Comparing the modified socket-shield technique with the conventional immediate implantation technique in the anterior dentition: A 5-year retrospective clinical study.

AIMS: The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare the 5-year radiological and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing immediate implantation with or without the modified socket-shield technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent anterior tooth replacement via the modified socket-shield technique (MSST) or the conventional immediate implantation technique (CIIT) between 2016 and 2017 were included. The labial bone thickness was assessed at different measurement levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 mm apical to the implant shoulder (IS)) postoperatively (T1), 6 months postoperatively (T2) and 5 years postoperatively (T3). The pink aesthetic score (PES) was evaluated before surgery (T0) and at T2 and T3. Implant success, complications and patient satisfaction were evaluated at every visit. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (18 in the MSST group) underwent follow-up for 5 years, with no cases of implant failure. Two cases of exposure were detected in the MSST group, but there were no significant effects on hard or soft tissue. Patients in the MSST group showed less and more stable bone resorption than did those in the CIIT group at any measurement level and any time. A higher PES was achieved in the MSST group. Patient satisfaction was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The MSST is a reliable immediate implantation method because of its ability to preserve the alveolar bone and provide superior recovery of aesthetics.

Polystyrene microplastics exacerbated the toxicity of okadaic acid to the small intestine in mice.

Microplastics (MPs) and okadaic acid (OA) are known to coexist in marine organisms, potentially impacting humans through food chain. However, the combined toxicity of OA and MPs remains unknown. In this study, mice were orally administered OA at 200 µg/kg bw and MPs at 2 mg/kg bw. The co-exposure group showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and significant decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level compared to the control, MPs and OA groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the co-exposure group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-1ß and IL-18 compared to other groups (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that co-exposure to MPs and OA induces oxidative stress and exacerbates inflammation. Histological and cellular ultrastructure analyses suggested that this combined exposure may enhance gut damage and compromise barrier integrity. Consequently, the concentration of OA in the small intestine of the co-exposure group was significantly higher than that in the OA group. Furthermore, MPs were observed in the lamina propria of the gut in the co-exposure group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the co-exposure led to increased expression of certain genes related to the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway compared to the OA and MPs groups. Overall, this combined exposure may disrupt the intestinal barrier, and promote inflammation through the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. These findings provide precious information for the understanding of health risks associated with MPs and phycotoxins.

Sleep deprivation boosts O2·- levels in the brains of mice as visualized by a Golgi apparatus-targeted ratiometric fluorescence nanosensor.

Sleep deprivation (SD) is highly prevalent in the modern technological world. Emerging evidence shows that sleep deprivation is associated with oxidative stress. At the organelle level, the Golgi apparatus actively participates in the stress response. In this study, to determine whether SD and Golgi apparatus stress are correlated, we rationally designed and fabricated a novel Golgi apparatus-targeted ratiometric nanoprobe called Golgi dots for O2·- detection. This probe exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity in cells and brain slices of sleep-deprived mice. Golgi dots can be readily synthesized by coprecipitation of Golgi-F127, an amphiphilic polymer F127 modified with a Golgi apparatus targeting moiety, caffeic acid (CA), the responsive unit for O2·-, and red emissive carbon nanodots (CDs), which act as the reference signal. The fluorescence emission spectrum of the developed nanoprobe showed an intense peak at 674 nm, accompanied by a shoulder peak at 485 nm. As O2·- was gradually added, the fluorescence at 485 nm continuously increased; in contrast, the emission intensity at 674 nm assigned to the CDs remained constant, resulting in the ratiometric sensing of O2·-. The present ratiometric nanoprobe showed high selectivity for O2·- monitoring due to the specific recognition of O2·- by CA. Moreover, the Golgi dots exhibited good linearity with respect to the O2·- concentration within 5 to 40 µM, and the limit of detection (LOD) was ~ 0.13 µM. Additionally, the Golgi dots showed low cytotoxicity and an ability to target the Golgi apparatus. Inspired by these excellent properties, we then applied the Golgi dots to successfully monitor exogenous and endogenous O2·- levels within the Golgi apparatus. Importantly, with the help of Golgi dots, we determined that SD substantially elevated O2·- levels in the brain.

Antibiotic-loaded bone substitutes therapy in the management of the moderate to severe diabetic foot infection: A meta-analysis.

In recent years, local antibiotic-loaded bone substitutes (ALBS) have been used increasingly in the treatment of diabetic foot infection (DFI). The meta-analysis aimed to analyse the efficacy of ALBS on patients with moderate to severe DFI (with or without osteomyelitis). With an appropriate search strategy, 7 studies were selected for analysis (2 RCTs and 5 cohort studies). The result showed that the application of ALBS effectively reduced the length of hospital stay (WMD -5.55; 95% CI: -9.85 to -1.26; P = 0.01), the recurrence rates (RR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.69; P = 0.003) and the mortality rates (RR 0.22; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.82; P = 0.02). Compared to the control groups, however, there was no difference in healing rates (RR 1.06; 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.18; P = 0.26), healing time (WMD -1.44; 95% CI: -3.37 to -0.49; P = 0.14), the number of debridement (WMD -1.98; 95% CI: -4.08 to 0.12; P = 0.06) and major amputation rates (RR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.35 to 1.61; P = 0.47). The ALBS appears to have some beneficial effects as an adjunct to standard surgery in the treatment of DFI with or without osteomyelitis, as it reduces recurrence rates, mortality rates, and length of hospital stay, but there was no statistically significant difference in enhancing wound healing.

Preparation of Aerogel-like Silica Foam with the Hollow-Sphere-Based 3D Network Skeleton by the Cast-in Situ Method and Ambient Pressure Drying.

Silica aerogels have incomparable advantages among thermal insulation materials because of their ultralow density and thermal conductivity, but cumbersome production processes, high cost, and low mechanical stability limit their practical application. In this study, a novel aqueous process to prepare lightweight aerogel-like silica foams (ASFoams) through the cast-in situ method and ambient pressure drying was proposed with multiblock polyurethane surfactant as the vesicle template. ASFoams possess a unique loose stacking morphology of the silica hollow sphere with a 3D network structure as the skeleton, which endues ASFoams with a low density of 0.059 g/cm3, low thermal conductivity of 36.1 mW·k-1·m-1, and pretty good mechanical properties. These properties make ASFoams a promising option for thermal insulation in industrial, aerospace, and other extreme environmental conditions. In addition, the micromorphology of ASFoams can be adjusted by changing the reaction conditions, which may provide a facile method for the preparation of a silica aerogel-like foam with adjustable microstructure.

The Preparation of Golgi Apparatus-Targeted Polymer Dots Encapsulated with Carbon Nanodots of Bright Near-Infrared Fluorescence for Long-Term Bioimaging.

As a vital organelle in eukaryotic cells, the Golgi apparatus is responsible for processing and transporting proteins in cells. Precisely monitoring the status of the Golgi apparatus with targeted fluorescence imaging technology is of enormous importance but remains a dramatically challenging task. In this study, we demonstrate the construction of the first Golgi apparatus-targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanoprobe, termed Golgi-Pdots. As a starting point of our investigation, hydrophobic carbon nanodots (CNDs) with bright NIR fluorescence at 674 nm (fluorescence quantum yield: 12.18%), a narrow emission band of 23 nm, and excellent stability were easily prepared from Magnolia Denudata flowers using an ultrasonic method. Incorporating the CNDs into a polymer matrix modified with Golgi-targeting molecules allowed for the production of the water-soluble Golgi-Pdots, which showed high colloidal stability and similar optical properties compared with pristine CNDs. Further studies revealed that the Golgi-Pdots showed good biocompatibility and Golgi apparatus-targeting capability. Based on these fascinating merits, utilizing Golgi-Pdots for the long-term tracking of the Golgi apparatus inside live cells was immensely successful.

Characterizations of three-dimensional root morphology and topological location of mandibular third molars by cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to delineate three-dimensional (3D) root morphology and topological locations of mandibular third molars (MTMs) by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Chinese adult dental population. METHODS: Adult patients with MTMs were retrospectively screened based on CBCT images at our institution between January 2018 and December 2019. Root morphology and spatial locations of these teeth were defined based on CBCT 3D images. Potential associations with epidemiological and clinical/radiological parameters were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher exact test. Two-tailed P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total number of 2680 eligible patients (male/female:0.74; 35 ± 10 years old) with 4180 MTMs were enrolled. The majority of MTMs had 2 roots 3064 (73.30%), followed by 800 (19.14%) 1 root, 302 (7.22%) 3 roots, and 14 (0.33%) 4 roots. More than half of one-rooted MTMs were convergent, followed by club-shaped and C-shaped. Among MTMs with 2 roots, 2860 (93.34%) were M-D (mesio-distal) types. Most MTMs with 3 roots were M-2D (one root in mesial, two roots in distal) types, followed by 2M-D (two roots in mesial, one root in distal) types, and B-2L (one root in buccal, two roots in lingual) types. The presence of root configurations was significantly associated with the angulation, depth, and width classification in two-rooted MTMs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the morphology and spatial locations of MTMs vary greatly, our results from a large dental population reconfirm that most MTMs have two roots with mesial-distal type of spatial distribution.

Anti-angiogenic drug aggravates the degree of anti-resorptive drug-based medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw by impairing the proliferation and migration function of gingival fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Long-term use of anti-resorptive or anti-angiogenic drugs in cancer patients with odontogenic infections may lead to medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study investigated whether anti-angiogenic agents aggravate MRONJ occurrence in anti-resorptive-treated patients. METHODS: The clinical stage and jawbone exposure of MRONJ patients caused by different drug regimens were analyzed to ascertain the aggravation effect of anti-angiogenic drugs on anti-resorptive drug-based MRONJ. Next, a periodontitis mice model was established, and tooth extraction was performed after administering anti-resorptive and/or anti-angiogenic drugs; the imaging and histological change of the extraction socket were observed. Moreover, the cell function of gingival fibroblasts was analyzed after the treatment with anti-resorptive and/or anti-angiogenic drugs in order to evaluate their effect on the gingival tissue healing of the extraction socket. RESULTS: Patients treated with anti-angiogenic and anti-resorptive drugs had an advanced clinical stage and a bigger proportion of necrotic jawbone exposure compared to patients treated with anti-resorptive drugs alone. In vivo study further indicated a greater loss of mucosa tissue coverage above the tooth extraction in mice treated with sunitinib (Suti) + zoledronate (Zole) group (7/10) vs. Zole group (3/10) and Suti group (1/10). Micro-computed tomography (CT) and histological data showed that the new bone formation in the extraction socket was lower in Suti + Zole and Zole groups vs. Suti and control groups. In vitro data showed that the anti-angiogenic drugs had a stronger inhibitory ability on the proliferation and migration function of gingival fibroblasts than anti-resorptive drugs, and the inhibitory effect was obviously enhanced after combining zoledronate and sunitinib. CONCLUSION: Our findings provided support for a synergistic contribution of anti-angiogenic drugs to anti-resorptive drugs-based MRONJ. Importantly, the present study revealed that anti-angiogenic drugs alone do not induce severe MRONJ but aggravate the degree of MRONJ via the enhanced inhibitory function of gingival fibroblasts based on anti-resorptive drugs.

Super Strong and Tough Polybenzimidazole/Metal Ions Coordination Networks: Reinforcing Mechanism, Recyclability, and Anti-Counterfeiting Applications.

Nature has provided many delicate strategies for optimizing the structural characteristics of biological materials. One such strategy is the strengthening and toughening of matrix materials by aduandant and hierarchically arranged non-covalent crosslinking. However, efficient strengthening and toughening of high-performance aromatic polymers by non-covalent bonds has rarely been reported yet. Herein, we report the preparation and characterizations of a metal coordination bonds crosslinked polybenzimidazole (PBI) network. By optimizing the synthetic parameters, the strength of copper ion (Cu2+ ) crosslinked PBI is improved from 87.8 to 218.4 MPa, and the toughness is increased from 19.4 to 111.9 MJ m-3 , corresponding to increments of 148.7 % and 476.8 %, respectively, which surpass all previously reported non-covalent bonds crosslinked high-performance polymers. PBI with varied chain flexibility are then synthesized to deeply understand the stregnening and toughening mechanism. In addition, the glass transition temperature of PBI is dramatically increased by 75 °C after Cu2+ crosslinking. Moreover, the chemical recycling of PBI from crosslinekd network, and the development of a novel high-temperature resistant or high-temperature rewritable anti-counterfeiting films based on Cu2+ crosslinked PBI are also demonstrated. This study is expected to shed light on design principle for future supramolecularly crosslinked and recyclable high-performance polymers.

Treatment of localized aggressive periodontitis alters local host immunoinflammatory profiles: A long-term evaluation.

AIM: To evaluate the local immunoinflammatory profiles in localized aggressive periodontitis patients (LAP) before and after periodontal treatment and maintenance. METHODS: Sixty-six African-Americans with LAP (7-21 years old) were included. After periodontal examination, all patients received periodontal treatment with mechanical debridement plus systemic amoxicillin/metronidazole for 7 days. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from diseased and healthy sites at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months following treatment. Levels of 16 inflammatory/bone resorption markers were determined using Milliplex® . Univariate and correlation analyses were performed among all parameters/biomarkers. Discriminant analyses (DA) evaluated profile differences between LAP diseased and healthy sites at each time point as compared to the baseline. RESULTS: Reductions in the clinical parameters (except for visible plaque) were observed at all time points compared to the baseline. Levels of IL-12p70, IL-2, IL-6, MIP-1α, RANKL, and OPG were reduced after treatment, and several cytokines/chemokines were correlated with clinical parameters reductions. DA showed that differences in the immunoinflammatory profiles between LAP diseased and healthy sites decreased after periodontal treatment compared to the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal treatment modified the local immunoinflammatory profile of LAP sites in the long term, as suggested by changes in biomarkers from baseline, along with clinical stability of the disease. (Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT01330719).

CBFA2T2 promotes adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by regulating CEBPA.

The unique metabolic characteristics and diverse functions of marrow adipose tissue (MAT) have drawn more attention recently. Previously, we have reported that CBFA2T2 is required for BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). In the present study, we further investigated the role of CBFA2T2 in regulation of adipogenic differentiation in mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs (mBMSCs) and human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). We found CBFA2T2 expression was dramatically upregulated during adipogenesis of mBMSCs and hDPSCs. More importantly, knockdown of CBFA2T2 in mBMSCs and hDPSCs significantly inhibited the process of adipogenic differentiation, as revealed by the expression of adipogenic markers and Oil Red O staining. Mechanistically, we found knockdown of CBFA2T2 led to an increase in H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 levels at promoter of CEBPA, an essential transcription factor of adipogenesis. Taken together, these findings suggest CBFA2T2 is key regulator of adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, and it may represent a therapeutic target for conditions with excessive MAT.

LIPUS inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors and promoted the osteogenic differentiation capacity of hPDLCs by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As a chronic infectious disease, periodontitis could lead to tooth and bone loss. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a safe, noninvasive treatment method to effectively inhibit inflammation and promote bone differentiation. However, the application of LIPUS in curing periodontitis is still rare. Our study aimed to explore the ability of LIPUS to inhibit inflammatory factors and promote the osteogenic differentiation capacity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), and its underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human periodontal ligament cells were obtained and cultured from the premolar tissue samples for experiments. First, hPDLCs were treated for 24 hours using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then exposed to LIPUS (10 mW/cm2 , 30 mW/cm2 , 60 mW/cm2 , and 90 mW/cm2 ) to determine the appropriate intensity to inhibit expression of the inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. The expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was detected by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The safety of the most appropriate intensity of LIPUS was tested by a cell counting kit 8 test and an apoptosis assay. Then, LPS-induced hPDLCs were treated in osteogenic medium for 7-21 days with or without LIPUS (90 mW/cm2 , 30 min/d) stimulation. The osteogenic genes RUNX2, OPN, OSX, and OCN were measured by real-time PCR. Additionally, osteogenic differentiation capacity was determined using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity analysis, and Alizarin red staining. The activity of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway was determined by western blotting, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and pathway blockade assays. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide significantly upregulated the production and gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8, while LIPUS stimulation significantly inhibited IL-6 and IL-8 expression in an intensity-dependent manner. LIPUS (90 mW/cm2 ) was chosen as the most appropriate intensity, and there was no detrimental influence on cell proliferation and status with or without osteogenic medium. In addition, consecutive stimulation with LIPUS (90 mW/cm2 ) for 30 min/d for 7 days could also inhibit IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression, upregulate the expression of the osteogenesis-related genes RUNX2, OPN, OSX, and OCN, and promote osteogenic differentiation capacity in osteogenic medium in inflamed hPDLCs. The NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited with LIPUS (90 mW/cm2 ) via inhibition of the phosphorylation of IκBα and the translocation of p65 into the nucleus in inflamed hPDLCs. Additional investigations of the NF-κB inhibitor, BAY 11-7082, revealed that LIPUS (90 mW/cm2 ) acted similarly to BAY 11-7802 to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway and increase osteogenesis-related genes and promote the osteogenic differentiation capacity of inflamed hPDLCs. CONCLUSION: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (90 mW/cm2 ) stimulation could be a safe method to inhibit IL-6 and IL-8 in hPDLCs by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. The effect of LIPUS (90 mW/cm2 ) and BAY 11-7082 on LPS-induced inflammation demonstrated that both of these agents were capable of promoting osteogenesis-related gene expression and osteogenic differentiation in hPDLCs, suggesting that the effect of LIPUS on the promotion of osteogenic activity could be mediated in part through its ability to inhibit the NF-κB signal pathway. Hence, LIPUS could be a potential therapeutic method to cure periodontitis.

Association of P2RX7 functional variants with localized aggressive periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate involvement of the P2X7 receptor in the rare condition, localized aggressive periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peripheral blood from 220 African Americans (103 with localized aggressive periodontitis and 117 healthy unrelated controls) was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from E coli and Porphyromonas gingivalis. P2RX7 single nucleotide polymorphisms rs208294 (H155Y), rs1718119 (T348A), rs2230911 (T357S) and rs3751143 (E496A) were genotyped in 103 localized aggressive periodontitis patients and 117 healthy unrelated subjects. We examined genetic association between four P2RX7 single nucleotide polymorphisms and localized aggressive periodontitis, and tested for correlations between the single nucleotide polymorphisms and inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in blood samples from these patients. RESULTS: A significant association with localized aggressive periodontitis was observed with rs1718119 A (Thr) allele (P = 0.0063, odds ratio = 1.904) and with a haplotype containing this allele (P = 0.0075). Additionally, significant correlations with these data were found: the rs1718119 G allele correlated with greater production of IL-6, IL-2 and GM-CSF; the C (His) allele of rs208294 correlated with lower levels of IL-12p40; and the C (Thr) allele of rs2230911 correlated with greater levels of G-CSF. CONCLUSION: The data from these analyses support a possible biological relationship between P2RX7 genetic variants and inflammatory response in localized aggressive periodontitis patients.

Dysregulation of genes and microRNAs in localized aggressive periodontitis.

AIM: Previous data from our laboratory have demonstrated that localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) patients produce elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to TLR4 and TLR2 ligation compared to unrelated and periodontally healthy controls (HC). The aim of the present work is to evaluate the contribution of TLR-related gene expression and miRNA regulation in LAP disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from LAP and health control (HC) patients were isolated. Gene and miRNA expression involved in TLR signalling pathway and immunopathology were evaluated in unstimulated PBMCs by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: TICAM-1 (TRIF), FOS, IRAK1, TLR2 and CCL2 genes and the miRNAs miR-9-5p, miR-155-5p and 203a-3p, miR-147a, miR-182-5p and miR-183-5p were significantly up-regulated in LAP compared to HC. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the genes and miRNAs overexpressed here are directly or indirectly related to immune response and inflammation. This profile supports our previous findings that suggests LAP patients have a "hyper-responsive" phenotype upon activation of TLR pathway by periodontal pathogens.

CBFA2T2 is required for BMP-2-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is one of the essential pathways involved in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and regulation of bone formation. While BMP-2 has been approved for clinic use, the underlying mechanisms remain not fully understood. In this study, we found co-repressor CBFA2T2 (core-binding factor, runt domain, alpha subunit 2, translocated to, 2) expression was significantly upregulated in response to BMP-2 treatment during osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and mouse bone marrow stromal cells (mBMSCs). siRNA-mediated knockdown of CBFA2T2 blunted the BMP-2-induced allkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization of extracelluar matrix (ECM), and expression of osteogenic related genes in both hDPSCs and mBMSCs. Mechanistically, knockdown of CBFA2T2 promoted expression of euchromatic histone methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) in mBMSCs, which further led to upregulation of H3K9me2 levels at promoter of runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), the master regulator of osteogenesis. Collectively, our findings indicate that CBFA2T2 is required for BMP-2-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs through inhibition of EHMT1-mediated histone methylation at Runx2 promoter.

Localized aggressive periodontitis immune response to healthy and diseased subgingival plaque.

AIM: The objective of this case-control study was to compare the inflammatory response of peripheral blood from localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) patients when stimulated with healthy or diseased plaque samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 13 LAP subjects, 14 siblings of LAP subjects and six periodontally healthy individuals. Whole blood was stimulated for 24 h with plaque samples generated from healthy or diseased sites. The levels of 14 cyto/chemokines were detected using multiplex technology. RESULTS: Localized aggressive periodontitis-derived cultures displayed higher levels of G-CSF, INFγ, IL10, IL12p40, IL1ß, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and TNFα, than control cultures regardless of stimulus used. Whole blood from healthy siblings displayed higher levels of IL-6 compared to control subjects, but lower levels than those observed in cultures from LAP participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that although bacteria is an important factor in eliciting the hyper-inflammatory response observed in LAP patients, the predisposition of host's response to bacterial presence may play a more significant role than the components of the stimulatory plaque.

Catalase improves saccharification of lignocellulose by reducing lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase-associated enzyme inactivation.

OBJECTIVES: Efficient enzymatic saccharification of plant cell wall material is key to industrial processing of agricultural and forestry waste such as straw and wood chips into fuels and chemicals. RESULTS: Saccharification assays were performed on steam-pretreated wheat straw under ambient and O2-deprived environments and in the absence and presence of a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) and catalase. A kinetic model was used to calculate catalytic rate and first-order inactivation rate constants of the cellulases from reaction progress curves. The addition of a LPMO significantly (P < 0.01, Student's T test) enhanced the rate of glucose release from 2.8 to 6.9 h(-1) under ambient O2 conditions. However, this also significantly (P < 0.01, Student's T test) increased the rate of inactivation of the enzyme mixture, thereby reducing the performance half-life from 65 to 35 h. Decreasing O2 levels or, strikingly, the addition of catalase significantly reduced (P < 0.01, Student's T test) enzyme inactivation and, as a consequence, higher efficiency of the cellulolytic enzyme cocktail was achieved. CONCLUSION: Oxidative inactivation of commercial cellulase mixtures is a significant factor influencing the overall saccharification efficiency and the addition of catalase can be used to protect these mixtures from inactivation.

Facile synthesis of water-soluble and biocompatible fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots for cell imaging.

A simple, facile and green hydrothermal method was developed in the synthesis of water-soluble nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) from streptomycin. The as-prepared N-CDs displayed bright blue fluorescence under the irradiation of UV light, together with a high quantum yield of 7.6% and good biocompatibility as demonstrated by the cell viability assay. Thus, the N-CDs can be used as fluorescent probes for cell imaging, which have potential applications in bioimaging and related fields. This strategy opens a new way for the preparation of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials using small molecules as carbon sources.

Comparing Bone Alteration and Esthetic Recovery Between the Socket-Shield Technique and the Conventional Immediate Implant Technique: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate bone preservation and esthetic recovery between the socket-shield technique (SST) with different labial bone plate thicknesses and the conventional immediate implant technique (CIIT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent immediate implant placement in the anterior region were divided into three groups: the SST with a thickwall phenotype (> 1 mm; SSTA group), the SST with a thin-wall phenotype (< 1 mm; SSTB group), and the CIIT with a thickwall phenotype (> 1 mm; CIIT group). Radiologic images and clinical photos were collected before surgery, immediately postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively. The labial bone width, labial bone width change (BWC), labial bone volume change (BVC), pink esthetic score (PES), and complication rate were evaluated among the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients (n = 20/group) were enrolled in this 6-month retrospective study. The BWC in the SSTA group (0.22 to 0.30 mm) and the SSTB group (0.18 to 0.33 mm) was less than that in the CIIT group (0.61 to 0.80 mm; P < .004). The SSTA group and the SSTB group had a lower BVC (24.08 vs 21.14 vs 54.81, respectively; P = .004) and greater PES (11.75 vs 11.65 vs 10.65, respectively; P = .009) than the CIIT group. No complications occurred among these patients. CONCLUSIONS: With the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the SST is a reliable method for preserving bone and achieving satisfactory esthetic outcomes. The labial bone plate phenotype associated with the SST has minimal impact on both clinical and radiologic outcomes.