Mitigating polyethylene-mediated periprosthetic tissue inflammation through MEDSAH-grafting.

Periprosthetic tissue inflammation is a challenging complication arising in joint replacement surgeries, which is often caused by wear debris from polyethylene (PE) components. In this study, we examined the potential biological effects of grafting a [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (MEDSAH) polymer onto the surface of PE through a solvent-evaporation technique. J774A.1 macrophage-like cells and primary cultured mouse osteoblasts were treated with PE powder with or without the MEDSAH coating. MEDSAH grafting on PE substantially reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other mediators in primary cultured mouse osteoblasts, but did not significantly impact macrophage-mediated inflammation. Our findings suggest that a MEDSAH coating on PE-based materials has potential utility in mitigating periprosthetic tissue inflammation and osteolysis and preventing aseptic loosening in total joint replacements. Further research, including large-scale clinical trials and biomechanical analyses, is needed to assess the long-term performance and clinical implications of MEDSAH-coated PE-based materials in total joint arthroplasty.

Control of artificial membrane fusion in physiological ionic solutions beyond the limits of electroformation.

Membrane fusion, merging two lipid bilayers, is crucial for fabricating artificial membrane structures. Over the past 40 years, in contrast to precise and controllable membrane fusion in-vivo through specific molecules such as SNAREs, controlling the fusion in-vitro while fabricating artificial membrane structures in physiological ionic solutions without fusion proteins has been a challenge, becoming a significant obstacle to practical applications. We present an approach consisting of an electric field and a few kPa hydraulic pressure as an additional variable to physically control the fusion, enabling tuning of the shape and size of the 3D freestanding lipid bilayers in physiological ionic solutions. Mechanical model analysis reveals that pressure-induced parallel/normal tensions enhance fusion among membranes in the microwell. In-vitro peptide-membrane assay, mimicking vesicular transport via pressure-assisted fusion, and stability of 38 days with in-chip pressure control via pore size-regulated hydrogel highlight the potential for diverse biological applications.

Self-Assembled Skin-Penetrating Peptides with Controlled Supramolecular Properties for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery.

The use of nanocarriers decorated with penetration-enhancing agents (PEAs) is considered to be a promising approach for efficient transdermal delivery. In this study, we developed short amphiphilic skin-penetrating peptides (17 amino acids) that functioned not only as PEAs but also as building blocks of nanocarriers without the incorporation of additional macromolecules for self-assembly and guest molecule encapsulation. Interestingly, varying only two amino acids in the hydrophobic moiety of the peptides resulted in significantly different self-assembly behavior, thermal stability, protease resistance, and skin-penetration efficiency in a human skin model. The analysis of the peptide secondary structure revealed that such characteristic changes arose due to the sequence variation-mediated conformational change in the hydrophobic block. These findings hold significant promise for the development of simple and effective delivery systems exhibiting controllable supramolecular properties.

Application of combined treatment of peracetic acid and ultraviolet-C for inactivating pathogens in water and on surface of apples.

In this study, a combined treatment of peracetic acid (PAA) and 280 nm Ultraviolet-C (UVC) - Light emitting diode (LED) was applied for inactivating foodborne pathogens in water and apples. The combined treatment of PAA (50 ppm) and UVC-LED showed synergistic inactivation effects against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in water. In mechanism analysis, PAA/UVC-LED treatment induced more lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, membrane, and DNA damage than a single treatment. Among them, membrane damage was the main synergistic inactivation mechanism of combination treatment. Cell rupture and shrink of both pathogens after PAA/UVC-LED treatment were also identified through scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. To examine inactivation of pathogens on the surface of apples by PAA, UVC-LED, and their combined treatment, a washing system (WS) was developed and used. Through applying the WS, PAA/UVC-LED treatment effectively inactivated two pathogens in washing solution and on the surface of apples below the detection limit (3.30 log CFU/2000 mL and 2.0 log CFU/apple) within 5 min. In addition, there was no significant difference in color or firmness of apples after PAA/UVC-LED treatment (p > 0.05).

The Role of CPNE7 (Copine-7) in Colorectal Cancer Prognosis and Metastasis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers in the world. However, no effective treatment for the disease has yet been found. For this reason, several studies are being carried out on the treatment of CRC. Currently, there is limited understanding of the role of CPNE7 (copine-7) in CRC progression and metastasis. The results of this study show that CPNE7 exerts an oncogenic effect in CRC. First, CPNE7 was shown to be significantly up-regulated in CRC patient tissues and CRC cell lines compared to normal tissues according to IHC staining, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Next, this study used both systems of siRNA and shRNA to suppress CPNE7 gene expression to check the CPNE7 mechanism in CRC. The suppressed CPNE7 significantly inhibited the growth of CRC cells in in vitro experiments, including migration, invasion, and semisolid agar colony-forming assay. Moreover, the modified expression of CPNE7 led to a decrease in the levels of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The epithelial genes E-cadherin (CDH1) and Collagen A1 were upregulated, and the levels of mesenchymal genes such as N-cadherin (CDH2), ZEB1, ZEB2, and SNAIL (SNAL1) were downregulated after CPNE7 inhibition. This study suggests that CPNE7 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for CRC patients.

Sarcoma Immunotherapy: Confronting Present Hurdles and Unveiling Upcoming Opportunities.

Sarcomas are rare and heterogeneous mesenchymal neoplasms originating from the bone or soft tissues, which pose significant treatment challenges. The current standard treatment for sarcomas consists of surgical resection, often combined with chemo- and radiotherapy; however, local recurrence and metastasis remain significant concerns. Although immunotherapy has demonstrated promise in improving long-term survival rates for certain cancers, sarcomas are generally considered to be relatively less immunogenic than other tumors, presenting substantial challenges for effective immunotherapy. In this review, we examine the possible opportunities for sarcoma immunotherapy, noting cancer testis antigens expressed in sarcomas. We then cover the current status of immunotherapies in sarcomas, including progress in cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive cellular therapy and their potential in combating these tumors. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations of immunotherapies in sarcomas, including a low tumor mutation burden and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and explore potential strategies to tackle the immunosuppressive barriers in therapeutic interventions, shedding light on the development of effective and personalized treatments for sarcomas. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status and potential of immunotherapies in sarcoma treatment, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for developing effective therapies to improve the outcomes of patients with these rare malignancies.

Simultaneous vacuum ultra violet-amalgam lamp radiation and near-infrared radiation heating for a synergistic bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in black peppercorn.

This study evaluated the effect of simultaneous irradiation with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)-amalgam lamp and near-infrared radiation (NIR) to inactivate foodborne pathogens in black peppercorn (Piper nigrum) while monitoring its piperine content and color. NIR treatment for 20 min caused an increase in black peppercorn temperature to 70 °C, and its bactericidal effect showed only 3.14 and 1.88 log reductions of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium respectively. Single treatment with a VUV-amalgam lamp for 20 min achieved 2.26 and 1.55 log reductions of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium, respectively. However, simultaneous treatment for 15 min produces a greater than 5-log reduction of both foodborne pathogens without changes of black peppercorn quality. The underlying bactericidal mechanism of the VUV-amalgam lamp is 254 nm irradiation with ozone generated by 185 nm irradiation. The ozone concentration was maintained with VUV-amalgam lamp single treatment but decreased during simultaneous treatment. In contrast, due to the drying effect of NIR irradiation, water vapor reacts with 185 nm irradiation or ozone to produce a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical during simultaneous treatment. The hydrogen peroxide concentration measured by Gastec increased during simultaneous treatment. We also investigated various generated types of ROS that can contribute to a synergistic bactericidal effect. We compared the bactericidal effect of sequential and simultaneous treatments with NIR and VUV-amalgam lamps to black peppercorn. Although sequential treatment showed additional inactivation efficacy, reductions of pathogens were significantly lower than with simultaneous treatment. These findings suggest that simultaneous VUV-amalgam lamp and NIR irradiation treatment via generation of ROS can increase bacterial inactivation efficacy of foodborne pathogens in black peppercorns without quality changes.

Effects of storage temperature on microbiota shifts in raw milk biofilm developed on stainless steel.

This study aimed to investigate the microbiota in raw milk and the influence of storage temperature on the microbiota shift after biofilm formation. Raw milk stored at 4 °C and biofilms developed in raw milk incubated at 4 °C or 25 °C for 7 days were subjected to microbiota analysis as well as quantitative analyses of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria. The levels of aerobic bacteria increased during biofilm formation, while no significant changes were observed within anaerobic bacteria. In addition, there was a difference between aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in raw milk and biofilm stored for 7 days. The pattern of microbial composition differed by temperature. In addition, the genus Pseudomonas (53-71%) occupied a high proportion in raw milk, and the raw milk biofilm developed at 4 °C, while the genus Lactobacillus (75-83%) was predominant in biofilms developed at 25 °C. Intriguingly, bacterial richness was higher in raw milk on day 0 and biofilm developed at 4 °C than raw milk after 7 days of storage at 4 °C. These findings suggest that temperature critically affects the bacterial composition of both raw milk and its associated biofilm.

SEPHS1: Its evolution, function and roles in development and diseases.

Selenophosphate synthetase (SEPHS) was originally discovered in prokaryotes as an enzyme that catalyzes selenophosphate synthesis using inorganic selenium and ATP as substrates. However, in contrast to prokaryotes, two paralogs, SEPHS1 and SEPHS2, occur in many eukaryotes. Prokaryotic SEPHS, also known as SelD, contains either cysteine (Cys) or selenocysteine (Sec) in the catalytic domain. In eukaryotes, only SEPHS2 carries out selenophosphate synthesis and contains Sec at the active site. However, SEPHS1 contains amino acids other than Sec or Cys at the catalytic position. Phylogenetic analysis of SEPHSs reveals that the ancestral SEPHS contains both selenophosphate synthesis and another unknown activity, and that SEPHS1 lost the selenophosphate synthesis activity. The three-dimensional structure of SEPHS1 suggests that its homodimer is unable to form selenophosphate, but retains ATPase activity to produce ADP and inorganic phosphate. The most prominent function of SEPHS1 is that it is implicated in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis. Deficiency of SEPHS1 leads to the disturbance in the expression of genes involved in redox homeostasis. Different types of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are accumulated in response to SEPHS deficiency depending on cell or tissue types. The accumulation of ROS causes pleiotropic effects such as growth retardation, apoptosis, DNA damage, and embryonic lethality. SEPHS1 deficiency in mouse embryos affects retinoic signaling and other related signaling pathways depending on the embryonal stage until the embryo dies at E11.5. Dysregulated SEPHS1 is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases including cancer, Crohn's disease, and osteoarthritis.

Inactivation of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus in Rice by Radio Frequency Heating.

ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of the milling degree (MD) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) on the heating rate, pathogen inactivation (Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus), and color change resulting from radio frequency (RF) heating. Rice samples inoculated with pathogens were placed in a polypropylene jar and subjected to RF heating for 0 to 75 s. The heating rate of rice with a 2% MD was the highest during RF heating, followed by those with a 0, 8, and 10% MD; the reduction of pathogens showed the same trend. The reductions of pathogen levels in rice with MDs of 0 and 2% were significantly higher than those observed for rice with MDs of 8 and 10% under the same treatment conditions. For example, log reductions of Salmonella Typhimurium in rice by 55-s RF heating were 3.64, 5.19, 2.18, and 1.80 for MDs of 0, 2, 8, and 10%, respectively. At the same treatment conditions, log reductions of S. aureus were 2.77, 5.08, 1.15, and 0.90 for MDs of 0, 2, 8, and 10%, respectively. The color of rice measured according to L*, a*, and b* was not significantly altered after RF heating, regardless of the MD. Therefore, the MD of rice should be considered before RF heating is applied to inactivate foodborne pathogens.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium in black and red pepper by vacuumed hydrogen peroxide vapour.

AIMS: In this study, the efficacy of using vacuumed hydrogen peroxide vapour (VHPV) to inactivate foodborne pathogens in whole dried black pepper (Piper nigrum) and powdered dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) was evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Black and red pepper inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium were subjected to 3.81, 7.93, 12.33, 17.04 and 21.67 mg l-1 VHPV for 1 min, and the change in pepper colour was evaluated after treatment. Pathogen quantities decreased with increasing hydrogen peroxide concentration. For black pepper, the 21.67 mg l-1 VHPV treatment decreased E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium quantities by >6.12 and 4.52 log CFU per gram, respectively, without causing colour change. In addition, the 21.67 mg l-1 VHPV treatment caused 4.35 and 2.36 log CFU per gram reductions in these two pathogen quantities in red pepper, respectively. During the VHPV treatment, colour values of peppers did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: VHPV effectively reduced the levels of foodborne pathogens in black and red pepper while inducing minimal colour changes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) is typically used as a sterilization method for medical devices, and many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of HPV or the gaseous phase of hydrogen peroxide on the inactivation of micro-organisms. However, using HPV for food pasteurization has rarely been studied. In the present study, we confirmed that VHPV effectively reduced the levels of pathogens in black and red pepper without colour changes.

Antibacterial Activity of Caffeic Acid Combined with UV-A Light against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of caffeic acid (CA), which is a natural polyphenol, combined with UV-A light against the representative foodborne bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. Data regarding the inactivation of these bacteria and its dependence on CA concentration, light wavelength, and light dose were obtained. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium were reduced to the detection limit when treated with 3 mM CA and UV-A for 3 J/cm2 and 4 J/cm2, respectively, and 5 J/cm2 treatment induced 3.10 log reduction in L. monocytogenes. To investigate the mechanism for inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes, measurement of polyphenol uptake, membrane damage assessment, enzymatic activity assay, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were conducted. It was revealed that CA was significantly (P < 0.05) absorbed by bacterial cells, and UV-A light allowed a higher uptake of CA for both pathogens. Additionally, CA plus UV-A treatment induced significant (P < 0.05) cell membrane damage. In the enzymatic activity assay, the activities of both pathogens were reduced by CA, and a greater reduction occurred by use of CA plus UV-A. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images indicated that CA plus UV-A treatment notably destroyed the intercellular structure. In addition, antibacterial activity was also observed in commercial apple juice, which showed results similar to those obtained from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), resulting in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction for all three pathogens without any changes in color parameters (L*, a*, and b*), total phenolic compounds, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity. IMPORTANCE Photodynamic inactivation (PDI), which involves photoactivation of a photosensitizer (PS), is an emerging field of study, as it effectively reduces various kinds of microorganisms. Although there are several PSs that have been used for PDI, there is a need to find naturally occurring PSs for safer application in the food industry. Caffeic acid, a natural polyphenol found in most fruits and vegetables, has recently been studied for its potential to act as a novel photosensitizer. However, no studies have been conducted regarding its antibacterial activity depending on treatment conditions and its antibacterial mechanism. In this study, we closely examined the effectiveness of caffeic acid in combination with UV-A light for inactivating representative foodborne bacteria in liquid medium. Therefore, the results of this research are expected to be utilized as basic data for future application of caffeic acid in PDI, especially when controlling pathogens in liquid food processing.

Prognostic impact of GPR56 in patients with colorectal cancer.

G protein-coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) belongs to the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor subfamily, which plays a role in cell progression and survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the GPR56 gene in a cell line study and the impact of its protein expression on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The effect of GPR56 on tumor cell proliferation (WST-1 assay), invasion (Transwell assay), migration (Transwell assay, wound healing assay), and colony-forming ability (semisolid agar colony-forming assay) was explored. The expression levels of GPR56 in tissue samples of 109 CRC patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of GRP56 was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. The downregulation of GPR56 in the CRC cell line reduced cell proliferation as compared with that in a control sample (48 h; p=0.042, 72 h; p=0.001). Downregulation of the GPR56 expression reduced cell invasion and migration abilities and inhibited colony-forming abilities (p<0.005). The 5-year overall survival rate was worse in the high-expression group as compared with that in the low-expression group (51.6% vs. 74.4%, p=0.008). High GPR56 expression was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival of CRC patients in the univariate (p=0.001) and multivariate (p<0.001) analyses. The expression level of GPR56 plays an important role in tumor progression in CRC, and it may serve as a prognostic indicator in CRC patients.

Development of sustained release formulations of chlorine dioxide gas for inactivation of foodborne pathogens on produce.

Formulations for the sustained release of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas were developed, and their gas-producing profiles and antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium were evaluated in spinach leaves and tomatoes under different relative humidity (RH) conditions. Sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and citric acid were used to generate ClO2 gas, and the generation rate and maximum ClO2 gas concentration were controlled using diatomaceous earth (DE) and calcium chloride (CaCl2). Under 90% RH conditions, sustained release of ClO2 gas was achieved in presence of DE. When 12 g of DE was added to the mixture, the ClO2 gas concentration remained constant at 18 ± 1 ppmv for approximately 28 h. At 50% RH, addition of CaCl2 was effective in maintaining a constant ClO2 gas concentration. When 0.05 g of CaCl2 was added to mixtures containing 0.5 g of DE, ClO2 gas concentration remained constant at 11 ± 1 ppmv for approximately 26 h. Treatment with 30 ppmv of ClO2 gas at 90% RH achieved more than 6.16 and 5.48 log reductions of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium on spinach leaves (in 15 min), and more than 6.78 and 6.34 log reductions of the same in tomatoes (in 10 min). The sustained release formulations for ClO2 gas, developed in this study, could facilitate the use of ClO2 gas as an antimicrobial agent in the food industry.

Synergistic bactericidal effect of hot water with citric acid against Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilm formed on stainless steel.

This study investigated the antimicrobial effect of hot water with citric acid against Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilm on stainless steel (SS). Hot water (50, 60, or 70 °C) with 2% citric acid exhibited a synergistic bactericidal effect on the pathogen biofilm. It was revealed that hot water and citric acid combination induced sub-lethally injured cells. Additionally, mechanisms of the synergistic bactericidal effects of hot water with citric acid were identified through several approaches. In terms of biofilm matrix, hot water removes exopolysaccharides, a major component of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), thereby increasing contact between surface cells and citric acid, resulting in a synergistic bactericidal effect. In terms of the cell itself, increased permeability of citric acid through cell membranes destructed by hot water promotes the inactivation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in E. coli O157:H7, which induce synergistic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which promote inactivation of cell by activating lipid peroxidation, resulting in destruction of the cell membrane. Therefore, it is interpreted that when hot water with citric acid is applied to E. coli O157:H7 biofilm, synergy effects on the biofilm matrix and cell itself have a complex interaction with each other, thus causing a dramatic synergistic bactericidal effect.

Versatile Low-Cost Volumetric 3D Ultrasound Imaging Using Gimbal-Assisted Distance Sensors and an Inertial Measurement Unit.

This study aims at creating low-cost, three-dimensional (3D), freehand ultrasound image reconstructions from commercial two-dimensional (2D) probes. The low-cost system that can be attached to a commercial 2D ultrasound probe consists of commercial ultrasonic distance sensors, a gimbal, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). To calibrate irregular movements of the probe during scanning, relative position data were collected from the ultrasonic sensors that were attached to a gimbal. The directional information was provided from the IMU. All the data and 2D ultrasound images were combined using a personal computer to reconstruct 3D ultrasound image. The relative position error of the proposed system was less than 0.5%. The overall shape of the cystic mass in the breast phantom was similar to those from 2D and sections of 3D ultrasound images. Additionally, the pressure and deformations of lesions could be obtained and compensated by contacting the probe to the surface of the soft tissue using the acquired position data. The proposed method did not require any initial marks or receivers for the reconstruction of a 3D ultrasound image using a 2D ultrasound probe. Even though our system is less than $500, a valuable volumetric ultrasound image could be provided to the users.

A system-level approach identifies HIF-2α as a critical regulator of chondrosarcoma progression.

Chondrosarcomas, malignant cartilaginous neoplasms, are capable of transitioning to highly aggressive, metastatic, and treatment-refractory states, resulting in significant patient mortality. Here, we aim to uncover the transcriptional program directing such tumor progression in chondrosarcomas. We conduct weighted correlation network analysis to extract a characteristic gene module underlying chondrosarcoma malignancy. Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α, encoded by EPAS1) is identified as an upstream regulator that governs the malignancy gene module. HIF-2α is upregulated in high-grade chondrosarcoma biopsies and EPAS1 gene amplification is associated with poor prognosis in chondrosarcoma patients. Using tumor xenograft mouse models, we demonstrate that HIF-2α confers chondrosarcomas the capacities required for tumor growth, local invasion, and metastasis. Meanwhile, pharmacological inhibition of HIF-2α, in conjunction with the chemotherapy agents, synergistically enhances chondrosarcoma cell apoptosis and abolishes malignant signatures of chondrosarcoma in mice. We expect that our insights into the pathogenesis of chondrosarcoma will provide guidelines for the development of molecular targeted therapeutics for chondrosarcoma.

The role of selenium metabolism and selenoproteins in cartilage homeostasis and arthropathies.

As an essential nutrient and trace element, selenium is required for living organisms and its beneficial roles in human health have been well recognized. The role of selenium is mainly played through selenoproteins synthesized by the selenium metabolic system. Selenoproteins have a wide range of cellular functions including regulation of selenium transport, thyroid hormones, immunity, and redox homeostasis. Selenium deficiency contributes to various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver disease, and arthropathy-Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and osteoarthritis (OA). A skeletal developmental disorder, KBD has been reported in low-selenium areas of China, North Korea, and the Siberian region of Russia, and can be alleviated by selenium supplementation. OA, the most common form of arthritis, is a degenerative disease caused by an imbalance in matrix metabolism and is characterized by cartilage destruction. Oxidative stress serves as a major cause of the initiation of OA pathogenesis. Selenium deficiency and dysregulation of selenoproteins are associated with impairments to redox homeostasis in cartilage. We review the recently explored roles of selenium metabolism and selenoproteins in cartilage with an emphasis on two arthropathies, KBD and OA. Moreover, we discuss the potential of therapeutic strategies targeting the biological functions of selenium and selenoproteins for OA treatment.

Inactivation of Bacillus cereus Spores on Stainless Steel by Combined Superheated Steam and UV-C Irradiation Treatment.

Bacillus cereus spore contamination on food contact surfaces is of great concern in the food industry. Thus, in the present study, superheated steam (SHS) was used alone or combined with UV-C irradiation for inactivation of B. cereus spores inoculated on stainless steel coupons. Temperatures higher than 250°C were needed to effectively inactivate B. cereus spores by SHS treatment alone, while a synergistic bactericidal effect resulted from the sequential treatment of SHS before or after UV-C irradiation. The increased dipicolinic acid ratio obtained by the combined treatment had a significant role in the synergistic bactericidal effect. Therefore, the combined treatment of SHS and UV-C could be used effectively to inactivate B. cereus on stainless steel. It is recommended to use hurdle technology with reduced energy consumption to ensure microbiological safety on food contact surfaces.

Tankyrase inhibition preserves osteoarthritic cartilage by coordinating cartilage matrix anabolism via effects on SOX9 PARylation.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease, which involves progressive and irreversible destruction of cartilage matrix. Despite efforts to reconstruct cartilage matrix in osteoarthritic joints, it has been a difficult task as adult cartilage exhibits marginal repair capacity. Here we report the identification of tankyrase as a regulator of the cartilage anabolism axis based on systems-level factor analysis of mouse reference populations. Tankyrase inhibition drives the expression of a cartilage-signature matrisome and elicits a transcriptomic pattern that is inversely correlated with OA progression. Furthermore, tankyrase inhibitors ameliorate surgically induced OA in mice, and stem cell transplantation coupled with tankyrase knockdown results in superior regeneration of cartilage lesions. Mechanistically, the pro-regenerative features of tankyrase inhibition are mainly triggered by uncoupling SOX9 from a poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation)-dependent protein degradation pathway. Our findings provide insights into the development of future OA therapies aimed at reconstruction of articular cartilage.