Hyaluronidase inhibits TGF-ß-mediated rat periodontal ligament fibroblast expression of collagen and myofibroblast markers: An in vitro exploration of periodontal tissue remodeling.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation by hyaluronidase (HYAL) in inhibiting collagen fiber production by rat periodontal ligament cells (rPDLCs). DESIGN: Primary rPDLCs were isolated from the euthanized rats and used for in vitro experiments. The appropriate HYAL concentration was determined through CCK-8 testing for cytotoxicity detection and Alizarin red staining for mineralization detection. RT-qPCR and western blot assays were conducted to assess the effect of HYAL, with or without TGF-ß, on generation of collagen fiber constituents and expression of actin alpha 2, smooth muscle (ACTA2) of rPDLCs. RESULTS: Neither cell proliferation nor mineralization were significantly affected by treatment with 4 U/mL HYAL. HYAL (4 U/mL) alone downregulated type I collagen fiber (Col1a1 and Col1a2) and Acta2 mRNA expression; however, ACTA2 and COL1 protein levels were only downregulated by HYAL treatment after TGF-ß induction. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of rPDLCs with HYAL can inhibit TGF-ß-induced collagen matrix formation and myofibroblast transformation.

Coordination-Induced Conformational Control Enables Highly Luminescent Metallo-Cages.

In recent years, luminescent materials have received a great deal of attention due to their wide range of applications. However, exploring a simple solution to overcome the fluorescence quenching resulting from the aggregation of conventional organic fluorophores remains a valuable area of investigation. In this study, we successfully constructed two metallo-cages, namely, SA and SB, through coordination-driven self-assemblies of the triphenylamine (TPA)-based donor L with different diplatinum(II) acceptors LA and LB, respectively. These metallo-cages take advantage of their steric nature and curved conformation to more effectively limit the free rotation of the benzene ring and hinder π-π stacking in the solid state, which successfully inhibited fluorescence quenching and realizing highly efficient luminescent properties. Therefore, this work offers a new design strategy for preparing materials with excellent luminescent properties.

Construction of 1,3,5-Triazine-Based Prisms and Their Enhanced Solid-State Emissions.

In this study, two trigonal prisms based on the 1,3,5-triazine motif (SA and SB), distinguished by hydrophobic groups, were prepared by the self-assembly of tritopic terpyridine ligands and Zn(II) ions. SA and SB exhibited high luminescence efficiencies in the solid state, overcoming the fluorescence quenching of the 1,3,5-triazine group caused by π-π interactions. Notably, SA and SB exhibited different luminescence behaviors in the solution state and aggregation state. SB with 12 alkyl chains exhibited extremely weak fluorescence in a dilute solution, but its fluorescence intensity and photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) were significantly enhanced in the aggregated state (with the increase in the water fraction), especially in the solid state. Different from the gradually enhanced efficiency of SB, the PLQY of SA gradually decreased with the increase in aggregation but still maintained a high luminescence efficiency. These two complexes exhibited different modes to solve the fluorescence quenching of 1,3,5-triazine in the solid state. The hierarchical self-assembly of SB exhibited nanorods owing to the hydrophobic interactions of alky chains, while SA aggregated into spheres under the influence of π-π interactions.

Porphyrin-Containing Metallacage with Precise Active Sites and Super Long-Term Stability as a Specific Peroxidase Mimic for Versatile Analyte Determination.

Inspired by the architecture of single-atom catalysts, where the monodispersed metal atoms are widely distributed but stabilized by various coordination circumstances, the biomimetic design and synthesis of metalloporphyrin-containing nanocages have been demonstrated in this study. The nanocages were fabricated through a coordination-driven self-assembly process, and the Mn(III) porphyrin-based one was found to have exclusively peroxidase-like activity at pH 6.0 with neither oxidase nor catalase-like activity under the routine conditions. Benefiting from this, we demonstrated the wide applicability and convenient usage of an Mn(III)-containing supramolecular nanocage (Mn-PC) in the one-step detection of H2O2, sarcosine, and glucose through various oxidase-involved reactions, with a satisfactory detection limit and eligible specificity. Real samples including H2O2 in lens care solution, sarcosine in human urine, and glucose in human serum were also assayed, showing an adequate recovery rate. Such a specific activity originates from the super-consistent microstructure of each catalytic unit, which means that the active site of manganese porphyrin was "protected" by the confinement of the nanocage. This also helps to sustain the super long-term activity even after 545 days of storage. Furthermore, the intrinsic electronic structure of the Mn(III)-containing supramolecular nanocage endows the ability in electrochemical detection of H2O2 and glucose. Our smart design toward the supramolecular nanocages with a defined structure and quantity contributes to the construction of the ingenious sensing platform and has guiding significance for architectural design of nanozymes.

Supramolecular cuboctahedra with aggregation-induced emission enhancement and external binding ability.

Beyond the AIE (aggregation-induced emission) phenomenon in small molecules, supramolecules with AIE properties have evolved in the AIE family and accelerated the growth of supramolecular application diversity. Inspired by its mechanism, particularly the RIV (restriction of intramolecular vibrations) process, a feasible strategy of constructing an AIE-supramolecular cage based on the oxidation of sulfur atoms and coordination of metals is presented. In contrast to previous strategies that used molecular stacking to limit molecular vibrations, we achieved the desired goal using the synergistic effects of coordination-driven self-assembly and oxidation. Upon assembling with zinc ions, S1 was endowed with a distinct AIE property compared with its ligand L1, while S2 exhibited a remarkable fluorescence enhancement compared to L2. Also, the single cage-sized nanowire structure of supramolecules was obtained via directional electrostatic interactions with multiple anions and rigid-shaped cationic cages. Moreover, the adducts of zinc porphyrin and supramolecules were investigated and characterized by 2D DOSY, ESI-MS, TWIM-MS, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The protocol described here enriches the ongoing research on tunable fluorescence materials and paves the way towards constructing stimuli-responsive luminescent supramolecular cages.

Displacement and stress distribution of mandibular incisors after orthodontic treatment in the presence of alveolar bone loss under occlusal loads: A finite element analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the initial stress produced in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and the displacements of mandibular incisors under masticatory force in patients with alveolar bone loss (ABL) after orthodontic treatment. METHODS: Four horizontal absorption models (zero, one third, one half, and two thirds of root length) and 2 labiolingual absorption models (labial two thirds, lingual one third of root length, and vice versa) of the mandibular anterior segment were constructed. A total force of 285.3 N was applied vertically to the edges of incisors. The tooth displacement and principal stresses in the PDL were evaluated in a finite element analysis. RESULTS: In all models, the labial movements of the central incisors ascended more significantly, whereas there was obvious compressive stress and tensile stress concentrated in the labial and lingual cervical margins of the PDL, respectively. For the lateral incisors, augmentation of the distal motions was more evident. Compressive stress was apparent in the labial-distal margin, and tensile stress was concentrated in the lingual-mesial cervical margin. With the same proportion of ABL, more significant displacement and stress concentration in the PDL occurred in the central incisors. In labiolingual absorption models, labial ABL caused greater incisors displacement and periodontal stress concentration. When horizontal ABL extended from one half to two thirds of the root length, mobility of the central incisors and stresses in the PDL increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular incisors follow the different movement and stress distribution patterns under occlusal loads. Special consideration should be given to the retention of mandibular incisors when horizontal ABL exceeds half of the root length.

Comparison of the transfer accuracy of two digital indirect bonding trays for labial bracket bonding.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the transfer accuracy of two digital transfer trays, the three-dimensional printed (3D printed) tray and the vacuum-formed tray, in the indirect bonding of labial brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten digital dental models were constructed by oral scans using an optical scanning system. 3D printed trays and vacuum-formed trays were obtained through the 3Shape indirect bonding system and rapid prototyping technology (10 in each group). Then labial brackets were transferred to 3D printed models, and the models with final bracket positioning were scanned. Linear (mesiodistal, vertical, buccolingual) and angular (angulation, torque, rotation) transfer errors were measured using GOM Inspect software. The mean transfer errors and prevalence of clinically acceptable errors (linear errors of ≤0.5 mm and angular errors of ≤2°) of two digital trays were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Chi-square test, respectively. RESULTS: The 3D printed tray had a lower mean mesiodistal transfer error (P < .01) and a higher prevalence of rotation error within the limit of 2° (P = .03) than did the vacuum-formed tray. Linear errors within 0.5 mm were higher than 90% for both groups, while torque errors within 2° were lowest at 50.9% and 52.9% for the 3D printed tray and vacuum-formed tray, respectively. Both groups had a directional bias toward the occlusal, mesial, and buccal. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D printed tray generally scored better in terms of transfer accuracy than did the vacuum-formed tray. Both types of trays had better linear control than angular control of brackets.

Ultrasound Molecular Imaging as a Potential Non-invasive Diagnosis to Detect the Margin of Hepatocarcinoma via CSF-1R Targeting.

Though radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered to be an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but more than 30% of patients may suffer insufficient RFA (IRFA), which can promote more aggressive of the residual tumor. One possible method to counter this is to accurately identify the margin of the HCC. Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) has been found to be restrictively expressed by tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and monocytes which more prefer to locate at the boundary of HCC. Using biotinylation method, we developed a CSF-1R-conjugated nanobubble CSF-1R (NBCSF-1R) using a thin-film hydration method for margin detection of HCC. CSF-1R expression was higher in macrophages than in HCC cell lines. Furthermore, immunofluorescence showed that CSF-1R were largely located in the margin of xenograft tumor and IFRA models. In vitro, NBCSF-1R was stable and provided a clear ultrasound image even after being stored for 6 months. In co-culture, NBCSF-1R adhered to macrophages significantly better than HCC cells (p = 0.05). In in vivo contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, the washout half-time of the NBCSF-1R was significantly greater than that of NBCTRL and Sonovue® (p = 0.05). The signal intensity of the tumor periphery was higher than the tumor center or non-tumor region after NBCSF-1R injection. Taken together, NBCSF-1R may potentially be used as a non-invasive diagnostic modality in the margin detection of HCC, thereby improving the efficiency of RFA. This platform may also serve as a complement method to detect residual HCC after RFA; and may also be used for targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs or genes.

Assisting anti-PD-1 antibody treatment with a liposomal system capable of recruiting immune cells.

Despite the functions of anti-PD-1 antibodies as immune checkpoint regulators, less than 30% of patients exhibit durable therapeutic responses to anti-PD-1 antibodies. Studies have shown that insufficient infiltration of immune cells might limit the outcome of anti-PD-1 therapy. Therefore, we synthesized an immune cell-recruiting liposomal system (FN-nps) to improve this therapeutic strategy. The FN-nps could generate cell debris and expose heat shock protein 70, which could recruit immune cells to tumor sites to assist in anti-PD-1 treatment. In vivo experiments revealed that the FN-nps could assist in anti-PD-1 therapy by increasing the number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and tumor site by generating tumor antigens, and this effect was accompanied by an increase in cytokine expression. The number of CTLs increased and mRNA expression levels of cytokines were regulated when the FN-nps were combined with anti-PD-1 therapy. The revealed properties of the liposomal system make it highly promising for assisting in anti-PD-1 antibody immunotherapy in different cancers.

Evaluation of alveolar bone support around incisors in patients with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate in late mixed dentition using cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate alveolar bone support around cleft-adjacent maxillary central incisors (U1) in patients with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate (UCLAP) in the late mixed dentition and to investigate the correlation between the alveolar bone thickness (ABT) and tooth inclination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography scans of 45 subjects with UCLAP (29 boys, 16 girls; mean age = 10.74 ± 1.08 years) were assessed. The distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and alveolar bone crest (AC), and the ABTs at 3 mm, 6 mm, and the apex were measured on the labial, lingual and distal surfaces of U1. The cleft and normal sides were compared using a paired t-test and Pearson's χ2 test. Pearson's correlation was used to explore the association between the ABT and tooth inclination of cleft-adjacent U1 in the labiolingual and mesiodistal dimensions. RESULTS: The CEJ-AC distances were significantly greater in cleft-adjacent U1 ( P < .01), with more bone height reduction observed labially and distally ( P < .001). The labial, lingual, and apico-distal ABTs were decreased on the cleft side ( P < .01). A positive correlation was found between the apico-labial ABT and the labiolingual inclination ( r = 0.568, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with UCLAP have reduced alveolar bone support around the cleft-adjacent U1, and the apico-labial ABT tends to decrease with increasing lingual tooth inclination; however, the correlation was weak.