[Effect of polymer nanoparticles on atherosclerotic lesions and the associated mechanisms: a review].

Polymer nanoparticles generally refer to hydrophobic polymers-based nanoparticles, which have been extensively studied in the nanomedicine field due to their good biocompatibility, efficient long-circulation characteristics, and superior metabolic discharge patterns over other nanoparticles. Existing studies have proved that polymer nanoparticles possess unique advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and have been transformed from basic researches to clinical applications, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the inflammatory reaction induced by polymer nanoparticles would induce the formation of foam cells and autophagy of macrophages. In addition, the variations in the mechanical microenvironment of cardiovascular diseases may cause the enrichment of polymer nanoparticles. These could possibly promote the occurrence and development of AS. Herein, this review summarized the recent application of polymer nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of AS, as well as the relationship between polymer nanoparticles and AS and the associated mechanism, with the aim to facilitate the development of novel nanodrugs for the treatment of AS.

Gingipains are the important virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis downregulating B10 cells.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis. Our previous study indicated that periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis increased the percentage of CD19+ B cells but decreased the ratio of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells (B10) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. It is still unclear which virulence factors of P. gingivalis are involved in these processes. Here, we compared the effects of different components of P. gingivalis on the biogenesis of B10 cells and found that the decreased proportion of B10 cells mainly resulted from the undenatured proteins other than the DNA, RNA, or lipopolysaccharides of P. gingivalis. As gingipains are enzymes and virulence factors that play a vital role in the progression in periodontitis through affecting the innate and adaptive immune system, we then compared the influence of the wild-type (WT) strain of P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277) and its isogenic gingipain-null mutant (∆K∆RAB) on the differentiation of splenic B cells into B10 cells. Interestingly, compared to WT strain, ∆K∆RAB treatment increased the frequency of B10 cells as well as the expression of IL-6 in B cells. Furthermore, the acute peritonitis, an ideal model for the quick evaluation of immune effects of agents, induced by ∆K∆RAB, showed the higher IL-6 production and proportion of B10 cells compared with WT. Finally, we performed transcriptomic analysis to better understand the effects and possible mechanisms of gingipains on B cells. Compared with WT, ∆K∆RAB upregulated the PI3K-Akt pathway of B cells, which is important for IL-10 production and B10 cell biogenesis, and more activated Jak-STAT pathway, which is a classical signaling pathway mediated by IL-6. Cumulatively, this study preliminarily revealed that gingipains of P. gingivalis are vital virulence factors downregulating B10 cells and altering immune responses.

Flowthrough Capture of Microplastics through Polyphenol-Mediated Interfacial Interactions on Wood Sawdust.

Nano-/microplastics accumulate in aquatic bodies and raise increasing threats to ecosystems and human health. The limitation of existing water cleanup strategies, especially in the context of nano-/microplastics, primarily arises from their complexity (morphological, compositional, and dimensional). Here, highly efficient and bio-based flowthrough capturing materials (bioCap) are reported to remove a broad spectrum of nano-/microplastics from water: polyethylene terephthalate (anionic, irregular shape), polyethylene (net neutral, irregular shape), polystyrene (anionic and cationic, spherical shape), and other anionic and spherical shaped particles (polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride). Highly efficient bioCap systems that adsorb the ubiquitous particles released from beverage bags are demonstrated. As evidence of removal from drinking water, the in vivo biodistribution of nano-/microplastics is profiled, confirming a significant reduction of particle accumulation in main organs. The unique advantage of phenolic-mediated multi-molecular interactions is employed in sustainable, cost-effective, and facile strategies based on wood sawdust support for the removal of challenging nano-/microplastics pollutions.

Phenotypes, roles, and modulation of regulatory lymphocytes in periodontitis and its associated systemic diseases.

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease that can result in tooth loss and poses a risk to systemic health. Lymphocytes play important roles in periodontitis through multiple mechanisms. Regulatory lymphocytes including regulatory B cells (Bregs) and T cells (Tregs) are the main immunosuppressive cells that maintain immune homeostasis, and are critical to our understanding of the pathogenesis of periodontitis and the development of effective treatments. In this review, we discuss the phenotypes, roles, and modulating strategies of regulatory lymphocytes including Bregs and Tregs in periodontitis and frequently cooccurring inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer disease, diabetes mellitus, and stroke. The current evidence suggests that restoring immune balance through therapeutic targeting of regulatory lymphocytes is a promising strategy for the treatment of periodontitis and other systemic inflammatory diseases.

Porphyromonas gingivalis induces periodontitis, causes immune imbalance, and promotes rheumatoid arthritis.

Periodontitis induced by bacteria especially Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is the most prevalent microbial disease worldwide and is a significant risk factor for systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA and periodontitis share similar clinical and pathologic features. Moreover, the prevalence of RA is much higher in patients with periodontitis than in those without periodontitis. To explore the immunologic mechanism of periodontitis involved in RA, we established a mouse model of periodontitis and then induced RA. According to the results of paw thickness, arthritis clinical score, arthritis incidence, microscopic lesion using H&E staining, and micro-CT analysis, periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis promoted the occurrence and development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Furthermore, periodontitis enhanced the frequency of CD19+ B cells, Th17, Treg, gMDSCs, and mMDSCs, whereas down-regulated IL-10 producing regulatory B cells (B10) in CIA mice preinduced for periodontitis with P. gingivalis. In vitro stimulation with splenic cells revealed that P. gingivalis directly enhanced differentiation of Th17, Treg, and mMDSCs but inhibited the process of B cell differentiation into B10 cells. Considering that adoptive transfer of B10 cells prevent RA development, our study, although preliminary, suggests that down-regulation of B10 cells may be the key mechanism that periodontitis promotes RA as the other main immune suppressive cells such as Treg and MDSCs are up-regulated other than down-regulated in group of P. gingivalis plus CIA.

Single application of airway stents in thoracogastric-airway fistula: results and prognostic factors for its healing.

BACKGROUND: Thoracogastric-airway fistula (TGAF) post-thoracic surgery is a rare and challenging complication for esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of airway stenting for TGAF patients and find related factors coupled with healing of fistula. METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving patients with TGAF who were treated with airway stentings. Based on different TGAF locations and sizes on chest computed tomography, covered metallic or silicon airway stents were implanted to cover orifices under interventional bronchoscopy. TGAF healing was defined as the primary outcome, and complete sealing of TGAF as the second outcome. The predictors for TGAF healing were analyzed in univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 58 TGAF patients were included, of whom 7 received straight covered metallic stents, 5 straight silicon stents, 3 L-shaped covered metallic stents, 21 large Y-shaped covered metallic stents, 17 large Y-shaped silicon stents, and 5 with Y-shaped covered metallic stents. Healing was achieved in 20 (34.5%) patients, and complete sealing in 45 (77.6%) patients. There were no significant differences in healing rate and complete sealing rate between patients receiving metallic stents and those with silicon stents. In univariate analysis, lacking a previous history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, nonmalignant fistulas, small fistulas, and shorter postesophagectomy duration were found associated with a higher rate of TGAF healing. Only shorter postesophagectomy duration was associated with TGAF healing in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Both silicon and covered metallic airway stenting are effective methods to close TGAF. A shorter postesophagectomy period may predict better TGAF healing. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

[Clinical application of video-assisted rigid bronchoscopy in the treatment of airway stenoses].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment of critical airway stenoses remains a formidable challenge to surgeons and anesthesiologists. Suffocate is a leading cause of death if the patients with airway diseases were not treated properly. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility, safety and efficiency using video-assisted rigid bronchoscopes (VARB) in the treatment of central airway stenoses. METHODS: From August 27, 2007 to September 30, 2010, 194 patients (140 men and 54 women, mean age 57.5±1.3 years) with airway stenoses (145 with malignant and 49 with benign stenoses) were retrospectively reviewed underwent VARB treatment in our hospital. All the procedures were carried out under general anesthesia with high frequency jet ventilation. After the VARB was placed in the main trachea through the mouth, electric bronchoscope was combined to examine the lesions. Various methods for controlling the airway have been established to solve this problem, such as the electric loop, cryoprobe or argon plasma coagulation (APC) and stents. RESULTS: T325 procedures were accomplished in all the 194 cases. Every patients received 1.6 procedures of VARB. VARB occupied 21.3% (325/1,525) in all bronchoscopic procedures. Among the patients, there were 76 cases with primary airway tumor and 69 with secondary malignant tumor, 49 with benign airway stenoses. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and short breathless index were obviously improved after the first treatment of VARB. Improvement of bronchial stenoses was superior to that of tracheal stenoses. The effect of electasis treatment is better in obstruction of main bronchus than that of segment bronchus. 26 airway stents were removed and 13 stents were successfully placed under VARB. CONCLUSIONS: VARB can be applied safely and effectively for the management of tracheobronchial stenoses. Quality of life was improved after the treatment of VARB.