Supramolecularly assisted chlorhexidine-bacterial membrane interaction with enhanced antibacterial activity and reduced side effects.

Bacterial infection has emerged as a grievous threat to public health, and lots of antibacterial agents were developed to solve this issue. However, enhancing the antibacterial activity of antibacterial agents while reducing their side effects remains a challenge. Herein, a supramolecular antibacterial agent based on the host-guest interaction between cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and chlorhexidine (CHX) was designed. CHX can be encapsulated in the cavity of CB[7] to form a 1:3 host-guest complex (CHX-3CB[7]). It was amazingly found that this supramolecular complex could display higher antibacterial activity than CHX alone. Electrospray mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectra revealed that the introduction of CB[7] promoted the protonation of N-atoms on CHX, resulting in stronger ion interaction with phospholipids and thus enhancing the destruction of the bacterial membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface ζ-potentials and outer/inner membrane integrity assays also reveal that the introduction of CB[7] aggravates the rupture of membrane. What is more, the cytotoxicity and irritation of CHX were decreased by forming the host-guest complex with CB[7]. This work provides a paradigm for enhancing antibacterial activity and reducing side effects of drugs through supramolecular chemistry.

[Acupoit is the "transducer" in the physiochemical information coupling response of acupuncture].

Acupoint is the initial response site of acupuncture stimulus and also the source link of the effect onset of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a mechanical physical stimulus. How is the mechanical force of acupuncture transduced into neuroelectrical and biochemical signals at acupoint? How does the physiochemical information of acupoint launch acupuncture effect? All of these remain the common and crucial questions in the study of acupuncture effect mechanism. Physical changes are induced in the local tissue of acupoint by needling techniques, such as the deformation and displacement of muscle fibers, which may act on the nerve ending receptors and produce electroneurographic signals. Besides, these changes may activate the mechanosensitive ion channels of the cytomembrane in acupoint site. Through cellular signal transduction, the physical signals may be transformed into chemical ones to trigger the physiochemical coupling response of acupoint microenvironment. Eventually, acupuncture effect is generated via nerves and body fluids. "The mechanical force of acupuncture", through "the physiochemical transduction", promotes the body's perception and transmits acupuncture signals. It suggests that acupoint is the "transducer" in the physiochemical information coupling response of acupuncture.

[Comparative analysis of the effect of autologous dentin particles and implantation of Bio-Oss on guided bone regeneration in the treatment of periodontal bone defects].

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of autologous dentin particles and Bio-Oss bone powder implantation on guided bone regeneration in the treatment of periodontal bone defects. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with periodontal bone defect treated in Zhangye People's Hospital from May 2018 to May 2020 who underwent guided bone regeneration treatment were selected and divided into experimental group and control group according to random number table method, with 41 cases in each group. The control group was implanted with Bio-Oss during the operation, and the experimental group was implanted with autologous dentin particles during operation. Periodontal pocket depth and attachment loss, buccal soft tissue profile, buccal soft tissue thickness, red aesthetic score, success rate, and complications were compared between the two groups of patients. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Comparison within the group showed that 1 month and 1 year after operation, the periodontal pocket depth and attachment loss of the two groups were significantly reduced(P<0.05); and 1 year after operation, the periodontal pocket depth and attachment loss of the two groups were significantly lower than 1 month after surgery(P<0.05). Comparison between groups showed that 1 month and 1 year after operation, the periodontal pocket depth and attachment loss of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Comparison within groups showed that 1 month and 1 year after operation, the buccal soft tissue profile of the two groups were significantly higher than that before operation (P<0.05); and 1 year after operation, the buccal soft tissue profile of the two groups were significantly lower than 1 month after operation. Comparison between groups showed that 1 year after operation, the buccal soft tissue profile of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Comparison within groups showed that 1 month and 1 year after surgery, the thickness of the buccal soft tissue of the two groups were significantly higher than that before surgery. Comparison between groups showed that there was no significant difference in the thickness of the buccal soft tissue at each time point between the two groups(P>0.05). Comparison within groups showed that 1 month and 1 year after operation, the red aesthetic scores of patients in the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05); in addition, the red aesthetic scores of the two groups 1 year after surgery were significantly higher than those 1 month after surgery (P<0.05). Comparison between groups showed that 1 month and 1 year after surgery, the red aesthetic scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). One year after operation, the success rate of the experimental group and the control group were 90.24% (37/41) and 85.37% (35/41), respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous dentin particles can be used to guide bone regeneration to treat patients with periodontal bone defects, which can reduce the depth of periodontal pockets and loss of attachment, improve the buccal soft tissue profile and red aesthetic score, and the success rate is equivalent to implantation of Bio-Oss. Therefore, it is a safe and reliable treatment method.

[Analysis on the influencing factors of long-term survival of implants during lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation].

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effects of residual bone height (RBH), maxillary sinus membrane perforation, and cavities on survival of implants with lateral maxillary sinus lifting (MSFA). METHODS: Fifty-six patients (98 implants) who underwent MSFA from 2005 to 2009 and followed up till 2019 were enrolled. RBH was assessed using a series of panoramic and periapical X-ray films. Based on the presence of RBH, sinus membrane perforation, cavities, the cumulative survival rate (CSR) were evaluated using log-rank test and risk ratio of implant failure, SPSS 21.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The residual bone height of implants with sinus membrane perforation was significantly larger than those without sinus membrane perforation. The residual bone height of the survival implants was significantly larger than that of the failed implants(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the residual bone height between gender, smoking and cavities(P>0.05). The total CSR of 10 years after implantation by MSFA was 94.5%, of which the females was significantly higher than that of males, non-smokers was significantly higher than that of smokers, and RBH≥3 mm was significantly higher than that of RBH<3 mm(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in CSR between sinus membrane perforation and non-sinus membrane perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Implants with RBH<3 mm have lower CSR, and the survival is acceptable under proper oral hygiene maintenance conditions. Sinus perforation and cavity do not affect the survival of lateral MSFA implants.

Restless legs syndrome in end stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Restless legs syndrome (RLS) in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients is higher than that in the general population. However, the associations of RLS within the ESRD population are inconsistent and RLS is usually neglected in dialysis centers, although it impairs the life quality among ESRD patients. We aim to investigate the prevalence of RLS in patients with ESRD undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and evaluate the risk factors of developing RLS and the effect of RLS on quality of life among ESRD patients. METHODS: ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Shanghai General Hospital dialysis unit from July 2016 to October 2016 were enrolled in the study. RLS was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). IRLSSG Severity Scale was used to evaluate the severity of RLS. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to estimate anxiety and depression. Serologic and historic variables were analyzed to determine predictors of RLS in the ESRD population. RESULTS: A total of 137 ESRD patients were enrolled. The prevalence of RLS among the ESRD patients was 20.44%. The risk of RLS was increased significantly in females (OR = 2.729, p = 0.032) and daily alcohol drinkers (OR = 4.716, p = 0.022). RLS increased the risks of sleep disorders (25/28, 89.3% vs 73/109, 67.0%, p = 0.02) and sedative hypnotics intake (7/28, 25.0% vs 10/109, 9.2%, p = 0.047) and impaired the sleep quality (7/109 vs 11/28, p = 0.001) according to PSQI sum scores. CONCLUSION: A high RLS prevalence among the ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis was confirmed. ESRD patients who are women and drinking alcohol have a higher risk of RLS. The sleep quality was significantly impaired and sleeping medication use was more common among the ESRD patients with RLS.

Foot-and-mouth disease entrance assessment model through air passenger violations.

This article aims to construct a risk model for the prediction of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) entrance caused by passengers who illegally carry meat products of cloven-hoofed animals through international airports into a country. The risk that meat contaminated with the FMD virus is formulated as the probabilities of FMD factor events (the prevalence of FMD), the commodity factor event (the transportation, storage, and distribution (TSD) factor event), and the passenger event. Data used for analysis were records of illegal meat product carriers from areas A and B intercepted at an international airport in Taiwan. A risk model was proposed to simulate the probability distributions in disease prevalence, probability of FMD virus existing in the meat products after meat processing, and estimation of survival of virus and time period for TSD. The probability of the passenger event was hypothesized with the odds of intercepted passengers and estimated via logistic regression. The results showed that the odds of passengers being intercepted by beagles were higher than those intercepted by Customs. By conducting Monte Carlo simulations, the probability of FMD virus risk caused by FMD factors from area A was 149 times lower than that from area B. The probability of FMD virus risk caused by the passenger event from area A was four times lower than the corresponding probability from area B. The model provides a contribution to FMD prevention and can be a reference for developing models of other diseases.

Randomized controlled trial of the absorbency of four dressings and their effects on the evaporation of burn wounds.

BACKGROUND: Wound dressings are divided into traditional and new types. The new dressings are thought to accelerate wound healing. The purpose of this study was to supplement the scanty data on the absorbency of the new dressings and their effects on evaporation from the burn surface. METHODS: The water absorption rate of four dressings (carbon fiber dressing, hydrogel dressing, silver nanoparticle dressing, and vaseline gauze) were measured by the immersion-weight gain method. A total of 120 inpatients with 10% superficial partial-thickness burn wounds were randomly assigned to four groups, each with 30 participants. Carbon fiber dressing, hydrogel dressing, and silver nanoparticle dressing were used in groups A, B, and C as the primary dressing, and traditional vaseline gauze was used in group D as the control. Multi-spot evaporation from normal skin and naked wound, and from wounds covered with each of the four dressings was measured post-burn on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 by an EP-I evaporimeter under conditions of 21 degrees C - 22 degrees C ambient temperature and 74% - 78% humidity. RESULTS: The absorption rates of the four dressings were 988% with carbon fiber dressing, 96% with silver nanoparticle, 41% with vaseline gauze, and 6% with hydrogel. Evaporation from the naked burn wounds was about 1/3 higher than from normal skin (P < 0.01). Compared with wounds without applied dressing, evaporation from dressed wounds decreased and was time-dependent (P < 0.01). The evaporation of wounds with carbon fiber dressing was the lowest ((13.40 +/- 2.82) mlxh(-1)xm(-2), P < 0.01) on day 1 post-burn, compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: All four dressings have water retention capacity while carbon fiber dressing has the highest absorption rate and shows the best containment and evaporation from the burn wound.

[Effect of silver nanoparticle dressing on second degree burn wound].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of silver nanoparticle dressing on prevention of infection and healing of the second degree burn wound. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-one burn patients with second degree including superficial and deep burn wound were randomly divided into three groups. Group A including 65 cases was treated by silver nanoparticle dressing on wounds, and group B (63 cases) and group C (63 cases) were treated by 1% silver sulfadiazine cream and vaseline gauze on their wounds, respectively. Dressing was changed daily, and wound swab bacterial cultures were performed before and after dressing change, and also wound healing times were recorded in each patient. RESULTS: Group A and B were similar in their bacterium colonizations on wound after treatment with the silver nanoparticle dressing and 1% silver sulfadiazine cream, and they had a similar effect on reducing bacterium colonization on wound after treatment, while in vaseline gauze group bacterium colonization on wound increased after treatment. In group A the wound healing time of superficial second degree was significantly shorter than those in group B and group C (P < 0.01). In deep second degree wounds the healing time in group A was much shorter than that in group C (P < 0.01), but had no significant difference when compared with group B (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Silver nanoparticle dressing can be used on second degree burn wound and can decrease the risk of wound infection and accelerate wound healing.