Injectable Oxygen-Carrying Microsphere Hydrogel for Dynamic Regulation of Redox Microenvironment of Wounds.

The delayed healing of infected wounds can be attributed to the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent damages to vascellum and tissue, resulting in a hypoxic wound environment that further exacerbates inflammation. Current clinical treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and antibiotic treatment fail to provide sustained oxygenation and drug-free resistance to infection. To propose a dynamic oxygen regulation strategy, this study develops a composite hydrogel with ROS-scavenging system and oxygen-releasing microspheres in the wound dressing. The hydrogel itself reduces cellular damage by removing ROS derived from immune cells. Simultaneously, the sustained release of oxygen from microspheres improves cell survival and migration in hypoxic environments, promoting angiogenesis and collagen regeneration. The combination of ROS scavenging and oxygenation enables the wound dressing to achieve drug-free anti-infection through activating immune modulation, inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, and promoting tissue regeneration in both acute and infected wounds of rat skins. Thus, the composite hydrogel dressing proposed in this work shows great potential for dynamic redox regulation of infected wounds and accelerates wound healing without drugs.

Enhancing the Photocatalytic Degradation Efficiency of Dyes of Copper-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks through a Dimension-Induced Structural Strategy.

Photocatalytic degradation of pollutants is an effective environment purification strategy. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted extensive attention in the field of photocatalysis owing to their structural diversity, uniform cavity, and large specific surface area. However, poor electrical conductivity, light absorption, and water stability restrict their development. The tailorable structure of MOFs may effectively overcome these limitations. Herein, three Cu-based MOFs (complexes 1-3) with one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) structures, respectively, were successfully prepared by introducing different uncoordinated ligands and adjusting the ligand/metal salt ratio. Among them, complex 1 with a 1D chain was constructed as a typical J-type aggregation by π-π stacking interactions between adjacent naphthalene rings. This intermolecular aggregation mode enhances strong exciton coupling between conjugated rings, reduces the transition energy, expands the intrinsic light absorption edge, and provides a channel for electron transport, thus improving the charge-separation efficiency. As expected, complex 1 with a 1D chain structure exhibited excellent Fenton-like catalytic activity. The apparent reaction rates were 3.2 and 2.0 times higher than those of 2D and 3D MOFs, respectively.

[Effects of family dignity intervention on male infertility patients and their spouses].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of family dignity intervention (FDI) on anxiety, depression, hope level and quality of life (QOL) of male infertility patients and their spouses. METHODS: Using quasi-experimental design, we selected male infertility patients and their spouses undergoing human-assisted reproductive technology (ART) in our Center of Reproductive Medicine from June to December 2022 and divided them into an intervention group (38 couples) and a control group (40 couples). The former underwent a four-stage FDI, including ovulation promotion cycle assessment, family sharing, pre-transplantation interview and post-transplantation follow-up, while the latter received routine nursing. Using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Herth Hope Index and Fertility Quality of Life Scale, we evaluated the effects of FDI before and after transplantation. RESULTS: After FDI, the anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and the total scores on the hope level and all other dimensions remarkably higher in the intervention group than in the control (P < 0.05). The self-confidence of the couples in the intervention groups in ART treatment was markedly increased in comparison with that of the controls, and their scores on physical and mental health were significantly higher than those of the latter (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: FDI can effectively relieve the anxiety and depression, raise the hope level and improve the quality of life of both male infertility patients and their spouses.

Fabrication of Two Isomorphic and Hyperstable Rare Earth-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks with Efficient Ratiometric Probe and Photocatalytic Performances.

Two isomorphic lanthanide compounds {[Ln(ddpp)(H2O)]·CH3CN}n (Ln = Eu and Gd, H4ddpp = 2,5-di(2',4'-dicarboxylphenyl)pyridine) were synthesized. Complex 1-Eu displays ultrahigh acid-base stability and thermal stability. Furthermore, luminescence measurements revealed that 1-Eu could detect quinolone antibiotics with an ultralow limit of detection in aqueous solution. The ratiometric probe properties for sensing antibiotics could be attributed to the incompletely sensitized Eu3+ ion of the ligand. Remarkably, it is interesting that 1-Gd exhibits excellent tetracycline degradation properties under visible light. Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were carried out to investigate the photodegradation mechanisms. Moreover, a rational explanation for the fluorescent probe and photocatalysis behavior of these two complexes was also discussed with the assistance of density functional theory calculations.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis and screening (PGD/S) using a semiconductor sequencing platform.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in semiconductor sequencing platform (SSP) have provided new methods for preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (PGD/S). The present study aimed to evaluate the applicability and efficiency of SSP in PGD/S. METHODS: The artificial positive single-cell-like DNAs and normal single-cell samples were chosen to test our semiconductor sequencing platform for preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (SSP-PGD/S) method with two widely used whole-genome amplification (WGA) kits. A total of 557 single blastomeres were collected from in vitro fertilization (IVF) couples, and their WGA products were processed and analyzed by our SSP-PGD/S method in comparison with array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH). RESULTS: Our SSP-PGD/S method indicated high compatibilities with two commercial WGA kits. For 557 single blastomeres, our method with four million reads in average could detect 24-chromosome aneuploidies as well as microdeletion/microduplication of the size over 4 Mb, providing 100% consistent conclusion with array-CGH method in the classification of whether it was transplantable. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies suggested that SSP-PGD/S represents a valuable alternative to array-CGH and brought PGD/S into a new era of more rapid, accurate, and economic.

Tetraphenylethylene-Decorated Metal-Organic Frameworks as Energy-Transfer Platform for the Detection of Nitro-Antibiotics and White-Light Emission.

The highly porous luminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can act as fluorescent probes for the detection of nitro compounds and can also serve as containers and energy transfer platforms to construct the host-guest systems. Herein, two new three-dimensional MOFs with high porosity were prepared successfully by the electron-rich tetrakis(4-pyridylphenyl)ethylene (tppe) as ligands. Compound 1 shows the high sensitivity and selectivity toward nitro-antibiotics in an aqueous media, particularly showing the best detection efficiency for furazolidone (FZD) among the reported luminescent sensors. The highly efficient fluorescence quenching toward FZD may be attributed to the electron and energy transfer. Compound 2 has naphthalene-2,7-dicarboxylic acid (2,7-npd) and tppe as dual linkers, and the energy transfer between 2,7-npd and tppe leads to the emission band in a large scale. It is worth noting that the single-phased white-light materials can be obtained by the in situ encapsulation of different concentration of sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) into compound 2 matrix.

{Zn6} Cluster Based Metal-Organic Framework with Enhanced Room-Temperature Phosphorescence and Optoelectronic Performances.

Molecule-based solid-state materials with long lifetimes could enable longer migration distances for excitons, which are beneficial for vast applications in optoelectronic field. Herein, we report a hexanuclear zinc cluster based MOF exhibits highly enhanced phosphorescence about 2 orders of magnitude in comparison with the pristine phosphor ligand. The combination of both experimental and computational results suggest that the {Zn6} cluster is very important for adjusting molecular conformations, packing arrangement, and photophysical properties of the organic phosphor ligands within the MOF matrix. Optoelectronic measurements reveal that the MOF-modified electrode is catalytically active to hydrogen evolution under light irradiation in neutral solution. Thus, our study provide an effective way to achieve low-cost metal-based phosphorescence MOF, expanding its further optoelectronic applications.

A gate-opening controlled metal-organic framework for selective solid-phase microextraction of aldehydes from exhaled breath of lung cancer patients.

A stainless steel fiber was coated with a gate-opening controlled metal-organic framework ZIF-7 via a sol-gel method and applied to the solid-phase microextraction of aldehydes (hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal) from exhaled breath by lung cancer patients. The effects of temperature and time on the sorption and desorption were optimized. Under optimum condition, the modified fiber displays enrichment factors (typically ranging from 300 to 10,000), low limits of detection (0.61-0.84 µg L-1), and wide linear ranges of hexanal, heptanal (5-500 µg L-1) and octanal, nonanal, decanal (10-1000 µg L-1). The high extraction capability for aldehydes is thought to result from (a) the combined effects of the large surface area and the unique porous structure of the ZIF-7, (b) the hydrophobicity and gate-opening effect of the sorbent, (c) the high selectivity of the window, and (d) the presence of unsaturated metal-coordination sites. The coated fiber is thermally stable and can be re-used >150 times. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for six replicate extractions using a single fiber ranged from 1.4-15.3% for intra-day and 2.4-16.1% for inter-day. The fiber-to-fiber reproducibility for three fibers prepared in parallel was in the range of 2.4-12.6% (RSD). The method was applied to the extraction of aldehydes from real samples and to the quantitation by gas chromatography. Recoveries from spiked samples ranged from 84 to 113%. Graphical abstract A metal-organic framework ZIF-7 coated stainless steel fiber was prepared via sol-gel method. The self-made fiber was applied in the solid phase microextraction of aldehydes from exhaled breath of lung cancer patients.

The effect of contraceptive methods on reproductive tract infections risk: a cross-sectional study having a sample of 52,481 women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific contraceptives use and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). STUDY DESIGN: Participants consisted of 52,481 rural married women of reproductive age identified from a cross-sectional study in Anhui Province of China. The questionnaire, gynecological examination, and laboratory inspection were used to collect data. The subgroup analysis was performed to estimate the effect of the specific contraceptives on the specific RTIs. RESULTS: A total of 49,970 (95.2 %) women used contraceptive methods and 31,390 (59.8 %) women had at least one RTI. Overall, use of intrauterine device (IUD), condom, female sterilisation, rhythm method, and oral contraceptive (OC) were associated with RTIs. In the subgroup analysis, IUD use was a risk factor for endocervicitis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and trichomoniasis; condom, rhythm method, and OC were associated with endocervicitis; female sterilisation was associated with endocervicitis and trichomoniasis. Moreover, male sterilisation was associated with endocervicitis; withdrawal was a protective factor for endocervicitis and a risk factor for trichomoniasis; subdermal implant was associated with candidiasis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). CONCLUSIONS: All the contraceptive methods may lead to the RTIs. A properly assessment for contraceptive methods use is needed for female reproductive health.

Aerobic oxidation of alcohols and the synthesis of benzoxazoles catalyzed by a cuprocupric coordination polymer (Cu(+)-CP) assisted by TEMPO.

A Cu(+)-CP based on the tetranuclear unit {[(HSQPA)2Cu4(bipy)4]·2H2O}n·2nH2O has been constructed through Cu(2+) salt, 2-(sulfonylquinlium-8-yloxy)phthalic acid (H3SQPA), and 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy). This Cu(+)-CP combined with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl as the cocatalyst is an effective catalyst for aerobic oxidation of alcohols and the synthesis of benzoxazoles and can be recycled at least four times without losing its catalytic activity.

Human sperm devoid of germinal angiotensin-converting enzyme is responsible for total fertilization failure and lower fertilization rates by conventional in vitro fertilization.

In conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), complete failure of fertilization occurs in 5% to 15% of treatments. Although the causes may be unclear, sperm defects appear to be the major contributor. However, a convincing test is not yet available that can predict the risk of fertilization failure. In this study, we found that germinal angiotensin-converting enzyme (gACE) (also called testicular ACE) was undetectable in sperm from patients who had total fertilization failure (TFF) and lower fertilization rates (LFRs) by IVF based on Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence analyses. Additionally, almost all of the patients without gACE on sperm (23 of 25) manifested a TT genotype of the rs4316 single-nucleotide polymorphism of ACE. Overall, our results indicate that the absence of gACE expression is responsible for TFF and LFRs by IVF. The rs4316 polymorphism of ACE might be associated with infertility in those patients. We conclude that sperm lacking gACE may be recognized before commencing IVF and that the patients may be directed instead to consider intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Single-atom tailored atomically-precise nanoclusters for enhanced electrochemical reduction of CO2-to-CO activity.

The development of facile tailoring approach to adjust the intrinsic activity and stability of atomically-precise metal nanoclusters catalysts is of great interest but remians challenging. Herein, the well-defined Au8 nanoclusters modified by single-atom sites are rationally synthesized via a co-eletropolymerization strategy, in which uniformly dispersed metal nanocluster and single-atom co-entrenched on the poly-carbazole matrix. Systematic characterization and theoretical modeling reveal that functionalizing single-atoms enable altering the electronic structures of Au8 clusters, which amplifies their electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO activity by ~18.07 fold compared to isolated Au8 metal clusters. The rearrangements of the electronic structure not only strengthen the adsorption of the key intermediates *COOH, but also establish a favorable reaction pathway for the CO2 reduction reaction. Moreover, this strategy fixing nanoclusters and single-atoms on cross-linked polymer networks efficiently deduce the performance deactivation caused by agglomeration during the catalytic process. This work contribute to explore the intrinsic activity and stability improvement of metal clusters.

A Gas Therapy Strategy for Intestinal Flora Regulation and Colitis Treatment by Nanogel-Based Multistage NO Delivery Microcapsules.

Current approaches to treating inflammatory bowel disease focus on the suppression of overactive immune responses, the removal of reactive intestinal oxygen species, and regulation of the intestinal flora. However, owing to the complex structure of the gastrointestinal tract and the influence of mucus, current small-molecule and biologic-based drugs for treating colitis cannot effectively act at the site of colon inflammation, and as a result, they tend to exhibit low efficacies and toxic side effects. In this study, nanogel-based multistage NO delivery microcapsules are developed to achieve NO release at the inflammation site by targeting the inflammatory tissues using the nanogel. Surprisingly, oral administration of the microcapsules suppresses the growth of pathogenic bacteria and increases the abundance of probiotic bacteria. Metabolomics further show that an increased abundance of intestinal probiotics promotes the production of metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and indole derivatives, which modulate the intestinal immunity and restore the intestinal barrier via the interleukin-17 and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. This work reveals that the developed gas therapy strategy based on multistage NO delivery microcapsules modulates the intestinal microbial balance, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting intestinal barrier repair, ultimately providing a new therapeutic approach for the clinical management of colitis.

In vitro fertilization alters growth and expression of Igf2/H19 and their epigenetic mechanisms in the liver and skeletal muscle of newborn and elder mice.

Epidemiological studies have reported a higher incidence of growth disorders among newborns conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), suggesting that IVF may be disruptive to the process of embryonic and fetal growth. However, the long-term effects of IVF on the growth and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the body weight of IVF mice from birth to the age of 1.5 yr. In addition, we analyzed gene expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2), H19, Igf2 receptor (Igf2r), and miR-483 and their DNA methylation status using real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot, and pyrosequencing. The results showed that when compared with the in vivo group, the body weight of IVF mice was significantly higher at birth, but lower at 3 wk; in addition, gene expression of Igf2 was significantly up-regulated, with down-regulated expression of H19 and miR-483 in both liver and skeletal muscle. At the same time, there were significant differences in the DNA methylation rates of Igf2/H19 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and the IGF2 protein expression between the two groups. In the IVF treatment group, the differences in growth and expression disappeared at 10 wk. However, at 1.5 yr of age, aberrant expressions of Igf2/H19, Igf2r, and miR-483 and changes in DNA methylation rates in the liver or skeletal muscle were again observed in IVF mice. Our results indicate that IVF causes alterations in mouse growth during the postnatal periods that may be associated with alterations in Igf2/H19 expression and likely involve the regulation of miR-483 and the methylation status of Igf2/H19 DMRs.

Alterations in the frequency of trinucleotide repeat dynamic mutations in offspring conceived through assisted reproductive technology.

STUDY QUESTION: How does the frequency of trinucleotide repeat dynamic mutations in offspring conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) compare with the frequency of these mutations in control offspring conceived from spontaneous pregnancies? SUMMARY ANSWER: There is a slight increase in dynamic mutation instability in offspring conceived through ART compared with the naturally conceived offspring. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: There is evidence to suggest that ART can increase the risk of birth defects and karyotypic abnormalities. However, the accumulating evidence of an association between ART and de novo genetic aberrations is controversial. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A prospective clinical observational study was performed on 246 families recruited from an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre at a tertiary-care, university-affiliated teaching hospital from 2008 to 2012. The study included 147 ART families [75 IVF and 72 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)] in the study group and 99 natural-conception families in the control group. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, METHODS: Parental, umbilical cord and infant peripheral blood samples were collected, and the trinucleotide repeats of the ATN1, AR, ATXN1, ATXN3, Huntington, DMPK and FMR-1 genes were investigated between the generations; these genes were chosen due to their ability to undergo dynamic mutation. The frequencies and sizes of the mutational repeats, as well as the intergenerational instability, were measured. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In 2466 transmissions identified in the ART offspring, 2.11% (n = 52/2466) of the alleles were unstable upon transmission, while in the control group offspring, the frequency of dynamic mutation was 0.77% (n = 10/1300); this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The unstable transmission alleles were detected in 32 (2.48%) of the 1288 alleles from the IVF offspring and in 20 (1.70%) of the 1178 alleles from the ICSI offspring; both of these frequencies were significantly different from that of naturally conceived offspring (0.77%) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in the sizes of the mutational repeats or in the rates of expansion or contraction among the three groups (P > 0.05). The repeat copy numbers of the examined genes were found to be within the normal ranges in all parents and infants. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: One strength of our study is the relatively large sample size; we were able to detect mutations in seven common dynamic genes, and this large sample size allowed us to detect unstable alleles. Although we observed a clear alteration in the frequency of dynamic mutation in the ART offspring compared with controls, further studies are urgently needed to confirm this observation and determine the cause of this phenomenon. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: DNA microsatellite analysis provides an important tool to assess genomic instability. In this study, we report an association between ART and the frequency of dynamic mutation. The instability could be a reflection of the core infertility problem, the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and/or the in vitro culture conditions.

Alteration of fatty acid metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue, and testis of male mice conceived through assisted reproductive technologies: fatty acid metabolism in ART mice.

BACKGROUND: Lipid metabolism plays important roles in the whole process of pregnancy. Previous studies have demonstrated abnormalities of lipid metabolism in the placentas of pregnancies obtained by assisted reproductive technology (ART). Therefore, we hypothesized that ART micromanipulation may affect lipid metabolism in offspring, and focused on the fatty acid metabolism in ART male offspring in this study. METHODS: The fatty acid metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue and testis was detected. The comparison between naturally conceived (NC), controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) mice was made to analyze the effect of ART on offspring. The mice models in this study included two age groups: adult group and old group. The fatty acid composition and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes were analyzed by GC-MS and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The fatty acid composition in the liver and adipose tissue were significantly altered in ART mice, but no significant difference was found in the testis. In adipose tissue, ART mice showed decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in both adult and old mice, while the alteration of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the adult disappeared in the old. In liver, the changes were much complex in adult mice, while increased MUFAs and decreased PUFAs were found in ART old mice. The activities of fatty acid metabolism-related enzymes and the expression of lipogenic and lipolytic proteins changed in ART groups, with the adult mice and old mice showing inconsistent alterations. Further analysis indicated that SFAs was closely associated with the alterations of fatty acid metabolism-related enzyme activities and the expression of lipogenic and lipolytic proteins. Furthermore, we also found that the effect of separated ART treatments on fatty acid metabolism varied with different ages and tissues. CONCLUSIONS: ART treatments had effect on the fatty acid composition in adipose tissue and liver of male mice. The alteration of SFAs content was crucial for the regulation of fatty acid composition. These changes might have potential effects on the health of ART male offspring which need further investigation.

[Detection and prenatal diagnosis for RS1 gene mutations in two Chinese families with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis].

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential mutations of retinoschisis 1 (RS1) gene responsible for X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) in two Chinese families. METHODS: The 6 exons and flanking intronic regions were analyzed with PCR and direct sequencing. RESULTS: Two RS1 mutations were identified in the two families, which included 1 frameshift mutation (c.573delG, p.Pro192fs) and 1 missense mutation (c.626G>A, p.Arg209His). CONCLUSION: Two RS1 mutations have been identified, among which Pro192fs mutation is discovered for the first time in Chinese population. Above results may enrich our understanding of the clinical manifestations of XLRS and facilitated early diagnosis and genetic counseling for the disease.

U-type π-conjugated phosphorescent ligand sensitized lanthanide metal-organic frameworks for efficient white-light-emitting diodes.

Lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) based phosphors for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) play an important role in the fields of solid-state lighting and display. The rational design of organic antennae to address the drawback of low extinction coefficients of the lanthanide ions is highly desired. In this work, we provide a new design strategy to achieve an energy transfer molecule with a through-space conjugated folded structure, which can strengthen the skeleton rigidity and facilitate triplet state energy transfer. Consequently, one U-type π-conjugated molecule 2,6-bis(3,5-dicarboxylphenoxy) pyridine (H4L) was selected as a light gatherer to sensitize lanthanide ions for the construction of Ln-MOFs [Ln(HL)(H2O)3]n (Eu-MOF and Tb-MOF), which exhibit a long-lived luminescence lifetime (0.88 ms for Eu-MOF and 1.31 ms for Tb-MOF) and high quantum yields (50.87% for Eu-MOF and 85.64% for Tb-MOF). Furthermore, a white LED device with a colour rendering index (89) was fabricated using the mixture of Ln-MOFs with a commercial blue phosphor.

All-Natural Immunomodulatory Bioadhesive Hydrogel Promotes Angiogenesis and Diabetic Wound Healing by Regulating Macrophage Heterogeneity.

Macrophages are highly heterogeneous and exhibit a diversity of functions and phenotypes. They can be divided into pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) and anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2). Diabetic wounds are characterized by a prolonged inflammatory phase and difficulty in healing due to the accumulation of pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophages in the wound. Therefore, hydrogel dressings with macrophage heterogeneity regulation function hold great promise in promoting diabetic wound healing in clinical applications. However, the precise conversion of pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages by simple and biosafe approaches is still a great challenge. Here, an all-natural hydrogel with the ability to regulate macrophage heterogeneity is developed to promote angiogenesis and diabetic wound healing. The protocatechuic aldehyde hybridized collagen-based all-natural hydrogel exhibits good bioadhesive and antibacterial properties as well as reactive oxygen species scavenging ability. More importantly, the hydrogel is able to convert M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages without the need for any additional ingredients or external intervention. This simple and safe immunomodulatory approach shows great application potential for shortening the inflammatory phase of diabetic wound repair and accelerating wound healing.

Electro-microenvironment modulated inhibition of endogenous biofilms by piezo implants for ultrasound-localized intestinal perforation disinfection.

Endogenous bacterial infections from damaged gastrointestinal (GI) organs have high potential to cause systemic inflammatory responses and life-threatening sepsis. Current treatments, including systemic antibiotic administration and surgical suturing, are difficult in preventing bacterial translocation and further infection. Here, we report a wireless localized stimulator composed of a piezo implant with high piezoelectric output serving as an anti-infective therapy patch, which aims at modulating the electro-microenvironment of biofilm around GI wounds for effective inhibition of bacterial infection if combined with ultrasound (US) treatment from outside the body. The pulsed charges generated by the piezo implant in response to US stimulation transfer into bacterial biofilms, effectively destroying their macromolecular components (e.g., membrane proteins), disrupting the electron transport chain of biofilms, and inhibiting bacterial proliferation, as proven by experimental studies and theoretical calculations. The piezo implant, in combination with US stimulation, also exhibits successful in vivo anti-infection efficacy in a rat cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. The proposed strategy, combining piezo implants with controllable US activation, creates a promising pathway for inhibiting endogenous bacterial infection caused by GI perforation.