Clinical and laboratory characteristics of salivary gland ultrasonography-positive patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS)-positive patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) compared to SGUS-negative patients and to analyse the diagnostic value of SGUS and labial salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) grading in pSS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University between May 2019 and November 2023 was conducted. According to the OMERACT scoring system, patients with pSS were divided into an SGUS-negative group (score <2) and an SGUS-positive group (score ≥2). The patient's age, gender, clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters and diagnostic examinations were compared and analysed, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlation between SGUS, LSGB and influencing factors. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in dry mouth, dry eyes, tooth loss, fever, joint pain, fatigue, interstitial lung disease or renal tubular acidosis between the two groups, although there were more patients with salivary gland enlargement in the SGUS-positive group (p < 0.05). In terms of high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), high levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-nuclear antibody ≥1:320, anti-Sjögren's syndrome A-52KD and anti-Sjögren's syndrome B, the number of cases in the SGUS-positive group was greater than that in the SGUS-negative group (p < 0.05). LSGB samples were graded per the Chisholm-Mason system with significant differences between multiple groups. SGUS score negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with LSGB grade. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the SGUS score positively correlated with LSGB grade in pSS patients and negatively correlated with patient age. Thus, SGUS and LSGB are consistent in the diagnosis of pSS to reflect the degree of salivary gland involvement, and patients who are SGUS positive have high RF and IgG levels, a variety of autoantibodies positive and a tendency toward salivary gland enlargement.

Enhancing Mechanical and Antimicrobial Properties of Dialdehyde Cellulose-Silver Nanoparticle Composites through Ammoniated Nanocellulose Modification.

Given the widespread prevalence of viruses, there is an escalating demand for antimicrobial composites. Although the composite of dialdehyde cellulose and silver nanoparticles (DAC@Ag1) exhibits excellent antibacterial properties, its weak mechanical characteristics hinder its practical applicability. To address this limitation, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were initially ammoniated to yield N-CNF, which was subsequently incorporated into DAC@Ag1 as an enhancer, forming DAC@Ag1/N-CNF. We systematically investigated the optimal amount of N-CNF and characterized the DAC@Ag1/N-CNF using FT-IR, XPS, and XRD analyses to evaluate its additional properties. Notably, the optimal mass ratio of N-CNF to DAC@Ag1 was found to be 5:5, resulting in a substantial enhancement in mechanical properties, with a 139.8% increase in tensile elongation and a 33.1% increase in strength, reaching 10% and 125.24 MPa, respectively, compared to DAC@Ag1 alone. Furthermore, the inhibition zones against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were significantly expanded to 7.9 mm and 15.9 mm, respectively, surpassing those of DAC@Ag1 alone by 154.8% and 467.9%, indicating remarkable improvements in antimicrobial efficacy. Mechanism analysis highlighted synergistic effects from chemical covalent bonding and hydrogen bonding in the DAC@Ag1/N-CNF, enhancing the mechanical and antimicrobial properties significantly. The addition of N-CNF markedly augmented the properties of the composite film, thereby facilitating its broader application in the antimicrobial field.

Assessing the inconsistency of microplastic measurements in foods and beverages.

The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the food chain has gained substantial recognition as a pressing concern, highlighting the inevitability of human exposure through ingestion of foodborne MPs, coupled with the release of MPs from plastic packaging. However, there are notable disparities in the reported numbers of MPs in foods and beverages, warranting a thorough investigation into the factors contributing to these discrepancies. Table salt is one of the major sources of MPs, and there was an approximately hundred-fold difference between the reviewed studies that reported the highest and lowest number of MPs. In addition, more noticeable discrepancies were discovered between studies on MPs released from teabags. One study reported that approximately 15 billion MPs were released into a cup of tea from a single teabag, whereas another research paper found only approximately 106.3 ± 14.6 MP/teabag after brewing. This comprehensive review focuses on the inconsistencies observed across studies examining MPs, shedding light on the plausible factors underlying these variations. Furthermore, the review outlines areas in analytical procedures that require enhancement and offers recommendations to promote accuracy and standardization in future research efforts, such as employing analytical methods capable of confirming the presence of MPs, using appropriate filter sizes, considering representative sample sizes when extrapolation is involved, and so on. By pinpointing the detection processes leading to the inconsistent results observed in MP studies, this comparative analysis will contribute to the development of reliable analytic methods for understanding the extent of microplastic contamination in the human food chain.

Synthesis and Structure-Property Relationships of Novel High Molecular Weight Fully Biobased 2,5-Thiophenedicarboxylic Acid-Based Polyesters.

High molecular weight fully biobased poly(propylene succinate-co-2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PPSTF) random copolyesters based on the emerging biobased aromatic diacid, 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TFDCA), in full composition range were synthesized via melt polycondensation. Their crystallization behavior, thermal-mechanical, gas barrier, and biodegradable properties were systematically investigated. A certain level of comonomer cocrystallization was evidenced by XRD, and PTF units had stronger crystallization competitive capability compared to PS units due to the higher stiffness of TFDCA units. These copolyesters exhibited excellent thermal stability, and mechanical properties can be easily controlled by tuning the varied ratio of flexible to rigid segments. Gas barrier properties were studied from both theoretically calculated and experimental perspectives, and the copolyesters even with 50 mol % PS units still showed superior gas permeation resistance. The selected lipase from Aspergillus oryzae can degrade the copolyesters with up to 60 mol % PTF units. The nonbiodegradable-biodegradable transition was found to occur at the number-average sequence length of aromatic PTF units as low as about 3. Interestingly, when compared with their terephthalic acid-based (TA-based) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid-based (FDCA-based) analogues with the same content of aromatic units, the apparent degradation rate constant (k) and half period (t1/2) of PPSTF60 were actually between them. These findings offer much promise for the application of polyesters containing odd-carbon diol monomers in green packaging and other fields.

Serious Condylar Head Absorption in Children With Intracapsular Condylar Fractures Treated Operatively With Long Screws.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to explore bone remodelling in children with intracapsular condylar fractures after the condylar fracture fragments were fixed using long screws and to offer possible explanations about the underlying mechanism. PATIENT AND METHODS: Records of children (less than 12 y old) who sustained intracapsular condylar fractures and fixed with long screws from May 2012 to January 2015 were retrieved. Age, gender, dates of injury, admission, and discharge, mechanism of trauma, location and pattern of fracture, other mandibular fractures, treatment methods, and time of review were recorded and analyzed. Image dates of pretreatments and posttreatments, including the date of review, were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 8 patients completed their follow-up, and all patients (n=5) who were followed up after more than 3 months showed serious resorption of the condylar head. The condylar head resorbed until the height (or articular surface) dropped and aligned with the surface of the screw. The shortest time of absorption, as shown by the computed tomography scan was 106 days, and the longest time was 171 days (average time of 141.8 d). CONCLUSIONS: Intracapsular condyle fractures in children should be managed conservatively as much as possible. However, if the height of the fracture fragments drops remarkably, open reduction and rigid internal fixation become possible choices.

Regulatory Mechanism of Opposite Charges on Chiral Self-Assembly of Cellulose Nanocrystals.

The charge plays an important role in cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) self-assembly to form liquid crystal structures, which has rarely been systematically explored. In this work, a novel technique combining atomic force microscopy force and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations was addressed for the first time to systematically investigate the differences in the CNC self-assembly caused by external positive and negative charges at the microscopic level, wherein sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) were used as external positive and negative charge additives, respectively. The results show that although the two additives both make the color of CNC films shift blue and eventually disappear, their regulatory mechanisms are, respectively, related to the extrusion of CNC particles by PAAS and the reduction in CNC surface charge by COS. The two effects both decreased the spacing between CNC particles and further increased the cross angle of CNC stacking arrangement, which finally led to the color variations. Moreover, the disappearance of color was proved to be due to the kinetic arrest of CNC suspensions before forming chiral nematic structure with the addition of PAAS and COS. This work provides an updated theoretical basis for the detailed disclosure of the CNC self-assembly mechanism.

Impact of occlusal reconstruction positions on airway dimensions in patients with edentulism and long centric occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the airway changes of edentulous patients with a magnitude of long centric (MLC) ≥ 1.5 mm during occlusal reconstruction at the centric relation position (CRP) and muscular position (MP). METHODS: The CRP and MP were determined by Gothic arch. The cephalometric analysis was taken at the two occlusal positions. The sagittal distance of each part of the upper airway was measured. The differences between two occlusal positions were compared. The difference values were calculated by subtracting the two. The correlation between the MLC and the difference value was analyzed. RESULTS: The sagittal diameters of palatopharynx and glossopharynx airway at MP were statistically larger than those at CRP (P < 0.05). The MLC had a strong correlation with the ANB angle (r = 0.745, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with the occlusal position of CRP, occlusion reconstruction at MP can provide better airway condition for edentulous patients with large MLC.

Switchable Circularly Polarized Signals with High Asymmetric Factor Triggered by Dual Photonic Bandgap Structure.

Currently, the smart photonic materials that can switch circularly polarized signals in real-time have attracted extensive attention due to numerous potential applications in information storage and photonics displays. However, the dynamically reversible switching of circularly polarized signals requires precise structural reconfiguration, which is rarely achieved in traditional biomaterials. Herein, a dual photonic bandgap (PBG) structure is constructed based on the optical propagation principle of cellulose-based photonic crystals, enabling the flexible switching of the intensity, wavelength, and direction of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). By adjusting the fluorescence intensity and the matching degree of chiral structure, the asymmetric factor value of dual PBG structure is up to -1.47, far exceeding other cellulose-based materials. Importantly, it is demonstrated that dual CPL emission can be efficiently induced by two different PBGs, opening a new approach for on-demand switching of single and dual CPL emission. In addition, the dual PBG structure exhibits dual circularly polarized reflected signals under the circular polarizer, which perfectly embodies the applicability of multiple encryptions in QR codes. This work provides new insights into the real-time manipulation of circularly polarized signals by chiral photonic materials.

Efficient Shaping of Cellulose Nanocrystals Based on Allomorphic Modification: Understanding the Correlation between Morphology and Allomorphs.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are green, safe, and renewable nanomaterials with a variety of excellent performances but their morphologies are notoriously difficult to control as this is unfavorable to the diversification of the end products. Allomorphic conversion plays an important role in diversifying the morphology of CNC. However, this further complicates the prediction, design, and control of the geometric dimensions of CNC. Herein, allomorphically modified cellulose (mercerized cellulose, ethylenediamine (EDA)-treated cellulose, and ball-milled cellulose) is designed and used as the starting material for CNC isolation. Subsequently, the morphological evolution of cellulose particles during acid hydrolysis is traced by scanning electron microscopy observations. A mechanism that facilitates further understanding of CNC shaping during sulfuric acid hydrolysis is proposed. According to the CNC shaping mechanism, precise prediction, design, and efficient control of the morphology of CNC (needle-like, ribbon-like, ellipsoid, and spherical) can be realized. CNC with various morphologies are favorable for their applications, such as templating synthesis of porous materials and Pickering emulsion dispersion.

Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking to Study the Mechanism of Chinese Medicines in the Treatment of Coronavirus Infection.

BACKGROUND Heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs (HDHs) play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection. However, their mechanism of action needs further study. This study aimed to explore the anti-coronavirus basis and mechanism of HDHs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Database mining was performed on 7 HDHs. Core ingredients and targets were screened according to ADME rules combined with Neighborhood, Co-occurrence, Co-expression, and other algorithms. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses were performed using the R language. Finally, high-throughput molecular docking was used for verification. RESULTS HDHs mainly acts on NOS3, EGFR, IL-6, MAPK8, PTGS2, MAPK14, NFKB1, and CASP3 through quercetin, luteolin, wogonin, indirubin alkaloids, ß-sitosterol, and isolariciresinol. These targets are mainly involved in the regulation of biological processes such as inflammation, activation of MAPK activity, and positive regulation of NF-kappaB transcription factor activity. Pathway analysis further revealed that the pathways regulated by these targets mainly include: signaling pathways related to viral and bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, influenza A, Ras signaling pathways; inflammation-related pathways such as the TLR, TNF, MAPK, and HIF-1 signaling pathways; and immune-related pathways such as NOD receptor signaling pathways. These pathways play a synergistic role in inhibiting lung inflammation and regulating immunity and antiviral activity. CONCLUSIONS HDHs play a role in the treatment of coronavirus infection by regulating the body's immunity, fighting inflammation, and antiviral activities, suggesting a molecular basis and new strategies for the treatment of COVID-19 and a foundation for the screening of new antiviral drugs.