A carbon dot nanozyme hydrogel enhances pulp regeneration activity by regulating oxidative stress in dental pulpitis.

Preserving pulp viability and promoting pulp regeneration in pulpitis have attracted widespread attention. Restricted by the oxidative stress microenvironment of dental pulpitis, excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) trigger uncontrolled inflammation and exacerbate pulp tissue destruction. However, modulating redox homeostasis in inflamed pulp tissue to promote pulp regeneration remains a great challenge. Herein, this work proposes an effective antioxidative system (C-NZ/GelMA) consisting of carbon dot nanozymes (C-NZ) with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) to modulate the pulpitis microenvironment for dental pulp regeneration by utilizing the antioxidant properties of C-NZ and the mechanical support of an injectable GelMA hydrogel. This system effectively scavenges RONS to normalize intracellular redox homeostasis, relieving oxidative stress damage. Impressively, it can dramatically enhance the polarization of regenerative M2 macrophages. This study revealed that the C-NZ/GelMA hydrogel promoted pulp regeneration and dentin repair through its outstanding antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that the C-NZ/GelMA hydrogel is highly valuable for pulpitis treatment.

Enhancing dental education: integrating online learning in complete denture rehabilitation.

This study investigated the integration of online learning into complete denture rehabilitation (CDR) training for dental interns, highlighting its impact on their education and readiness for clinical practice. Given that CDR poses significant challenges due to its technical complexity and profound influence on patient well-being, online learning has emerged as a strategic educational tool to enhance interns' knowledge and skills. This research included the administration of a comprehensive questionnaire to 63 dental interns to assess their backgrounds, experiences with online learning, and attitudes toward its application in CDR education. The results revealed strong engagement with online learning, with a majority valuing its flexibility, accessibility, and capacity to facilitate self-paced, individualized learning. Despite the enthusiasm for online modalities, the results identified notable gaps in interns' confidence in and preparedness for performing CDR, highlighting the need for targeted improvements in online curriculum development. By emphasizing the essential role of innovative teaching methods, including virtual reality (VR), this study underscores the need for a balanced educational approach that combines traditional and digital platforms. This strategy aims to prepare future dental professionals for the complexities of modern clinical environments, ensuring that they are well equipped to meet the diverse needs of the edentulous population.

Specific capture and determination of glycoprotein using a hybrid epitopes and monomers-mediated molecular-imprinted polymer enzyme-free electrochemical biosensor.

A novel molecular-imprinted polymer (MIP)-based enzyme-free biosensor was created for the selective detection of glycoprotein transferrin (Trf). For this purpose, MIP-based biosensor for Trf was prepared by electrochemical co-polymerization of novel hybrid monomers 3-aminophenylboronic acid (M-APBA) and pyrrole on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNTs). Hybrid epitopes of Trf (C-terminal fragment and glycan) have been selected as templates. The produced sensor exhibited great selective recognition ability toward Trf under optimal preparation conditions, offering good analytical range (0.125-1.25 µM) with a detection limit of 0.024 µM. The proposed hybrid epitope in combination with hybrid monomer-mediated imprinting strategy was successfully applied to detect Trf in spiked human serum samples, with recoveries and relative standard deviations ranging from 94.7 to 106.0% and 2.64 to 5.32%, respectively. This study provided a reliable protocol for preparing hybrid epitopes and monomers-mediated MIP for the synergistic and effective determination of glycoprotein in complicated biological samples.

Oral health literacy and its associated factors among nurses: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the oral health literacy (OHL) of nurses and explore the factors affecting their OHL. BACKGROUND: OHL is important for improving the oral health outcomes. Nurses' OHL may affect the oral health of themselves, families, and patients. Few studies have examined the OHL and its related factors among nurses. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design following the STROBE guideline. METHODS: A total of 449 nurses were recruited from tertiary hospitals in the minority areas of southwest China. The participants completed an online questionnaire, which contained questions related to the OHL, sociodemographic factors, general health, oral health and related behaviours, oral health knowledge, attitudes, and oral health-related quality of life. OHL was measured using the validated Chinese version of the short-form Health Literacy of Dentistry (HeLD-14) scale. Descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The median HeLD-14 score (p25-p75) was 50.0 (44.0-54.0). The regression model for OHL was found to be significant. The factors that influenced OHL included oral health knowledge, oral health attitudes, self-reported oral health, annual household income, and dental flossing; these factors accounted for 13.9% of the variance in OHL. CONCLUSIONS: The nurse' OHL has room for improvement. Nurses' OHL could be improved by enriching their oral health knowledge, promoting their positive oral health attitudes, increasing their household income, and helping them build correct oral health behaviours. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings of the study could be used to make a case for changing nursing curricula. Oral health knowledge curriculum or programmes targeted towards nurses should be developed to improve their OHL. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Advances in osteoimmunomodulation of biomaterials after intrabone implantation: focus on surface hydrophilicity.

Biomaterials intended for intrabone implantation are extensively utilized in orthopedic and dental applications. Their surface properties, particularly hydrophilicity, significantly influence the biological interactions surrounding the implant, ultimately determining the implant's in vivo fate. Recently, the role of osteoimmunomodulation in these implantable biomaterials has been recognized for its importance in regulating biomaterial-mediated osteogenesis. Consequently, it is imperative to elucidate the correlation between hydrophilicity and the immune response for the development of osteoimmunomodulatory implants. Herein, this review highlights recent advances in osteoimmunomodulation of biomaterials after intrabone implantation from a novel perspective-surface hydrophilicity, and summarizes the series of immune reactions and subsequent bone remodeling that occur in response to hydrophilic implants, focusing on protein adsorption, the behaviors of major immune cells, and osteoimmunomodulation-enhanced angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Hydrophilic biomaterials have the capacity to alter the surrounding immune microenvironment and accelerate the process of material-tissue bonding, thereby facilitating the successful integration of biomaterials with tissue. Collectively, the authors hope that this article provides strategies for modulating hydrophilicity to achieve osteoimmunomodulatory performance and further promotes the development of novel implantable biomaterials for orthopedic and dental applications.

A bibliometric analysis of global research hotspots and progress on microplastics in soil‒plant systems.

Plastic pollution has become a global and persistent challenge, posing threats to ecosystems and organisms. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in scientific research focused on understanding microplastics in the soil‒plant system. This surge is primarily driven by the direct impact of microplastics on agricultural productivity and their association with human activities. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to provide an overview of the current research on microplastics in soil‒plant systems. We systematically analysed 192 articles and observed a significant rise in research interests since 2017. Notably, China has emerged as a leading contributor in terms of published papers, closely followed by Germany and the Netherlands. Through co-authorship network analysis, we identified 634 different institutions that participated in publishing papers in this field, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences having the most collaborations. In the co-occurrence keyword network, we identified four clusters focusing on the diversity of microplastics within the agroecosystem, transportation, and quantification of microplastics in soil, analysis of plastic contamination type and impact, and investigation of microplastic phytotoxicity. Furthermore, we identified ten research priorities, categorized into the effects of microplastics in "soil" and "plant". The research hotspots were found to be the effect of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and the synergistic phytotoxicity of microplastics with other pollutants. Overall, this bibliometric analysis holds significant value, serving as an important reference point and offering valuable suggestions for future researchers in this rapidly advancing field.

Construction of IMMS Containing Multi-site Liposomes for Dynamic Monitoring of Blood CTC in Patients with Osimertinib-resistant Non-small-cell Lung Cancer and its Mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to establish a liquid biopsy system for gene detection of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in lung cancer, systematically analyze the significance of osimertinib resistance, and formulate an individualized diagnosis and treatment plan. METHODS: Liposome-contained magnetic microspheres coated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by microemulsion, and the surface was modified with EGFR antibody to form EGFR/EpCAM multi-site liposome-contained immunomagnetic microspheres (IMMSs). The CTCs were isolated and identified from peripheral blood samples and the cell lines of lung cancer patients collected by the multi-site liposome-contained IMMSs. To investigate the effects of the order of use of IMMSs sequence at different sites on the sorting and trapping efficiency of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells . The preliminary verification of drug-resistant gene function and dynamic monitoring of CTCs in 20 patients with EGFR-positive NSCLC were screened and statistically analyzed before and after osimertinib treatment. Sensitivity analysis and drug resistance evaluation of oxitidine were detected in vitro. RESULTS: Results showed the prepared multi-site liposome-contained IMMSs had high stability and specificity. The number of CTCs in blood samples of the patients with NSCLC was detected, revealing high sorting efficiency, and positive sorting rate reaching more than 90%. We investigated the effect of osimertinib on the HER-2 expression on the EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells and found that osimertinib increased the expression of HER-2 on the cell surface of NSCLC cell lines., And further explored the therapeutic potential of osimertinib combined with T-DM1 at different dosing times. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the prepared multi-site liposome-contained IMMSs can efficiently isolate CTCs from the peripheral blood in lung cancer. Combined with the experimental data about osimertinib can be effectively identified, the resistant genes of NSCLC including EGFR, which will provide a new scientific basis for guiding clinical medication and formulating individualized treatment plans.

Temporospatial Expression of Neuropeptide Substance P in Dental Pulp Stem Cells During Odontoblastic Differentiation in Vitro and Reparative Dentinogenesis in Vivo.

INTRODUCTION: Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide released from the nervous fibers in response to injury. In addition to its association with pain and reactions to anxiety and stress, SP exerts various physiological functions by binding to the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R). However, the expression and role of SP in reparative dentinogenesis remain elusive. Here, we explored whether SP is involved in odontoblastic differentiation during reparative dentinogenesis. METHODS: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were isolated from healthy human dental pulp tissues and subjected to odontoblastic differentiation. The expression of SP and NK1R during odontoblastic differentiation was investigated in vitro. The effects of SP on odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs were evaluated using alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. After direct pulp capping with mineral trioxide aggregate, the expression of SP and NK1R during reparative dentin formation in rats were identified using histological and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: SP and NK1R expression increased during the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs. SP translocated to the nucleus when DPSCs were exposed to differentiation medium. NK1R was always present in the nuclei of DPSCs and odontoblast-like cells. Additionally, we discovered that 10-8 M SP marginally enhanced the odontoblastic differentiation of DPSCs, and that these effects could be impaired by the NK1R antagonist. Furthermore, SP and NK1R were expressed in odontoblast-like and dental pulp cells during reparative dentin formation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: SP contributes to odontoblastic differentiation during reparative dentin formation by binding to the NK1R.

Constructing electrochemical sensor using molecular-imprinted polysaccharide for rapid identification and determination of l-tryptophan in diet.

An imbalance of l-tryptophan (l-Trp), a basic component of a healthy diet, is harmful to human health. Traditional methods for detecting l-Trp have many limitations. To correct a deficiency or excess of l-Trp in human diets, it is necessary to develop a novel method that is rapid, low-cost, and high-sensitivity. Herein, a molecularly imprinted polysaccharide electrochemical sensor termed MIP/CS/MWCNTs/GCE (molecularly imprinted polymer/chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotubes/glassy carbon electrode) targeting l-Trp was first constructed on a glassy carbon electrode, which was modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and chitosan using bifunctional monomers. The MIP/CS/MWCNTs/GCE obtained a wide linear range (1-300 µM) for detecting l-Trp and accurately detected the proportion of l-Trp in mixtures of Trp enantiomers. In milk samples, the spiked recoveries of l-Trp were 86.50 to 99.65%. The MIP/CS/MWCNTs/GCE electrochemical sensor possessed good recognition and detection performance for l-Trp and has promising potential for practical application.

Acidic deep eutectic solvents pretreatment for selective lignocellulosic biomass fractionation with enhanced cellulose reactivity.

This work tailored a promising two-step pretreatment, i.e., liquid hot water extraction followed by mild acidic deep eutectic solvents pretreatment for clean lignocellulose fractionation while enhancing cellulose reactivity for its subsequent utilization. The abilities of three acidic deep eutectic solvents (formic acid-, acetic acid- and lactic acid-choline chloride) to selectively extract poplar wood lignin and enhance cellulose reactivity were comparatively assessed. Results showed that rather high lignin selectivity of 6.3-7.9 was obtained while the available area and porosity of the resulting cellulose were significantly increased. The resulting cellulose pulps exhibited comparable chemical reactivity to commercial bleached Kraft pulp when cellulose acetate was selected as testing cellulose derivative for demonstrating purpose, showing their great promise for high-value use. It was proposed that the unique ionic properties of these acidic deep eutectic solvents were responsible for their selective lignin removal and cellulose swelling/deconstruction to enhance cellulose chemical reactivity.

Fabrication of spherical lignin nanoparticles using acid-catalyzed condensed lignins.

Valorization of lignin by-products enhances the overall economics of current lignocellulose biorefinery. This work showed the high potential of fabricating acid-catalyzed condensed lignin fragments into high-value lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) with spherical structure. Four condensed lignins, i.e., liquid hot water pretreated hardwood aspen and eucalyptus lignin, steam pretreated softwood lodgepole pine and herbaceous corn stover lignin, were assessed for their abilities for LNPs using facile self-assembly method. Results showed the contents of condensed aromatics (0.20-0.67 mmol g-1) were varied with biomass species and hydrothermal pretreatment methods selected. Those resulting LNPs exhibited yields from 17.5 to 29.4%, particle sizes ranging from 20 to 100 nm and considerable suspension stabilities at pH 4-10. It was proposed that higher content of condensed lignin aromatics could provide more anchors available for their self-assembly through enhanced hydrophobic interactions, thus LNPs with more uniform particle size could be obtained. This work showed the technical opportunity to enhance the value of intractable condensed lignin through LNPs production towards a multi-product lignocellulose biorefinery.

Preparation of thermosensitive polymer magnetic particles and their application in protein separations.

This paper presents a kind of thermoresponsive polymeric magnetic particles for protein separations. The magnetofluids were directly encapsulated in hollow particles constructed by self-assembly of rod-coil poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/α-cyclodextrin (PEG-PNIPAM/α-CD) complexes. The resulting particles showed reversible protein absorption/desorption capacity because the reversible thermo-sensitivity of PNIPAM. Above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, these particles showed high absorptive capacities and adsorption was done at lower temperature. The protein-laden particles are readily removed from the feed solution in a magnetic field.

Progress on materials and scaffold fabrications applied to esophageal tissue engineering.

The mortality rate from esophageal disease like atresia, carcinoma, tracheoesophageal fistula, etc. is increasing rapidly all over the world. Traditional therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy have been met with very limited success resulting in reduced survival rate and quality of patients' life. Tissue-engineered esophagus, a novel substitute possessing structure and function similar to native tissue, is believed to be an effective therapy and a promising replacement in the future. However, research on esophageal tissue engineering is still at an early stage. Considerable research has been focused on developing ideal scaffolds with optimal materials and methods of fabrication. This article gives a review of materials and scaffold fabrications currently applied in esophageal tissue engineering research.

Physical properties and biocompatibility of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) blended with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate).

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) was blended with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB4HB) to improve physical properties and biocompatibility of PHBHHx for a wide range of biomedical applications. PHBHHx was completely miscible with P3HB4HB in their blends. All the PHBHHx/P3HB4HB blends showed improved physical properties compared with PHBHHx, including higher thermal stability, flexibility and mechanical strength. All the blends had more hydrophilic surface, higher polar component and rougher surface than PHBHHx. The PHBHHx/P3HB4HB blend in 4:2 weight ratio showed the roughest surface and also had the highest chondrocyte viability among all the blends and the polymers tested, which was 59% higher than that on PHBHHx and 32% higher than that on P3HB4HB. The blend with 4:2 weight ratio also had the maximum cartilage-specific collagen II mRNA expression among all the blends and the polymers tested, which was 9-times higher than that on PHBHHx and 8-times higher than that on P3HB4HB. These results demonstrated that PHBHHx had improved physical properties and biocompatibility after blending with P3HB4HB. The blends could be used for cartilage tissue engineering.

[A case report of infantile myofibromatosis of left mandibular angle].

The clinical data of one case of infantile myofibromatosis of left mandibular angle were analyzed, and the clinicopathological characteristics, imaging diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of infantile myofibromatosis were discussed.

[A survey of the therapeutic reason of orthodontic patients in Luzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic reason of orthodontic patients in Luzhou. METHODS: A questionnaire investigation was made for the following randomly chosen people: 452 teenage patients from orthodontic department of stomatology hospital affiliated to Luzhou Medical College were brought into treatment group. 600 students from Luzhou No. 2 Middle School were brought into non-treatment group. The questionnaire investigation was conducted to two groups. The results were statistically analysed with SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: (1) The main aim for orthodontic treatment was to align the teeth. (2) 37.39% of the patients accepted orthodontic treatment for parent's demand. (3) 76.1% of the patients expected to align the dentition. (4) Most people in treatment group could accept the time and expenses in the orthodontic treatment, but most people of non-treatment group could not accept the expenses in the orthodontic treatment. (5) Most people thought appearance was important. CONCLUSION: Aesthetic is the main reason for orthodontic patients.