Mechanochromic Hydrogel Fibers with Multiple Fluorescent Colors.

Mechanochromic polymers can change their color in response to external force and have shown promising applications in stress sensing and failure warning. They are usually obtained as thin films or bulky specimens. The mechanochromic fibers, which can be used to make smart fabrics, have been seldom reported due to the lack of efficient fabrication techniques. In this work, a general method using photo-polymerization of microgel solution in a template tube to produce mechanochromic hydrogel fibers is reported. The obtained hydrogel fibers can generate visible and fluorescent color changes upon deformation. The diameter of the mechanochromic fibers can be easily adjusted by using different template tubes. The mechanochromic fibers can be fabricated as long as 1 m. By reducing the fiber diameter or increasing the microgel concentration, the mechanical properties of the mechanochromic fibers can be improved, leading to more obvious mechanochromic behavior. The polymethacrylate (PMA) is further used to coat the hydrogel fibers, prevent the loss of water in the fibers, and increase the storage time. The mechanochromic fibers with multiple fluorescent colors are further fabricated by utilizing different microgel solutions. This work provides an easy and effective method to fabricate mechanochromic fibers with different color change abilities.

Food impaction on three-dimensional printed models with periodontal ligament simulation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate food impaction on three-dimensional (3D) printed models with periodontal ligament simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on a commercial typodont pair, 3D maxillary and mandibular models were created with no teeth and with tooth sockets that were 1 mm wider than the original ones from 24 to 27 or 34 to 37 for periodontal ligament simulation with vinyl polysiloxane impression material. In total, 35 pairs of 7 combinations, including maxillary/mandibular typodonts in occlusion with maxillary/mandibular 3D models with/without a distal gap of canines on 3D models (tooth 23 or 33) were mounted on hinge articulators and divided into seven groups (n = 5). Each sample experienced the same manual chewing simulation on a customized device. The proximal surfaces were photographed to measure the percentage of food impaction area using ImageJ software. RESULTS: Group with fixed maxillary and mandibular teeth showed more food impaction than other groups with significant differences in the average of maxilla and the average of all proximal areas. CONCLUSION: The flexibility of the periodontal ligament and the degree of freedom of the teeth in their sockets may contribute to the extent of food impaction in proximal spaces.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty through unilateral puncture on the convex side for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with scoliosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical safety, accuracy, and efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) surgery using an enhanced method of unilateral puncture on the convex side for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (P-OVCF) with scoliosis. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic data of P-OVCF patients with scoliosis who underwent PKP via unilateral puncture on the convex side from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. This technique's detailed surgical steps and tips were described. The local kyphosis angle (LKA), scoliosis Cobb angle (SCA), and local scoliosis Cobb angle (LSCA) were measured using X-ray and compared at pre-operation, post-operation, and the last follow-up. The width of pedicle (POW), inner inclination angle (IIA), lateral distance (LD), and puncture course length (PCL) were measured on the axial computed tomography image and compared between two sides. Postoperative computed tomography was employed to evaluate the condition of cement distribution and puncture. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back pain (BP). RESULTS: Thirty-six patients, 23 women and 13 men, with an average age of 76.31 ± 6.28 years were monitored for 17.69 ± 4.70 months. The median surgical duration of single vertebrae was 35 min. The volume of bone cement for single vertebrae was 3.81 ± 0.87 ml and the proportion of sufficient cement distribution of the patients was 97.22. LKA was considerably improved from pre-operation to post-operation and sustained at the last follow-up. SCA and LSCA were not significantly modified between these three-time points. IIA, PCL, and LD were lower on the convex side than on the concave side. POW was considerably wider on the convex side. The ODI and VAS-BP scores were significantly improved after surgery and sustained during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Combining with the proper assessment of the pre-injured life status of patients, PKP surgery using unilateral puncture on the convex side for the treatment of P-OVCF with scoliosis can achieve safe, excellent clinical, and radiographic outcomes.

Molecularly imprinted polymer-based extended-gate field-effect transistor chemosensors for selective determination of antiepileptic drug.

Ultrathin molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) films were deposited on the surfaces of ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) and nanosheets (ZNSs) by electropolymerization to afford extended-gate field-effect transistor sensors for detecting phenytoin (PHT) in plasma. Molecular imprinting efficiency was optimized by controlling the contents of functional monomers and the template in the precursor solution. PHT sensing was performed in plasma solutions with various concentrations by monitoring the drain current as a function of drain voltage under an applied gate voltage of 1.5 V. The reliability and reproducibility of the fabricated sensors were evaluated through a solution treatment process for complete PHT removal and PHT adsorption-removal cycling, while selectivity was examined by analyzing responses to chemicals with structures analogous to that of PHT. Compared with the ZNS/extracted-MIP sensor and sensors with non-imprinted polymer (NIP) films, the ZNR/extracted-MIP sensor showed superior responses to PHT-containing plasma due to selective PHT adsorption, achieving an imprinting factor of 4.23, detection limit of 12.9 ng/mL, quantitation limit of 53.0 ng/mL, and selectivity coefficients of 3-4 (against tramadol) and ~ 5 (against diphenhydramine). Therefore, we believe that the MIP-based ZNR sensing platform is promising for the practical detection of PHT and other drugs and evaluation of their proper dosages.

Assessment of the correlation between supracrestal gingival tissue dimensions and other periodontal phenotypes components via the digital registration method: a cross­sectional study in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Supracrestal gingival tissue dimensions (SGTDs) has been considered to be an essential element of periodontal phenotype (PP) components. This study aimed to explore the relationship between SGTDs and other PP components by digital superposition method that integrated cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with intraoral scanning. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Stomatology Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Participants were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data obtained from the digital scanner (TRIOS 3, 3Shape, Denmark) and CBCT images were imported into the TRIOS software (Implant Studio, 3Shape, Denmark) for computing relevant parameters. The significant level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 83 participants with 498 maxillary anterior teeth were finally included. The mean values of supracrestal gingival height (SGH) and the distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the crest of the alveolar ridge (CEJ-ABC) on the buccal site were significantly higher than palatal SGH (SGH-p) and palatal CEJ-ABC (CEJ-ABC-p). Men exhibited taller CEJ-ABC and SGH-p than women. Additionally, tooth type was significantly associated with the SGH, SGH-p and CEJ-ABC-p. Taller SGH was associated with wider crown, smaller papilla height (PH), flatter gingival margin, thicker bone thickness (BT) and gingival thickness (GT) at CEJ, the alveolar bone crest (ABC), and 2 mm apical to the ABC. Smaller SGH-p displayed thicker BT and GT at CEJ, the ABC, and 2 and 4 mm apical to the ABC. Higher CEJ-ABC showed lower interproximal bone height, smaller PH, flatter gingival margin, thinner GT and BT at CEJ, and 2 mm apical to the ABC. Smaller CEJ-ABC-p displayed thicker BT at CEJ and 2 and 4 mm apical to the ABC. On the buccal, thicker GT was correlated with thicker BT at 2 and 4 mm below the ABC. CONCLUSION: SGTDs exhibited a correlation with other PP components, especially crown shape, gingival margin and interdental PH. The relationship between SGTDs and gingival and bone phenotypes depended on the apico-coronal level evaluated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of Stomatology Hospital of Fujian Medical University (approval no. 2023-24).

Preparation of Poly(ß-malic acid) via Direct Carbonylative Polymerization of Benzyl Glycidate.

Poly(malic acid) (PMLA) is a water-soluble, biodegradable, biocompatible, and nontoxic polyester in the poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) family. it features various applications in pharmaceutical field. Herein, NaCo(CO)4 and pyridine derivatives are employed for direct carbonylative polymerization of benzyl glycidate (BG) for poly(ß-malic acid) production. Further investigation on reaction mechanism reveals that this polymerization undergoes a direct chain growth, rather than a sequential process involving ß-lactone intermediate. The low cost and facile preparation of epoxide substrate render this methodology extremely appealing that avoids the rather tedious procedures for ß-malolactonate synthesis required toward ring opening polymerization. This study also represents an alternative strategy over traditional methods for poly(ß-malic acid) production using step growth polycondensation of malic acid.

Determination of ovalbumin sensing response of protein-imprinted bilayered hydrogel strips via measurement of mechanically driven bending angles based on swelling-induced deformation.

Novel detection method has been developed to explore changes in mechanical bending angles on a bilayer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). For an ovalbumin (OVA)-imprinted hydrogel layer, functional monomers were employed to achieve sufficient binding effect in the polymer matrix. The OVA amount added in the MIP precursor solution and the dimensions of OVA-imprinted hydrogel (MIH) strips were controlled to maximize the change in bending angles as an OVA sensing response within a valid detection range. The sensing behaviors were determined by monitoring the difference in the bending angles via protein adsorption based on the swelling-induced deformation of the OVA-extracted hydrogel (E-MIH) strip. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the E-MIH strip was calculated via the Bradford protein assay. The detection limit, quantification limit, and imprinting factor were calculated. To compare the selectivity coefficients, the adsorption behaviors of three proteins were investigated. Finally, the reusability of the E-MIH strip was explored via repeated adsorption and extraction. Based on the results, the E-MIH strips demonstrated a promising protein sensing platform monitoring mechanical bending angles affected by swelling deformation.

Significant efficacy of short-course, low-concentration betamethasone mouthwash therapy for severe erosive oral lichen planus: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term efficacy of low-concentration betamethasone mouthwash for severe erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP). MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this randomized, investigator-blind, positive-controlled trial, OLP patients with erosive lesions received betamethasone mouthwash (0.137 mg/mL) or dexamethasone mouthwash (0.181 mg/mL) three times daily for 2 or 4 weeks and were followed up for 3 months to observe recurrence. The primary outcome was the week-2 reduction in erosive area. RESULTS: Fifty-seven participants were randomized to betamethasone (n = 29) and dexamethasone (n = 28). At week 2, participants using betamethasone (n = 28) experienced a greater reduction in erosive area than gargling with dexamethasone (n = 26). Similarly, secondary outcomes, including the healing proportion of erosions, reduced pain level, reduction in atrophic area, Thongprasom score, and recurrence interval, showed the superiority of betamethasone. At week 4, betamethasone (n = 7) was not superior to dexamethasone (n = 15) in further reducing lesional area and pain level. No serious adverse events were documented. CONCLUSIONS: The 0.137 mg/mL compound betamethasone mouthwash exhibited significant efficacy in rapidly enhancing erosion healing within 2 weeks and extending the recurrence interval with a good safety profile. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study proved the significant efficacy of short-course 0.137 mg/mL betamethasone mouthwash therapy for treating erosion and pain, providing a novel topical agent for patients with severe EOLP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was prospectively registered at the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform ( ChiCTR1800016507 ) on 5 June 2018.

Flexible Sensors Array Based on Frosted Microstructured Ecoflex Film and TPU Nanofibers for Epidermal Pulse Wave Monitoring.

Recent advances in flexible pressure sensors have fueled increasing attention as promising technologies with which to realize human epidermal pulse wave monitoring for the early diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, strict requirements of a single sensor on the arterial position make it difficult to meet the practical application scenarios. Herein, based on three single-electrode sensors with small area, a 3 × 1 flexible pressure sensor array was developed to enable measurement of epidermal pulse waves at different local positions of radial artery. The designed single sensor holds an area of 6 × 6 mm2, which mainly consists of frosted microstructured Ecoflex film and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers. The Ecoflex film was formed by spinning Ecoflex solution onto a sandpaper surface. Micropatterned TPU nanofibers were prepared on a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) film surface using the electrospinning method. The combination of frosted microstructure and nanofibers provides an increase in the contact separation of the tribopair, which is of great benefit for improving sensor performance. Due to this structure design, the single small-area sensor was characterized by pressure sensitivity of 0.14 V/kPa, a response time of 22 ms, a wide frequency band ranging from 1 to 23 Hz, and stability up to 7000 cycles. Given this output performance, the fabricated sensor can detect subtle physiological signals (e.g., respiration, ballistocardiogram, and heartbeat) and body movement. More importantly, the sensor can be utilized in capturing human epidermal pulse waves with rich details, and the consistency of each cycle in the same measurement is as high as 0.9987. The 3 × 1 flexible sensor array is employed to acquire pulse waves at different local positions of the radial artery. In addition, the time domain parameters including pulse wave transmission time (PTT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) can be obtained successfully, which holds promising potential in pulse-based cardiovascular system status monitoring.

Excellent Dark/Light Dual-Mode Photoresponsive Activities Based on g-C3N4/CMCh/PVA Nanocomposite Hydrogel Using Electron Beam Radiation Method.

Photocatalytic technology for inactivating bacteria in water has received much attention. In this study, we reported a dark-light dual-mode sterilized g-C3N4/chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (g-CP) prepared through freeze-thaw cycling and an in situ electron-beam radiation method. The structures and morphologies of g-CP were confirmed using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), solid ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Photocatalytic degradation experiments demonstrated that 1 wt% g-CP degraded rhodamine B (RhB) up to 65.92% in 60 min. At the same time, g-CP had good antimicrobial abilities for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within 4 h. The shapes of g-CP were adjustable (such as bar, cylinder, and cube) and had good mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The tensile and compressive modulus of 2 wt% g-CP were 0.093 MPa and 1.61 MPa, respectively. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) test and Hoechst33342/PI double staining were used to prove that g-CP had good biocompatibility. It is expected to be applied to environmental sewage treatment and wound dressing in the future.

Canonical and noncanonical pyroptosis are both activated in periodontal inflammation and bone resorption.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pyroptosis has both a caspase-1-dependent canonical pathway and a caspase-4/-5/-11-dependent noncanonical pathway. They play an important role in inflammatory damage and related diseases. Canonical pyroptosis was reported to be involved in periodontitis. However, knowledge of caspase-4/-5/-11-dependent noncanonical pathway involvement remains limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of pyroptosis inhibition on periodontitis as well as the possible mechanism, in order to provide a potential target for alleviating periodontitis. METHODS: Human and rat periodontitis tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Micro-computed tomography was used to assess alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis model. Pyroptosis-related proteins were tested by western blot. propidium iodide staining and lactate dehydrogenase release were used to verify pyroptosis activation. RNA sequencing was applied to investigate the preliminary mechanism of the reduced periodontal inflammation induced by YVAD-CHO. RESULTS: Both canonical- and noncanonical-related proteins were detected in human and rat periodontitis tissue. The pyroptosis-inhibited group demonstrated less inflammatory response and bone absorption. In vitro, pyroptosis was activated by lipopolysaccharide and inhibited by YVAD-CHO. RNA sequencing demonstrated that the expression of A20 and IκB-ζ was increased and verified by western blot in vitro and IHC in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that inhibition of pyroptosis-reduced inflammation and alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis.

Determination of fipronil and its metabolites in environmental water samples by meltblown nonwoven fabric-based solid-phase extraction combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detection.

In this study, a new method for the determination of fipronil and its three metabolites in environmental water samples was developed based on meltblown nonwoven fabric solid-phase extraction combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detection. As the core material of medical masks, meltblown nonwoven fabric is made of polypropylene superfine fibers which are randomly distributed and bonded together with a relatively large specific surface area and good permeability. Polypropylene as a high molecular hydrocarbon-based polymer has the characteristics of good hydrophobicity and lipophilicity, which can be applied for the separation and enrichment of hydrophobic substances in food, environment, and biological samples. The meltblown nonwoven fabric is soft and can fill the solid-phase extraction cartridge tightly. This aspect also makes it suitable to be used as an ideal solid-phase extraction sorbent. A series of parameters influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated, and under the optimized conditions, fipronil and its three metabolites had a good linear relationship in the range of 0.2-100 µg/L with a correlation coefficient R2 of more than 0.999. The recoveries at three spiked concentrations were in the range of 99.2-107.3% with the relative standard deviations less than 9.8% (intra-day) and 8.1% (inter-day). The limit of detection for the four target analytes was in the range of 0.02-0.06 µg/L. Finally, this method was successfully applied in the analysis of fipronil and its three metabolites in various types of environmental water samples.

Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Attenuate Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms in Mice through Modulating Immune Balance and Skin Barrier Function.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin inflammatory disease associated with immune abnormalities and disrupted skin barrier function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option in AD. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are a unique postnatal stem cell population with high immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of SHEDs on AD in the BALB/c mouse model induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). SHEDs were administrated intravenously or subcutaneously, and clinical severity, histopathological findings, skin barrier function, and organ indexes were evaluated. Skin tissue cytokine mRNA levels and serum cytokine protein levels were further analysed. SHED administration significantly alleviated AD clinical severity, including dermatitis scores, ear thickness, scratching behaviour, and infiltration of mast cells. In addition, disrupted skin barrier function and enlarged spleens were restored by SHED administration. Further, SHED treatment reduced the levels of IgE, IgG1, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the serum and the modulated expression of Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-associated cytokines in skin lesions. In conclusion, SHEDs attenuated AD-like skin lesions in mice by modulating the immune balance and skin barrier function. SHEDs could be a potential new treatment agent for AD.

Low Bone Density Predictability of CBCT and Its Relation to Primary Stability of Tapered Implant Design: A Pilot Study.

Research regarding bone density assessment using cone beam computed tomography in low bone density regions is sparse. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the predictability of cone beam computed tomography for low bone density regions and its correlations with primary implant stability when placing tapered design implants with a stepped osteotomy. Eighteen porcine mandibular condyles were used as simulated low bone density regions. Hounsfield units (HU), obtained via multislice computed tomography, and gray values (GV), obtained via cone beam computed tomography, were measured three times at one-month intervals. The maximum implant insertion torque (MIT) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were recorded as the taper design implants were placed using a stepped osteotomy. HU and GV were measured as 335.05-803.07 and 389.98-906.40, respectively. For repeated measurements of HU and GV, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.989 and 0.980; the corresponding value for mean HU and GV was 0.768. Bland-Altman plots showed a mean difference between HU and GV of -78.15. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a strong correlation between HU and GV (r=0.91, p<0.01). The mean ± standard deviation values for MIT and ISQ were 36.44 ± 6.64 Ncm and 80.85 ± 2.03, respectively, but no statistically significant correlations were found with GV and HU. Within the study's limitations, GV showed similar bone density estimation compared to HU in soft bones. Tapered implant placement with a stepped osteotomy achieved stable primary implant stability in soft bones. However, these in vitro results need to be approved in further clinical studies.

Rotating Cylinder-Assisted Nanoimprint Lithography for Enhanced Chemisorbable Filtration Complemented by Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.

Rotating cylindrical stamp-based nanoimprint technique has many advantages, including the continuous fabrication of intriguing micro/nanostructures and rapid pattern transfer on a large scale. Despite these advantages, the previous nanoimprint lithography has rarely been used for producing sophisticated nanoscale patterns on a non-planar substrate that has many extended applications. Here, the simple integration of nanoimprinting process with a help of a transparent stamp wrapped on the cylindrical roll and UV optical source in the core to enable high-throughput pattern transfer, particularly on a fabric substrate is demonstrated. Moreover, as a functional resin material, this innovative strategy involves a synergistic approach on the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer, which are spatially organized free-standing perforated nanostructures such as nano/microscale lines, posts, and holes patterns on various woven or nonwoven blank substrates. The proposed materials can serve as a self-encoded filtration medium for selective separation of formaldehyde molecules. It is envisioned that the combinatorial fabrication process and attractive material paves the way for designing next-generation separation systems in use to capture industrial or household toxic substances.

Enabling the Selective Detection of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals via Molecularly Surface-Imprinted "Coffee Rings".

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) represent an intriguing class of synthetic materials that can selectively recognize and bind chemical or biological molecules in a variety of value-added applications in sensors, catalysis, drug delivery, antibodies, and receptors. In this context, many advanced methods of implementing functional MIP materials have been actively studied. Herein, we report a robust strategy to produce highly ordered arrays of surface-imprinted polymer patterns with unprecedented regularity for MIP-based sensor platform, which involves the controlled evaporative self-assembly process of MIP precursor solution in a confined geometry consisting of a spherical lens on a flat Si substrate (i.e., sphere-on-flat geometry) to synergistically utilize the "coffee-ring" effect and repetitive stick-slip motions of the three-phase contact line simply by solvent evaporation. Highly ordered arrays of the ring-patterned MIP films are then polymerized under UV irradiation to achieve semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. The extraction of templated target molecules from the surface-imprinted ring-patterned MIP films leaves behind copious cavities for the recognizable specific "memory sites" to efficiently detect small molecules. As a result, the elaborated surface structuring effect, sensitivity, and specific selectivity of the coffee-ring-based MIP sensors are scrutinized by capitalizing on an endocrine-disrupting chemical, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), as an example. Clearly, the evaporative self-assembly of nonvolatile solutes in a confined geometry renders the creation of familiar yet ordered coffee-ring-like patterns for a wide range of applications, including sensors, scaffolds for cell motility, templates, substrates for neuron guidance, etc., thereby dispensing with the need of multistep lithography techniques and external fields.

Na-Ln Heterometallic Coordination Polymers: Structure Modulation by Na+ Concentration and Efficient Detection to Tetracycline Antibiotics and 4-(Phenylazo)aniline.

On the basis of the lanthanide metalloligand [Ln(ODA)3]3- (H2ODA = oxydiacetic acid), three new Na-Ln heterometallic coordination polymers, [Ln(ODA)3Na2]n [Ln = Eu (1) and Gd (2)] and [Tb(ODA)3Na3(H2O)2]n (3), had been assembled by adjusting the concentration of Na+ ions in the reaction system. The investigations of fluorescence sensing showed that 1 could be a ratiometric probe to detect tetracycline (TC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) with high sensitivity and low detection limits, 71.92 ppb for the former and 45.54 ppb for the latter, and 3 could selectively sense 4-(phenylazo)aniline through the turn-off pathway with 14.59 ppb of detection limits. Moreover, the competing and circulating experiments indicated that both 1 and 3 had satisfactory antiinterference and recyclability for the corresponding analytes. All of these results implied that 1 and 3 should be potential fluorescent sensors for the detection of TC/OTC and 4-(phenylazo)aniline, and the possible sensing mechanism had also been discussed in depth.

Detection of Cu2+ and S2- with fluorescent polymer nanoparticles and bioimaging in HeLa cells.

Novel spherical polymer nanoparticles were synthesized by hyperbranched polyethylenimine (hPEI) and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde (HNA) via Schiff base reaction (one-pot reaction), which had great advantages in water solubility and green synthesis. Meanwhile, probe PEI-HNA could quickly detect Cu2+ in the range of 0-60 µM in 30 s with the detection limit of 243 nM. The fluorescence of PEI-HNA-Cu2+ could be recovered by the addition of S2- in 50 s with the detection limit of 227 nM. Based on the excellent optical properties, PEI-HNA has been used in the bioimaging of living cells with excellent cell penetrability and low toxicity. More importantly, PEI-HNA has been doped into filter paper, hydrogel, and nanofibrous film to prepare solid-phase sensors, displaying rapid response and excellent sensitivity. Moreover, the low-cost and simple preparation of these sensors offers great potential and possibilities for industrialization, which could help accelerate the development of sensors in environmental and biological fields.

Fundamental and Clinical Applications of Materials Based on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Cancers.

Cancer stromal cells play a role in promoting tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, the current treatment paradigms for cancers are usually insufficient to eradicate cancer cells, and anti-cancer therapeutic strategies targeting stromal cells have been developed. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are perpetually activated fibroblasts in the tumor stroma. CAFs are the most abundant and highly heterogeneous stromal cells, and they are critically involved in cancer occurrence and progression. These effects are due to their various roles in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, maintenance of cancer stemness, modulation of tumor metabolism, and promotion of therapy resistance. Recently, biomaterials and nanomaterials based on CAFs have been increasingly developed to perform gene or protein expression analysis, three-dimensional (3D) co-cultivation, and targeted drug delivery in cancer treatment. In this review, we systematically summarize the current research to fully understand the relevant materials and their functional diversity in CAFs, and we highlight the potential clinical applications of CAFs-oriented biomaterials and nanomaterials in anti-cancer therapy.

Analysis of percutaneous kyphoplasty under different types of anesthesia for the treatment of multiple osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons recognize that using percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) under local anesthesia to treat osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) prevents interference with the general situation of elderly patients suffering from multiple organ dysfunction. Surgeons can directly assess whether nerve injury occurs while the patient is awake. However, when patients with multiple osteoporotic vertebral fractures (m-OVFs) receive local anesthesia, fluoroscopy time often has to be increased, the operative time has to be extended, or the operation has to be terminated because of discomfort related to body posture. No relevant study has thus far been conducted on the type of anesthesia to administer to patients undergoing PKP for m-OVFs. This study aimed to determine which of the two types of anesthesia is more suitable for PKP for m-OVFs. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 159 patients who underwent PKP for m-OVFs from January 2016 to January 2020; 81 patients underwent PKP under general anesthesia (Group G), and 78 patients underwent PKP under local anesthesia (Group L). Clinical and adverse events were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The intraoperative mean arterial pressure, average heart rate, average fluoroscopy times of each vertebral body, and operative time were less in Group G than in Group L. The visual analog scale (VAS) score was significantly lower after than before the operation. The anterior vertebral height (AVH), middle vertebral height (MVH), and kyphotic angle (KA) were significantly improved in both groups postoperatively. The improvement in VAS score, AVH, MVH, and KA in Group G were higher than those in Group L. No significant difference in the incidence of complications was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: PKP under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia was reliable. Compared with PKP under local anesthesia, PKP under general anesthesia could more reliably maintain the stability of vital signs, alleviate preoperative pain in patients, and attain a better orthopedic effect. Moreover, the latter does not increase the complications of patients with m-OVFs. However, the high medical expense of PKP under general anesthesia is a factor to consider when choosing the type of anesthesia.