2D MXene Ti3C2Tx nanosheets in the development of a mechanically enhanced and efficient antibacterial dental resin composite

The bacterial accumulation at the margins of dental resin composites is a main cause of secondary caries, which may further lead to prosthodontic failure. In this regard, this study for the first time incorporated 2D MXene Ti3C2Tx nanosheets (NSs) into epoxy resin at different mass ratios (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%) by solution blending and direct curing for dental applications. Compared to the pure resin, the as-fabricated MXene/resin composite not only exhibited improved mechanical and abrasive results but also displayed gradually improved antibacterial activity with MXene loading which was further enhanced by illumination in natural light due to the high photothermal efficiency of MXene. In addition, the cytotoxicity result demonstrated that the MXene-modified resin did not cause severe damage to normal cells. This novel MXene/resin nanocomposite could pave the way for new designs for high-performance, multifunctional nanocomposites to effectively protect dental health in daily life

Effects of electro-acupuncture on brain tissue norepinephrine contents in a morphine withdrawal anxiety mouse model

Background: Following morphine withdrawal, anxiety is associated with abnormal norepinephrine content change. However, increasing blood lactic acid content can induce anxiety or panic in patients with anxiety disorder or endogenous opioid peptide functional disorder. Objective: This study was designed to observe the effects of electro-acupuncture, at the "Sanyinjiao" point (SP 6), on brain tissue norepinephrine and blood lactic acid content in anxiety-model mice after morphine withdrawal. Design: A randomized controlled animal experiment. Setting: This study was performed in the Laboratory of Acupuncture, Electro-acupuncture & Tuina College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from June to September 2001. Materials: A total of 50 healthy Kunming male mice were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The protocol was performed in accordance with ethical guidelines stated in the Guide for the use and care of laboratory animals, approved by the Committee on the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council, China (1985). Experimental reagents and equipment used were as follows: morphine hydrochloride (Lot No. 930503, Shenyang No.1 Pharmaceutical Factory, China), norepinephrine (Sigma Chemical Company, USA), fluorospectrophotometer (RF-510, Shimadzu Corporation, Japan), Han electro-acupuncture apparatus (WQ 1002, No. zun (91)-227270-588, Beijing Anlong Photoelectricity-Technique Company, China), and T-maze (self-made). Methods: A total of 50 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 10 mice in each group: blank control, T-maze, model, model + electro-acupuncture, and electro-acupuncture groups. Establishment of anxiety model after morphine withdrawal: the mouse hot plate assay was used to detect the activity of morphine. The median effective dose of morphine, 2.95 mg/kg, was defined as the base. Mice were subcutaneously administered morphine, 3 times a day, for 4 days successively (initially 2.95 mg/kg, then increased day by day, as described below). Interventions: In the model + electro-acupuncture group, after model induction, mice were subjected electro-acupuncture at bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) points using a Han electro-acupuncture apparatus with sparse-dense waves and frequency of 2-100 Hz, once a day, for 6 days. In the model group, after anxiety-model induction, mice were subjected to fixation as same as model + electro-acupuncture group within 6 days of model induction. In the electro-acupuncture group, the anxiety model was not induced and mice were subjected to fixation, electro-acupuncture and the T-maze test. In the T-maze group, the anxiety model was not induced and mice were subjected to fixation. The T-maze test was performed in the 4 groups after experiment. In the blank control group, the anxiety model was not induced and mice were subjected to fixation only. Main outcome measures: Brain tissue norepinephrine content of morphine-withdrawal anxiety mice was detected by fluorospectrophotometry after 6 days of electro-acupuncture. Blood lactic acid content was detected by visible spectrophotometry. Results: A total of 50 mice were included in the final analysis. Brain norepinephrine content was significantly greater in the model group compared to the T-maze, blank control, electro-acupuncture and model + electro-acupuncture groups, (P 0.05). There was no significant difference in blood lactic acid content among the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture lowers brain norepinephrine content but does not influence peripheral blood lactic acid content in morphine-withdrawn, anxiety-modeled mice. These results demonstrate that anxiety-inhibiting effects of electro-acupuncture, after morphine withdrawal, might be related to regulation of norepinephrine release.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Improved conversion of stearic acid to diesel-like hydrocarbons by carbon nanotubes-supported CuCo catalysts

In this study, a novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported CuCo catalyst was successfully synthesized by wet impregnation. Experimental and theoretical results on catalytic deoxygenation of stearic acid, a model compound of microalgal bio-oil, revealed that the CuCo catalyst can effectively inhibit cracking reactions and promote production of diesel-like hydrocarbons. CuCo particles in the pores of CNTs were conducive to conversion of stearic acid to long-chain alkanes, featuring a high selectivity of 94.82% at 100% conversion. CuCo catalyst in oxidation state underwent fast in-situ reduction at the beginning of deoxygenation reaction, and its catalytic performance was comparable to that of reduced CuCo catalyst. The improved catalytic conversion of stearic acid to diesel-like hydrocarbons can be achieved at a high ratio of Cu-0/(Cu+ + Cu-0) and lattice Co atoms. In addition, the reduced H-2 pressure and amounts of catalysts show potential for large-scale industrial applications

Constraint-induced aphasia therapy in post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

<div><p>Background</p><p>Constraint-induced aphasia therapy (CIAT) has been widely used in post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation. An increasing number of clinical controlled trials have investigated the efficacy of the CIAT for the post-stroke aphasia.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>To systematically review the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effect of the CIAT in post-stroke patients with aphasia, and to identify the useful components of CIAT in post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A computerized database search was performed through five databases (Pubmed, EMbase, Medline, ScienceDirect and Cochrane library). Cochrane handbook domains were used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs.</p><p>Results</p><p>Eight RCTs qualified in the inclusion criteria. Inconsistent results were found in comparing the CIAT with conventional therapies without any component from the CIAT based on the results of three RCTs. Five RCTs showed that the CIAT performed equally well as other intensive aphasia therapies, in terms of improving language performance. One RCT showed that therapies embedded with social interaction were likely to enhance the efficacy of the CIAT.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>CIAT may be useful for improving chronic post-stroke aphasia, however, limited evidence to support its superiority to other aphasia therapies. Massed practice is likely to be a useful component of CIAT, while the role of “constraint” is needed to be further explored. CIAT embedded with social interaction may gain more benefits.</p></div

Characteristics of included studies.

<p>Comparison C: social interaction in CIAT.</p

Characteristics of included studies.

<p>Comparison B: constraint vs. unconstraint.</p

Methodological quality of included studies.

<p>Methodological quality of included studies.</p

The identification process for selection of trials.

<p>The identification process for selection of trials.</p

Meta-analysis of BNT.

<p>Meta-analysis of BNT.</p