Xiaoxin Zhang

Skin wound infections persist through a self‐reinforcing “infection‐inflammation” cycle that compromises tissue repair. Here, we demonstrate that surface chirality of nanomaterials serves as an independent parameter to disrupt this loop through targeted metabolic interference. Using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as a model, we show that D‐chiral GNPs (GNP‐D) exhibit superior efficacy over their L‐enantiomers (GNP‐L) in repressing bacterial basal metabolism and impeding near‐surface motility. Integration of transcriptomic profiling and molecular dynamics identifies the mannitol‐specific phosphotransferase transporter MtlA as a pivotal target, where GNP‐D induces enhanced structural perturbations at functional residues compared to GNP‐L. In a murine infection model, GNP‐D significantly reduces bacterial burden and accelerates wound closure while repolarizing the wound microenvironment from a persistent pro‐inflammatory state toward a pro‐resolving and regenerative phenotype. Notably, genetic ablation of mtlA abrogates the chiral bias across all metabolic and immune readouts, providing evidence that this advantage is mediated via the MtlA/PTS axis. These results establish a “chirality‐membrane‐protein coupling” framework for the rational design of targeted antimicrobial and immunomodulatory nanomedicines.

Objective: To compare the effect of deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM) and horizontal platelet rich fibrin bone block (H‐PRF‐BB) in transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 65 patients receiving 73 implants placed simultaneously with TSFE. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) the H‐PRF‐BB group (23 patients, 24 implants) and (2) the DBBM group (42 patients, 49 implants). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was obtained pre‐, immediate post‐surgery and at the follow‐up time. Residual bone height (RBH), height of the augmented bone above the apex of the implant (AH), and height of the elevated sinus floor (EH) were measured. The differences between the groups were analyzed using Welch's t ‐test or Mann–Whitney U test. The correlations between RBH0 and whether the implant apex was covered with bone were evaluated through Fisher's exact probability test. Results: RBH preoperative (RBH0) and immediate postoperative (RBH1) exhibited no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The RBH at the follow up time (RBH2) in the H‐PRF‐BB group (11.46 ± 0.32 mm) was higher than that of the DBBM group (10.31 ± 0.30 mm), but without statistical significance. The bone height gained immediately after TSFE (EH1) was 6.39 ± 0.43 mm in the H‐PRF‐BB group and 5.65 ± 0.28 mm in the DBBM group (no statistical difference). Nevertheless, the bone height gained at the follow up time (EH2) was higher in the H‐PRF‐BB (5.39 ± 0.41 mm) group when compared to the DBBM group (4.04 ± 0.24 mm). The bone height change (ΔH) was minimal in the H‐PRF‐BB group (−1.02 ± 0.18 mm) compared to that in the DBBM group (−1.80 ± 0.23 mm). The mean AH immediately after surgery (AH1) was comparable in both groups, but was higher above the implant apex in the H‐PRF‐BB group (2.18 ± 0.28 mm) at the follow up time (AH2) when compared to the DBBM group (1.36 ± 0.16 mm). Lastly, the apex exposure rate was also lower in the H‐PRF‐BB group (12.5%) compared to the DBBM group (29.8%). Conclusion: H‐PRF‐BB showed better radiographic outcomes in TSFE compared to DBBM, with an elevated EH2 and AH2. The use of H‐PRF‐BB was found to reduce the height decrease over time and lessen implant exposure at the apex.

Background/Objectives: Adequate peri-implant soft tissue thickness is essential for long-term peri-implant health and esthetics. Horizontal platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF) has been proposed to support soft tissue regeneration; however, experimental and translational evidence for its application in peri-implant soft tissue augmentation remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate a H-PRF membrane block approach primarily through an experimental animal model, with clinical cases presented to illustrate translational feasibility. Methods: A customized compression device was used to fabricate the H-PRF membrane block. The biological performance of the H-PRF membrane block was first evaluated in a rabbit model, with histologic assessment of peri-implant soft tissue thickness and integration at 8 weeks. Representative clinical cases requiring peri-implant mucosal thickening were subsequently treated with H-PRF membrane block on the buccal aspect of the alveolar bone beneath a supra-periosteal flap to demonstrate clinical applicability. Results: In the animal model, the H-PRF membrane block resulted in a significant increase in peri-implant soft tissue thickness by increasing the lamina propria compared with control sites demonstrated by histologic analysis. The clinical illustrations showed stable buccal soft tissue volume and contour with minimal patient morbidity. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this experimental study, the horizontal H-PRF membrane block technique demonstrated promising biological performance for peri-implant soft tissue augmentation in an animal model. The accompanying clinical illustrations support the translational feasibility of this approach. Clinical relevance: This experimental study provides biological and translational insight into a minimally invasive strategy for peri-implant soft tissue thickening and may inform future controlled clinical investigations.

Aims: Inflammation is a key process involved in the early stages of periodontal regeneration, where immune cells are responsible for the recruitment of osteoblast to facilitate periodontal regeneration. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) on macrophage polarization, and thereafter to investigate its effect on osteoblast recruitment to enhance early‐stage periodontal regeneration. Materials and Methods: The extracted liquids of PRF, produced using fixed‐angled and horizontal centrifugation protocols, were utilized to stimulate Thp1 to study macrophage proliferation and polarization. Thereafter, the supernatants of Thp1 were collected and utilized to stimulate the migration of human bone marrow osteoblasts, to investigate the recruitment of osteoblast via macrophage polarization. Results: PRF stimulated the proliferation and recruitment of macrophages, with horizontal centrifugation protocols demonstrating significantly greater potential when compared to fixed‐angled. Furthermore, PRF was able to enhance the recruitment of osteoblast via macrophage polarization, with horizontal platelet‐rich fibrin (H‐PRF) demonstrating the most significant increase. Conclusion: The present study explored a promising mechanism of the periodontal regeneration function of PRF, by inducing macrophage polarization, thereby enhancing osteoblast recruitment, with horizontal centrifugation significantly improving these findings.

Backgroud: Regardless of application scenarios, proper mechanical characteristics and degradation properties are prerequisites for horizontal platelet rich fibrin (H-PRF) to manifest its ability. Among the methods used to modify PRF, thermal manipulation is promising as it is easy to handle without adding extra additives. Yet there is no consensus on optimal temperature treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of heating on the biological and mechanical characteristics of H-PRF and explore the optimum heating temperature for H-PRF thermal treatment. Methods: We employed a series of temperature gradients, room temperature, 50℃, 75℃, 90℃, 105℃. The microstructure and the mechanical properties were recorded by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and tensile strength tests respectively. The degradation rate of H-PRF membranes was examined by digestion assay with plasmin and trypsin. The viability of cells within H-PRF membranes and the proliferation of osteoblasts cultured with extracts from different H-PRF groups was evaluated using CCK-8 assays. Results: Compared with the nonheated group, overheated manipulation beyond 90℃ can significantly prolong the degradation properties for up to 3 to 4 weeks and enhance the mass stress of H-PRF membranes. A high-temperature treatment of 105℃ accompanied by the cell activity beneath H-PRF reduced more than half, and thus, the biological effect on human osteoblasts (hFOBs) also reduced dramatically. Conclusions: High thermal manipulation can prolong the degradation properties and enhance the mechanical properties of PRF membranes accompanied by the loss of biological effect.

Purpose Regardless of application scenarios, proper mechanical characteristics and degradation property is the prerequisite for horizontal platelet rich fibrin (H-PRF) to manifest its ability. Among the methods used to modify PRF, thermal manipulation is promising as it is easy to handle without adding extra additives. Yet there is no consensus on optimal temperature treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of heating on the biological and mechanical characteristics and explore the most suitable heating temperature for H-PRF thermal treatment.Methods We employed a series of temperature gradients, room temperature, 50℃, 75℃, 90℃, 105℃. The microstructure and the mechanical properties were recorded by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and tensile strength tests respectively. The degradation rate of H-PRF membranes was examined by digestion assay with plasmin and trypsin. The viability of cells within H-PRF membranes and the proliferation of osteoblasts cultured with extracts from different H-PRF groups was evaluated using CCK-8 assays.Results Compared with the nonheated group, over-heated manipulation beyond 90℃ can significantly prolong the degradation properties up to 3 to 4 weeks and enhance the mass stress of H-PRF membranes. A high temperature treatment of 105℃ accompanied with the cell activity beneath H-PRF reduced more than half and thus the biological effect to human osteoblasts (hFOBs) also reduced dramatically.Conclusions High thermal manipulation can prolong the degradation properties and enhance the mechanical properties of PRF membranes while accompanied by the loss of biological effect.

BACKGROUND The history of allogenic tooth transplantation can be traced back to the 16th century. Although there have been many successful cases, much needs to be better understood and researched prior to the technique being translated to everyday clinical practice. CASE SUMMARY In the present report, we describe a case of allogenic tooth transplantation between a mother and her daughter. The first left maxillary molar of the mother was diagnosed with residual root resorption and needed to be extracted. The 3rd molar of the daughter was used as a donor tooth. Prior to transplantation, a 3D printing system was introduced to fabricate an individualized reamer drill specifically designed utilizing the donor's tooth as a template. The specific design of our 3D printed bur allowed for the recipient site to better match the donor tooth. With the ability to 3D print in layers, even the protuberance of the root can be matched and 3D printed, thereby minimizing unnecessary bone loss. CONCLUSION Our study is a pioneering case combining 3D printing with allogenic tooth transplantation, which could be able to minimize unnecessary bone loss and improve the implant stability. This article aims to enhance our understanding of allogenic tooth transplantation and 3D printing, and may potentially lead to tooth transplantation being utilized more frequently - especially since transplantations are so commonly utilized in many other fields of medicine with high success rates.

Osteoimmune interactions possess a critical part in the integration of materials and hosts. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most common members of osteoimmune cells family. The titanium surfaces of dental implants tend to promote a mature dendritic cell phenotype with increased proinflammatory secretion. However, very little is known to the effects of this microenvironment on the behaviors of cells around implants, especially osteoblasts, and how the tissue integrations take place on such biomaterial surfaces. Therefore, the present study was to investigate the interactions of DCs with osteoblasts on titanium surfaces. DCs seeded on PT and SLA titanium surfaces were compared by assays for the proliferations, surface markers, and inflammatory genes expressions.