Osteoporotic Bone Regeneration via Plenished Biomimetic PLGA Scaffold with Sequential Release System.

Achieving satisfactory bone tissue regeneration in osteoporotic patients with ordinary biomaterials is challenging because of the decreased bone mineral density and aberrant bone microenvironment. In addressing this issue, a biomimetic scaffold (PMEH/SP), incorporating 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR), and substance P (SP) into the poly(lactic-go-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold with magnesium hydroxide (M) and extracellular matrix (E) is introduced, enabling the consecutive release of bioactive agents. 4HR and SP induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), thereby upregulating VEGF expression level. The migration and tube-forming ability of endothelial cells can be promoted by the scaffold, which accelerates the formation and maturation of the bone. Moreover, 4HR played a crucial role in the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway and exhibiting SP, thereby enhancing the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Based on such a synergistic effect, osteoporosis can be suppressed, and bone regeneration can be achieved by inhibiting the RANKL pathway in vitro and in vivo, which is a commonly known mechanism of bone physiology. Therefore, the study presents a promising approach for developing a multifunctional regenerative material for sophisticated osteoporotic bone regeneration.

Spontaneous Recovery of Pathological Fracture Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

Pathological fracture is one of the most serious complications in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This case is a report of an 87-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with pathological fracture due to MRONJ. The authors performed minimally invasive and conservative treatment, such as intraoral dressing, antibiotic therapy, and simple debridement, for patients with pathologic fractures due to MRONJ. After 1 year, the inflammatory symptoms disappeared and pathological fractures spontaneously recovered.

Highly Robust Multilamellar Lipid Vesicles Generated through Intervesicular Self-Assembly Mediated by Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides.

Despite the well-known advantages of lipid vesicles for drug and gene delivery, structural instability limits their practical applications and requires strictly regulated conditions for transport and storage. Chemical crosslinking and in situ polymerization have been suggested to increase the membrane rigidity and dispersion stability of lipid vesicles. However, such chemically modified lipids sacrifice the dynamic nature of lipid vesicles and obfuscate their in vivo metabolic fates. Here, we present highly robust multilamellar lipid vesicles through the self-assembly of preformed, cationic large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) with hydrolyzed collagen peptides (HCPs). The cationic LUVs undergo vesicle-to-vesicle attachment and structural reorganization through polyionic complexation with HCPs, resulting in the formation of multilamellar collagen-lipid vesicles (MCLVs). The resulting MCLVs exhibit excellent structural stability against variations in pH and ionic strength and the addition of surfactants. Particularly, the MCLVs maintain their structural stability against repeated freeze-thaw stresses, proving the unprecedented stabilization effect of biological macromolecules on lipid lamellar structures. This work provides a practically attractive technique for the simple and quick fabrication of structurally robust lipid nanovesicles without covalent crosslinkers, organic solvents, and specialized instruments.

Role of polymer template in crystal structure and photoactivity of Cu-TiO2 heterojunction nanostructures towards environmental remediation.

Exploring porous heterojunction nanomaterials as a photocatalyst for water depollution strategies towards environmental restoration is exceedingly difficult in the perspective of sustainable chemistry. Herein, we first report a porous Cu-TiO2 (TC40) heterojunction by using microphase separation of a novel penta-block copolymer (PLGA-PEO-PPO-PEO-PLGA) as a template through an evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) method having nanorod-like particle shape. Furthermore, two types of photocatalyst were made with or without polymer template to clarify the function of that template precursor on the surface and morphology, as well as which variables are the most critical for a photocatalyst. TC40 heterojunction nanomaterial displayed higher BET surface area along with lower band gap value viz.2.98 eV compared to the other and these features make it a robust photocatalyst for wastewater treatment. In order to improve water quality, we have carried out experiments on the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO), highly toxic pollutants that cause health hazards and bioaccumulate in the environment. Our catalyst, TC40 exhibits the 100% photocatalytic efficiency towards MO dye degradation in 40 and 360 min at a rate constant of 0.104 ± 0.007 min-1 and 0.440 ± 0.03 h-1 under UV + Vis and visible light irradiation, respectively.

Taking Oral Sulfate Tablets with Simethicone for Bowel Preparation Leads to Higher Adenoma Detection Rate than Polyethylene Glycol: A Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Efficient bowel preparation is essential for preventing colorectal cancer by improving endoscopic adenoma detection. Tablet for bowel preparation containing sulfate salts, OSTs (oral sulfate tablets), has been developed and it is gaining more popularity. However, its efficacy compared to standard preparation agent, PEG-AA (polyethylene glycol), has not been well discovered. We assessed the efficacy of PEG and OSTs using a real-time clinical data warehouse (CDW) model. METHODS: We performed a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis of consecutive adult patients undergoing colonoscopy who received PEG-AA or OSTs prior to colonoscopy at a tertiary academic hospital. The endoscopic records of 992 adult patients were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data warehouse collected data including bowel preparation, insertion time, observation time, and the detection of polyps and adenomas. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to reveal the factors associated with endoscopic outcomes. RESULTS: Among 992 patients included in the study, 770 and 222 patients received PEG-AA and OSTs, respectively. Among the propensity score-matched population (n = 1897), OSTs resulted in better bowel cleansing quality (8.16 vs 7.84, p = 0.014) and a higher adenoma detection rate (38.6% vs 27.1%, p = 0.003). Using PEG-AA, older age, inadequate bowel preparation (BBPS score < 6) and endoscopy by fellows were found to be factors associated with poor adenoma detection. In the elderly over 65 years of age, a significant difference in cleansing quality between the two groups (7.21 vs 8.19, p < 0.001) was found, but its impact on ADR was not prominent (49.5% vs 45.4%, p = 0.653). CONCLUSIONS: OSTs with simethicone achieved better endoscopic cleanliness, improving adenoma detection rate compared to the conventional PEG-AA protocol. The synergistic effect of both the convenience of taking tablets and the reduction of intraluminal bubble by adjunctive simethicone improves the clinical efficacy of colonoscopy.

Polypropylene nanoplastic exposure leads to lung inflammation through p38-mediated NF-κB pathway due to mitochondrial damage.

BACKGROUND: Polypropylene (PP) is used in various products such as disposable containers, spoons, and automobile parts. The disposable masks used for COVID-19 prevention mainly comprise PP, and the disposal of such masks is concerning because of the potential environmental pollution. Recent reports have suggested that weathered PP microparticles can be inhaled, however, the inhalation toxicology of PP microparticles is poorly understood. RESULTS: Inflammatory cell numbers, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in PP-instilled mice (2.5 or 5 mg/kg) increased significantly compared to with those in the control. Histopathological analysis of the lung tissue of PP-stimulated mice revealed lung injuries, including the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the perivascular/parenchymal space, alveolar epithelial hyperplasia, and foamy macrophage aggregates. The in vitro study indicated that PP stimulation causes mitochondrial dysfunction including mitochondrial depolarization and decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. PP stimulation led to cytotoxicity, ROS production, increase of inflammatory cytokines, and cell deaths in A549 cells. The results showed that PP stimulation increased the p-p38 and p-NF-κB protein levels both in vivo and in vitro, while p-ERK and p-JNK remained unchanged. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity that was induced by PP exposure was regulated by p38 and ROS inhibition in A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PP stimulation may contribute to inflammation pathogenesis via the p38 phosphorylation-mediated NF-κB pathway as a result of mitochondrial damage.

Soft Tissue Chondroma of the Chin.

Soft tissue chondromas are benign tumors, generally of the hands or feet, very rarely of the head and neck region. Repeated microtrauma may be as an initiating factor. The authors describe a case of a soft tissue chondroma of the chin in a 58-year-old male who had used a continuous positive airway pressure face mask for obstructive sleep apnea for 3 years. The patient presented with a hard mass on his chin for 1 year. Computed tomography imaging showed a heterogeneous enhancing mass, with calcification in the subcutaneous layer. Intraoperatively, the mass was beneath the mentalis muscle and abutted the mental nerve, without bone involvement. The diagnosis was a soft tissue chondroma. The patient recovered fully, without recurrence. The primary cause of soft tissue chondromas is unknown. The authors consider that continuous use of a continuous positive airway pressure face mask may play a role in the etiology.

Aesthetic Reconstruction of an Old Burr Hole Defect Using a Cancellous Bone Chip and a Porous Polyethylene Implant.

Burr hole trephination is a minimally invasive procedure but can leave a depressed scar at the surgical site. Various materials have been studied to fill such defects; however, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of reconstructing old, depressed scars from burr hole surgery. This report presents a patient with depressed scarring near the anterior hairline of the frontal bone on both sides due to burr hole trephination for a subdural hematoma 27 years prior. Computed tomography scans revealed bony defects under the scar. Reconstruction of the bony defect was performed by debriding the bony bed, filling it with hydrated alloplastic cancellous bone, and covering it with a porous SynPOR polyethylene titanium-reinforced implant. During 1 year of follow-up, the reconstruction was maintained without complications. The patient was satisfied with the esthetic outcome. Thus, old bony defects can be repaired using the appropriate materials and techniques.

Facial Expressions Track Depressive Symptoms in Old Age.

Facial expressions play a crucial role in the diagnosis of mental illnesses characterized by mood changes. The Facial Action Coding System (FACS) is a comprehensive framework that systematically categorizes and captures even subtle changes in facial appearance, enabling the examination of emotional expressions. In this study, we investigated the association between facial expressions and depressive symptoms in a sample of 59 older adults without cognitive impairment. Utilizing the FACS and the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II, we analyzed both "posed" and "spontaneous" facial expressions across six basic emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. Through principal component analysis, we summarized 17 action units across these emotion conditions. Subsequently, multiple regression analyses were performed to identify specific facial expression features that explain depressive symptoms. Our findings revealed several distinct features of posed and spontaneous facial expressions. Specifically, among older adults with higher depressive symptoms, a posed face exhibited a downward and inward pull at the corner of the mouth, indicative of sadness. In contrast, a spontaneous face displayed raised and narrowed inner brows, which was associated with more severe depressive symptoms in older adults. These findings suggest that facial expressions can provide valuable insights into assessing depressive symptoms in older adults.

Performance evaluation of deep learning models for the classification and identification of dental implants.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dental implant systems can be identified using image classification deep learning. However, investigations on the accuracy of classifying and identifying implant design through an object detection model are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of an object detection deep learning model for classifying the implant designs of 103 types of implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From panoramic radiographs, 14 037 implant images were extracted. Implant designs were subdivided into 10 classes in the coronal, 13 in the middle, and 10 in the apical third. Classes with fewer than 50 images were excluded from the training dataset. Among the images, 80% were used as training data, and the remaining 20% as test data; the data were generated 3 times for 3-fold cross-validation (implant datasets 1, 2, and 3). Versions 5 and 7 of you only look once (YOLO) algorithm were used to train the model, and the mean average precision (mAP) was evaluated. Subsequently, data augmentation was performed using image processing and a real-enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network, and the accuracy was re-evaluated using YOLOv7. RESULTS: The mAP of YOLOv7 in the 3 datasets was 0.931, 0.984, and 0.884, respectively, which were higher than the mAP of YOLOv5. After image processing in implant dataset-1, the mAP improved to 0.986 and, with the real-enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network, to 0.988 and 0.986 at magnification ×2 and ×4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The object detection model for classifying implant designs found a high accuracy for 26 classes. The mAP of the model differed depending on the type of algorithm, image processing process, and detailed implant design.

Plastic-inhabiting fungi in marine environments and PCL degradation activity.

Plastic waste has a negative impact on marine ecosystems and the quantity of this source of anthropogenic pollution continues to increase. Several studies have investigated plastic biodegradation using various microorganisms. In this study, we isolated fungi from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste on Korean seacoasts and evaluated their ability to degrade plastic by comparing the diameters of the clear zones they formed on polycaprolactone (PCL) agar. We isolated 262 strains from 47 plastic waste sources and identified 108 fungal species via molecular methods. The PCL agar assay revealed that 87 species presented with varying degrees of PCL degradation capacity. Among them, certain fungal species were strong PCL degraders. The present study demonstrated the possibility that some fungi inhabiting plastic could potentially degrade it in the marine environment. We believe that the discoveries made herein lay theoretical and practical foundations for the development of novel bioremediation systems for marine plastispheres and help mitigate the environmental pollution issues related to plastic wastes.

Dilute Polymerization of Aniline on PDMS Substrate via Surface Modification Using (3-Aminopropyl)Triethoxysilane for Stretchable Strain Sensor.

Stretchable strain sensors are capable of acquiring data when in contact with human skin or equipment and are widely used in wearable applications. Most strain sensors have tensile properties of less than 20% and have limitations regarding body motion linkage, complex sensor structure, and motion nonreliability. To address these problems, we developed a high tension and high sensitivity sensor with a gauge factor over 40 and tensile stress about 50%. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was selected as the flexible substrate to ensure tensile strength, and polyaniline (PANI) was used to measure the resistance changes in the sensor. In particular, problems regarding poor uniformity of PANI on PDMS were resolved by surface treatment of the PDMS, wherein PANI polymerization was performed sequentially after forming a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the PDMS substrate. O2 plasma and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane were used to form the SAM. It is expected that this sensor can obtain stable characteristics even under high tensile stress through the evenly formed PANI films on the surface-treated PDMS substrate and may be used in various flexible sensor applications.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Agarolytic Flavobacterium faecale WV33T.

Flavobacteria are widely dispersed in a variety of environments and produce various polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. Here, we report the complete genome of Flavobacterium faecale WV33T, an agar-degrading bacterium isolated from the stools of Antarctic penguins. The sequenced genome of F. faecale WV33T represents a single circular chromosome (4,621,116 bp, 35.2% G + C content), containing 3984 coding DNA sequences and 85 RNA-coding genes. The genome of F. faecale WV33T contains 154 genes that encode carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Among the CAZymes, seven putative genes encoding agarases have been identified in the genome. Transcriptional analysis revealed that the expression of these putative agarases was significantly enhanced by the presence of agar in the culture medium, suggesting that these proteins are involved in agar hydrolysis. Pangenome analysis revealed that the genomes of the 27 Flavobacterium type strains, including F. faecale WV33T, tend to be very plastic, and Flavobacterium strains are unique species with a tiny core genome and a large non-core region. The average nucleotide identity and phylogenomic analysis of the 27 Flavobacterium-type strains showed that F. faecale WV33T was positioned in a unique clade in the evolutionary tree.

Improvement of Biological Effects of Root-Filling Materials for Primary Teeth by Incorporating Sodium Iodide.

Therapeutic iodoform (CHI3) is commonly used as a root-filling material for primary teeth; however, the side effects of iodoform-containing materials, including early root resorption, have been reported. To overcome this problem, a water-soluble iodide (NaI)-incorporated root-filling material was developed. Calcium hydroxide, silicone oil, and NaI were incorporated in different weight proportions (30:30:X), and the resulting material was denoted DX (D5~D30), indicating the NaI content. As a control, iodoform instead of NaI was incorporated at a ratio of 30:30:30, and the material was denoted I30. The physicochemical (flow, film thickness, radiopacity, viscosity, water absorption, solubility, and ion releases) and biological (cytotoxicity, TRAP, ARS, and analysis of osteoclastic markers) properties were determined. The amount of iodine, sodium, and calcium ion releases and the pH were higher in D30 than I30, and the highest level of unknown extracted molecules was detected in I30. In the cell viability test, all groups except 100% D30 showed no cytotoxicity. In the 50% nontoxic extract, D30 showed decreased osteoclast formation compared with I30. In summary, NaI-incorporated materials showed adequate physicochemical properties and low osteoclast formation compared to their iodoform-counterpart. Thus, NaI-incorporated materials may be used as a substitute for iodoform-counterparts in root-filling materials after further (pre)clinical investigation.

Influence of lip form on the perceived ideal incisal show at rest.

INTRODUCTION: A widely used guide of 2 mm incisal show at rest is used as an esthetic guide in treatment planning for many patients. However, this does not consider the lip form at rest. This study aimed to investigate the most esthetic incisal show at rest, at varying lip forms, perceived by dental professionals and laypeople. METHODS: Three volunteers of each gender and type of lip form (straight, moderate, and high) were recruited. For each volunteer, 6 images of their perioral region with a variable incisal display at rest were generated. A survey was conducted whereby respondents were asked to grade the attractiveness of each image using a numerical visual analog scale from 0-10. RESULTS: A survey sample of 107 respondents participated in the study (male-to-female ratio = 37 to 70; dental professionals-to-laypeople ratio = 50 to 57). Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze the differences in preferences between the various groups (P <0.05). Both dental professionals and laypeople responded that 2 mm incisal show at rest is only suitable for patients with straight lip form. However, for patients with moderate or high lip forms, an incisal show of 4-5 mm was preferred. There was also no significant difference between the perceived ideal incisal show of dental professionals and laypeople, except for the ideal incisal show of models with straight lip form. CONCLUSIONS: The guide of 2 mm incisal show at rest is appropriate only for patients with straight lip form. Patients with moderate or high lip form should have a greater incisal show. This finding was agreed on by both dental professionals and laypeople, regardless of their gender.

A Case Report of a 2-Year Follow-Up of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Peri-Implantitis: Peri-Implant Excisional Procedure and Access Surgery.

This case report describes the treatment of peri-implantitis lesions through a minimally invasive surgical procedure using a peri-implant excisional procedure and access surgery (PEAS). The prosthesis was disconnected, and the peri-implant granulation tissue removed after a peri-implant circular incision. Chemical debridement with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball and then mechanical debridement with a rotary round titanium brush and tufted brush with titanium bristles were conducted. The surgical intervention was effective in arresting the peri-implantitis. No further radiographic bone loss was observed over the 2-year follow-up period. This technique effectively cleans the contaminated implant surface, minimizes surgical morbidity, and allows for prosthesis delivery on the day of surgery. However, further studies with a larger sample size are needed to identify the reliability and validity of this novel technique.

Complete genome sequencing and comparative CAZyme analysis of Rhodococcus sp. PAMC28705 and PAMC28707 provide insight into their biotechnological and phytopathogenic potential.

Study of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) can reveal information about the lifestyle and behavior of an organism. Rhodococcus species is well known for xenobiotic metabolism; however, their carbohydrate utilization ability has been less discussed till date. This study aimed to present the CAZyme analysis of two Rhodococcus strains, PAMC28705 and PAMC28707, isolated from lichens in Antarctica, and compare them with other Rhodococcus, Mycobacterium, and Corynebacterium strains. Genome-wide computational analysis was performed using various tools. Results showed similarities in CAZymes across all the studied genera. All three genera showed potential for significant polysaccharide utilization, including starch, cellulose, and pectin referring their biotechnological potential. Keeping in mind the pathogenic strains listed across all three genera, CAZymes associated to pathogenicity were analyzed too. Cutinase enzyme, which has been associated with phytopathogenicity, was abundant in all the studied organisms. CAZyme gene cluster of Rhodococcus sp. PAMC28705 and Rhodococcus sp. PAMC28707 showed the insertion of cutinase in the cluster, further supporting their possible phytopathogenic properties.

Paraplegia due to intradural cement leakage after vertebroplasty: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Vertebroplasty (VP) is considered an alternative therapy in an osteoporotic compression fracture that failed conservative treatment. However, cement leakage into the intradural space can cause catastrophic complications. To the best of our knowledge, intradural cement leakage following VP has been reported only in 7 cases. We report here a case of intradural cement leakage following VP with a literature review. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old female with an L1 osteoporotic fracture underwent percutaneous VP at a local hospital. Immediately after the procedure, she complained of weakness, numbness, and pain in both legs, and her back pain aggravated. She was transferred to our hospital. The initial muscle power was grade 2 for the right leg and grade 4 for the left leg. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed intradural cement leakage from T10 to L2. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural mass lesion. Although we performed total laminectomy with durotomy and removed intradural cement completely, the neurological deficit did not completely recover. The muscle power was grade 3 for the right leg and grade 4 for the left leg at the last follow-up. CONLCUSIONS: If a neurological deficit is found after VP, a CT scan should be taken to confirm the pattern of cement leakage. In case of intradural cement leakage, surgical decompression should be recommended to improve neurological deficit. To prevent intradural cement leakage during the VP, the needle tip should not perforate the medial wall of the pedicle with appropriate viscosity of cement.

Traction Applying Technique on Bicanalicular Crawford Silicone Tube to Overcome the Notching Deformity After Lacrimal Canalicular Repair.

ABSTRACT: Lower eyelid avulsion injury with lower canalicular laceration generally occur just medial to the punctum with insufficient skin remnant for repair causing tension on repair margins. The inevitable blinking force, along with the tension widens the repair margin, resulting in an aesthetically challenging notch at the medial lower lid. The authors attempted to minimize this notching deformity with a traction applying technique on bicanalicular silicone tube.Fifteen patients were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: the experimental group with 10 patients which received the traction technique, and the control group with 5 patients which the traction technique was omitted. Each end of the bicanalicular silicone tube was intubated through both puncta and the lacerated canaliculus. No canalicular anastomosis was performed. The tube ends were retrieved through the nostril, followed by medial canthal tendon, orbicularis oculi muscle, and skin repair. The tube ends were pulled to create a tension on the loop, until upper and lower puncta apposed each other, creating a dimple in the medial canthal area. The tube ends were tied and anchored at internal valve of the nostril to maintain the traction tension. Medial lower lid notching (>2 mm width), epiphora, and conjunctival injection were evaluated and compared in the 2 groups.Patients with traction technique showed symmetric medial canthal angle and minimized lower lid notching deformity when compared with the control group (P = 0.025). No conjunctival injections and epiphora were observed in either group. Symmetric and aesthetically satisfactory results were achieved by traction applying technique on bicanalicular silicone tube.

Big Data Statistical Analysis of Facial Fractures in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The big data provided by Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) contains data from nearly all Korean populations enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service. We aimed to identify the incidence of facial fractures and its trends in Korea using this big data from HIRA. METHODS: We used the Korean Standard Classification of Disease and Cause of Death 6, 7 for diagnosis codes. A total of 582,318 patients were included in the final analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software and SPSS software. RESULTS: The incidence of facial fractures consistently declined, from 107,695 cases in 2011 to 87,306 cases in 2016. The incidence of facial fractures was the highest in June 2011 (n = 26,423) and lowest in January 2014 (n = 10,282). Nasal bone fractures were the most common, followed by orbit and frontal sinus fractures. The percentage of nasal bone fractures declined, whereas those of orbital fractures increased from 2011 to 2016 (P < 0.001). Among orbital fractures, inferior wall fractures were the most common, followed by medial wall fractures. Among mandibular fractures, angle fractures were the most common, followed by condylar process and symphysis fractures. Although it was difficult to predict the most common type of zygomatic and maxilla fractures, their incidence consistently declined since 2011. CONCLUSION: We observed trends in facial fractures in Korea using big data including information for nearly all nations in Korea. Therefore, it is possible to predict the incidence of facial fractures. This study is meaningful in that it is the first study that investigated the incidence of facial fractures by specific type.