROS for chemodynamic antibacterial therapy. As expected, bacteriostatic rate was further enhanced by additional photothermal therapy under NIR. The in vitro and vivo results showed that our scaffold was able to perform high efficacy in both antibiosis, inflammation reduction and wound healing acceleration, indicating a promising candidate for the regeneration of complex tissue damage with bacterial infection.

Crystallographic plane-induced selective mineralization of nanohydroxyapatite on fibrous-grained titanium promotes osteointegration and biocorrosion resistance.

The (002) crystallographic plane-oriented hydroxyapatite (HA) and anatase TiO2 enable favorable hydrophilicity, osteogenesis, and biocorrosion resistance. Thus, the crystallographic plane control in HA coating and crystalline phase control in TiO2 is vital to affect the surface and interface bioactivity and biocorrosion resistance of titanium (Ti) implants. However, a corresponding facile and efficient fabrication method is absent to realize the HA(002) mineralization and anatase TiO2 formation on Ti. Herein, we utilized the predominant Ti(0002) plane of the fibrous-grained titanium (FG Ti) to naturally form anatase TiO2 and further achieve a (002) basal plane oriented nanoHA (nHA) film through an in situ mild hydrothermal growth strategy. The formed FG Ti-nHA(002) remarkably improved hydrophilicity, mineralization, and biocorrosion resistance. Moreover, the nHA(002) film reserved the microgroove-like topological structure on FG Ti. It could enhance osteogenic differentiation through promoted contact guidance, showing one order of magnitude higher expression of osteogenic-related genes. On the other hand, the nHA(002) film restrained the osteoclast activity by blocking actin ring formation. Based on these capacities, FG Ti-nHA(002) improved new bone growth and binding strength in rabbit femur implantation, achieving satisfactory osseointegration within 2 weeks.

Epidermal secretion-purified biosensing patch with hydrogel sebum filtering membrane and unidirectional flow microfluidic channels.

The development of biosensing electronics for real-time sweat analysis has attracted increasing research interest due to their promising applications for non-invasive health monitoring. However, one of the critical challenges lies in the sebum interference that largely limits the sensing reliability in practical scenarios. Herein, we report a flexible epidermal secretion-purified biosensing patch with a hydrogel filtering membrane that can effectively eliminate the impact of sebum and sebum-soluble substances. The as-prepared sebum filtering membranes feature a dual-layer sebum-resistant structure based on the poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel functionalized with nano-brush structured poly(sulfobetaine) to eliminate interferences and provide self-cleaning capability. Furthermore, the unidirectional flow microfluidic channels design based on the Tesla valve was incorporated into the biosensing patch to prevent external sebum contamination and allow effective sweat refreshing for reliable sensing. By seamlessly combining these components, the epidermal secretion-purified biosensing patch enables continuous monitoring of sweat uric acid, pH, and sodium ions with significantly improved accuracy of up to 12 %. The proposed strategy for enhanced sweat sensing reliability without sebum interference shows desirable compatibility for different types of biosensors and would inspire the advances of flexible and wearable devices for non-invasive healthcare.

"All in one" lipid-polymer nanodelivery system for gene therapy of ischemic diseases.

Gene therapy offers a promising avenue for treating ischemic diseases, yet its clinical efficacy is hindered by the limitations of single gene therapy and the high oxidative stress microenvironment characteristic of such conditions. Lipid-polymer hybrid vectors represent a novel approach to enhance the effectiveness of gene therapy by harnessing the combined advantages of lipids and polymers. In this study, we engineered lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers with tailored structural modifications to create a versatile membrane fusion lipid-nuclear targeted polymer nanodelivery system (FLNPs) optimized for gene delivery. Our results demonstrate that FLNPs facilitate efficient cellular uptake and gene transfection via membrane fusion, lysosome avoidance, and nuclear targeting mechanisms. Upon encapsulating Hepatocyte Growth Factor plasmid (pHGF) and Catalase plasmid (pCAT), HGF/CAT-FLNPs were prepared, which significantly enhanced the resistance of C2C12 cells to H2O2-induced injury in vitro. In vivo studies further revealed that HGF/CAT-FLNPs effectively alleviated hindlimb ischemia-induced gangrene, restored motor function, and promoted blood perfusion recovery in mice. Metabolomics analysis indicated that FLNPs didn't induce metabolic disturbances during gene transfection. In conclusion, FLNPs represent a versatile platform for multi-dimensional assisted gene delivery, significantly improving the efficiency of gene delivery and holding promise for effective synergistic treatment of lower limb ischemia using pHGF and pCAT.

A cuproptosis-based nanomedicine suppresses triple negative breast cancers by regulating tumor microenvironment and eliminating cancer stem cells.

Cuproptosis is a new kind of cell death that depends on delivering copper ions into mitochondria to trigger the aggradation of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle proteins and has been observed in various cancer cells. However, whether cuproptosis occurs in cancer stem cells (CSCs) is unexplored thus far, and CSCs often reside in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of triple negative breast cancers (TNBC), which suppresses the expression of the cuproptosis protein FDX1, thereby diminishing anticancer efficacy of cuproptosis. Herein, a ROS-responsive active targeting cuproptosis-based nanomedicine CuET@PHF is developed by stabilizing copper ionophores CuET nanocrystals with polydopamine and hydroxyethyl starch to eradicate CSCs. By taking advantage of the photothermal effects of CuET@PHF, tumor hypoxia is overcome via tumor mechanics normalization, thereby leading to enhanced cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death in 4T1 CSCs. As a result, the integration of CuET@PHF and mild photothermal therapy not only significantly suppresses tumor growth but also effectively inhibits tumor recurrence and distant metastasis by eliminating CSCs and augmenting antitumor immune responses. This study presents the first evidence of cuproptosis in CSCs, reveals that disrupting hypoxia augments cuproptosis cancer therapy, and establishes a paradigm for potent cancer therapy by simultaneously eliminating CSCs and boosting antitumor immunity.

Precision pore structure optimization of additive manufacturing porous tantalum scaffolds for bone regeneration: A proof-of-concept study.

Currently, the treatment of bone defects in arthroplasty is a challenge in clinical practice. Nonetheless, commercially available orthopaedic scaffolds have shown limited therapeutic effects for large bone defects, especially for massiveand irregular defects. Additively manufactured porous tantalum, in particular, has emerged as a promising material for such scaffolds and is widely used in orthopaedics for its exceptional biocompatibility, osteoinduction, and mechanical properties. Porous tantalum has also exhibited unique advantages in personalised rapid manufacturing, which allows for the creation of customised scaffolds with complex geometric shapes for clinical applications at a low cost and high efficiency. However, studies on the effect of the pore structure of additively manufactured porous tantalum on bone regeneration have been rare. In this study, our group designed and fabricated a batch of precision porous tantalum scaffolds via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) with pore sizes of 250 µm (Ta 250), 450 µm (Ta 450), 650 µm (Ta 650), and 850 µm (Ta 850). We then performed a series of in vitro experiments and observed that all four groups showed good biocompatibility. In particular, Ta 450 demonstrated the best osteogenic performance. Afterwards, our team used a rat bone defect model to determine the in vivo osteogenic effects. Based on micro-computed tomography and histology, we identified that Ta 450 exhibited the best bone ingrowth performance. Subsequently, sheep femur and hip defect models were used to further confirm the osteogenic effects of Ta 450 scaffolds. Finally, we verified the aforementioned in vitro and in vivo results via clinical application (seven patients waiting for revision total hip arthroplasty) of the Ta 450 scaffold. The clinical results confirmed that Ta 450 had satisfactory clinical outcomes up to the 12-month follow-up. In summary, our findings indicate that 450 µm is the suitable pore size for porous tantalum scaffolds. This study may provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of massive, irreparable, and protracted bone defects in arthroplasty.

The immunological and pharmacokinetic evaluation of Lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticle-based oxycodone vaccines.

The current opioid epidemic is one of the most profound public health crises facing the United States. Despite that it has been under the spotlight for years, available treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose are limited to opioid receptor ligands such as the agonist methadone and the overdose reversing drugs such as naloxone. Vaccines are emerging as an alternative strategy to combat OUD and prevent relapse and overdose. Most vaccine candidates consist of a conjugate structure containing the target opioid attached to an immunogenic carrier protein. However, conjugate vaccines have demonstrated some intrinsic shortfalls, such as fast degradation and poor recognition by immune cells. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a lipid-PLGA hybrid nanoparticle (hNP)-based vaccine against oxycodone (OXY), which is one of the most frequently misused opioid analgesics. The hNP-based OXY vaccine exhibited superior immunogenicity and pharmacokinetic efficacy in comparison to its conjugate vaccine counterpart. Specifically, the hNP-based OXY vaccine formulated with subunit keyhole limpet hemocyanin (sKLH) as the carrier protein and aluminum hydroxide (Alum) as the adjuvant (OXY-sKLH-hNP(Alum)) elicited the most potent OXY-specific antibody response in mice. The induced antibodies efficiently bound with OXY molecules in blood and suppressed their entry into the brain. In a following dose-response study, OXY-sKLH-hNP(Alum) equivalent to 60 µg of sKLH was determined to be the most promising OXY vaccine candidate moving forward. This study provides evidence that hybrid nanoparticle-based vaccines may be superior vaccine candidates than conjugate vaccines and will be beneficial in treating those suffering from OUD.

Tumor microenvironment ameliorative and adaptive nanoparticles with photothermal-to-photodynamic switch for cancer phototherapy.

The notorious tumor microenvironment (TME) usually becomes more deteriorative during phototherapeutic progress that hampers the antitumor efficacy. To overcome this issue, we herein report the ameliorative and adaptive nanoparticles (TPASIC-PFH@PLGA NPs) that simultaneously reverse hypoxia TME and switch photoactivities from photothermal-dominated state to photodynamic-dominated state to maximize phototherapeutic effect. TPASIC-PFH@PLGA NPs are designed by incorporating oxygen-rich liquid perfluorohexane (PFH) into the intraparticle microenvironment to regulate the intramolecular motions of AIE photosensitizer TPASIC. TPASIC exhibits a unique aggregation-enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation feature. PFH incorporation affords TPASIC the initially dispersed state, thus promoting active intramolecular motions and photothermal conversion efficiency. While PFH volatilization leads to nanoparticle collapse and the formation of tight TPASIC aggregates with largely enhanced ROS generation efficiency. As a consequence, PFH incorporation not only currently promotes both photothermal and photodynamic efficacies of TPASIC and increases the intratumoral oxygen level, but also enables the smart photothermal-to-photodynamic switch to maximize the phototherapeutic performance. The integration of PFH and AIE photosensitizer eventually delivers more excellent antitumor effect over conventional phototherapeutic agents with fixed photothermal and photodynamic efficacies. This study proposes a new nanoengineering strategy to ameliorate TME and adapt the treatment modality to fit the changed TME for advanced antitumor applications.

Tailored extracellular matrix-mimetic coating facilitates reendothelialization and tissue healing of cardiac occluders.

Minimally invasive transcatheter interventional therapy utilizing cardiac occluders represents the primary approach for addressing congenital heart defects and left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombosis. However, incomplete endothelialization and delayed tissue healing after occluder implantation collectively compromise clinical efficacy. In this study, we have customized a recombinant humanized collagen type I (rhCol I) and developed an rhCol I-based extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic coating. The innovative coating integrates metal-phenolic networks with anticoagulation and anti-inflammatory functions as a weak cross-linker, combining them with specifically engineered rhCol I that exhibits high cell adhesion activity and elicits a low inflammatory response. The amalgamation, driven by multiple forces, effectively serves to functionalize implantable materials, thereby responding positively to the microenvironment following occluder implantation. Experimental findings substantiate the coating's ability to sustain a prolonged anticoagulant effect, enhance the functionality of endothelial cells and cardiomyocyte, and modulate inflammatory responses by polarizing inflammatory cells into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Notably, occluder implantation in a canine model confirms that the coating expedites reendothelialization process and promotes tissue healing. Collectively, this tailored ECM-mimetic coating presents a promising surface modification strategy for improving the clinical efficacy of cardiac occluders.

A versatile nanoplatform carrying cascade Pt nanozymes remodeling tumor microenvironment for amplified sonodynamic/chemo therapy of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is increasing globally, with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) being the most aggressive type and having a poor prognosis. Current clinical treatments for thyroid cancer present numerous challenges, including invasiveness and the necessity of lifelong medication. Furthermore, a significant portion of patients with ATC experience cancer recurrence and metastasis. To overcome this dilemma, we developed a pH-responsive biomimetic nanocarrier (CLP@HP-A) through the incorporation of Chlorin e6 (Ce6) and Lenvatinib (Len) within hollow polydopamine nanoparticles (HP) that were further modified with platinum nanoparticles (Pt), enabling synergistic chemotherapy and sonodynamic therapy. The CLP@HP-A nanocarriers exhibited specific binding with galectin-3 receptors, facilitating their internalization through receptor-mediated endocytosis for targeted drug delivery. Upon exposure to ultrasound (US) irradiation, Ce6 rapidly generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce significant oxidative stress and trigger apoptosis in tumor cells. Additionally, Pt not only alleviated tumor hypoxia by catalyzing the conversion of H2O2 to oxygen (O2) but also augmented intracellular ROS levels through the production of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), thereby enhancing the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy. Moreover, Len demonstrated a potent cytotoxic effect on thyroid cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. Transcriptomics analysis findings additionally corroborated that CLP@HP-A effectively triggered cancer cell apoptosis, thereby serving as a crucial mechanism for its cytotoxic effects. In conclusion, the integration of sonodynamic/chemo combination therapy with targeted drug delivery systems offers a novel approach to the management of malignant tumors.

Ligand-free biodegradable poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticles for targeted systemic delivery of mRNA to the lungs.

Non-viral nanoparticles (NPs) have seen heightened interest as a delivery method for a variety of clinically relevant nucleic acid cargoes in recent years. While much of the focus has been on lipid NPs, non-lipid NPs, including polymeric NPs, have the possibility of improved efficacy, safety, and targeting, especially to non-liver organs following systemic administration. A safe and effective systemic approach for intracellular delivery to the lungs could overcome limitations to intratracheal/intranasal delivery of NPs and improve clinical benefit for a range of diseases including cystic fibrosis. Here, engineered biodegradable poly (beta-amino ester) (PBAE) NPs are shown to facilitate efficient delivery of mRNA to primary human airway epithelial cells from both healthy donors and individuals with cystic fibrosis. Optimized NP formulations made with differentially endcapped PBAEs and systemically administered in vivo lead to high expression of mRNA within the lungs in BALB/c and C57 B/L mice without requiring a complex targeting ligand. High levels of mRNA-based gene editing were achieved in an Ai9 mouse model across bronchial, epithelial, and endothelial cell populations. No toxicity was observed either acutely or over time, including after multiple systemic administrations of the NPs. The non-lipid biodegradable PBAE NPs demonstrate high levels of transfection in both primary human airway epithelial cells and in vivo editing of lung cell types that are targets for numerous life-limiting diseases particularly single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis and surfactant deficiencies.

Nanoscale octopus guiding telomere entanglement: An innovative strategy for inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.

Telomere length plays a crucial role in cellular aging and the risk of diseases. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells can extend their own survival by maintaining telomere stability through telomere maintenance mechanism. Therefore, regulating the lengths of telomeres have emerged as a promising approach for anti-cancer treatment. In this study, we introduce a nanoscale octopus-like structure designed to induce physical entangling of telomere, thereby efficiently triggering telomere dysfunction. The nanoscale octopus, composed of eight-armed PEG (8-arm-PEG), are functionalized with cell penetrating peptide (TAT) to facilitate nuclear entry and are covalently bound to N-Methyl Mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) to target G-quadruplexes (G4s) present in telomeres. The multi-armed configuration of the nanoscale octopus enables targeted binding to multiple G4s, physically disrupting and entangling numerous telomeres, thereby triggering telomere dysfunction. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that the nanoscale octopus significantly inhibits cancer cell proliferation, induces apoptosis through telomere entanglement, and ultimately suppresses tumor growth. This research offers a novel perspective for the development of innovative anti-cancer interventions and provides potential therapeutic options for targeting telomeres.

Development of a reusable polymeric fluorescence sensor based on acryloyl ß-cyclodextrin for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in grain products.

AFB1 is a harmful substance that can be found in agricultural products and can seriously affect human health, even in trace amounts. Therefore, monitoring AFB1 levels to ensure food safety and protect public health is crucial. New, highly reliable, selective, and rapid detection methods are needed to achieve this goal. Our work involves the development of a polymeric membrane sensor using radical polymerization that can accurately detect AFB1. Various spectroscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) were used to obtain information about the structural and morphological properties of the prepared sensor. The sensor displayed fluorescence selectively responsive to AFB1 at the excitation wavelength of 376 nm and emission wavelength of 423 nm. The polymeric fluorescence sensor showed good sensitivity and a wide linear range from 9.61 × 10-10 and 9.61 × 10-9 mol/L for AFB1quantification. The limit of detection (LOD) is as low as 3.84 × 10-10 mol/L for AFB1. Other mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B2 and aflatoxin G1, did not interfere with the sensor's high selectivity towards AFB1. To test the sensor's effectiveness in detecting AFB1 in real samples, three different grain samples - peanuts, hazelnut butter, and peanuts with a sauce known to contain AFB1 - were utilized. The results were satisfactory and demonstrated that the sensor can be successfully employed in real samples, with an error range of 0.43 % to 12.10 %.

Dental applications of Punica granatum L. in the treatment of gingivitis: A review of ethnomedicinal uses, randomized clinical trials, and antibacterial potential against Porphyromonas gingivalis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mouthwashes based on medicinal plants have demonstrated benefits in controlling plaque and inflammation, acting positively on the oral hygiene of patients with gingivitis. In traditional medicine, Punica granatum L. has been used to treat oral diseases in countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review on the dental applications of Punica granatum L. for the treatment of gingivitis, including ethnomedicinal uses, analysis of randomized clinical trials, antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis, mechanisms of action of phytochemicals isolated from this plant, and preclinical toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature was retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed®, SciELO, and ScienceDirect®, since the first report published on the topic in 2001 until March 2024. RESULTS: Several clinical trials have demonstrated that mouthwashes containing P. granatum have equal or better efficacy than chlorhexidine in treating patients with gingivitis, confirming the indications for use of this plant by traditional communities. However, reports on the in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts from the fruits of this plant have not shown clinical relevance against the pathogen P. gingivalis. The ellagitannin punicalagin isolated from P. granatum has shown potential against several strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but, to date, this compound has not yet been tested against P. gingivalis. It is likely that the mechanisms of action of flavonoids, such as quercetin, are involved in the inhibition of the activities of the RgpA, RgpB, and Kgp proteases of P. gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, natural products obtained from P. granatum do not present toxic side effects and can be considered as possible substitutes of commercial products recommended for the treatment of gingivitis and other oral diseases.

Examination of primary aromatic amines content in polylactic acid straws and migration into food simulants using SERS with LC-MS.

Polylactic acid (PLA) straws hold eco-friendly potential; however, residual diisocyanates used to enhance the mechanical strength can generate carcinogenic primary aromatic amines (PAAs), posing health risks. Herein, we present a rapid, comprehensive strategy to detecting PAAs in 18 brands of food-grade PLA straws and assessing their migration into diverse food simulants. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy was conducted to rapidly screen straws for PAAs. Subsequently, qualitative determination of migrating PAAs into various food simulants (4 % acetic acid, 10 % ethanol, 50 % ethanol) occurred at 70 °C for 2 h using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Three PAAs including 4,4'-methylenedianiline, 2,4'-methylenedianiline, and 2,4-diaminotoluene were detected in all straws. Specifically, 2,4-diaminotoluene in 50 % ethanol exceeded specific migration limit of 2 µg/kg, raising safety concerns. Notably, PAAs migration to 10 % and 50 % ethanol surpassed that to 4 % acetic acid within a short 2-hour period. Moreover, PLA straws underwent varying degrees of shape changes before and after migration. Straws with poly(butylene succinate) resisted deformation compared to those without, indicating enhanced heat resistance, while poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) improved hydrolysis resistance. Importantly, swelling study unveiled swelling effect wasn't the primary factor contributing to the increased PAAs migration in ethanol food simulant, as there was no significant disparity in swelling degrees across different food simulants. FT-IR and DSC analysis revealed higher PAAs content in 50 % ethanol were due to highly concentrated polar ethanol disrupting hydrogen bonds and van der Waal forces holding PLA molecules together. Overall, minimizing contact between PLA straws and alcoholic foods is crucial to avoid potential safety risks posed by PAAs.

Developing an off-on fluorescence sensor based on red copper nanoclusters wrapped by sulfhydryl and polymer double ligands for sensitive detection of N-acetyl-L-cysteine.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as a class of thiols is commonly used in the treatment of lung diseases, detoxification and prevention of liver damage. In this paper, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) coated and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) attached copper nanoclusters (4-MBA@PVP-CuNCs) were successfully synthesized using a simple one-pot method with an absolute quantum yield of 10.98 %, and its synthetic conditions (like effects of single/double ligands and temperature) were studied intensively. Then Hg2+ could quench the fluorescence of the 4-MBA@PVP-CuNCs and its fluorescence was restored with the addition of NAC. Based on the above principles, an off-on switching system was established to detect NAC. That is, the 4-MBA@PVP-CuNCs-Hg probe was prepared by adding Hg2+ to switch off the fluorescence of the CuNCs by static quenching, and then NAC was added to switch on the fluorescence of the probe based on the chelation of NAC and Hg2+. Moreover, the effects of metal ion types and mercury ion doses for the probe construction were also further discussed. The method showed excellent linearity in the range of 0.05-1.25 µM and low detection limit of 16 nM. Meanwhile, good recoveries in real urine, tablets and pellets were observed, which proved the reliability of the method and provided a convenient, fast and sensitive method for NAC detection.

Metabolic profiles and protein expression responses of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to polystyrene microplastic stress.

The underlying toxicity mechanisms of microplastics on oysters have rarely been explored. To fill this gap, the present study investigated the metabolic profile and protein expression responses of oysters to microplastic stress through metabolomics and biochemical analyses. Oysters were exposed to microplastics for 21 days, and the results indicated that the microplastics induced oxidative stress, with a significant decrease in SOD activity in the 0.1 mg/L exposure group. Metabolomics revealed that exposure to microplastics disturbed many metabolic pathways, such as amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and that different concentrations of microplastics induced diverse metabolomic profiles in oysters. Overall, the current study provides new reference data and insights for assessing food safety and consumer health risks caused by microplastic contamination.