Electrochemical synthesis of multilayered PEDOT/PEDOT-SH/Au nanocomposites for electrochemical sensing of nitrite.

A multilayered film of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(thiomethyl 3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene)/gold nanoparticle (PEDOT/PEDOT-SH/Au) nanocomposites was successfully synthesized on indium tin oxide (ITO) and glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via an electrochemical technique. The structure and morphology of the composite was characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis, EDS, XPS, and SEM analyses. The prepared multilayered PEDOT/PEDOT-SH/Au nanocomposite was used for the electrochemical catalytic oxidation of nitrite by amperometry. The results showed that the microstructures of PEDOT/PEDOT-SH/Au nanocomposites are not strongly dependent on the substrate. Fibrous PEDOT as hard template absorbed EDOT-SH on it to form porous PEDOT/PEDOT-SH. Porous structure had the advantages of large specific surface area and high porosity for nitrite ion adsorption. The thiol group in PEDOT/PEDOT-SH stabilized Au nanoparticles (NPs) effectively through Au-S bond and allowed Au NPs to have high dispersion and excellent electrocatalytic activity. The PEDOT/PEDOT-SH/Au composite prepared on GCE had a good performance in its electrochemical response to nitrite ions. PEDOT/PEDOT-SH/Au/GCE displayed a low oxidation potential (0.74 V), a fast response time (< 3 s), a low detection limit (0.051 µM), two linear ranges (0.15-1 mM and 1-16 mM), good sensitivity (0.301 µA µM-1 cm-2 and 0.133 µA µM-1 cm-2) with good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the preparation process of the nitrite ion electrochemical sensor.

Accuracy of flapless surgery using an autonomous robotic system in full-arch immediate implant restoration: A case series.

OBJECTIVES: This observational study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of robotic computer-assisted implant surgery (r-CAIS) for full-arch immediate restoration and to analyse possible factors contributing to deviations. METHODS: Three edentulous patients (five arches) underwent r-CAIS. Osteotomies were performed using an autonomous robot under the surgeon's supervision, and implant placement was performed in a freehand or robotic manner. Prefabricated provisional prostheses were delivered immediately after surgery. Postoperative cone beam computed tomography scans were performed to assess the deviations between the planned and placed implants. Statistics were compared with deviations of s-CAIS outlined in a meta-analysis. RESULTS: A sum of 28 implants were used. The mean global coronal and apical deviations measured 0.91 ± 0.43 mm and 1.01 ± 0.45 mm, respectively, and the mean angular deviation measured 1.21 ± 1.24 º. The r-CAIS showed significantly better precision than the s-CAIS in full-arch cases (P < 0.001). The implants inserted using the robotic arm exhibited fewer deviations than those placed in the freehand manner. Eighty percent of prefabricated provisional prostheses were successfully delivered. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, our data suggest that autonomous r-CAIS is a feasible approach for simultaneous immediate restoration in edentulous patients, showing better accuracy than s-CAIS. Further large-scale studies are necessary to verify the advantages and disadvantages of this novel technique and to explore possible factors that influence its accuracy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Autonomous r-CAIS can provide clinically acceptable implant placement accuracy in edentulous patients, significantly surpassing s-CAIS. This level of accuracy may represent a viable therapeutic approach for simultaneous immediate full-arch restoration.

Occurrence characteristics and potential risk of microplastics under different land conditions.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has caused widespread concern, more researchers have focused on MPs in farmland soil. However, the distribution of MPs in different land use types, land restoration years and crop types remained largely unexplored. Therefore, the study investigated the distribution characteristics and evaluated ecological risk of MPs in soil of northern Shaanxi Province, China. The abundance, particle size, morphology and polymer types of MPs in soil were analyzed by sample collection, Raman spectroscopy and laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR). The ecological risk index (H) and pollution load index (PLI) were employed to assess the risks posed by MPs in the soil. It was shown that the concentration of MPs in farmland soil was the highest (4483 items·kg-1) among the different land use types. The average abundance of microplastics in farmland soil was 1.98 times than that in industrial park soil. An increase in restoration years corresponded with a decrease in MPs abundance and an increase in smaller-sized MPs. In addition, the content of MPs in the soil of perennial crops was more stable, with fluctuations less than 25%, and the size of MPs was smaller than that of the annual crops. The main types of MPs in the soil of the study area were PP (28.5%) and PET (24.1%), MPs with size between 20 and 40 µm were dominated. Based on the pollution load index (PLI), 51.9% of the sampling sites were categorized as moderately polluted, and the MPs pollution risk of farmland soil was the highest. Mild and moderate pollution caused fewer adverse impact, while extremely strong pollution was detrimental to ecosystems and human health. In general, the study would provide a foundational understanding of MPs pollution levels and environment risk associated with different land use types, land restoration years and crop types.

Smart molecularly imprinted polymers: recent developments and applications.

The use of the molecular imprinting technique to produce polymers with high specificity for a given "molecular template" has undergone a rapid and expansive evolution since the inception of the idea over half a century ago. It was only a matter of time before the seemingly inevitable "marriage" of this concept with another modern research obsession, the generation of "smart" polymers, capable of reacting quickly, accurately and reproducibly to changes in their environment. Many advances have since been made, concerning the quality and diversity of these systems and polymers responsive to temperature, pH and a host of other environmental cues now exist. This article provides a succinct overview of the process and outcomes of "smart" molecular imprinting, followed by a detailed assessment of recent developments and applications in such field.

A review on polysaccharides mediated electrospun nanofibers for diabetic wound healing: Their current status with regulatory perspective.

The current treatment strategies for diabetic wound care provide only moderate degree of effectiveness; hence new and improved therapeutic techniques are in great demand. Diabetic wound healing is a complex physiological process that involves synchronisation of various biological events such as haemostasis, inflammation, and remodelling. Nanomaterials like polymeric nanofibers (NFs) offer a promising approach for the treatment of diabetic wounds and have emerged as viable options for wound management. Electrospinning is a powerful and cost-effective method to fabricate versatile NFs with a wide array of raw materials for different biological applications. The electrospun NFs have unique advantages in the development of wound dressings due to their high specific surface area and porosity. The electrospun NFs possess a unique porous structure and biological function similar to the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), and are known to accelerate wound healing. Compared to traditional dressings, the electrospun NFs are more effective in healing wounds owing to their distinct characteristics, good surface functionalisation, better biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the electrospinning procedure and its operating principle, with special emphasis on the role of electrospun NFs in the treatment of diabetic wounds. This review discusses the present techniques applied in the fabrication of NF dressings, and highlights the future prospects of electrospun NFs in medicinal applications.

Nutrition impact symptoms: Noteworthy prognostic indicators for lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) in head and neck cancer are well-studied and are found to be heavy contributors of poor outcome. However, the prevalence and role of NIS in other cancer are less addressed. In this study, we investigated the incidence and prognostic role of NIS in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: NIS, evaluated by patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) in a multicenter real-world prospective study, included loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcer, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, taste change, altered smell, dysphagia, early satiety, and pain. The endpoints were the patients' overall survival (OS) and quality of life (QoL). The COX analysis was used to investigate the relationship between NIS and OS. Interaction analysis and mediation analysis were performed to determine the modifiers and mediator. RESULTS: 3634 patients with lung cancer were enrolled in this study, of which 1533 patients had NIS. During the average follow-up of 22.65 months, 1875 deaths occurred. The OS of patients with lung cancer with NIS was lower than that of patients without NIS. NIS (HR, 1.181, 95% CI, 1.073-1.748), loss of appetite (HR, 1.266, 95% CI, 1.137-1.409), vomiting (HR, 1.282, 95% CI, 1.053-1.561), and dysphagia (HR, 1.401, 95% CI, 1.079-1.819) were independent prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer. There were interactions between chemotherapy and primary tumor on NIS . In the relationship between different types of NIS (NIS, loss of appetite, vomiting, dysphagia) and prognosis, the mediating effects of inflammation accounted for 15.76%, 16.49%, 26.32%, and 18.13%, respectively. Meanwhile, these three NIS were closely associated with the occurrence of severe malnutrition and cancer cachexia. CONCLUSIONS: 42% patients with lung cancer experienced different types of NIS. NIS were independent indicators of malnutrition, cancer cachexia and shorter OS, and closely related to QoL. NIS management is of clinical significance.

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by a plant pathogen, Corynespora cassiicola.

We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Corynespora cassiicola. Molecular identification of this pathogen on grasses confirms that it may be involved in human infection, as previously reported once in pre-molecular literature. In vitro antifungal susceptibility data of the strain are provided. The patient was successfully treated with oral terbinafine with topical povidone iodine in accordance with the results obtained through in vitro susceptibility testing.

Osseointegration of a novel dental implant in canine.

This study aimed to compare and verify the osseointegration performance of a novel implant (NI) in vivo, which could provide a useful scientific basis for the further development of NIs. Thirty-two NIs treated with hydrofluoric acid and anodization and sixteen control implants (CIs) were placed in the mandibles of 8 beagles. Micro-CT showed that the trabecular number (Tb.N) significantly increased and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) significantly decreased in the NIs at 2 weeks. Significant differences were found in the trabecular thickness, Tb.N, Tb.Sp, bone surface/bone volume ratio, and bone volume/total volume ratio between the two groups from the 2nd-4th weeks. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the bone volume density at 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks or bone-implant contact at 2 or 4 weeks, but the BIC in the CIs was higher than that in the NIs at the 8th and 12th weeks. Meanwhile, the histological staining showed a similar osseointegration process between the two groups over time. Overall, the NIs could be used as new potential implants after further improvement.

Molecularly imprinted sorbent assays: recent developments and applications.

Molecular imprinting has attracted considerable attention, because it offers the tantalising prospect of specific antibody-mimicking recognition and binding sites, coupled with several distinct advantages such as excellent stability, ease of preparation and low cost. In this Minireview, recent progress in molecularly imprinted sorbent assays is discussed, with a particular emphasis on the most significant developments and applications over the last few years.

Too large to fit? Recent developments in macromolecular imprinting.

Molecular imprinting involves the synthesis of polymers in the presence of a template to produce complementary binding sites with specific recognition ability. The technique has been successfully applied as a measurement and separation technology, producing a uniquely robust and antibody-like polymeric material. Low molecular weight molecules have been extensively exploited as imprint templates, leading to significant achievements in solid-phase extraction, sensing and enzyme-like catalysis. By contrast, macromolecular imprinting remains underdeveloped, principally because of the lack of binding site accessibility. In this review, we focus on the most recent developments in this area, not only covering the widespread use of biological macro-templates but also highlighting the emerging use of synthetic macro-templates, such as dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers.

Porphyrin cored hyperbranched polymers as heme protein models.

The single step synthesis of an Fe(II) porphyrin cored hyperbranched polymer, possessing similar size and topology to the natural heme containing proteins, is reported: UV spectroscopy successfully demonstrated the ability of this polymer to reversibly bind oxygen.

Pentosan polysulfate: a novel therapy for the mucopolysaccharidoses.

BACKGROUND: Pentosan polysulfate (PPS) is an FDA-approved, oral medication with anti-inflammatory and pro-chondrogenic properties. We have previously shown that animal models of the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) exhibit significant inflammatory disease, contributing to cartilage degeneration. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) only partly reduced inflammation, and anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy significantly enhanced clinical and pathological outcomes. Here we describe the use of PPS for the treatment of MPS type VI rats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Treatment began during prenatal development and at 1 and 6 months of age. All animals were treated until they were 9 months old. Significant reductions in the serum and tissue levels of several inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-alpha, MIP-1alpha and RANTES/CCL5) were observed, as was reduced expression of inflammatory markers in cultured articular chondrocytes. ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 levels also were reduced in chondrocytes, consistent with an elevation of serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. Marked improvements in motility and grooming behavior occurred, along with a reduction in eye and nasal secretions and a lessening of the tracheal deformities. MicroCT and radiographic analyses further revealed that the treated MPS skulls were longer and thinner, and that the teeth malocclusions, misalignments and mineral densities were improved. MicroCT analysis of the femurs and vertebrae revealed improvements in trabecular bone mineral densities, number and spacing in a subset of treated MPS animals. Biomechanical assessments of PPS-treated spines showed partially restored torsional behaviors, suggesting increased spinal stability. No improvements were observed in cortical bone or femur length. The positive changes in the PPS-treated MPS VI rats occurred despite glycosaminoglycan accumulation in their tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings we conclude that PPS could be a simple and effective therapy for MPS that might provide significant clinical benefits alone and in combination with other therapies.

[Comparison of tolerance to sequential continuous positive airway pressure therapy between patients after classical and after modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) on postoperation continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: 66 OSAHS patients underwent UPPP were recruited and all were followed up for more than 12 months. Among them 24 patients were treated with classical UPPP, 42 had modified UPPP treatment. The efficacy of surgery was compared between the two groups. The post-operation tolerance to CPAP pressure was tested during sleep CPAP titration in 24 classical UPPP patients and in 15 modified UPPP patients. RESULTS: The validity ratio is 58.3% and 61.9% 12 months after operation. There was no significant difference between classical UPPP and modified UPPP in regard to surgery efficacy, and most of them need further CPAP therapy. During CPAP treatment, compared with untreated OSAHS patients, the highest CPAP pressure classical UPPP group could tolerant decreased significantly, however, classical UPPP group did not. 16.7% of classical UPPP patients had severe mouth air leak before optimal CPAP pressure was titrated, but none of the 15 post modified UPPP failed to sequential CPAP therapy. CONCLUSION: The efficacy was similar between modified UPPP and classical UPPP treatment, post modified UPPP patients had better tolerance to sequential CPAP treatment. It may be better to treat OSAHS patients with modified UPPP instead of classical UPPP.