The acceleration on decolorization of azo dyes by magnetic lignin-based materials via enhancing the extracellular electron transfer.

Two novel and eco-friendly redox mediators (RMs), magnetic oxidative vanillin (MOV) and magnetic oxidative syringaldehyde (MOS), both derived from lignin, were prepared to improve the decolorization of the methyl orange (MO) dye. The Decolorization Efficiency (DE) of MO in the batch experiments with MOV and MOS were increased by more than 60% and 22%, respectively, when compared to the control experiment without magnetic RMs. Moreover, the two magnetic RMs could maintain stable DE of MO in sequenced batch reactors (SBRs), and negligible leaching of the oxidized lignin monomers was observed under various environmental conditions. Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations were used to propose three potential biodegradation mechanisms for azo dyes, and the key intermediates were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography. This study proposed a feasible strategy for functional utilization of lignin resource, as well as a practical method for effectively treating azo dye-containing wastewater.

Effects of different designs of orthodontic clear aligners on the maxillary central incisors in the tooth extraction cases: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: Controlling the 3D movement of central incisors during tooth extraction cases with clear aligners is important but challenging in invisible orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to explore the biomechanical effects of central incisors in tooth extraction cases with clear aligners under different power ridge design schemes and propose appropriate advice for orthodontic clinic. METHODS: A series of Finite Element models was constructed to simulate anterior teeth retraction or no retraction with different power ridge designs. These models all consisted of maxillary dentition with extracted first premolars, alveolar bone, periodontal ligaments and clear aligner. And the biomechanical effects were analysed and compared in each model. RESULTS: For the model of anterior teeth retraction without power ridge and for the model of anterior teeth no retraction with a single power ridge, the central incisors exhibited crown lingual inclination and relative extrusion. For the model of anterior teeth no retraction with double power ridges, the central incisors tended to have crown labial inclination and relative intrusion. For the model of anterior tooth retraction with double power ridges, the central incisors exhibited a similar trend to the first kind of model, but as the depth of the power ridge increased, there was a gradual decrease in crown retraction value and an increase in crown extrusion value. The simulated results showed that von-Mises stress concentration was observed in the cervical and apical regions of the periodontal ligaments of the central incisors. The clear aligner connection areas of adjacent teeth and power ridge areas also exhibited von-Mises stress concentration and the addition of power ridge caused the clear aligner to spread out on the labial and lingual sides. CONCLUSIONS: The central incisors are prone to losing torque and extruding in tooth extraction cases. Double power ridges have a certain root torque effect when there are no auxiliary designs, but they still cannot rescue tooth inclination during tooth retraction period. For tooth translation, it may be a better clinical procedure to change the one-step aligner design to two-step process: tilting retraction and root control.

Improved lip esthetics in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry after isolated mandibular orthognathic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Asymmetry of the lips severely affects facial esthetics and is often one of the chief complaints of orthognathic patients, especially those with Class III malocclusion. The objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in lip symmetry in patients with mandibular prognathism and deviation and the relationships between jaw hard tissue and lip soft-tissue changes. METHODS: Three-dimensional facial scan and cone-beam computed tomography scan data of 30 orthodontic-orthognathic patients treated with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy were combined to conduct the research. Paired-sample t test and Pearson correlation coefficient were applied to compare the differences in the same variable before and after the orthognathic surgery and the potential correlations between the changes in hard and soft variables. To explore the important hard tissue variables influencing the lip soft-tissue changes, linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Although there was significant upper lip asymmetry presurgery, the upper lip asymmetry was corrected postsurgery. Surgical correction of the mandibular deviation was also accompanied by lengthening of the bilateral philtrum crests. Improvement in lip asymmetry and lengthening of the philtrum crests were primarily related to the transverse correction of the mandible rather than sagittal changes. The corresponding prediction formulas were established. CONCLUSIONS: The isolated mandibular bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy surgery can substantially improve the upper and lower lip asymmetry in patients with mandibular prognathism and deviation, but one should be wary of the unesthetic effects associated with lengthening of the philtrum crests.

Reliability of cone beam CT for morphometry of nasolabial soft tissue in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion: A qualitative and quantitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess reliability of cone-beam CT (CBCT) for nasolabial soft tissue measurements in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion based on 3-dimensional (3D) facial scanner results. METHODS: CBCT and 3D facial scan images of 20 orthognathic patients are used in this study. Eleven soft tissue landmarks and 15 linear and angular measurements are identified and performed. For qualitative evaluation, Shapiro-Wilk test and Bland-Altman plots are applied to analyze the equivalence of the measurements derived from these two kinds of images. To quantify specific deviation of CBCT measurements from facial scanner, the latter is set as a benchmark, and mean absolute difference (MAD) and relative error magnitude (REM) for each variable are also calculated. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences are observed in regions of nasal base and lower lip vermilion between two methods. MAD value for all length measurements are less than 2 mm and for angular variables < 8°. The average MAD and REM for length measurements are 0.94 mm and 5.64%, and for angular measurements are 2.27° and 3.78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The soft tissue results measured by CBCT show relatively good reliability and can be used for 3D measurement of soft tissue in the nasolabial region clinically.

Artificial exosomes for translational nanomedicine.

Exosomes are lipid bilayer membrane vesicles and are emerging as competent nanocarriers for drug delivery. The clinical translation of exosomes faces many challenges such as massive production, standard isolation, drug loading, stability and quality control. In recent years, artificial exosomes are emerging based on nanobiotechnology to overcome the limitations of natural exosomes. Major types of artificial exosomes include 'nanovesicles (NVs)', 'exosome-mimetic (EM)' and 'hybrid exosomes (HEs)', which are obtained by top-down, bottom-up and biohybrid strategies, respectively. Artificial exosomes are powerful alternatives to natural exosomes for drug delivery. Here, we outline recent advances in artificial exosomes through nanobiotechnology and discuss their strengths, limitations and future perspectives. The development of artificial exosomes holds great values for translational nanomedicine.

Three-dimensional analysis of lip soft tissue changes and related jaw changes in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate three-dimensional soft tissue changes of lips and related jaw changes in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT). METHOD: This study included 46 CBCT scans of patients with aforementioned character before (T1) and 6-12 months after orthognathic surgery (T2). Subjects were divided into 2 groups according to two types of orthognathic surgery namely, the one-jaw surgery group who underwent bilateral sagittal splint ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) and the two-jaw surgery group who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy and BSSRO. Mimics 19.0 software are used for model reconstruction, landmark location and three-dimensional cephalometric analysis. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses are used to investigate jaw hard tissue and lip soft tissue changes. RESULTS: In one-jaw group, the mandible shows changes in contour and position (p < 0.05), and the surgery causes changes of lip structure on the deviated side. While in two-jaw group, jaws only show changes in spatial position, and surgery changes contour of bilateral lips and nasolabial angle (p < 0.05). At the same time, lip symmetry increases significantly in both groups postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Orthognathic surgery can improve lip aesthetics in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry. However, changes induced by two surgical approaches are different. Surgeons should have a clear acquaintance with this difference to deal with different situations.

Three-dimensional evaluation of skeletal and dental changes in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry after surgical-orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate skeletal and dental changes in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry after surgical-orthodontic treatment using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT). METHODS: This study included forty adult patients diagnosed with skeletal Class III malocclusion and asymmetry who underwent either isolated mandibular surgery or bimaxillary surgery. CBCT scans were taken before treatment (T0), at the completion of presurgical orthodontic treatment (T1) and after treatment (T2). Mimics 17.0 and 3-Matics 7.0 were used to measure skeletal and dental parameters. Skeletal and dental changes within each group from pretreatment to posttreatment were assessed, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations among skeletal changes. RESULTS: The three-dimensional changes in condylar position were insignificant after surgical-orthodontic treatment in either group (P > 0.05). However, in the one-jaw surgery group, there were significant backward rotations of the condyle and ramus on the nondeviated side (P < 0.05), and the condyle on the deviated side rotated inward and forward significantly in the two-jaw surgery group (P < 0.05) at T2. There were no significant differences in the changes in the total alveolar bone thickness of bilateral first molars during dental decompensation (P > 0.05). The ratio between the buccal and the total bone thickness around the maxillary first molar on the deviated side decreased significantly at T1, as did those around the mandibular first molar on the nondeviated side (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Condylar angulations were less stable after treatment (7 to 9 months after surgery) in both the one-jaw and the two-jaw surgery groups, while condylar displacements were insignificant. In addition, orthodontists should keep a watchful eye to the relative position of the root in the alveolar bone during tooth decompensation.

Small-Sized Microplastics Negatively Affect Rotifers: Changes in the Key Life-History Traits and Rotifer-Phaeocystis Population Dynamics.

Most coastal waters are at risk from microplastics, which vary in concentration and size. Rotifers, as important primary consumers linking primary producers and higher trophic consumers, usually coexist with the harmful alga Phaeocystis and microplastics in coastal waters; this coexistence may interfere with rotifer life-history traits and ingestion of Phaeocystis. To evaluate the effects of microplastics on rotifers, we designed a series of experiments concerning rotifer Brachionus plicatilis life-history traits and rotifer-Phaeocystis (predator-prey) population dynamics under different concentrations and sizes of microplastics. The results showed that small-sized microplastics (0.07 µm) at high levels (≥5 µg mL-1) decreased rotifer survival and reproduction, prolonged the time to maturation, and reduced the body size at maturation, whereas large-sized microplastics (0.7 and 7 µm) had no effect on rotifer life-history traits. For rotifer-Phaeocystis population levels, small-sized microplastics (0.07 µm) significantly delayed the elimination of Phaeocystis by rotifers; this is the first study to test the effects of microplastics on predator-prey dynamics. The results of rotifer-Phaeocystis population dynamics are consistent with the changes in the life-history traits of rotifers and further confirm the negative effects of small-sized microplastics (0.07 µm) on rotifers. These findings help to reveal the effect of pollutants on predator-prey population dynamics.

Long-Term Detection of Glycemic Glucose/Hypoglycemia by Microfluidic Sweat Monitoring Patch.

A microfluidic sweat monitoring patch that collects human sweat for a long time is designed to achieve the effect of detecting the rise and fall of human sweat glucose over a long period of time by increasing the use time of a single patch. Five collection pools, four serpentine channels, and two different valves are provided. Among them, the three-dimensional valve has a large burst pressure as a balance between the internal and external air pressures of the patch. The bursting pressure of the two-dimensional diverter valve is smaller than that of the three-dimensional gas valve, and its role is to control the flow direction of the liquid. Through plasma hydrophilic treatment of different durations, the optimal hydrophilic duration is obtained. The embedded chromogenic disc detects the sweat glucose value at two adjacent time intervals and compares the information of the human body to increase or reduce glucose. The patch has good flexibility and can fit well with human skin, and because polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has good light transmission, it reduces the measurement error caused by the color-taking process and makes the detection results more accurate.

Coaxial electrostatic spray-based preparation of localization missile liposomes on a microfluidic chip for targeted treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Due to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacking specific targets for efficient therapies, nanoparticles have been widely developed to enhance efficacy and reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutics. We prepared unique liposomes containing PTX and DOX by microfluidics-based coaxial electrostatic spray method, which have a uniform particle size, high drug loading capacity, and good stability. Meanwhile, the cRGD peptide was fused with the lipid membrane to form PTX/DOX@cRGD-Lipo, which played a GPS role in locating tumor neovascularization and further targeting TNBC cells where both overexpress αvß3. The PTX/DOX@cRGD-Lipo showed synergistic anti-tumor activity of double drugs and enhanced tumor cell apoptosis. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry showed that the co-loaded targeted liposomes could be effectively absorbed by MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells and then released the content. In addition, the PTX/DOX@cRGD-Lipo presented excellent targeting biodistribution in vivo and a higher tumor growth inhibition rate in the orthotopic tumor mouse model. All results suggested that the double drug-loaded targeted liposome could be a promising treatment modality for TNBC.

Immune System Acts on Orthodontic Tooth Movement: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms.

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a tissue remodeling process based on orthodontic force loading. Compressed periodontal tissues have a complicated aseptic inflammatory cascade, which are considered the initial factor of alveolar bone remodeling. Since skeletal and immune systems shared a wide variety of molecules, osteoimmunology has been generally accepted as an interdisciplinary field to investigate their interactions. Unsurprisingly, OTM is considered a good mirror of osteoimmunology since it involves immune reaction and bone remolding. In fact, besides bone remodeling, OTM involves cementum resorption, soft tissue remodeling, orthodontic pain, and relapse, all correlated with immune cells and/or immunologically active substance. The aim of this paper is to review the interaction of immune system with orthodontic tooth movement, which helps gain insights into mechanisms of OTM and search novel method to short treatment period and control complications.

Hybrid Cell Membrane-Functionalized Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy of Osteosarcoma.

PURPOSE: In order to prepare a biomimetic nano-carrier which has inflammatory chemotaxis, homologous targeting and reduce immune clearance, for targeted chemotherapy of osteosarcoma, we fabricated the paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with 143B-RAW hybrid membrane (PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs) and evaluate its anti-cancer efficacy in vitro and vivo. METHODS: PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs were prepared by the ultrasonic method and were characterized by size, zeta potential, polymer dispersion index (PDI), Coomassie bright blue staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cellular uptake, cell viability assay, flow cytometry and chemotactic effect of PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs were evaluated in vitro. Biodistribution, anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy and safety of PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs were evaluated in 143B osteosarcoma xenograft mice. RESULTS: The hybrid membrane successfully coated onto the surface of PLGA nanoparticles. PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs had a drug loading capacity of 4.24 ± 0.02% and showed targeting ability to osteosarcoma. PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs showed high cellular uptake and improved anti-cancer efficacy against 143B cells. More importantly, PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs treatment suppressed tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice with minimal damage to normal tissues. CONCLUSION: PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs could be used for targeted drug delivery and osteosarcoma therapy.