Porphyromonas gingivalis Promotes Immunoevasion of Oral Cancer by Protecting Cancer from Macrophage Attack.

The relationship of Porphyromonas gingivalis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been studied for several years. Previous studies have focused on the direct effect of P. gingivalis on the activities of primary epithelial cells and OSCC cells. However, the immune system is responsible for mediating cancer development, whether P. gingivalis can affect oral cancer immunity has seldom been explored to date. In this study, we investigated the role of P. gingivalis in the immunoevasion of OSCC. We evaluated the effect of P. gingivalis on the phagocytosis of Cal-27 cells (OSCC cell line) by bone marrow-derived macrophages in vitro and studied the effect of P. gingivalis on the growth of OSCC and the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages in vivo. We found that P. gingivalis was able to inhibit the phagocytosis of Cal-27 cells by macrophages, and membrane-component molecules of P. gingivalis, such as proteins, were speculated to be the effector components. In addition, sustained infection with antibiotics-inactivated P. gingivalis promoted OSCC growth in mice and induced the polarization of macrophages into M2 tumor-associated macrophages, which mainly display protumor properties. Transcriptome analysis and quantitative RT-PCR revealed that P. gingivalis infection upregulated the expression of genes encoding protumor molecules in Cal-27 cells (suprabasin, IL-1R2, and CD47) and in macrophages (IL-1α, CCL-3, and CCL-5). Our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that P. gingivalis can promote immunoevasion of oral cancer by protecting cancer from macrophage attack. To our knowledge, the present study reveals a novel mechanism by which P. gingivalis promotes OSCC development.

Infected bone resection plus adjuvant antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate versus infected bone resection alone in the treatment of diabetic forefoot osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Managing with diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is challenging. Even after infective bone resection and thorough debridement, DFO is still difficult to cure and has a high recurrence rate. This retrospective study aims to compare the outcomes of two treatment methods, infected bone resection combined with adjuvant antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and infected bone resection alone, for the treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. METHODS: Between 2015 to 2017, 48 limbs (46 patients) with DFO met the criteria were included for assessment. 20 limbs (18 patients) were included in the calcium sulfate group (the CS group) in which vancomycin and/or gentamicin-impregnated calcium sulfate was used as an adjuvant after infected bone resection while 28 limbs (28 patients) as the control group were undergone infected bone resection only. Systemic antibiotics, postoperative wound care and offloading were continued to be applied following surgery in both groups. The time to healing, healing rate, recurrence rate and amputation rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 90% (18/20) limbs in the CS group as compared to 78.6% (22/28) infected limbs in the control group went to heal (P = 0.513). The Mean time to healing was 13.3 weeks in the CS group and 11.2 weeks in control group (P = 0.132). Osteomyelitis recurrence rate was 0% (0/18) in the CS group and 36.4% (8/22) in the control group (P = 0.014). Postoperative leakage in calcium sulfate group was 30.0% (6/20) with a mean duration of 8.5 weeks. Amputation rate in the control group was 7.1% (2/28) compared to 0% (0/20) in the CS group (P = 0.153). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate as an adjuvant prevents the recurrence of DFO but cannot improve the healing rate, reduce the postoperative amputation rate or shorten the time to healing. Prolonged postoperative leakage as the most common complication can be managed with regular dressing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

The spotted parrotfish genome provides insights into the evolution of a coral reef dietary specialist (Teleostei: Labridae: Scarini: Cetoscarus ocellatus).

With over 600 valid species, the wrasses (family Labridae) are among the largest and most successful families of the marine teleosts. They feature prominently on coral reefs where they are known not only for their impressive diversity in colouration and form but also for their functional specialisation and ability to occupy a wide variety of trophic guilds. Among the wrasses, the parrotfishes (tribe Scarini) display some of the most dramatic examples of trophic specialisation. Using abrasion-resistant biomineralized teeth, parrotfishes are able to mechanically extract protein-rich micro-photoautotrophs growing in and among reef carbonate material, a dietary niche that is inaccessible to most other teleost fishes. This ability to exploit an otherwise untapped trophic resource is thought to have played a role in the diversification and evolutionary success of the parrotfishes. In order to better understand the key evolutionary innovations leading to the success of these dietary specialists, we sequenced and analysed the genome of a representative species, the spotted parrotfish (Cetoscarus ocellatus). We find significant expansion, selection and duplications within several detoxification gene families and a novel poly-glutamine expansion in the enamel protein ameloblastin, and we consider their evolutionary implications. Our genome provides a useful resource for comparative genomic studies investigating the evolutionary history of this highly specialised teleostean radiation.

Icy core-shell composite nanofibers with cooling, antibacterial and healing properties for outdoor burns.

Burns are usually difficult to treat because their susceptibe to bacterial infections. When burns is accompanied by hyperthermia, the heat accumulated on the skin will causes extensive tissue damage. Most dressings focus on the treatment process, while ignoring the first-aid treatment to remove hyperthermia. To make matters worse, when outdoors, it is hard to find clean water to wash and cool the burned area. A dressing which can simultaneously realize first-time cooling and repairing treatment of the burned area can shorten treatment time, and is especially beneficial for outdoor use. In this study, a handheld coaxial electrospinning device is developed for preparing platelet-rich plasma @Polycaprolactone-epsilon polylysine (PRP@PCL/ε-PL) core-shell nanofibers. The nanofibers can be synchronously transformed into ice fibers during the spinning process, and directly deposited on the skin. The whole process is convenient to use outdoor. Via dual cooling mechanisms, first aid can take away the excessive heat in the burn area by nanofibers. These core-shell nanofibers also show its excellent antimicrobial and tissue regeneration-promoting properties. Therefore, it achieves first-time cooling and repair treatment of the burned area at the same time. Moreover, due to direct in-situ deposition of this handheld coaxial electrospinning, better antimicrobial properties, and faster healing performance are achieved. By using this integrated strategy that combines cooling, antibacterial and healing promotion, the burn recovery time is shortened from 21 days to 14 days.

Tooth loss and uncontrolled diabetes among US adults.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between tooth loss and uncontrolled diabetes among US adults. METHODS: The authors used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2011 through 2018. The sample included 16,635 participants 20 years and older who represent 187,596,215 people in the United States in a probability weighted sample. The authors used bivariate analysis and multiple regressions to analyze factors associated with edentulism and number of missing teeth. RESULTS: The multiple logistic regression model significantly predicted edentulism using diabetes status (adjusted odds ratio controlled diabetes, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.12 to 1.86]; adjusted odds ratio uncontrolled diabetes, 2.26 [95% CI, 1.33 to 3.85]), missing annual dental visits, seeing a dentist only for treatment, family income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, being female, being 65 years or older, tobacco smoking, and no college education. After controlling for the same covariates, multiple Poisson regression analysis showed that dentate adults with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes had higher relative risk of tooth loss than those without diabetes (adjusted risk ratio controlled diabetes, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.35 to 1.71]; adjusted risk ratio uncontrolled diabetes, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.35 to 1.83]). CONCLUSIONS: US adults with uncontrolled (glycated hemoglobin ≥ 9%) and controlled diabetes (glycated hemoglobin < 9%) were more likely to be edentulous and experience tooth loss than adults without diabetes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: US health policy officials should adopt benefits policies to provide regular dental examinations to people who have diabetes, have low income (< 200% of the federal poverty guideline), or are 65 years or older to reduce tooth loss and improve their quality of life. Dentists should work with physicians to help patients control glycemic levels.

The Clinical Potential of Oral Microbiota as a Screening Tool for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Introduction: The oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is detrimental to patients' physical and mental health. The prognosis of OSCC depends on the early diagnosis of OSCC in large populations. Objectives: Here, the present study aimed to develop an early diagnostic model based on the relationship between OSCC and oral microbiota. Methods: Overall, 164 samples were collected from 47 OSCC patients and 48 healthy individuals as controls, including saliva, subgingival plaque, the tumor surface, the control side (healthy mucosa), and tumor tissue. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing, data from all the five sites, and salivary samples only, two machine learning models were developed to diagnose OSCC. Results: The average diagnostic accuracy rates of five sites and saliva were 98.17% and 95.70%, respectively. Cross-validations showed estimated external prediction accuracies of 96.67% and 93.58%, respectively. The false-negative rate was 0%. Besides, it was shown that OSCC could be diagnosed on any one of the five sites. In this model, Actinobacteria, Fusobacterium, Moraxella, Bacillus, and Veillonella species exhibited strong correlations with OSCC. Conclusion: This study provided a noninvasive and inexpensive way to diagnose malignancy based on oral microbiota without radiation. Applying machine learning methods in microbiota data to diagnose OSCC constitutes an example of a microbial assistant diagnostic model for other malignancies.

Collagen Strip Technique: A Novel Approach for Ridge Preservation and Concomitant Oroantral Communication Management After Implant Explantation.

INTRODUCTION: This case report introduces a technique for managing oroantral communication (OAC) using a collagen membrane strip to repair the perforated sinus membrane and simultaneously graft the alveolar ridge. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old Asian male presented for a second-opinion consultation regarding an endosseous dental implant that had been placed overly subcrestal at #13 edentulous site. The 8 mm fixture had been placed 3 to 4 mm subcrestally with more than half the implant length into the maxillary sinus. The patient stated that no sinus augmentation procedure had been performed. The implant was considered to be non-restorable and treatment planned for explantation with ridge preservation. Explantation revealed a sinus perforation with OAC. A collagen membrane strip (30 × 6 mm) was folded into a U-shape, to hold bone allograft for ridge preservation, and placed with the bottom of the U-shape level with the sinus floor and the ends extending to the buccal and palatal, beyond the crest. A second collagen membrane covered the graft at ridge crest level, followed by primary closure. Implant placement (4.1 × 10 mm) with indirect sinus augmentation was performed in 6 months. The implant was uncovered and subsequently restored following a 5-month osseointegration period. The 13-month follow-up examination revealed successful outcomes, with normal clinical and radiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: This novel technique achieved the dual goals of ridge preservation and repair of a sinus membrane perforation simultaneously after implant explantation in the posterior maxilla. It further allowed a successful implant placement with simultaneous sinus augmentation and subsequent restoration.

Soft tissue healing around platform-switching and platform-matching single implants: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Implants with platform-switching (PS) design have been demonstrated to reduce marginal bone loss. However, the influence on peri-implant soft tissue healing is unclear. This study was designed to investigate its effect on peri-implant soft tissue healing after implant uncovery. METHODS: Non-smokers needing two implants in different quadrants were recruited in this study. For each individual, one PS and one platform-matching (PM) implants were placed using two-stage protocol. Following 2 to 8 months of healing, all implants were uncovered and connected to the corresponding healing abutments. Clinical measurements and peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) were taken at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-week after 2nd stage surgery. The cytokine concentrations in PICF were analyzed. Peri-implant mucosa (1 × 2 × 2 mm) was harvested around the healing abutment for the analysis of gene expression at uncovery and 6-week post-uncovery. RESULTS: Eighteen participants (nine males; 51.7 ± 14.9 years) were recruited. Compared to PM, PS showed significantly lower probing depth (PD) at 1- and 2-week as well as modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) at 1-, 4-, and 6-week (P < 0.05). Over time, a decrease in osteoprotegerin and interleukin-1ß concentrations in PICF along with an increase in receptor activator of unclear factor kappa-B ligand, periostin, and peroxidasin gene expressions in peri-implant mucosa were noted within both groups (P < 0.05) without significant intergroup differences. CONCLUSION: Within the limits, implants with PS design rendered significant benefits over PM design in PD and mSBI reduction during a 6-week healing. However, molecular changes within PICF and peri-implant mucosa as a response to PM and PS appear negligible.

[Treatment strategy for pregnancy epulis].

Pregnancy epulis is a tumor-like lesion with high prevalence in China. The local lesion, the general condition of the pregnant patient, and the complications during treatment should be taken into consideration when making a treatment plan for pregnancy epulis. In this study, three representative pregnancy epulis cases were presented, and related studies at home and aboard were reviewed to summarize the etiology, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pregnancy epulis and share the clinical experience in the treatment of pregnancy epulis.

Anti-obesity effect of a novel caffeine-loaded dissolving microneedle patch in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice.

Natural products such as caffeine have been found to be effective in reducing body weight through lipolysis. Here, we report the successful loading of caffeine onto dissolving microneedle following inhibition of its crystal growth by hyaluronic acid (HA), the matrix material of the dissolving microneedle (DMN). Further, the anti-obesity activity of caffeine was evaluated in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. After 6weeks of caffeine loaded dissolving microneedle patch (CMP) administration, lipolysis improved significantly as shown by leptin and adiponectin activity, which resulted in considerable weight loss of about 12.8±0.75% in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Comparison of the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol after CMP administration with the initial levels in obese mice indicated significant anti-obesity activity of CMP. These findings suggested that a novel CMP with an increased amount of caffeine loaded onto DMN has therapeutic activity against obesity.

Innovative polymeric system (IPS) for solvent-free lipophilic drug transdermal delivery via dissolving microneedles.

Lipophilic drugs are potential drug candidates during drug development. However, due to the need for hazardous organic solvents for their solubilization, these drugs often fail to reach the pharmaceutical market, and in doing so highlight the importance of solvent free systems. Although transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) are considered prospective safe drug delivery routes, a system involving lipophilic drugs in solvent free or powder form has not yet been described. Here, we report, for the first time, a novel approach for the delivery of every kind of lipophilic drug in powder form based on an innovative polymeric system (IPS). The phase transition of powder form of lipophilic drugs due to interior chemical bonds between drugs and biodegradable polymers and formation of nano-sized colloidal structures allowed the fabrication of dissolving microneedles (DMNs) to generate a powerful TDDS. We showed that IPS based DMN with powder capsaicin enhances the therapeutic effect for treatment of the rheumatic arthritis in a DBA/1 mouse model compared to a solvent-based system, indicating the promising potential of this new solvent-free platform for lipophilic drug delivery.

A self-powered one-touch blood extraction system: a novel polymer-capped hollow microneedle integrated with a pre-vacuum actuator.

Blood is the gold standard sample medium that can provide a wide variety of useful biological information for the diagnosis of various diseases. For portable point-of-care diagnosis, blood extraction systems have attracted attention as easier, safer, and more rapid methods of collecting small blood volumes. In this paper, we introduce a novel self-powered one-touch blood extraction system created by assembling a smart polymer-capped hollow microneedle in a pre-vacuum polydimethylsiloxane actuator. The optimized hollow microneedle was precisely fabricated by drawing lithography for minimally invasive blood extraction, with a length of 1800 µm, an inner diameter of 60 µm, an outer diameter of 130 µm, and a bevel angle of 15°. The system utilizes only a single step for operation; a finger press activates the blood sampling process based on the negative pressure-driven force built into the pre-vacuum activated actuator. A sufficient volume of blood (31.3 ± 2.0 µl) was successfully extracted from a rabbit for evaluation using a micro total analysis system. The entire system was made of low-cost and disposable materials to achieve easy operation with a miniature structure and to meet the challenging requirements for single-use application in a point-of-care system without the use of any external power equipment.

[Nano-structured scaffold materials used in tissue engineering].

Micro- and nano-structured surfaces of scaffold materials have important effects on cells' adhesion and proliferation. Nano-structured surfaces can improve cells' adhesion and biocompatibility of materials. The effects of nano-biomaterials on the development of tissue engineering and the methods of preparation of nano-biomaterials such as molecular self-assemble and template technology are discussed.

[Preparation methods of nanocavity biomaterials with recognition specificity via template imprinting of proteins].

Nanocavity biomaterials with recognition specificity imprinted by using proteins as templates may successful serve as substitutes for antibodies, enzymes, and other native biological structures as well as cell bracket materials. It has numerous applications in biotechnology, medicine and so on. In this paper, the principle of template imprinting is introduced briefly, the specialty of template imprinting of proteins is analyzed, and the methods of template imprinting of proteins including protein entrapment, microbead surface imprinting, flat surface imprinting as well as the epitope are reviewed in details.

Factors affecting treatment decisions and outcomes of root-resected molars: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of furcation-involved molars presents a clinical challenge. This study retrospectively investigates the demographic parameters affecting treatment decisions and outcomes of root-resected molars using a nationwide population-based dataset. METHODS: De-identified data from 471 eligible patients were obtained from a representative cohort composed of 1 million of Taiwan's population. Demographic factors that influence treatment decisions and outcomes of root-resected teeth were examined. Cox regression was performed to statistically analyze the factors. RESULTS: The overall survival rate for root-resected molars was 91.1%. The survival times of the extracted and surviving teeth were 303.0 ± 274.6 and 551.8 ± 327.2 days, respectively (P <0.001). The analyzed patient-related factors, such as living district, urbanization level, medical institution, and monthly income, have remarkable influence on treatment decisions; however, there is no statistically significant difference in survival rate between root-resected molars receiving flap surgery and those that do not (P = 0.504). After adjusting for other factors, patients aged >74 years have 3.33 times (hazard ratio = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.04 to 10.66; P = 0.043) higher rates of molar extraction than younger counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival rate of root-resected molars was satisfactory. Patients with advanced age (>74 years) had a higher risk of extraction occurrence on resected molars. Patient-related factors may influence the treatment decision of whether molars receive flap surgery. These findings suggest that demographic factors should be carefully evaluated before and after performing root-resection procedures because these factors may eventually impact the outcome of root-resected molars.

A minimally invasive blood-extraction system: elastic self-recovery actuator integrated with an ultrahigh- aspect-ratio microneedle.

A minimally invasive blood-extraction system is fabricated by the integration of an elastic self-recovery actuator and an ultrahigh-aspect-ratio microneedle. The simple elastic self-recovery actuator converts finger force to elastic energy to provide power for blood extraction and transport without requiring an external source of power. This device has potential utility in the biomedical field within the framework of complete micro-electromechanical systems.

Preferential oxidative addition in palladium(0)-catalyzed suzuki cross-coupling reactions of dihaloarenes with arylboronic acids.

The study of Pd(0)-/t-Bu3P system as a powerful catalyst for the cross-coupling of n,m-dihaloarenes with 1 equiv of arylboronic acids is described. Our work demonstrated that the fate of the regenerated Pd(0) catalyst can be controlled when the appropriate ligand is employed. The results described here may lead to the development of new, efficient processes to conjugate polymers with controlled length which are potentially useful in molecular electronics.

[Molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres prepared by seed swelling and suspension polymerization].

A series of molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres(MIPMs) were prepared by seed swelling and suspension polymerization method in aqueous system using tyrosine as printing molecules, methacrylic acid as functional monomers and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as cross-linkers. The morphology including the size, size distribution, pore and pore distribution of the polymer beads was analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM). The major factors that influence these properties of the beads are discussed. The molecule selecting property of the MIPMs was detected through liquid chromatography. The results showed that uniform-sized spherical MIPMs had been prepared in aqueous system by seed swelling and suspension polymerization method, and its surface was distributed with pores between 1 micron to 10 microns. The average bead size was adjusted from about 50 microns to 400 microns by changing the stirring speed and the amount of seeds used during the preparation. The prepared MIPMs exhibited a considerable tendency to adsorb tyrosine, the printing molecules selectively, and the separation factor was up to 1.82 when phenylalanine was chosen as the competitive molecules.