Controlled synthesized of ternary Cu-Co-Ni-S sulfides nanoporous network structure on carbon fiber paper: a superior catalytic electrode for highly-sensitive glucose sensing.

BACKGROUND: Efficient monitoring of glucose concentration in the human body necessitates the utilization of electrochemically active sensing materials in nonenzymatic glucose sensors. However, prevailing limitations such as intricate fabrication processes, lower sensitivity, and instability impede their practical application. Herein, ternary Cu-Co-Ni-S sulfides nanoporous network structure was synthesized on carbon fiber paper (CP) by an ultrafast, facile, and controllable technique through on-step cyclic voltammetry, serving as a superior self-supporting catalytic electrode for the high-performance glucose sensor. RESULTS: The direct growth of free-standing Cu-Co-Ni-S on the interconnected three-dimensional (3D) network of CP boosted the active site of the composites, improved ion diffusion kinetics, and significantly promoted the electron transfer rate. The multiple oxidation states and synergistic effects among Co, Ni, Cu, and S further promoted glucose electrooxidation. The well-architected Cu-Co-Ni-S/CP presented exceptional electrocatalytic properties for glucose with satisfied linearity of a broad range from 0.3 to 16,000 µM and high sensitivity of 6829 µA mM- 1 cm- 2. Furthermore, the novel sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity and storage stability, which could successfully evaluate the glucose levels in human serum. Notably, the novel Cu-Co-Ni-S/CP showed favorable biocompatibility, proving its potential for in vivo glucose monitoring. CONCLUSION: The proposed 3D hierarchical morphology self-supported electrode sensor, which demonstrates appealing analysis behavior for glucose electrooxidation, holds great promise for the next generation of high-performance glucose sensors.

Fast and Selective Degradation of Biomass for Xylose, Glucose and Lignin under Mild Conditions.

The conversion of lignocellulose into valuable chemicals has been recognized as the key technology in green chemistry. However, selective degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose with the production of lignin is still a challenge. Therefore, a two-step process has been developed to degrade corncob into xylose and glucose under mild conditions. At first, the corncob was treated with the lower concentration of zinc chloride aqueous solution (30-55 w%) at 95 °C with a short reaction time (8-12 min) and 30.4 w% (selectivity = 89%) of xylose obtained with a solid residue of the composite of cellulose and lignin. Next, the solid residue was treated with a high concentration of zinc chloride aqueous solution (65-85 w%) at 95 °C for about 10 min, and 29.4 w% (selectivity = 92%) of glucose can be obtained. Combining the two steps, the total yield of xylose is 97%, while glucose is 95%. In addition, high pure lignin can be obtained simultaneously, which was confirmed using HSQC studies. Furthermore, for the solid residue of the first-step reaction, a ternary deep eutectic solvent (DES) (choline chloride/oxalic acid/1,4-butanediol, ChCl/OA/BD) has been used to separate the cellulose and lignin efficiently, and high-quality cellulose (Re-C) and lignin (Re-L) were obtained. Furthermore, it provides a simple method to disassemble the lignocellulose for monosaccharides, lignin, and cellulose.

Perception of Non-surgical Periodontal Treatment in Individuals Receiving or Not Receiving Local Anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: Patients might refuse the offer of local anaesthesia (LA) administration prior to dental treatment. This study investigates subjective discomfort perception during non-surgical mechanical periodontal therapy delivered with or without LA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with mild to moderate chronic periodontitis and prior periodontal debridement experience were randomly enrolled in nonsurgical therapy of a quadrant with or without LA administration. Patients were free to comply or not with the allocated LA arrangement. Visual analogue scales (VAS) of discomfort perception at various stages of the treatment as well as overall satisfaction were recorded. Demographic, psychosocial and periodontal parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients undergoing nonsurgical periodontal therapy not receiving (LA-) and 29 participants receiving LA (LA+) were studied. Compared to LA- patients, LA+ individuals perceived less discomfort during treatment and reported less dental anxiety (p<0.05). Lower overall treatment satisfaction was associated with prior unpleasant periodontal experience (p=0.047). Overall, debridement discomfort was associated with not receiving LA, noncompliance with the pain control regimen allocated, longer treatment duration, greater gingival inflammation and a higher percentage sites with probing pocket depths≥5 mm (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware that patients who refuse LA can experience higher dental anxiety and therefore may require various pain control strategies for comfort during nonsurgical periodontal therapy, which, if not employed, can lead to less periodontal treatment satisfaction.

Nanoparticle BAF312@CaP-NP Overcomes Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor-1-Mediated Chemoresistance Through Inhibiting S1PR1/P-STAT3 Axis in Ovarian Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Platinum/paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is the strategy for ovarian cancer, but chemoresistance, inherent or acquired, occurs and hinders therapy. Therefore, further understanding of the mechanisms of drug resistance and adoption of novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. METHODS: In this study, we report that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1)-mediated chemoresistance for ovarian cancer. Then we developed nanoparticles with a hydrophilic PEG2000 chain and a hydrophobic DSPE and biodegradable CaP (calcium ions and phosphate ions) shell with pH sensitivity as a delivery system (CaP-NPs) to carry BAF312, a selective antagonist of S1PR1 (BAF312@CaP-NPs), to overcome the cisplatin (DDP) resistance of the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3DR. RESULTS: We found that S1PR1 affected acquired chemoresistance in ovarian cancer by increasing the phosphorylated-signal transduction and activators of transcription 3 (P-STAT3) level. The mean size and zeta potential of BAF312@CaP-NPs were 116 ± 4.341 nm and -9.67 ± 0.935 mV, respectively. The incorporation efficiency for BAF312 in the CaP-NPs was 76.1%. The small size of the nanoparticles elevated their enrichment in the tumor, and the degradable CaP shell with smart pH sensitivity of the BAF312@CaP-NPs ensured the release of BAF312 in the acidic tumor niche. BAF312@CaP-NPs caused substantial cytotoxicity in DDP-resistant ovarian cancer cells by downregulating S1PR1 and P-STAT3 levels. CONCLUSION: We found that BAF312@CaP-NPs act as an effective and selective delivery system for overcoming S1PR1-mediated chemoresistance in ovarian carcinoma by inhibiting S1PR1 and P-STAT3.

[Evaluation of condylar asymmetry in different skeletal patterns with cone-beam CT].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate condylar asymmetry in different skeletal patterns with cone-beam CT (CBCT). METHODS: A total of 110 subjects aged from 18 to 30 years were selected from patients who had undergone CBCT examinations retrospectively. All the subjects were divided into three groups according to their skeletal patterns: Class Ⅰ (Cl Ⅰ: 0°≤ANB≤5°), Class Ⅱ (Cl Ⅱ: ANB>5°) and Class Ⅲ (Cl Ⅲ: ANB<0°). In addition, each group was further divided into two subgroups according to genders. Condylar (Co-Sig), ramus (Go-Sig) and condyle-plus-ramus (Co-Go) asymmetry were assessed by identifying landmarks on the reconstructed images with a 3-dimentional (3D) reference plane. The coordinates of the landmarks were calculated statistically. The data were analyzed statistically with SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS: The condyle-plus-ramus and ramus asymmetry (Co-Go R-L and Go-Sig R-L) were affected by the ANB angle (P<0.05) respectively, and the differences mainly came from the y coordinate (P<0.05). When comparing the two sides of the three groups respectively, the Co-Go, Go-Sig and Co-Sig of some patients had gender difference and left-right difference. The z coordinate of point Menton (Me) had significant difference (P<0.05) caused by different skeletal patterns, while the coordinates of x and y were similar (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Condyle-plus-ramus and the ramus asymmetry were affected by different skeletal patterns and the differences were caused by the height primarily. Patients of Class Ⅲ usually manifest mandibular protrusion while Class Ⅱ with mandibular retrognathism. Whether the degree of chin deviation differs according to the condylar asymmetry needs further investigation.

[Clinical efficacy of Nd:YAG laser combined with Vitapex paste in the treatment of periapical cysts around single root].

PURPOSE: To explore the clinical efficacy of Nd:YAG laser combined with Vitapex paste in the treatment of periapical cysts around single root. METHODS: Thirty-four teeth with periapical cysts in 34 patients were treated from August 2014 to August 2016 in Taizhou People's Hospital using Nd: YAG laser, Vitapex paste was injected into the small periapical cysts, followed by conventional root canal filling. The clinical efficacy was observed every 3 months after surgery, the follow period was from 10 months to 2 years. RESULTS: Thirty four patients with 34 teeth were treated, and 32 teeth were followed up, 29 were cured, the failure rate was 6.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Nd:YAG laser combined with Vitapex paste is satisfactory in the treatment of periapical cysts around single root, which is worthy of wide clinical application.

[Clinical aesthetic effectiveness of restoring the subgingival residual crowns of anterior teeth with crown lengthening surgery].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effects of restoring the subgingival residual crowns of anterior teeth with periodontal and prosthodontics treatment. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with 28 subgingival residual crowns were treated by root canal therapy, crown lengthening surgery, and restored with post- core crown after 8 weeks. Changes in tooth mobility, gingival health were examined and clinical effect of crown restoration were evaluated at regular intervals of 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after restoration respectively. RESULTS: One year after restoration，the gingival health was improved and the overall effective rate was 89.28%. Three teeth were failed, one was due to mild tooth loose，and the other two were due to exposure of crown margin. CONCLUSIONS: For subgingival residual crowns of anterior teeth, crown lengthening surgery can conserve the biological width, and produce enough height of ferrule. Restoration can obtain satisfactory effects, but the indication must be selected properly.

[An epidemiological investigation of caries status of the first permanent molars of children aged 7-9 year in Taizhou City].

PURPOSE: To investigate caries prevalence of the first permanent molars of children aged 7-9 years in Taizhou city. METHODS: According to caries diagnostic criteria of WHO, 3653 primary school students in downtown areas of Taizhou city were surveyed; the data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 20.0 software package. RESULTS: The total caries prevalence rate of the first permanent molars was 24.99%. The average decayed-missing-filled (DMFT) teeth were 0.49.The total filling rate was 3.62%. The caries prevalence of the first permanent molars in 7-，8- and 9 year-old children was 15.37%,20.38% and 39.67%， respectively. The caries prevalence of girls was 27.61%, which was significantly higher than boys (21.84%).The caries prevalence (%) rate of the first permanent molars in the mandible was significantly higher than that in the maxilla. CONCLUSIONS: Caries prevalence of the first permanent molars is high in children aged 7-9 years in Taizhou city. Caries prevention and treatment measures should be strengthened for children in order to reduce the incidence of dental caries.

[Investigation of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment proportion of middle school students in Hailing district, Taizhou city].

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment proportion of middle school students in Hailing district, Taizhou city. METHODS: Standard investigation form was made based on the individual normal occlusion and Angle's classification of malocclusion. 9018 middle school students were investigated. SPSS 19.0 software package was used for Chi-square test. RESULTS: The prevalence of malocclusion was 69.38%. ClassⅠ, ClassII and Class III malocclusions were observed in 52.48%, 30.62% and 16.90% of the sample, respectively. The correction rate was lower than those reported for other cities. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the investigation reveal the need to improve public health plans for orthodontic treatment and to increase the rate of correction in Hailing district, Taizhou city.

[Preparation of long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes and its pharmacokinetics].

AIM: To prepare the mitoxantrone long circulating liposomes (LCL) and to observe the residence behavior of the mitoxantrone LCL in rabbits. METHODS: The long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes were prepared by ethanol injection combined with the ammonium sulphate gradients method. Amphipathic polyethylene glycol-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) was added to modify the membrane of the liposomes. The column-switching system of RP-HPLC was utilized to determine mitoxantrone concentration in rabbit plasma. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes was 60 nm, with the entrapping efficiency of 93.6%. With the same dosage (2 mg.kg-1) i.v. in rabbits, the mean residence time (MRT) of the long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes was 9.8 h, while that of the normal liposomes was 3.6 h, and the AUC of the former is 6.4 fold greater than of the latter. It showed that the long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes prolonged the resident time of the drug in the blood circulating system and they reduced the uptake by the reticuloendothelial system, simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Liposomes with high entrapping efficiency and small particle size could be prepared by ethanol injection combined with the ammonium sulphate gradients method, and the liposomes modified by PEG-DSPE could raise the AUC and prolonged the resident time of the drug in the blood circulating system.

[Clinical application of artificial condylar process for reconstructing temporomandibular joint].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of artificial condylar process in reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2010, the reconstructions of the temporomandibular joints with artificial condylar process were performed in 10 cases (11 sides, including 7 left sides and 4 right sides). There were 7 males and 3 females with an average age of 50 years (range, 40-68 years). Mandibular condyle defects were caused by mandible tumor in 7 patients with a mean disease duration of 15 months (range, 9-24 months) and by bilateral condylar fractures in 3 patients with the disease duration of 2, 3, and 2 days respectively. According to Neff classification, there were type M and A in 1 case, type M and B in 1 case, and type M in one side and subcondylar fracture in the other side in 1 case. RESULTS: Incisions in all patients healed by first intention, and no complication occurred. All cases were followed up 1 to 4 years, showed facial symmetry and good occluding relation, and the mouth opening was 22-38 mm (mean, 30 mm). No temporomandibular joint clicking or pain and no recurrence of tumor were observed. Most of the artificial condylar process were in good position except 1 deviated from the correct angle slightly. All the patients could have diet normally. CONCLUSION: The results of temporomandibular joint reconstruction after tumor resection with artificial condylar process are good, but the clinical outcome for intracapsular condylar fracture is expected to be further verified.