A dual-recognition MIP-ECL sensor based on boric acid functional carbon dots for detection of dopamine.

We report a molecularly imprinted polymer electrochemiluminescence (MIP-ECL) sensor with dual recognition effects on dopamine (DA). Boric-acid-functionalized carbon dots (B-CDs) with good ECL performance at - 2.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) were prepared and immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The MIP was then introduced via electropolymerization using o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as a functional monomer and DA as a template molecule to fabricate the MIP-ECL sensor. The cavities in the MIP after elution were used to capture the target molecular DA. The affinity of boric acid of B-CDs to the cis-diol of DA, as well as the special recognition of MIP, provides dual recognition effects on DA. The selective readsorption of DA onto the sensor leads to the ECL quenching of B-CDs. The quenching effect was used to detect DA from 1.0 × 10-9 to 1.0 × 10-5 mol·L-1 with a detection limit of 2.1 × 10-10 mol·L-1. The dual recognition caused the MIP-ECL sensor exhibiting excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward  DA. The sensor was successfully used to determine DA in real samples.

Extracellular vesicles in bone and tooth: A state-of-art paradigm in skeletal regeneration.

Bone and tooth, fundamental parts of the craniofacial skeleton, are anatomically and developmentally interconnected structures. Notably, pathological processes in these tissues underwent together and progressed in multilevels. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-released small organelles and transfer proteins and genetic information into cells and tissues. Although EVs have been identified in bone and tooth, particularly EVs have been identified in the bone formation and resorption, the concrete roles of EVs in bone and tooth development and diseases remain elusive. As such, we review the recent progress of EVs in bone and tooth to highlight the novel findings of EVs in cellular communication, tissue homeostasis, and interventions. This will enhance our comprehension on the skeletal biology and shed new light on the modulation of skeletal disorders and the potential of genetic treatment.

Imaging-guided synergetic therapy of orthotopic transplantation tumor by superselectively arterial administration of microwave-induced microcapsules.

It is an ambitious target to improve overall Hepatocellular Carcinoma therapeutic effects. Recently, MW ablation has emerged as a powerful thermal ablation technique, affording favorable survival with excellent local tumor control. To achieve better therapeutic effects of MW ablation, MW sensitizers are prepared for enhanced MW ablation to preferentially heat tumor territory. However, it is still not practicable for treatment of the orthotopic transplantation tumor. Herein, biocompatible and degradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG-PLGA) microcapsules with hierarchical structure have been designed for microwave-induced tumor therapy. Chemical drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX·HCl), microwave (MW) sensitizers and CT imaging contrast MoS2 nanosheets and MR imaging contrast Fe3O4 nanoparticles are co-incorporated into the microcapsules. In vitro/vivo MR/CT dual-modal imaging results prove the potential application for guiding synergetic therapy and predicting post-therapy tumor progression in the orthotopic transplantation tumor model. After blocking the tumor-feeding arteries, these microcapsules not only exclude the cooling effect by cutting off the blood flow but also enhance MW heating conversion at tumor site. The focused MW heating makes microcapsules mollescent or ruptured and releases DOX·HCl from the microcapsules, achieving the controlled release of drugs for chemical therapy. Compared with MW ablation, 29.4% increase of necrosis diameter of normal liver in rabbit is obtained under MW ablation combined with transcatheter arterial blocking, and the average size of necrosis and inhibition rate of VX-2 liver orthotopic transplantation tumor in rabbit has increased by 129.33% and 73.46%. Moreover, it is proved that the superselectively arterial administration of the as-prepared microcapsules has no recognizable toxicity on the animals. Therefore, this research provides a novel strategy for the construction of MW-induced microcapsules for orthotopic transplantation tumor ablation with the properties of MW sensitizing, superselective arterial blocking, control release and enhanced accumulation of DOX·HCl, and MR/CT dual-modal imaging, which exhibits great potential applications in the field of HCC therapy.

Therapeutic efficacy of novel microwave-sensitized mPEG-PLGA@ZrO2@(DOX + ILS) drug-loaded microspheres in rabbit VX2 liver tumours.

The use of nanomaterials as drug delivery systems shows good effects in treating tumors. However, the effective dose of drugs targeted to tumor tissues is very low because of the effect of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in removing such foreign substances. In order to eliminate the RES effect, we developed mPEG-PLGA@ZrO2@(DOX + ILS) (mPEG-PLGA@ZrO2@[DOX + ILS]) drug-loaded microspheres. These microwave (MW)-sensitized microspheres directly embolized the blood-supply vessels of tumors to induce tumor ischemia and hypoxia, as well as to aggregate drugs within tumor tissues in a long-lasting manner. Additionally, combination with MW ablation can triple the effects for the inhibition of tumor growth. The MW sensitive ionic liquid (ILS) in microspheres can rapidly produce a high temperature in a MW field on the basis of MW sensitization, thus accelerating the degradation of microspheres to release DOX-loaded ZrO2 into the lesions to kill tumors. Microspheres can also prolong the pharmacological time and effect of drugs through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of nanocarriers, as well as the sustained release of nanomaterials. Studies performed in vivo revealed that mPEG-PLGA@ZrO2@(DOX + ILS) showed good biosafety. We undertook sensitized microsphere embolism therapy using novel mPEG-PLGA@ZrO2@(DOX + ILS) microspheres in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model. Three, 6 and 9 d after treatment, computed tomography indicated no significant change in tumor size, and diffusion weighted imaging showed a marked decrease of residual tumor tissues. With the multiple functions of inducing embolisms, sensitization, and the sustained release of chemotherapeutics, novel mPEG-PLGA@ZrO2@(DOX + ILS) microspheres can achieve good therapeutic efficacy, in combination with MW ablation and chemotherapy, while embolizing the blood vessels of arterial tumors.

Occlusal force characteristics of masseteric muscles after intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A(BTX - A)for treatment of temporomandibular disorder.

Our aim was to evaluate the occlusal force and therapeutic efficacy of the masseteric muscles after intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for the treatment of patients with concurrent temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and bruxism. Thirty patients with TMD associated with bruxism were randomised into three groups (n=10 in each group), and treated by bilateral intramuscular injection of BTX-A into the masseter, placebo, or control. We used an occlusal force analysis system to collect several measures of occlusal force such as duration of biting and closing, the maximum occlusal force, and the distribution of occlusal force. The occlusal force in the intercuspid position was reduced in all three groups. There was a significant difference between the BTX-A and placebo groups (F(df=1)=8.08, p=0.01) but not between the control group and the other two(F(df=1)=4.34, p=0.047). The duration of occlusion was significantly increased in the BTX-A group after 3 months' treatment (t=4.07, p=0.003). The asymmetrical distribution of occlusal force was reduced in all three groups, but not significantly so (Levene's test F(df=2)=0.25, p=0.78,ANOVA F(df=2)=0.50, p=0.61). Treatment of TMD with BTX-A is effective in reducing the occlusal force, but psychological intervention plays an important part in treatment.

A modified splint tubing technique for heterotopic heart transplantation in mouse.

BACKGROUND: The complexity of surgical procedure in mouse heterotopic heart transplantation (HHT) has prevented its widespread use. The present study reported a modified technique - splint tubing technique (STT) based on cuff technique (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/10 and BALB/c mice were performed in syngeneic and allogeneic HHT using STT and CT. The main improvement is that the recipient external jugular vein and common carotid artery were independently opened a mouth and inserted a cannula to avoid the difficult operations of sleeved and everted tube. Graft function was assessed by pulse palpation, echocardiography and histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Ten syngeneic and thirty allogeneic HHT using STT were performed with six graft losses. Ten allogeneic HHT using CT were carried out with two graft losses. Technically successful syngeneic grafts have survived to the pre-specified 30days endpoint with strong contraction. STT significantly shortened operation time compared with CT (32.33±4.21min vs 45.15±4.89min, P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in survival time between two methods. CONCLUSION: STT is easily learned. It reduces the operation difficulty and makes the operation possible for the beginner to master this skill within 1-2weeks. Shorter operation time leads higher operative success rate.

[Investigation of the degradation and the mechanisms of artificial basement membrane co-cultured with oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the degradation of artificial basement membrane (matrigel) co-cultured with oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and its possible mechanism. METHODS: CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were incubated on matrigel for 24, 48, 72 h. Equivalent amounts of conditioned medium were collected and assayed for total protein, hydroxyproline and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: Oral CAFs were superior to oral NFs in total protein and hydroxyproline density, CAFs present more pro-MMP-2 and activated MMP-2. CONCLUSION: CAFs were superior to NFs in degradation of matrigel. CAFs might play a key role in the reconstitution of extracellular matrix and the progression of tumor.