Aim
We aimed to investigate the association of periodontitis and oral hygiene indicators with changes in blood lipid parameters in a nationwide, population‐based cohort in a longitudinal setting.
...Materials and methods
We included nationwide health screening program participants who underwent oral health examination in 2009‐2010 and follow‐up examinations for lipid profile without exposure to lipid‐lowering agents.
Results
During the 5.19‐year median follow‐up, 65,078 individuals (mean age at baseline examination: 55.41 ± 7.30 years) underwent 286,218 health examinations. The prevalence of periodontitis was 39%. In the multivariate mixed model analysis, periodontitis and tooth loss were associated with decreased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (β = −0.0066 mmol/L, standard error = 0.0026, p = .013) and increased triglyceride levels (β=0.0307, mmol/L, standard error = 0.0049, p < .001), respectively. Compared with tooth brushing ≤1 time/day, tooth brushing ≥3 times/day was associated with increased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (β = 0.0176 mmol/L, standard error = 0.0052, p = .006) and decreased triglyceride levels (β = −0.0285 mmol/L, standard error = 0.0090, p = .001).
Conclusions
Periodontitis and tooth loss may be attenuating factors for blood high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, respectively. Frequent tooth brushing may improve dyslipidaemia, particularly blood high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Oral hygiene improvement may reduce the risk of dyslipidaemia.
The imperative to electrify the transport sector in the past few decades has put millions of electric vehicles on the road worldwide with an extended mile range from critical technological ...breakthroughs in developing the rechargeable energy storage systems, which also covers electronic devices and smart grid applications. However, the available energy density of prevailing systems in the market (i.e., batteries) is reaching its boundaries due to the limited choice of electrochemical reactions that necessarily depend on the thermodynamics and kinetics of the components (e.g., cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, and current collectors). Reaching the high energy density of batteries exploits new redox chemistry such as sensitive metal anodes, insulating and highly dissolving sulfur cathodes, etc., thus requiring novel designs of various multiscale functional materials to address the corresponding issues. Here, the recent achievements on the designs of smart functional materials for emerging problems in the whole range of systems are discussed: i) interfacial control/kinetic regulation of Li–S battery; ii) self‐healing‐driven structural stability in the electrode and electrolyte; iii) ion‐sieving functional membranes for selective scavenging capability; and iv) functional materials to ensure battery safety.
Smart, functional materials in the nano/microscale that are specially designed for rechargeable batteries are comprehensively discussed. The designed materials aim to address the issues in interfacial chemistry of Li metal anodes and sulfur cathodes, integration of electrodes or electrolytes during unusual deformations, selectivity of membranes, and safety of systems.
Alloys are recently receiving considerable attention in the community of rechargeable batteries as possible alternatives to carbonaceous negative electrodes; however, challenges remain for the ...practical utilization of these materials. Herein, we report the synthesis of germanium-zinc alloy nanofibers through electrospinning and a subsequent calcination step. Evidenced by in situ transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterizations, this one-dimensional design possesses unique structures. Both germanium and zinc atoms are homogenously distributed allowing for outstanding electronic conductivity and high available capacity for lithium storage. The as-prepared materials present high rate capability (capacity of ~ 50% at 20 C compared to that at 0.2 C-rate) and cycle retention (73% at 3.0 C-rate) with a retaining capacity of 546 mAh g
even after 1000 cycles. When assembled in a full cell, high energy density can be maintained during 400 cycles, which indicates that the current material has the potential to be used in a large-scale energy storage system.
Previous studies have revealed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by modulating inflammatory cytokines in the inflamed intestine. However, the mechanisms ...underlying these effects are not completely understood. We sought to investigate the therapeutic effects of human adipose tissue-derived (hAT)-MSCs in an IBD mouse model and to explore the mechanisms of the regulation of inflammation. Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice were infused with hAT-MSCs intraperitoneally and colon tissues were collected on day 10. hAT-MSCs were shown to induce the expression of M2 macrophage markers and to regulate the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the colon. Quantitative real time-PCR analyses demonstrated that less than 20 hAT-MSCs, 0.001% of all intraperitoneally injected hAT-MSCs, were detected in the inflamed colon. To investigate the effects of hAT-MSC-secreted factors in vitro, transwell co-culture system was used, demonstrating that tumour necrosis factor-α-induced gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) released by hAT-MSCs induces M2 macrophages. In vivo, hAT-MSCs transfected with TSG-6 small interfering RNA, administered intraperitoneally, were not able to induce M2 macrophage phenotype switch in the inflamed colon and had no significant effects on IBD severity. In conclusion, hAT-MSC-produced TSG-6 can ameliorate IBD by inducing M2 macrophage switch in mice.
Aims
Poor oral hygiene is closely associated with bacteraemia and systemic inflammation, which are known mediators of cancer development. We investigated the relationship between oral hygiene ...indicators and the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in a nationwide population‐based cohort.
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted on data from 150,774 subjects from the Korean National Health Screening Cohort. The occurrence of gastrointestinal cancer was analysed according to the presence of periodontal disease and oral hygiene indicators: frequency of toothbrushing, dental visits for any reason, professional dental cleanings and number of missing teeth. Gastrointestinal cancer was defined using International Statistical Classification of Diseases‐10 codes C15–C26.
Results
During a median 11.6 years of follow‐up, the estimated 10‐year event rate for gastrointestinal cancer was 6.76%. In a multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, income level, regular exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking status, body mass index, history of comorbidities, systolic blood pressure and laboratory findings, frequent toothbrushing (≥3/day) was significantly associated with a reduced risk for gastrointestinal cancer (hazard ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval (0.86–0.96), p < .001, p for trend < .001).
Conclusions
Good oral hygiene behaviour, especially frequent toothbrushing, could be associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal cancer.
Modulating lithium metal deposition is vital for the realization of stable and energy‐dense Li–metal batteries. Ionic liquid (IL) has been regarded as a promising electrolyte additive for a uniform ...Li deposition because its cation moiety forms a lithiophobic protective layer on Li protuberant tips. Despite recent advances in ILs for Li metal batteries, rational designs for IL additives are still in their infancy, and further improvement is required. Here, a new class of self‐assembled protective layer based on the design of a new IL molecule enabling high‐performance Li–metal batteries is reported. For the first time, symmetric design of lithiophobic side chains is introduced to the IL cations. This symmetric design creates a self‐assembled lithiophobic protective layer on Li protuberant tips, resulting in the smooth deposition of Li. Thus, the symmetric IL enables stable cycling of Li–LiFePO4 and Li–LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) batteries with an average Coulombic efficiency of ≈99.8% over 600 cycles. In addition, the symmetric IL enables a practical thin Li (40 µm)‐NCM622 cell with an energy density of ≈658 Wh kg‐1 based on the cathode mass in a coin‐type battery. This work proposes a design protocol for IL‐based additives and provides a prospective way to highly efficient, long‐lasting Li–metal batteries.
A novel ionic liquid (IL) modified by symmetric alkyl chains is employed as an electrolyte additive to control Li deposition. The symmetric alkyl chains to IL cation mitigate the self‐agglomeration and create a densely assembled lithiophobic layer on protuberance tips. This compact protection layer formed by symmetric ILs effectively controls the smooth Li deposits, enabling long‐lasting, practical, and full‐cell batteries.
Among the main bacteria implicated in the pathology of periodontal disease, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is well known for causing loss of periodontal attachment and systemic disease. ...Recent studies have suggested that secreted extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) from several bacteria may be important in periodontitis, although their role is unclear. Emerging evidence indicates that exRNAs circulate in nanosized bilayered and membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs) known as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in gram‐negative bacteria. In this study, we analyzed the small RNA expression profiles in activated human macrophage‐like cells (U937) infected with OMVs from Aa and investigated whether these cells can harbor exRNAs of bacterial origin that have been loaded into the host RNA‐induced silencing complex, thus regulating host target transcripts. Our results provide evidence for the cytoplasmic delivery and activity of microbial EV‐derived small exRNAs in host gene regulation. The production of TNF‐α was promoted by exRNAs via the TLR‐8 and NF‐κB signaling pathways. Numerous studies have linked periodontal disease to neuroinflammatory diseases but without elucidating specific mechanisms for the connection. We show here that intracardiac injection of Aa OMVs in mice showed successful delivery to the brain after crossing the blood‐brain barrier, the exRNA cargos increasing expression of TNF‐α in the mouse brain. The current study indicates that host gene regulation by microRNAs originating from OMVs of the periodontal pathogen Aa is a novel mechanism for host gene regulation and that the transfer of OMV exRNAs to the brain may cause neuroinflammatory diseases like Alzheimer's.—Han, E.‐C., Choi, S.‐Y., Lee, Y., Park, J.‐W., Hong S.‐H., Lee, H.‐J. Extracellular RNAs in periodontopathogenic outer membrane vesicles promote TNF‐α production in human macrophages and cross the blood‐brain barrier in mice. FASEB J. 33, 13412–13422 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Stretchable electronics have been considered a key technology in wearable and implantable medical devices. Although substantial advances have been made in key stretchable components, a stretchable ...electronic platform that integrates a stretchable power source and a stretchable printed circuit board (SPCB) has been a great challenge. Here, an intrinsically stretchable electronic device platform powered by a stretchable film battery is proposed so that the platform can be used as a stand‐alone. The stretchable battery is used as a substrate for manufacturing device platforms where SPCB is printed and directly connected through via holes, thereby enabling an increase in integrated devices density. To achieve an intrinsically stretchable battery and high‐performance circuit board, a novel concept of stretchable, self‐healable, and pressure‐sensitive polymer composite is designed. The platform is water‐proof and maintains its stable electrical performance under extreme physical deformations. As a proof of concept, the integration of light‐emitting diodes on the platform that can operate at large biaxial strain (125%) underwater is demonstrated.
A new concept of a stretchable electronic device platform, a self‐powered stretchable battery printed circuit board is proposed. The all‐component stretchable battery that provides stable electrochemical cycling performance under large strain is used as the power source and stretchable substrate, and stretchable circuits are directly printed on top to instantly form a stable interface and maintain its electrical performance under deformations.
In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the effects of antifibrotic agents on the prognosis remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of antifibrotic treatment on the ...risks of mortality, hospitalisation, and acute exacerbation in real-world patients with IPF. A total of 1213 IPF patients (biopsy-proven cases: 405) were included in this retrospective study. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics between patients who received antifibrotic treatment and who did not. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare the risks of all-cause mortality, hospitalisation, acute exacerbation, and mortality following acute exacerbation between the two groups. From the 1213 patients, 474 matched pairs were generated. The mean age of the patients in the matched cohort was 65.8 years and 82.8% were men. The median follow-up duration was 27 months. Antifibrotic treatment significantly reduced the risks of mortality hazard ratio (HR), 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48-0.72; p < 0.001, all-cause hospitalisation (HR 0.71), respiratory-related hospitalisation (HR 0.67), acute exacerbation (HR 0.69), and mortality after acute exacerbation (HR 0.60). Our results suggest that antifibrotic treatment may reduce the risks of all-cause mortality, hospitalisation, acute exacerbation, and mortality after acute exacerbation in patients with IPF.
Data on P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-duration dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are limited.
To determine whether P2Y12 inhibitor ...monotherapy after 3 months of DAPT is noninferior to 12 months of DAPT in patients undergoing PCI.
The SMART-CHOICE trial was an open-label, noninferiority, randomized study that was conducted in 33 hospitals in Korea and included 2993 patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents. Enrollment began March 18, 2014, and follow-up was completed July 19, 2018.
Patients were randomly assigned to receive aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor for 3 months and thereafter P2Y12 inhibitor alone (n = 1495) or DAPT for 12 months (n = 1498).
The primary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) at 12 months after the index procedure. Secondary end points included the components of the primary end point and bleeding defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2 to 5. The noninferiority margin was 1.8%.
Among 2993 patients who were randomized (mean age, 64 years; 795 women 26.6%), 2912 (97.3%) completed the trial. Adherence to the study protocol was 79.3% of the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group and 95.2% of the DAPT group. At 12 months, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events occurred in 42 patients in the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group and in 36 patients in the DAPT group (2.9% vs 2.5%; difference, 0.4% 1-sided 95% CI, -∞% to 1.3%; P = .007 for noninferiority). There were no significant differences in all-cause death (21 1.4% vs 18 1.2%; hazard ratio HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.63-2.21; P = .61), myocardial infarction (11 0.8% vs 17 1.2%; HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.31-1.40; P = .28), or stroke (11 0.8% vs 5 0.3%; HR, 2.23; 95% CI, 0.78-6.43; P = .14) between the 2 groups. The rate of bleeding was significantly lower in the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group than in the DAPT group (2.0% vs 3.4%; HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.92; P = .02).
Among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3 months of DAPT compared with prolonged DAPT resulted in noninferior rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Because of limitations in the study population and adherence, further research is needed in other populations.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02079194.
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