Discovery of Novel Chinese Medicine Compounds Targeting 3CL Protease by Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

The transmission and infectivity of COVID-19 have caused a pandemic that has lasted for several years. This is due to the constantly changing variants and subvariants that have evolved rapidly from SARS-CoV-2. To discover drugs with therapeutic potential for COVID-19, we focused on the 3CL protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2, which has been proven to be an important target for COVID-19 infection. Computational prediction techniques are quick and accurate enough to facilitate the discovery of drugs against the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2. In this paper, we used both ligand-based virtual screening and structure-based virtual screening to screen the traditional Chinese medicine small molecules that have the potential to target the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2. MD simulations were used to confirm these results for future in vitro testing. MCCS was then used to calculate the normalized free energy of each ligand and the residue energy contribution. As a result, we found ZINC15676170, ZINC09033700, and ZINC12530139 to be the most promising antiviral therapies against the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2.

Characterization of dental dust particles and their pathogenicity to respiratory system: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: Dental professionals are exposed to large amounts of dust particles during routine treatment and denture processing. This article provides a narrative review to investigate the most prevalent dust-related respiratory diseases among dental professionals and to discuss the effects of dental dust on human respiratory health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase for articles published between 1990 and 2022. Any articles on the occupational respiratory health effects of dental dust were included. RESULTS: The characterization and toxicity evaluation of dental dust show a correlation between dust exposure and respiratory system injury, and the possible pathogenic mechanism of dust is to cause lung injury and abnormal repair processes. The combination use of personal protective equipment and particle removal devices can effectively reduce the adverse health effects of dust exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Dental dust should be considered an additional occupational hazard in dental practice. However, clinical data and scientific evidence on this topic are still scarce. Further research is required to quantify dust in the dental work environment and clarify its pathogenicity and potential toxicological pathways. Nonetheless, the prevention of dust exposure should become a consensus among dental practitioners. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This review provides dental practitioners with a comprehensive understanding and preventive advice on respiratory health problems associated with dust exposure.

Acupotomy in the treatment of tenosynovitis of hand flexor tendons: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acupotomy was used to treat tenosynovitis of hand flexor tendons (THFT) in China. But it's uncertain about the efficacy of acupotomy for THFT. We plan to evaluate the efficacy and safety about acupotomy therapy in the treatment of THFT through this review. METHODS: The protocol about this review was registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022330568). We searched 6 databases from their respective inception dates to January 11, 2022. Studies searched was screened by our reviewers, and then the raw data was filtered out. We used RevMan 5.3 software to perform statistical analysis. RESULTS: 11 studies involving 828 patients were shortlisted. The experimental group showed obvious advantages compared with the control group, such as effective rate (odds ratio [OR] = 6.77, 95% CI [confidence intervals] = [3.89, 11.77], P < .00001), cure rate (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = [1.81, 6.11], P = .0001) and Vas score (MD = -1.21, 95% CI = [-2.00, -0.42], Z = 3.01, P < .003). CONCLUSIONS: According to the above results, Acupotomy is an effective and safe treatment for THFT. So it should be recommended for the treatment of THFT patients.

Immediate Implant Placement in Posterior Sockets With Periapical Infection and Bone Defects: Three Case Reports.

Immediate implant placement is considered a well-accepted procedure due to its advantages and predictable survival rates. However, data on immediate implantation in posterior sockets with infection and bone defects are limited. The purpose of this clinical report was to describe 3 cases of hopeless posterior teeth with periapical infection and relatively large destruction that were successfully treated with immediate implant placement. The mean follow-up time was 22 months. On the basis of correct clinical decision and treatment procedure, immediate implant placement may be a reliable treatment option for compromised posterior sockets.