Anion Structure Regulation of Cobalt Silicate Hydroxide Endowing Boosted Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Transition metal silicates (TMSs) are attempted for the electrocatalyst of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to their special layered structure in recent years. However, defects such as low theoretical activity and conductivity limit their application. Researchers always prefer to composite TMSs with other functional materials to make up for their deficiency, but rarely focus on the effect of intrinsic structure adjustment on their catalytic activity, especially anion structure regulation. Herein, applying the method of interference hydrolysis and vacancy reserve, new silicate vacancies (anionic regulation) are introduced in cobalt silicate hydroxide (CoSi), named SV-CoSi, to enlarge the number and enhance the activity of catalytic sites. The overpotential of SV-CoSi declines to 301 mV at 10 mA cm-2 compared to 438 mV of CoSi. Source of such improvement is verified to be not only the increase of active sites, but also the positive effect on the intrinsic activity due to the enhancement of cobalt-oxygen covalence with the variation of anion structure by density functional theory (DFT) method. This work demonstrates that the feasible intrinsic anion structure regulation can improve OER performance of TMSs and provides an effective idea for the development of non-noble metal catalyst for OER.

Perception and analysis of lip-line canting by different populations.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to provide a valuable reference for the precise diagnosis and treatment of lip-line canting (LLC) in an orthodontic clinic, determine the average observed LLC that would need treatment, and compare the differences in different populations. METHODS: We took frontal photographs of an adult female with rough facial symmetry and processed them into fully symmetrical frontal images using Photoshop (Adobe Systems, San Jose, Calif). After that, the lip line was rotated clockwise with a gradient of 1° to obtain 8 different pictures. Next, without informing the observers of the aim of the study, we randomly selected 60 dentists, 60 orthodontic patients, and 60 non-oral-related practitioners to observe the LLC in the photographs. We numbered all the images randomly, and the evaluators categorized them as a little LLC not requiring treatment and marked LLC requiring treatment. We then analyzed the results statistically. RESULTS: Among the 240 observers, the average perception of LLC was 2.65°, and it was 4.1° for those requiring treatment. Orthodontists were more sensitive to the LLC than dentists and non-oral-related practitioners, and orthodontic patients were more sensitive than non-oral related practitioners (P <0.05). Overall, the tolerance value of the orthodontic patients was the least (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among all the observers, orthodontic patients had the highest requirement for LLC. This finding could help therapists consider patient expectations when determining treatment plans.

Effect of static magnetic field on pain level and expression of P2X3 receptors in the trigeminal ganglion in mice following experimental tooth movement.

Recent research has demonstrated that static magnetic fields (SMF) can generate an analgesic effect in different conditions. The present study explored effects of SMF on pain levels and expressions of P2X3 receptors in trigeminal ganglion (TG) in mice after experimental tooth movement (tooth movement induced by springs between teeth). Experiments were performed in male mice (body mass: 25-30 g) and divided into SMF + force group, force group, and no force group. Exposure time was over 22 h per day. Mouse Grimace Scale was used for evaluating orofacial pain levels during experimental tooth movement at 4 h and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. Meanwhile, expression levels of P2X3 receptors in the TG were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting at same time points. We finally found that during experimental tooth movement, pain levels of mice peaked at 3 days, and then decreased. While pain levels of mice were reduced in the SMF environment at 4 h, 1 and 3 days, there was a significant difference at 1 and 3 days. Meanwhile, under the action of SMF, expression levels of P2X3 receptors in TG were significantly lower at 4 h, 3 and 7 days. These results suggest that SMF can reduce pain levels in mice, and down-regulate P2X3 receptors in TG. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:22-30, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prospects for Nerve Regeneration and Gene Therapy in the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent neurological disorder and a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The high mortality rates result in a tremendous burden on society and families in terms of public health and economic costs. Despite advances in biomedical research, treatment options for TBI still remain limited, and there is no effective therapy to restore the structure and function of the injured brain. Regrettably, due to the excessive heterogeneity of TBI and the lack of objective and reliable efficacy evaluation indicators, no proven therapeutic drugs or drugs with clear benefits on functional outcomes have been successfully developed to date. Therefore, it is urgent to explore new therapeutic approaches to protect or regenerate the injured brain from different perspectives. In this review, we first provide a brief overview of the causes and current status of TBI and then summarize the preclinical and clinical research status of cutting-edge treatment methods, including nerve regeneration therapy and gene therapy, with the aim of providing valuable references for effective therapeutic strategies for TBI.

Pheophorbide co-encapsulated with Cisplatin in folate-decorated PLGA nanoparticles to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

The adverse effect and drug resistance of Cisplatin (CDDP) could be potential reduced by delivering in targeted nanoparticles and by combining with adjuvant therapy such as photodynamic therapy. In this study, F/CDPR-NP was formulated and characterized for all the physicochemical, biological and in vivo analysis. The results obtained from various in vitro and biological studies showed that encapsulation of CDDP and PBR in PLGA nanoparticles results in controlled release of encapsulated drugs and exhibited significantly low cell viability in CNE-1 and HNE-1 cancer cells. F/CDPR-NP significantly prolonged the blood circulation of the encapsulated drugs. The AUC of CDDP from F/CDPR-NP (4-fold) was significantly higher compared to that of free CDDP and similarly significantly higher t1/2 for CDDP from F/CDPR-NP was observed. F/CDPR-NP in the presence of laser irradiation showed significant reduction in the tumor burden with low tumor cell proliferations compared to either CDPR-NP or free CDDP indicating the potential of targeted nanoparticles and photodynamic therapy. Overall, combination of treatment modalities and active targeting approach paved way for the higher antitumor activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma model. The positive results from this study will show new horizon for the treatment of other cancer models.

Large lipoma in the subglottic larynx: a case report.

Lipomas are rare benign tumors in the larynx. We encountered a 70-year-old man with a large lipoma in the subglottic area. His chief symptom was a 3-month history of progressive dyspnea. Transnasal flexible endoscopy showed a large mass on the posterior wall of the subglottic region. A computed tomography scan revealed a lesion occupying 75% to 80% of the subglottic airway. In this article, we discuss the imaging changes, clinical evaluation, and treatment of this patient's lipoma.

Evaluation of biodegradable synthetic scaffold coated on arterial prostheses implanted in rat subcutaneous tissue.

Polyester arterial prostheses impregnated with various synthetic biodegradable materials and with gelatin were implanted subcutaneously in rats for 3-180 days. The inflammation was assessed by quantifying the activity of alkaline phosphatase and by histology. The degradation of the scaffold materials was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The alkaline phosphatase activity induced by the polymer-impregnated grafts was similar to that induced by the non-impregnated controls during most of the post-implantation periods. Histological studies revealed that the acute inflammatory response was moderate to mild and was similar for all types of specimens, except for the gelatin-impregnated grafts that induced a severe acute inflammation during the first 2 weeks post-implantation. At 4 and 6 months, significant disintegration of the scaffold was observed, accompanied by enhanced tissue infiltration and a reactivation of the acute inflammatory phase. Linear and exponential degradation rates of the synthetic polymers were described. The relative degradation rates of the biodegradable polymers were ranked as following: PLLACL > PDLLA > PLLA > PCEL. In conclusion, biodegradable polymers may provide an option as sealant/scaffolding materials for vascular prosthesis. It is suggested that the degradation rate of the polymer scaffolding materials should be higher to achieve early healing while without inducing strong inflammation.

Cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome: clinical characteristics and mutation study of a Chinese family.

Cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome (CCD) is a rare autosomal dominant disease with wide range of variability. Dentists are often the first to encounter the CCD patients, some of whom do not show typical manifestations. Thus, dentists should be fully familiar with clinical manifestations and gene mutation. A 16-year-old girl was admitted for orthodontic treatment because of space in the dental arch and teeth irregularity. The introcession on the forehead and occiput suggests that she was a CCD patient. Clinical, radiological and genetic examinations were carried out in this girl and her family members and results showed delayed closure of the fontanel, hypoplastic clavicles and tooth anomalies of the girl and her mother. Genetic analysis revealed a 884C deletion in the exon 5 of the CBFA1/RUNX2 gene, which has never been reported in China. In this reported, the manifestations, diagnostic process and treatment of CCD were introduced according to the experience on the diagnosis of CCD in this family.

[Changes of serum leptin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome before and after treatment of surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of serum leptin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after surgery. METHOD: The cases were divided into effective (n=44) and non-effective (n=13) groups according to PSG. The effective cases were divided into decreased (> or = 5%, n=25) and non-decreased(<5%, n=19) BMI. The level of serum leptin was detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULT: The level of serum leptin after treatment (9.1 +/- 2.6 microg/L) was as high as before treatment (9.3 +/- 2.3 microg/L) in 13 non-effective cases. The level of serum leptin after treatment (7.15 +/- 1.23 microg/L) was significantly decreased than before treatment (12.79 +/- 2.98 microg/L) in 25 cases of decreased BMI (> or = 5%). The level of serum leptin after treatment (7.15 +/- 1.23 microg/L) was significantly decreased than before treatment (12.79 +/- 2.98 microg/L) in 19 cases of non-decreased BMI (<5%). Leptin level of all cases showed a positive correlation with AHI (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The level of serum leptin in patients with OSAHS are increased. The serum leptin level of effective patients with OSAHS after treatment was significantly decreased. The level of serum leptin reflects the degree of AHI in patients with OSAHS.

[Evaluation of the medical and surgical treatment of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of the medical and surgical treatment of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHOD: Seventy-two cases of pediatric CRS were randomly divided into medical group (35 cases) and surgical group (37 cases). The patients in medical group received a 12-week course of clarithromycin, alkaline nasal douche and intranasal mometasone furoate. The patients in surgical group underwent adenoidectomy or (and) tonsillectomy or ESS. All patients underwent pre- and post-treatment assessments of visual analogue score (VAS) and nasal endoscopy. The assessments of CT were arranged before starting the treatment and post-treatment in 12-month. RESULT: Both groups of pediatric CRS significantly improved in VAS and endoscopic parameters of CRS in all stages. There were no significant difference between two groups in 1-month (P > 0.05). The surgical group demonstrated greater change than medical group in 3-month, 6-month and 12-month (P < 0.01). In surgical group, 37 cases underwent three different styles of operation: adenoidectomy (n = 19), adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy (n = 10) and ESS (n = 8). VAS and endoscopic parameters were not significantly different among three groups in all stages except in 1-month. CONCLUSION: The results of this study warrant further that both medical and surgical treatment of pediatric CRS significantly improve in VAS and endoscopic parameters of CRS. The mainstay of management is medical treatment. Long-term, low-dose macrolide is an effective therapy and a valid alternative in pediatric CRS. Surgical intervention is necessary for cases that do not respond to prolonged course medical treatment. Adenoidectomy or (and) tonsillectomy seems to be a recommended surgical procedure for children with adenoid or (and) tonsil hypertrophy.

[Changes in expression of gelatinase in young rat condylar cartilage during functional mandibular advancement].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in expression of gelatinase (MMP-2, MMP-9) in young rat condylar cartilage during functional mandibular advancement. METHODS: Sixty male 5-week old SD rats were divided into experimental and control groups. The mimic functional appliances were used in experimental group rats. The animals were sacrificed after 1, 2, 4 weeks. The immunoreactivity of gelatinase was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In normal mandibular condylar cartilage, the immunoreactivity of MMP-2 was rather strong, the immunoreactivity of MMP-9 was very weak. Following functional mandibular advancement, the expression of MMP-9 was significantly increased (P < 0.01), but immunoreactivity of MMP-2 had no significant changes. CONCLUSION: Gelatinase plays an important role in the adaptive remondling of young rat condylar cartilage during functional mandibular advancement.

[A study of the level of serum leptin in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and obesity and patients with normal body mass].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the level of serum leptin in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and obesity and patients with normal body mass. METHOD: Polysomnography (PSG) was performed in 53 patients with OSAHS and in 41 simple obesity and in 62 patients with normal body mass. The level of serum leptin was detected by radioimmunoassay. The stature, weight, neck collar, hip circumference, waistline were measured. RESULT: (1) Serum leptin level in patients with OSAHS and obesity was higher than patients with normal body mass. At the same time, serum leptin level in patients with OSAHS was higher than obesity ( P < 0.05). (2) Serum leptin levels were positive significantly correlated with BMI in both OSAHS patients and simple obesity, but only the leptin level in patients with OSAHS was significantly correlated with apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) and proportion of neck circumference and waist-hip ratio (WHR). CONCLUSION: The rise of the serum leptin level in obesity was resisted of leptin. The serum leptin level of patients with OSAHS correlated with AHI shows that OSAHS maybe one reason of arising serum leptin's rising. Leptin could stimulate aspirator centrum.