PDLSCs Regulate Angiogenesis of Periodontal Ligaments via VEGF Transferred by Exosomes in Periodontitis.

Abnormal angiogenesis is one of the significant features in periodontitis leading to progressive inflammation, but angiogenic changes of periodontal ligaments under inflammatory condition were rarely reported. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were a kind of dental stem cells associated with vascularization. Here we investigated the alteration of angiogenesis of periodontal ligament in periodontitis, and revealed an exosome-mediated pathway to support the effect of PDLSCs on angiogenic improvement. Vascular specific marker CD31 and VEGFA were found to be highly expressed in periodontal ligaments of periodontitis. The VEGFA expression was up-regulated in inflamed PDLSCs compared to control, meanwhile the tube formation of HUVECs was improved when co-cultured with inflamed PDLSCs. Exosomes secretion of PDSLCs was augmented by inflammation, and promoted angiogenesis of HUVECs, whereas blocking secretion of exosomes led to degenerated angiogenesis of HUVECs. Exosome-trasferred VEGFA was proven to be the crucial communicator between PDLSCs and HUVECs. Inflammation inhibited miR-17-5p expression of PDLSCs and relieved its target VEGFA. However, overexpression of miR-17-5p blocked the pro-angiogenic ability of inflamed PDLSCs. In conclusion, the findings indicated that vascularization of periodontal ligaments was enhanced, and inflammatory micro-environment of periodontitis facilitated pro-angiogenesis of PDLSCs through regulating exosome-mediated transfer of VEGFA, which was targeted by miR-17-5p.

An optical nanofibre-enabled on-chip single-nanoparticle sensor.

Single-nanoparticle detection has received tremendous interest due to its significance in fundamental physics and biological applications. Here, we demonstrate an optical nanofibre-enabled microfluidic sensor for the detection and sizing of nanoparticles. Benefitting from the strong evanescent field outside the nanofibre, a nanoparticle close to the nanofibre can scatter a portion of the field energy to the environment, resulting in a decrease in the transmitted intensity of the nanofibre. On the other hand, the narrow and shallow microfluidic channel provides a femtoliter-scale detection region, making nanoparticles flow through the detection region one by one. By real-time monitoring of the transmitted intensity of the nanofibre, the detection of a single polystyrene (PS) nanoparticle as small as 100 nm in diameter and exosomes in solution is realised. Based on a statistical analysis, the mean scattering signal is related to the size of the nanoparticle. Experimentally, a mixture of nanoparticles of different diameters (200, 500, and 1000 nm) in solution is identified. To demonstrate its potential in biological applications, high-throughput counting of yeasts using a pair of microchannels and dual-wavelength detection of fluorescently labelled nanoparticles are realised. We believe that the developed nanoparticle sensor holds great potential for the multiplexed and rapid sensing of diverse viruses.

Biomechanical comparison of vertebral augmentation and cement discoplasty for the treatment of symptomatic Schmorl's node: a finite element analysis.

Percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) and percutaneous cement discoplasty (PCD) are two relatively new minimally invasive surgeries for symptomatic Schmorl's reported in recent decade. However, the clinical evidence for the effectiveness of these two surgeries is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical benefits and risks of the two surgeries in order to analyze their biomechanical differences and effectiveness. We reconstructed Five lumbar finite element models via computed tomography data, including control model, PVA-ideal model, PVA-nonideal model, PCD-ideal model, and PCD-nonideal model. The stress and strain of Schmorl's nodes, bone marrow edema zone (BMEZ), affected endplate, and the overall stability of segment were analyzed and compared. The validity of our models was confirmed. As a result, the PVA-ideal model can significantly reduce the stress of Schmorl's node and the strain of BMEZ, while this effect is inappreciable in PVA-nonideal model. The PCD-ideal model significantly reduced the strain of Schmorl's nodes and BMEZ, and significantly improve segmental stability, but also resulted in a significant increase in the stress of Schmorl's nodes, BMEZ and endplates. The PCD-nonideal model not only lacks blocking effect, but also sharply increases the strain of Schmorl's nodes and BMEZ. Thus, We recommend that both PVA and PCD surgeries in ideal distribution facilitated a more stable paranodular biomechanical microenvironment. However, due to the possibility of poor biomechanical outcomes caused by the non-ideal cement distribution, the non-ideal distribution of bone cement needs to be remedied in practice.

Preparation of ammonium polyphosphate and dye co-intercalated LDH/polypropylene composites with enhanced flame retardant and UV resistance properties.

In this paper, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with flame retardant performance and acid red 88 (AR88) with UV absorption property were intercalated into layered double hydroxide (LDH) interlayers together, aiming to improve the flame retardancy and UV resistance properties of polypropylene (PP) simultaneous in one system. The synthesized LDHs and PP/LDH composites were characterized systematically and the results showed that AR88 and APP were intercalated into LDH interlayers successfully, and the content of APP and AR88 in LDH interlayers can be controlled through the synthesis process. Both APP-LDHs and AR88/APP-LDHs can greatly improve the flame retardancy performance of PP, with 25 wt% LDH addition, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) decreased by 42-63%, respectively. Temperature at 50% mass loss (T50) of PP also increased to some extent. In addition, the intercalation of AR88 in LDH also possessed good UV adsorption which can delay the ageing of PP during their use. Thus, a new approach to improve both flame retardant and UV resistance properties for polymers at the same time is achieved.

Deformable Liposomal Hydrogel for Dermal and Transdermal Delivery of Meloxicam.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Meloxicam (MX) is a potent hydrophobic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce inflammation and pain. However, its oral dosage form can cause many adverse gastrointestinal effects. In the present study, a poloxamer P407 based hydrogel system containing transfersomes or flavosomes has been prepared as a potential therapeutic vehicle for the topical delivery of MX. METHODS: In this study, MX was encapsulated in conventional liposomes, transfersomes, and flavosomes. The obtained liposomal vesicles were characterized in terms of size, drug entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and stability. These MX-loaded liposomal formulations were further incorporated into a poloxamer P407 gel and evaluated using rheological properties, a stability study and an ex vivo permeation study through human cadaver skin by both HPLC analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS: The developed deformable liposomes exhibited homogeneous vesicle sizes less than 120 nm with a higher entrapment efficiency as compared to conventional liposomes. The deformable liposomal gel formulations showed improved permeability compared to a conventional liposomal gel and a liposome-free gel. The enhancement effect was also clearly visible by CLSM. CONCLUSION: These deformable liposomal hydrogel formulations can be a promising alternative to conventional oral delivery of MX by topical administration. Notably, flavosome-loaded gel formulations displayed the highest permeability through the deeper layers of the skin and shortened lag time, indicating a potential faster on-site pain relief and anti-inflammatory effect.

Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture and Electroconvulsive Therapy as Additional Treatment in Hospitalized Patients With Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Controlled Study.

Electroacupuncture (EA) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are often used in the management of schizophrenia. This study sought to determine whether additional EA and ECT could augment antipsychotic response and reduce related side effects. In this retrospective controlled study, 287 hospitalized schizophrenic patients who received antipsychotics (controls, n = 50) alone or combined with EA (n = 101), ECT (n = 55) or both (EA + ECT, n = 81) were identified. EA and ECT were conducted for 5 and 3 sessions per week, respectively, with a maximum of 12 sessions for ECT during hospitalization. The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) were used to assess the severity of psychotic symptoms. Clinical response on SAPS and SANS, weight gain, and adverse events were compared. Survival analysis revealed that the ECT and EA + ECT groups had markedly greater clinical response rate than controls on SAPS [72.7 and 90.1% vs. 64.0%; relative risk (RR), 1.974 and 2.628, respectively, P ≤ 0.004] and on SANS (67.3 and 70.4% vs. 42.0%; RR, 1.951 and 2.009, respectively, P ≤ 0.015). A significantly greater response rate on SANS than controls was also observed in the EA group (64.4% vs. 42.0%; RR = 1.938, P = 0.008). EA-containing regimens remarkably reduced weight gain and incidences of headache, insomnia, dry mouth, and electrocardiographic abnormalities. These results suggest that EA and ECT can serve as additional treatment for enhancing antipsychotic response and reduce the side effects in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=38901, identifier ChiCTR1900023563.

Herbal medicine for hospitalized patients with severe depressive episode: a retrospective controlled study.

Herbal medicine is increasingly used in depressed patients. The purpose of this retrospective controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine treatment of severe depressive episode. A total of 146 severely depressed subjects were selected from patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychosomatics of Tongde Hospital at Hangzhou, China between 1st September 2009 and 30th November 2013. While all were medicated with psychotropic drugs, 78 received additional individualized herbal medicine. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured using 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-24) at admission and thereafter once weekly during hospital stay. The proportion of patients achieving clinical response and remission and incidence of adverse events were compared. The two groups had similar average length of hospital stay for approximately 28 days and were not different in the use of psychotropic medications. Survival analysis revealed that patients with herbal medicine had significantly higher chance of achieving clinical response [relative risk (RR)=2.179, P<0.001] and remission (RR=5.866, P<0.001) compared to those without herbal medicine. Patients with herbal medicine experienced remarkably fewer incidences of physical tiredness, headache, palpitation, dry mouth and constipation, but had a significantly higher incidence of digestive discomfort compared to patients without herbal medicine. These results indicate that additional treatment with individualized herbal medicine enhances antidepressant response and reduces certain side effects associated with psychotropic medications. Herbal medicine is an effective and relatively safe therapy for severe depressive episode (Trial Registration: ChiCTR-OCH-13003864).

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effectiveness and safety of Free and Easy Wanderer Plus, a polyherbal preparation for depressive disorders.

Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (FEWP) is a polyherbal preparation which therapeutic benefits have been extensively evaluated in patients with various depressive disorders. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the overall effectiveness and safety of FEWP. Following systematic review, a total of 14 high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Statistically greater treatment effects were found in FEWP monotherapy compared to placebo and in FEWP combined with conventional anti-depressants (CADs) compared to CADs alone. Patients taking FEWP alone and combined with CADs experienced fewer adverse events of dizziness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, and constipation compared to CADs alone. These data suggest that FEWP may be an effective herbal agent in treating depressive symptoms. The addition of FEWP also enhances antidepressant effects of CADs. FEWP may have a higher safety profile compared to CADs.