The prevalence of various diseases caused by bacteria has been increasing, and some traditional antibiotics have been reported to have varying degrees of resistance. ZnO nanomaterials (ZnO-NMs), due to their excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, lasting antibacterial effects, and excellent biocompatibility, have quickly become the research focus of new antibacterial agents. While the narrow light response range of ZnO-NMs has limited the antibacterial performance to some extent and modifying it by various means to improve its response under visible light, such as doping metal/non-metal atoms, depositing noble metals and coupling carbon materials, which is a new research hotspot. Herein, the current mainstream claims about the antibacterial mechanisms and applications of ZnO-NMs are reviewed.

Background: The synergistic effect of chemical element doping and surface modification is considered a novel way to regulate cell biological responses and improve the osteoinductive ability of biomaterials. Methods: Hydroxyapatite (HAp) bioceramics with micro-nano-hybrid (a mixture of microrods and nanorods) surfaces and different strontium (Sr) doping contents of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20% (Sr_x-mnHAp, x: 2.5, 5, 10 and 20%) were prepared via a hydrothermal transformation method. The effect of Sr_x-mnHAp on osteogenesis and angiogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) was evaluated in vitro, and the bioceramics scaffolds were further implanted into rat calvarial defects for the observation of bone regeneration in vivo. Results: HAp bioceramics with micro-nano-hybrid surfaces (mnHAp) could facilitate cell spreading, proliferation ability, ALP activity, and gene expression of osteogenic and angiogenic factors, including COL1, BSP, BMP-2, OPN, VEGF, and ANG-1. More importantly, Sr_x-mnHAp (x: 2.5, 5, 10 and 20%) further promoted cellular osteogenic activity, and Sr₁₀-mnHAp possessed the best stimulatory effect. The results of calvarial defects revealed that Sr₁₀-mnHAp could promote more bone and blood vessel regeneration, with mnHAp and HAp bioceramics (dense and flat surfaces) as compared. Conclusion: The present study suggests that HAp bioceramics with micro-nano-hybrid surface and Sr doping had synergistic promotion effects on bone regeneration, which can be a promising material for bone defect repair.

BACKGROUND: Scar is one of the most common complications for patients with cleft lip. Fractional CO2 laser is an effective method to improve the appearance of scars. However, there are no published articles about the optimal time for applying. OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal time to apply a fractional CO₂ laser for the treatment of postsecondary repair scars in patients with cleft lip. METHODS: Forty-two patients with linear scarring after cleft lip repair were recruited from November 2021 to October 2022. A single-blind, randomized, controlled cohort study was conducted to examine the impact of fractional CO₂ laser treatment compared with conventional conservative treatment. Thirty patients started laser treatment at 1 month (n = 10), 3 months (n = 10), and 6 months (n = 10) postoperatively, and 12 patients were in the control group. Each patient was treated with high-energy low-density fractional CO₂ laser treatment 3 times at an interval of 1 month. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used for scar evaluation to determine vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and height. RESULTS: The VSS scores decreased significantly after laser treatment (p < .05), with the most significant improvement in scars in the group that started treatment 1 month after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative fractional CO₂ laser treatment of cleft lip scars is more effective than later treatment.

Objective: This study is the first prospective within-patient self-controlled research seeking to investigate the safety and efficacy of 595 nm pulsed-dye laser (PDL) for the treatment of cleft-lip scars. Approach: This prospective, randomized, self-controlled study is based on the clinical records of the patients who received laser-assisted treatment due to bilateral cleft-lip scars. The bilateral scars were randomly assigned to the 595 nm PDL group with five consecutive sessions at 2-week intervals or control group in a blinded manner of evaluators, with subsequent follow-up for 6 months after the final treatment. Clinical efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ), and other objective evaluations. Results: A total of 18 patients were included. The 595 nm PDL-treated sides showed statistically significant improvement in VSS after treatment at follow-up compared with the baseline ( p < 0.05). Interestingly, the 595 nm-PDL-treated side achieved significantly better improvement in scar pigmentation and pliability ( p < 0.05). Though there was statistically significant difference between two groups ( p < 0.05), the gap in overall PSAQ is not obvious. And comparison by area and coloring evaluation (E/M index) also suggests that the responses of scars to treatment by PDL were slightly improved ( p < 0.05). Innovation and Conclusion: It is the first time to apply the 595nm PDL for cleft-lip scars. It would be a better choice for the early treatment of red scar with proliferative tendency after cleft-lip surgery.