Magnetic ion-imprinted polyacrylonitrile-chitosan electro-spun nanofibrous membrane as recyclable adsorbent with selective heavy metal removal and antibacterial fouling in water treatment.

Water pollution has become one of the most concerned environmental issues on the worldwide scale. Due to the harmfulness of the heavy metal ions and microorganisms in wastewater, novel filtration membranes for water treatment are expected to simultaneously clear these pollutants. Herein, the electro-spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based magnetic ion-imprinted membrane (MIIM) were fabricated to achieve both selective removal of Pb(II) ions and excellent antibacterial efficiency. The competitive removal experiments showed that the MIIM displayed efficiently selective removal of Pb(II) (45.4 mg·g-1). Pseudo-second-order mode and Langmuir isotherm equation is well matched with the equilibrium adsorption. The MIIM showed sustained removal performance (~79.0 %) against Pb(II) ions after 7 adsorption-desorption cycles with negligible Fe ions loss of 7.3 %. Moreover, the MIIM exhibited excellent antibacterial properties that >90 % of E. coli and S. aureus were killed by the MIIM. In conclusion, the MIIM provides a novel technological platform for integration of multi-function with selective metal ions removal, excellent cycling reusability, and enhanced antibacterial fouling property, which can be potentially utilized as a promising adsorbent in actual treatment of polluted water.

Zwitterionic meso-silica/polypeptide hybrid nanoparticles for efficient azithromycin delivery and photodynamic therapy for synergistic treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infection.

The treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections attributed to the overuse of antibiotics still remains a serious challenge globally. Herein, zwitterionic charge switchable meso-silica/polypeptide hybrid nanoparticles (MSPNs) were prepared for the synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy in the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections. Subsequently, azithromycin (AZT) and methylene blue (MB) were loaded in the MSPNs to form the combined chemo-photodynamic therapeutic nanoparticles (MSPNs-AZT/MB) for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Remarkably, the as-prepared MSPNs-AZT/MB exhibited a negative surface charge of -5.2 mV at physiological pH while switching into positive surface charge of 24.7 mv in an acidic environment, leading to enhanced binding with bacterial surface. The lipase-triggered AZT release up to 77.9 % was achieved, and the loaded MB demonstrated efficient singlet oxygen (1O2) generation for photodynamic therapy. The in vitro experimental results displayed an excellent antibacterial effect against MRSA in both planktonic and biofilm phenotypes. Additionally, the as-prepared MSPNs-AZT/MB exhibited synergistic and enhanced antibacterial infection effect up to 94 % comparing to monotherapy in a mice model. Considering the above advantages, the as-prepared combined chemo-photodynamic therapeutic nanoparticles showed promising biocompatibility and clinical potential for the efficient therapy of drug-resistant bacteria.

Surface charge switchable nano-micelle for pH/redox-triggered and endosomal escape mediated co-delivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel in treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Recently, the stimulus-sensitive drug co-delivery system has gained increasing attentions in the clinic and exhibits improved efficiency rather than the mono-chemotherapy in anti-tumor therapy. Herein, the smart charge switchable nano-micelles (NMs) were fabricated for the endosomal escape mediated co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) in treatment of lung adenocarcinoma. The disulfide bonds were facilitated as the linker of the polymer backbone to achieve the redox-sensitive degradation by high intracellular GSH, and acid-liable DMMA was grafted onto DOX molecules for pH-triggered drug release under acidic tumoral microenvironment. Folic acid (FA) was utilized as targeting molecule for facilitating entry of the as prepared NMs into cancer cells. Remarkably, the as fabricated NMs exhibited surface charge-switch from negative to positive during transmitting from physiological pH to the tumor extracellular pH, which can improve the cellular internalization towards cancer cell. Subsequently, the "proton-sponge" effect mediated endosome escape of the NMs was facilitated in the acidic endo/lysosome environment. By the cell assay, the NMs possessed good biocompatibility, excellent cellular uptake, and improved inhibition rate against cancer cell. Moreover, the co-delivery of DOX/PTX exhibited synergistic and enhanced solid tumor inhibition efficiency comparing to mono-chemotherapy in A-549 tumor bearing mice model. Based on above experimental results, the as prepared drug co-delivery system showed promising biosafety and potentials for efficient lung adenocarcinoma treatment in clinic.

Gold nanorods conjugated with biocompatible zwitterionic polypeptide for combined chemo-photothermal therapy of cervical cancer.

Combined chemo-photothermal therapy of gold nanorods (GNRs) for cancer treatment shows better therapeutic efficiency than mono-chemotherapy, which has gained worldwide interests of scientists and clinician in both laboratory and clinic application. However, high cytotoxicity, declined delivery efficiency, and unsatisfactory therapy effect of the GNRs are still challenging in anti-cancer treatment. Herein, a series of pH-sensitively zwitterionic polypeptide conjugated GNRs were synthesized via a gold-thiol interaction for combination of chemo-photothermal therapy in cervical cancer treatment. The acid-labile hydrazone bond was utilized to incorporate the doxorubicin (DOX) for pH-sensitive drug release under tumoral environment. The as prepared GNRs conjugates demonstrated pH-triggered surface charge conversion from negative to positive when transporting from blood circulation to tumor extracellular environment, which can facilitate the cellular uptake via electrostatic interaction. After cellular internalization, the drug release was promoted by cleavage of the hydrazone in GNRs conjugates under cancer intracellular acid environment. As the effective near-infrared (NIR) photothermal materials, the as prepared GNRs conjugates can absorb NIR photo energy and convert it into heat under irradiation, which can efficiently kill the tumor cells. In cell assay, the GNRs conjugates displayed excellent biocompatibility against normal cell, enhanced cancer cell uptake, and remarkable cancer cell killing effects. In HeLa tumor-bearing mice, the GNRs conjugates demonstrated enhanced tumor inhibition efficacy by combination of chemo-photothermal therapy.

Safety and Efficacy of Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatic Hemangiomas: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and minimally invasive technique for the management of hepatic hemangiomas (HHs). This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic RFA for HHs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with 50 hepatic hemangiomas (5-10 cm in diameter) undergoing laparoscopic RFA from January 2012 to May 2015 at three tertiary hospitals in China were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with subcapsular hemangiomas were treated with a laparoscopic approach, and 11 patients with lesions in the liver parenchyma were treated with a combined laparoscopy and an ultrasound-guided percutaneous approach. No conversion to open surgery or two-step surgery occurred during the study period. Patients with small hemangiomas (< 7 cm) required a significantly shorter operating time (71.1 ± 20.18 min vs. 106 ± 23.55 min, p = 0.000) and fewer punctures compared with patients with large hemangiomas (> 7 cm) (4.61 ± 1.09 vs. 6.73 ±1.01, P < 0.05). According to the Dindo-Clavien classification, 15 patients experienced 34 Grade 1 complications, and two had complications of Grade 3a. All complications were resolved by conservative treatment. Forty-three (86.0%) HHs in 38 patients were completely ablated after RFA, and 7 (14.0%) HHs in 6 patients were incompletely ablated. All patients were followed up for 6-24 months (mean 15 ± 6 months). CONCLUSION: The data showed that laparoscopic RFA is an effective treatment for small (< 10 cm) HHs. While the incidence of postoperative complications remains high, the majority of complications are minor. Patients undergoing laparoscopic RFA for HHs, even for the small ones, should be carefully selected.

Effects of polysaccharides from the base of Flammulina Velutipes stipe on growth of murine RAW264.7, B16F10 and L929 cells.

A polysaccharide (FVSP) was isolated from the base of Flammuliana Velutipes stipe, and FVSP was further purified by DEAE-cellulose-52 chromatography and Sephadex G-100 size-exclusion chromatography to obtain three fractions named FVSP-1, FVSP-2 and FVSP-3. Then their activation of macrophage cell RAW 264.7 and anti-proliferative effects to the murine melanoma B16F10 and fibroblasts L929 cells were evaluated by using the cell model experiments. The results indicated that the polysaccharide fractions could increase the proliferation and phagocytic activity of macrophage significantly and play an inhibited effect on the cancer cells. Moreover, the anti-proliferative activities of FVSPs increased with the participation of the antitumor factors induced from macrophage by polysaccharides fractions. Taken together, these results indicated that three polysaccharides fractions from the base of F. Velutipes stipe may be useful as potent antitumor agents for the prevention of tumorigenesis.

Appropriate Patient Selection Is Essential for the Success of Primary Closure After Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is being increasingly used for management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Primary CBD closure has been reported to have better short-term outcomes compared to T-tube placement. However, primary CBD closure cannot be performed in all patients. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of LCBDE with primary CBD closure in appropriately selected patients and compare them with T-tube drainage. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LCBDE in our department from June 2011 to October 2014 was performed. Primary closure was performed in 52 patients (group A), and a T-tube was placed in 33 patients (group B). Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, postoperative stay, complications, and long-term follow-up data were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The mean operating time was much longer in group A compared to group B (113.92 vs. 95.92 min, p = 0.032). The overall complication rate (9.6 vs. 6.3%, p = 0.701) and hospital stay (4 vs. 5.11 days, p = 0.088) were similar in both groups. No patient required conversion to the open procedure. Bile leakage was more frequent in group A (5.78 vs. 0%, p = 0.279), but this was not statistically significant. All three patients with bile leakage were treated successfully by conservative measures and gradual drain withdrawal. On long-term follow-up, recurrent stones were detected in two patients in group A. No patient was found to develop CBD stricture. CONCLUSION: LCBDE and primary CBD closure has excellent short- and long-term outcomes when performed in appropriately selected patients.

Immunopotentiation of Pleurotus eryngii (DC. ex Fr.) Quel.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pleurotus eryngii (DC. ex Fr.) Quel has been collected from the wild, cultivated and used in traditional medicines to treat various disorders and diseases since antiquity. In traditional Chinese medicine, the powdered fruiting bodies of Pleurotus eryngii were used for immunostimulation, skin-care, wound-healing, cancer and lumbago treatment. In the current study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of Pleurotus eryngii powder on A549, BGC-823, HepG2 and HGC-27 cancer cells and its immunomodulating activity on macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells based on its active compound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel bioactive protein (PEP) was extracted from Pleurotus eryngii fruiting bodies powder and purified on DEAE-52, CM-52 and Superdex 75 column chromatographies using an ÄKTA purifier. Its cytotoxicity on A549, BGC-823, HepG2, HGC-27 and RAW 267.4 cell lines was then evaluated using MTT, alamar blue (AB), trypan blue (TB), neutral red (NR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Annexin V FITC/PI and morphological change assays. Moreover, lysosomal enzyme activity, pinocytosis, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production assays were used to examine immunomostimulatory activity of PEP on RAW 267.4 cells. RESULTS: Based on high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, the isolated protein (PEP) had a molecular weight of 63 kDa, a secondary (α-helical) structure and was mainly composed of arginine, serine and glycine. PEP significantly (P<0.05) inhibited A549, BGC-823, HepG2 and HGC-27 tumor cells proliferation dose-dependently with an IC50 range of 36.5 ± 0.84 to 229.0 ± 1.24 µg/ml. Contrarily, PEP stimulated the proliferation of macrophages. CONCLUSION: Pleurotus eryngii fruiting bodies powder has a potential application as a natural antitumor agent with immunomodulatory activity, proposedly, by targeting the lysosomes of cancerous cells and stimulating macrophage-mediated immune responses.

A successful treatment of traumatic bronchobiliary fistula by endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage.

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare condition in which there is a nonnatural communication between the biliary tract and the bronchial trees. It is usually aroused by the complications of hepatic hydatidosis, hepatic amebic, biliary obstruction, trauma, neoplasm and hepatic abscess formation. In this paper, we described a patient suffering from BBF that is secondary to trauma or surgery. Especially, BBF was detected in the left lung. Finally, we managed this case successfully without an open surgery.

[Determination of mineral elements in two grades of three green tea varieties by ICP-AES].

Green tea, a traditional healthy drink, has various necessary nutrients. A study was carried out on the contents of mineral elements such as Ni, Ba, Fe, Mn, Cr, Mg, Ca, Cu and Al in two grades of three green tea varieties by ICP-AES. The difference in contents of mineral elements between green teas was studied. The results indicated that there are different contents of mineral elements among varieties and grades of green tea. A basis for consumption, varieties identification and grades judgment was provided by the study.