Injection of botulinum toxin A in lateral pterygoid muscle as a novel method for prevention of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis

AbstractTemporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis can restrict the mandibular movement, followed by resulting in numerous problems. To understand the mechanism of TMJ ankylosis (TMJA) and prevent the generation of TMJA is urgent necessary. Although many factors contribute to it, trauma is the most common cause of TMJA. The mechanisms of TMJA are still unclear, and the distraction osteogenesis of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) may play an important role. Injection of very small amounts of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) can temporarily block the muscle’s impulse and has been revealed to be an effective treatment method for many temporomandibular disorders. In this article, we make a hypothesis that LPM injection of BTA as a novel method for immobilization of mandible, followed by preventing the traumatic TMJA. Furthermore, the side effects of local injection of BTA also are minimal, temporary, reversible and self-limiting. If this strategy is validated, LPM injection of BTA will be a cost effective way to be administrated to prevent the traumatic TMJA

Structural pathway for nucleation and growth of topologically close-packed phase from parent hexagonal crystal

The solid diffusive phase transformation involving the nucleation and growth of one nucleus is universal and frequently employed but has not yet been fully understood at the atomic level. Here, our first-principles calculations reveal a structural formation pathway of a series of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases within the hexagonally close-packed (hcp) matrix. The results show that the nucleation follows a nonclassical nucleation process, and the whole structural transformation is completely accomplished by the shuffle-based displacements, with a specific 3-layer hcp-ordering as the basic structural transformation unit. The thickening of plate-like TCP phases relies on forming these hcp-orderings at their coherent TCP/matrix interface to nucleate ledge, but the ledge lacks the dislocation characteristics considered in the conventional view. Furthermore, the atomic structure of the critical nucleus for the Mg2Ca and MgZn2 Laves phases was predicted in terms of Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT), and the formation of polytypes and off-stoichiometry in TCP precipitates is found to be related to the nonclassical nucleation behavior. Based on the insights gained, we also employed high-throughput screening to explore several common hcp-metallic (including hcp-Mg, Ti, Zr, and Zn) systems that may undergo hcp-to-TCP phase transformations. These insights can deepen our understanding of solid diffusive transformations at the atomic level, and constitute a foundation for exploring other technologically important solid diffusive transformations

Food Consumption in China: the revolution continues

Recent decades have seen China's domestic consumption in sectors such as food, housing, health care, education and travel greatly increase. This important book assesses China's current food consumption trends and the outlook for its future needs of such a crucial commodity. Key features of this book include: -A systematic examination of the key elements shaping food consumption, with particular attention to factors peculiar to China; -An evaluation of changes in food consumption between rural and urban residents, the rich and poor, and consumers of different regions and identification of the key drivers behind such changes; -A comprehensive coverage of all major food items including food grains, meats and other animal products, fruits and vegetables, alcoholic drinks, and aquacultural products; and -A projection for China's food import needs by 2020. This book will be of great relevance to anyone who is interested in the dynamics of Chinese food consumption, such as commodity traders, leaders of agri-food industries, food trade officials, and food market researchers. It will also prove a valuable reference for undergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in food marketing and trade, general food and agricultural economics, and scholars studying food consumption issues

Genetic immunization with Hantavirus vaccine combining expression of G2 glycoprotein and fused interleukin-2

In this research, we developed a novel chimeric HTNV-IL-2-G2 DNA vaccine plasmid by genetically linking IL-2 gene to the G2 segment DNA and tested whether it could be a candidate vaccine. Chimeric gene was first expressed in eukaryotic expression system pcDNA3.1 (+). The HTNV-IL-2-G2 expressed a 72 kDa fusion protein in COS-7 cells. Meanwhile, the fusion protein kept the activity of its parental proteins. Furthermore, BALB/c mice were vaccinated by the chimeric gene. ELISA, cell microculture neutralization test in vitro were used to detect the humoral immune response in immunized BALB/c mice. Lymphocyte proliferation assay was used to detect the cellular immune response.- The results showed that the chimeric gene could simultaneously evoke specific antibody against G2 glycoprotein and IL-2. And the immunized mice of every group elicited neutralizing antibodies with different titers. Lymphocyte proliferation assay results showed that the stimulation indexes of splenocytes of chimeric gene to G2 and IL-2 were significantly higher than that of other groups. Our results suggest that IL-2-based HTNV G2 DNA can induce both humoral and cellular immune response specific for HTNV G2 and can be a candidate DNA vaccine for HTNV infection

Aspheric optical surface profiling based on laser scanning and auto-collimation

Nowadays the utilization of aspheric lens has become more and more popular, enabling highly increased degree of freedom for optical design and simultaneously improving the performance of optical system. Hence this also entails a stringent requirement for fast and accurate measuring the shape of these aspheric components. In this paper, the instrument is greatly developed to satisfy the growing need to test axially symmetric aspheric surface, which is implemented by converting the pose of reflective mirror in optical path to the coordinate of reflection point on the surface when laser rapidly scans . At each movement position managed by grating-rule sensor, the rotating angle of reflective mirror is defined using position sensitive detector based on the laser auto-collimating and beam center-fitting principle. Testing a convex and a concave surfaces with highly reproducible results, including coefficient of determination better than 0.999 and RMSE less than =10, validates the feasibility of this method. In comparison to the conventional computer-generated hologram tester or interferometer, the present instrument—essentially builds on the pure geometrical optics technology—is a powerful tool to measure the aspheric surface quickly and accurately with simple structure and algorithm

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE SHENQI DETOXIFICATION GRANULE INHIBITS FIBROSIS IN ADENINE INDUCED CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE RATS

The progressive fibrosis accompanies all chronic renal disease, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF,) and platelet-derived growth factor-B, (PDGF-B,) play important roles in extra-cellular matrix abnormal accumulation, while endothelin -1 (ET-1) nitric oxide (NO,) are related to endothelial dysfunction, which mediates the progression of renal fibrosis. Shenqi Detoxification Granule (SDG), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been used for treatment of chronic renal failure in clinic for many years. In order to evaluate the efficacy, and explore the mechanism of SDG to inhibit the progression of renal fibrosis, study was carried out using the adenine-induced Wister rats as the CRF model, and losartan as postive control drug. Levels of serum creatinine [Scr], and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (ALB), 24hrs, urine protein (24hUP), triacylglycerol (TG), and cholesterol (CHO), together with ET-1, and NO were detected. Pathological changes of renal tissues were observed by HE, staining. In addition, CTGF and PDGF-B expression were analyzed by immuno-histo-chemistry. The results indicated that SDG can effectively reduce Scr, BUN, 24hUP, TG, and CHO levels, increase ALB levels, inhibit renal tissue damage in CRF rats, and the mechanism maybe reduce PDGF-B, CTGF expression and ET-1/NO. Shenqi Detoxification Granule is a beneficial treatment for chronic renal failure

Laser-Activatable CuS Nanodots to Treat Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Release Copper Ion to Accelerate Healing of Infected Chronic Nonhealing Wounds

Chronic nonhealing wounds have imposed serious challenges in the clinical practice, especially for the patients infected with multidrug-resistant microbes. Herein, we developed an ultrasmall copper sulfide (covellite) nanodots (CuS NDs) based dual functional nanosystem to cure multidrug-resistant bacteria-infected chronic nonhealing wound. The nanosystem could eradicate multidrug-resistant bacteria and expedite wound healing simultaneously owing to the photothermal effect and remote control of copper-ion release. The antibacterial results indicated that the combination treatment of photothermal CuS NDs with photothermal effect initiated a strong antibacterial effect for drug-resistant pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, the released Cu2+ could promote fibroblast cell migration and endothelial cell angiogenesis, thus accelerating wound-healing effects. In MRSA-infected diabetic mice model, the nanosystem exhibited synergistic wound healing effect of infectious wounds in vivo and demonstrated negligible toxicity and nonspecific damage to major organs. The combination of ultrasmall CuS NDs with photothermal therapy displayed enhanced therapeutic efficacy for chronic nonhealing wound in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, which may represent a promising class of antibacterial strategy for clinical translation.Peer reviewe

Mild temperature photothermal assisted anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory nanosystem for synergistic treatment of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis

Rationale: Endophthalmitis, which is one of the severest complications of cataract surgeries, can seriously threaten vision and even lead to irreversible blindness owing to its complicated microenvironment, including both local bacterial infection and severe inflammation. It is urgent to develop a comprehensive treatment for both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: Herein, we developed AuAgCu2O-bromfenac sodium nanoparticles (AuAgCu2O-BS NPs), which was designed to combine anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects for integrated therapy of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. The AuAgCu2O-BS NPs could eradicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterial strain relied on their photodynamic effects and the release of metal ions (Ag+ and Cu+) by the hollow AuAgCu2O nanostructures mediated mild photothermal effects. The anti-inflammatory drug, bromfenac sodium, released from the nanoparticles were able to significantly reduce the local inflammation of the endophthalmitis and promote tissue rehabilitation. In vivo bacterial elimination and anti-inflammation were confirmed by a postcataract endophthalmitis rabbit model. Results: Excellent antibacterial ability of AuAgCu2O-BS NPs was verified both in vitro and in vivo. Ophthalmological clinical observation and pathologic histology analysis showed prominent treatment of inflammatory reaction. Importantly, the mild temperature photothermal effect not only promoted the release of metal ions and bromfenac sodium but also avoided the thermal damage of the surrounding tissues, which was more suitable for the practical application of ophthalmology due to the complex structure of the eyeball. Moreover, superior biocompatibility was approved by the preliminary toxicity investigations, including low cytotoxicity, negligible damage to major organs, and stable intraocular pressure. Conclusions: Our studies of nanosystem provide a promising synergic therapeutic strategy for postcataract endophthalmitis treatment with favorable prognosis and promise in clinical translations.Peer reviewe