Citrate Improves Biomimetic Mineralization Induced by Polyelectrolyte-Cation Complexes Using PAsp-Ca&Mg Complexes.

Magnesium ions are highly enriched in early stage of biological mineralization of hard tissues. Paradoxically, hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystallization is inhibited significantly by high concentration of magnesium ions. The mechanism to regulate magnesium-doped biomimetic mineralization of collagen fibrils has never been fully elucidated. Herein, it is revealed that citrate can bioinspire the magnesium-stabilized mineral precursors to generate magnesium-doped biomimetic mineralization as follows: Citrate can enhance the electronegativity of collagen fibrils by its absorption to fibrils via hydrogen bonds. Afterward, electronegative collagen fibrils can attract highly concentrated electropositive polyaspartic acid-Ca&Mg (PAsp-Ca&Mg) complexes followed by phosphate solution via strong electrostatic attraction. Meanwhile, citrate adsorbed in/on fibrils can eliminate mineralization inhibitory effects of magnesium ions by breaking hydration layer surrounding magnesium ions and thus reduce dehydration energy barrier for rapid fulfillment of biomimetic mineralization. The remineralized demineralized dentin with magnesium-doped HAp possesses antibacterial ability, and the mineralization mediums possess excellent biocompatibility via cytotoxicity and oral mucosa irritation tests. This strategy shall shed light on cationic ions-doped biomimetic mineralization with antibacterial ability via modifying collagen fibrils and eliminating mineralization inhibitory effects of some cationic ions, as well as can excite attention to the neglected multiple regulations of small biomolecules, such as citrate, during biomineralization process.

Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and related factors among Chinese population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has deep and wide negative mental impacts on the public, and studies on the impact of COVID-19 on social and mental well-being are necessary. This study aimed to evaluate mental distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and its related risk factors in Chinese adults in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a large-scale cross-sectional design. A total of 2067 adult participants completed the online survey via REDcap from 1st to 15th of March 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and related risk factors, including self-efficacy, coping style, and social support, were measured using valid and reliable instruments. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. We found that 201 (9.7%) participants reported moderate-to-severe anxiety, 669 (33.8%) reported depression, and 368 (17.8%) reported symptoms of PTSD. Self-efficacy, coping style, and social support significantly affected anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Participants' sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, low self-efficacy, low social support, and negative coping were predictors of mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study will help healthcare professionals carry out early predictions and identification of high-risk groups and provide appropriate interventions to target groups during public health emergencies that plague the world.

Clinical nurses' nasogastric feeding practices in adults: a multicenter cross-sectional survey in China.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate practices of nasogastric tube (NGT) intubation and feeding for adults by clinical nurses in China. METHODS: A self-designed and validated questionnaire comprising 30 questions was distributed to 560 clinical nurses in three comprehensive hospitals of Xiamen, China. The questionnaire covered participants' demographic characteristics, NGT placement, administration of enteral nutrition (EN), and monitoring or management of feeding intolerance. RESULTS: A total 464 (82.9%) questionnaires were completed; 36.2% of nurses used nose-ear-xiphoid and 79.5% forehead-xiphoid measurement to define the internal length of the NGT. Many participants still used traditional methods to confirm NGT placement (auscultation of injected air 50.2%, bubble test 34.7% and observing feeding tube aspirate 34.3%). Bolus feeding was the most commonly used technique to administer EN. A total 97.0% of all nurses used syringes to measure gastric residual volume (GRV), and 62.7% measured GRV every 4-8 hours. The most frequently used GRV threshold values were 200 mL (44.6%) and 150 mL (25.2%). Most nurses stopped feeding immediately when encountering high GRV (84.3%) or diarrhea (45.0%). The nasogastric feeding practices of many clinical nurses were not consistent with international guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Our study can provide an impetus for nursing administrators to revise their nasogastric feeding procedures, to promote compliance with evidence-based guidelines.

[Survey of the current situation on clinical application of root canal treatments in Zhejiang province].

PURPOSE: To investigate the present situation of root canal treatment (RCT) applied by the endodontists in the major hospitals of Zhejiang province. METHODS: Dentists in different hospitals were asked to fill in the questionnaire, which included the methods and factors of the first-choice treatment of endodontic diseases, instruments and materials used in RCT. The data were analysed by descriptive analysis and Mann-Whiteney U test using SPSS12.0 software package. RESULTS: 410 effective questionnaires from 76 different hospitals were received. The reply rate was 91.1%. RCT was performed as the first-choice of endodontic treatment in 93.5% of total 410 dentists. And 90.2% of them used hand instruments to prepare root canals. Push-pull or stepback technique was widely used in anterior or posterior root canal preparation. Hydrogen peroxide was adopted to irrigate root canal by the majority of respondents (88.3%). Nearly half of the respondents used camphorate phenol as intracanal medicine. 77.6% of them adopted cold lateral condensation technique and 32.7% of them used gutta-percha mixing with iodoform for canal obturation. 74.6% of them applied one-visit endodontic treatment sometime and prescribed antibiotics or hormone to the patients after RCT. CONCLUSIONS: Although RCT has been widely used in endodontic diseases by dentists in Zhejiang province, some advanced techniques and new materials still need to be adopted and refined.