Periodontitis-induced oral microbiome alterations provide clues on how periodontitis exacerbates colitis.

AIM: To evaluate whether and how microbiota-derived metabolites associated with periodontitis aggravate colitis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mouse model of periodontitis and colitis was constructed. Unbiased transcriptomic analyses of the colon were performed to explore important pathways through which periodontitis exacerbated colitis. Oral and gut bacteria were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to observe the alterations of oral and gut metabolites. Isolated intestinal lamina propria lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. Inflammasome pathway was detected using qRT-PCR, Western blotting or ELISA. RESULTS: Periodontitis activated the colonic inflammasome pathway and altered the gut microbial composition and metabolite profiles in mice with colitis. Notably, periodontitis induced increase of the faecal metabolite isoleucine (Ile) which was synthesized by microbiota and plants. Moreover, periodontitis upregulated the Ile levels in saliva, but not in serum, indicating that Ile might be an oral pathobiont-synthesizing metabolite that transited from the oral cavity to the gut. Ile triggered the inflammasome pathway, upregulated the number of inflammatory IL-1ßhigh MHCIIhigh Ly6Chigh monocytes in colonic lamina propria, and exacerbated colitis. Further studies found that the Ile metabolite acetyl-coenzyme A positively regulated NLRP3 inflammasome by KAT5-mediated acetylation of NLRP3. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that alteration in periodontitis-induced microbial metabolites deteriorated colitis in a mouse model and that this was associated with Ile production.

Room Temperature Sensing Achieved by GaAs Nanowires and oCVD Polymer Coating.

Novel structures comprised of GaAs nanowire arrays conformally coated with conducting polymers (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-co-3-thiophene acetic acid) display both sensitivity and selectivity to a variety of volatile organic chemicals. A key feature is room temperature operation, so that neither a heater nor the power it would consume, is required. It is a distinct difference from traditional metal oxide sensors, which typically require elevated operational temperature. The GaAs nanowires are prepared directly via self-seeded metal-organic chemical deposition, and conducting polymers are deposited on GaAs nanowires using oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD). The range of thickness for the oCVD layer is between 100 and 200 nm, which is controlled by changing the deposition time. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates an edge-on alignment of the crystalline structure of the PEDOT coating layer on GaAs nanowires. In addition, the positive correlation between the improvement of sensitivity and the increasing nanowire density is demonstrated. Furthermore, the effect of different oCVD coating materials is studied. The sensing mechanism is also discussed with studies considering both nanowire density and polymer types. Overall, the novel structure exhibits good sensitivity and selectivity in gas sensing, and provides a promising platform for future sensor design.

Water-Assisted Vapor Deposition of PEDOT Thin Film.

The synthesis and characterization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) using water-assisted vapor phase polymerization (VPP) and oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) are reported. For the VPP PEDOT, the oxidant, FeCl3 , is sublimated onto the substrate from a heated crucible in the reactor chamber and subsequently exposed to 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer and water vapor in the same reactor. The oCVD PEDOT was produced by introducing the oxidant, EDOT monomer, and water vapor simultaneously to the reactor. The enhancement of doping and crystallinity is observed in the water-assisted oCVD thin films. The high doping level observed at UV-vis-NIR spectra for the oCVD PEDOT, suggests that water acts as a solubilizing agent for oxidant and its byproducts. Although the VPP produced PEDOT thin films are fully amorphous, their conductivities are comparable with that of the oCVD produced ones.

Incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals to improve the physicochemical and bioactive properties of pectin-konjac glucomannan composite films containing clove essential oil.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) isolated from cotton in augmenting pectin (PEC)/konjac glucomannan (KGM) composite films containing clove essential oil (CEO) for food packaging application. The effects of CNC dosage on film properties were examined by analyzing the rheology of film-forming solutions and the mechanical, barrier, antimicrobial, and CEO-release properties of the films. Rheological and FTIR analysis revealed the enhanced interactions among the film components after CNC incorporation due to its high aspect ratio and abundant hydroxyl groups, which can also prevent CEO droplet aggregation, contributing to form a compact microstructure as confirmed by SEM and 3D surface topography observations. Consequently, the addition of CNC reinforced the polysaccharide matrix, increasing the tensile strength of the films and improving their barrier properties to water vapor. More importantly, antibacterial, controlled release and kinetic simulation experiments proved that the addition of CNC could further slow down the release rate of CEO, prolonging the antimicrobial properties of the films. PEC/KGM/CEO composite films with 15 wt% CNC was found to have relatively best comprehensive properties, which was also most effective in delaying deterioration of grape quality during the storage of 9 days at 25 °C.

Serum metabolomics provides clues in understanding colitis exacerbating experimental periodontitis in female mice.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the pathogenic role of colitis in experimental periodontitis and explore the potential serum metabolites of colitis exacerbating experimental periodontitis in mice model. DESIGN: C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (five mice in each group), including control, periodontitis, colitis and colitis+periodontitis group. Mice treated with 1.5 % dextran sulfate sodium for 14 days to induce colitis. On the seventh to fourteenth days, the experimental periodontitis model was established by installing a bacterially retentive ligature between two molars. Histological alteration of periodontium and colon was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and micro-computed tomography was applied to evaluate alveolar bone loss. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize serum metabolic profiles. RESULTS: Mice in colitis+periodontitis group displayed increased periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss when compared with the mice of periodontitis group, suggesting colitis aggravated periodontitis. Metabolomics analysis combined with enrichment analysis showed that colitis significantly (P＜0.05) altered the content of compounds associated with five metabolic pathways (e.g. fatty acid biosynthesis) of periodontitis mice. Notably, colitis significantly reduced the level of serum metabolites that inhibited the formation of osteoclasts (e.g. oleic acid) or anti-inflammatory metabolites (e.g. palmitoleic acid, palmitelaidic acid and chlorogenic acid) of periodontitis mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that colitis might aggravate periodontitis and this might be associated with alteration of serum metabolic profiles.

New clinical application of digital intraoral scanning technology in occlusal reconstruction: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Digital intraoral scanning, although developing rapidly, is rarely used in occlusal reconstruction. To compensate for the technical drawbacks of current occlusal reconstruction techniques, such as time consumption and high technical requirements, digital intraoral scanning can be used in clinics. This report aims to provide a way of selecting the most suitable maxillo-mandibular relationship (MMR) during recovery. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old man with severely worn posterior teeth underwent occlusal reconstruction with fixed prosthesis using digital intraoral scanning. A series of digital models in different stages of treatment were obtained, subsequently compared, and selected using digital intraoral scanning together with traditional measurements, such as cone beam computed tomography, joint imaging, and clinical examination. Using digital intraoral scanning, the MMR in different stages of treatment was accurately recorded, which provided feasibility for deciding the best occlusal reconstruction treatment, made the treatment process easier, and improved patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the clarity, recordability, repeatability, and selectivity of digital intraoral scanning to replicate and transfer the MMR during occlusal reconstruction, expanding new perspectives for its design, fabrication, and postoperative evaluation.

3D-printed antioxidant antibacterial carboxymethyl cellulose/ε-polylysine hydrogel promoted skin wound repair.

Developing a wound dressing for the treatment of large and irregular-shaped wounds remains a great challenge. Herein we developed novel printable bionic hydrogels with antibacterial and antioxidant properties which could effectively overcome the challenge by inhibiting inflammation and accelerating wound healing. The CMC/PL (CP) hydrogels were customized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) modified carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) via ultraviolet (UV) light polymerization using a 3D printer. Except for the high compression modulus (238 kPa), stable rheological properties, and effective degradability, these CP hydrogels also had an excellent inhibitory effect (95%) on both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Remarkably, CP hydrogels could remove the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect the fibroblasts from damage. Compared with the commercial dressing (Tegaderm ™ film), CP hydrogels showed a better ability to increase the expression of VEGF and CD31, accelerate granulation tissue regeneration, and promote wound healing. This work provides a new strategy to fabricate on-demand multi-functional hydrogels in the field of skin tissue engineering.

Intensified Oral Hygiene Care in Stroke-Associated Pneumonia: A Pilot Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

In this pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of intensified oral hygiene care (IOHC) on reducing stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) incidence. Patients admitted within 24 hours of stroke onset were recruited and randomized to receive IOHC or routine oral hygiene care. The occurrence of SAP was checked and oral swabs were obtained during the 7-day follow-up. The SAP incidence was lower, though not significantly, in the IOHC group than in the control group. IOHC successfully decreased SAP incidence among patients who were male, had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Debris Index scores, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale and Gugging Swallowing Screen scores. Furthermore, IOHC significantly decreased the prevalence of oral suspected SAP pathogens. These results suggest that IOHC can decrease the incidence of SAP in the most vulnerable patient groups and lower the prevalence of suspected oral SAP pathogens.

Bioinspired poly (γ-glutamic acid) hydrogels for enhanced chondrogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

While peptide-directed scaffolds now serve as well-established platforms for biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices (ECM), challenges still remain for chondrogenesis through direct mediation of stem cells. Here, biocompatible poly (γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) hydrogels with robust mechanical properties were developed based on methacrylate-γ-PGA (γ-PGA-GMA) and cysteamine functionalized γ-PGA (γ-PGA-SH) for cartilage regeneration. The γ-PGA hydrogels demonstrated good self-crosslinking property as well as tunability through conjugation between active thiol groups of γ-PGA-SH and methacrylate moieties of γ-PGA-GMA. The mechanical property, porous structure, swelling, and degradation process of the hydrogels could be controlled by adjusting modified γ-PGA polymers component. The rheological behavior and compression test of γ-PGA hydrogels illustrated a wide processing range in addition to superb mechanical properties. These γ-PGA hydrogels showed excellent elasticity as well as toughness, withstanding more than 70% of mechanical strain. Meanwhile, the stress modulus of γ-PGA hydrogels could be up to 749 kPa. We also studied γ-PGA hydrogels as scaffolds for the 3D culture and chondrogenesis differentiation of rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. In a rabbit auricular cartilage defect model, BMSCs-laden hydrogel effectively promoted chondrogenesis. Based on these findings, biomimetic γ-PGA-based hydrogels hold promising application as favorable scaffold biomaterials for cartilage tissue regeneration.

pH-responsive nanomicelles of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(L-histidine) for targeted drug delivery.

Here, a novel pH-responsive block copolymer, poly (ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(L-histidine) (PEG-PCL-PHis), was synthesized and designed for anti-cancer drug delivery with excellent biocompatible, biodegradable, and strong drug loading efficiency. 1H-NMR, IF-IR, and GPC were used to characterize the structure of the PEG-PCL-PHis copolymer. In addition, the morphology, particle size, Zeta potential, and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of different degree of polymerization were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering granulometer (DLS), and fluorescence spectrometer, respectively. The strong affinity between the core of micelles and hydrophobic drug was manifested with 15.09% drug loading content and 84.65% entrapment efficiency. In vitro release of DOX from the block copolymer micelle demonstrated, the PEG-PCL-PHis copolymer micelle has stable and durable drug releasing ability accompanied with pH-sensitivity. From the mechanism of cellular uptake the micelles, the pathway of drug release was captured by confocal laser scanning microscope. These experiments demonstrated the safe delivery for anticancer medicine through this novel copolymer. In conclusion, the PEG-PCL-PHis copolymer micelle has great potential to become a safe drug carrier for cancer chemotherapy.

Characterization of atypical acute promyelocytic leukaemia: Three cases report and literature review.

RATIONALE: The vast majority of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized with a specific chromosomal translocation t (15, 17) (q22, q21), which fuses PML-RARα leading to a good response to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). However, there are few cases of atypical APL, including PLZF-RARα, F1P1L1-RARα, STAT5b-RARα, et al. Neither PLZF-RARα nor STAT5b-RARα are sensitive to ATRA and ATO, and the prognosis is poor. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here we have 3 cases (PLZF-RARα, n = 2; STAT5b-RARα, n = 1). Case A, A 53-year-old Chinese female had suffered ecchymosis in both legs for 3 days. Case B, A 44 years old male suffered pain from lower limbs and hip. Case C, 52-year-old male patient presented with fever for 3 weeks invalid to antibiotics and gingival bleeding for 1 week. DIAGNOSES: With RT-PCR and karyotype, Case A is diagnosed with STAT5b-RARα-positive APL.Case B, C are diagnosed with PLZF-RARα-positive APL. INTERVENTIONS: In case A, ATO, and ATRA were used for induction treatment. In Case B, ATO, and chemotherapy with DA were given in the first induction treatment. In Case C, ATRA, and ATO were used immediately, subsequently, chemotherapy was added with DA, ATRA, and CAG combination treatment, and medium-dose cytarabine with daunorubicin were given regularly. OUTCOMES: In Case A, the patient refused the following treatment and discharged on day 25. In Case B, the patient got the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).In Case C, the patient has survived for 7 months and remains CR. LESSONS: Both STAT5b-RARα-positive APL and PLZF-RARα-positive APL appear to be resistant to both ATRA and ATO, so combined chemotherapy and allo-HSCT should be considered. Since the prognosis and long-term outcome are poor, more clinical trials, and researches should be taken.

Marine Bacteria Provide Lasting Anticorrosion Activity for Steel via Biofilm-Induced Mineralization.

Steel corrosion is a global problem in marine engineering. Numerous inhibitory treatments have been applied to mitigate the degradation of metallic materials; however, they typically have a high cost and are not environmental friendly. Here, we present a novel and "green" approach for the protection of steel by a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica. This approach protects steel from corrosion in seawater via the formation of a biofilm followed by the formation of an organic-inorganic hybrid film. The hybrid film is composed of multiple layers of calcite and bacterial extracellular polymeric substances, exhibiting high and stable barrier protection efficiency and further providing an in situ self-healing activity. The process involving the key transition from biofilm to biomineralized film is essential for its lasting anticorrosion activity, which overcomes the instability of biofilm protection on corrosion. Therefore, this study introduces a new perspective and an option for anticorrosion control in marine environments.

High resolution skin-like sensor capable of sensing and visualizing various sensations and three dimensional shape.

Human skin contains multiple receptors, and is able to sense various stimuli such as temperature, pressure, force, corrosion etc, and to feel pains and the shape of objects. The development of skin-like sensors capable of sensing these stimuli is of great importance for various applications such as robots, touch detection, temperature monitoring, strain gauges etc. Great efforts have been made to develop high performance skin-like sensors, but they are far from perfect and much inferior to human skin as most of them can only sense one stimulus with focus on pressure (strain) or temperature, and are unable to visualize sensations and shape of objects. Here we report a skin-like sensor which imitates real skin with multiple receptors, and a new concept of pain sensation. The sensor with very high resolution not only has multiple sensations for touch, pressure, temperature, but also is able to sense various pains and reproduce the three dimensional shape of an object in contact.

Clinical investigations on the spinal osteoblastic metastasis treated by combination of percutaneous vertebroplasty and (125)I seeds implantation versus radiotherapy.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of combining digital subtraction angiography-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and (125)I seeds implantation for the treatment of spinal osteoplastic metastasis. A combination of PVP and (125)I implantation was conducted for 50 patients with spinal osteoplastic metastasis, while the other 50 patients who received regular radiation therapy were used as a comparison. Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and score of life quality (EORTCQLQ-30) were determined for all the patients. Surgery was successful in 89 spinal segments of vertebral body in 50 patients. Each segment of vertebral body was injected with 1-5 mL (2.8 mL for thoracic and 3.1 mL for lumbar vertebral body on average) of bone cement. Postoperative X-ray and CT examination showed that all the patients in the PVP group achieved spinal stability. During the follow-up examination from 6 months to 5 years, 49 patients (98.0%) had significantly relieved back pain, and only 1 case (2.0%) had no obvious improvement. Postoperative VAS score and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) were significantly different from the preoperative scores (p<0.05); and compared to the regular treatment group, PVP combined (125)I seeds showed much better clinical efficacy (p<0.05). PVP is a minimally invasive treatment with easy operation and less complications. PVP can effectively relieve the pain, stabilize the spine, improve the life quality, and reduce the occurrence of paraplegia in patients with spinal osteoplastic metastasis. Utilization of (125)I seeds with PVP can enhance the clinical efficacy.

25th anniversary article: CVD polymers: a new paradigm for surface modification and device fabrication.

Well-adhered, conformal, thin (<100 nm) coatings can easily be obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for a variety of technological applications. Room temperature modification with functional polymers can be achieved on virtually any substrate: organic, inorganic, rigid, flexible, planar, three-dimensional, dense, or porous. In CVD polymerization, the monomer(s) are delivered to the surface through the vapor phase and then undergo simultaneous polymerization and thin film formation. By eliminating the need to dissolve macromolecules, CVD enables insoluble polymers to be coated and prevents solvent damage to the substrate. CVD film growth proceeds from the substrate up, allowing for interfacial engineering, real-time monitoring, and thickness control. Initiated-CVD shows successful results in terms of rationally designed micro- and nanoengineered materials to control molecular interactions at material surfaces. The success of oxidative-CVD is mainly demonstrated for the deposition of organic conducting and semiconducting polymers.