Cotton Fibers with a Lactic Acid-Like Surface for Re-establishment of Protective Lactobacillus Microbiota by Selectively Inhibiting Vaginal Pathogens.

Failure to reconstruct the Lactobacillus microbiota is the major reason for the recurrence of vaginal infection. However, most empiric therapies focus on the efficacy of pathogen elimination but do not sufficiently consider the viability of Lactobacillus. Herein, cotton fibers with a lactic acid-like surface (LC) are fabricated by NaIO4 oxidation and L-isoserine grafting. The lactic acid analog chain ends and imine structure of LC can penetrate cell walls to cause protein cleavage in Escherichia coli and Candida albicans and inhibit vaginal pathogens. Meanwhile, the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus is unaffected by the LC treatment, thus revealing a selective way to suppress pathogens as well as provide a positive route to re-establish protective microbiota in the vaginal tract. Moreover, LC has excellent properties such as good biosafety, antiadhesion, water absorption, and weight retention. The strategy proposed here not only is practical, but also provides insights into the treatment of vaginal infections.

Molecularly imprinted polymers on the surface of silica microspheres via sol-gel method for the selective extraction of streptomycin in aqueous samples.

Streptomycin-imprinted silica microspheres were prepared by combining a surface molecular-imprinting technique with the sol-gel method. A mixture of tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, and water (6:1:1, v/v/v) was selected as dispersing solvent while 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and triethoxyphenylsilane acted as functional monomers, and tetraethyl orthosilicate as a cross-linker. Characterization of the molecularly imprinted polymers was conducted using scanning electron microscope and dynamic binding experiments. As compared to the nonimprinted polymers, the imprinted polymers exhibited a higher degree of saturated adsorption volume up to 26.3 mg/g, and better selectivity even in an aqueous solution with interfering compounds, including dihydrostreptomycin, neomycin, and tetracycline. The adsorption ability and selectivity were observed to be influenced by the mole ratio of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and triethoxyphenylsilane. Feasibility of the polymers to be used for actual application was also evaluated with spiked samples, indicating great potential for large-scale applications. Moreover, the streptomycin-imprinted polymers can be repeatedly used for 12 cycles without losing original performance, which is beneficial for commercial use.

Allogeneic stem cells seeded tissue engineered bladder: a possible alternative for bladder reconstruction and treatment to bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer remains a difficult management problem, because of the high recurrence rate or the functional disorder of bladder post radical cystectomy. The autologous tissue engineering techniques have been advanced enough to reconstruct functional bladders for patients with myelomeningocele, but not capable for bladder cancer patients. On the other hand, allogeneic stem cells share the same multipotential, self-renewing and multi differentiated abilities with autologous ones, and would present anti-tumor effects when transplanted to recipients. Since the stem cells seeded tissue engineering techniques for bladder regeneration have already been feasible, a hypothesis was then proposed that the allogeneic stem cells seeded tissue engineered bladder would be a possible alternative for functional bladder reconstructions and treatments for bladder cancer recurrences and latent metastases postoperatively.

Cancer stem-like cells in human prostate carcinoma cells DU145: the seeds of the cell line?

The aim of this study is to investigate cancer stem cells and their markers in the prostate cancer cell line Du145. Different populations of cells were isolated from Du145. The clones formed by CD44+ integrinalpha(2)beta(1)+CD133+ cells are remarkably different morphologically and quantitatively from those formed by integrinalpha(2)beta(1)(-/low)CD133(-) cells. CD133(+) cells have the capacity for self renewal, extensive differentiation potential, and high proliferative and tumorigenic potential. CD34+ and CD117+ cells have no stem cell properties. Expression levels of c-myc and beta-catenin were elevated and bax was down regulated in CD44+ integrinalpha(2)beta(1)+CD133+ cells. In summary, CD44, integrinalpha(2)beta(1) and CD133 could be the cancer stem cell makers for the Du145 cell line. CD133+ cells differed significantly from CD44+ integrinalpha(2)beta(1)(-/low)CD133- cells and the total population in clone generation, genes expression, differentiation, proliferative and tumorigenic potential.

Epidural catheters can facilitate laparoscopic placement of ureteral stent: description of a technique.

AIM: To introduce a novel technique for laparoscopic placement of ureteral stent and to investigate the safety and effectiveness of this new method. METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent laparoscopic placement of ureteral stents with the technique. The stent was indwelled with an epidural catheter, delivered to the operative field, and placed through the ureteral incision into the renal pelvis and bladder, respectively. The stent was then secured with pincers, while the epidural catheter was removed. RESULTS: With this method, the ureteral stent insertion is very convenient and time saving (the mean time for inserting a stent was 2.7 min). The stents were successfully inserted into 13 patients once. One patient underwent insertion of the stent twice intraoperatively. Thirty days after the operations, none of double-J stents had migrated out of the renal pelvis or bladder. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is reliable and effective in laparoscopic ureteral operations. Its use should be generalized in laparoscopic ureteral operations.