Paper-based material with hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties: Advanced packaging materials for food applications.

The environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution have prompted the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives to disposable plastic packaging and utensils. Paper-based materials, derived from renewable resources such as wood pulp, non-wood pulp (bamboo pulp, straw pulp, reed pulp, etc.), and recycled paper fibers, are distinguished by their recyclability and biodegradability, making them promising substitutes in the field of plastic food packaging. Despite their merits, challenges like porosity, hydrophilicity, limited barrier properties, and a lack of functionality have restricted their packaging potential. To address these constraints, researchers have introduced antimicrobial agents, hydrophobic substances, and other functional components to improve both physical and functional properties. This enhancement has resulted in notable improvements in food preservation outcomes in real-world scenarios. This paper offers a comprehensive review of recent progress in hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials. In addition to outlining the characteristics and functions of commonly used antimicrobial substances in food packaging, it consolidates the current research landscape and preparation techniques for hydrophobic paper. Furthermore, the paper explores the practical applications of hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials in agricultural produce, meat, and seafood, as well as ready-to-eat food packaging. Finally, challenges in production, application, and recycling processes are outlined to ensure safety and efficacy, and prospects for the future development of antimicrobial hydrophobic paper-based materials are discussed. Overall, the emergence of hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials stands out as a robust alternative to plastic food packaging, offering a compelling solution with superior food preservation capabilities. In the future, paper-based materials with antimicrobial and hydrophobic functionalities are expected to further enhance food safety as promising packaging materials.

Magnetic controlled capsule endoscope (MCCE)'s diagnostic performance for H. pylori infection status based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the Kyoto classification of gastritis can accurately predict H. pylori infection status on conventional gastroscopy. The aim of this study was to test whether the Kyoto classification of gastritis applies well to magnetic controlled capsule endoscopy (MCCE). METHODS: We consecutively recruited 227 participants who underwent both MCCE and urea breath tests (UBTs). Two physicians who were blinded to the UBT results independently made the diagnosis of H. pylori infection status according to 10 findings listed in the Kyoto classification of gastritis after reviewing MCCE images. We also developed 2 predictive models to assess H. pylori infection status by combining these 10 findings. RESULTS: The MCCE's overall diagnostic accuracy for H. pylori infection status was 80.2%. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for current infection were 89.4%, 90.1% and 77.1, respectively. Major specific findings were mucosal swelling and spotty redness for current infection, regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC), streak redness, fundic gland polyp (FGP) for noninfection, and map-like redness for past-infection. In the two prediction models, the area under the curve (AUC) values for predicting noninfection and current infection were 84.7 and 84.9, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Kyoto classification of gastritis applied well to MCCE. H. pylori infection status could be accurately assessed on MCCE according to the Kyoto classification of gastritis.

Primary characterization of the immune responses in Tibetan pigs infected with Chinese Tibet isolate of Trichinella spiralis.

BACKGROUND: Trichinellosis, caused by Trichinella spiralis, is a serious foodborne parasitic zoonosis. Tibetan pig is an infrequent, endemic plateau pig species, mainly distributed in Tibet Plateau, China. Because of the free-range system, Tibetan pigs are at risk of infection with Trichinella. The present study aimed to primarily profile the characteristics of T. spiralis infection in Tibetan pigs, including IgG levels, larvae burdens, and cytokines. RESULTS: The immune responses to Chinese Tibet T. spiralis isolate infection in Tibetan pigs with different doses were investigated in a tracking duration of 49 days. The muscle larvae per gram (lpg) were evaluated at 105 days post-infection (dpi). The results showed that the mean larval number of T. spiralis in Tibetan pigs increased with infective dose, with average lpg values of 3.5, 50.4 and 115.6 for Tibetan pigs infected with 200, 2,000, and 20,000 muscle larvae (ML) of T. spiralis. The anti-Trichinella IgG increased with inoculum dose and dpi, and peaked at 49 dpi. The kinetics of cytokines in the sera was detected by microarray, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-8, IL-12, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Granulocyte-macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1. The Th1/Th2 mixed cytokines were detectable in all samples. Interleukin-12 demonstrated the highest concentration compared to other cytokines and peaked at 42 dpi. Almost all cytokines were maintained at a high level at 42 dpi. Additionally, we also report a Trichinella seropositive rate of 43.9 % (18 out of 41) from field samples of Tibetan pigs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed an increased Th1/Th2 mixed cytokines in Tibetan pigs elicited by T. spiralis. The high seroprevalence of Trichinella infection in field samples of Tibetan pigs further raises serious concern for the prevention and control of trichinellosis in this host for public health safety.

Tracheal Injury during Endoscopic Transoral Vestibular Approach Thyroidectomy: A Case Report.

This report describes the intraoperative course of endoscopic thyroidectomy by oral vestibular approach in a female patient. This operation is new, and its perioperative management is not yet mature. In this case, the surgery resulted in trachea injury that could not be detected easily. As a result, the patient suddenly developed acute dyspnea and circulatory disorder. This procedure requires caution in surgical execution and anesthesia management.

The Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire: reliability analysis and diagnostic value.

BACKGROUND: While the Ohkuma questionnaire is a simple, reliable, and easy-to-use tool to assess dysphagia, none of its versions can be used by the Chinese population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the internal consistency, reliability and clinical validity of a newly made Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire, and to provide some objective basis for its application in screening dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 21 to June 2022, 96 patients with dysphagia and 89 asymptomatic subjects were recruited from three hospitals in China to form an observation and a control group, respectively. All subjects completed the Ohkuma questionnaire, Eating Assessment Tool-10, and a Video Fluoroscopy Study of Swallowing. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α coefficient measured in the questionnaire was 0.867, indicating acceptable internal reliability. The analysis of variance generated four main factors to be assessed, showing a good aggregation effectiveness of the questionnaire. The AVE square root values of three factors were greater than the maximum absolute value of the correlation coefficients between factors, indicating good differentiation effectiveness. The sensitivity and specificity scores, together with the positive and negative likelihood as well as diagnostic odds ratios indicate a good reactivity of the questionnaire. Lastly, after adjusting for age and sex, the results of the stepwise linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the Ohkuma questionnaire and the penetration aspiration scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the Ohkuma questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and can be used as a rapid and effective screening tool for dysphagia.

Erythromycin attenuates oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence via the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background and Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is proposed to hasten lung aging. Erythromycin protects against oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, the potential anti-senescence effect of erythromycin remains disclosed. In the present study, we investigated whether erythromycin influenced oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence and investigated its related mechanisms. Methods: A cigarrete smoke (CS) -induced emphysema mouse model and a H2O2-induced premature senescence model in human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) were established. Senescence-related markers (P53, P21 and SA-ß-Gal activity), and levels of oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, SOD and ROS) were measured. Additionally, cells were pretreated with rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) or erythromycin, and the expression levels of components of the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway were measured in BEAS-2B cells. Results: Exposed to H2O2, increased SA-ß-gal activity was observed in BEAS-2B cells suggesting premature senescence. Erythromycin inhibited the expression of P53 and P21 in the CS-induced emphysema mouse model. MDA levels significantly increased and SOD levels decreased in the CS-exposed mice and H2O2-induced BEAS-2B cells. Rapamycin and erythromycin significantly suppressed the expression of P53 and P21. Additionally, rapamycin and erythromycin inhibited the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that erythromycin ameliorates oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence via the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway. Hence, we establish a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of erythromycin for COPD prevention and treatment.

The spillover of tourism development on CO2 emissions: a spatial econometric analysis.

Climate change and tourism's interaction and vulnerability have been among the most hotly debated topics recently. In this context, the study focuses on how CO2 emissions, the primary cause of global warming and climate change, respond to changes in tourism development. In order to do so, the impact of tourism development on CO2 emissions in the most visited countries is investigated. A panel data from 2000 to 2017 for top 70 tourist countries are analysed using a spatial econometric method to investigate the spatial effect of tourism on environmental pollution. The direct, indirect, and overall impact of tourism on CO2 emissions are estimated using the most appropriate generalized nested spatial econometric (GNS) method. The findings reveal that tourism has a positive direct effect and a negative indirect effect; both are significant at the 1% level. The negative indirect effect of tourism is greater than its direct positive effect, implying an overall significantly negative impact. Further, the outcome of financial development and CO2 emissions have an inverted U-shaped and U-shaped relationship in direct and indirect impacts. Population density, trade openness, and economic growth significantly influence environmental pollution. In addition, education expenditure and infrastructure play a significant moderating role among tourism and environmental pollution. The results have important policy implications as they establish an inverted-U-shaped relationship among tourism and CO2 emissions and indicate that while a country's emissions initially rise with the tourism industry's growth, it begins declining after a limit.

Thermoacoustic Tomography of In Vivo Human Finger Joints.

OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) to reveal anatomic structures of in vivo human finger joints. METHODS: all the participating volunteers provided written informed consent. Eight healthy middle and index fingers from five volunteers were imaged in vivo by our TAT imaging system. Axial T1-weighted MR imaging (3.0 T) was used to validate the TAT findings. Comparative analyses between TAT and MRI images were performed in two dimension for all the fingers imaged. Three-dimensional (3-D) images and animations were also obtained for some of the fingers thermoacoustically scanned. RESULTS: various intra- and extra-articular tissues were identified in TAT images in high fidelity. These TAT images matched well with the MRI images. Both the 3-D images and animations effectively displayed the extension and transformation of the entire finger along the axis. CONCLUSION: TAT can noninvasively visualize anatomic structures of the finger joints based on the electrical properties of the joint tissues. The results obtained indicate that TAT may have the potential to contribute to the detection of joint and bone diseases. SIGNIFICANCE: this study represents the first for TAT of in vivo human joints and fingers. This study reveals that TAT can effectively recover both soft and hard tissues of the healthy interphalangeal joints, which provides a foundation for its clinical application to detection and diagnosis of joint and bone diseases.

[Application of carbon nanoparticles as lymph node tracers in patients with cN0 lingual squamous cell carcinoma un-dergoing neck dissection].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the value of carbon nanoparticles as lymph node tracers in neck dissection for cN0 lingual squamous cell carcinoma patients. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with cN0 lingual squamous cell carcinoma were recruited to undergo surgical treatment were randomly divided into two groups, namely, the carbon nanoparticle-labeled group (the experimental group, 50 cases) and the control group (46 cases). Carbon nanoparticle suspension was injected into the submucosal layer around the site of the primary tumor at three or four points (0.1 mL for each point) 12 h before surgery. Supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND, Levels Ⅰ to Ⅲ) or comprehensive neck dissection (CND, Levels Ⅰto Ⅴ) were performed based on the size and location of the primary tumor. All the lymph nodes were dissected and separated from the ex vivo surgical specimens for histopathological evaluation. The number, size, location, and pathological result of all the lymph nodes were compared between the two groups. Statistical analyses were conducted by SPSS 19.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 1 137 lymph nodes were detected in 31 SOHND patients. The average number of lymph nodes detected in the experimental group was (43.79±19.23) /case, which was significantly higher than that in the control group [(30.82±8.77) /case] (P=0.019). Level Ⅲ covered the largest number of lymph nodes in the two groups. However, the number and proportion of lymph nodes found in Level Ⅱ of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P=0.000). A total of 3 938 lymph nodes were detected in 65 CND patients. The average number of lymph nodes detected in the experimental group [(66.67±20.02) /case] was larger than that in the control group [(53.03±20.98) /case] (P=0.026). The difference in the lymph node location between the two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.354). In the two neck dissection methods, both the proportion of minute lymph nodes and the accuracy of the detected lymph nodes in the experimental group were significantly larger than those in the control groups (P=0.000). Compared with the control group, more metastases were proven by the carbon nanoparticle-labeled lymph nodes (P=0.000) in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Carbon nanoparticles as lymph node tracers in patients with cN0 lingual squamous cell carcinoma undergoing neck dissection can increase the number of detected lymph nodes, especially the minute nodes. Such nanoparticles can further ensure the thoroughness of neck dissection and the accuracy of clinicopathological stage.

Is functional state of spinal microglia involved in the anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects of electroacupuncture in rat model of monoarthritis?

Spinal microglia play a key role for creating exaggerated pain following tissues inflammation or injury. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively control the exaggerated pain both in humans with inflammatory disease and animals with experimental inflammatory pain. However, little is known about the relationship between spinal glial activation and EA analgesia. Using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR analysis, and behavioral testing, the present study demonstrated that (1) Unilateral intra-articular injection of CFA produced a robust microglial activation and the up-regulation of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL-1beta), and IL-6 mRNA levels in the spinal cord; (2) Repeated intrathecal (i.t.) injection of minocycline (100 microg), a microglial inhibitor, or EA stimulation of ipsilateral "Huantiao"(GB30) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) acupoints significantly suppressed CFA-induced nociceptive behavioral hypersensitivity and spinal microglial activation; (3) Combination of EA with minocycline significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of EA on allodynia and hyperalgesia. For the first time, these data provide direct evidence for the involvement of spinal microglial functional state in anti-nociception of EA. Thus, anti-neuroinflammatory effect of EA might be considered as one of the mechanisms of its anti-arthritic pain effects, and thereby a multidisciplinary integrated approach to treating symptoms related to arthritis might be raised.