Effect of anti-biofilm glass–ionomer cement on Streptococcus mutans biofilms

Dental restorative materials with antimicrobial properties can inhibit bacterial colonization, which may result in a reduction of caries at tooth-filling interaction zones. This study aimed to develop antibacterial glass-ionomer cements （GIC） containing a quaternary ammonium monomer （dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate, DMADDM）, and to investigate their effect on material performance and antibacterial properties. Different mass fractions （0, 1.1% and 2.2%） of DMADDM were incorporated into the GIC. The flexure strength, surface charge density, surface roughness and fluoride release were tested. A Streptococcus mutans biofilm model was used. Exopolysaccharides （EPS） staining was used to analyze the inhibitory effect of DMADDM on the biofilm matrix. In addition, biofilm metabolic activity, lactic acid metabolism and the expression of glucosyltransferase genes g/fB, gtfC and gtfD were measured. GIC containing 1.1% and 2.2% DMADDM had flexural strengths matching those of the commercial control （P〉0.1）. DMADDM was able to increase the surface charge density but reduced surface roughness （P〈0.05）. The incorporation of 1.1% and 2.2% DMADDM elevated the release of fluoride by the GIC in the first 2 days （P〈0.05）. The novel DMADDM-modified GIC significantly reduced biofilm metabolic activity （P〈 0.05） and decreased lactic acid production （P〈 0.05）. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） results showed that the expression of gtfB, g/fC and gtfD decreased when mass fractions of DMADDM increased （P〈0.05）. EPS staining showed that both the bacteria and EPS in biofilm decreased in the DMADDM groups. The incorporation of DMADDM could modify the properties of GIC to influence the development of S. mutans biofilms. In this study, we investigated the interface properties of antibacterial materials for the first time. GIC containing DMADDM can improve material performance and antibacterial properties and may contribute to the better management of secondary caries.

Target Selection Recommendations Based on Impact of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgeries on Nonmotor Symptoms of Parkinson＇s Disease

Objective： This review examines the evidence that deep brain stimulation （DBS） has extensive impact on nonmotor symptoms （NMSs） of patients with Parkinson＇s disease （PD）. Data Sources： We retrieved information from the PubMed database up to September, 2015, using various search terms and their combinations including PD, NMSs, DBS, globus pallidus internus （GPi）, subthalamic nucleus （STN）, and ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus. Study Selection： We included data from peer-reviewed journals on impacts of DBS on neuropsychological profiles, sensory function, autonomic symptoms, weight changes, and sleep disturbances. For psychological symptoms and cognitive impairment, we tried to use more reliable proofs： Random, control, multicenter, large sample sizes, and long period follow-up clinical studies. We categorized the NMSs into four groups： those that would improve definitively following DBS; those that are not significantly affected by DBS; those that remain controversial on their surgical benefit; and those that can be worsened by DBS. Results： In general, it seems to be an overall beneficial effect of DBS on NMSs, such as sensory, sleep, gastrointestinal, sweating, cardiovascular, odor, urological symptoms, and sexual dysfunction, GPi-DBS may produce similar results; Both STN and Gpi-DBS are safe with regard to cognition and psychology over long-term follow-up, though verbal fluency decline is related to DBS： The impact of DBS on behavioral addictions and dysphagia is still uncertain. Conclusions： As the motor effects of STN-DBS and GPi-DBS are similar, NMSs may determine the target choice in surgery of future patients.

Research progress on multiscale structural characteristics and characterization methods of iron ore sinter

At present,blast furnace ironmaking is still the main process for producing molten iron,and sinters are the main raw material for blast furnace ironmaking.A sinter with good metallurgical performance can not only ensure smooth operation of the blast furnace but also reduce the blast furnace fuel ratio and increase the molten iron production.Structure is the most important factor affecting the metallurgical properties of the sinter.Thus,the research progress of sinter pore and mineral phase structures was reviewed and the mechanism by which they influence sinter properties was expounded.Multiscale characterization methods for the sinter and their advantages and disadvantages were introduced,and the future research direction of sinter was discussed.