A pH-responsive nanoplatform with dual-modality imaging for enhanced cancer phototherapy and diagnosis of lung metastasis.

To address the limitations of traditional photothermal therapy (PTT)/ photodynamic therapy (PDT) and real-time cancer metastasis detection, a pH-responsive nanoplatform (NP) with dual-modality imaging capability was rationally designed. Herein, 1 H,1 H-undecafluorohexylamine (PFC), served as both an oxygen carrier and a 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe, and photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) were grafted onto the pH-responsive peptide hexahistidine (H6) to form H6-PFC-ICG (HPI). Subsequently, the heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, gambogic acid (GA), was incorporated into hyaluronic acid (HA) modified HPI (HHPI), yielding the ultimate HHPI@GA NPs. Upon self-assembly, HHPI@GA NPs passively accumulated in tumor tissues, facilitating oxygen release and HA-mediated cell uptake. Once phagocytosed by lysosomes, protonation of H6 was triggered due to the low pH, resulting in the release of GA. With near-infrared laser irradiation, GA-mediated decreased HSP90 expression and PFC-mediated increased ROS generation amplified the PTT/PDT effect of HHPI@GA, leading to excellent in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacies. Additionally, the fluorescence and 19F MRI dual-imaging capabilities of HHPI@GA NPs enabled effective real-time primary cancer and lung metastasis monitoring. This work offers a novel approach for enhanced cancer phototherapy, as well as precise cancer diagnosis.

mRNA nanodelivery systems: targeting strategies and administration routes.

With the great success of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, mRNA therapeutics have gained significant momentum for the prevention and treatment of various refractory diseases. To function efficiently in vivo and overcome clinical limitations, mRNA demands safe and stable vectors and a reasonable administration route, bypassing multiple biological barriers and achieving organ-specific targeted delivery of mRNA. Nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems representing leading vector approaches ensure the successful intracellular delivery of mRNA to the target organ. In this review, chemical modifications of mRNA and various types of advanced mRNA NPs, including lipid NPs and polymers are summarized. The importance of passive targeting, especially endogenous targeting, and active targeting in mRNA nano-delivery is emphasized, and different cellular endocytic mechanisms are discussed. Most importantly, based on the above content and the physiological structure characteristics of various organs in vivo, the design strategies of mRNA NPs targeting different organs and cells are classified and discussed. Furthermore, the influence of administration routes on targeting design is highlighted. Finally, an outlook on the remaining challenges and future development toward mRNA targeted therapies and precision medicine is provided.

Five-year outcomes of immediate implant placement for mandibular molars with and without chronic apical periodontitis: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Most physicians consider molars with chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) lesions as contraindications for immediate implant placement. At the patient's request, we perform immediate implant placement of the mandibular molars with CAP in clinical practice. AIM: To retrospectively analyze and compare the 5-year outcomes of immediate implant placement of the mandibular molars with CAP and those without obvious inflammation. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with immediate implant placement of the mandibular molars in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, from June 2015 to June 2017 were collected. The patients were divided into CAP (n = 52) and no-CAP (n = 45) groups. Changes in bone mineral density and bone mass around implants were analyzed 5 years after implant restoration. RESULTS: At 5 years after implantation, the peri-implant bone mineral density was 528.2 ± 78.8 Hounsfield unit (HU) in the CAP group and 562.6 ± 82.9 HU in the no-CAP group (P = 0.126). Marginal bone resorption around implants did not differ significantly between the two groups, including buccal (P = 0.268) or lingual (P = 0.526) resorption in the vertical direction or buccal (P = 0.428) or lingual (P = 0.560) resorption in the horizontal direction. Changes in the peri-implant jump space did not differ significantly between the two groups, including the buccal (P = 0.247) or lingual (P = 0.604) space in the vertical direction or buccal (P = 0.527) or lingual (P = 0.707) space in the horizontal direction. The gray value of cone-beam computed tomography measured using Image J software can reflect the bone mineral density. In the CAP area, the gray values of the bone tissue immediately and 5 years after implant placement differed significantly from those of the surrounding bone tissue (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that immediate implant placement of the mandibular molars with CAP can achieve satisfactory 5-year clinical results, without significant differences in the complications, survival rate, or bone tissue condition from the no-CAP mandibular molars.

Immediate implant placement in single mandibular molar with chronic periapical periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aims to assess and compare the clinical outcomes of immediate implant placement in the mandibular molar region with or without the presence of chronic periapical periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Employing a case-control design, this study encompassed a cohort of patients necessitating implant surgery to supplant a single, failed mandibular molar. Participants exhibiting periapical lesions measuring between > 4 mm and < 8 mm were assigned to the test group, while those without periapical lesions to the control group. Subsequent to flap surgery and tooth extraction, extraction sockets were debrided thoroughly, and implants were immediately implanted (baseline). Permanent restorative procedures were carried out three months post-operation, with follow-up conducted one year post-surgery. During the study period, parameters including implant survival rate, Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) data, implant stability quotient (ISQ), insertional torque values (ITV), and potential complications were closely monitored. RESULTS: Throughout the yearlong observation period subsequent to implant placement, both groups exhibited a 100% implant survival rate. None of the participants experienced any complications. Both groups demonstrated significant decreases in the height and width of the alveolar bone (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically discernible differences between corresponding areas in the two groups (P > 0.05). The differences in ITV between the test group (37.94 ± 2.12 N•cm) and the control group (38.55 ± 2.71 N•cm) were not statistically significant at baseline (P > 0.05). A significant rise in ISQ was noted within the same group between baseline and three months post-operation (P < 0.05), while no significant variations in ISQ changes were noted between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Given the constraints of this investigation, the preliminary clinical outcomes of immediate implant placement in the mandibular molar region with chronic periapical periodontitis do not significantly differ from those observed in instances devoid of chronic periapical periodontitis.

pH-Responsive wound dressings: advances and prospects.

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process, in which the pH value plays an important role in reflecting the wound status. Wound dressings are materials that are able to accelerate the healing process. Among the multifunctional advanced wound dressings developed in recent years, pH-responsive wound dressings, especially hydrogels, show great potential owing to their unique properties of adjusting their functions according to the wound conditions, thereby allowing the wound to heal in a regulated manner. However, a comprehensive review of pH-responsive wound dressings is lacking. This review summarizes the design strategies and advanced functions of pH-responsive hydrogel wound dressings, including their excellent antibacterial properties and significant pro-healing abilities. Other advanced pH-responsive materials, such as nanofibers, composite films, nanoparticle clusters, and microneedles, are also classified and discussed. Next, the pH-monitoring functions of pH-responsive wound dressings and the related pH indicators are summarized in detail. Finally, the achievements, challenges, and future development trends of pH-responsive wound dressings are discussed.

The relationship between the oblique sagittal temporomandibular joint disc position and the volume surface area of the condyle in young TMD adults.

The present study aims to compare the volume surface area of the condyle, the horizontal condylar axial angle and the disc-condyle angle between temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and asymptomatic volunteers, explore and analyze the relationship between the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position in oblique sagittal plane and the volume surface area of the condyle in young adults with TMD symptoms. 84 young adult volunteers were received TMJ examination by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). TMD and asymptomatic volunteers were 42 each. MRI was used to assess the position of TMJ disc in the oblique sagittal plane with the condyle apex method. CBCT data were used for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of condyle and the measurements of the horizontal condylar axial angle and the volume surface area of the condyle. The condylar volume surface area of the TMD group was smaller than that of the asymptomatic group (p < 0.05), the disc condyle angle was larger than that of the asymptomatic group (p < 0.05), and no significant difference was found in the horizontal condylar axial angle (p > 0.05). In terms of correlation, the volume surface area of the condyle were negatively correlated with the position of the articular disc in TMD patients (p < 0.05). This significant negative correlation suggests that the possibility of disc displacement can be considered when poor condylar morphology is found.