Micromechanical interlocking structure at the filler/resin interface for dental composites: a review

Dental resin composites(DRCs)are popular materials for repairing caries or dental defect,requiring excellent properties to cope with the complex oral environment.Filler/resin interface interaction has a significant impact on the physicochemical/biological properties and service life of DRCs.

Evolution of chemistry and selection technology for DNA-encoded library

DNA-encoded chemical library(DEL)links the power of amplifiable genetics and the nonself-replicating chemical phenotypes,generating a diverse chemical world.In analogy with the biological world,the DEL world can evolve by using a chemical central dogma,wherein DNA replicates using the PCR reactions to amplify the genetic codes,DNA sequencing transcripts the genetic information,and DNA-compatible synthesis translates into chemical phenotypes.Importantly,DNA-compatible synthesis is the key to expanding the DEL chemical space.Besides,the evolution-driven selection system pushes the chemicals to evolve under the selective pressure,i.e.,desired selection strategies.In this perspective,we summarized recent advances in expanding DEL synthetic toolbox and panning strategies,which will shed light on the drug discovery harnessing in vitro evolution of chemicals via DEL.

Urchin-like multiscale structured fluorinated hydroxyapatite as versatile filler for caries restoration dental resin composites

Caries is one of the most prevalent human diseases,resulting from demineralization of tooth hard tissue caused by acids produced from bacteria,and can progress to pulpal inflammation.Filling restoration with dental resin composites(DRCs)is currently the most common treatment for caries.However,existing DRCs suffer from low fracture strength and lack comprehensive anti-caries bioactivity including remineralization,pulp protection,and anti-cariogenic bacteria effects.In this study,inspired by plant roots’ability to stabilize and improve soil,fluorinated urchin-like hydroxyapatite(FUHA)with a three-dimensional whisker structure and bioactive components of calcium,phosphorus,and fluorine was designed and synthesized by a dynamic self-assembly method.Furthermore,versatile FUHA particles with different loading fractions were used as functional fillers to fabricate methacrylate-based DRCs,where the urchin-like hydroxyapatite(UHA)filled DRCs and commercial DRCs(Z350XT and BEAUTIFIL II)served as the control groups.The results demonstrated that FUHA with 50 wt%loading in resin matrix endowed DRC(F5)with excellent physicochemical properties,dentin remineralization property,cell viability,promotion of dental pulp stem cells mineralization,and antibacterial properties.Meanwhile,F5 also presented good clinical handling and aesthetic characteristics.Therefore,structure/functional-integrated FUHA filled DRCs have potential as a promising strategy for tooth restoration and anti-caries bioactivity.

Gut microbe-derived metabolite indole-3-carboxaldehyde alleviates atherosclerosis

DearEditor,Indole-3-carboxaldehyde(ICA)is a gut microbe-derived tryptophan metabolite.Here,we explored the role of ICA in atherosclerosis.Plasma tryptophan metabolites were measured in healthy individuals and patients with atherosclerosis(Supplementary Table S1).The latter group showed disturbed tryptophan metabolism,while no difference was observed in tryptophan levels between the two groups(Fig.1a).ICA concentration is lower in the patients group(Fig.1b),consistent with previous clinical studies.1 The concentration of other metabolites of kynurenine or serotonin pathway showed no variations between the control and the patients(Supplementary Fig.1a).

Genetic Approaches for Sex Determination of Chinese Female with Male Pseudohermaphroditism

Male pseudohermaphroditism is a rare disorders of sex development(DSD)that is manifested by a female-like appearance or incompletely differentiated external genitalia in an individual with a Y chromosome.In this paper,we report our investigation of the case of a 33-year-old Chinese female who was diagnosed with a malignant mixed germ-cell tumor of the ovary.To confirm the sex of the female,we utilized genetic approaches to detect amelogenin and Y-STR loci.Y chromosome microdeletion was performed to identify existing deletions in the AZF regions and SRY.Chromosome karyotyping and whole-exome sequencing(WES)were then applied to reveal the deletion of sex chromosome segments and pathogenic variations in DNA sequences.Using DNA-STR genotyping,we detected both AMEL-X and AMEL-Y fragments.We also found haplotype Y-STR loci and detected all alleles.Furthermore,no microdeletion was detected in the AZF regions and SRY.The chromosome karyotyping was 46,XY.WES revealed a transversion mutation of 58T→C in the androgen receptor exon 1,which could be the pathogenic variant in this case of abnormal sexual development.Sex determination in forensic DNA typing is based on the amelogenin system.It is important that forensic biologists should master various genetic approaches to overcome the issue of gender ambiguity caused by DSDs.

Recent advance on cobalt-based oxide catalyst for the catalytic removal of volatile organic compounds:A review

As the main contributor to air pollution,lots of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)were emitted into the atmo-sphere due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization,threatening environmental safety and human health.Catalytic oxidation has been verified as an efficient approach for VOCs elimination from industrial waste gas streams.Owing to the merits of cost-effective and high activity,cobalt-based catalysts have been considered as one of the most promising candidates for VOCs degradation.This review systematically summarized the devel-opments achieved in the design of cobalt-based catalysts for VOCs removal over the past decade.Specifically,the fabrication of single cobalt oxides,cobalt-based binary oxides and cobalt-based composites,as well as the modified cobalt-based oxides by the surface engineering strategies,such as doping technology and acid etching method are coherently reviewed.Subsequently,the corresponding kinetic models and mechanisms are also dis-cussed.Finally,considering the enormous challenges and opportunities in this field,the perspective with respect to future research on cobalt-based catalysts is proposed.

小麦–玉米轮作农田土壤螨多样性空间分布格局

以农田土壤动物长期监测样地为平台,阐明土壤动物物种和功能多样性空间分布格局,是揭示农田土壤动物多样性维持机制、提高农田土壤质量的重要基础。本试验于2020年10月,对河南商丘农田土壤动物大型固定样地(9 ha)的210个采样点进行土壤样品野外采集和室内分离,将土壤螨样品鉴定到种并测量其体长体宽数据,以说明小麦–玉米轮作农田土壤螨多样性及其体长体宽的空间分布格局。结果表明:(1)共捕获成螨个体17,256头,其中甲螨亚目为优势类群,其个体数占总捕获量的94.67%;MGP分析表明样地甲螨群落属于P型,说明受人为因素影响强烈;生态位宽度和重叠度分析表明,进化程度越高甲螨的生态位宽度越宽,进化程度越相近甲螨之间的竞争越激烈。(2)Moran’s I分析显示,在20–100 m的空间尺度上,土壤螨群落、优势种的个体数和体长体宽多为显著正相关;在220–300 m的空间尺度上,部分为显著负的空间自相关。半方差函数结果表明,甲螨群落物种数、个体数和体长体宽的空间变异主要受确定性过程影响,中气门螨群落的空间变异由确定性和随机性过程共同影响。(3)土壤螨个体数与体长体宽存在显著弱的负相关关系,这种关系普遍存在于土壤螨各群落与优势种中。本研究建议同时开展物种多样性和以体长体宽为代表的功能多样性空间格局研究,对揭示土壤螨群落维持机制、保护土壤螨多样性具有重要意义。