Preparation of Zn doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Zn-MSNs) for the improvement of mechanical and antibacterial properties of dental resin composites

ObjectiveThe purpose of this work was to explore the enhancement effect of zinc doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Zn-MSNs), which could form micromechanical interlocking with resin matrix and sustainably release Zn²⁺, on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of the dental resin composites.MethodsZn-MSNs were prepared by a sol–gel method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N₂ adsorption/desorption. The mechanical properties of the dental composites reinforced by Zn-MSNs were measured by a universal mechanical testing machine. Antibacterial activities of dental composites were evaluated by both qualitative and quantitative analysis using Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). The cytotoxicity of the Zn-MSNs filled dental composites was investigated by osteoblasts (OBs).ResultsThe synthesized Zn-MSNs possessed good monodispersity with an average particle size of about 138 nm. The mechanical properties of the composites gradually increased with the increase of the content of Zn-MSNs. The flexural strength, flexural modulus, compressive strength and micro-hardness of the composites containing 15 wt% Zn-MSNs were 31.21%, 50.47%, 53.83% and 26.79% higher than the samples with no Zn-MSNs, respectively. The antibacterial performance was significantly improved by the addition of Zn-MSNs and the antibacterial rate of the composite with 15 wt% of Zn-MSNs reached 100%. Cytotoxicity tests revealed that all the composites were biocompatible during OBs incubation.SignificanceThe prepared Zn-MSNs can effectively improve the mechanical and antibacterial properties of the dental resin composites.     

A cross-sectional examination of sociodemographic factors associated with meeting physical activity recommendations in overweight and obese US adults

ObjectiveObesity has reached epidemic proportions in the US. Physical activity is an important component of obesity reduction, but little is known about contemporary exercise levels among overweight/obese American adults. In this study, we compared current physical activity levels in overweight and obese US adults to those of normal weight individuals as well as ascertained which sociodemographic factors influence the meeting of physical activity recommendations in these three groups.MethodsWe used national data from 2015 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys (n = 726,075). Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine unadjusted physical activity levels in normal weight, overweight, and obese adults. We fit multinomial logistic models to identify associations between sociodemographic factors and meeting physical activity recommendations in our study population.ResultsAround 45% of overweight and 57% of obese adults failed to meet physical activity guidelines compared to 41% of normal weight adults. Age, sex, and race were significantly associated with physical activity levels for both overweight and obese adults. In overweight and obese individuals, associations between sociodemographic factors and physical activity were more similar between the two comparisons of insufficiently active (IA) versus active (A)/highly active (HA) and A versus HA but quite different to those in the inactive (IN) versus IA/A/HA comparison.ConclusionsFuture physical activity interventions should be aimed at increasing the number of overweight and obese US adults who meet physical activity guidelines as well as targeted towards specific sociodemographic groups within the overweight/obese population with low exercise levels.     

Chalcone hybrids and their antimalarial activity

Malaria, one of the most striking, re-emerging infectious diseases caused by the genus Plasmodium, places a huge burden on global healthcare systems. A major challenge in the control and eradication of malaria is the continuous emergence of increasingly widespread drug-resistant malaria, creating an urgent need to develop novel antimalarial agents. Chalcone derivatives are ubiquitous in nature and have become indispensable units in medicinal chemistry applications due to their diverse biological profiles. Many chalcone derivatives demonstrate potential in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity, so chalcone could be a useful template for the development of novel antimalarial agents. This review covers the recent development of chalcone hybrids as antimalarial agents. The critical aspects of the design and structure–activity relationship of these compounds are also discussed.     

梗塞前心绞痛对ST段抬高心肌梗死患者经皮冠状动脉介入术治后血小板活性的影响

目的：探讨梗塞前心绞痛对ST段抬高心肌梗死患者血小板活性的影响。方法：选取2015年8月至2017年8月期间在我院接受直接经皮冠状动脉介入术治疗的急性ST段抬高心肌梗死首次发作患者223名，根据是否发生梗塞前心绞痛分入PIA组和非PIA组，采用流式细胞仪对急性期住院时和一个月后随访时接受和未接受二磷酸腺苷活化的血小板活性进行评估，测定单核细胞-血小板聚集率以及血小板门内糖蛋白IIb/IIIa（CD41）和纤维蛋白原受体（PAC-1）的表达率。结果：在急性期，PIA组患者未接受和接受二磷酸腺苷活化的样本单核细胞-血小板聚集率（分别为22.01%±1.6%和28.51±2.83）以及CD41（分别为158.20±25.5和197.62±34.2）和PAC-1（分别为6.93±2.29和10.38±2.48）平均荧光密度显著低于非PIA组（单核细胞-血小板聚集率分别为26.22±4.20和32.63±4.50，CD41分别为175.42±20.21和240.34±70.70，PAC-1分别为9.74±3.10和15.24±3.73），所有P值均小于0.05。一个月后随访期上述变量两组间无显著差异。结论：首次STEMI发作前出现PIA的患者血小板活性低于未出现PIA的患者。     

品管圈活动在喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷治疗小儿输液外渗中的应用效果分析

目的探讨品管圈活动在喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷治疗小儿输液外渗中的应用效果。方法选取我院2016年8月至2018年12月收治的输液外渗患儿100例,随机分为两组各50例。对照组给予50%硫酸镁湿敷治疗与常规护理,干预组采用喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷,进行品管圈活动。对比两组的临床疗效、损伤痊愈时间和完全消肿时间。结果干预组的总有效率为90.00%,高于对照组的74.00%(P <0.05)。干预组的损伤痊愈时间和完全消肿时间短于对照组(P <0.05)。结论品管圈活动在喜疗妥联合新鲜马铃薯外敷治疗小儿输液外渗中的效果较好,可缩短临床症状消失时间,加快康复进程。     

Antidiabetic activity of Helicteres angustifolia root

Context The root of Helicteres angustifolia L. (Sterculiaceae) has been used as folk herbal drug to treat cancer, bacterial infections, inflammatory, and flu in China. However, there is no report on its antidiabetic activity.

Objective This study evaluates the antidiabetic activity of ethanol extract from H. angustifolia root.

Materials and methods The promoting effect of H. angustifolia root ethanol extract (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL) on glucose uptake was evaluated using HepG2 cell, differentiated C2C12 myotubes, and differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The antidiabetic activity of the extract was assessed in vivo using STZ-induced diabetic rats by orally administration of the extract (200 and 400?mg/kg b.w.) once per day for 28 d. Blood glucose, TG, TC, TP, HDL-C, UA, BUN, AST, ALT, insulin, and HOMA-IR were analyzed.

Results The results showed that the extract increased glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes with an IC₅₀ value of 79.95 and 135.96 μg/mL, respectively. And about 12%, 19%, and 10% (p < 0.05) in HepG2 cells when compared with the control at the concentration of 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. After 28 days’ treatment with the extract, significant reduction was observed in blood glucose, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, UA, BUN, AST, and ALT levels, while the levels of TP and HDL cholesterol increased.

Discussion and conclusion These results suggest that H. angustifolia root ethanol extract possess potent antidiabetic activity, which is the first report on antidiabetic activity of this plant.