The Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgerypreviously co published two guest editorials, on “Reducing the Risks of Nuclear War— the Role of Health Professionals”¹and “Time to Treat the Climate and Nature Crisis as One Indivisible Global Health Emergency”²that addressed dual potentially catastrophic concerns that both place us “on the brink.”³

By co-publishing these guest editorials, the Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery joined the call for “health professional associations to inform their members worldwide about the threat to human survival and to join with the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) to support efforts to reduce the near-term risks of nuclear war.”¹As enumerated in the editorial,¹we urged three immediate steps that should be taken by nuclear-armed states and their allies: 1) adopt a no first use policy;⁴2) take their nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert; and 3) urge all states involved in current conflicts to pledge publicly and unequivocally that they will not use nuclear weapons in these conflicts.It is alarming that noprogress has been made on these measures.

Thus, on our 44th Anniversary, we join over 150 scholarly scientific journals worldwide in co-publishing another Guest Editorial on “Ending Nuclear Weapons, Before They End Us.”⁵We call on the World Health Assembly (WHA) to vote this May on re establishing a mandate for the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the consequences of nuclear weapons and war,6and urge health professionals and their associations (including otolaryngologists – head and neck surgeons, all surgeons and physicians, and the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Philippine College of Surgeons, Philippine College of Physicians,
Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecologic Society, Philippine Society of Anesthesiology, Philippine College of Radiology, Philippine Society of Pathologists, other specialty and subspecialty societies, and the Philippine Medical Association) to urge the Philippine Government to support such a mandate and support the new United Nations (UN) comprehensive study on the effects of nuclear war.⁷

war ; armed conflicts ; Nuclear Energy ; Atomic Energy ; Radiation ; Nuclear Weapons

war ; Armed Conflicts ; Nuclear Energy ; Atomic Energy ; Radiation ; Nuclear Weapons

Self-assembly refers to the spontaneous process where basic units such as molecules and nanostructured materials form a stable and compact structure. Peptides can self-assemble by non-covalent driving forces to form various morphologies such as nanofibers, nano layered structures, and micelles. Peptide self-assembly technology has become a hot research topic in recent years due to the advantages of definite amino acid sequences, easy synthesis and design of peptides. It has been shown that the self-assembly design of certain peptide drugs or the use of self-assembled peptide materials as carriers for drug delivery can solve the problems such as short half-life, poor water solubility and poor penetration due to physiological barrier. This review summarizes the formation mechanism of self-assembled peptides, self-assembly morphology, influencing factors, self-assembly design methods and major applications in biomedical field, providing a reference for the efficient use of peptides.
Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Peptides/chemistry* ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Nanostructures/chemistry* ; Drug Delivery Systems

Objective: To study the correlation between ceramic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and explore its related risk factors. Methods: In January 2021, five representative ceramic enterprises were selected from Chancheng District, Nanhai District, Gaoming District and Sanshui District of Foshan City. The ceramic workers who came to Chancheng Hospital of Foshan First People's Hospital for physical examination from January to October 2021 were selected as the research objects, and 525 people were included. Conduct questionnaire survey and pulmonary function test. Logistic regresion was performed to analyze the influencing facters of COPD among ceramic workers. Results: The subjects were (38.51±1.25) years old, 328 males and 197 females, and the detection rate of COPD was 9.52% (50/525). The incidence of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, chronic cough, wheezing and chest tightness, the detection rates of abnormal lung age, abnormal lung function and COPD in males were higher than those in females (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that male, age, working years, smoking status and family history of COPD were the risk factors for COPD among ceramic workers (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The ceramic workers are the high risk population of COPD. We should do a good job in health education, and do a regular physical examination to find the changes of lung function in time, and prevent the occurrence of COPD as soon as possible.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Ceramics ; Health Education ; Hospitals ; Physical Examination

The existing dentin bonding systems based on acid-etching technique lead to the loss of both extrafibrillar and intrafibrillar minerals from dentin collagen, causing excessive demineralization. Because resin monomers can not infiltrate the intrafibrillar spaces of demineralized collagen matrix, degradation of exposed collagen and resin hydrolysis subsequently occur within the hybrid layer, which seriously jeopardizing the longevity of resin-dentin bonding. Collagen extrafibrillar demineralization can effectively avoid the structural defects within the resin-dentin interface caused by acid-etching technique and improve the durability of resin-dentin bonding, by preserving intrafibrillar minerals and selectively demineralizing extrafibrillar dentin. The mechanism and research progress of collagen extrafibrillar demineralization in dentin bonding are reviewed in the paper.
Humans ; Collagen ; Dental Bonding ; Dentin/chemistry* ; Dentin-Bonding Agents/chemistry* ; Materials Testing ; Minerals ; Resin Cements/chemistry* ; Tooth Demineralization

Objective: To fabricate TiO₂ nanotube material functionalized by antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and to explore its effects on biological behaviors such as adhesion and migration of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and its antibacterial properties. Methods: The TiO₂ nanotube array (NT) was constructed on the surface of polished titanium (PT) by anodization, and the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 was loaded on the surface of TiO₂ nanotube (LL-37/NT) by physical adsorption. Three samples were selected by simple random sampling in each group. Surface morphology, roughness, hydrophilicity and release characteristics of LL-37 of the samples were analyzed with a field emission scanning electron microscope, an atomic force microscope, a contact angle measuring device and a microplate absorbance reader. HaCaT cells were respectively cultured on the surface of three groups of titanium samples. Each group had 3 replicates. The morphology of cell was observed by field emission scanning electron microscope. The number of cell adhesion was observed by cellular immunofluorescence staining. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Wound scratch assay was used to observe the migration of HaCaT. The above experiments were used to evaluate the effect of each group on the biological behavior of HaCaT cells. To evaluate their antibacterial effects, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) was respectively inoculated on the surface of three groups of titanium samples. Each group had 3 replicates. The morphology of bacteria was observed by field emission scanning electron microscope. Bacterial viability was determined by live/dead bacterial staining. Results: A uniform array of nanotubes could be seen on the surface of titanium samples in LL-37/NT group, and the top of the tube was covered with granular LL-37. Compared with PT group [the roughness was (2.30±0.18) nm, the contact angle was 71.8°±1.7°], the roughness [(20.40±3.10) and (19.10±4.11) nm] and hydrophilicity (the contact angles were 22.4°±3.1° and 25.3°±2.2°, respectively) of titanium samples increased in NT and LL-37/NT group (P<0.001). The results of in vitro release test showed that the release of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 was characterized by early sudden release (1-4 h) and long-term (1-7 d) slow release. With the immunofluorescence, more cell attachment was found on NT and LL-37/NT than that on PT at the first 0.5 and 2.0 h of culture (P<0.05). The results of CCK-8 showed that there was no significant difference in the proliferation of cells among groups at 1, 3 and 5 days after culture. Wound scratch assay showed that compared with PT and NT group, the cell moved fastest on the surface of titanium samples in LL-37/NT group at 24 h of culture [(96.4±4.9)%] (F=35.55, P<0.001). A monolayer cells could be formed and filled with the scratch in 24 h at LL-37/NT group. The results of bacterial test in vitro showed that compared with the PT group, the bacterial morphology in the NT and LL-37/NT groups was significantly wrinkled, and obvious bacterial rupture could be seen on the surface of titanium samples in LL-37/NT group. The results of bacteria staining showed that the green fluorescence intensity of titanium samples in LL-37/NT group was the lowest in all groups (F=66.54,P<0.001). Conclusions: LL-37/NT is beneficial to the adhesion and migration of HaCaT cells and has excellent antibacterial properties, this provides a new strategy for the optimal design of implant neck materials.
Humans ; Titanium/chemistry* ; Antimicrobial Peptides ; Cathelicidins ; Sincalide ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Nanotubes/chemistry* ; Dental Materials ; Bacteria ; Keratinocytes ; Surface Properties

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term follow-up effect and complications of ceramic on ceramic (CoC) interface and ceramic on polyethyleneon ceramic (CoP) interface in primary total hip arthroplasty, and provide clinical evidence. METHODS: Search PubMed, EMBase, the CoChrane Library databases, Web of science, Wanfang database, and CNKI from January 2000 to September 2021, screening and inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the long-term efficacy and complications of CoC interface and CoP interface in total hip arthroplasty. Literature screening, quality evaluation and data extraction were carried out according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using Review Manager 5.3 statistical software. The software was used to perform statistical analysis on joint function, revision, prosthesis fracture, abnormal joint noise, and prosthesis wear rate after CoC or CoP. RESULTS: Seven RCTs studies were included, including 390 cases of hips with CoC artificial joints and 384 cases of hips with CoP artificial joints. The long-term joint function improvement of CoC and CoP artificial joints was similar and there was no significant differences, with an average difference was MD=0.63, 95%CI=(-1.81, 3.07), P=0.61. About the postoperative complications, CoC artificial joints have higher incidence rate of abnormal joint noise, with odds ratio (OR)=11.05, 95%CI=(2.04, 59.84), P=0.005. CoP artificial joints wear faster, with an average MD=-87.11, 95%CI=(-114.40, -59.82), P<0.000 1. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the replacement-related complications such as joint dislocation, prosthesis loosening, osteolysis, and the rate of prosthesis revision caused by various reasons. CONCLUSION The clinical function results and complications of CoC artificial joints are comparable to those of CoP artificial joints. Although CoP artificial joint prosthesis has a faster wear rate, it does not affect joint function and increase complications, and there is no abnormal joint noise. CoC is expensive and the long-term efficacy is equivalent to CoP. Clinicians should consider cost performance when choosing CoC.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods* ; Hip Prosthesis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Prosthesis Design ; Polyethylene ; Prosthesis Failure ; Reoperation ; Ceramics ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: With the help of finite element analysis, to explore the effect of proximal humeral bone cement enhanced screw plate fixation on the stability of internal fixation of osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture. METHODS: The digital model of unstable proximal humeral fracture with metaphyseal bone defect was made, and the finite element models of proximal humeral fracture bone cement enhanced screw plate fixation and common screw plate fixation were established respectively. The stress of cancellous bone around the screw, the overall stiffness, the maximum stress of the plate and the maximum stress of the screw were analyzed. RESULTS: The maximum stresses of cancellous bone around 6 screws at the head of proximal humeral with bone cement enhanced screw plate fixation were 1.07 MPa for No.1 nail, 0.43 MPa for No.2 nail, 1.16 MPa for No.3 nail, 0.34 MPa for No.4 nail, 1.99 MPa for No.5 nail and 1.57 MPa for No.6 nail. These with common screw plate fixation were:2.68 MPa for No.1 nail, 0.67 MPa for No.2 nail, 4.37 MPa for No.3 nail, 0.75 MPa for No.4 nail, 3.30 MPa for No.5 nail and 2.47 MPa for No.6 nail. Overall stiffness of the two models is 448 N/mm for bone cement structure and 434 N/mm for common structure. The maximum stress of plate appears in the joint hole:701MPa for bone cement structure and 42 0MPa for common structure. The maximum stress of screws appeared at the tail end of No.4 nail:284 MPa for bone cement structure and 240.8 MPa for common structure. CONCLUSION Through finite element analysis, it is proved that the proximal humerus bone cement enhanced screw plate fixation of osteoporotic proximal humeral fracture can effectively reduce the stress of cancellous bone around the screw and enhance the initial stability after fracture operation, thus preventing from penetrating out and humeral head collapsing.
Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Bone Cements ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Shoulder Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humeral Head ; Bone Screws ; Bone Plates

OBJECTIVE: To study microstructure, friction and wear behaviors of silicon-lithium spray coating on the surface of zirconia ceramics and to preliminarily evaluate its esthetic so as to provide support and guidance for the clinical application. METHODS: Zirconia ceramic specimens were randomly divided into three groups: coating group (two subgroups), polishing group (two subgroups), and glazing group (four subgroups), with 10 samples in each subgroup. The two subgroups of coating group were the zirconia ceramics with the untreated and preliminary polishing surfaces sprayed with silicon-lithium coating, respectively. The two subgroups of polishing group were preliminary polishing and fine polishing of zirconia ceramics, respectively. The four subgroups of glazing group were preliminarily polished zirconia ceramics glazed with Biomic and Stain/Glaze products, respectively; and untreated zirconia ceramics glazed with Biomic and Stain/Glaze products, respectively. The above 8 subgroups of zirconia ceramic specimens were used as friction pairs with 80 steatite ceramics for 50 000 chewing cycles under 50 N vertical load and artificial saliva lubrication using chewing simulation. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the microstructure of the surface and section of the coating group, and the thickness of the coating and glazing were measured. The linear roughness of the coating and polishing groups was mea-sured using a laser confocal scanning microscope. Vickers hardness was measured using a microhardness tester and the esthetic of zirconia ceramic full crown sprayed with silicon-lithium coating was preliminarily evaluated. White light interferometer was used to measure the width, the maximum depth and the volume of the wear scars of each group, and the wear depth of steatite ceramics and wear rate of zirconia ceramic specimens were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and Dunn's multiple comparisons test were used to analyze the wear depth of each group (α=0.05). RESULTS: The microstructures of the silica-lithium spray coatings on the untreated and preliminarily polished zirconia ceramic surfaces showed the protruding defects, and the line roughness of coating group was larger than that of the polishing group. The median thickness of the silica-lithium spray coating on the preliminarily polished zirconia ceramic was 13.0 μm (interquartile range, IQR: 11.6, 17.9), while that of the silica-lithium spray coating on the untreated zirconia ceramic was 4.4 μm (IQR: 4.1, 4.7). The Vickers hardness and wear rate of the coating group were between the polishing group and the glazing group. The wear depths of the wear scars of steatite ceramics were the glazing group, coating group, and polishing group in descending order, and there was statistically significant difference between glazing and polishing groups (P < 0.05). With the increase of polishing procedure, the wear depth of steatite ceramics decreased in each subgroups. The orders of maximum depth and volume of wear scars of zirconia ceramic were the glazing group, coating group, and polishing group in descending order, and there was statistically significant difference in the maximum depth of wear scars between glazing and polishing groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The silica-lithium spray coating on the zirconia ceramic, can be used as a new method for zirconia ceramic surface treatment, because it can increase the esthetic of zirconia ceramics compared with polishing and reduce the wear of steatite ceramics compared with glazing.
Humans ; Silicon ; Materials Testing ; Friction ; Lithium ; Cicatrix ; Surface Properties ; Silicon Dioxide ; Zirconium/chemistry* ; Ceramics ; Dental Porcelain