The expression and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor A in adenoid cystic carcinoma of palatal salivary gland.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the VEGF-A expression in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma tissues and detect the relationship between the mechanism of occurrence, development and metastasis of jaws with salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma and VEGF-A expression. METHODS: Paraffin samples from 58 cases of SACC of the palate and ten cases of normal salivary gland tissues were collected. The expression levels of VEGF-A protein were detected using the immunohistochemistry EnVision system. RESULTS: Among the 58 cases, there were 20 cases of the cribriform type, 17 cases of the tubular type, and 21 cases of the solid type. There were 9 cases with lymph node metastasis and 21 cases without lymph node metastasis. And there were 8 cases of T1, 15 cases of T2, and 7 cases of T3/T4. The positive expression rate of VEGF-A in SACC of the palate was 74.1%, which was higher than that found in normal salivary gland tissues (10%). The VEGF-A was localized in the cytoplasm/cell membrane. CONCLUSION: VEGF-A is highly expressed in SACC of the palate. The level of expression is closely related to the pathological grade, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage of the tumor, and it can thus be used as an important indicator for judging the biological behavior of SACC of the palate.

Highly Thermally Stable, Green Solvent Disintegrable, and Recyclable Polymer Substrates for Flexible Electronics.

Flexible electronics require its substrate to have adequate thermal stability, but current thermally stable polymer substrates are difficult to be disintegrated and recycled; hence, generate enormous electronic solid waste. Here, a thermally stable and green solvent-disintegrable polymer substrate is developed for flexible electronics to promote their recyclability and reduce solid waste generation. Thanks to the proper design of rigid backbones and rational adjustments of polar and bulky side groups, the polymer substrate exhibits excellent thermal and mechanical properties with thermal decomposition temperature (Td,5% ) of 430 °C, upper operating temperature of over 300 °C, coefficient of thermal expansion of 48 ppm K-1 , tensile strength of 103 MPa, and elastic modulus of 2.49 GPa. Furthermore, the substrate illustrates outstanding optical and dielectric properties with high transmittance of 91% and a low dielectric constant of 2.30. Additionally, it demonstrates remarkable chemical and flame resistance. A proof-of-concept flexible printed circuit device is fabricated with this substrate, which demonstrates outstanding mechanical-electrical stability. Most importantly, the substrate can be quickly disintegrated and recycled with alcohol. With outstanding thermally stable properties, accompanied by excellent recyclability, the substrate is particularly attractive for a wide range of electronics to reduce solid waste generation, and head toward flexible and "green" electronics.

Sodium Fluoride Arrests Renal G2/M Phase Cell-Cycle Progression by Activating ATM-Chk2-P53/Cdc25C Signaling Pathway in Mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Excessive fluoride intake can induce cytotoxicity, DNA damage and cell-cycle changes in many tissues and organs, including the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of fluoride-induced renal cell-cycle changes are not well understood at present. In this study, we used a mouse model to investigate how sodium fluoride (NaF) induces cell-cycle changes in renal cells. METHODS: Two hundred forty ICR mice were randomly assigned to four equal groups for intragastric administration of NaF (0, 12, 24 and 48 mg/kg body weight/day) for 42 days. Kidneys were taken to measure changes of the cell-cycle at 21 and 42 days of the experiment, using flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot methods. RESULTS: NaF, at more than 12 mg/kg body weight, induced G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest in the renal cells, which was supported by the finding of significantly increased percentages of renal cells in the G2/M phase. We found also that G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest was accompanied by up-regulation of p-ATM, p-Chk2, p-p53, p-Cdc25C, p-CDK1, p21, and Gadd45a protein expression levels; up-regulation of ATM, Chk2, p53, p21, and Gadd45a mRNA expression levels; down-regulation of CyclinB1, mdm2, PCNA protein expression levels; and down-regulation of CyclinB1, CDK1, Cdc25C, mdm2, and PCNA mRNA expression levels. CONCLUSION: In this mouse model, NaF, at more than 12 mg/ kg, induced G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest by activating the ATM-Chk2-p53/Cdc25C signaling pathway, which inhibits the proliferation of renal cells and development of the kidney. Activation of the ATM-Chk2-p53/Cdc25C signaling pathway is the mechanism of NaF-induced renal G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest in this model.

Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone-Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis of Fe3O4 Vesicular Nanospheres.

Monodispersed Fe3O4 vesicular nanospheres with a diameter of 160 nm have been fabricated solvothermally in the mixed solution of ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylenediamine (en) with the surfactant polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The microstructure and magnetic properties of the products were characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, N2 adsorption-desorption and SQUID techniques. The HRTEM result shows that spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles are structurally uniform with a distinct lattice spacing of 2.6 Å, which can be assigned to the (311) crystal facet of cubic Fe3O4. Besides, the as-obtained Fe3O4 vesicular nanospheres are ferromagnetic with a saturation magnetization of 86.9 emu/g as high as its bulk counterpart, demonstrating its promising applications in advanced magnetic materials and biomedicine.

3D printed PLGA scaffold with nano-hydroxyapatite carrying linezolid for treatment of infected bone defects.

BACKGROUND: Linezolid has been reported to protect against chronic bone and joint infection. In this study, linezolid was loaded into the 3D printed poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold with nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) to explore the effect of this composite scaffold on infected bone defect (IBD). METHODS: PLGA scaffolds were produced using the 3D printing method. Drug release of linezolid was analyzed by elution and high-performance liquid chromatography assay. PLGA, PLGA-HA, and linezolid-loaded PLGA-HA scaffolds, were implanted into the defect site of a rabbit radius defect model. Micro-CT, H&E, and Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze bone infection and bone healing. Evaluation of viable bacteria was performed. The cytocompatibility of 3D-printed composite scaffolds in vitro was detected using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Long-term safety of the scaffolds in rabbits was evaluated. RESULTS: The linezolid-loaded PLGA-HA scaffolds exhibited a sustained release of linezolid and showed significant antibacterial effects. In the IBD rabbit models implanted with the scaffolds, the linezolid-loaded PLGA-HA scaffolds promoted bone healing and attenuated bone infection. The PLGA-HA scaffolds carrying linezolid upregulated the expression of osteogenic genes including collagen I, runt-related transcription factor 2, and osteocalcin. The linezolid-loaded PLGA-HA scaffolds promoted the proliferation and osteogenesis of BMSCs in vitro via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, the rabbits implanted with the linezolid-loaded scaffolds showed normal biochemical profiles and normal histology, which suggested the safety of the linezolid-loaded scaffolds. CONCLUSION: Overall, the linezolid-loaded PLGA-HA scaffolds fabricated by 3D printing exerts significant bone repair and anti-infection effects.

Transgenically mediated shRNAs targeting conserved regions of foot-and-mouth disease virus provide heritable resistance in porcine cell lines and suckling mice.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is responsible for substantial economic losses in livestock breeding each year, and the development of new strategies is needed to overcome the limitations of existing vaccines and antiviral drugs. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral potential of transgenic porcine cells and suckling mice that simultaneously expressed two short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting the conserved regions of the viral polymerase protein 3D and the non-structural protein 2B. First, two recombinant shRNA-expressing plasmids, PB-EN3D2B and PB-N3D2B, were constructed and the efficiency of the constructs for suppressing an artificial target was demonstrated in BHK-21 cells. We then integrated PB-EN3D2B into the genome of the porcine cell line IBRS-2 using the piggyBac transposon system, and stable monoclonal transgenic cell lines (MTCL) were selected. Of the 6 MTCL that were used in the antiviral assay, 3 exhibited significant resistance with suppressing ratios of more than 94% at 48 hours post-challenge (hpc) to both serotype O and serotype Asia 1 FMDV. MTCL IB-3D2B-6 displayed the strongest antiviral activity, which resulted in 100% inhibition of FMDV replication until 72 hpc. Moreover, the shRNA-expressing fragment of PB-N3D2B was integrated into the mouse genome by DNA microinjection to produce transgenic mice. When challenged with serotype O FMDV, the offspring of the transgenic mouse lines N3D2B-18 and N3D2B-81 exhibited higher survival rates of 19% to 27% relative to their non-transgenic littermates. The results suggest that these heritable shRNAs were able to suppress FMDV replication in the transgenic cell lines and suckling mice.

Multifunctional Gold-Silver-Carbon Quantum Dots Nano-Hybrid Composite: Advancing Antibacterial Wound Healing and Cell Proliferation.

The urgent need for innovative materials that effectively eliminate bacteria while promoting cell growth to accelerate wound healing has led to the exploration of new options, as current antimicrobial nanoparticles often exhibit high cytotoxicity, which hinders wound closure. In this study, a nano-hybrid composite, named gold-silver-carbon quantum dots (AuAg-CDs), was prepared by embedding gold and silver nanoclusters into carbon dots. The AuAg-CDs nano-hybrid composite demonstrates remarkable biocompatibility, displays potent antibacterial activity, and possesses a unique capability to promote cell proliferation. By physically disrupting bacterial membranes and promoting mammalian cell proliferation, this composite emerges as a highly promising material for wound healing applications. The underlying mechanism of the multifunctional AuAg-CDs was investigated through comprehensive analyses encompassing cell morphology, bacterial membrane potential, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in both bacterial and mammalian cells. Additionally, AuAg-CDs were incorporated into alginate to create a hydrogel wound dressing, which underwent evaluation using animal models. The results underscore the remarkable potential of the AuAg-CDs wound dressing in facilitating the proliferation of wound fibroblasts and combating bacterial infections. The significance of designing multifunctional nanomaterials to address the challenges associated with pathogenic bacterial infections and regenerative medicine is highlighted by this study, paving the way for future advancements in these fields.

Cell Wall Pectin Content Refers to Favored Delivery of Negatively Charged Carbon Dots in Leaf Cells.

In this work, we systematically investigated how cell wall and cell wall components affect the delivery of charged carbon quantum dots (CDs, from -34 to +41 mV) to leaf cells of cucumber and Arabidopsis plants. Four different types of leaf cells in cucumber and Arabidopsis were used, i.e., protoplasts (without cell wall), isolated individual cells (cell wall hydrolyzed with pectinase), regenerated individual cells (cell wall regenerated from protoplast), and intact leaf cells (intact cell wall, in planta). Leaf cells were incubated with charged CDs (0.5 mg/mL) for 2 h. Confocal imaging results showed that protoplasts, regenerated individual cells, and leaf cells showed favored uptake of the negatively charged CDs (-34 mV) compared to the PEI (polyethylenimine) coated and positively charged carbon dots [PEI600-CDs (17 mV) and PEI10K-CDs (41 mV)], while in isolated individual cells, the trend is opposite. The results of the content of the cell wall components showed that no significant changes in the total cell wall content were found between isolated individual cells and regenerated individual cells (1.28 vs 1.11 mg/106 cells), while regenerated individual cells showed significant higher pectin content [water-soluble pectin (0.13 vs 0.06 mg/106 cells, P < 0.01), chelator-soluble pectin (0.04 vs 0.01 mg/106 cells, P < 0.01), and alkaline pectin (0.02 vs 0.01 mg/106 cells, P < 0.01)] and significant lower cellulose content (0.13 vs 0.32 mg/106 cells, P < 0.01) than the isolated individual cells. No difference of the hemicellulose content was found between isolated individual cells and regenerated individual cells (0.20 vs 0.21 mg/106 cells). Our results suggest that compared with cellulose and hemicellulose in the cell wall, the pectin is a more important factor referring to the favored uptake of negatively charged carbon dots in leaf cells. Overall, this work provides a method to study the role of cell wall components in the uptake of nanoparticles in plant cells and also points out the importance of understanding the interactions between cell barriers and nanoparticles to design nanoparticles for agricultural use.

Application analysis of a modified retroauricular hairline incision in the resection of a benign parotid gland tumor.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the application value of a modified retroauricular hairline incision and a sternocleidomastoid flap with an inferior pedicle in the resection of benign parotid gland tumors. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with benign parotid gland tumors were retrospectively analyzed: 19 cases were included in the experimental group with an improved retroauricular hairline incision and a sternocleidomastoid flap with an inferior pedicle, and 29 cases were assigned in the control group with a modified facelift incision. Operation time, postoperative drainage, postoperative esthetic degree, and incidence of facial nerve paralysis, salivary fistula, and Frey's syndrome were compared. RESULTS: After the esthetic procedure, the average score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, and the esthetic effect of the former was better than that of the latter (P<0.05). The incidence of the operation time, facial nerve paralysis, salivary fistula, and Frey's syndrome of both groups had no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified retroauricular hairline incision and sternocleidomastoid flap with an inferior pedicle can be applied to resect benign parotid gland tumors safely. It shows a better cosmetic effect and does not cause obvious postoperative complications. Therefore, it should be promoted for tumor treatments.

[Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw caused by implant: a case report].

Osteonecrosis of the jaw could occur after intake of bisphosphonate drugs, which are widely used to treat osteoporosis and bone metastasis of malignant tumors. This effect has aroused concern among dentists. In this paper, a case of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis caused by implant is reported, and the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of bisphosphonate drug-induced osteonecrosis are described through a literature review. The effects of bisphosphonate drug treatment on dental implants are also discussed.

Biological performance and fouling mitigation in the biochar-amended anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating pharmaceutical wastewater.

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is an advanced technology in treating pharmaceutical wastewater, but the membrane fouling limits its development. In this study, the biochar with adsorption capacity of biopolymers was added in AnMBR to investigate its potential in treating pharmaceutical wastewater and alleviating membrane fouling. In the biochar-amended AnMBR, adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) was removed effectively, and more COD was biotransformed into CH4. Membrane fouling mitigation was achieved in the third stage with a 56% decrease of average transmembrane pressure difference (TMP) rising rate. The predominant culprit, proteins of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS-proteins) in sludge mixture and cake layer, was reduced significantly. Particularly, the proportion of micromolecular (0.1-0.15 kDa) EPS-proteins in cake layer was 1.5-folds that of the control group. The important bio-foulant genus Arcobacter aggregating on the membrane had less and almost half the relative abundance (16.5%) than that of the control group (30.7%).

[Cleidocranial dysplasia: a case report and gene mutation analysis].

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by abnormal skeletal and dental development. In this work, a case of cleidocranial dysplasia is reported, and a new frameshift mutation is confirmed by gene detection.

Sodium Fluoride (NaF) Induces Inflammatory Responses Via Activating MAPKs/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Reducing Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Expression in the Mouse Liver.

At present, no reports are focused on fluoride-induced hepatic inflammatory responses in human beings and animals. This study aimed to investigate the mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory cytokines and signaling molecules for evaluating the effect of different doses (0, 12, 24, and 48 mg/kg) of sodium fluoride (NaF) on inflammatory reaction in the mouse liver by using methods of experimental pathology, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis. We found that NaF in excess of 12 mg/kg caused the hepatic inflammatory responses, and the results showed that NaF activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway by markedly increasing (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 1/2 (MEK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 4/7 (MEK4/7), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 3/6 (MEK3/6), and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by increasing (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) the production of NF-κB and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKK-ß) and reducing (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) the production of the inhibitory kappa B (IκB). Thus, NaF that caused the hepatic inflammatory responses was characterized by increasing (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) via the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, and by significantly inhibiting (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) the production of anti-inflammatory mediators including interleukin-4 (IL-4) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß).

A hydrogel directly assembled from a copper metal-organic polyhedron for antimicrobial application.

Here, we report the first example of a hydrogel directly assembled from a copper MOP by a facile ultrasonic procedure, and it exhibited excellent antibacterial activity towards Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Cobalt chains composed of hexagonal intercrossed microplatelets: shape-controlled synthesis, growth mechanism, and magnetic properties.

Self-assembled Co chains made up of hexagonal intercrossed microplatelets have been fabricated via a facile solvothermal approach in a mixed solution of ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylenediamine (EDA) with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and dodecanethiol (DDT) as surfactants. The morphology and size of the products can be easily controlled through properly monitoring the synthetic conditions, such as the volume ratio of EG/EDA, reaction temperature, reaction time, concentrations of NaOH, and the amount of both PVP and dodecanethiol. Based on a series of contrast experiments, a stepwise growth mechanism of Co chains was rationally conjectured. During the shape evolution process, layered ß-Co(OH)2 platelets were first formed and then reduced to Co platelets, which finally developed to one-dimensional Co chains composed of hexagonal close-packed microplatelets. It is noteworthy that hexagonal Co microplatelets were inherited from their layered precursor Co(OH)2 microplatelets obtained in the initial stage. Compared to bulk cobalt, the as-obtained platelet-like Co microchains manifested an enhanced coercivity (Hc) and a decreased saturation magnetization (Ms), which could be ascribed to the highly anisotropic shape of platelet-like subunits. Such platelet-like 1D cobalt microchains are expected to afford new opportunities for applications in the field of magnetic storage and catalysis.

[Ectopic recurrence of ameloblastoma in the bucca region of the mandible: a case report].

The postoperative recurrence of ameloblastoma is common. However, ectopic recurrence in clinical operations is rare. A case of ectopic recurrence of ameloblastoma in the bucca region of the mandible after 15 years is presented in this paper. The causes of the ectopic recurrence were analyzed based on relevant literature.

[Clinical application of endoscope on removal of broken root from maxillary sinus].

The broken root dislocated into the maxillary sinus is a common complication during the teeth extraction. This article reported broken roots of four patients dislocated into maxillary sinus were removed successfully by endoscope under local anesthesia through windowing in inferior nasal meatus. It is an efficient method, which has less wounds and shorter surgical time.

The methane monooxygenase intrinsic activity of kinds of methanotrophs.

Methanotrophs have promising applications in the epoxidation of some alkenes and some chlorinated hydrocarbons and in the production of a biopolymer, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate; PHB). In contrast with methane monooxygenase (MMO) activity and ability of PHB synthesis of four kinds of methanotrophic bacteria Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, M. trichosporium IMV3011, Methylococcus capsulatus HD6T, Methylomonas sp. GYJ3, and the mixture of the four kinds of strains, M. trichosporium OB3b is the highest of the four in the activity of propene epoxidation (10.72 nmol/min mg dry weight of cell [dwc]), the activity of naphthalene oxidation (22.7 mmol/mg dwc), and ability in synthesis of PHB(11% PHB content in per gram dry weight of cell in 84 h). It could be feasible to improve the MMO activity by mixing four kinds of methanotrophs. The MMO activity dramatically decreased when the cellular PHB accumulated in the second stage. The reason for this may be the dilution of the MMO system in the cells with increasing PHB contents. It has been found that the PHB contents at the level of 1-5% are beneficial to the cells for maintenance of MMO epoxidation activity when enough PHB have been accumulated. Moreover, it was also found that high particulate methane monooxygenase activity may contribute to the synthesis of PHB in the cell, which could be used to improve the yield of PHB in methanotrophs.

[Platysma myocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of oral defect caused by tumor resection].

OBJECTIVE: To study the method and feasibility of platysma myocutaneous flap in reconstruction of oral defects. METHODS: From March 2003 to June 2004, 15 patients with defects of tongue, floor of mouth, bucca, lateral pharynx and soft palate were treated with platysma myocutaneous flaps. There were 12 males and 3 females with an age range of 41-77 years. Defect was caused by resection of bucca (11 cases), tongue (1 case), floor of mouth (2 cases)and lateral pharyngeal and soft palate (1 case) squamous cell carcinoma. All patients were given primary cancer dissection and radical neck dissection. The defect sizes were from 3.0 cmX 3.5 cm to 7.0 cm X 4.0 cm. The sizes of the platysma myocutaneous flap were from 7.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 12.0 cm x 4.0 cm. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 6-12 months. In 15 patients, the flap survived, and the color and appearance of the flaps were normal. Mouth-opening was not limited. Eight patients had cutaneous fistula after 10-15 days of operation and were cured by secondary operation. No complication of ankyloglossia and tumor relapse occurred. The operation results were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Platysma myocutaneous flap has generous blood supply, it is useful in reconstruction of oral tissue defects.