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Scientific Reports May 2024In this study, we introduce a method for replacing the glass used in existing display electronic materials, lighting, and solar cells by synthesizing a colorless and...
In this study, we introduce a method for replacing the glass used in existing display electronic materials, lighting, and solar cells by synthesizing a colorless and transparent polyimide (CPI) film with excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability using a combination of new monomers. Poly(amic acid) (PAA) was synthesized using dianhydride 4,4'-biphthalic anhydride (BPA) and diamine 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (AHP). Various contents of organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) and mica were dispersed in PAA solution through solution intercalation, and then CPI hybrid films were prepared through multi-step thermal imidization. The organoclays synthesized to prepare CPI hybrid films were Cloisite 93A (CS-MMT) and hexadimethrine-mica (HM-Mica) based on MMT and mica, respectively. In particular, the diamine monomer AHP containing a -OH group was selected to increase the dispersibility and compatibility between the hydrophilic clays and the CPI matrix. To demonstrate the characteristics of CPI, the overall polymer structure was bent and a strong electron withdrawing -CF group was used as a substituent. The thermomechanical properties, morphology of clay dispersion, and optical transparency of the CPI hybrid films were investigated and compared according to the type and content of organoclays. Two types of organoclays, CS-MMT and HM-Mica, were dispersed in a CPI matrix at 1 to 7 wt%, respectively. In electron microscopy, most of the clays were uniformly dispersed in a plate-like shape of less than 20 nm at a certain critical content of the two types of organoclays, but agglomeration of the clays was observed when the content was higher than the critical content. Hybrids using HM-Mica had better thermomechanical properties and hybrids containing CS-MMT had better optical transparency.
PubMed: 38724587
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61331-9 -
Journal of Dentistry Mar 2024To assess the clinical evidence for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to reduce dentine hypersensitivity in adults. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical evidence for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to reduce dentine hypersensitivity in adults.
METHODS
Two independent researchers searched the English literature in five databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library) up to 15th July 2023 for clinical trials investigating the desensitising effect of professionally applied SDF to manage dentine hypersensitivity in adults aged 18 or above at any follow-up period. The primary outcome was the change in dentine hypersensitivity between baseline and follow-up visits after SDF application regarding any validated pain outcome measures. The Cochrane guidelines were used for the risk of bias assessment.
RESULTS
Three hundred and thirty-one studies were identified, and four of them were finally included. Three of the included studies were rated as having a 'low risk' of bias. The SDF solution reduced dentine hypersensitivity in adults. The percentage reduction in dentine hypersensitivity ranged from 23 % to 56 % after a single application of SDF solution. Moreover, the SDF solution was more effective than potassium nitrate, potassium oxalate and glutaraldehyde plus hydroxyethyl methacrylate in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. Meta-analysis indicated a more significant reduction in visual analogue scales (1-10) by 1.35 (95 % CI:0.9-1.8; p<0.00001) after receiving the SDF application than controls.
CONCLUSION
The included clinical trials showed that SDF solution reduced dentine hypersensitivity in adults. However, clinical trials are few, and their protocol varied from one another. Further well-designed clinical trials should be conducted to provide more evidence on its use to manage dentine hypersensitivity.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
SDF is cleared as desensitizing agents by the US Food and Drug Administration to manage dentine hypersensitivity, which induces pain, limits food choice, and impacts the quality of life. Evidence from this systematic review informs clinicians and provides researchers insight for future research on SDF use for dentine hypersensitivity. THE INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTIVE REGISTER OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS (PROSPERO) REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023462613.
Topics: Humans; Cariostatic Agents; Dental Caries; Dentin Sensitivity; Fluorides, Topical; Pain; Quality of Life; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Silver Compounds
PubMed: 38301767
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104868 -
International Journal of Infectious... Mar 2024To assess the efficacy and safety of rifampicin-based triple therapy (rifampicin, isoniazid, and ethambutol) for treating NPM. (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and safety of rifampicin-based triple therapy (rifampicin, isoniazid, and ethambutol) for treating NPM.
METHODS
This single-center, single-arm, prospective clinical trial was conducted at the Second Hospital of Shandong University (Jinan, China). Patients with pathologically diagnosed granulomatous lobular mastitis and periductal mastitis received triple drugs, i.e., rifampicin (450 mg/day), isoniazid (300 mg/day), and ethambutol (15 mg/kg/day), until complete response or the investigator decided to discontinue treatment. The primary endpoint was the complete response rate (CRR) assessed by the investigator. The secondary endpoints included the overall remission rate (ORR), recurrence rate (RR), and safety.
RESULTS
A total of 218 patients were enrolled in the study between January 1, 2013 and October 31, 2020. With a median follow-up time of 48 months, the CRR and the ORR were 78.44% and 94.04%, respectively. While 13 patients (5.96%) demonstrated no response and 19 relapsed (8.72%). Adverse events (AEs) were not common. The most common AEs during treatment were liver dysfunction (1.83%), gastrointestinal reactions (1.83%), fatigue (1.83%), erythema (1.38%), and menstrual disorders (0.92%).
CONCLUSION
Rifampicin, isoniazid, and ethambutol demonstrated promising response rates with acceptable safety profiles in patients with NPM. Further confirmatory trial is warranted in the future.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Hospital of Shandong University and retrospectively registered at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (registration number: ChiCTR2100049591).
Topics: Female; Humans; Ethambutol; Isoniazid; Mastitis; Prospective Studies; Rifampin
PubMed: 38142735
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.12.008 -
Poultry Science Nov 2023This study investigated the effect of ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI) on the growth performance, thyroid function, immune function, intestinal development,...
This study investigated the effect of ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI) on the growth performance, thyroid function, immune function, intestinal development, intestinal permeability, intestinal barrier functions and microbial characteristics of Cherry Valley ducks. The results showed that the addition of EDDI significantly increased body weight, average daily gain, serum level of lymphocytes, basophils, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyrotropin, villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and significantly decreased crypt depth, diamine oxidase, serum D-Lactic acid of ducks (P < 0.05). EDDI also significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1, zonula occludens-2, zonula occludens-3, mucin 2, secretory immunoglobulin A, interleukin-10 and avian β-defensin 2 in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA expression of occludin and interleukin-6 in the jejunum and ileum. Additionally, the addition of EDDI significantly increased cecal level of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid (P < 0.05). Cecal microbiome analysis indicated that the addition of EDDI significantly increased the relative abundance of these microorganisms that can produce short-chain fatty acids, mainly including Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Clostridiales and Lactobacillales, and decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Deferribactere. Interestingly, triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels were highly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Actinobacteria. These results revealed that the addition of EDDI could promote the growth and development of meat ducks by improving their thyroid function, immune function, intestinal development and intestinal barrier functions of ducks.
PubMed: 37639753
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103022 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023A one-step sandwich chemiluminescence immunometric assay (LIA) was developed for the quantification of bifunctional peptidylglycine-α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) in...
A one-step sandwich chemiluminescence immunometric assay (LIA) was developed for the quantification of bifunctional peptidylglycine-α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) in human plasma (PAM-LIA). PAM is responsible for the activation of more than half of known peptide hormones through C-terminal α-amidation. The assay employed antibodies targeting specific catalytic PAM-subunits, peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and peptidyl-alpha-hydroxyglycine alpha-amidating lyase (PAL), to ensure detection of full-length PAM. The PAM-LIA assay was calibrated with a human recombinant PAM enzyme and achieved a detection limit of 189 pg/mL and a quantification limit of 250 pg/mL. The assay demonstrated good inter-assay (6.7%) and intra-assay (2.2%) variabilities. It exhibited linearity when accessed by gradual dilution or random mixing of plasma samples. The accuracy of the PAM-LIA was determined to be 94.7% through spiking recovery experiments, and the signal recovery after substance interference was 94-96%. The analyte showed 96% stability after six freeze-thaw cycles. The assay showed strong correlation with matched EDTA and serum samples, as well as matched EDTA and Li-Heparin samples. Additionally, a high correlation was observed between α-amidating activity and PAM-LIA. Finally, the PAM-LIA assay was successfully applied to a sub-cohort of a Swedish population-based study, comprising 4850 individuals, confirming its suitability for routine high throughput screening.
Topics: Humans; Edetic Acid; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Multienzyme Complexes
PubMed: 37402878
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37976-3 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2023This prospective, comparative, double-cohort study aimed to compare the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide (38% SDF+KI; Riva Star) with sodium...
This prospective, comparative, double-cohort study aimed to compare the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide (38% SDF+KI; Riva Star) with sodium fluoride varnish (5% NaF; Duraphat) in hypersensitive carious lesions in primary teeth to evaluate caries arrest and hypersensitivity relief. : This study included thirty 2-5-year-olds (mean age = 3.67 ± 1.06 years; 16 males and 14 females) who required a desensitizing treatment for hypersensitive carious defects with visible dentin. A total of 15 of the participants were consecutively allocated to treatment with 5% NaF, and they were further compared to an equal number of participants treated with 38% SDF+KI solutions ( = 15). The treatments were performed following clinical evaluation of caries activity using the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) and the Bjørndal criteria (score of 0-9). Parental-reported hypersensitivity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (0-10 = no to severe pain). : Clinical variables were evaluated at baseline and three months after treatment. Thereafter, a significant decline in hypersensitivity/pain led to lower final scores in the Riva Star group (0.40 ± 1.12, = 0.002) than in the Duraphat group (1.40 ± 2.20, = 0.004). The caries arrest effect was significantly higher in the Riva Star group (86.7%) compared to the Duraphat group three months after treatment (13.3%, < 0.001). In both groups, there were no statistically significant differences in the children's behavior before, during, and after treatment. : Ultimately, with both fluoride therapies reducing hypersensitivity/pain significantly, treatment with 38% SDF+KI was clearly more effective in caries arrest than 5% NaF varnish after a 3-month period.
Topics: Male; Child; Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Fluorides; Cariostatic Agents; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies; Tooth, Deciduous; Pain; Dental Caries
PubMed: 38004091
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59112042 -
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Mar 2024The aim of this study is using clinical factors and non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) deep features of the psoas muscles at third lumbar vertebral (L3) level to...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is using clinical factors and non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) deep features of the psoas muscles at third lumbar vertebral (L3) level to construct a model to predict malnutrition in gastric cancer before surgery, and to provide a new nutritional status assessment and survival assessment tool for gastric cancer patients.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 312 patients of gastric cancer were divided into malnutrition group and normal group based on Nutrition Risk Screening 2002(NRS-2002). 312 regions of interest (ROI) of the psoas muscles at L3 level of non-enhanced CT were delineated. Deep learning (DL) features were extracted from the ROI using a deep migration model and were screened by principal component analysis (PCA) and least-squares operator (LASSO). The clinical predictors included Body Mass Index (BMI), lymphocyte and albumin. Both deep learning model (including deep learning features) and mixed model (including selected deep learning features and selected clinical predictors) were constructed by 11 classifiers. The model was evaluated and selected by calculating receiver operating characteristic (ROC), area under curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). The Cohen's Kappa coefficient (κ) was using to compare the diagnostic agreement for malnutrition between the mixed model and the GLIM in gastric cancer patients.
RESULT
The results of logistics multivariate analysis showed that BMI [OR = 0.569 (95% CI 0.491-0.660)], lymphocyte [OR = 0.638 (95% CI 0.408-0.998)], and albumin [OR = 0.924 (95% CI 0.859-0.994)] were clinically independent malnutrition of gastric cancer predictor(P < 0.05). Among the 11 classifiers, the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP)were selected as the best classifier. The AUC of the training and test sets for deep learning model were 0.806 (95% CI 0.7485-0.8635) and 0.769 (95% CI 0.673-0.863) and with accuracies were 0.734 and 0.766, respectively. The AUC of the training and test sets for the mixed model were 0.909 (95% CI 0.869-0.948) and 0.857 (95% CI 0.782-0.931) and with accuracies of 0.845 and 0.861, respectively. The DCA confirmed the clinical benefit of the both models. The Cohen's Kappa coefficient (κ) was 0.647 (P < 0.001). Diagnostic agreement for malnutrition between the mixed model and GLIM criteria was good. The mixed model was used to calculate the predicted probability of malnutrition in gastric cancer patients, which was divided into high-risk and low-risk groups by median, and the survival analysis showed that the overall survival time of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group (P = 0.005).
CONCLUSION
Deep learning based on mixed model may be a potential tool for predicting malnutrition in gastric cancer patients.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Deep Learning; Retrospective Studies; Malnutrition; Albumins; Tomography; Benzamides; Phenylenediamines
PubMed: 38377634
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.02.005 -
Fluids and Barriers of the CNS Dec 2023The lack of accessible and informative biomarkers results in a delayed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD), whose symptoms appear when a significant number of...
BACKGROUND
The lack of accessible and informative biomarkers results in a delayed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD), whose symptoms appear when a significant number of dopaminergic neurons have already disappeared. The retina, a historically overlooked part of the central nervous system (CNS), has gained recent attention. It has been discovered that the composition of cerebrospinal fluid influences the aqueous humor composition through microfluidic circulation. In addition, alterations found in the brain of patients with PD have a correlate in the retina. This new paradigm highlights the potential of the aqueous humor as a sample for identifying differentially concentrated metabolites that could, eventually, become biomarkers if also found altered in blood or CSF of patients. In this research we aim at analyzing the composition of the aqueous humor from healthy controls and PD patients.
METHODS
A targeted metabolomics approach with concentration determination by mass spectrometry was used. Statistical methods including principal component analysis and linear discriminants were used to select differentially concentrated metabolites that allow distinguishing patients from controls.
RESULTS
In this first metabolomics study in the aqueous humor of PD patients, elevated levels of 16 compounds were found; molecules differentially concentrated grouped into biogenic amines, amino acids, and acylcarnitines. A biogenic amine, putrescine, alone could be a metabolite capable of differentiating between PD and control samples. The altered levels of the metabolites were correlated, suggesting that the elevations stem from a common mechanism involving arginine metabolism.
CONCLUSIONS
A combination of three metabolites, putrescine, tyrosine, and carnitine was able to correctly classify healthy participants from PD patients. Altered metabolite levels suggest altered arginine metabolism. The pattern of metabolomic disturbances was not due to the levodopa-based dopamine replacement medication because one of the patients was not yet taking levodopa but a dopamine receptor agonist.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Levodopa; Aqueous Humor; Putrescine; Biomarkers; Arginine
PubMed: 38049870
DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00494-5 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Dec 2023Given the key role of methionine in biological processes, adequate methionine should be provided to meet the nutritional requirements....
Given the key role of methionine in biological processes, adequate methionine should be provided to meet the nutritional requirements. DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (DL-HMTBA) has been considered as an important source of methionine. However, the effects of different sources and levels of methionine on the intestinal health status have not been clarified yet. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different dietary sources and levels of methionine on the intestinal epithelial barrier, inflammatory cytokines expression, ileal morphology, microbiota composition, and cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) profiles. For this purpose, 720 male Arbor Acre broiler chicks at 1 d old were randomly assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with 2 methionine sources (DL-methionine and DL-HMTBA) and 3 total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) levels (80%, 100%, and 120% of Arbor Acre recommendation). The results showed that DL-HMTBA supplementation promoted intestinal physical barrier at both gene expression level of claudin-1 and serum diamine oxidase level ( < 0.05), and the inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression was down-regulated by dietary DL-HMTBA supplementation compared with the DL-methionine group ( < 0.05). Meanwhile, an upregulated gene expression of claudin-1 and zonula occluden-1 () were observed in the low-TSAA treatment on d 14 ( < 0.05), whereas this treatment increased the expression of and ( < 0.05). Villus height to crypt depth ratio was high ( < 0.05) in the middle-level TSAA group. Furthermore, DL-HMTBA supplementation optimized the microbiota of the ileum especially the relative abundance of , where the digestion and absorption were completed, and elevated the concentrations of SCFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) in the cecal content on d 21 ( < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary DL-HMTBA supplementation improved the intestinal barrier function, immune homeostasis and optimized the microbiota to promote intestinal health status in broiler chickens.
PubMed: 38033606
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.07.004 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Ferroptosis plays an important role in inflammation and oxidative stress. Whether ferroptosis is involved in the inflammation of vascular endothelial cells and its...
Ferroptosis plays an important role in inflammation and oxidative stress. Whether ferroptosis is involved in the inflammation of vascular endothelial cells and its regulation mechanism remains unclear. We estimated the correlation between serum iron ion levels and the inflammation index of 33 patients with arteriosclerosis. In vitro, HUVECs with or without ferrostatin-1 were exposed to Lipopolysaccharide. Corresponding cell models to verify the target signaling pathway. The results showed that serum iron ion levels had a significant positive correlation with N ratio, N/L, LDL level, and LDL/HDL (P < 0.05), and a negative correlation with L ratio (P < 0.05) in the arteriosclerosis patients. In vitro, ferroptosis is involved in HUVECs inflammation. Ferrostatin-1 can rescue LPS-induced HUVECs inflammation by decreasing HMGB1/IL-6/TNF-α expression. Nrf2 high expression could protect HUVECs against ferroptosis by activating the GPX4/GSH system, inhibiting ferritinophagy, and alleviating inflammation in HUVECs by inhibiting HMGB1/IL-6/TNF-α expression. It also found that Nrf2 is a key adaptive regulatory factor in the oxidative damage of HUVECs induced by NOX4 activation. These findings indicated that ferroptosis contributed to the pathogenesis of vascular endothelial cell damage by mediating endothelial cell inflammation. Nrf2-mediated redox balance in vascular inflammation may be a therapeutic strategy in vascular diseases.
Topics: Humans; Endothelial Cells; Ferroptosis; HMGB1 Protein; Interleukin-6; Lipopolysaccharides; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Inflammation; Oxidation-Reduction; Arteriosclerosis; Iron; Cyclohexylamines; Phenylenediamines
PubMed: 38336964
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53976-3