Integrated genomic and functional analyses of human skin-associated Staphylococcus reveal extensive inter- and intra-species diversity.

Human skin is stably colonized by a distinct microbiota that functions together with epidermal cells to maintain a protective physical barrier. Staphylococcus, a prominent genus of the skin microbiota, participates in colonization resistance, tissue repair, and host immune regulation in strain-specific manners. To unlock the potential of engineering skin microbial communities, we aim to characterize the diversity of this genus within the context of the skin environment. We reanalyzed an extant 16S rRNA amplicon dataset obtained from distinct body sites of healthy volunteers, providing a detailed biogeographic depiction of staphylococcal species that colonize our skin. S. epidermidis, S. capitis, and S. hominis were the most abundant staphylococcal species present in all volunteers and were detected at all body sites. Pan-genome analysis of isolates from these three species revealed that the genus-core was dominated by central metabolism genes. Species-restricted-core genes encoded known host colonization functions. The majority (~68%) of genes were detected only in a fraction of isolate genomes, underscoring the immense strain-specific gene diversity. Conspecific genomes grouped into phylogenetic clades, exhibiting body site preference. Each clade was enriched for distinct gene sets that are potentially involved in site tropism. Finally, we conducted gene expression studies of select isolates showing variable growth phenotypes in skin-like medium. In vitro expression revealed extensive intra- and inter-species gene expression variation, substantially expanding the functional diversification within each species. Our study provides an important resource for future ecological and translational studies to examine the role of shared and strain-specific staphylococcal genes within the skin environment.

Neural adaptation of the reward system in primary dysmenorrhea.

Introduction: The brain's reward system (RS) reacts differently to pain and its alleviation. This study examined the correlation between RS activity and behavior during both painful and pain-free periods in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) to elucidate their varying responses throughout the menstrual cycle. Methods: Ninety-two individuals with PDM and 90 control participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) scans during their menstrual and peri-ovulatory phases. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analyses were used to evaluate RS responses. Psychological evaluations were conducted using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Results: ReHo analysis showed higher values in the left putamen and right amygdala of the PDM group during the peri-ovulatory phase compared to the menstrual phase. ALFF analysis revealed lower values in the putamen of the PDM group compared to controls, regardless of phase. ReHo and ALFF values in the putamen, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens were positively correlated with pain scales during menstruation, while ALFF values in the ventral tegmental area inversely correlated with pain intensity. Those with severe PDM (pain intensity ≥7) displayed distinct amygdala ALFF patterns between pain and pain-free phases. PDM participants also had lower ReHo values in the left insula during menstruation, with no direct correlation to pain compared to controls. Discussion: Our study highlights the pivotal role of the RS in dysmenorrhea management, exhibiting varied responses between menstrual discomfort and non-painful periods among individuals with PDM. During menstruation, the RS triggers mechanisms for pain avoidance and cognitive coping strategies, while it transitions to processing rewards during the peri-ovulatory phase. This demonstrates the flexibility of the RS in adapting to the recurring pain experienced by those with PDM.

Guard Cell-Inspired Ion Channels: Harnessing the Photomechanical Effect via Supramolecular Assembly of Cross-Linked Azobenzene/Polymers.

Stimuli-responsive ion nanochannels have attracted considerable attention in various fields because of their remote controllability of ionic transportation. For photoresponsive ion nanochannels, however, achieving precise regulation of ion conductivity is still challenging, primarily due to the difficulty of programmable structural changes in confined environments. Moreover, the relationship between noncontact photo-stimulation in nanoscale and light-induced ion conductivity has not been well understood. In this work, a versatile design for fabricating guard cell-inspired photoswitchable ion channels is presented by infiltrating azobenzene-cross-linked polymer (AAZO-PDAC) into nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. The azobenzene-cross-linked polymer is formed by azobenzene chromophore (AAZO)-cross-linked poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC) with electrostatic interactions. Under UV irradiation, the trans-AAZO isomerizes to the cis-AAZO, causing the volume compression of the polymer network, whereas, in darkness, the cis-AAZO reverts to the trans-AAZO, leading to the recovery of the structure. Consequently, the resultant nanopore sizes can be manipulated by the photomechanical effect of the AAZO-PDAC polymers. By adding ionic liquids, the ion conductivity of the light-driven ion nanochannels can be controlled with good repeatability and fast responses (within seconds) in multiple cycles. The ion channels have promising potential in the applications of biomimetic materials, sensors, and biomedical sciences.

Reversible Sensing Technologies Using Upcycled TPEE: Crafting pH and Light Responsive Materials towards Sustainable Monitoring.

Multiresponsive materials with reversible and durable characteristics are indispensable because of their promising applications in environmental change detections. To fabricate multiresponsive materials in mass production, however, complex reactions and impractical situations are often involved. Herein, a dual responsive (light and pH) spiropyran-based smart sensor fabricated by a simple layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly process from upcycled thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) materials derived from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) is proposed. Positively charged chitosan solutions and negatively charged merocyanine-COOH (MC-COOH) solutions are employed in the LbL assembly technique, forming the chitosan-spiropyran deposited TPEE (TPEE-CH-SP) film. Upon UV irradiation, the spiropyran-COOH (SP-COOH) molecules on the TPEE-CH-SP film undergo the ring-opening isomerization, along with an apparent color change from colorless to purple, to transform into the MC-COOH molecules. By further exposing the TPEE-CH-MC film to hydrogen chloride (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3) vapors, the MC-COOH molecules can be transformed into protonated merocyanine-COOH (MCH-COOH) with the simultaneous color change from purple to yellow.

Alkaline-Responsive, Self-Healable, and Conductive Copolymer Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties Tailored for Wearable Tech.

Despite significant advancements, current self-healing materials often suffer from a compromise between mechanical robustness and functional performance, particularly in terms of conductivity and responsiveness to environmental stimuli. Addressing this issue, the research introduces a self-healable and conductive copolymer, poly(ionic liquid-co-acrylic acid) (PIL-co-PAA), synthesized through free radical polymerization, and further optimized by incorporating thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). This combination leverages the unique properties of each component, especially ion-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonds, resulting in a material that exhibits exceptional self-healing abilities and demonstrates enhanced mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Moreover, the PIL-co-PAA/TPU films showcase alkaline-responsive behavior, a feature that broadens their applicability in dynamic environments. Through systematic characterization, including thermogravimetric analysis, tensile testing, and electrical properties measurements, the mechanisms behind the improved performance and functionality of these films are elucidated. The conductivities and ultimate tensile strength (σuts) of the PIL-co-PAA/TPU films regain 80% under 8 h healing process. To extend the applications for wearable devices, the self-healing properties of commercial cotton fabrics coated with the self-healable PIL-co-PAA are also investigated, demonstrating both self-healing and electrical properties. This study advances the understanding of self-healable conductive polymers and opens new avenues for their application in wearable technology.

Fabrication of Polymer/Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Films and Fibers Using the Nonsolvent and Phase Separation Method.

In recent years, liquid crystal materials have drawn great interest because of their wide range of applications. Among various thermochromic materials, cholesteric liquid crystalline (CLC) materials have been well studied and reported. CLC materials have the advantages of ready manipulation and multiple color transitions. For the further development of smart clothing and wearable electronics, however, the incorporation of CLC materials into polymers still remains challenging. The difficulties lie in the prevention of leakage of CLC and retention of the cholesteric liquid crystalline phase. In this work, we demonstrate a versatile nonsolvent and phase separation method using polar solvents to incorporate CLC microspheres into polymer matrix. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a water-soluble polymer, is chosen as the polymer because of its high transparency and ease to handle. Using spin-coating and wet spinning techniques, PVA/CLC films and fibers can be fabricated. The formation of CLC microspheres in the polymer matrix is characterized through optical and polarized microscopy. Compared with the CLC films, the PVA/CLC composites demonstrate superior thermal stability. Moreover, both PVA/CLC films and fibers exhibit good color stability from the electrical tests. This work provides an effective strategy to prepare polymer/CLC composites, paving a wide avenue toward applications in smart textiles, display technologies, and medical devices.

Light-Assisted Fabrication of Hierarchical Azopolymer Structures Using the Breath Figure Method and AAO Templates.

Hierarchical polymer structures have garnered widespread application across various fields owing to their distinct surface properties and expansive surface areas. Conventional hierarchical polymer structures, however, often lack postfabrication scalability and spatial selectivity. In this study, we propose a novel strategy to prepare light-assisted hierarchical polymer structures using azopolymers (PAzo), the breath figure method, and anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Initially, the breath figure PAzo films are prepared by dripping a PAzo chloroform solution onto glass substrates in a high-humidity environment. The AAO templates are then placed on the breath figure PAzo film. Upon ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, the azobenzene groups in the azopolymers undergo trans-cis photoisomerization. This process causes the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PAzo to become lower than room temperature, allowing the azopolymer to enter the nanopores of the AAO templates. The hierarchical azopolymer structures are then formed by using a sodium hydroxide solution to remove the templates. Furthermore, exploring the effects of PAzo concentration and UV light exposure duration on the film morphology reveals optimized conditions for hierarchical structure formation. Additionally, the water contact angles of these polymer structures are measured. The hierarchical PAzo structures exhibit higher hydrophobicity compared with the flat PAzo films and the PAzo breath figure films. Finally, patterned breath figure films can be prepared using designed photomasks, demonstrating the method's capability for spatial selectivity.

The use of bubble charts in analyzing second stage cesarean delivery rates.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of second stage cesarean delivery has been rising globally because of the failure or the anticipated difficulty of performing instrumental delivery. Yet, the best way to interpret the figure and its optimal rate remain to be determined. This is because it is strongly influenced by the practice of other 2 modes of birth, namely cesarean delivery performed before reaching the second stage and assisted vaginal birth during the second stage. In this regard, a bubble chart that can display 3-dimensional data through its x-axis, y-axis, and the size of each plot (presented as a bubble) may be a suitable method to evaluate the relationship between the rates of these 3 modes of births. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct an epidemiologic study on the incidence of second stage cesarean deliveries rates among >300,000 singleton term births in 10 years from 8 obstetrical units and to compare their second stage cesarean delivery rates in relation to their pre-second stage cesarean delivery rates and assisted vaginal birth rates using a bubble chart. STUDY DESIGN: The territory-wide birth data collected between 2009 and 2018 from all 8 public obstetrical units (labelled as A to H) were reviewed. The inclusion criteria were all singleton pregnancies with cephalic presentation that were delivered at term (≥37 weeks' gestation). Pre-second stage cesarean delivery rate was defined as all elective cesarean deliveries and those emergency cesarean deliveries that occurred before full cervical dilatation was achieved as a proportion of the total number of births. The second stage cesarean delivery rate and assisted vaginal birth rate were calculated according to the respective mode of delivery as a proportion of the number of cases that reached full cervical dilatation. The rates of these 3 modes of births were compared among the parity groups and among the 8 units. Using a bubble chart, each unit's second stage cesarean delivery rate (y-axis) was plotted against its pre-second stage cesarean delivery rate (x-axis) as a bubble. Each unit's second stage cesarean delivery to assisted vaginal birth ratio was represented by the size of the bubble. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 353,434 singleton cephalic presenting term pregnancies were delivered in the 8 units, and 180,496 (51.1%) were from nulliparous mothers. When compared with the multiparous group, the nulliparous group had a significantly lower pre-second stage cesarean delivery rate (18.58% vs 21.26%; P<.001) but a higher second stage cesarean delivery rate (0.79% vs 0.22%; P<.001) and a higher assisted vaginal birth rate (17.61% vs 3.58%; P<.001). Using the bubble of their averages as a reference point in the bubble chart, the 8 units' bubbles were clustered into 5 regions indicating their differences in practice: unit B and unit H were close to the average in the center. Unit A and unit F were at the upper right corner with a higher pre-second stage cesarean delivery rate and second stage cesarean delivery rate. Unit D and unit E were at the opposite end. Unit C was at the upper left corner with a low pre-second stage cesarean delivery rate but a high second stage cesarean delivery rate, whereas unit G was at the opposite end. Unit C and unit G were also in the extremes in terms of pre-second stage cesarean delivery to assisted vaginal birth ratio (0.09 and 0.01, respectively). Although some units seemed to have very similar second stage cesarean delivery rates, their obstetrical practices were differentiated by the bubble chart. CONCLUSION: The second stage cesarean delivery rate must be evaluated in the context of the rates of pre-second stage cesarean delivery and assisted vaginal birth. A bubble chart is a useful method for analyzing the relationship among these 3 variables to differentiate the obstetrical practice between different units.

Embodied suffering: Uncovering the illness experiences of patients with severe psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The visibility of skin lesions significantly burdens people with psoriasis, leading to social hostility and numerous emotional and psychological problems. These issues adversely affect self-esteem, can result in chronic mental health challenges and cause numerous life problems. This study aimed to explore patients' long-term experiences with severe psoriasis. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with 20 patients with psoriasis (PASI ≥12) recruited from general and specialist dermatology practices in a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan. Interviews lasted 60-90 min and data were analysed using content analysis. FINDINGS: A core theme emerged: 'Embodied suffering-life worse than death'. This overarching concept comprised three interrelated themes: (i) Experiencing physical suffering, (ii) Experiencing psychological suffering and (iii) Experiencing the stigma of suffering. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the holistic nature of suffering among individuals with severe psoriasis. It emphasises the need for healthcare professionals to consider the entirety of a patient's circumstances when addressing their suffering.

[Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis of Integrating ChatGPT Into Nursing Education].

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving global change, and the implementation of generative AI in higher education is inevitable. AI language models such as the chat generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) hold the potential to revolutionize the delivery of nursing education in the future. Nurse educators play a crucial role in preparing nursing students for a future technology-integrated healthcare system. While the technology has limitations and potential biases, the emergence of ChatGPT presents both opportunities and challenges. It is critical for faculty to be familiar with the capabilities and limitations of this model to foster effective, ethical, and responsible utilization of AI technology while preparing students in advance for the dynamic and rapidly advancing landscape of nursing and healthcare. Therefore, this article was written to present a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of integrating ChatGPT into nursing education, providing a guide for implementing ChatGPT in nursing education and offering a well-rounded assessment to help nurse educators make informed decisions.

Smart Temperature-Gating and Ion Conductivity Control of Grafted Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membranes.

Over the past few decades, stimuli-responsive materials have been widely applied to porous surfaces. Permeability and conductivity control of ions confined in nanochannels modified with stimuli-responsive materials, however, have been less investigated. In this work, the permeability and conductivity control of ions confined in nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates modified with thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes are demonstrated. By surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), PNIPAM brushes are successfully grafted onto the hexagonally packed cylindrical nanopores of AAO templates. The surface hydrophilicities of the membranes can be reversibly altered because of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior of the PNIPAM polymer brushes. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, the temperature-gating behaviors of the AAO-g-PNIPAM membranes exhibit larger impedance changes than those of the pure AAO membranes at higher temperatures because of the aggregation of the grafted PNIPAM chains. The reversible surface properties caused by the extended and collapsed states of the polymer chains are also demonstrated by dye release tests. The smart thermo-gated and ion-controlled nanoporous membranes are suitable for future smart membrane applications.

Photoswitchable and Solvent-Controlled Directional Actuators: Supramolecular Assembly and Crosslinked Polymers.

Untethered small actuators have drawn tremendous interest owing to their reversibility, flexibility, and widespread applications in various fields. For polymer actuators, however, it is still challenging to achieve programmable structural changes under different stimuli caused by the intractability and single-stimulus responses of most polymer materials. Herein, multi-stimuli-responsive polymer actuators that can respond to light and solvent via structural changes are developed. The actuators are based on bilayer films of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and azobenzene chromophore (AAZO)-crosslinked poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC). Upon UV light irradiation, the AAZO undergoes trans-cis-trans photoisomerization, causing the bending of the bilayer films. When the UV light is off, a shape recovery toward an opposite direction occurs spontaneously. The reversible deformation can be repeated at least 20 cycles. Upon solvent vapor annealing, one of the bilayer films can be selectively swollen, causing the bending of the bilayer films with the directions controlled by the solvent vapors. The effects of different parameters, such as the weight ratios of AAZO and film thicknesses, on the bending angles and curvatures of the polymer films are also analyzed. The results demonstrate that multi-stimuli-responsive actuators with fast responses and high reproducibility can be fulfilled.

Targeted long-read sequencing identifies missing pathogenic variants in unsolved Werner syndrome cases.

BACKGROUND: Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive progeroid syndrome caused by variants in WRN. The International Registry of Werner Syndrome has identified biallelic pathogenic variants in 179/188 cases of classical WS. In the remaining nine cases, only one heterozygous pathogenic variant has been identified. METHODS: Targeted long-read sequencing (T-LRS) on an Oxford Nanopore platform was used to search for a second pathogenic variant in WRN. Previously, T-LRS was successfully used to identify missing variants and analyse complex rearrangements. RESULTS: We identified a second pathogenic variant in eight of nine unsolved WS cases. In five cases, T-LRS identified intronic splice variants that were confirmed by either RT-PCR or exon trapping to affect splicing; in one case, T-LRS identified a 339 kbp deletion, and in two cases, pathogenic missense variants. Phasing of long reads predicted all newly identified variants were on a different haplotype than the previously known variant. Finally, in one case, RT-PCR previously identified skipping of exon 20; however, T-LRS did not detect a pathogenic DNA sequence variant. CONCLUSION: T-LRS is an effective method for identifying missing pathogenic variants. Although limitations with computational prediction algorithms can hinder the interpretation of variants, T-LRS is particularly effective in identifying intronic variants.

Analytical validation of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method for urinary iodine concentration measurements in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) measured by Sandell-Kolthoff spectrophotometric method has been used in the Nutrition and Health Surveys in Taiwan but this method is time consuming and produces toxic waste from arsenic trioxide. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system to determine UIC in Taiwan. METHODS: Samples and iodine calibrators were diluted 100-fold into an aqueous solution containing Triton X-100, 0.5% ammonia solution, and tellurium (128Te) as an internal standard. Digestion prior to analysis was not necessary. Precision, accuracy, serial dilution, and recovery tests were performed. A total of 1243 urine samples covering a wide range of iodine concentrations were measured by both Sandell-Kolthoff method and ICP-MS. Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to compare values across methods. RESULTS: The limit for detection and quantification by ICP-MS was 0.95 µg/L and 2.85 µg/L, respectively. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients were <10%, with a recovery range of 95%-105%. The results obtained by ICP-MS and the Sandell-Kolthoff method were highly correlated (Pearson's correlation: r = 0.996, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9950-0.9961, p < 0.001). For UIC between 20 and 1000 µg/L, the y-intercept for the Passing-Bablok regression was -1.9 (95% CI: -2.5599 to -1.3500) and the slope was 1.01 (95% CI: 1.0000-1.0206). CONCLUSION: This validated ICP-MS system can be used for measuring UIC.

A Trusted Reputation Management Scheme for Cross-Chain Transactions.

Blockchain has become a well-known, secured, decentralized datastore in many domains, including medical, industrial, and especially the financial field. However, to meet the requirements of different fields, platforms that are built on blockchain technology must provide functions and characteristics with a wide variety of options. Although they may share similar technology at the fundamental level, the differences among them make data or transaction exchange challenging. Cross-chain transactions have become a commonly utilized function, while at the same time, some have pointed out its security loopholes. It is evident that a secure transaction scheme is desperately needed. However, what about those nodes that do not behave? It is clear that not only a secure transaction scheme is necessary, but also a system that can gradually eliminate malicious players is of dire need. At the same time, integrating different blockchain systems can be difficult due to their independent architectures, and cross-chain transactions can be at risk if malicious attackers try to control the nodes in the cross-chain system. In this paper, we propose a dynamic reputation management scheme based on the past transaction behaviors of nodes. These behaviors serve as the basis for evaluating a node's reputation to support the decision on malicious behavior and enable the system to intercept it in a timely manner. Furthermore, to establish a reputation index with high precision and flexibility, we integrate Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) into our proposed scheme. This allows our system to meet the needs of a wide variety of blockchain platforms. Overall, the article highlights the importance of securing cross-chain transactions and proposes a method to prevent misbehavior by evaluating and managing node reputation.

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-d-glucose Interrupts the Early Adipocyte Lifecycle and Attenuates Adiposity and Hepatic Steatosis in Mice with Diet-Induced Obesity.

Phytochemicals that interrupt adipocyte lifecycle can provide anti-obesity effects. 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-d-glucose (PGG) is a tannin with two isomers that occurs widely in plants and exhibits various pharmacological activities. The aim of the investigation is to comprehensively examine effects of PGG isomer(s) on adipocyte lifecycle and diet-induced obesity. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, and H4IIE hepatoma cells were used to determine the effects of PGG isomers on cell viability and adipogenesis. Mice with diet-induced obesity were generated from male C57/BL6 mice fed with a 45% high fat diet. Oral administration of ß-PGG (0.1 and 5 mg/kg) lasted for 14 weeks. Viability was reduced by repeated PGG treatment in hMSC, preadipocytes, and cells under differentiation. PGG mainly induces apoptosis, and this effect is independent of its insulin mimetic action. In vivo, administration of ß-PGG attenuated shortening of the colon, hyperlipidaemia, fat cells and islet hypertrophy in DIO mice. Hepatic steatosis and related gene expression were improved along with glucose intolerance. Increased serum adiponectin, leptin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 levels were also observed. In conclusion, repeated PGG treatment interrupts the adipocyte lifecycle. PGG administration reduces adiposity and fatty liver development in DIO mice, and therefore, PGG could aid in clinical management of obesity.

Assessment of Hyperspectral Imaging in Pressure Injury Healing.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the blood oxygen concentrations (StO 2 ) of different stages of pressure injury (PI) tissue using hyperspectral images to serve as a guideline for the treatment and care of PIs. METHODS: This study used a prospective design. A total of 30 patients with sacral PIs were recruited from the rehabilitation ward of a teaching hospital. The authors used a hyperspectral detector to collect wound images and the Beer-Lambert law to estimate changes in tissue StO 2 in different stages of PI. RESULTS: The tissue StO 2 of healthy skin and that of stage 1 PI skin were similar, whereas the tissue StO 2 of the wound in stage 2 PIs was significantly higher than that of healthy skin and scabbed tissue (medians, 82.5%, 74.4%, and 68.3%; P < .05). In stage 3 PIs, StO 2 was highest in subcutaneous tissue and adipose tissue (82.5%) and lowest in peripheral scabs (68.35%). The tissue StO 2 was highest in subcutaneous tissue in stage 4 PIs, and this tissue was red in the hyperspectral spectrum. The scab-covered area of unstageable PIs had the lowest StO 2 of all PI tissue types (median, 44.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperspectral imaging provides physiologic information on wound microcirculation, which can enable better evaluation of healing status. Assessing tissue StO 2 data can provide a clinical index of wound healing.

Investigation of a Cluster of Sphingomonas koreensis Infections.

BACKGROUND: Plumbing systems are an infrequent but known reservoir for opportunistic microbial pathogens that can infect hospitalized patients. In 2016, a cluster of clinical sphingomonas infections prompted an investigation. METHODS: We performed whole-genome DNA sequencing on clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Sphingomonas koreensis identified from 2006 through 2016 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center. We cultured S. koreensis from the sinks in patient rooms and performed both whole-genome and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to identify a reservoir within the infrastructure of the hospital. These isolates were compared with clinical and environmental S. koreensis isolates obtained from other institutions. RESULTS: The investigation showed that two isolates of S. koreensis obtained from the six patients identified in the 2016 cluster were unrelated, but four isolates shared more than 99.92% genetic similarity and were resistant to multiple antibiotic agents. Retrospective analysis of banked clinical isolates of sphingomonas from the NIH Clinical Center revealed the intermittent recovery of a clonal strain over the past decade. Unique single-nucleotide variants identified in strains of S. koreensis elucidated the existence of a reservoir in the hospital plumbing. Clinical S. koreensis isolates from other facilities were genetically distinct from the NIH isolates. Hospital remediation strategies were guided by results of microbiologic culturing and fine-scale genomic analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This genomic and epidemiologic investigation suggests that S. koreensis is an opportunistic human pathogen that both persisted in the NIH Clinical Center infrastructure across time and space and caused health care-associated infections. (Funded by the NIH Intramural Research Programs.).

Laser-Induced NanoKneading (LINK): Deformation of Patterned Azopolymer Nanopillar Arrays via Photo-Fluidization.

Ordered arrays of polymer nanostructures have been widely investigated because of their promising applications such as solar-cell devices, sensors, and supercapacitors. It remains a great challenge, however, to manipulate the shapes of individual nanostructures in arrays for tailoring specific properties. In this study, an effective strategy to prepare anisotropic polymer nanopillar arrays via photo-fluidization is presented. Azobenzene-containing polymers (azopolymers) are first infiltrated into the nanopores of ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. After the removal of the AAO templates using weak bases, azopolymer nanopillar arrays can be prepared. Upon exposure of linearly polarized lights, azobenzene groups in the azopolymers undergo trans-cis-trans photoisomerization, causing mass migration and elongation of the nanopillar along with the polarization directions. As a result, anisotropic nanopillar arrays can be fabricated, of which the deformation degrees are controlled by the illumination times. Furthermore, patterned nanopillar arrays can also be constructed with designed photomasks. This work presents a practical and versatile strategy to fabricate arrays of anisotropic nanostructures for future technical applications.

Bitter Melon Extract Yields Multiple Effects on Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Likely Contributes to Anti-diabetic Functions.

The intestines have been recognized as important tissues for metabolic regulation, including glycemic control, but their vital role in promoting the anti-diabetic effects of bitter melon, the fruit of Momordica charantia L, has seldom been characterized, nor acknowledged. Evidence suggests that bitter melon constituents can have substantial interactions with the intestinal epithelial cells before circulating to other tissues. We therefore characterized the effects of bitter melon extract (BME) on intestinal epithelial cells. BME was found to contain substantial amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and triterpenoids. TNF-α induced insulin resistance in an enterocyte cell line of IEC-18 cells, and BME promoted glucose utilization of the insulin-resistant cells. Further analysis suggested that the increased glucose consumption was a result of the combined effects of insulin sensitizing and insulin substitution functions of BME. The functions of insulin substitution were likely generated due to the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Meanwhile, BME acted as a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretagogue on enteroendocrine cells, which may be mediated by the activation of bitter-taste receptors. Therefore, BME possesses insulin sensitizing, insulin substitution, and GLP-1 secretagogue functions upon intestinal cells. These effects of BME on intestinal cells likely play a significant part in the anti-diabetic action of bitter melon.