Self-powered, light-controlled, bioresorbable platforms for programmed drug delivery.

Degradable polymer matrices and porous scaffolds provide powerful mechanisms for passive, sustained release of drugs relevant to the treatment of a broad range of diseases and conditions. Growing interest is in active control of pharmacokinetics tailored to the needs of the patient via programmable engineering platforms that include power sources, delivery mechanisms, communication hardware, and associated electronics, most typically in forms that require surgical extraction after a period of use. Here we report a light-controlled, self-powered technology that bypasses key disadvantages of these systems, in an overall design that is bioresorbable. Programmability relies on the use of an external light source to illuminate an implanted, wavelength-sensitive phototransistor to trigger a short circuit in an electrochemical cell structure that includes a metal gate valve as its anode. Consequent electrochemical corrosion eliminates the gate, thereby opening an underlying reservoir to release a dose of drugs by passive diffusion into surrounding tissue. A wavelength-division multiplexing strategy allows release to be programmed from any one or any arbitrary combination of a collection of reservoirs built into an integrated device. Studies of various bioresorbable electrode materials define the key considerations and guide optimized choices in designs. In vivo demonstrations of programmed release of lidocaine adjacent the sciatic nerves in rat models illustrate the functionality in the context of pain management, an essential aspect of patient care that could benefit from the results presented here.

An artificial intelligence grading system of apical periodontitis in cone-beam computed tomography data.

OBJECTIVES: In order to assist junior doctors in better diagnosing apical periodontitis (AP), an artificial intelligence AP grading system was developed based on deep learning (DL) and its reliability and accuracy were evaluated. METHODS: 120 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were selected to construct a classification dataset with four categories, which were divided by CBCT periapical index (CBCTPAI), including normal periapical tissue, CBCTPAI 1-2, CBCTPAI 3-5 and young permanent teeth. Three classic algorithms (ResNet50/101/152) as well as one self-invented algorithm (PAINet) were compared with each other. PAINet were also compared with two recent Transformer-based models and three attention models. Their performance was evaluated by accuracy, precision, recall, balanced F score (F1-score) and the area under the macro-average receiver operating curve (AUC). Reliability was evaluated by Cohen's kappa ​​to compare the consistency of model predicted labels with expert opinions. RESULTS: PAINet performed best among the four algorithms. The accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score and AUC on the test set were 0.9333, 0.9415, 0.9333, 0.9336 and 0.9972, respectively. Cohen's kappa was 0.911, which represented almost perfect consistency. CONCLUSIONS: PAINet can accurately distinguish between normal periapical tissues, CBCTPAI 1-2, CBCTPAI 3-5 and young permanent teeth. Its results were highly consistent with expert opinions. It can help junior doctors diagnose and score AP, reducing the burden. It can also be promoted in areas where experts are lacking to provide professional diagnostic opinions.

Saliva biopsy: Detecting the difference of EBV DNA methylation in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Saliva sampling is a non-invasive method, and could be performed by donors themselves. However, there are few studies reporting biomarkers in saliva in the diagnosis of NPC. A total of 987 salivary samples were used in this study. First, EBV DNA methylation was profiled by capture sequencing in the discovery cohort (n = 36). Second, a q-PCR based method was developed and five representative EBV DNA CpG sites (11 029 bp, 45 849 bp, 57 945 bp, 66 226 bp and 128 102 bp) were selected and quantified to obtain the methylated density in the validation cohort1 (n = 801). Third, a validation cohort2 (n = 108) was used to further verify the differences of EBV methylation in saliva. A significant increase of EBV methylation was found in NPC patients compared with controls. The methylated score of EBV genome obtained by capture sequencing could distinguish NPC from controls (sensitivity 90%, specificity 100%). Further, the methylated density of EBV DNA CpG sites revealed by q-PCR showed a good diagnostic performance. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting a single CpG site (11 029 bp) could reach 75.4% and 99.7% in the validation cohort1, and 78.2% and 100% in the validation cohort2. Besides, the methylated density of the CpG site was found to decrease below the COV in NPC patients after therapy, and increase above the COV after recurrence. Our study provides an appealing alternative for the non-invasive detection of NPC without clinical setting. It paves the way for conducting a home-based large-scale screening in the future.

Heterospecific eavesdropping on disturbance cues of a treefrog.

Alarm signals and cues are crucial to animal survival and vary greatly across species. Eavesdropping on heterospecific alarm signals and cues can provide eavesdroppers with information about potential threats. In addition to acoustic alarm signals, evidence has accumulated that chemical alarm cues and disturbance cues can also play a role in alerting conspecifics to potential danger in adult anurans (frogs and toads). However, there is very little known about whether disturbance cues are exploited by heterospecifics. In the present study, we conducted a binary choice experiment and a prey chemical discrimination experiment, respectively, to test the responses of a sympatric anuran species (red webbed treefrogs, Rhacophorus rhodopus) and a sympatric predator species (Chinese green tree vipers, Trimeresurus stejnegeri) to disturbance odors emitted by serrate-legged small treefrogs (Kurixalus odontotarsus). In the binary choice experiment, we found that the presence of disturbance odors did not significantly trigger the avoidance behavior of R. rhodopus. In the prey chemical discrimination experiment, compared with odors from undisturbed K. odontotarsus (control odors) and odorless control, T. stejnegeri showed a significantly higher tongue-flick rate in response to disturbance odors. This result implies that disturbance odor cues of K. odontotarsus can be exploited by eavesdropping predators to detect prey. Our study provides partial evidence for heterospecific eavesdropping on disturbance cues and has an important implication for understanding heterospecific eavesdropping on chemical cues of adult anurans.

Microalgae Commercialization Using Renewable Lignocellulose Is Economically and Environmentally Viable.

Conventional phototrophic cultivation for microalgae production suffers from low and unstable biomass productivity due to limited and unreliable light transmission outdoors. Alternatively, the use of a renewable lignocellulose-derived carbon source, cellulosic hydrolysate, offers a cost-effective and sustainable pathway to cultivate microalgae heterotrophically with high algal growth rate and terminal density. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of cellulosic hydrolysate-mediated heterotrophic cultivation (Cel-HC) for microalgae production by performing economic and environmental comparisons with phototrophic cultivation through techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment. We estimate a minimum selling price (MSP) of 4722 USD/t for producing high-purity microalgae through Cel-HC considering annual biomass productivity of 300 t (dry weight), which is competitive with the conventional phototrophic raceway pond system. Revenues from the lignocellulose-derived co-products, xylose and fulvic acid fertilizer, could further reduce the MSP to 2976 USD/t, highlighting the advantages of simultaneously producing high-value products and biofuels in an integrated biorefinery scheme. Further, Cel-HC exhibits lower environmental impacts, such as cumulative energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, than phototrophic systems, revealing its potential to reduce the carbon intensity of algae-derived commodities. Our results demonstrate the economic and environmental competitiveness of heterotrophic microalgae production based on renewable bio-feedstock of lignocellulose.

Dimensional changes of complete dentures fabricated by milled and printed techniques: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Information on the dimensional changes in maxillary and mandibular dentures made by using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) techniques under uniform testing conditions is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the dimensional changes and reproducibility of maxillary and mandibular dentures by using CAD-CAM-milled and 3D-printed techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Maxillary and mandibular edentulous models with wax occlusal rims were scanned, and dentures were designed by using a CAD software program and fabricated by using 2 techniques and materials: CAD-CAM-milled (CCM) and 3D-printed (3DP). The 3DP fabrications included 4 subgroups: dentures printed with a 90-degree build angle with UV light polymerization on the reference model (3DP 90M), dentures printed with a 90-degree build angle and light polymerization without the reference model (3DP 90), dentures printed with a 45-degree build angle with light polymerization on the reference model (3DP 45M), and dentures printed with a 45-degree build angle and light polymerization without the reference model (3DP 45). The preprocessing and postprocessing scan files of each denture produced by CCM and 3DP were superimposed by using a surface matching software program. Ten points each on maxillary and mandibular dentures were measured for deviations after processing. Additionally, for each denture, the widths were measured between the canines and molars, the anteroposterior plane from cusp tips between the canines and molars, and the vertical plane from the cusp tip of the canines to the marginal gingiva. They were then compared with those in the denture design CAD cast. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test was used for statistical analyses (α=.05). RESULTS: According to digital superimposition, CCM had the smallest values of deviation with no statistical difference (P>.05), indicating more uniform results from measurement points in both maxillary and mandibular dentures, followed by 3DP 90M, 3DP 90, 3DP 45M, and 3DP 45. Regarding the width measurements, CCM had the smallest values of deviation (P<.05). In 3DP, smaller deviation values were observed at the vertical plane from the tip of the canine to the marginal gingiva, and larger values were observed in the intermolar width (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: CCM exhibited smaller dimensional changes and better reproducibility among the tested techniques. In 3DP, the build angle and methods of light postprocessing influenced the dimensional stability. The 90-degree build angle with additional light polymerization on the cast improved the dimensional deviations.

Prophylactic Penehyclidine Inhalation for Prevention of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in High-risk Patients: A Double-blind Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications are common. Aging and respiratory disease provoke airway hyperresponsiveness, high-risk surgery induces diaphragmatic dysfunction, and general anesthesia contributes to atelectasis and peripheral airway injury. This study therefore tested the hypothesis that inhalation of penehyclidine, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, reduces the incidence of pulmonary complications in high-risk patients over the initial 30 postoperative days. METHODS: This single-center double-blind trial enrolled 864 patients age over 50 yr who were scheduled for major upper-abdominal or noncardiac thoracic surgery lasting 2 h or more and who had an Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score of 45 or higher. The patients were randomly assigned to placebo or prophylactic penehyclidine inhalation from the night before surgery through postoperative day 2 at 12-h intervals. The primary outcome was the incidence of a composite of pulmonary complications within 30 postoperative days, including respiratory infection, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, bronchospasm, and aspiration pneumonitis. RESULTS: A total of 826 patients (mean age, 64 yr; 63% male) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. A composite of pulmonary complications was less common in patients assigned to penehyclidine (18.9% [79 of 417]) than those receiving the placebo (26.4% [108 of 409]; relative risk, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.93; P = 0.010; number needed to treat, 13). Bronchospasm was less common in penehyclidine than placebo patients: 1.4% (6 of 417) versus 4.4% (18 of 409; relative risk, 0.327; 95% CI, 0.131 to 0.82; P = 0.011). None of the other individual pulmonary complications differed significantly. Peak airway pressures greater than 40 cm H2O were also less common in patients given penehyclidine: 1.9% (8 of 432) versus 4.9% (21 of 432; relative risk, 0.381; 95% CI, 0.171 to 0.85; P = 0.014). The incidence of other adverse events, including dry mouth and delirium, that were potentially related to penehyclidine inhalation did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk patients having major upper-abdominal or noncardiac thoracic surgery, prophylactic penehyclidine inhalation reduced the incidence of pulmonary complications without provoking complications.

In situ preparation of hydroxyapatite in lamellar liquid crystals for joint lubrication and drug delivery.

Arthritis is a disease that seriously affects the quality of human life, which is partly caused by the reduction of joint lubrication performance. Thus, for the treatment of arthritis, how to improve the lubrication performance of joints is important. The lamellar liquid crystals (LLCs) systems have the potential to be used as joint lubrication due to their double-layer structure and good biocompatibility, however, the LLCs system alone could not provide a satisfactory lubrication effect. Herein, this work synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAP) in situ inside Tween 85/Tween 80/H2O LLCs to construct a biocompatible HAP/Tween 85/Tween 80/H2O LLCs (HAP/LLCs) lubrication system with both sustained drug release properties and anti-wear properties. HAP is the main component of bone with good stability and bioactivity. The LLCs have good lubricating and drug-carrying properties. The impact of HAP on the structure and lubrication properties of LLCs, the mechanism of friction, and the anti-wear reduction of HAP/LLCs were investigated. Moreover, the drug release behavior of the ibuprofen-loaded HAP/LLCs during the friction process was also studied. The results indicated that the addition of HAP could improve the lubricity performance of LLCs. The cumulative drug releasing increased with the friction frequency and was less affected by the load. The related studies provided the theoretical basis for HAP/LLCs for joint lubrication and synergistic therapy.

Effect of butyrate, a bacterial by-product, on the viability and ICAM-1 expression/production of human vascular endothelial cells: Role in infectious pulpal/periapical diseases.

AIM: To investigate the effects of butyric acid (BA), a metabolic product generated by pulp and root canal pathogens, on the viability and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) production of endothelial cells, which are crucial to angiogenesis and pulpal/periapical wound healing. METHODOLOGY: Endothelial cells were exposed to butyrate with/without inhibitors. Cell viability, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated using an MTT assay, PI/annexin V and DCF fluorescence flow cytometry respectively. RNA and protein expression was determined using a polymerase chain reaction assay and Western blotting or immunofluorescent staining. Soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The quantitative results were expressed as mean ± standard error (SE) of the mean. The data were analysed using a paired Student's t-test where necessary. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference between groups. RESULTS: Butyrate (>4 mM) inhibited cell viability and induced cellular apoptosis and necrosis. It inhibited cyclin B1 but stimulated p21 and p27 expression. Butyrate stimulated ROS production and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression as well as activated the Ac-H3, p-ATM, p-ATR, p-Chk1, p-Chk2, p-p38 and p-Akt expression of endothelial cells. Butyrate stimulated ICAM-1 mRNA/protein expression and significant sICAM-1 production (p < .05). Superoxide dismutase, 5z-7oxozeaenol, SB203580 and compound C (p <  .05), but not ZnPP, CGK733, AZD7762 or LY294002, attenuated butyrate cytotoxicity to endothelial cells. Notably, little effect on butyrate-stimulated sICAM-1 secretion was found. Valproic acid, phenylbutyrate and trichostatin (three histone deacetylase inhibitors) significantly induced sICAM-1 production (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Butyric acid inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, stimulated ROS and HO-1 production and increased ICAM-1 mRNA expression and protein synthesis in endothelial cells. Cell viability affected by BA was diminished by some inhibitors; however, the increased sICAM-1 secretion by BA was not affected by any of the tested inhibitors. These results facilitate understanding of the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of pulpal/periapical diseases.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Potential of CAPE and Caffeamide Derivatives against Oral Microbes.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural component isolated from propolis and used in traditional medicine. We aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties and action mechanism of CAPE and caffeamide derivatives (26G and 36M) against oral disease microbes. We resolved the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 26G and 36M and their stability at different temperatures and pH. We also evaluated their effect on biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance gene expression in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Our results revealed that 26G and 36M showed the best anticancer and antimicrobial activities, respectively, compared with the other four caffeamide derivatives. Both 26G and 36M showed heat-dependent decreases in antimicrobial activity. The 36M derivative was stable irrespective of pH, whereas 26G was not stable under high pH conditions. Biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance-related gene expression were consistent with their respective phenotypes. This study provides evidence for the potential application of CAPE and caffeamide derivatives in dental medicine to cure or prevent oral diseases.

Genome-Wide Identification of MYB Transcription Factors and Screening of Members Involved in Stress Response in Actinidia.

MYB transcription factors (TFs) play an active role in plant responses to abiotic stresses, but they have not been systematically studied in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis). In this study, 181 AcMYB TFs were identified from the kiwifruit genome, unevenly distributed on 29 chromosomes. The high proportion (97.53%) of segmental duplication events (Ka/Ks values less than 1) indicated that AcMYB TFs underwent strong purification selection during evolution. According to the conservative structure, 91 AcR2R3-MYB TFs could be divided into 34 subgroups. A combination of transcriptomic data under drought and high temperature from four AcMYB TFs (AcMYB2, AcMYB60, AcMYB61 and AcMYB102) was screened out in response to stress and involvement in the phenylpropanoid pathway. They were highly correlated with the expression of genes related to lignin biosynthesis. qRT-PCR analysis showed that they were highly correlated with the expression of genes related to lignin biosynthesis in different tissues or under stress, which was consistent with the results of lignin fluorescence detection. The above results laid a foundation for further clarifying the role of MYB in stress.

Formulation and Physicochemical and Biological Characterization of Etoposide-Loaded Submicron Emulsions with Biosurfactant of Sophorolipids.

Etoposide (ETO), a traditional anticancer chemotherapeutic agent, is commercialized in oral soft gelatin capsules and non-aqueous parenteral solutions form. Novel formulation application and new excipients exploration are needed to improve the water-solubility and comfort of the drug administration. In the present study, novel etoposide-loaded submicron emulsions (ESE) with the biosurfactants of acidic sophorolipid (ASL) and lactonic sophorolipid (LSL) instead of the chemical surfactant of Tween-80 were prepared and characterized. Firstly, parameters of medium-chain triglyceride: long-chain triglyceride (MCT:LCT), lecithin concentration, homogenization pressure and cycle, and type and concentration of surfactants were investigated to optimize the formation of ESEs. Then the physicochemical properties, antitumor activity, stability, and security of ESEs were compared. The results showed that ASL performed the best properties and activities than Tween-80 and LSL in ESE formation. ASL-ESE showed higher drug loading capacity, slower release rate, and significantly increased antitumor activity against ovarian cancer cell line A2780 via apoptosis than Tween-ESE and commercial ETO injection. Besides, both ASL-ESE and Tween-ESE caused no hemolysis, and the safe dose of ASL was 2.14-fold that of Tween-80 in the hemolysis test, making ASL more reliable for drug delivery applications. Furthermore, ASL-ESE exhibited equivalent long-term and autoclaving stability to Tween-ESE. These results thus suggested the excellent competences of ASL in ESE formation, efficacy enhancement, and safety improvement.

Resolution of Excessive Interocclusal Restoration Space Post-Mandibulectomy Using a Two-Layer Retrievable Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis: A Case Report.

Patients treated with segmental mandibulectomy often require complicated rehabilitation. Maintenance of mandibular continuity and provision of adequate soft and hard tissue volumes are two key factors required for good clinical outcomes. Moreover, excessive interocclusal restoration space is a common problem in these patients. This case report describes the process of prosthetic rehabilitation from extensive surgical excision to final rehabilitation by using a creative two-layer fixed implant prosthesis in a 70-year-old patient with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

[Monitoring of 131-Iodine Contamination in Saliva and Perspiration of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treated by 131-Iodine].

Objective To investigate the radioactivity of 131-iodine (131I) in saliva and perspiration of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after treatment with 131I,and thereby to provide evidence for the control of radioactive contamination.Methods Fifteen patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who would be treated with 131I were enrolled.Samples of saliva and perspiration of them were collected 2-48 h after the oral administration of 3.70-5.55 GBq (100-150 mCi) 131I,and radioactivity was measured with a multichannel detector.Results In the 15 patients treated with 131I,the average specific activity in the saliva collected 2 h,4 h,8 h,24 h,and 48 h after administration was (553.58±478.94)×104 Bq/g,(484.72±431.76)×104 Bq/g,(389.78±254.63)×104 Bq/g,(141.15±104.83)×104 Bq/g,and (53.23±49.8)×104 Bq/g,respectively.The radioactivity in the perspiration from hand was higher than that from the forehead,left-side neck,chest,and left axilla,and 131I in perspiration gradually decreased over time.Conclusion There is radioactive 131I in saliva and perspiration of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer after the administration of 131I,which may cause potential radioactive contamination to the environment.

Conspecific odor cues induce different vocal responses in serrate-legged small treefrogs, but only in the absence of acoustic signals.

BACKGROUND: Signal detection is crucial to survival and successful reproduction, and animals often modify behavioral decisions based on information they obtained from the social context. Undeniably, the decision-making in male-male competition and female choice of anurans (frogs and toads) depends heavily on acoustic signals. However, increasing empirical evidence suggests that additional or alternative types of cue (e.g., visual, chemical, and vibratory) can be used to detect, discriminate and locate conspecifics in many anuran species. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated whether conspecific odor cues affect male's calling behavior. In this study, we conducted an experiment to investigate whether and how different chemical cues (male odors, female odors, and stress odors) from conspecifics affect male's calling strategies in serrate-legged small treefrogs (Kurixalus odontotarsus), and whether the combined chemical and acoustic stimuli have additive effects on calling behavior or not. RESULTS: We found that compared with female odors, male K. odontotarsus reduced calling investment in response to male odors or stress odors, in the absence of rival's advertisement calls. When odor stimuli and advertisement calls were presented simultaneously, however, there were no differences in the vocal response of focal males among odor groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that male treefrogs switch calling investment according to different odor cues from conspecifics, and further demonstrate that calling behavior can be affected by chemical cues in anuran species. Our study highlights the potential role of airborne chemical cues in sex identification and contributes to increase our understanding of anuran communication.

Copper Recycling Flow Model for the United States Economy: Impact of Scrap Quality on Potential Energy Benefit.

Is recycling a means for meeting the increasing copper demand in the face of declining ore grades? To date, research to address this question has generally focused on the quantity, not the quality of copper scrap. Here, the waste input-output impact assessment (WIO-IA) model integrates information on United States (US) economy-wide material flow, various recycling indicators, and the impact of material production from diverse sources to represent the quantity and quality of copper flows throughout the lifecycle. This approach enables assessment of recycling performance against environmental impact indicators. If all potentially recyclable copper scrap was recycled, energy consumption associated with copper production would decrease by 15% with alloy scrap as the largest contributor. Further energy benefits from increased recycling are limited by the lower quality of the scrap yet to be recycled. Improving the yield ratio of final products and the grade of diverse consumer product scrap could help increase copper circularity and decrease energy consumption. Policy makers should address the importance of a portfolio of material efficiency strategies like improved utilization of copper products and lifetime extension in addition to encouraging the demand for recycled copper.

Effects of low-dose rhBMP-2 on peri-implant ridge augmentation in a canine model.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of low-dose rhBMP-2 combined with Hydroxyapatite (HAp)/ß-tricalcium phosphate (TCP)/ Collagen (Col) composite in repairing the peri-implant critical size defect and to determine the optimal rhBMP-2 concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty saddle-type alveolar defects (10 mm mesiodistally and 4 mm apicocoronally) were surgically prepared on edentulous ridges in ten beagle dogs. Following implant placement, the defects with vertically exposed implant fixtures either received (a) no graft, (b) HAp/TCP/Col composite, (c) HAp/TCP/Col +0.02 mg/ml rhBMP-2, (d) HAp/TCP/Col +0.08 mg/ml rhBMP-2 or (e) HAp/TCP/Col +0.2 mg/ml rhBMP-2. After healing for 4 or 8 weeks, bone regeneration and mineralization were assessed through radiography, micro-CT, fluorescence labelling and histologic analyses. Implant stability was measured through resonance frequency analysis. RESULTS: It was evident HAp/TCP/Col with 0.2 mg/ml rhBMP-2 manifested strong osteogenic potential in this large animal model, as significantly more and faster new bone formation with better implant stability was identified compared to the HAp/TCP/Col-alone control group (adjusted p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the constructs of HAp/TCP/Col +0.2 mg/ml rhBMP-2 without barrier membranes as a promising tool for peri-implant ridge augmentation.

In vitro antimicrobial and antipro-inflammation potential of honokiol and magnolol against oral pathogens and macrophages.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Honokiol and magnolol are natural components isolated from Magnolia bark that is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine. These two isomers are used as a component of dietary supplements and cosmetic products. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial effect of honokiol and magnolol on pathogens causing oral diseases, their mechanism of action in biofilm formation and drug resistance of oral pathogens, and inflammatory regulation in mammalian cells. METHODS: We determined the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of honokiol and magnolol, and their stability at different temperatures and pH. We also evaluated their effect on biofilm formation, antibiotic-resistance gene expression in MRSA, and pro-inflammatory gene expression in mammalian cells. RESULTS: Honokiol showed better antimicrobial activity than magnolol. Both honokiol and magnolol showed stable bacterial inhibitory activity over a wide range of temperature and pH, reduced biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance in oral pathogens. The biofilm formation- and antibiotic resistance-related gene expression was consistent with the respective phenotypes. Furthermore, these two isomers repressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence of the potential application of honokiol and magnolol in dental medicine to cure or prevent oral diseases.

Male serrate-legged treefrogs adjust competition strategies according to visual or chemical cues from females.

There is increasing evidence that many anurans use multimodal cues to detect, discriminate and/or locate conspecifics and thus modify their behaviors. To date, however, most studies have focused on the roles of multimodal cues in female choice or male-male interactions. In the present study, we conducted an experiment to investigate whether male serrate-legged small treefrogs (Kurixalus odontotarsus) used visual or chemical cues to detect females and thus altered their competition strategies in different calling contexts. Three acoustic stimuli (advertisement calls, aggressive calls and compound calls) were broadcast in a randomized order after a spontaneous period to focal males in one of four treatment groups: combined visual and chemical cues of a female, only chemical cues, only visual cues and a control (with no females). We recorded the vocal responses of the focal males during each 3 min period. Our results demonstrate that males reduce the total number of calls in response to the presence of females, regardless of how they perceived the females. In response to advertisement calls and compound calls, males that perceived females through chemical cues produced relatively fewer advertisement calls but more aggressive calls. In addition, they produced relatively more aggressive calls during the playback of aggressive calls. Taken together, our study suggests that male Kodontotarsus adjust their competition strategies according to the visual or chemical cues of potential mates and highlights the important role of multisensory cues in male frogs' perception of females.

Ureteral anastomosis with a polyimide stent in rat kidney transplantation.

Background: Complications associated with ureteral anastomosis in kidney transplantation are highly prevalent, despite the development of various types of stents. The current stent materials and placement methods have several limitations. This study attempts to provide an alternative by investigating ureteral anastomosis with a polyimide stent and a modified placement method in a rat model of kidney transplantation.Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Group I: sham operation, Group II: autologous ureteral anastomosis, and Group III: isogenic kidney transplantation with ureteral anastomosis. For the anastomosis, a polyimide stent with a previously placed 11-0 silk was inserted into the ureter. The stent and ureter were fixed with 11-0 silk sutures. The kidney weight and serum creatinine were recorded. The ureteral and renal sections were taken for histological analysis.Results: None of the stents had migrated. Urethral patency was achieved. Further, there were no evident histological changes in the anastomosed ureters. The serum creatinine level in group III was significantly higher than the other two groups, but there was no significant difference in kidney weight among the groups at postoperative week 12. Finally, the histological structure of kidneys in groups II and III only showed minor changes.Conclusions: The current anastomosis method with polyimide stent causes minimal damage to the ureteral walls and minimizes the possibility of stent migration. Therefore, this method of ureteral anastomosis with the polyimide stent should be explored for its potential benefits in more animal kidney transplantation models, thus providing an alternative for the clinical setting.