The quality of life after keratinized mucosa augmentation around dental implants using xenogenic collagen matrix with or without stent.

BACKGROUND: The substitution of missing teeth with implants is a dependable and anticipated therapeutic approach. Despite numerous studies affirming long-term success rates, there exists a spectrum of potential biological and aesthetic complications. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess patient responses subsequent to surgical interventions, with a specific emphasis on the utilization of xenogenic collagen matrix (XCM), both with and without the application of a stent secured over healing abutments, in the context of keratinized gingival mucosa augmentation. The principal aim was to evaluate and draw comparisons between the clinical outcomes resulting from these two procedural approaches, with a particular focus on critical parameters encompassing post-operative complications, patient comfort, and the overall efficacy in achieving successful keratinized tissue augmentation. methods: Sixty patients were selected for this study. The patients were divided into three groups: A, B, and a control group, with each group comprising 20 participants. We used XCM in experimental group A, XCM covered with surgical stent in experimental group B, and free gingival graft (FGG) in the control group. After the surgical procedure, patients were required to complete a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire for post-operative complications, and a quality of life (QOL) questionnaire on days 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: Patients in the experimental groups A and B demonstrated markedly improved outcomes when compared with the control group. Assessments conducted on days 1, 3, and 7 demonstrated diminished levels of pain, bleeding, and swelling in both experimental groups, with experimental group B showing the least discomfort. The incorporation of XCM, either with or without stents, was associated with a reduction in analgesic consumption, underscoring its favorable influence on post-operative comfort, notwithstanding the exception of halitosis in experimental group B. CONCLUSION: Using XCM with or without a stent for keratinized tissue augmentation has better post-operative outcomes associated with reduced swelling, bleeding, and pain based on the QOL survey. This study provides data to support the clinical application of XCM and stents.

Spin-Magnetic Effect of d-π Conjugation Polymer Enhanced O-H Cleavage in Water Oxidation.

A deep understanding of the mechanism for the spin-magnetic effect on O-H cleavage is crucial for the development of new catalysts for water oxidation. Herein, we designed and synthesized the crystalline Fe-DABDT and Co-DABDT (DABDT = 2,5-diaminobenzene-1,4-dithiol) and optimized an effective magnetic moment to explore the role of the spin-magnetic effect in the regulation of water oxidation activity. It can be found that the OER activity of the catalyst is positively correlated with its effective magnetic moment. Under the external magnetic field, Fe-DABDT with more spin single electrons has a stronger spin-magnetic response to water oxidation than Fe/Co-DABDT and Co-DABDT. The increase in OER current of Fe-DABDT is nearly 2 times higher than that of Co-DABDT. Experimental and density functional theory studies show that magnetized Fe sites could realize nucleophilic reaction, accelerate the polarization of electron spin states, and promote the polar decomposition of O-H and the formation of the O-O bond. This study provides mechanistic insight into the spin-magnetic effect of oxygen evolution reaction and further understanding of the spin origin of catalytic activity, which is expected to improve the energy efficiency of hydrogen production.

An Enzyme-Cleavable Solubilizing-Tag Facilitates the Chemical Synthesis of Mirror-Image Proteins.

Mirror-image proteins (D-proteins) are useful in biomedical research for purposes such as mirror-image screening for D-peptide drug discovery, but the chemical synthesis of many D-proteins is often low yielding due to the poor solubility or aggregation of their constituent peptide segments. Here, we report a Lys-C protease-cleavable solubilizing tag and its use to synthesize difficult-to-obtain D-proteins. Our tag is easily installed onto multiple amino acids such as DLys, DSer, DThr, and/or the N-terminal amino acid of hydrophobic D-peptides, is impervious to various reaction conditions, such as peptide synthesis, ligation, desulfurization, and transition metal-mediated deprotection, and yet can be completely removed by Lys-C protease under denaturing conditions to give the desired D-protein. The efficacy and practicality of the new method were exemplified in the synthesis of two challenging D-proteins: D-enantiomers of programmed cell death protein 1 IgV domain and SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein, in high yield. This work demonstrates that the enzymatic cleavage of solubilizing tags under denaturing conditions is feasible, thus paving the way for the production of more D-proteins.

L-Glycosidase-Cleavable Natural Glycans Facilitate the Chemical Synthesis of Correctly Folded Disulfide-Bonded D-Proteins.

D-peptide ligands can be screened for therapeutic potency and enzymatic stability using synthetic mirror-image proteins (D-proteins), but efficient acquisition of these D-proteins can be hampered by the need to accomplish their in vitro folding, which often requires the formation of correctly linked disulfide bonds. Here, we report the finding that temporary installation of natural O-linked-ß-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) groups onto selected D-serine or D-threonine residues of the synthetic disulfide-bonded D-proteins can facilitate their folding in vitro, and that the natural glycosyl groups can be completely removed from the folded D-proteins to afford the desired chirally inverted D-protein targets using naturally occurring O-GlcNAcase. This approach enabled the efficient chemical syntheses of several important but difficult-to-fold D-proteins incorporating disulfide bonds including the mirror-image tumor necrosis factor alpha (D-TNFα) homotrimer and the mirror-image receptor-binding domain of the Omicron spike protein (D-RBD). Our work establishes the use of O-GlcNAc to facilitate D-protein synthesis and folding and proves that D-proteins bearing O-GlcNAc can be good substrates for naturally occurring O-GlcNAcase.

Effect of daily light exposure on sleep in polar regions: A meta-analysis.

Although studies have shown that light affects sleep in polar populations, the sample size of most studies is small. This meta-analysis provides the first systematic review of the effects of summer glare, spring and fall moderate daylight, and artificial lighting on general sleep problems (sleep duration, efficiency, and delay). This analysis included 18 studies involving 986 participants. We calculated the random effect size via an evidence-based meta-analysis that analysed the effect of bright/auxiliary light on sleep and the effect of three different types of light on sleep compared with conventional light. There was no significant correlation between specific light types and sleep duration. Intense summer light has a negative effect on sleep time and efficiency. Moderate, natural light in spring and autumn effectively delayed sleep but could not improve sleep efficiency. For artificial fill light, neither blue light nor enhanced white light has been found to have a significant effect. In summary, summer light has a detrimental effect on sleep in polar populations, and moderate natural light may be superior to conventional light. However, specific strategies to improve sleep and artificial lighting in polar populations must be explored further.

A modified triangular flap suture method used for inferior third molar extraction: A three-arm randomized clinical trial for the assessment of quality of life

Background: The purpose of this study is to explore whether decreasing the number of sutures can improve the quality of life after inferior third molar extraction. Material and methods: This study used a three-arm randomized design that included 90 individuals. Patients were randomized and divided into three groups-the airtight suture group (traditional), the buccal drainage group, and the no-suture group. Postoperative measurements, including treatment time, visual analog scale, questionnaire on postoperative patient quality of life, and details about trismus, swelling, dry socket, and other postoperative complications were obtained twice and the mean values were recorded. To verify the normal distribution of the data, the Shapiro-Wilk test was performed. The statistical differences were evaluated using the one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni post-hoc correction. Results: The buccal drainage group showed a significant decrease in postoperative pain and better speech ability than the no-suture group on the 3st day, with a mean of 1.3 and 0.7 (P < 0.05). The airtight suture group also showed similar eating and speech ability, which was better than the no-suture group, with a mean of 0.6 and 0.7 (P < 0.05). However, no significant improvements were noted on the 1st and 7th days. The surgical treatment time, postoperative social isolation, sleep impairment, physical appearance, trismus, and swelling showed no statistical difference between the three groups at all measured times (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the above findings, the triangular flap without a buccal suture may be superior to the traditional group and no-suture group in less pain, and better postoperative patient satisfaction in the first 3 days and may be a simple and viable option in clinical practice. (AU)

Backbone-Installed Split Intein-Assisted Ligation for the Chemical Synthesis of Mirror-Image Proteins.

Membrane-associated D-proteins are an important class of synthetic molecules needed for D-peptide drug discovery, but their chemical synthesis using canonical ligation methods such as native chemical ligation is often hampered by the poor solubility of their constituent peptide segments. Here, we describe a Backbone-Installed Split Intein-Assisted Ligation (BISIAL) method for the synthesis of these proteins, wherein the native L-forms of the N- and C-intein fragments of the unique consensus-fast (Cfa) (i.e. L-CfaN and L-CfaC ) are separately installed onto the two D-peptide segments to be ligated via a removable backbone modification. The ligation proceeds smoothly at micromolar (µM) concentrations under strongly chaotropic conditions (8.0 M urea), and the subsequent removal of the backbone modification groups affords the desired D-proteins without leaving any "ligation scar" on the products. The effectiveness and practicality of the BISIAL method are exemplified by the synthesis of the D-enantiomers of the extracellular domains of T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC). The BISIAL method further expands the chemical protein synthesis ligation toolkit and provides practical access to challenging D-protein targets.

Regulating the Spin State of FeIII Enhances the Magnetic Effect of the Molecular Catalysis Mechanism.

Aqueous-phase oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the bottleneck of water splitting. The formation of the O-O bond involves the generation of paramagnetic oxygen molecules from the diamagnetic hydroxides. The spin configurations might play an important role in aqueous-phase molecular electrocatalysis. However, spintronic electrocatalysis is almost an uncultivated land for the exploration of the oxygen molecular catalysis process. Herein, we present a novel magnetic FeIII site spin-splitting strategy, wherein the electronic structure and spin states of the FeIII sites are effectively induced and optimized by the Jahn-Teller effect of Cu2+. The theoretical calculations and operando attenuated total reflectance-infrared Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) reveal the facilitation for the O-O bond formation, which accelerates the production of O2 from OH- and improves the OER activity. The Cu1-Ni6Fe2-LDH catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 210 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and a low Tafel slope (33.7 mV dec-1), better than those of the initial Cu0-Ni6Fe2-LDHs (278 mV, 101.6 mV dec-1). With the Cu2+ regulation, we have realized the transformation of NiFe-LDHs from ferrimagnets to ferromagnets and showcase that the OER performance of Cu-NiFe-LDHs significantly increases compared with that of NiFe-LDHs under the effect of a magnetic field for the first time. The magnetic-field-assisted Cu1-Ni6Fe2-LDHs provide an ultralow overpotential of 180 mV at 10 mA cm-2, which is currently one of the best OER performances. The combination of the magnetic field and spin configuration provides new principles for the development of high-performance catalysts and understandings of the catalytic mechanism from the spintronic level.

Total Chemical Synthesis of Correctly Folded Disulfide-Rich Proteins Using a Removable O-Linked ß-N-Acetylglucosamine Strategy.

Disulfide-rich proteins are useful as drugs or tool molecules in biomedical studies, but their synthesis is complicated by the difficulties associated with their folding. Here, we describe a removable glycosylation modification (RGM) strategy that expedites the chemical synthesis of correctly folded proteins with multiple or even interchain disulfide bonds. Our strategy comprises the introduction of simple O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) groups at the Ser/Thr sites that effectively improve the folding of disulfide-rich proteins by stabilization of their folding intermediates. After folding, the O-GlcNAc groups can be efficiently removed using O-GlcNAcase (OGA) to afford the correctly folded proteins. Using this strategy, we completed the synthesis of correctly folded hepcidin, an iron-regulating hormone bearing four pairs of disulfide-bonds, and the first total synthesis of correctly folded interleukin-5 (IL-5), a 26 kDa homodimer cytokine responsible for eosinophil growth and differentiation.

Chemical Synthesis of a Full-Length G-Protein-Coupled Receptor ß2-Adrenergic Receptor with Defined Modification Patterns at the C-Terminus.

The ß2-adrenergic receptor (ß2AR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that responds to the hormone adrenaline and is an important drug target in the context of respiratory diseases, including asthma. ß2AR function can be regulated by post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination at the C-terminus, but access to the full-length ß2AR with well-defined and homogeneous modification patterns critical for biochemical and biophysical studies remains challenging. Here, we report a practical synthesis of differentially modified, full-length ß2AR based on a combined native chemical ligation (NCL) and sortase ligation strategy. An array of homogeneous samples of full-length ß2ARs with distinct modification patterns, including a full-length ß2AR bearing both monoubiquitination and octaphosphorylation modifications, were successfully prepared for the first time. Using these homogeneously modified full-length ß2AR receptors, we found that different phosphorylation patterns mediate different interactions with ß-arrestin1 as reflected in different agonist binding affinities. Our experiments also indicated that ubiquitination can further modulate interactions between ß2AR and ß-arrestin1. Access to full-length ß2AR with well-defined and homogeneous modification patterns at the C-terminus opens a door to further in-depth mechanistic studies into the structure and dynamics of ß2AR complexes with downstream transducer proteins, including G proteins, arrestins, and GPCR kinases.

Two-stage hybrid constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells for swine wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation.

A newly emerged alum sludge-based hybrid constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs), i.e. vertical upflow CW coupled MFC as 1st stage and horizontal subsurface flow CW coupled MFC as 2nd stage (VFCW-MFC + HSSFCW-MFC), was firstly developed for swine wastewater treatment and electricity generation. Swine wastewater and multi-set air-cathodes were applied to investigate the pollutants removal behavior and the power production. Six-month trial suggested that the overall removal efficiency of SS, COD, NH4+-N, NO3--N, TN, TP and PO43--P was 76 ± 12.4, 72 ± 7.4, 59 ± 28.3, 69 ± 25.6, 47 ± 19.7, 85 ± 9.5 and 88 ± 8.7%, respectively. The two stages hybrid system (VFCW-MFC + HSSFCW-MFC) continuously generated electrical power with average voltages of 0.44 ± 0.09 and 0.34 ± 0.09 V, and power densities of 33.3 ± 13.81 and 9.0 ± 2.5 mW/m³ in 1st and 2nd stage, respectively. The average net energy recovery (NER) of 1st stage and 2nd stage is in turn 0.91 ± 0.16 and 2.76 ± 0.70 Wh/kg·COD. It indicates that the hybrid CW-MFCs has higher removal efficiency than single stage CW-MFC, while 1st stage plays the major role both in pollutants removal and power generation.

Mega-oss and Mega-TCP versus Bio-Oss granules fixed by alginate gel for bone regeneration.

OBJECTIVES/AIMS: Bone graft materials are widely used at present because inadequate bone volume is usually found in implant patients. To determine the biocompatibility of a new grafting material, in vitro research is routinely performed before animal experiments and clinical testing. However, during in vitro experiments, bone material particles might move during testing, which could affect the accuracy of the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the biocompatibility of new bone substitutes, Mega-oss and Mega-TCP were compared with Bio-Oss using osteoblast cells and osteoclast cells fixed with alginate gel. Cell morphology, viability, bone resorption, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and staining were tested to compare the biocompatibility differences in the performance of Mega-oss, Mega-TCP, and Bio-Oss. RESULTS: Cells spread better on Mega-oss and Mega-TCP than the round shape on Bio-Oss. The 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) results showed that Mega-oss, Mega-TCP, and sodium alginate had good viability. Meanwhile, Mega-oss and Mega-TCP had the same osteoblast differentiation ability as Bio-Oss. The resorption rates of Mega-TCP and Mega-oss were higher than those of Bio-Oss (24.4%, 15.3%, and 3.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Mega-oss and Mega-TCP might be useful alternative bone graft materials compared with Bio-Oss. In addition, fixing the materials with sodium alginate gel could be a new method for in vitro bone material experiments.

Study on Properties of 45 Carbon Steel Ni-P Electroless Plating Reinforced by Si3N4-Al2O3 Particle Based on Response Surface Method.

The effects of the different content of Si³N4 particles and Al²O³ particles in the plating solution and the different ratios on the wear resistance, microhardness, corrosion resistance and other properties of the coating were analyzed by using the centre composite surface design of response surface method (RSM). Meanwhile the phase composition, appearance, microhardness, friction coefficient and corrosion resistance of the electroless coating were tested. The results show that the addition of Al²O³ and Si³N4 particles in the bath can increase the microhardness of the electroless composite coating. In a certain range, the increase of Al²O³ or Si³N4 particles in the bath causes the microhardness of the coating to increase, but the excessive addition of particles makes microhardness decrease; the electroless coating with two particles added will have a low coefficient of friction; and with respect to corrosion resistance, the addition of Al²O³ or Si³N4 particles will increase the corrosion resistance of the coating. Overall, the electroless coating with the Al²O³ content of 16 g/L and the Si³N4 content of 12.63 g/L has the better comprehensive performance.

Corrective outcome and transverse stability after orthognathic surgery using a surgery-first approach in mandibular prognathism with and without facial asymmetry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate corrective outcome and transverse stability after orthognathic surgery via a surgery-first approach (SFA) in mandibular prognathism with and without facial asymmetry using 3-dimensional analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-nine patients who received mandibular setback surgery using SFA were divided into 2 groups according to the menton deviation (4 mm): symmetry group (n = 17) and asymmetry group (n = 12). Using computed tomography images obtained before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 6 months after (T2) surgery, time-dependent changes in variables related to facial asymmetry, including maxillary height, ramal length, frontal and lateral ramal inclination, mandibular body length, and mandibular body height, were evaluated. RESULTS: Immediately after surgery, the asymmetry group showed significantly decreased discrepancies between the longer and non-longer sides for all variables (P < .05); there were no significant differences in discrepancies between the 2 groups. During the postoperative period, no significant changes in discrepancies were found in any variable in either group. Compared with T0, the asymmetry group showed significantly decreased discrepancies in ramal length, frontal and lateral ramal inclination, and mandibular body length at T2. CONCLUSIONS: Variables related to facial asymmetry showed significant improvement after surgical-orthodontic treatment using SFA, and corrected outcomes showed good postoperative stability in both the symmetry and asymmetry groups.

Energy capture and nutrients removal enhancement through a stacked constructed wetland incorporated with microbial fuel cell.

To improve the sustainability of constructed wetlands (CWs), a novel tiered wetland system integrated with a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was developed in this study. Compared to the single stage CW, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was improved from 83.2% to 88.7%. More significantly, this tiered system significantly enhanced total nitrogen removal efficiency (an increase from 53.1% to 75.4%). In terms of MFC integration, a gradually decreased performance in electricity production was observed during its 3 months of operation (the voltage dropped from nearly 600 mV to less than 300 mV), which resulted in a reduction of power density from around 2 W/m3 to less than 0.5 W/m3. The deterioration in performance of the air-cathode is the main reason behind this, since the electrode potential of the cathode under open circuit reduced from 348.5 mV to 49.5 mV while the anode potential kept constant at around -400 mV. However, in spite of its electrical performance reduction, it was proved that MFC integration enhanced COD removal and the nitrification process. Further work is needed to improve the stability and feasibility of this new system.

Comparison of Orthodontics-First and Surgery-First Approach in Positional Changes of the Condyle After Mandibular Setback Surgery Using Three-Dimensional Analysis.

PURPOSE: To examine and compare the 3-dimensional (3D) postoperative changes of the condylar position after mandibular setback surgery using the orthodontics-first approach (OFA) and surgery-first approach (SFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who had undergone bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular prognathism using OFA or SFA. Computed tomography images were obtained and analyzed preoperatively (T0), postoperatively (T1), and at the 6-month follow-up visit (T2). The bodily shift of the condylar center and rotational movement of the condylar head were measured using the 3D coordinate system between each time point and compared between the OFA and SFA groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance with a Bonferroni post hoc test was used to compare the time course changes of the condylar position for the 2 surgical-orthodontic approaches. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (mean age 21.9 years; 31 males, 24 females) were evaluated. Of the 55 patients, 29 had undergone OFA and 26, SFA. In both groups, the condyle showed perioperative lateral and inferior displacement with inward rotation, followed by returning to its preoperative position during the 6 months postoperatively. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the time course change of the condylar position. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the timing of the operation (OFA vs SFA), the perioperative and postoperative changes of the condylar position after mandibular setback surgery are equivalent.

Evaluation of Mandibular Anatomy Associated With Bad Splits in Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy of Mandible.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with bad splits during sagittal split ramus osteotomy by using three-dimensional computed tomography. METHODS: This study included 8 bad splits and 47 normal patients without bad splits. Mandibular anatomic parameters related to osteotomy line were measured. These included anteroposterior width of the ramus at level of lingula, distance between external oblique ridge and lingula, distance between sigmoid notch and inferior border of mandible, mandibular angle, distance between inferior outer surface of mandibular canal and inferior border of mandible under distal root of second molar (MCEM), buccolingual thickness of the ramus at level of lingula, and buccolingual thickness of the area just distal to first molar (BTM1) and second molar (BTM2). RESULTS: The incidence of bad splits in 625 sagittal split osteotomies was 1.28%. Compared with normal group, bad split group exhibited significantly thinner BTM2 and shorter sigmoid notch and inferior border of mandible (P <0.05). However, for BTM1 and buccolingual thickness of the ramus at level of lingula, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups. Mandibular angle, anteroposterior width of the ramus at level of lingula, external oblique ridge and lingula, and MCEM were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients with shorter ramus and low thickness of the buccolingual alveolar region distal to the second molar had a higher risk of bad splits. These anatomic data may help surgeons to choose the safest surgical techniques and best osteotomy sites.

[Research of tool-path generation algorithm for NC machining dental crown restoration].

Seeing that the manual method to restore tooth has the disadvantages such as long "lead-time", assurance of quality highly depending on operator's technology, and real-time cure difficulty met by lots of dental patients coming up for tooth restoration, we put forward an algorithm of tool-path generation based on STL data model for roughing dental restoration. The algorithm can reconfigure the STL data of dental crown restoration quickly, can generates the multi-level offset wire-loop by the use of horizontal plane cutting triangle facets; and then on the basis of offset wire-loop, it can plan Zigzag and follow the contour machining tool path. The algorithm has been applied to Dental CAM software, through simulation machining, the result shows that it can not only generate interference-free tool path, but also save a lot of "lead-time" for dental restoration. Accordingly, the algorithm is of great value for reference in clinical application.