A specialized metabolic pathway partitions citrate in hydroxyapatite to impact mineralization of bones and teeth.

Citrate is a critical metabolic substrate and key regulator of energy metabolism in mammalian cells. It has been known for decades that the skeleton contains most (>85%) of the body's citrate, but the question of why and how this metabolite should be partitioned in bone has received singularly little attention. Here, we show that osteoblasts use a specialized metabolic pathway to regulate uptake, endogenous production, and the deposition of citrate into bone. Osteoblasts express high levels of the membranous Na+-dependent citrate transporter solute carrier family 13 member 5 (Slc13a5) gene. Inhibition or genetic disruption of Slc13a5 reduced osteogenic citrate uptake and disrupted mineral nodule formation. Bones from mice lacking Slc13a5 globally, or selectively in osteoblasts, showed equivalent reductions in cortical thickness, with similarly compromised mechanical strength. Surprisingly, citrate content in mineral from Slc13a5-/- osteoblasts was increased fourfold relative to controls, suggesting the engagement of compensatory mechanisms to augment endogenous citrate production. Indeed, through the coordinated functioning of the apical membrane citrate transporter SLC13A5 and a mitochondrial zinc transporter protein (ZIP1; encoded by Slc39a1), a mediator of citrate efflux from the tricarboxylic acid cycle, SLC13A5 mediates citrate entry from blood and its activity exerts homeostatic control of cytoplasmic citrate. Intriguingly, Slc13a5-deficient mice also exhibited defective tooth enamel and dentin formation, a clinical feature, which we show is recapitulated in primary teeth from children with SLC13A5 mutations. Together, our results reveal the components of an osteoblast metabolic pathway, which affects bone strength by regulating citrate deposition into mineral hydroxyapatite.

Biomimetic Nanoplatform for Dual-Targeted Clearance of Activated and Senescent Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Improve Radiation Resistance in Breast Cancer.

Radiation resistance in breast cancer resulting in residual lesions or recurrence is a significant cause to radiotherapy failure. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and radiotherapy-induced senescent CAFs can further lead to radiation resistance and tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, an engineering cancer-cell-biomimetic nanoplatform is constructed for dual-targeted clearance of CAFs as well as senescent CAFs. The nanoplatform is prepared by 4T1 cell membrane vesicles chimerized with FAP single-chain fragment variable as the biomimetic shell for targeting of CAFs and senescent CAFs, and PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) co-encapsulated with nintedanib and ABT-263 as the core for clearance of CAFs and senescent CAFs, which are noted as FAP-CAR-CM@PLGA-AB NPs. It is evidenced that FAP-CAR-CM@PLGA-AB NPs directly suppressed the tumor-promoting effect of senescent CAFs. It also exhibits prolonged blood circulation and enhanced tumor accumulation, dual-cleared CAFs and senescent CAFs, improved radiation resistance in both acquired and patient-derived radioresistant tumor cells, and effective antitumor effect with the tumor suppression rate of 86.7%. In addition, FAP-CAR-CM@PLGA-AB NPs reverse the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhance systemic antitumor immunity. The biomimetic system for dual-targeted clearance of CAFs and senescent CAFs provides a potential strategy for enhancing the radio-sensitization of breast cancer.

The Effect of Lipid Composition on the Liposomal Delivery of Camptothecin Developed by Active Click Loading.

In the present study, we investigated the role of lipid composition of camptothecin (CPT)-loaded liposomes (CPT-Lips) to adjust their residence time, drug distribution, and therefore the toxicities and antitumor activity. The CPT was loaded into liposomes using a click drug loading method, which utilized liposomes preloaded with GSH and then exposed to CPT-maleimide. The method produced CPT-Lips with a high encapsulation efficiency (>95%) and sustained drug release. It is shown that the residence times of CPT-Lips in the body were highly dependent on lipid compositions with an order of non-PEGylated liposomes of unsaturated lipids < non-PEGylated liposomes of saturated lipids < PEGylated liposomes of saturated lipids. Interestingly, the fast clearance of CPT-Lips resulted in significantly decreased toxicities but did not cause a significant decrease in their in vivo antitumor activity. These results suggested that the lipid composition could effectively adjust the residence time of CPT-Lips in the body and further optimize their therapeutic index, which would guide the development of a liposomal formulation of CPT.

Poly(ionic liquid)s-Based Thermal-Responsive Microgel for Use as SERS Substrates with "ON-OFF" Switchable Effect.

A temperature-responsive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with "ON-OFF" switching based on poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) block copolymer microgels have been designed and synthesized. The PIL units act as a joint component to anchor the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and analytes onto poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm). This anchor allows the analytes to be fixed at the formed hot spots under temperature stimulus. Owing to the regulation of the PNIPAm segment, the SERS substrates exhibit excellent thermally responsive SERS activity with a reversible "ON-OFF" effect. Additionally, because of the anion exchange of PILs, microgels can introduce new analytes, which offers more flexibility for the system. The substrate shows excellent reversibility, controllability, and flexibility of SERS activity, which is expected to have a broad application in the field of practical SERS sensors.

The combined effects of polystyrene of different sizes and cadmium in mouse kidney tissues.

Environmental accumulation of nano- and microplastics pose serious risks to human health. Polystyrene (PS) is a polymer commonly used in the production of plastics. However, PS can adsorb cadmium (Cd), thereby influencing bioavailability and toxicity in vivo. Moreover, PS and Cd can accumulate in the mammalian kidney. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of combined exposure to PS and Cd in the kidney. Kidney damage was evaluated in male mice gavaged with PS (diameter, 100 nm and/or 1 µm) and Cd for 25 days.The results showed that PS at 100 nm caused more severe oxidative damage and cell apoptosis than PS at 1 µm. Combined exposure to PS at both 100 nm and 1 µm caused more severe kidney damage than the single administration groups. The extent of kidney toxicity caused by Cd differed with the combination of PS particles at 100 nm vs. 1 µm. The degree of damage to kidney function, pathological changes, and cell apoptosis induced by Cd+100 nm PS+1µm PS was the most severe. An increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and overexpression of p53 and caspase-3 revealed that renal cell apoptosis might be induced via the mitochondrial pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the size of PS particles dictates the combined effects of PS and Cd in kidney tissues. Kidney damage caused by the combination of different sizes of PS particle and Cd is more complicated under actual environmental conditions.

Genome-Wide Identification, Evolution, and Expression Analysis of the DIR Gene Family in Schima superba.

Schima superba, commonly known as the Chinese guger tree, is highly adaptable and tolerant of poor soil conditions. It is one of the primary species forming the evergreen broad-leaved forests in southern China. Dirigent proteins (DIRs) play crucial roles in the synthesis of plant lignin and lignans, secondary metabolism, and response to adversity stress. However, research on the DIR gene family in S. superba is currently limited. This study identified 24 SsDIR genes, categorizing them into three subfamilies. These genes are unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes, with 83% being intronless. Collinearity analysis indicated that tandem duplication played a more significant role in the expansion of the gene family compared to segmental duplication. Additionally, we analyzed the expression patterns of SsDIRs in different tissues of S. superba. The SsDIR genes exhibited distinct expression patterns across various tissues, with most being specifically expressed in the roots. Further screening identified SsDIR genes that may regulate drought stress, with many showing differential expression under drought stress conditions. In the promoter regions of SsDIRs, various cis-regulatory elements involved in developmental regulation, hormone response, and stress response were identified, which may be closely related to their diverse regulatory functions. This study will contribute to the further functional identification of SsDIR genes, providing insights into the biosynthetic pathways of lignin and lignans and the mechanisms of plant stress resistance.

Cu(II)-Loaded Polydopamine-Coated Urchin-like Titanate Microspheres as a High-Performance IMAC Adsorbent for Hemoglobin Separation.

Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) adsorbents generally have excellent affinity for histidine-rich proteins. However, the leaching of metal ions from the adsorbent usually affects its adsorption performance, which greatly affects the reusable performance of the adsorbent, resulting in many limitations in practical applications. Herein, a novel IMAC adsorbent, i.e., Cu(II)-loaded polydopamine-coated urchin-like titanate microspheres (Cu-PDA-UTMS), was prepared via metal coordination to make Cu ions uniformly decorate polydopamine-coated titanate microspheres. The as-synthesized microspheres exhibit an urchin-like structure, providing more binding sites for hemoglobin. Cu-PDA-UTMS exhibit favorable selectivity for hemoglobin adsorption and have a desirable adsorption capacity towards hemoglobin up to 2704.6 mg g-1. Using 0.1% CTAB as eluent, the adsorbed hemoglobin was easily eluted with a recovery rate of 86.8%. In addition, Cu-PDA-UTMS shows good reusability up to six cycles. In the end, the adsorption properties by Cu-PDA-UTMS towards hemoglobin from human blood samples were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The results showed that Cu-PDA-UTMS are a high-performance IMAC adsorbent for hemoglobin separation, which provides a new method for the effective separation and purification of hemoglobin from complex biological samples.

Combined effect of dietary calcium consumption and physical activity on dental caries in children and adolescents: a study of the NHANES database.

BACKGROUND: Calcium (Ca) is a nutritional factor that associated with dental caries. A recent study showed that in the case of adequate Ca intake, a higher level of physical activity may contribute to bone mass accumulation. However, the combined effect between Ca intake and physical activity on caries experience is unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the above combined effect on dental caries in children and adolescents. METHODS: Data of 5,917 children and adolescents were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) database in 2015-2020 in this cross-sectional study. The NHANES assessed the dietary Ca intake through the 24-hour dietary recalls, and the physical activity level was self-reported using the questionnaires. Also, the dental caries was diagnosed according to the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth/Surfaces (DMFT/S) index. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to screen the covariates and to investigate the associations of dietary Ca intake and physical activity with dental caries, respectively, and assess the combined effect between dietary Ca intake and physical activity on dental caries. The evaluation indexes were odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses of age, obesity, and total sugar intake were also performed. RESULTS: Among the eligible participants, 2,687 had caries experience. After adjusting for the covariates, we found that children and adolescents who not reach the recommendation level of Ca intake combined with physical activity less than 7 time in 1 week seemed to have higher odds of dental caries [OR = 1.77, 95%CI: (1.38-2.27)], compared with those who reached the standards. In addition, this potential combined effect was also found in age < 12 years old [OR = 1.62, 95%CI: (1.23-2.14)], non-obesity [OR = 1.88, 95%CI: (1.49-2.35)], and total sugar intake (all P < 0.05) subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Ca intake and physical activity had a potential combined effect on dental caries in children and adolescents, but the causal relationships between them needed further clarification.

Association between flavonoids intake and dental caries in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study from the NHANES database.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, dental caries is a bacterial biofilm-mediated condition with a high morbidity in children and adolescents. Flavonoids are a class of active natural products with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that they can promote tooth mineralization and reduce inflammation. However, the association of flavonoids intake and dental caries in children and adolescents remain unclear. AIM: This study was to evaluated the association of flavonoid and its subclass intake and dental caries in children and adolescents. METHODS: Data of participants aged 2-17 years were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2017-2018). Dental caries was measured via the decayed or filled surfaces in primary teeth or permanent teeth (dfs/DFS) index. The weighted univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to explore the association of flavonoids intake with dental caries in children and adolescents, with odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroups analyses based on age, and overweight/obesity were further assessed the association. Subgroup analysis were further performed to explore whether the association between subclasses of anthocyanidins and catechins with dental caries was robust stratified by age and individual with overweight/obesity. RESULTS: Among totally 1,818 children and adolescents, 786 (43.2%) had dental caries. High intake of anthocyanidins (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.52-0.92) and catechins (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.44-0.92) were associated with lower odds of dental caries. Similar results were discovered in individuals aged ≥6 years (anthocyanidins, OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.43-0.90; catechins, OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.40-0.96), and without overweight/obesity (anthocyanidins, OR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.37-0.90; catechins, OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.31-0.84). Further investigation found that high intake of cyanidin, petunidin, malvidin, peonidin, (+)-Catechin, (-)-Epigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin were associated with lower odds of dental caries in children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: High intake of anthocyanidins and catechins were associated with lower odds of dental caries in children and adolescents and are a promising intervention to be further explored in children and adolescents.

Regiospecific Cellulose Orientation and Anisotropic Mechanical Property in Plant Cell Walls.

Cellulose microfibrils (CMFs) are a major load-bearing component in plant cell walls. Thus, their structures have been studied extensively with spectroscopic and microscopic characterization methods, but the findings from these two approaches were inconsistent, which hampers the mechanistic understanding of cell wall mechanics. Here, we report the regiospecific assembly of CMFs in the periclinal wall of plant epidermal cells. Using sum frequency generation spectroscopic imaging, we found that CMFs are highly aligned in the cell edge region where two cells form a junction, whereas they are mostly isotropic on average throughout the wall thickness in the flat face region of the epidermal cell. This subcellular-level heterogeneity in the CMF alignment provided a new perspective on tissue-level anisotropy in the tensile modulus of cell wall materials. This finding also has resolved a previous contradiction between the spectroscopic and microscopic imaging studies, which paves a foundation for better understanding of the cell wall architecture, especially structure-geometry relationships.

Effect of Microplastic Types on the In Vivo Bioavailability of Polychlorinated Biphenyls.

As MPs are released into the soil, various equilibrium statuses are expected. MPs could play roles as a "source," a "cleaner," or a "sink" of HOCs. Three types of MPs (LDPE, PLA, and PS) were selected to study their effect on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) relative bioavailability (RBA) measured by a mouse model. As a "source" of HOCs, exposure to MP-sorbed PCBs resulted in their accumulation in adipose tissue with PCB RBA as 101 ± 6.73% for LDPE, 76.2 ± 19.2% for PLA, and 9.22 ± 2.02% for PS. The addition of 10% MPs in PCB-contaminated soil led to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in PCB RBA (52.2 ± 16.7%, 49.3 ± 4.85%, and 47.1 ± 5.99% for LDPE, PLA, and PS) compared to control (75.0 ± 4.26%), implying MPs acted as "cleaner" by adsorbing PCBs from the digestive system and reducing PCB accumulation. MPs acted as a "sink" for PCBs in contaminated soil after aging, but the sink effect varied among MP types with more pronounced effect for LDPE than PLA and PS. Therefore, the role played by MPs in bioavailability of HOCs closely depended on the MP types as well as the equilibrium status among MPs, soil, and HOCs.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on orthodontic dental alignment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study is to systematically summarize the available evidence regarding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) speed-up effect on dental alignment in comprehensive orthodontic treatment. An extensive electronic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus up to February 20, 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form were used by two authors independently to assess the risk of bias (RoB). Statistical analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3. The eight eligible trials were reviewed and included in qualitative synthesis. Four studies reported the overall time of leveling and alignment (OLAT, days), enabling a synthesizing of the data. The meta-analysis results showed that LLLT significantly reduced the overall time of leveling and alignment compared to control group (MD=-30.36, 95% CI range -41.50 to -19.22, P<0.0001), with moderate heterogeneity (χ2=4.10, P=0.25, I2=27%). Based on the data available, statistically significant evidence with moderate risk of bias suggests that LLLT may have a positive effect on accelerating dental alignment. However, due to the differences in intervention strategy and evaluating method, the conclusions should be interpreted with caution.

Tooth ultrastructure changes induced by a nonsense mutation in the FAM83H gene: insights into the diversity of amelogenesis imperfecta.

OBJECTIVES: The current research on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation sites at different positions of the FAM83H gene and their phenotypic changes leading to amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is inconsistent. We identified a previously reported heterozygous nonsense mutation c.1192C>T (p.Q398*) in the FAM83H gene and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the dental ultrastructure and chemical composition changes induced by this mutation. Additionally, we predicted the protein feature affected by this mutation site. The aim was to further deepen our understanding of the diversity of AI caused by different mutation sites in the FAM83H gene. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the mutation sites. Physical features of the patient's teeth were investigated using various methods including cone beam computer tomography (CBCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact profilometry (roughness measurement), and a nanomechanical tester (nanoindentation measurement). The protein features of wild-type and mutant FAM83H were predicted using bioinformatics methods. RESULTS: One previously discovered FAM83H heterozygous nonsense mutation c.1192C>T (p.Q398*) was detected in the patient. SEM revealed inconsistent dentinal tubules, and EDS showed that calcium and phosphorus were lower in the patient's dentin but higher in the enamel compared to the control tooth. Roughness measurements showed that AI patients' teeth had rougher occlusal surfaces than those of the control tooth. Nanoindentation measurements showed that the enamel and dentin hardness values of the AI patients' teeth were both significantly reduced compared to those of the control tooth. Compared to the wild-type FAM83H protein, the mutant FAM83H protein shows alterations in stability, hydrophobicity, secondary structure, and tertiary structure. These changes could underlie functional differences and AI phenotype variations caused by this mutation site. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands the understanding of the effects of FAM83H mutations on tooth structure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study enhances our understanding of the genetic basis of AI and may contribute to improved diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies for patients with FAM83H-related AI.

Role of Berberine Thermosensitive Hydrogel in Periodontitis via PI3K/AKT Pathway In Vitro.

Periodontitis is a long-term inflammatory illness and a leading contributor to tooth loss in humans. Due to the influence of the anatomic parameters of teeth, such as root bifurcation lesions and the depth of the periodontal pocket, basic periodontal treatment on its own often does not completely obliterate flora microorganisms. As a consequence, topical medication has become a significant supplement in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Berberine (BBR) has various pharmacological effects, such as hypoglycemic, antitumor, antiarrhythmic, anti-inflammatory, etc. The target of our project is to develop a safe and non-toxic carrier that can effectively release berberine, which can significantly reduce periodontal tissue inflammation, and to investigate whether berberine thermosensitive hydrogel can exert anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects by modulating phosphatifylinositol-3-kinase/Protein Kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. Consequently, firstly berberine temperature-sensitive hydrogel was prepared, and its characterizations showed that the mixed solution gelated within 3 min under 37 °C with a hole diameter of 10-130 µm, and the accumulation of berberine release amounted to 89.99% at 21 days. CCK-8 and live-dead cell staining results indicated that this hydrogel was not biotoxic, and it is also presumed that the optimum concentration of berberine is 5 µM, which was selected for subsequent experiments. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB)results demonstrated that inflammatory factors, as well as protein levels, were significantly reduced in the berberine-loaded hydrogel group, and LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) could enhance this effect (p < 0.05). In the berberine-loaded hydrogel group, osteogenesis-related factor levels and protein profiles were visibly increased, along with an increase in alkaline phosphatase expression, which was inhibited by LY294002 (p < 0.05). Therefore, berberine thermosensitive hydrogel may be an effective treatment for periodontitis, and it may exert anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Effect of quorum quenching on biofouling control and microbial community in membrane bioreactors by Brucella sp. ZJ1.

Quorum quenching (QQ) has been demonstrated to be a novel technique for controlling biofouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs), as it can significantly inhibit biofilm formation by disrupting quorum sensing (QS). The exploration of new QQ bacterial strains and the evaluation of their performance in mitigating membrane fouling in MBR systems is significant. In this study, an efficient QQ strain, Brucella sp. ZJ1 was encapsulated in alginate beads and evaluated for its ability to mitigate biofouling. The findings revealed that MBR with QQ beads extended the operation time by 2-3 times without affecting pollutant degradation. QQ beads maintained approximately 50% QQ activity after more than 50 days operation, indicating a long-lasting and endurable QQ effect. The QQ effect reduced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production especially in terms of polysaccharide and protein by more than 40%. QQ beads in the MBR also reduced the cake resistance and the irreversible resistance of membrane biofouling. Metagenomic sequencing suggests that QQ beads suppressed the QS effect and increased the abundance of QQ enzyme genes, ultimately inducing efficient membrane biofouling control.

Oral microbiome contributes to the failure of orthodontic temporary anchorage devices (TADs).

BACKGROUND: The stability of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) is critical in orthodontic clinics. The failure of TADs is multifactorial, and the role of the oral microbiome has not been clearly defined. Herein, we attempted to analyze the contribution of the oral microbiome to the failure of TADs. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing was adopted for analyzing the microbiome on the TADs from orthodontic patients. 29 TADs (15 failed TADs and 14 successful TADs) were used for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 135 TADs (62 failed TADs and 73 successful TADs) were collected to conduct metagenomic sequencing. Additionally, 34 verified samples (18 failed TADs and 16 successful TADs) were collected for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Successful and failed TADs demonstrated discrepancies in microbiome structure, composition, and function. Clear separations were found in ß-diversity in 16S rRNA gene sequencing as well as metagenomic sequencing (p < 0.05). Metagenomic sequencing showed that Prevotella intermedia, Eikenella corrodens, Parvimonas spp., Neisseria elongata, and Catonella morbi were enriched in the failed groups. qRT-PCR also demonstrated that the absolute bacteria load of Prevotella intermedia was higher in failed TADs (p < 0.05). Considering functional aspects, the failed group showed enriched genes involved in flagellar assembly, bacterial chemotaxis, and oxidative phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated the compositional and functional differences of microorganisms found on successful and failed TADs, indicating that controlling bacterial adhesion on the surface of TADs is essential for their success rate.

Necessity of rice resistance to planthoppers for OsEXO70H3 regulating SAMSL excretion and lignin deposition in cell walls.

The planthopper resistance gene Bph6 encodes a protein that interacts with OsEXO70E1. EXO70 forms a family of paralogues in rice. We hypothesized that the EXO70-dependent trafficking pathway affects the excretion of resistance-related proteins, thus impacting plant resistance to planthoppers. Here, we further explored the function of EXO70 members in rice resistance against planthoppers. We used the yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays to identify proteins that play roles in Bph6-mediated planthopper resistance. The functions of the identified proteins were characterized via gene transformation, plant resistance evaluation, insect performance, cell excretion observation and cell wall component analyses. We discovered that another EXO70 member, OsEXO70H3, interacted with BPH6 and functioned in cell excretion and in Bph6-mediated planthopper resistance. We further found that OsEXO70H3 interacted with an S-adenosylmethionine synthetase-like protein (SAMSL) and increased the delivery of SAMSL outside the cells. The functional impairment of OsEXO70H3 and SAMSL reduced the lignin content and the planthopper resistance level of rice plants. Our results suggest that OsEXO70H3 may recruit SAMSL and help its excretion to the apoplast where it may be involved in lignin deposition in cell walls, thus contributing to rice resistance to planthoppers.

SALL1 regulates commitment of odontoblast lineages by interacting with RUNX2 to remodel open chromatin regions.

Mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs) derive from cranial neural crest cells and maintain mesenchymal stem cell characteristics. The differentiation of neural crest cells into odontoblasts is orchestrated by transcription factors regulating the expression of genes whose enhancers are initially inaccessible. However, the identity of the transcription factors driving the emergence of odontoblast lineages remains elusive. In this study, we identified SALL1, a transcription factor that was particularly expressed in preodontoblasts, polarizing odontoblasts, and secretory odontoblasts in vivo. Knockdown of Sall1 in mDPCs inhibited their odontoblastic differentiation. In order to identify the regulatory network of Sall1, RNA sequencing and an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing were performed to analyze the genome-wide direct regulatory targets of SALL1. We found that inhibition of Sall1 expression could decrease the accessibility of some chromatin regions associated with odontoblast lineages at embryonic day 16.5, whereas these regions remained unaffected at postnatal day 0.5, suggesting that SALL1 regulates the fate of mDPCs by remodeling open chromatin regions at the early bell stage. Specifically, we found that SALL1 could directly increase the accessibility of cis-regulatory elements near Tgf-ß2 and within the Runx2 locus. Moreover, coimmunoprecipitation and proximal ligation assays showed that SALL1 could establish functional interactions with RUNX2. Taken together, our results demonstrated that SALL1 positively regulates the commitment of odontoblast lineages by interacting with RUNX2 and directly activating Tgf-ß2 at an early stage.

Highly stable acetylcholinesterase electrochemical biosensor based on polymerized ionic liquids microgel for pesticides detection.

A highly stable electrochemical biosensor for pesticide detection was developed. For the first time polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) were introduced to construct an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor . AChE was entrapped in PILs microspheres through an emulsion polymerization reaction, where negatively charged Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) can be immobilized by the positively charged PILs, leading to improved catalytic performance. The results suggest that the positively charged PILs not only provide a biocompatible microenvironment around the enzyme molecule, stabilizing its biological activity and preventing its leakage, but also act as a modifiable interface allowing other components with electron transport properties to be loaded onto the polymer substrate, thus providing an efficient electron transport channel for the entrapped enzyme. More notably, when AChE was immobilized in a positively charged environment, the active site is closer to the electrode, promoting faster electron transfer. The detection limits of the constructed electrochemical biosensor AChE@PILs@Au NPs/GCE toward carbaryl and dichlorvos (DDVP) were 5.0 × 10-2 ng ml-1 and 3.9 × 10-2 ng ml-1, in a wide linear range of 6.3 × 10-2-8.8 × 102 ng ml-1 and 1.3 × 10-1-1.4 × 103 ng ml-1, respectively. More importantly, the biosensor has high thermal and storage stability, which facilitates rapid field analysis of fruits and vegetables in a variety of climates. In addition, the biosensor reported has good repeatability and selectivity and has high accuracy in the analysis of peaches, tap water, and other types of samples.

Reconstructing the New Aesthetic Mandibular Angle With Two-Crossed Ostectomy at the Inferior and Posterior Margin of the Mandible.

BACKGROUND: Several operative procedures have been introduced to reshape the aesthetic mandibular angle, but unaesthetic results have occurred now and then. Most studies focused only on the facial shape in frontal view but not on the new gonion angle and gonial position in lateral view. The authors describe a new and satisfactory surgical method of mandibular angle contouring to reconstruct the new aesthetic mandibular angle and reshape an oval face for the excessive prominence of the mandibular angle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The surgery was carried out with the two-crossed ostectomy at the inferior and posterior margin of the mandible, respectively. For 10 years from 2009 to 2019, the two-crossed ostectomy of mandibular angle has been performed in 1217 consecutive series of Chinese patients. The gonion angle degree, the facial width between the dual gonions, and the horizontal and vertical distances from the gonial point to auricular lobule were measured and recorded before and after an operation. RESULTS: After the two-crossed ostectomy, the patient's gonion angle significantly changed to 123 to 128 degrees in both women and men. The vertical distance from the horizontal line of the auricular lobule to the gonial point decreased by 2 to 2.5 cm markedly, and the gonial point became located at about 0.85 cm in front of the vertical line of the auricular lobule. The two-crossed ostectomy of the mandibular angle effectively reconstructed the new aesthetic gonion angle and gonial position, reshaped the oval face, and achieved a highly satisfactory result. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with excessively prominent mandibular angle, the two-crossed ostectomy at the mandibular ramus and the body could reconstruct the new aesthetic gonial angle and position, make the lower one third of the face attractive from the lateral and anterior perspectives, and deliver greater patient satisfaction and surgical safety.