Innovations in chemical degradation technologies for the removal of micro/nano-plastics in water: A comprehensive review.

Micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) in water have raised global concern due to their potential environmental risks. To reestablish a M/NPs free world, enormous attempts have been made toward employing chemical technologies for their removal in water. This review comprehensively summarizes the advances in chemical degradation approaches for M/NPs elimination. It details and discusses promising techniques, including photo-based technologies, Fenton-based reaction, electrochemical oxidation, and novel micro/nanomotors approaches. Subsequently, critical influence factors, such as properties of M/NPs and operating factors, are analyzed in this review specifically. Finally, it concludes by addressing the current challenges and future perspectives in chemical degradation. This review will provide guidance for scientists to further explore novel strategies and develop feasible chemical methods for the improved control and remediation of M/NPs in the future.

Comparison of Different Decompensation Approaches on Facial Profile in Orthodontic-Orthognathic Treatment for Skeletal Class III Patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to assess the hard and soft tissue differences of skeletal Class III malocclusion patients treated with orthodontic-orthognathic surgery treatment between two decompensation approaches including extraction of maxillary premolars in preoperative orthodontics and clockwise rotation of the maxilla in orthognathic surgery. METHODS: 22 skeletal Class III patients with the crowding of maxillary dental arch less than 3mm were included in this study. These patients were divided into two groups: extraction group and non-extraction group. Lateral cephalograms taken before preoperative orthodontic treatment and after postoperative orthodontic treatment were used to analyze the differences of hard and soft tissues between two groups. Independent t test was used to evaluate the differences of variables between extraction group and non-extraction group. RESULTS: After treatment, there was significant difference of Wits between extraction group and non-extraction group (- 4.34 mm vs - 2.82 mm, respectively, P <0.05). Co-Gn was significantly greater in non-extraction group than in extraction group (77.18 mm vs 71.58 mm, P <0.05). U1-SN and L1-MP in extraction group were significantly closer to the normal values than non-extraction group (P <0.05). Regarding the change of variables before and after orthodontic-orthognathic treatment, NLA (7.25° vs 1.46°, P <0.01) and G-Sn-Pog' (8.06° vs 4.62°, P <0.05) were significantly greater in extraction group than in non-extraction group. CONCLUSION: For patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion, extraction of maxillary premolars in preoperative orthodontic treatment can more effectively eliminate the dental compensation and achieve a more harmonious facial profile compared to clockwise rotation of the maxilla in orthognathic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Deformation Assessment of the Manually Pre-Bent Titanium Miniplates in Orthognathic Surgery With Finite Element Analysis.

ABSTRACT: This study summarized the literature regarding the application of pre-bent titanium miniplates in orthognathic surgery and evaluated the extra deformation of the manually pre-bent titanium miniplates via finite element analysis for acquiring higher surgical accuracy. The literature was reviewed with a chart. Three models of titanium miniplates with different thicknesses (1.0 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.6 mm) were created using COMSOL Multiphysics software for biomechanical behavior analysis. The 3 models were virtually bent into 5 angles (15 degree, 30 degree, 45 degree, 60 degree, 80 degree). respectively to simulate the preoperative virtual bending, then to simulate the practical manual bending via finite element analysis. The stresses and displacements of these models were recorded. The models from virtual bending simulation and manual bending simulation were registered to analyze the deviations. The results showed that the maximum stress and the displacement deviations between the virtual bending models and the manual bending models increased with the thickness and bending angle of the pre-bent miniplate models. To improve the surgical accuracy, measures should be applied to the manually pre-bent titanium miniplates to reduce the extra deformation when the plate being thicker and the bending angle being larger.

Osteogenesis Differences Around Titanium Implant and in Bone Defect Between Jaw Bones and Long Bones.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the osteogenesis around titanium implant and in bone defect or fracture in jaw bones and long bones in ovariectomized (OVX) animal models. The literature on the osteogenesis around titanium implant and in bone defect or fracture in jaw bones and long bones was reviewed with charts. Fourty-eight rats were randomly divided into OVX group with ovariectomy and SHAM (sham-surgery) group with sham surgery. Titanium implants were inserted in the right mandibles and tibiae; bone defects were created in the left mandibles and tibiae. Two-week postoperatively, mandibles and tibiae of 8 rats were harvested and examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and histological analysis; 4-week postoperatively, all mandibles and tibiae were harvested and examined by Micro-CT and histological analysis. A total of 52 articles were included in this literature review. Tibial osteogenesis around titanium implant and in bone defect in OVX group were significantly decreased compared with SHAM group. However, osteogenesis differences in the mandible both around titanium implant and in bone defect between groups were not statistically significant. OVX-induced osteoporosis suppresses osteogenesis around titanium implant and in the bone defect or fracture in long bones significantly while has less effect on that in the jaw bones.

A splice donor mutation in NAA10 results in the dysregulation of the retinoic acid signalling pathway and causes Lenz microphthalmia syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Lenz microphthalmia syndrome (LMS) is a genetically heterogeneous X-linked disorder characterised by microphthalmia/anophthalmia, skeletal abnormalities, genitourinary malformations, and anomalies of the digits, ears, and teeth. Intellectual disability and seizure disorders are seen in about 60% of affected males. To date, no gene has been identified for LMS in the microphthalmia syndrome 1 locus (MCOPS1). In this study, we aim to find the disease-causing gene for this condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using exome sequencing in a family with three affected brothers, we identified a mutation in the intron 7 splice donor site (c.471+2T→A) of the N-acetyltransferase NAA10 gene. NAA10 has been previously shown to be mutated in patients with Ogden syndrome, which is clinically distinct from LMS. Linkage studies for this family mapped the disease locus to Xq27-Xq28, which was consistent with the locus of NAA10. The mutation co-segregated with the phenotype and cDNA analysis showed aberrant transcripts. Patient fibroblasts lacked expression of full length NAA10 protein and displayed cell proliferation defects. Expression array studies showed significant dysregulation of genes associated with genetic forms of anophthalmia such as BMP4, STRA6, and downstream targets of BCOR and the canonical WNT pathway. In particular, STRA6 is a retinol binding protein receptor that mediates cellular uptake of retinol/vitamin A and plays a major role in regulating the retinoic acid signalling pathway. A retinol uptake assay showed that retinol uptake was decreased in patient cells. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the NAA10 mutation is the cause of LMS in this family, likely through the dysregulation of the retinoic acid signalling pathway.

Interaction between microplastic biofilm formation and antibiotics: Effect of microplastic biofilm and its driving mechanisms on antibiotic resistance gene.

As two pollutants with similar transport pathways, microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics (ATs) inevitably co-exist in water environments, and their interaction has become a topic of intense research interest for scholars over the past few years. This paper comprehensively and systematically reviews the current interaction between MPs and ATs, in particular, the role played by biofilm developed MPs (microplastic biofilm). A summary of the formation process of microplastic biofilm and its unique microbial community structure is presented in the paper. The formation of microplastic biofilm can enhance the adsorption mechanisms of ATs on primary MPs. Moreover, microplastic biofilm system is a diverse and vast reservoir of genetic material, and this paper reviews the mechanisms by which microplastics with biofilm drive the production of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the processes that selectively enrich for more ARGs. Meanwhile, the enrichment of ARGs may lead to the development of microbial resistance and the gradual loss of the antimicrobial effect of ATs. The transfer pathways of ARGs affected by microplastic biofilm are outlined, and ARGs dependent transfer of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) is mainly through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Furthermore, the ecological implications of the interaction between microplastic biofilm and ATs and perspectives for future research are reviewed. This review contributes to a new insight into the aquatic ecological environmental risks and the fate of contaminants (MPs, ATs), and is of great significance for controlling the combined pollution of these two pollutants.

Characterization of upper airway and analysis of potential risk factor associated with OSA in patients with unilateral temporomandibular ankylosis and micrognathia deformities.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the airway characteristics in patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis and maxilla-mandibular deformities (UTMAMD) and investigate the potential risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among UTMAMD patients. METHODS: Authors conducted a retrospective single-center study to assess and compare study group consisting of a cohort of 32 patients diagnosed with UTMAMD between January 2011 and July 2022 with control group including 54 participants. The study group was further divided into two subgroups based on the presence or absence of OSA in patients. Parameters related to the upper airway were measured and analyzed using three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomographic scans. The measurements of airway parameters were compared between study group and control group and between two subgroups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify the factors associated with the presence of OSA, and a multiple variable regression model was used to identify risk factors for OSA. RESULTS: Airway volume (VOL), Minimum cross-section area (min CSA), mean CSA, tilt in sagittal plane (TS), and tilt in sagittal plane (TC) in velopharynx; VOL, airway length (AL), min CSA, mean CSA, TS, TC, and airway deviation (AD) in glossopharynx; min CSA, TS, and AD in hypopharynx were found difference with significance between study group and control group. Lateral dimension/anterior-posterior dimension (LAT/AP) ratio in velopharynx and min CSA, TC, and LAT/AP ratio in glossopharynx were significant different between patients with UTMAMD with OSA and without OSA. CONCLUSIONS: The upper airway of patients with UTMAMD exhibits significant narrowing and distortion, rendering them susceptible to suffer from OSA. Patients with UTMAMD and OSA demonstrate more elliptical airways, and the glossopharyngeal LAT/AP ratio is a predictive indicator for the occurrence of OSA.

Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids Promote Senile Osteoporotic Fracture Repair by Enhancing Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis of Callus.

Senile osteoporotic fracture has aroused increasing attention due to high morbidity and mortality. However, to date, there is no effective therapeutic approach available. Senile osteoporosis is characterized by impaired osteogenesis and angiogenesis, osteoporotic fracture repair could also be promoted by enhancing osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) are a multifunctional nanomaterial that have recently been extensively used in biomedical fields, which could enhance osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro. Therefore, we applied tFNAs to intact and femoral fractural senile osteoporotic mice, respectively, to evaluate the effects of tFNAs on senile osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture repair regarding the osteogenesis and angiogenesis of the callus at the early healing stages and to initially explore the potential mechanism. The outcomes showed that tFNAs had no significant effects on the osteogenesis and angiogenesis of the femur and mandible in intact senile osteoporotic mice within 3 weeks after tFNA treatment, while tFNAs could promote osteogenesis and angiogenesis of callus in osteoporotic fracture repair, which may be regulated by a FoxO1-related SIRT1 pathway. In conclusion, tFNAs could promote senile osteoporotic fracture repair by enhancing osteogenesis and angiogenesis, offering a new strategy for the treatment of senile osteoporotic fracture.

Effects of microplastics on greenhouse gas emissions and microbial communities in sediment of freshwater systems.

Microplastics can regulate greenhouse gas emissions from environmental systems and affect microbes in the environment. However, the effect of microplastics in freshwater sediment system is still not well studied. In this paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles with six different diameters of 5-2000 µm were added to freshwater sediment, PET exposing for 90 days was carried out and its effect on greenhouse gas emissions, nutrients cycle and microbial communities were studied. In the 5 µm experimental group, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were significantly promoted in the 7-30 days and nitrogen monoxide (N2O) emissions were significantly promoted in the 7 days after cultivation. Microplastics in the range of 300-800 µm significantly promoted CO2 emissions after three days of culture. In addition, microplastics increased the total organic carbon (TOC) content in freshwater sediment and changed microbial diversity, especially increased the microorganisms capable of degrading complex organics such as Saprospiraceae. There was a positive correlation between N2O emission and nitrate (NO3-) content in sediment after 3 days of culture, while greenhouse gas emission was mainly related to TOC content after 90 days of culture. These results showed that microplastics could affect the carbon and nitrogen cycling process of shallow lake ecosystem.

Smart Porous Scaffold Promotes Peri-Implant Osteogenesis under the Periosteum.

Background: Adequate peri-implant bone mass and bone quality are essential factors to ensure the initial stability of the implant and success of implant operation. In clinical settings, the lack of bone mass often restricts the implant operation. In this study, we fabricated a smart porous scaffold with a shape memory function and investigated whether it could promote peri-implant osteogenesis under the periosteum. Methods: A porous shape memory polymer (SMP) scaffold was fabricated and its shape memory function, mechanical properties, and degradation rate were tested in vitro. Moreover, the scaffold was implanted in the mandible of rabbits to evaluate its efficacy to promote peri-implant osteogenesis in the periosteum and enhance the initial stability of the implant. Histological, micro-CT, and biomechanical analyses were carried out for further verification. Results: The SMP scaffold has a good shape memory function and biocompatibility in vitro. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the SMP scaffold could recover to its original shape after implantation to create a small gap in the periosteum. After 12 weeks, the scaffold was gradually replaced by a newly formed bone, and the stability of the implant increased when it implanted with the scaffold. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the SMP scaffolds have a good shape memory function and could enhance peri-implant bone formation under the periosteum. The SMP scaffold provides a clinical potential candidate for bone tissue engineering under the periosteum.