Engineered cytochrome fused extracellular matrix enabled efficient extracellular electron transfer and improved performance of microbial fuel cell.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) was a promising technology for energy harvesting from wastewater. However, inefficient bacterial extracellular electron transfer (EET) limited the performance as well as the applications of MFC. Here, a new strategy to reinforce the EET by engineering synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) with cytochrome fused curli was developed. By genetically fusing a minimal cytochrome domain (MCD) with the curli protein CsgA and heterogeneously expressing in model exoelectrogen of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, the cytochrome fused electroactive curli network was successfully constructed and assembled. Interestingly, the strain with the MCD fused synthetic ECM delivered about 2.4 times and 2.0 times higher voltage and power density output than these of wild type MR-1 in MFC. More impressively, electrochemical analysis suggested that this synthetic ECM not only introduced cytochrome of MCD, but also attracted more self-secreted electrochemically active substances, which might facilitate the EET and improve the MFC performance. This work demonstrated the possibility to manipulation the EET with ECM engineering, which opened up new path for exoelectrogen design and engineering.

The effect of Taohong Siwu decoction combined with antihypertensive medicine in the treatment of hypertension: Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a classic prescription of traditional Chinese medicine. Recent research has shown that the practical components of THSWD have specific curative effects on various cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, suggesting THSWD could effectively lower blood pressure (BP) with fewer side effects. However, little information is available regarding the effectiveness of THSWD combined with antihypertensive medicine on hypertension. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to study the efficacy and safety of THSWD in treating hypertension. METHODS: According to the search strategy, 8 databases were searched, including China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Wanfang Database, VIP Database, Pubmed, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), web of science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library, for the randomized controlled trial of THSWD on hypertension. 9 RCTs were included and 827 patients were involved. This meta-analysis used RevMan 5.4 to evaluate the articles. RESULTS: This review included 9 RCTs. All studies were THSWD with the antihypertensive drug compared with single antihypertensive western medicine. The total effective rate of THSWD combined with corresponding western medicine was significantly improved (Relative risk = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.16-1.37, P < .00001), which could effectively reduce the systolic BP (MD = -15.28 mm Hg; 95% CI: -20.17 to -10.40, P < .00001=, diastolic BP (MD = -9.70 mm Hg; 95% CI: -12.66 to -6.73, P < .00001), Triglycerides (MD = -1.48, 95%CI: -2.09 to -0.87, P < .00001), total cholesterol (MD = -1.43, 95% CI: -1.63 to -1.24, P < .00001) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = -0.93, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.80, P < .00001). Compared with the single routine western medicine group, THSWD combined with the corresponding western medicine increased serum high-density lipoprotein (MD = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.46, P < .00001). CONCLUSION: THSWD combined with antihypertensive drugs in treating hypertension was curative in lowering BP, improving blood lipid levels and reducing the incidence of adverse reactions compared to antihypertensive medications treatment. However, more high-quality studies are needed due to the biased results and the small number of studies for further verification of the effectiveness of THSWD, and providing a new treatment for clinical reference.

Cytochrome C catalyzed oxygen tolerant atom-transfer radical polymerization.

Atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is a well-known technique for controlled polymer synthesis. However, the ATRP usually employed toxic heavy metal ionas as the catalyst and was susceptible to molecular oxygen, which made it should be conducted under strictly anoxic condition. Conducting ATRP under ambient and biocompatible conditions is the major challenge. In this study, cytochrome C was explored as an efficient biocatalyst for ATRP under biocompatible conditions. The cytochrome C catalyzed ATRP showed a relatively low polymer dispersity index of 1.19. More interestingly, the cytochrome C catalyzed ATRP showed superior oxygen resistance as it could be performed under aerobic conditions with high dissolved oxygen level. Further analysis suggested that the Fe(II) embed in the cytochrome C might serve as the catalytic center and methyl radical was responsible for the ATRP catalysis. This work explored new biocompatible catalyst for aerobic ATRP, which might open new dimension for practical ATRP and application of cytochrome C protein.

The effect of increased abdominal pressure on internal jugular vein catheterization under ultrasound-guidance on conscious patients: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The shape and cross-sectional area (CSA) of internal jugular vein (IJV) are easily affected by external factors. That causes venous collapsibility. We tried to distend IJV by increasing the pressure on patients' abdomen in order to improve the success rate of internal jugular vein catheterization (IJVC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing IJVC were randomly allocated to two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. For patients in Group 1, the pressure on abdomen was increased by placing a 3000 ml bag of normal saline (NS). No special treatment was arranged for patients in Group 2. Transverse images of right IJV were captured at the outer edge which was parallel to the cricoid by ultrasonography. CSA, circumference (CF), transverse diameter (TD) and anteroposterior diameter (APD) of right IJV were measured and compared. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided short-axis puncturing. The success rates of one-off puncturing in two groups were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The results under ultrasonography assessments show that CF, CSA, APD and success rate of puncturing in Group 1 were significantly higher than that of Group 2 (P < 0.05), while TD was not significantly increased (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in complications between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pressure on the abdomen could significantly increase CSA of IJV. That helps improving the success rate of one-off puncturing.

Comparison between ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block and subarachnoid block for elderly male patients under unilateral-opened inguinal hernia repair operation: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Paravertebral block (PVB) as a sole anesthetic technique is difficult even in experienced hands. Hence, this study was undertaken to study the safety and efficacy of PVB and to compare with subarachnoid block (SAB) for inguinal hernia repair surgery (IHRS) in elderly male patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five male patients aged 65 to 89 scheduled for IHRS were allocated randomly by computer-generated randomisation sequence into two groups. They underwent PVB (Group PVB: 33 patients were injected with 10 ml ropivacaine 0.5% at each level from T12 to L1) or SAB (Group SAB: 32 patients were injected with 15 mg ropivacaine 0.5% at L3-L4 level). Primary outcomes were hemodynamic changes and duration of postoperative analgesia. Secondary outcomes were dosage of remedial analgesics, time to perform the block, side effects and satisfaction of patients. RESULTS: The hemodynamics in the Group PVB were more stable than those in the Group SAB during surgery (P < 0.05). The duration of post-operative analgesia was significantly longer in the Group PVB (P < 0.001). The total dose of fentanyl was smaller in the Group PVB in the first 24 h (P < 0.001). The time to perform the block was significantly longer in the Group PVB (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the visual analogue scales (VAS) scores between the two groups at 4 h, 6 h, 8 h and 10 h (P < 0.05) but not at 2 h, 12 h and 24 h (P > 0.05). The VAS scores were lowest at 2 h for both the 2 groups, highest at 12 h for Group PVB and at 8 h for Group SAB respectively. The Group PVB had fewer adverse effects (P < 0.05) and higher satisfaction of patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided PVB can ensure the anesthetic effects of unilateral-opened IHRS in elderly male patients. It has a small impact on hemodynamics, a longer postoperative analgesia time and less complications.