A highly sensitive fluorescence biosensor for aflatoxins B1 detection based on polydiacetylene liposomes combined with exonuclease III-assisted recycling amplification.

A fluorescence biosensor for determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) based on polydiacetylene (PDA) liposomes and exonuclease III (EXO III)-assisted recycling amplification was developed. The AFB1 aptamer partially hybridizes with complementary DNA (cDNA), which is released upon recognition of AFB1 by the aptamer. Subsequently, the cDNA hybridizes with hairpin H to form double-stranded DNA that undergoes digestion by EXO III, resulting in the cyclic release of cDNA and generation of capture DNA for further reaction. The capture DNA then hybridizes with probe modified on PDA liposomes, leading to aggregation of liposomes and subsequent fluorescence production. This strategy exhibited a limit of detection of 0.18 ng/mL within the linear range 1-100 ng/mL with a determination coefficient > 0.99. The recovery ranged from 92.81 to 106.45%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) between 1.73 and 4.26%, for corn, brown rice, peanut butter, and wheat samples. The stability, accuracy, and specificity of the method demonstrated the applicability for real sample analysis.

Association between inflammatory bowel disease and periodontitis: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

AIM: This Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore the potential bidirectional causal association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used genetic instruments from the genome-wide association study summary statistics of European descent for IBD (12,882 cases and 21,770 controls) to investigate the association with periodontitis (3046 cases and 195,395 controls) and vice versa. The radial inverse-variance weighted method was carried out to obtain the primary causal estimates, and the robustness of the results was assessed by a series of sensitivity analyses. Due to multiple testing, associations with p values <.008 were considered as statistically significant, and p values ≥.008 and <.05 were considered as suggestively significant. RESULTS: In the primary causal estimates, IBD as a whole was associated with an increased risk of periodontitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017; 1.105; p = .006). Subtype analyses showed that ulcerative colitis (UC) was associated with periodontitis (OR, 1.074; 95% CI 1.029; 1.122; p = .001), while Crohn's disease (CD) was not. Regarding the reverse direction, periodontitis showed a suggestive association with IBD as a whole (OR, 1.065; 95% CI 1.013; 1.119; p = .014). Subtype analyses revealed that periodontitis was associated with CD (OR, 1.100; 95% CI 1.038; 1.167; p = .001) but not UC. The final models after outlier removal showed no obvious pleiotropy, indicating that our primary analysis results were reliable. CONCLUSIONS: The present MR study provides moderate evidence on the bidirectional causal relationship between IBD and periodontitis. The bidirectional increased risk found in our study was marginal and, possibly, of limited clinical relevance. More studies are needed to support the findings of our current study.

Nanosilica-Anchored Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibrous Bioscaffold to Boost Osteogenesis for Bone Tissue Engineering.

The strategy of incorporating bioactive inorganic nanomaterials without side effects as osteoinductive supplements is promising for bone regeneration. In this work, a novel biomass nanofibrous scaffold synthesized by electrospinning silica (SiO2) nanoparticles into polycaprolactone/chitosan (PCL/CS) nanofibers was reported for bone tissue engineering. The nanosilica-anchored PCL/CS nanofibrous bioscaffold (PCL/CS/SiO2) exhibited an interlinked continuous fibers framework with SiO2 nanoparticles embedded in the fibers. Compact bone-derived cells (CBDCs), the stem cells derived from the bone cortex of the mouse, were seeded to the nanofibrous bioscaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy and cell counting were used to observe the cell adhesion. The Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alizarin red staining, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western blot tests were performed to confirm the osteogenesis of the CBDCs on the bioscaffolds. The research results demonstrated that the mechanical property of the PCL together with the antibacterial and hydrophilic properties of the CS are conducive to promoting cell adhesion, growth, migration, proliferation and differentiation. SiO2 nanoparticles, serving as bone induction factors, effectively promote the osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration. This novel SiO2-anchored nanofibrous bioscaffold with superior bone induction activity provides a better way for bone tissue regeneration.

Cicada Wing-Inspired Transparent Polystyrene Film Integrating Self-Cleaning, Antifogging, and Antibacterial Properties.

A transparent film integrating antifouling, antifogging, and antibacterial properties is crucial for its application as a protective mask, goggles, or lens. Herein, applying dynamic injection molding coupled with a bionic gradient template, a fast and efficient method is proposed for the preparation of the bionic polystyrene surface (BNPPS) with a cicada wing-inspired nanopillar structure. The contact angle of the BNPPS film increases continuously along the wing vein, while the sliding angle decreases continuously, mimicking the gradient wetting state of a cicada wing and providing excellent self-propelled removal properties for tiny water droplets. Notably, the BNPPS film has a transmittance higher than 90% and a reflectivity lower than 5% in the visible light range. Dyeing water, milk, juice, cola, and ink can slide smoothly from the BNPPS film surface without leaving any residue. Importantly, the nanopillars on the BNPPS film surface can penetrate and kill most of the Escherichia coli within 20 min. Therefore, the prepared BNPPS film with sufficient mechanical strength gathers the unique properties of the cicada wing together. The proposed research is expected to offer valuable guidance for fabricating self-cleaning, antifogging, and antibacterial optical devices that could be utilized in medical and vision systems operating in harsh environments.

Antibacterial Photodynamic Treatment of Porphyromonas gingivalis with Toluidine Blue O and a NonLaser Red Light Source Enhanced by Dihydroartemisinin.

In vitro experiments confirmed that antibacterial photodynamic treatment (aPDT) inactivates periodontal pathogens. However, more effective sterilization is needed in the complex oral environment. This study tested whether dihydroartemisinin (DHA) enhanced the photokilling effect of aPDT on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in planktonic and biofilm states. aPDT combining toluidine blue O (TBO) with 630 nm red light was performed on bacterial suspensions and biofilms in vitro with different final concentrations of DHA (10, 20 and 40 µg mL-1 ). The sensitization mechanism was preliminarily investigated by uptake experiments. The above experiments were repeated with different incubation times (30, 60, 120 s). Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms exhibited significantly higher resistance to aPDT than P. gingivalis in suspension under the same experimental parameters. DHA alone had no cytotoxic effect on P. gingivalis with or without light irradiation. In either bacterial suspensions or biofilms, DHA concentration-dependently enhanced the photokilling effect of aPDT and increased TBO uptake by P. gingivalis. Prolonged incubation time enhanced the photokilling efficiency of aPDT until cellular TBO uptake reached saturation. DHA can enhance aPDT activity against P. gingivalis in planktonic and biofilm states. DHA also accelerated TBO uptake, reducing incubation time.

Epidemiological and aetiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease cases 2011-2017 in Yixing, China.

OBJECTIVES: Aim to find the epidemiological and aetiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Yixing. METHODS: All HFMD cases reported in China information for disease control and prevention system in 2011-2017 were analysed. Rectal and throat swab samples were randomly selected and detected by RT-PCR to recognize the pathogenic agent: CoxasckievirusA16 (CA16), Enterovirus 71 (EV71) or other human enterovirus. SPSS 22.0 software packages were used to analyse the epidemiological and aetiological characteristics of the cases and samples. RESULTS: Seventeen thousand seven hundred and thirty-six HFMD cases were reported in Yixing including 10,513 males and 7223 females, 2011-2017. Maximum incidence was 197.25/100,000 reported in 2014. 78.22% (13,873 cases) were between 1- and 4-year old. The peak of HFMD cases were always reported in June. The incidence of HFMD was 227.13/100,000 averagely in males, higher statistically than 165.53/100,000 in females (p < .01). Five hundred and seventy-four cases were positive in RT-PCT detection provided the evidences of the circulating of CA16, EV71 and other human enterovirus in HFMD cases and predominant viruses related HFMD were different each year. The positive rate of EV71 was 38.27% in males, lower than 46.80% in females (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant higher incidence of HFMD was observed in males and significant higher positive rate of EV71 was observed in females. Obvious seasonal pattern, difference in year and age group were observed. Results suggest that females are more exposed to EV71 than females in China. The data argue for deeper investigations for the potential risk factors that threat the susceptible population.

Protection of colonic anastomosis with platelet-rich plasma gel in the open abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Although evidence for colonic anastomosis in the damage control abdomen continues to accumulate, anastomotic leak is common and associated with greater morbidity. The purposes of our study was to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel on the healing of colon anastomosis and anastomotic strength in the open abdomen. METHODS: PRP was prepared by enriching whole blood platelet concentration from healthy rat. In the rodent model, standard colonic anastomoses followed by closure of abdomen (Control; n=10) and anastomoses followed by open abdomen (OA; n=10) were compared to PRP-sealed anastomoses in open abdomen (OA+PRP; n=10). One week after surgery, body weight, anastomotic bursting pressure, hydroxyproline concentration, and histology of anastomotic tissue were evaluated. RESULTS: All rats survived surgery and had no signs of anastomotic leakage. Compared with the control and PRP group, OA group exhibited a significant decrease in body weight, anastomotic bursting pressure, hydroxyproline concentration, and collagen deposition. No significant difference was detected in these variables between the PRP group and the control group. CONCLUSION: PRP gel application prevented delayed anastomotic wound healing after open abdomen, which suggested that anastomotic sealing with PRP gel might improve outcome of colonic injuries in the setting of open abdomen.

[Interface shear stress between the artificial bones and injectable calcium phosphate glue: an experimental study in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the composite bone material, fibrin glue (FG) combined with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP)/monocalcium phosphate, in repairing bone defects and assess the feasibility of using this cement for artificial joint fixation. METHODS: Bone defects were induced in 16 normal adult New Zealand white rabbits at the bilateral femoral lateral condyles where an 8-mm-deep hole (4 mm in diameter) was drilled on each side. The composite FG/calcium phosphate cement (CPC) (solution: power volume ratio of 0.3:1) was injected on one side of the bone defects (experimental group) and pressurized for 10 minutes, and CPC was injected on the other side (control). The rabbits were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks after the operation for gross observation and biomechanical tests. RESULT: The composite material FG/CPC was more effective than CPC for bone defect repair, and biomechanical tests revealed significant differences between them (P<0.05). The shear stress of the artificial bone cement in the FG/CPC group was stronger than that in CPC group. CONCLUSION: The FG/CPC composite possesses good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity and may serve as an ideal material for repairing bone defects.