Ultrasonography screening of hepatic cystic echinococcosis in sheep flocks used for evaluating control progress in a remote mountain area of Hejing County, Xinjiang.

BACKGROUND: Although ultrasonography (US) has been widely used in the diagnosis of human diseases to monitor the progress of cystic echinococcosis (CE) control, the screening method for hepatic CE in sheep flocks requires adjustment. In this study, we used a US scanner to screen sheep flocks and evaluated the efficacy of dosing dogs once a year with praziquantel for 7 years from 2014 to 2021. METHODS: All sheep in the three flocks were screened using an ultrasound scanner in 2014 and compared with the prevalence of infection in 2021 in Bayinbuluke, Xinjiang, China. Sheep age was determined using incisor teeth. Cyst activity and calcification were determined using US images. The dogs were dewormed with praziquantel once a year to control echinococcosis in the community. RESULTS: Three flocks had 968 sheep in 2014, with 13.22%, 22.62%, 18.7%, 27.27%, 11.88%, and 6.3% of sheep aged 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and ≥ 6 years old, respectively. US scanning revealed that the overall CE prevalence was 38.43% (372/968), with active cysts and calcified cysts present in 9.40% (91/968) and 29.02% (281/968) of the sheep, respectively. For the young sheep aged 1 and 2 years, the prevalence of active and calcified cysts was: 1.56% and 0.91%, and 10.94% and 18.72%, respectively. Approximately 15.15% and 16.52% of the 4- and 5-year-old sheep, respectively, harbored active cysts. There was no significant difference in the infection rates of sheep between 2014 and 2021 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: US is a practical tool for the field screening of CE in sheep flocks. One-third of the sheep population in the flocks was 1-2 years old, and these sheep played a very limited role in CE transmission, as most of the cysts were calcified. Old sheep, especially culled aged sheep, play a key role in the transmission of CE. Dosing dogs once a year did not affect echinococcosis control.

Unraveling Amphiphilic Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)/Water Interface by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry: Control of Clathrate Hydrate Formation Kinetics.

Water-soluble amphiphilic polymers are vital chemicals in the oil and gas industry to retard crystal growth of hydrocarbon hydrate via surface adsorption and suppress nucleation of a pristine hydrate nucleus, thereby preventing formation of hydrate blockages in flow lines during oil and natural gas production. Apart from a few theoretical modeling studies, an experimental method to study the polymer/water interface in the crystal growth is critically needed. Here, water motions in the hydration shells of an exemplary kinetic inhibitor, poly(N-vinylcaprolactam), during hydrate formation from the tetrahydrofuran/water system are revealed via nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry. Unequivocal experiments show that the pivotal interfacial water in the tightly bound state gradually freezes at rates depending on the polymer molecular weight (MW). This is supported by nonfreezable water analysis, which is correlated to the inhibition time. The polymers tune the kinetics of the hydration process via interaction with and perturbation of the water molecules. The free water component in the polymer solution crystallizes at a very slow rate when in partially restricted mobility, whereas the bound water component increases in the reaction, with the polymer/water interface serving as the reaction sites. The appropriate MW (including average MW and polydispersity values) of the inhibitive polymers can give rise to maximal retardation of the hydrate crystal growth. This work will help control other multiphase crystallization kinetic processes through the design of inhibitors or promoters functioning in the interface.

Safety and Efficacy of Drug-Coated Balloon in the Treatment of Below-the-Knee Artery: A Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic limb threat ischemia is associated with cardiovascular events, resulting in high amputation, morbidity and mortality rates. This study aims to accomplish a comprehensive summary of randomized controlled trials and single-center trials related to drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in the treatment of below-the-knee (BTK) artery disease, and to provide a recommendation for the application of DCBs in BTK artery disease. METHODS: Five electronic databases were used to retrieve relevant articles on the safety and effectiveness of DCBs in the treatment of BTK artery disease. A random-effects model was applied to calculate the standard mean deviation, odds ratio (OR) and their 95% of confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: As of April 8, 2021, a total of 241 articles were retrieved, but only 13 articles were finally included for meta-analysis. The 12 mo follow-up study found that major adverse events , all-cause mortality, major amputation ,and target lesion revascularization had no statistically significant difference between the DCBs group and the control group (target lesion revascularization: OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.36, 1.31; all-cause mortality: OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.69, 2.46; major amputation: OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.64, 2.79; target lesion revascularization: OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.45). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis results of randomized controlled trials focusing on comparing DCBs and other treatments suggest that DCBs do not have significant advantages in the treatment of BTK artery disease when compare with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), but better than control intervention except PTA in both safety and efficacy end points. However, the results of meta-analysis of single-arm trial reported DCBs in treating BTK artery lesions are significantly improved compared with the meta-analysis concentrating on PTA.

Vertical flow assays based on core-shell SERS nanotags for multiplex prostate cancer biomarker detection.

Rapid, simultaneous, and sensitive quantification of multiplex prostate biomarkers plays an important role in early diagnosis, especially for obese men and patients. Herein, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based vertical flow assay (VFA) is presented for simultaneous detection of multiplex prostate cancer biomarkers, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) on a single test spot. In practice, Raman dyes (RDs) encoded core-shell SERS nanotags instead of conventional gold colloids used in the colorimetric assay are employed in the sensing membrane of SERS based VFAs for multiplex protein detection. Because of the enhanced Raman signal of the core-shell nanostructure and the high surface area to volume ratio (SVR) of the porous sensing membrane, this proposed biosensor shows a wide linear dynamic range (LDR) with detection limits of 0.37, 0.43, and 0.26 pg mL-1 for PSA, CEA, and AFP, respectively, suggesting that this approach can be a good candidate in point of care testing (POCT) for rapid and sensitive biomarker detection and has a huge potential in multiplex analysis and cancer diagnosis.

Surface functionalization of titanium with zinc/strontium-doped titanium dioxide microporous coating via microarc oxidation.

Deficient osseointegration and implant-related infections are pivotal issues for the long-term clinical success of titanium (Ti) implants. Zinc (Zn) and strontium (Sr) serve dual functions by promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting bone destruction, and Zn has good antibacterial activity. As such, this study examined the preparation of a Zn/Sr-doped titanium dioxide microporous coating (MT-Zn/Sr) on a Ti surface using microarc oxidation (MAO), with Zn and Sr evenly distributed throughout the coating. In vitro, the coating could promote the adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts, showing good biological activity. Antibacterial testing demonstrated the good antibacterial activity of the coating, as it inhibited the proliferation of Staphylococcus. In vivo, MT-Zn/Sr promoted early osseointegration between the Ti substrate and the bone tissue. This work is expected to provide a new method for improving the biological activity of Ti implants and thus has important theoretical significance and great clinical prospects.

A vertical flow microarray chip based on SERS nanotags for rapid and ultrasensitive quantification of α-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen.

A vertical flow microarray chip is described that uses core-shell SERS nanotags as tags for ultrasensitive quantification of the tumor markers α-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by detecting the intensity of the specific Raman bands at 592 cm-1. The nanotags warrant high sensitivity, and the use of porous nitrocellulose warrants a high surface-to-volume ratio. The linear dynamic ranges are 0.1 ng mL-1 - 10 µg mL-1 for both AFP and CEA, and the limits of detection) are 0.27 pg mL-1 and 0.96 pg mL-1, respectively. Quantification is rapid and can be performed without preconcentration. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of a vertical flow microarray chip using AuNBA@Ag SERS nanotags (where NBA stands for Nile blue A) as labels for rapid, ultrasensitive, and simultaneous detection of tumor biomarkers CEA and AFP.

Surgical Landmark of Mandible Angle in the Identification of Cervical Spinal Level.

Mandible angle is considered to be a consistently palpable external landmark for the identification of cervical spinal level by a radiographic study. But this anatomical study aimed to determine the positional relationship between mandible angle and cervical spinal level in cadavers. In this study, the cervical spine of 10 adult cadavers with intact head and neck structure, including 6 males and 4 females, was dissected, and the position of mandible angle (MA) relative to the corresponding cervical spinal level was measured when the head was fixed in the flexion, anatomy position, and extension. The difference between the genders and the sides was analyzed. On the basis of the study of the corpse samples, the reference level of cervical spine was approximated to C2/3 intervertebral disc. The result has confirmed MA as a consistent and convenient landmark in the identification of cervical spinal level. Given some external landmarks do not consistently correspond to the exact level of the cervical spine, MA provides the relatively consistent reference point: C2/3 intervertebral disc. The authors hold that MA is a superior external landmark, which can help surgeons to localize the skin incision before anterior cervical spine surgery.

Mass Continuous Suture versus Layered Interrupted Suture in Transverse Abdominal Incision Closure after Liver Resection.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal incision closure technique seriously influences patient prognosis. Most studies have focused on the different suture techniques and materials on midline incision, while little data are available in wide transverse or oblique incisions after liver resection (LR). The aim of the present study is to compare the two major incision suture methods after LR in our institute: Mass continuous suture (group P) and layered interrupted suture (group S). STUDY DESIGN: 258 patients undergoing LR with abdominal transverse or oblique incisions were prospectively enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to different abdominal incision suture methods and compared with the preoperative, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative wound complications. RESULTS: There were 118 patients in group P and 140 patients in group S, which was similar in general condition, primary disease, liver, and renal function. Incision length, total operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or perioperative antibiotics use were not different between the two groups. However, abdominal incision closure time and interval time for stitches removing after operation was significantly shorter in group P than group S (both p < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 16 months, the incidence of wound infection and fat liquefaction was more than two times higher in group S than group P, which, however, was not statistically different. Moreover, there was no difference in wound disruption or incisional hernia between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although similar in occurrence of postoperative wound complications, mass continuous suture with polydioxanone seemed to be more timesaving in incision closure and motivated in wound healing.

Effective Hotspot Arrays Based on Non-Close-Packed Gold Nanoshells in Microporous Polystyrene Film on Acupuncture Needles.

To constructing effective hotspot arrays in SERS substrates, gold nanoshells (GNSs) were assembled layer by layer on acupuncture needles by covalent absorption of bifunctional chemicals; three dimensional structures of the GNSs were locked by polystyrene (PS) coating; effective hotspots were obtained by removing bifunctional chemicals on surface of the GNSs, and the spacing between GNSs was enlarged by corroding gold shell layers of the GNSs partly. The strongest SERS signal was obtained from the SERS-active substrate with two-layer GNSs. After effective hotspot arrays were constructed in the SERS-active substrate with two-layer GNSs, its enhancement factor was higher about two to three orders of magnitude than that of the monolayer of close-packed GNSs. The hotspot arrays integrated on acupuncture needles would be used to detect low concentration of biomolecules in vivo.

Comparison of mid-outcome among bare metal stent, atherectomy with or without drug-coated balloon angioplasty for femoropopliteal arterial occlusion.

This study evaluated the outcomes of a bare metal stent (BMS), DCB alone, atherectomy plus a drug-coated balloon (AT + DCB) and AT alone for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery occlusion. Four groups were included in this retrospective cohort study: 119 patients underwent the BMS procedure, 89 patients underwent DCB alone, 52 patients underwent AT + DCB, and 61 patients underwent AT alone. Patients were followed-up at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after the procedure, the clinical outcomes and complications were assessed, and the primary outcomes were primary patency and restenosis. AT + DCB showed a lower bailout stent, and BMS displayed a higher retrograde puncture, flow-limiting dissection and postdilation (p < 0.05). For all procedures, the walking distance, ABI and pain score post-procedure were significantly improved compared with the pre-procedure values (p < 0.001). The restenosis rate was higher in BMS (21.0%) and AT alone (24.6%) than in DCB (10.1%) alone and AT + DCB (11.5%) (p = 0.04); there was no difference in amputation or clinically driven target lesion revascularization among procedures. The primary patency rates were 77.7%, 89.4%, 88.0% and 73.7% in the BMS, DCB alone, AT + DCB and AT alone groups at 24 months, respectively (p = 0.03), while the secondary patency and main adverse events (stroke, MI and death) were similar. Proximal concavity, proximal target vessel diameter ≥ 5 mm, runoff number ≥ 2 and DCB use were protective factors for primary patency. Our results suggested that AT + DCB and DCB alone were associated with higher primary patency, and DCB devices (combined with/without AT) should be the preferred choice for FP lesions.

Polydopamine Nanostructure-Enhanced Water Interaction with pH-Responsive Manganese Sulfide Nanoclusters for Tumor Magnetic Resonance Contrast Enhancement and Synergistic Ferroptosis-Photothermal Therapy.

Rational structure design benefits the development of efficient nanoplatforms for tumor theranostic application. In this work, a multifunctional polydopamine (PDA)-coated manganese sulfide (MnS) nanocluster was prepared. The polyhydroxy structure of PDA enhanced the water interaction with pH-responsive MnS nanoclusters via hydrogen bonds. At pH 5.5 conditions, the spin-lattice relaxation rate of MnS nanoclusters dramatically increased from 5.76 to 19.33 mM-1·s-1 after the PDA coating, which can be beneficial for efficient tumor magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, PDA endowed MnS nanoclusters with excellent biocompatibility and good photothermal conversion efficiency, which can be used for efficient tumor photothermal therapy (PTT). Furthermore, MnS nanoclusters possess the ability to release H2S in the acidic tumor microenvironment, effectively inhibiting mitochondrial respiration and adenosine triphosphate production. As a result, the expression of heat shock protein was obviously reduced, which can reduce the resistance of tumor cells to photothermal stimulation and enhance the efficacy of PTT. The released Mn2+ also displayed efficient peroxidase and glutathione oxidase-like activity, effectively inducing tumor cell ferroptosis and apoptosis at the same time. Therefore, this nanoplatform could be a potential nanotheranostic for magnetic resonance contrast enhancement and synergistic ferroptosis-PTT of tumors.

Skip-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking stand-alone PEEK cages for the treatment of 2 noncontiguous levels of cervical spondylosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospectively study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical and radiologic outcomes of skip-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with self-locking stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for the treatment of 2 noncontiguous levels of cervical disk degenerative disease (CDDD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of stand-alone PEEK cages in ACDF has been proved to be safe and effective to treat CDDD. For 2 noncontiguous levels of CDDD, skip-level ACDF with self-locking stand-alone PEEK cages, which fuses only the involved levels without anterior plates, may be the optimal treatment choice. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with 2 noncontiguous levels of CDDD underwent skip-level ACDF with self-locking stand-alone PEEK cages. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores and Odom criteria. Fusion rate and time, cages subsidence, spinal curvature, intervertebral height at the operated level, and adjacent disk degeneration were assessed. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for average 43.6 months (range, 24-78 mo). The mean operative time was 113 minutes (range, 98-134 min) with an average blood loss of 62 mL (range, 47-76 mL). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, degree of spinal curvature, and intervertebral height were significantly increased at the final follow-up examination compared with preoperatively (P<0.05). Fifteen patients (93.8%) achieved solid fusion in an average time of 5.1 months. Three cages (9.38%) in 2 patients subsided. Radiologic evidence of adjacent segment degeneration was observed in 3 segments (6.25%; 2 infra-adjacent segments and 1 intermediate segment). No case had neurological deterioration postoperatively. No implant failure or migration was observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of 2 noncontiguous levels of CDDD with skip-level ACDF with self-locking stand-alone cages achieved good clinical and radiologic outcomes including a high fusion rate, low complication rate, and excellent maintenance of spinal curvature and intervertebral height.

Nonspecific interaction and overlap concentration influence macromolecular crowding effect on glucose oxidase activity.

Macromolecular crowding can change kinetics of enzyme catalysis. How interaction between enzymes and neighboring macromolecules contributes to the crowding effect on enzyme catalysis has not been quantitatively revealed. In this study, crowding effects of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on glucose oxidase (GOx) are studied. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments show the high transfer efficiency and stable interaction between the dextran and GOx. Further fluorescence quenching analysis also proves that the association of the dextran-GOx pair can become stronger than that of the PEG-GOx pair. Dextrans with concentrations above or below their chain overlap concentrations (c*) reduce Michaelis constants (Km) of GOx catalysis by 90 % or 45 %, respectively, through volume exclusion mechanism, and in the meantime elevate the enzymatic efficiency (kcat/Km) by 8-fold or by 3-fold, respectively, which is more dramatic than that found in other enzymes before. Strong association between the enzyme and the dextran results in slow turnover rates (kcat). Intermediate crowding with weak to moderate affinity to the enzyme below the c* can tune the kcat higher than in the free state. Catalysis under crowded conditions is a joint effect of the enzyme-crowder nonspecific interaction, volume exclusion and overlap condition of the crowders.

Analysis of personality traits' correlation to facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) and mandibular line angle based on 16 personality factor in Chinese college students.

Facial appearance reveals clues about personality. Studies have found that facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) correlates with some personality traits, and mandibular morphology as a potential facial feature that might have correlation with personality traits. Therefore, a face recognition study was carried out to explore the personality traits' correlation to both fWHR and bilateral mandibular line angles. Specifically, face images of 904 college students in China were collected and measured, with the personality traits evaluated using the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire. Analyses revealed that the average bilateral mandibular line angle of the male were significantly more extensive than that of the female, while the fWHR of the female was significantly more extensive than that of the male. We found facial features (fWHR and average bilateral mandibular line angle) were correlated with 16PF in the canonical correlation analysis and the loadings of bilateral mandibular line angles were greater than that of fWHR. The fWHR was significantly negatively correlated with the scores of sensitivity and self-reliance in male but none of the factors related to fWHR in female. The bilateral mandibular line angles were significantly negatively correlated with the scores of social boldness in male, and were significantly negatively correlated with the scores of vigilance and apprehension in female. Over all, the correlations between fWHR, average bilateral mandibular line angle and certain 16PF factors in male and female tend to be different, suggesting that such correlations might vary with gender. In the future, mandibular morphology could be selected as a potential indicator in facial perception. The limitations of this study were the participants were limited to 18-30 years of age and the mandibular morphology was not measured with anthropometry, which could be further improved in future studies.

Optimizing anaerobic technology by using electrochemistry and membrane module for treating pesticide wastewater: Chemical oxygen demand components and fractions distribution, membrane fouling, effluent toxicity and economic analysis.

Optimization in performance and membrane fouling of an electrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor (R1) for treating pesticide wastewater was investigated and compared with a conventional anaerobic membrane bioreactor (R2). The maximum COD removal efficiency of R2 was 80.1%, 80.0%, 67.4%, 61.1% with HRT of 96, 72, 48 and 24 h, which of R1 was enhanced to 84.7%, 84.3%, 82.0% and 66.3%. These results demonstrated that the optimum HRT of R1 was shortened to 48 h, which of R2 required 72 h. R1 reduced the contents of particulate and colloidal COD, and the fraction of COD converted to sludge was 5.0-8.2% lower than that of R2. The fouling rate was 0.99-1.44 kPa/d and reduced by 31.0%-38.5% compared with R2. Detoxification was enhanced by 7.8-47.7% with the assistance of bio-electrochemistry. Ultimately, ensuring similar performance, R1 achieved a 65.6% improvement in environmental benefit, a 26.3% and 38.9% reduction in unit capital and operating costs.

Minimally invasive surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection with depth profiles based on a surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active acupuncture needle.

To obtain depth profiles of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) information in living systems, a SERS-active needle was structured by acupuncture needles, gold nanoshells (GNSs), and polystyrene, which were used as carriers, SERS-active elements to be absorbed on the carriers, and coatings to protect the absorbed GNSs from being erased during insertion, respectively. The SERS-active needle is minimally invasive for entering and exiting the body. The interspaces between the GNSs became vessels to collect diffused fluids at different depths after a SERS-active needle was inserted into an agarose gel, and the SERS intensity profile on the SERS-active needle coincided with the concentration profile of Nile Blue A (NBA) in the gel. SERS detection in vitro avoided the signal attenuation in gels, and the SERS detection at different spots of the SERS-active needle provided a depth profile of the NBA molecule in the gel. In vivo experiments of NBA and 6-mercaptopurine confirmed that the SERS-active needle could collect fluids in living systems easily with minimal invasion and provide information about depth profiles of target molecules in tissues.

Comparison of stand-alone polyetheretherketone cages and iliac crest autografts for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc diseases.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) is a widely accepted surgical procedure for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc diseases. This retrospective study was designed to analyze and compare the efficacy and outcomes of anterior cervical fusion using stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages and autogenous iliac crest grafts with the anterior cervical plating system. METHODS: A total of 72 consecutive patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc diseases treated with ACDF from June 2005 to Dec 2008 were enrolled in the study. Patients in group A (40 patients, 64 segments) had anterior interbody fusion with stand-alone PEEK cages and patients in group B (32 patients, 51 segments) with autogenous iliac crest graft combined with anterior plate fixation. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system; cervical lordosis, intervertebral height, and cervical fusion status were assessed on X-ray and computed tomography. FINDINGS: The mean follow-up period was 17.3 months in the stand-alone cage group and 23.2 months in the autologous iliac crest graft group. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were much less than those in group B (p < 0.05). All the patients in both groups got complete interbody fusion. Postoperative JOA scores in both group A and group B were more than the preoperative ones with significant differences, and the improvement rate of JOA scores had no statistical differences between group A and group B. Postoperative cervical physiological curvature and intervertebral height in both groups were better than the preoperative ones with statistical significances. CONCLUSIONS: The stand-alone PEEK cage is a good substitute for fusion in patients with cervical disc disease; it can effectively restore the cervical physiological curvature and the intervertebral height, facilitate radiological follow-up, cause few complications, and leads to satisfactory outcomes.

Silk coating on poly(ε-caprolactone) microspheres for the delayed release of vancomycin.

The treatment of osteomyelitis remains a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Controlled release of vancomycin from biodegradable microspheres is a promising method for eliminating infection. However, the large initial burst release may make it difficult to maintain the local vancomycin concentration superior to minimum inhibitory concentration for several weeks. The aims of this study were to explore applications of the silk fibroin (SF) as an aqueous coating material for vancomycin-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microspheres, and investigate the effects of silk coating on in vitro drug release. Examinations of particle size analyses, vancomycin content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and in vitro drug release were performed. The results showed that silk coating could reduce the large initial burst release and retard the vancomycin release. Therefore, we suggest that the SF could be used as an aqueous coating material for vancomycin-loaded PCL microspheres and prolonged the drug release. SF coating on vancomycin-loaded PCL microspheres may be considered as an effective approach to prolong the drug release and improve the anti-infection effects.

Synthesis and Biopharmaceutical Applications of Sugar-Based Polymers: New Advances and Future Prospects.

The rapid rise in research interest in carbohydrate-based polymers is undoubtedly due to the nontoxic nature of such materials in an in vivo environment and the versatile roles that the polymers can play in cellular functions. Such polymers have served as therapeutic tools for drug delivery, including antigens, proteins, and genes, as well as diagnostic devices. Our focus in the first half of this Review is on synthetic methods based on ring-opening polymerization and enzyme-catalyzed polymerization, along with controlled radical polymerization. In the second half of this Review, sugar-based polymers are discussed on the basis of their remarkable success in competitive receptor binding, as multifunctional nanocarriers of targeting inhibitors for cancer treatment, in genome-editing delivery, in immunotherapy based on endogenous antibody recruitment, and in treatment of respiratory diseases, including influenza A. Particular emphasis is put on the synthesis and biopharmaceutical applications of sugar-based polymers published in the most recent 5 years. A noticeable attribute of carbohydrate-based polymers is that the sugar-receptor interactions can be facilitated by the cooperative effect of multiple sugar units. Their diversified topology and structures will drive the development of new synthetic strategies and bring about important applications, including coronavirus-related drug therapy.

[Nonradiological methods for implant surgical guide accuracy measurement].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of static computer-navigated implantation with surgical guides, based on a non-radiological method. Traditional measurements with a second cone-beam CT (CBCT) were applied to verify the accuracy. METHODS: A total of thirty template-guided implantations were designed and performed on 15 resin models. Two paralleled bone-level implants were planned in the edentulous space of each model, between which the distance was 4 mm. Postoperative implant positions were detected with both CAD/CAM-based measurements applying an intraoral scanner (3Shape TRIOS) and traditional ways via CBCT. Both methods were conducted with a CAD quality-control, reverse engineering software, Geomagic Studio 2013, comparing the positions with the virtual ones. Statistical analysis was processed with SPSS 23.0 software package. RESULTS: Measurements using CBCT (control group) showed a trend toward greater deviations when the results were directly compared(P<0.05). In the CAD/CAM-based evaluation of the 30 samples, the mean deviation of the insertion axis from the planned implant axis was 1.134°. The mean deviations of the implant shoulders in the horizontal direction and at the implant apices were 0.447 mm and 0.557 mm, respectively. No significant difference was observed when measuring distance deviation with the two assessment ways. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with evaluation based on radiology, CAD/CAM based evaluation system is able to evaluate implant accuracy precisely, effectively reduce radiological exposure of patients, being suitable for clinical evaluation.