Inhalable Polymeric Microparticles for Phage and Photothermal Synergistic Therapy of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia.

Acute methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia is a common and serious lung infection with high morbidity and mortality rates. Due to the increasing antibiotic resistance, toxicity, and pathogenicity of MRSA, there is an urgent need to explore effective antibacterial strategies. In this study, we developed a dry powder inhalable formulation which is composed of porous microspheres prepared from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), internally loaded with indocyanine green (ICG)-modified, heat-resistant phages that we screened for their high efficacy against MRSA. This formulation can deliver therapeutic doses of ICG-modified active phages to the deep lung tissue infection sites, avoiding rapid clearance by alveolar macrophages. Combined with the synergistic treatment of phage therapy and photothermal therapy, the formulation demonstrates potent bactericidal effects in acute MRSA pneumonia. With its long-term stability at room temperature and inhalable characteristics, this formulation has the potential to be a promising drug for the clinical treatment of MRSA pneumonia.

Exploring the effect of disc displacement on the risk and severity of condylar erosion in adult temporomandibular disorder patients: A CBCT and MRI study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between types of disc displacement (DD) diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the risk (presence or absence) and severity of condylar erosion (CE) graded using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in adult Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. METHODS: A total of 353 TMD patients (283 females, 70 males) underwent MRI scans to categorise DD as normal (NA), anterior displacement with reduction (ADDR), or anterior displacement without reduction (ADDNR). CE severity was graded on a scale of 0-3 (absence, mild, moderate or severe) using CBCT. To establish the plausibility and cut-off points for CE diagnosis, the severity of CE was then further divided into three classifications: Grade 0 versus 1 + 2 + 3; Grades 0 + 1 versus 2 + 3; Grades 0 + 1 + 2 versus 3. Logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender and joint correlation. RESULTS: ADDNR significantly increased the risk of CE compared with NA (OR = 10.04, 95% CI: [6.41, 15.73]) and showed a significant increase in CE severity across all classifications (ORs = 10.04-18.95). The effects of ADDNR were significant in both genders (p < .001) and had a greater impact in females. ADDR was predominantly associated with mild CE. CONCLUSIONS: ADDNR significantly increased the risk and severity of CE independent of gender when compared to NA, whereas ADDR was mainly associated with mild CE. Slight cortical discontinuity may represent a subclinical diagnosis requiring further investigation.

Data-Independent Acquisition-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Potential Salivary Biomarkers of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objective As primary Sj?gren's syndrome (pSS) primarily affects the salivary glands, saliva can serve as an indicator of the glands' pathophysiology and the disease's status. This study aims to illustrate the salivary proteomic profiles of pSS patients and identify potential candidate biomarkers for diagnosis.Methods The discovery set contained 49 samples (24 from pSS and 25 from age- and gender-matched healthy controls [HCs]) and the validation set included 25 samples (12 from pSS and 13 from HCs). Totally 36 pSS patients and 38 HCs were centrally randomized into the discovery set or to the validation set at a 2:1 ratio. Unstimulated whole saliva samples from pSS patients and HCs were analyzed using a data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategy on a 2D LC?HRMS/MS platform to reveal differential proteins. The crucial proteins were verified using DIA analysis and annotated using gene ontology (GO) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) analysis. A prediction model for SS was established using random forests.Results A total of 1,963 proteins were discovered, and 136 proteins exhibited differential representation in pSS patients. The bioinformatic research indicated that these proteins were primarily linked to immunological functions, metabolism, and inflammation. A panel of 19 protein biomarkers was identified by ranking order based on P-value and random forest algorichm, and was validated as the predictive biomarkers exhibiting good performance with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.817 for discovery set and 0.882 for validation set.Conclusions The candidate protein panel discovered may aid in pSS diagnosis. Salivary proteomic analysis is a promising non-invasive method for prognostic evaluation and early and precise treatments for pSS patients. DIA offers the best time efficiency and data dependability and may be a suitable option for future research on the salivary proteome.

[Salivary Peptide Profiling Analysis of Patients with Periodontitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease].

Objective: To analyze the salivary peptide profiles of patients with periodontitis (PD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to identify differentially expressed peptides that are associated with diseases, to explore for biomarkers with potential diagnostic significance, and to probe for new perspectives for the early prevention and treatment of COPD. Methods: A total of 10 PD patients (the PD group), 10 PD patients with COPD (the PD plus COPD group), and 8 healthy controls (the Control group) were selected for the study. The clinical data and saliva samples of the subjects were collected. Salivary supernatant samples were separated and purified with weak-cation-exchange magnetic bead-based (WCX-MB). With matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), the biodata of the samples were obtained and differential salivary peptide profiling was conducted to screen for peptides exhibiting inter-group differences. In addition, all the differentially expressed peptides were examined and verified with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Result: An average of 77 peptide mass peaks were detected among three groups, the peaks intensities differed significantly for 10 peptides between PD patients and PD patients with COPD. Among them, eight peptides (1193.5, 1836.2, 1735.1, 1321.3, 1356.8, 2086.8, 1863.6, and 2230.9) showed increased expression and two peptides (1067.3 and 1124.4) showed decreased expression in the PD plus COPD group, in comparison with the PD group. Among the 10 differential peptides, 1193.5 and 1356.8 were identified as histidine-rich protein-1, submaxillary gland androgen-regulated protein 3B, and salivary acidic proline-rich protein 1/2. Conclusion: With WCX-MB and MALDI-TOF-MS, we have identified, from the saliva of patients with concomitant PD and COPD, differentially expressed salivary peptides that were associated with diseases. The differentially expressed peptides thus screened out show promises for being used as auxiliary biomarkers for early diagnosis of COPD.

Roles of extracellular vesicles in periodontal homeostasis and their therapeutic potential.

Periodontal tissue is a highly dynamic and frequently stimulated area where homeostasis is easily destroyed, leading to proinflammatory periodontal diseases. Bacteria-bacteria and cell-bacteria interactions play pivotal roles in periodontal homeostasis and disease progression. Several reviews have comprehensively summarized the roles of bacteria and stem cells in periodontal homeostasis. However, they did not describe the roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bacteria and cells. As communication mediators evolutionarily conserved from bacteria to eukaryotic cells, EVs secreted by bacteria or cells can mediate interactions between bacteria and their hosts, thereby offering great promise for the maintenance of periodontal homeostasis. This review offers an overview of EV biogenesis, the effects of EVs on periodontal homeostasis, and recent advances in EV-based periodontal regenerative strategies. Specifically, we document the pathogenic roles of bacteria-derived EVs (BEVs) in periodontal dyshomeostasis, focusing on plaque biofilm formation, immune evasion, inflammatory pathway activation and tissue destruction. Moreover, we summarize recent advancements in cell-derived EVs (CEVs) in periodontal homeostasis, emphasizing the multifunctional biological effects of CEVs on periodontal tissue regeneration. Finally, we discuss future challenges and practical perspectives for the clinical translation of EV-based therapies for periodontitis.

Research Progress of Preparation Technology of Ion-Exchange Resin Complexes.

As insoluble polymer materials, ion-exchange resins (IERs) can exchange their own ions with desirable charged ions in the solution. According to the affinity of active moieties for soluble counterions, IERs could be categorized into the following four types: strongly acidic cation, weakly acidic cation, strongly basic anion, and weakly basic anion exchange resins. Due to their relative safety and high drug-loading capacity, IERs have garnered extensive attention in the pharmaceutical field since the 1950s. As numerous investigations combine drugs with IERs, this article summarizes the technologies employed in these studies from four aspects: IER screening principles, combining technologies, characterization methods, and in vitro and in vivo release of drug-resinate complexes. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of various technologies and their scope are expounded. The article provides new insights on the preparation of ion-exchange resin complexes.

Impacts of non-impacted third molar removal on the periodontal condition of adjacent second molars.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine how the removal of non-impacted third molars (N-M3s) affects the periodontal status of neighboring second molars (M2s). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The periodontal condition of M2s for which the neighboring N-M3s were removed (more than 6 months previously) and those with intact N-M3s was analyzed in a cross-sectional observation study. In an additional case series, periodontal changes in M2s in response to adjacent N-M3 removal were observed during a 6-month follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 457 patients with 1,301 M2s were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study. Compared to M2s with neighboring N-M3s, M2s without neighboring N-M3s (teeth removed more than 6 months previously) exhibited a 0.27-mm reduction in the average pocket depth (PD) (p < .001) and a 0.38-fold reduced risk of at least one probing site with PD ≥5 mm (PD5+) (p < .001). Subsequently, a 41-case follow-up study showed that 6 months after neighboring N-M3 extraction, the PD of the M2s decreased by 0.31 mm (p < .001), while the incidence of PD5+ decreased by 21.9% when compared to the parameters detected before tooth extraction (p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Removing N-M3s was associated with an improved periodontal condition in neighboring M2s.

Detecting spatial-temporal cluster of hand foot and mouth disease in Beijing, China, 2009-2014.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is extremely high, and has constituted a huge disease burden throughout Beijing in recent years. This study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution and epidemic characteristics of HFMD. METHODS: Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data and estimate the epidemic peaks in 2009-2014. Space-time scanning detected spatiotemporal clusters and identified high-risk locations. Global and local Moran's I statistics were used to measure the spatial autocorrelation. Geocoding was performed in ArcGIS, based on the present address codes of the patients and the centroids of the towns. Maps were created in ArcGIS to show the geographic spread of HFMD. RESULTS: In total, 220,451probable cases of HFMD were reported in Beijing between January 2009 and December 2014: 12,749 (5.78 %) were laboratory confirmed, and 35 (0.02 %) were fatal. The median age of reported cases was 3.12 years (interquartile range 1.96-4.39). Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16), enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), and other enteroviruses accounted for 39.31, 35.36, and 25.33 % of the 12,749 confirmed cases, respectively. Many more severe cases were caused by EV-A71 (χ (2) = 186.41, df = 1, P < 0.001) and other enteroviruses (χ (2) = 156.44, df = 1, P < 0.001) than by CV-A16. A large single distinct peak occurred between May and July each year. Spatiotemporal clusters of HFMD were identified in Beijing during 2009-2014. The most likely clusters were detected and tended to move from the southwest (Fengtai and Daxing) southeastwards to Daxing and Tongzhou in 2009-2014. The incidence of HFMD was not randomly distributed, but showed global and local spatial autocorrelations. CONCLUSIONS: There were obvious spatiotemporal clusters of HFMD in Beijing in 2009-2014. High-incidence areas mainly occurred at the junctions of urban and rural zones. More attention should be paid to the epidemiological and spatiotemporal characteristics of HFMD to establish new strategies for its control. Health issues should be especially promoted in kindergartens and at urban-rural junctions.

A novel model for evaluating thrombolytic therapy in dogs with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: There is still no standard large animal model for evaluating the effectiveness of potential thrombolytic therapies. Here, we aimed to develop a new beagle model with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by injecting autologous emboli with similar components of coronary thrombus. METHODS: 18 male beagles were included and divided into three groups: red embolus group (n = 6), white embolus group (n = 6) or white embolus + rt-PA group (n = 6). Autologous emboli were infused into the mid-distal region of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The composition of embolus was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Coronary angiography was performed to verify the status of embolism. Myocardial infarct size was measured by 2, 3, 5- triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. RESULTS: Red thrombus was characteristic of loose reticular structure of erythrocytes under SEM, while the white embolus had compacted structure that mainly consisted of a dense mass of fibrin. Coronary angiography showed the recanalization rate was 2/6 in the red embolus group versus 0/6 in the white embolus group in three hours after occlusion. Arrhythmia, resolution of ST-segment elevation and lower T wave on the electrocardiogram appeared in the red embolus group but not in the white embolus group. Another six dogs with white thrombi were treated with rt-PA. Five out of six dogs exhibited coronary recanalization after two hours of therapy, compared to zero dogs without rt-PA treatment. The size of myocardial infarction in rt-PA group reduced significantly compared with white embolus group using TTC staining method. CONCLUSIONS: The white embolism model was more convenient experimentally and had a higher uniformity, stability and success rate. The major innovation of our study is that we applied fibrin-rich white thrombi to establish beagle model possessing features of clinically observed coronary thrombi in time window of intravenous thrombolysis of STEMI. This model can be used to evaluate new thrombolytic drugs for the treatment of STEMI.

In vivo study of the early bone-bonding ability of Ti meshes formed with calcium titanate via chemical treatments.

Alkali and heat (AH) treatment forming sodium titanate has been shown to connect bioinert Ti metal and bone tissue. Artificial joints treated with this method have achieved extensive clinical application. Recently a new chemical treatment of Alkali-Calcium-Heat-Water (ACaHW) treatment forming calcium titanate was proposed. Notably, the apatite-forming ability of this treatment is greater than that of AH treatment, as verified in vitro. However, the early bone-bonding abilities of the two treatments have not been compared in vivo. To simulate clinical application, we treated a commercially pure Ti (Cp-Ti) mesh implant with AH or ACaHW. Then, using mechanical and histological methods, we compared the bone-bonding abilities of the two treatments early during the implantation process (2-4 weeks); untreated Cp-Ti mesh was used as a control. Because the mesh structure might influence bone-bonding ability, we compared these bonding abilities with values obtained at 4 and 8 weeks using a Cp-Ti implant with a plate structure. In the mesh group, histological comparisons at 2 and 3 weeks indicated that ACaHW treatment resulted in a bone-bonding ability similar to that of AH treatment; ACaHW exhibited a greater bonding ability than AH at 4 weeks. However, in tests of the plate group at later time points, such differences were not apparent. The results obtained here indicate that during the early stage of embedment, ACaHW treatment of Cp-Ti mesh implants yields a higher bone-bonding ability than AH treatment, thus providing a positive reference for future clinical applications.

[Clinical features of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine features of the clinical manifestation in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and to provide a scientific basis for diagnosis of PBC.
 METHODS: A total of 102 patients with PBC treated in the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from January 2013 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' general condition, clinical manifestations, serum biochemical and immunological parameters were detected.
 RESULTS: Of the 102 PBC patients, 91 (89.21%) patients were female. The main symptoms in these patients were fatigue, poor appetite, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, stomachache, and abdominal distension. The major signs were jaundice, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, edema, and ascites. The main features of serum biochemical parameters in these patients included the increase of alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), especially the GGT. The anti-mitochondrial antibodies-M2 (AMA-M2) in 81 and 21 patients was positive and negative, respectively. The differences between the AMA-MA positive and negative groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). According to clinical manifestation, 102 patients were classified into 2 groups: A non-cirrhosis group (n=56) and a cirrhosis group (n=46). The positive rates in these 2 groups, such as ANA, AMA-M2, anti-gp210, anti-Sp100, anti-Ro52, anti-PML, were 54.35%, 89.13%, 41.30%, 13.04%, 43.38% and 10.87% vs 57.14%, 71.43%, 42.86%, 12.5%, 51.79% and 3.71%, respectively, with no significant difference between them (P>0.05). However, there was significant difference in the positive rate of anti-3E-EPO between the above 2 groups (86.78% vs 58.93%, P<0.05). The positive rates of AMA-M2 and anti-3E-EPO in 30 patients diagnosed by hepatic histopathological examination were higher than those of other antibodies.
 CONCLUSION: PBC mainly affects middle-aged women, and its clinical manifestation is various. The autoantibody tests play an important role in diagnosis of PBC. Checking for AMA-A2 and anti-3E-BPO can improve the positive rate of PBC. Liver histopathological examination may provide useful information on disease severity, which can determine the histological stage when the patient's serum autoantibodies are negative.

Proton-functionalized two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet: an excellent metal-/label-free biosensing platform.

Ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, due to their interesting two-dimensional graphene-like structure and unique physicochemical properties, have attracted great research attention recently. Here, a new approach is developed to prepare, for the first time, proton-functionalized ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets by sonication-exfoliation of bulk g-C3N4 under an acid condition. This method not only reduces the exfoliation time from more than 10 h to 2 h, but also endows the nanosheets with positive charges. Besides retaining the properties of g-C3N4, the obtained nanosheets with the thickness of 2-4 nm (i.e., 6-12 atomic monolayers) also exhibit large specific surface area of 305 m(2) g(-1), enhanced fluorescence intensity, and excellent water dispersion stability due to their surface protonation and ultrathin morphology. The well-dispersed protonated g-C3N4 nanosheets are able to interact with negatively charged heparin, which results in the quenching of g-C3N4 fluorescence. A highly sensitive and highly selective heparin sensing platform based on protonated g-C3N4 nanosheets is established. This metal-free and fluorophore label-free system can reach the lowest heparin detection limit of 18 ng mL(-1).

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots derived from polyvinyl pyrrolidone and their multicolor cell imaging.

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) with a high quantum yield of 19.6% were prepared by calcining polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP, K-30), and then modified with 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine. The as-prepared N-CDs exhibited excitation-dependent and pH-sensitive photoluminescence. Transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectra demonstrated the graphitic structure of the N-CDs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction studies revealed successful passivation and the presence of hydrophilic groups on the surface. Importantly, such modified quantum dots acted as good multicolor cell imaging probes due to their excellent fluorescent properties, low cytotoxicity and fine dispersity.

Harnessing Mechanical Stress with Viscoelastic Biomaterials for Periodontal Ligament Regeneration.

The viscoelasticity of mechanically sensitive tissues such as periodontal ligaments (PDLs) is key in maintaining mechanical homeostasis. Unfortunately, PDLs easily lose viscoelasticity (e.g., stress relaxation) during periodontitis or dental trauma, which disrupt cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and accelerates tissue damage. Here, Pluronic F127 diacrylate (F127DA) hydrogels with PDL-matched stress relaxation rates and high elastic moduli are developed. The hydrogel viscoelasticity is modulated without chemical cross-linking by controlling precursor concentrations. Under cytomechanical loading, F127DA hydrogels with fast relaxation rates significantly improved the fibrogenic differentiation potential of PDL stem cells (PDLSCs), while cells cultured on F127DA hydrogels with various stress relaxation rates exhibited similar fibrogenic differentiation potentials with limited cell spreading and traction forces under static conditions. Mechanically, faster-relaxing F127DA hydrogels leveraged cytomechanical loading to activate PDLSC mechanotransduction by upregulating integrin-focal adhesion kinase pathway and thus cytoskeletal rearrangement, reinforcing cell-ECM interactions. In vivo experiments confirm that faster-relaxing F127DA hydrogels significantly promoted PDL repair and reduced abnormal healing (e.g., root resorption and ankyloses) in delayed replantation of avulsed teeth. This study firstly investigated how matrix nonlinear viscoelasticity influences the fibrogenesis of PDLSCs under mechanical stimuli, and it reveals the underlying mechanobiology, which suggests novel strategies for PDL regeneration.

Fabrication of magnetic-antimicrobial-fluorescent multifunctional hybrid microspheres and their properties.

Novel magnetic-antimicrobial-fluorescent multifunctional hybrid microspheres with well-defined nanostructure were synthesized by the aid of a poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) template. The hybrid microspheres were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and digital fluorescence microscope. The as-synthesized microspheres PGMA, amino-modified PGMA (NH2-PGMA) and magnetic PGMA (M-PGMA) have a spherical shape with a smooth surface and fine monodispersity. M-PGMA microspheres are super-paramagnetic, and their saturated magnetic field is 4.608 emu·g-1, which made M-PGMA efficiently separable from aqueous solution by an external magnetic field. After poly(haxemethylene guanidine hydrochloride) (PHGH) functionalization, the resultant microspheres exhibit excellent antibacterial performance against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The fluorescence feature originating from the quantum dot CdTe endowed the hybrid microspheres with biological functions, such as targeted localization and biological monitoring functions. Combination of magnetism, antibiosis and fluorescence into one single hybrid microsphere opens up the possibility of the extensive study of multifunctional materials and widens the potential applications.

[Research Progress on Colloid Pump Effect of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Drinking Water].

Currently, micro- and nanoplastics are the most concerning pollutants, which have been confirmed to exist in every stage of drinking water treatment process. Micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water have large specific surface areas, which could adsorb inorganic matter, organic matter, and microorganisms, thereby increasing their risk to human health. The adsorption and agglomeration behavior of micro- and nanoplastics on typical pollutants is called the "colloid pump effect." Focused on the micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water, the occurrence, colloid pump effect, and toxic effect on the human body and the effect of colloid pumps on the removal of micro- and nanoplastics were summarized and described. The results revealed that micro- and nanoplastics existed widely in source water, treated water, pipe network water, and tap water. The colloid pump effect of micro- and nanoplastics promoted their agglomeration with inorganic matter, organic matter, and microorganisms, which not only intensified the toxic effect of micro- and nanoplastics but also affected the removal effect. There were different viewpoints on the effect of coagulation and sedimentation on the removal of micro- and nanoplastics, and the removal effect of sand filters was limited. The advanced treatment was an efficient process to remove micro- and nanoplastics with a particle size smaller than 5 µm. The removal rate of micro- and nanoplastics could be effectively improved by exploring the mechanism of the colloid pump effect and its initiation conditions. Finally, from the perspective of the drinking water treatment process and colloid pump effect, the control of micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water was prospected in order to provide reference for reducing the occurrence and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics in drinking water, ensuring drinking water quality safety and human health.

[Research Progress on Trojan-horse Effect of Microplastics and Heavy Metals in Freshwater Environment].

As an emerging pollutant of global concern, microplastics (plastics with size<5 mm) and heavy metals are widely found in freshwater environments. Microplastics migrate easily, are difficult to degrade, and have large specific surface areas. They can enrich a variety of pollutants such as heavy metals and greatly increase their potential harm to the environment and ecology. Firstly, the special environmental behavior of microplastics carrying heavy metals and migrating together in freshwater environments was defined as the "Trojan-horse effect." Then, the Trojan-horse effect and its mechanism of microplastics and heavy metals in the freshwater environment were summarized and expounded from four aspects:the source and distribution of microplastics in the freshwater environment, the enrichment effect of microplastics on heavy metals, the impact of microplastics and the heavy metal Trojan-horse effect on its migration behavior, and the biological impact of microplastics and the heavy metal Trojan-horse effect. The results showed that, as a wide range of non-point source pollutants, microplastics widely existed in freshwater environments. In freshwater environments, the adsorption degree of single metals was different in different environments. It was mainly affected by microplastics, metals, and environmental factors. There was competitive adsorption in the presence of multiple metal ions. The Trojan-horse effect of microplastics and heavy metals could also affect their co-transport behavior. The Trojan-horse effect of microplastics and heavy metals in the freshwater environment frequently exacerbated their toxicity to aquatic organisms. This study provides references for comprehensively understanding the Trojan-horse effect and its mechanism in microplastics and heavy metals in the freshwater environment, which could effectively reduce the ecological risk and impact on human health of microplastics and heavy metals in the freshwater environment.

Third molar-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and medical history of 904 Chinese adults: a cross-sectional survey. / 904åä¸­å›½æˆå¹´äººå¯¹ç¬¬ä¸‰ç£¨ç‰™ç›¸å ³çŸ¥è¯†ã€æ€åº¦ã€è¡Œä¸ºå’Œç— å²çš„æ¨ªæ–­é¢ç ”ç©¶.

This study investigated the perceptions and medical history of third molars (M3s) and assessed the prevalence of visible M3s (V-M3s) among 904 Chinese adults. The enrolled participants were interviewed to complete a structural questionnaire focused on sociodemographic information and their understanding of, attitudes toward, behaviors regarding, and medical history with respect to M3s. In addition, the number of V-M3s in the cohort was determined by oral examination. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between individuals' sociodemographic characteristics and their perception of M3s or the presence of V-M3s. The Chi-square test was used to compare the actions taken against symptomatic M3s and the corresponding outcomes among different groups divided according to respondents' sociodemographic factors. In total, 904 completed questionnaires were gathered and analyzed. Nearly half (43.9%) of the respondents knew nothing about M3s, and only 12.7% provided correct answers to all the questions asked. Male sex, older age, occupation involving physical labor, and no previous dental experience were active factors in unawareness of M3s. Male sex was also significantly associated with the presence of at least one V-M3 and negative behavior about symptomatic M3s. In terms of medical history, 192 participants reported having had at least one M3 extracted (438 in total), and 72.6% of the M3s were removed due to the presence of related symptoms or pathologies. In conclusion, the population investigated had a shortage of knowledge about M3s and adopted negative attitudes and actions about M3-related problems.

The impact of Anatomic Features of Asymptomatic Third Molars on the Pathologies of Adjacent Second Molars: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to comprehensively examine how the anatomic characteristics of asymptomatic third molars (As-M3s) affect distal pathologies of adjacent second molars (Ad-M2s). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with at least 1 quadrant having intact As-M3s and first and second molars were enrolled. Distal pathologies of Ad-M2s, including caries, pocket depth of 4 mm or more (PD4+), and alveolar bone loss of 3 mm or more (ABL3+), were analysed based on As-M3 status (absent/impacted/nonimpacted). Especially within nonimpacted M3s (N-M3s), the effects of regions (maxillary vs mandibular) and dental intervals (narrow vs wide) on Ad-M2 pathologies were further compared. RESULTS: A total of 248 patients with their 805 quadrants were finally included in this cross-sectional study. The impacted and nonimpacted As-M3s elevated the risk of any distal pathology (caries, PD4+, or ABL3+) of Ad-M2s vs M3 absence with odds ratios (ORs) of 8.33 and 3.27, respectively. Within N-M3s, mandibular regions increased the odds of PD4+ (OR, 1.96); wide dental intervals increased the odds of ABL3+ (OR, 3.01). However, maxillary regions and narrow dental intervals contributed to more severe bone loss in Ad-M2s with ABL3+. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of As-M3 is a risk factor for Ad-M2 pathologies irrespective of impaction status. Within N-M3s, Ad-M2 pathologies are significantly influenced by anatomic characteristics such as regions and dental intervals.

Synergistic antitumor effect of folate-targeted Pluronic™ F-127/poly(lactic acid) polymersomes for codelivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel.

Aim: Folate-targeted Pluronic™ F-127/poly(lactic acid) (FA-F127-PLA) polymersomes were used as codelivery carriers of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) to achieve a targeted synergistic antitumor effect. Materials & methods: The cytotoxicity of PTX/DOX polymersomes against OVCAR-3 cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The cellular uptake of PTX/DOX polymersomes was examined by HPLC and micro-bicinchoninic acid techniques. Results: The polymersomes showed a bilayer core-shell structure with negative charge and good dispersion. PTX1/DOX5 polymersomes with a mass ratio of PTX to DOX of 1:5 showed the best synergistic effect and the highest cellular uptake. Conclusion: FA-F127-PLA polymersomes have the great promise for codelivery of multiple chemotherapeutics to achieve a targeted antitumor synergistic effect.

Hydrophilic doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and hydrophobic paclitaxel (PTX) are two well-known anticancer drugs. Coadministration of DOX and PTX as a free drug cocktail has been widely used in clinical treatment to further improve their anticancer effect. However, this free drug cocktail often causes a lot of side effects such as cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In order to reduce the side effects of the drug cocktail and enhance their targeted delivery, folic acid-targeted Pluronic™ F-127 / poly(lactic acid) (FA-F127-PLA) polymersomes were used to load the drug cocktail. Both the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake data showed that PTX/DOX coloaded FA-F127-PLA polymersomes had better synergistic anticancer ability than a DOX and PTX free-drug cocktail.