Dual-Ligand Ruthenium Coordination Polymer-Derived Self-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescent Emitters for Sensitive Detection of Procalcitonin.

Ru-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) coordination polymers are widely employed for bioanalysis and medical diagnosis. However, commonly used Ru-based coordination polymers face the limitation of low efficiency due to the long distance between the ECL reagent and the coreactant dispersed in detecting solution. Herein, we report a dual-ligand self-enhanced ECL coordination polymer, composed of tris(4,4'-dicarboxylic acid-2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) dichloride (Ru(dcbpy)32+) as ECL reactant ligand and ethylenediamine (EDA) as corresponding coreactant ligand into Zn2+ metal node, termed Zn-Ru-EDA. Zn-Ru-EDA shows excellent ECL performance which is attributed to the effective intramolecular electron transport between the two ligands. Furthermore, the dual-ligand polymer allows an anodic low excitation potential (+1.09 V) luminescence. The shift in the energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) upward after the synthesis of the Zn-Ru-EDA has resulted in a reduced excitation potential. The low excitation potential reduced biomolecular damage and the destruction of the modified electrodes. The ECL biosensor has been constructed using Zn-Ru-EDA with high ECL efficiency for the ultrasensitive detection of a bacterial infection and sepsis biomarker, procalcitonin (PCT), in the range from 1.00 × 10-6 to 1.00 × 10 ng·mL-1 with outstanding selectivity, and the detection limit was as low as 0.47 fg·mL-1. Collectively, the dual-ligand-based self-enhanced polymer may provide an ideal strategy for high ECL efficiency improvement as well as designing new self-enhanced multiple-ligand-based coordination in sensitive biomolecular detection for early disease diagnostics.

Cluster-Dominated Electrochemiluminescence of Tertiary Amines in Polyethyleneimine Nanoparticles: Mechanism Insights and Sensing Application.

Designing and screening highly efficient and cost-effective luminophores have always been a challenge to develop sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensors. Herein, polyethyleneimine nanoparticles (PEI NPs), a kind of nonconjugated polymer (NCP) NPs with tertiary amine clusters, were developed as an ECL luminophore. Specifically, PEI NPs were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method using PEI and formaldehyde. The properties of PEI NPs were investigated in detail using photochemical and electrochemical techniques. The results showed cluster-dominated luminescence of tertiary amines in PEI NPs via "through-space conjugation". This non-negligible ECL performance (at 631 nm) was also verified by the initiated reduction-oxidation process. With persulfate as a coreactant, PEI NPs acted as both the luminophore and coreaction accelerator to enhance the ECL intensity remarkably, which was eightfold higher than that of isolated PEI. Moreover, choosing dopamine as the model target, a highly sensitive "signal off" ternary ECL sensor was constructed utilizing PEI NPs as the luminophore. Dopamine could be oxidized to benzoquinone at the sensing interface, quenching the signal via ECL energy transfer. Free from any signal amplification, the proposed sensor achieved a low detection limit (4.3 nM) for target monitoring with good selectivity and stability. This strategy not only provides a unique perspective for designing novel efficient and facile ECL luminophores of tertiary amines but also broadens the biological application of NCP NPs.

Long-term outcomes of axillary to carotid bypass for symptomatic patients with chronic common carotid artery occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: Relatively little is known about the natural history of atherosclerotic common carotid artery occlusion and optimal treatment of these patients is still unclear. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the immediate- and long-term outcomes of axillary to carotid bypass with polytetrafluoroethylene graft for symptomatic patients with chronic common carotid artery occlusion. METHODS: From March 2001 to December 2017, 58 symptomatic patients (41 men; mean age 64.7 years) with chronic common carotid artery occlusion underwent axillary to carotid bypass at one academic hospital. The clinical data of this patient cohort were retrospectively analyzed. The cumulative graft patency, overall survival, freedom from symptoms, and freedom from ipsilateral stroke were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients presented with transient ischemic attack and 25 patients presented with minor stroke. At 30 days after bypass, the overall perioperative complication rate was 3.4% (2/58). Mild injuries of brachial plexus occurred in one (1.7%) patient and myocardial infarction occurred in one (1.7%) patient. No perioperative stroke or death occurred. The median follow-up was 51 months (range, 12-203) for this series. The cumulative graft patency rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 100%, 100%, 94%, and 83%, respectively. The cumulative freedom from symptoms rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 100%, 100%, 94%, and 75%, respectively. The cumulative freedom from ipsilateral stroke rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 100%, 100%, 94%, and 82%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 98%, 89%, 81%, and 67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Axillary to carotid bypass with polytetrafluoroethylene graft is safe and durable for symptomatic patients with chronic common carotid artery occlusion. The results of this study should be confirmed with a larger, randomized controlled trial in future.

Pulmonary toxicity and RNA sequencing analyses of mouse in response to exposure to cellulose nanofibrils.

OBJECTIVE: The growing applications of nanocelluloses in the fields of advanced nanocomposites, electronics, and medical devices necessitate investigation of their potential adverse effects on human health. The lungs are the primary and the most important route for the entry of nanocelluloses into the human body in occupational settings. However, data on the pulmonary toxicity of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and its molecular mechanism are limited. This study investigated the pulmonary toxicity of CNFs and its genomic expression using the RNA sequencing approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were administered CNFs at 50 µg/mouse by oropharyngeal aspiration. Samples were collected at 3 and 14 days after exposure to CNFs (DAEC). RESULTS: At three DAEC, the microscopic sections of lungs revealed a significant inflammatory response. In terms of gene expression alterations, 94 genes were up-regulated, and 107 genes were down-regulated. Most of these differentially expressed genes were involved in the inflammatory and immune responses, including chemokines, NK cells, killer cell lectin-like receptors, CD antigens, T cell-specific GTPases, immunity-related GTPase family M members, and interferon-induced proteins encoding genes. However, only 9 and 26 genes at 14 DAEC were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The pathological analysis of lung sections and the analysis of sequencing data suggested that the homeostasis of mice lungs was restored at 14 DAEC. The findings of this study provide insights into the pulmonary toxicity, and underlying toxicological mechanisms, caused by exposure to CNFs, and are useful for the assessment of the potential toxicity of nanocelluloses.

PVP intercalated metallic WSe2 as NIR photothermal agents for efficient tumor ablation.

Transition metal dichalogenides (TMDCs) with unique layered structures hold promising potential as transducers for photothermal therapy. However, the low photothermal conversion efficiency and poor stability in some cases limit their practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of ultrathin homogeneous hybridized TMDC nanosheets and their use for highly efficient photothermal tumor ablation. In particular, the nanosheets were composed of metallic WSe2 intercalated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which was facilely prepared through a solvothermal process from the mixture of selenourea crystals, WCl6 powder along with PVP polymeric nanogel. Our characterizations revealed that the obtained nanosheets exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, therapeutic demonstration with improved biocompatibility and physiological stability attributing to the combined merits of metallic phase of WSe2 and hydrophilic PVP insertion. Both the histological analysis of vital organs and in vitro/in vivo tests confirmed the nanosheets as actively effective and biologically safe in this phototherapeutic technique. Findings from this non-invasive experiment clearly emphasize the explorable therapeutic efficacy of the layered-based hybrid agents in future cancer treatment planning procedures.

Glomus tumor in the floor of the mouth: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumors are rare benign neoplasms that usually occur in the upper and lower extremities. Oral cavity involvement is exceptionally rare, with only a few cases reported to date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24-year-old woman with complaints of swelling in the left floor of her mouth for 6 months was referred to our institution. Her swallowing function was slightly affected; however, she did not have pain or tongue paralysis. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a 2.8 × 1.8 × 2.1 cm-sized well-defined, solid, heterogeneous nodule above the mylohyoid muscle. The mandible appeared to be uninvolved. The patient underwent surgery via an intraoral approach; histopathological examination revealed a glomus tumor. The patient has had no evidence of recurrence over 4 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Glomus tumors should be considered when patients present with painless nodules in the floor of the mouth.

Two novel mutations in TMEM38B result in rare autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by decreased bone mass and recurrent bone fractures. Transmembrane protein 38B (TMEM38B) gene encodes trimeric intracellular cation channel type B (TRIC-B), mutations of which will lead to the rare form of autosomal recessive OI. Here we detected pathogenic gene mutations in TMEM38B and investigated its phenotypes in three children with OI from two non-consanguineous families of Chinese Han origin. The patients suffered from recurrent fractures, low bone mass, mild bone deformities and growth retardation, but did not have impaired hearing or dentinogenesis imperfecta. Next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous novel acceptor splice site variant (c.455-7T>G in intron 3, p.R151_G152insVL) in family 1 and a homozygous novel nonsense variant (c.507G>A in exon 4, p.W169X) in family 2. The parents of the probands were all heterozygous carriers of these mutations. We reported the phenotype and novel mutations in TMEM38B of OI for the first time in Chinese population. Our findings of the novel mutations in TMEM38B expand the pathogenic spectrum of OI and strengthen the role of TRIC-B in the pathogenesis of OI.

[Preparation and properties of thermosensitive in situ gel for ophthalmic formulation containing pearl hydrolyzate].

The study was designed to generate an ophthalmic thermosensitive in situ gel with improved mechanical and mucoadhesive properties that may prolong the retention time to enhance the bioavalability of pearl hydrolyzate. The gene was comprised of poloxamer 407, poloxamer188 and Carbopol 934, which were optimized by central composite design and response surface methodology. The rheological properties, transcorneal permeability, retention time and in vitro release behaviors of the optimal gel formulation were investigated. The gel was Newtonian liquid at 25 ℃ and performed as a semisolid gel with non-Newtonian liquid property with a gelation time of 13 s at 35 ℃. Compared with a conventional eye drops, the ophthalmic in situ gel exhibited a sevenfold increase in retention with a sustained release behavior, which was observed with suitable permeability coefficient at 5.58 cm·s-1. In conclusion, the new gel of pearl hydrolyzate prolonged the release duration of drug, which may decrease the frequency of administration of pearl hydrolyzate.

Potential advantages of an additional forearm rubber tourniquet in intravenous regional anesthesia: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Although the usefulness of an additional forearm tourniquet to conventional intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) has been reported, the forearm cuff may disturb the surgical field to some degree, especially in wrist surgery. In the present study, we assessed the clinical efficacy of a temporary additional forearm rubber tourniquet to the conventional upper arm tourniquet on the quality of IVRA. METHODS: The study included 32 ASA physical status I and II adult patients undergoing elective hand surgery who were randomly allocated to either an additional forearm tourniquet group (Group F) or to a conventional upper arm tourniquet group (Group C). Upper arm tourniquet IVRA was established using 40 mL of 0.5 % lidocaine in Group C. Hypothetically enhanced forearm tourniquet IVRA was established using 10 mL of 0.5 % lidocaine with an additional forearm rubber tourniquet and then administering 30 mL of 0.25 % lidocaine after removing the forearm tourniquet in Group F. The sensory and motor block onset and recovery times, onset time of tourniquet pain, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, and incidence of local anesthetic toxicity were recorded. The numerical rating score (NRS) of perioperative and postoperative pain and quality of anesthesia were also assessed. RESULTS: Although the total dose of lidocaine in Group F was less and the sensory and motor block onset times were significantly shorter in Group F than those in Group C (P < 0.05), there was no difference regarding sensory and motor block recovery times, onset time of tourniquet pain, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, NRS of perioperative and postoperative pain, and the quality of anesthesia in the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with Group C, the incidence of local anesthetic toxicity (i.e., dizziness, 43.8 vs 6.2 %, P = 0.02) was significantly decreased in Group F. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the additional forearm and upper arm tourniquets with a smaller amount of local anesthetic achieved more rapid onset of sensory and motor block, a similar quality of anesthesia and a lower incidence of local anesthetic toxicity compared with the conventional technique.

[Preparation and investigation of MRI-traceable Eudragit-E liquid embolic agent].

OBJECTIVE: To develop and investigate the properties of MRI-traceable Eudragit-E liquid embolic agent (MR-E). METHODS: Polyethylene glycol-modified superparamagnetic iron oxides (PEG-SPIO) was synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. MR-E was prepared by mixing PEG-SPIO and Eudragit-E liquid embolic agent homogeneously. An in vitro MR phantom study was carried out to measure MR traceability of MR-E and to determine the concentration of PEG-SPIO for further studies. The microcatheter deliverability and sol-gel transition process of MR-E were investigated. MR-E was injected into the kidney of a Japanese white big ear rabbit via an angiographic microcatheter, and detected by MRI. RESULTS: A PEG-SPIO concentration of 2 g/L was considered to be suitable for further studies. MR-E was injected through the microcatheter without any difficulty. MR-E instantly solidified on release into saline. Then 0.2 mL of MR-E effectively embolized distal renal arteries, and MR-E could be detected by MRI in the embolized kidney. CONCLUSION: MR-E seems to be a promising MRI-traceable liquid embolic agent.

[Preparation and property study of doxorubicin loaded microspheres].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare doxorubicin-loaded polyvinylalcohol-acrylic acid (PVA-AA) microspheres and evaluate properties of this chemoembolic agent. METHODS: PVA-AA microspheres were synthesized by inverse suspension polymerization method and then verified by infrared spectroscopy. drug loading (DL) and entrapment efficiency (EE%) were measured after doxorubicinwas loaded on PVA-AA microspheres. Their morphology and elasticity were investigated by optical microscope, environmental scanning electron microscope and texture analyzer, respectively. T-cell apparatus was used to evaluate the in vitro release behavior of doxorubicin-loaded microspheres.The external carotid of the rabbit was chosen as an embolization site to evaluate the in vivo embolic property of the microspheres. RESULTS: PVA-AA microspheres, which were transparent spheres,turned into red spheres after doxorubicin loading. DL of the microspheres was (20.56 ± 0.69)g/L and (23.25 ± 0.27) g/L,and EE% was 82.22% ± 2.76% and 93.00% ± 1.06% within 20 min and 6 h, respectively. The in vitro release results showed a significantly delayed release of the drug for 10.32% ± 0.47% after 24 h. The Young's modulus was (178.30 ± 12.33) kPa and (213.29 ± 15.61) kPa for blank microspheres and doxorubicin-loaded microspheres, respectively. Both blank microspheres and doxorubicin-loaded microspheres exhibited good elasticity. In vivo embolization showed that 0.3 mL of microspheres could produce distal embolic efficiency. CONCLUSION: The doxorubicin-loaded microspheres are expected to be a promising new chemoembolic agent.

Convolutional neural networks combined with classification algorithms for the diagnosis of periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to develop a deep learning model based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) combined with a classification algorithm (CA) to assist dentists in quickly and accurately diagnosing the stage of periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periapical radiographs (PERs) and clinical data were collected. The CNNs including Alexnet, VGG16, and ResNet18 were trained on PER to establish the PER-CNN models for no periodontal bone loss (PBL) and PBL. The CAs including random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes (NB), logistic regression (LR), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) were added to the PER-CNN model for control, stage I, stage II and stage III/IV periodontitis. Heat map was produced using a gradient-weighted class activation mapping method to visualize the regions of interest of the PER-Alexnet model. Clustering analysis was performed based on the ten PER-CNN scores and the clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The accuracy of the PER-Alexnet and PER-VGG16 models with the higher performance was 0.872 and 0.853, respectively. The accuracy of the PER-Alexnet + RF model with the highest performance for control, stage I, stage II and stage III/IV was 0.968, 0.960, 0.835 and 0.842, respectively. Heat map showed that the regions of interest predicted by the model were periodontitis bone lesions. We found that age and smoking were significantly related to periodontitis based on the PER-Alexnet scores. CONCLUSION: The PER-Alexnet + RF model has reached high performance for whole-case periodontal diagnosis. The CNN models combined with CA can assist dentists in quickly and accurately diagnosing the stage of periodontitis.

Graphene quantum dots derived from carbon fibers.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which are edge-bound nanometer-size graphene pieces, have fascinating optical and electronic properties. These have been synthesized either by nanolithography or from starting materials such as graphene oxide (GO) by the chemical breakdown of their extended planar structure, both of which are multistep tedious processes. Here, we report that during the acid treatment and chemical exfoliation of traditional pitch-based carbon fibers, that are both cheap and commercially available, the stacked graphitic submicrometer domains of the fibers are easily broken down, leading to the creation of GQDs with different size distribution in scalable amounts. The as-produced GQDs, in the size range of 1-4 nm, show two-dimensional morphology, most of which present zigzag edge structure, and are 1-3 atomic layers thick. The photoluminescence of the GQDs can be tailored through varying the size of the GQDs by changing process parameters. Due to the luminescence stability, nanosecond lifetime, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and high water solubility, these GQDs are demonstrated to be excellent probes for high contrast bioimaging and biosensing applications.

[Preliminary analysis on the prevalence and causes of breakthrough hepatitis B virus infection among children in Shandong province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence and probable causes of breakthrough hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among children born after the introduction of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination in Shandong province, China. METHODS: The subjects of this study were selected from the provincial hepatitis B serosurvey conducted in 2006, who were born between 1992 and 2005 (aged 1-15 years) and were confirmed to have completed three or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Finally 3527 subjects were involved in this study and were investigated using a unified question are. Blood samples were collected from them to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against HBsAg (Anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc). The parents of children positive for HBsAg were followed up. Blood samples were collected from their parents to detect for HBsAg. The rate and correlative factors of breakthrough HBV infection were gotten by single-factor and multiple-factor analysis. RESULTS: For the 3527 subjects, the overall prevalence rates of breakthrough HBV infection were 3.15% (111/3527), which decreased while birth year grew (χ(2)(Trend) = 44.83, P < 0.01) , the rate of subjects born in 1992 was the highest (9.9%, 16/161) , subjects born in 2000 was the least (0.8%, 2/258) , the rate of the self-report positive HBsAg status of mother, father and the other family members (15.22%, 7/46;34.09%, 15/44;17.65%, 6/34) were higher than the negative (2.99%, 104/3481, 2.76%, 96/3483, 3.01%, 105/3493) (χ(2) values were 22.28, 13.97, 23.68, respectively, all P values were < 0.01) , timely first dose of hepatitis B vaccine (5.37%, 41/763) was higher than the subjects that not in time (2.53%, 70/2764) (χ(2) = 15.596, P < 0.01) . The overall prevalence rates of breakthrough chronic HBV infection was 1.08% (38/3527), which decreased while birth year grew (χ(2)(Trend) = 9.96, P < 0.05) , the rate of subjects born in 1992 was the most (3.1%, 5/161) , subjects born in 1997 was the least (0.4%, 1/261) , the rate of the self-report positive HBsAg status of mother, father and the other family members (13.04%, 6/46;29.55%, 13/44;17.65%, 6/34) were higher than the negative (0.92%, 32/3481;0.72%, 25/3483;0.92%, 32/3493) (χ(2) values were 62.62, 338.80, 88.44, respectively, all P values were < 0.05) , timely first dose of hepatitis B vaccine (1.83%, 14/763) was lower than the subjects that not in time (0.87%, 24/2764) (χ(2) = 5.16, P = 0.02) . Multiple factors analysis showed that compared to the negative, the self-report positive HBsAg status of father, mother increased the risk of breakthrough HBV infection,OR (95%CI) values were 3.73 (1.09-12.75) and 26.76 (11.86-60.37) , respectively (all P values were < 0.05) , compared with eastern cities, the risk of western cities were the highest (OR (95%CI) = 6.00 (2.50-14.40) , P < 0.05) the risk of children born in 1992-2001 was higher than those born in 2002 ( (OR (95%CI) = 1.91 (1.10-3.32) , P < 0.05) . Compared to the negative, the self-report positive HBsAg status of father, mother and the other family members increased the risk of breakthrough chronic HBV infection,OR (95%CI) values were 7.51 (1.44-39.17) , 99.99 (34.29-291.62) , 8.94 (1.81-44.10) , respectively (all P values were < 0.05) , compared with eastern cities, the risk of western rural areas were the highest (OR (95%CI) = 12.51 (2.78-56.25) , P < 0.05) , sharing tooth brush with the others increased the risk (OR (95%CI) = 8.67 (1.14-66.14) , P < 0.05) . Among HBsAg-positive children, those with HBsAg positive mother and father accounted for 12/23 and 6/19, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of breakthrough HBV infection and breakthrough chronic HBV infection among children was low in Shandong province. Mother to infant transmission might be the main reason for the infection while the role of the horizontal transmission within the family shouldn't be ignored.

Novel electrochemiluminescence luminophore based on flower-like binuclear coordination polymer for high-sensitivity detection of tetracycline in food products.

To meet the growing concerns about food safety, sensors for tetracycline antibiotics have been urgently needed. Herein, we synthesized a series of binuclear coordination polymers (Tb-Zn-CPs) based on lanthanide and transition metal ions by solvothermal method using [1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-3,3'',5,5''-tetracarboxylic acid, Tb(NO3)3 and Zn(NO3)2. The morphologies and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) performances of Tb-Zn-CPs varied with different molar ratios of terbium and zinc ions (Tb:Zn). The flower-like Tb-Zn-CP (9:3) possessed the highest ECL intensity due to the ligand antenna effect and the sensitization of Zn2+. An ECL sensor for the detection of tetracycline (TC) was constructed utilizing Tb-Zn-CP (9:3) as a novel ECL luminophore and potassium persulfate as a coreactant. The proposed sensor achieved sensitive detection of TC in the range of 5.0 fmol·L-1 to 3.0 mmol·L-1 with a low limit of detection (1.6 fmol·L-1). It also was applied for TC detection in dairy products with good recovery rates.

Highly hygroscopicity and antioxidant nanofibrous dressing base on alginate for accelerating wound healing.

The removal of bacterium and free radicals is important for wound healing. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare biological dressings with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In this study, high-performance calcium alginate/carbon polymer dots/forsythin composite nanofibrous membrane (CA/CPDs/FT) was explored under the influence of carbon polymer dots and forsythin. The addition of carbon polymer dots improved the nanofiber morphology and therefore enhanced the mechanical strength of the composite membrane. Moreover, CA/CPDs/FT membranes displayed satisfactory antibacterial and antioxidant properties because of the natural properties of forsythin. Meanwhile, outstanding hygroscopicity over 700% was also obtained for the composite membrane. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the CA/CPDs/FT nanofibrous membrane could prevent the invasion of bacteria, scavenge free radicals, and promote wound healing. Moreover, its good hygroscopicity and antioxidation characteristics were friendly for the clinical application of high-exudate wounds.

Wet-spinning fluorescent alginate fibres achieved by doping PEI modified CPDs for multiple anti-counterfeiting.

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) with satisfactory excitation-dependent-emission and biocompatibility had great potential in anti-counterfeiting fibres field. However, it was difficult for CPDs to combined into the fibres due to the unstable interaction between CPDs and spinnable polymer matrix. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used to modify CPDs (namely PEI-CPDs) for achieving stable interactions with sodium alginate (SA) by a simple method, which including the physical interaction between the amino groups of PEI-CPDs and carboxyl groups of SA and the chain entanglement between two types of polymer chains. Then alginate fibres based on PEI-CPDs (PEI-CPDs/CaALG fibres) were successfully prepared by wet-spinning for the first time with less loss of PEI-CPDs. The high mechanical strength, excellent thermal stability and good biocompatibility achieved by PEI-CPDs/CaALG fibres. Furthermore, the fibres exhibited the excitation-dependent-emission property. Anti-counterfeiting of the fibres was conducted on both textile and papers, which showed higher security than the existing anti-counterfeiting fibres.

Application of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy to treat subgingival multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in ICU patients.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant bacterial infections have received much attention in recent years. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an effective antimicrobial strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of methylene blue (MB)-mediated aPDT against subgingival multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: Eighty-three patients who were hospitalized in the ICU of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from July 2019 to June 2021 were selected. The intraoral partitioned control test was conducted. Teeth that met the criteria were selected from different quadrants of the same patient, randomly divided into three groups, namely, A, B, and C, and treated with aPDT, chlorhexidine gargle, or normal saline. The counts of MDR bacteria in the gingival crevicular fluid were assessed in the different groups at different time points before and after treatment. RESULTS: The MDR bacterial count decreased immediately after aPDT and was significantly different from that in the chlorhexidine gargle rinse group and the normal saline rinse group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among the three groups at 6, 12, and 24 hours after treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: aPDT can be used to treat subgingival MDR bacterial infections, but the long-term effects of treatment need to be further studied.

Liposomal oxaliplatin prodrugs loaded with metformin potentiate immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Tumor hypoxia is confirmed to be associated with the formation of tumor immunosuppression, a general feature of solid tumors, and thus attenuates the effectiveness of various cancer therapies in clinic. We herein develop a tumor microenvironment (TME) modulating liposomal nanomedicine by encapsulating metformin with amphiphilic oxaliplatin prodrug constructed liposomes to potentiate cancer immunotherapy. While metformin could regulate metabolisms of tumor cells to reduce their oxygen consumption and relieve tumor hypoxia, oxaliplatin is a chemotherapy drug that induces immunogenic cell death (ICD). The obtained met-oxa(IV)-liposome upon intravenous injection effectively attenuates tumor hypoxia and induce ICD of cancer cells, thereby collectively suppresses the growth of murine colorectal tumors by eliciting potent antitumor immunity and reversing the immunosuppressive TME. As the result, the treatment with met-oxa(IV)-liposome effectively potentiates the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy against murine colorectal tumors. This liposomal nanomedicine is highlighted to be a TME modulating liposomal nanomedicine with high potency in suppressing tumor growth, particularly promising in synergizing with ICB therapy by boosting antitumor immune responses.

Pore Size of 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Polyethylene Glycol/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Affects Bone Regeneration by Modulating Macrophage Polarization and the Foreign Body Response.

3D-printed porous bioactive ceramic scaffolds have been widely used in bone defect repair. However, material implantation is often accompanied by a foreign body response (FBR), which may affect host tissue regeneration. The physical properties of biomaterials, including shape, pore size, and porosity, control the relevant immune responses during tissue regeneration. To the best of our knowledge, the effect of the pore size of 3D-printed scaffolds on the immune response and bone-biomaterial integration has not been studied in vivo. Polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol/hydroxyapatite (PCL/PEG/HA) bioactive scaffolds with different pore sizes, including 209.9 ± 77.1 µm (P200), 385.5 ± 28.6 µm (P400), and 582.1 ± 27.2 µm (P600), were prepared with a pneumatic extrusion 3D printer. Compared with other pore sizes, P600 significantly reduced the FBR and induced more M2 macrophage infiltration, vascular ingrowth, and new bone formation. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the MyD88 protein might be involved in macrophage polarization-related signal transduction in response to the pore size. Based on these results, bone regeneration requires the active participation of the immune response, and the P600 PCL/PEG/HA scaffold is a preferable candidate for the repair of bone defects.