Photo-Oxidative Degradation Mitigated the Developmental Toxicity of Polyamide Microplastics to Zebrafish Larvae by Modulating Macrophage-Triggered Proinflammatory Responses and Apoptosis.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and pose substantial threats to the water ecosystem. However, the impact of natural aging of MPs on their toxicity has rarely been considered. This study found that visible light irradiation with hydrogen peroxide at environmentally relevant concentration for 90 days significantly altered the physicochemical properties and mitigated the toxicity of polyamide (PA) fragments to infantile zebrafish. The size of PA particles was reduced from ∼8.13 to ∼6.37 µm, and nanoparticles were produced with a maximum yield of 5.03%. The end amino groups were volatilized, and abundant oxygen-containing groups (e.g., hydroxyl and carboxyl) and carbon-centered free radicals were generated, improving the hydrophilicity and colloidal stability of degraded MPs. Compared with pristine PA, the depuration of degraded MPs mediated by multixenobiotics resistance was much quicker, leading to markedly lower bioaccumulation in fish and weaker inhibition on musculoskeletal development. By integrating transcriptomics and transgenic zebrafish [Tg(lyz:EGFP)] tests, differences in macrophages-triggered proinflammatory effects, apoptosis via IL-17 signaling pathway, and antioxidant damages were identified as the underlying mechanisms for the attenuated toxicity of degraded MPs. This work highlights the importance of natural degradation on the toxicity of MPs, which has great implications for risk assessment of MPs.

Halogenated Organic Pollutant Residuals in Human Bared and Clothing-Covered Skin Areas: Source Differentiation and Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment.

To comprehensively clarify human exposure to halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through dermal uptake and hand-to-mouth intake, skin wipe samples from four typical skin locations from 30 volunteers were collected. The total concentration of the target chemicals (24 HFRs and 16 PCBs) ranged from 203 to 4470 ng/m2. BDE-209 and DBDPE accounted for about 37 and 40% of ∑24HFRs, respectively, and PCB-41 and PCB-110 were the dominant PCB congeners, with proportion of 24 and 10%, respectively. Although exhibiting relatively lower concentrations of contaminants than bared skin locations, clothing-covered skin areas were also detected with considerable levels of HFRs and PCBs, indicating clothing to be a potentially significant exposure source. Significant differences in HFR and PCB levels and profiles were also observed between males and females, with more lower-volatility chemicals in male-bared skin locations and more higher-volatility compounds in clothing-covered skin locations of female participants. The mean estimated whole-body dermal absorption doses of ∑8HFRs and ∑16PCBs (2.9 × 10-4 and 6.7 × 10-6 mg/kg·d) were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than ingestion doses via hand-to-mouth contact (6.6 × 10-7 and 3.1 × 10-7 mg/kg·d). The total noncarcinogenic health risk resulted from whole-body dermal absorption and oral ingestion to ∑7HFRs and ∑16PCBs were 5.2 and 0.35, respectively.

Relationship between mandibular dental and basal bone arch forms for severe skeletal Class III patients.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the mandibular dental and basal bone arch forms for severe skeletal Class III patients by using 3-dimensional digital models. METHODS: Thirty-three virtual pretreatment mandibular models were created with a laser scanning system. The most prominent part of the center of the clinical crown where an orthodontic bracket would be placed (FA) and the most prominent point on the soft-tissue ridge at the mucogingival junction (WALA) were used to represent the dental and basal arch forms, respectively. RESULTS: A moderate-to-high correlation between the FA and WALA curves was found, especially in the canine (r = 0.61) and molar (r = 0.91) areas. The WALA curve's radius of curvature in the anterior teeth areas was greater than that of the FA curve (WALA, 22.47; FA, 18.18). In the canine and molar areas, the coefficients of variation of FA (6.70%, 6.01%, 15.30%, and 9.97%) were greater than those of WALA (5.42%, 3.88%, 8.53%, and 7.22%). For the FA and WALA points, the coefficients of variation of the canine area were greater than those of the molar area. CONCLUSIONS: Both curves were individualized. A moderate-to-high correlation was found between the dental and basal bone arch forms. Compared with the WALA points, the FA points are located more lingually. The individual differences were found to be significantly greater in the canine region.

Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the midpalatal suture: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and qualify the scientific evidence on the immediate and long-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the midpalatal suture in growing teenage or young adults, the related articles were selected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literatures were searched in the electronic databases, including Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A methodologic-quality scoring (13-point) scale was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. RESULTS: Twelve relevant articles were identified. Midpalatal suture opening during orthodontic treatment with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) amounted to 12-52.5 percent of the total screw expansion. After the treatment of RME, the midpalatal suture seemed to be recalcificated, so the expansion of the midpalatal suture was stable, but there was no consistent evidence on whether the midpalatal sutural opening was parallel or triangular. LIMITATIONS: The methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed rigorously and many deficiencies were found. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the articles were judged to be of low quality. Therefore, we could not draw any accurate conclusion on the basis of evidence in this systematic review.

Thermal treatment of alkali lignin to eliminate its inhibition of pancreatic proteases in vitro.

This study aims to investigate how alkali lignin inhibits protein digestion and explore thermal treatment as a potential solution. Solid alkali lignin species pre-heated at different temperatures (150, 200, and 250 °C) and soluble acid-differentiated fractions are subjected to in vitro protein digestion. A range of techniques, including Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Zeta Potential Analyzer, 1H NMR, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), and Molecular Docking, were used to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of alkali lignin on pancreatic proteases hydrolysis. Our results suggest that soluble alkali lignin inhibits pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin, with the acid-differentiated soluble fraction (LgpH<1) displaying the strongest inhibition and proteases' binding affinity due to the abundance of polar groups (e.g., -OH, -CHO), which facilitate hydrogen-bond formation. Furthermore, pre-heating lignin (200 °C) was confirmed effective for removing LgpH<1 and its negative nutritional influence, providing a feasible strategy for overcoming the negative impact of alkali lignin on protein digestion.

Differential developmental and proinflammatory responses of zebrafish embryo to repetitive exposure of biodigested polyamide and polystyrene microplastics.

Microplastics (MPs) have attracted global concern and are at the forefront of current research on environmental pollution, whereas, little is known about the degradation of ingested MPs in the gastrointestinal environment and repetitive exposure-associated risk of egested MPs to organisms. The present study revealed that polyamide (PA) and polystyrene (PS) MPs exhibited remarkably differential biodegradations in the gastric and intestinal fluids of a model fish (Siniperca chuatsi). Significant disintegration of the skeleton structure, size reduction (from 27.62 to 9.17 µm), benzene ring scission, and subsequent biogenic corona coating and surface oxidation occurred during in vitro digestion, thus increasing the hydrophilicity and agglomeration of PS. Conversely, PA MPs exhibited high resistance to enzymolysis with slight surface erosions and protein adsorption. Relative to the pristine form, the bioaccumulation of digested PS elevated and the musculoskeletal deformity and mortality of juvenile zebrafish were obviously enhanced, but these changes were unobservable for PA. Lipopolysaccharide-triggered inflammation and apoptosis via Toll-like receptor signaling pathways and reduction of extracellular matrix secretions driven by oxidative stress contributed to the aggravated inhibitory effects of digested PS on larval development. These findings emphasize the necessity of concerning the biota digestion in MP risk assessments in natural waters.

Alkali-washing facilitates thermal-processed lignin to slow the hydrolysis of pancreatic α-amylase in starchy foods.

Lignin, despite being able to slow starch digestion, needs to be heated at over 300 °C. To make the benefit achievable at a food-grade temperature, alkali-washing is studied as an additional procedure to facilitate the thermally processed lignin to slow the starch digestion in vitro. Lignin was firstly washed using Na2CO3/NaHCO3 mixture of various pH 7-10 followed by the thermal process at 150, 200, 250, and 300 °C respectively. The mild alkali-washing (pH 10) was found to allow the lignin heated at only 200 °C to achieve a significant inhibition on the hydrolysis of pancreatic α-amylase (α-AA) in starch-rich pasta. After the structural-characterization using atomic force microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy, the mechanism hypothesis is confirmed due to a modification of insoluble-lignin surface morphology which might immobilize the α-AA content in solution. The findings highlight the potential of alkali-washing for facilitating thermally processed lignin in slowing the digestion of starchy foods.

Photoaging enhanced the adverse effects of polyamide microplastics on the growth, intestinal health, and lipid absorption in developing zebrafish.

The safety of microplastics (MPs) and associated health effects has been one of the major concerns worldwide. However, the role of photoaging toward the risk of MPs in water ecosystems remains inconclusive yet. In this study, the size of polyamide (PA, ∼32.50 µm) MPs was obviously decreased after photoaging in water containing fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA) (∼19.75 and âˆ¼24.30 µm, respectively). Nanoplastics were formed (4.65% and 2.03%, respectively) and hydrophilia and colloidal stability was improved due to the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups. FA-aged PA exhibited higher inhibition on body length and weight of developing zebrafish than HA-aged and pristine PA. Photoaged MPs in intestine were more difficult to be depurated by zebrafish, leading to the disappearance of intestinal folding, shedding of more enterocytes, and emaciation of intestinal microvilli. Dietary lipid digestion in larvae was inhibited by aged PA due to oxidative stress-triggered lipid peroxidation and inhibition of lipase activities and bile acids secretion. Exposure of photoaged MPs down-regulated genes (cd36, dgat1a, dgat2, mttp, etc.) associated with triglyceride resynthesis and transportation, resulting in lipid maladsorption and growth inhibition. Our findings highlight the potential negative effects of environmentally aged MPs on diet digestion and nutrient assimilation in fish.

Aging relieves the promotion effects of polyamide microplastics on parental transfer and developmental toxicity of TDCIPP to zebrafish offspring.

Understanding the role of microplastics (MPs) in the biological fate and toxicity of organic pollutants in food webs is vital for its risk assessment. However, contradictory results and the neglect of MP aging as a factor have led to a research gap, which needs to be filled. Our study discovered that polyamide (PA, a ubiquitous MP in water) MPs clearly facilitated bioaccumulation of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in the F0 zebrafish gonads and parental transfer of TDCIPP to the F1 offspring. Rapid TDCIPP desorption in the gut and intestine barrier dysfunction triggered by MPs were the causes for the phenomenon. In contrast to the pristine forms, aged PA with higher hydrophilcity exhibited stronger binding and polar interactions with TDCIPP, and the intestine damage was neglectable, resulting in increased intestinal immobilization and prevented parental transfer of TDCIPP. Additionally, the aggravated body weight loss and decreased length of TDCIPP offspring were relieved after PA aging. The recovery of subintestinal venous plexus angiogenesis, yolk lipid utilization, and ATP synthesis were responsible for the mitigated transgenerational toxicity. Our results highlight the significance of aging on the role of MPs with respect to coexisting pollutants and have great implications for understanding MP-associated risks.

Waterproof and Breathable Wound Dressing Composited By Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Backing and Hydrogel.

Wound dressings with waterproof, breathable, and bacterial-resistant properties are still rarely realized. In this work, a newly hydrogel-based dressing is designed with a backing of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) film. The ePTFE grafting with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) brush is composited with hydrogel successfully with an adhesion energy of ≈80 kJ m-2 . In this resultant composite, the ePTFE backing contributes excellent breathability, water resistance, and bacterial barrier property. The water vapor transmission rate of the composite is 4.83 × 103  g m-2 × 24 h, which can maintain the moist environment of wound and relieve pain by evaporating water. Notably, it can withstand 500 mm water column for over 300 s, which is obviously better than the commonly used nonwoven fabric backing materials. It can also prevent the invasion of bacteria, because the pores of ePTFE backing are smaller than those of most common bacterial. As a result, the composite with an ePTFE film backing has a positive effect in accelerating wound healing, promoting the reconstruction of intact epidermis and reducing inflammation.

[Characterization of vinflunine tartrate liposomes in vitro and in vivo].

Vinflunine tartrate-loaded liposomes (VT-L) with two drug-to-lipid ratios were prepared by pH gradient method. Vesicle size and zeta potential were determined by the Zetasizer Nano ZS. Entrapment efficiency was evaluated by cation exchange resin centrifugalization method. The toxicity and tumor inhibition to nude mouse administrated by VT-L with different drug-to-lipid ratios were investigated and compared with the vinflunine tartrate injection (VT-I). The results showed that the mean particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of the VT-L with drug-to-lipid ratios of 1 : 5 and 1 : 10 were 124.6 nm and 128.3 nm, -25.3 mV and -22.8 mV, 94.46% and 97.31%, respectively. The VT-L with two different drug-to-lipid ratios has significantly higher anti-tumor effect to nude mouse transplanted human non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 and lower toxicity than VT-I. While there were no significant differences in anti-tumor effect and toxicity between VT-L with two different drug-to-lipid ratios.

Thermally processed lignin reduces the apparent hydrolysis rate of pancreatic α-amylase in starchy foods.

Lignin, despite being the second most abundant constituent of plant cell walls, is thought to be chemically inert during gastrointestinal digestion and therefore attracts little attention for its role in the human diet. This study explores the heat modifications of lignin to derive species capable of slowing starch digestion in vitro. We applied various advanced biochemical (e.g. enzymic digestion, solubility) and physio-chemical (e.g. scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy, 13C-NMR) analyses to characterize the structure-function of lignin induced by heat treatment. It was found that lignin thermally processed above 300 °C reduced the apparent hydrolysis rate of pancreatic α-amylase, which is ascribed mainly to the insoluble lignin with a modified particle surface morphology. Further kinetic experiments showed that lignin species derived by thermal processing slowed in vitro digestion rates of potato starch and pasta. These findings highlight the potential for utilizing thermally processed lignin in slowing digestion of starchy foods.

Photolytic degradation elevated the toxicity of polylactic acid microplastics to developing zebrafish by triggering mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.

Biodegradable plastics (BPs), as alternatives to conventional plastics, are increasingly consumed, but pose potential threats to aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the impact of natural aging on the toxicity of BPs is poorly understood. In this study, the photodegradation of polylactic acid (PLA, a typical BP) microplastics (MPs) under ultraviolet irradiation in water for 90 days was investigated, and the toxicities of virgin and degraded PLA to infantile zebrafish were compared. The results revealed that the size of MPs was reduced from ~25.56 to ~11.22 µm after degradation and nanoparticles were generated with a maximum yield of 7.13%. The formation of abundant oxygen-containing groups (i.e. CË­O and C-O-C) improved the hydrophilia and stability of MPs. Compared with pristine PLA, the efflux and detoxification of degraded PLA mediated by ABC transporters and P450 enzymes were slower, leading to higher bioaccumulation and skeletal development inhibition of zebrafish. Further, oxidative stress-triggered mitochondrial structural damage, depolarization, fission inhibition, and apoptosis were identified as crucial mechanisms underlying the elevated toxicity of PLA after degradation. These findings highlight the importance and necessity of considering natural degradation of BPs and related toxicity, which poses great implications for risk assessment and management of BPs.

Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 siRNA-Loaded Folate-Modified Cationic Liposomes for Acute Lung Injury Therapy.

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is an overwhelming pulmonary inflammation with limited clinical treatment strategies. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a crucial regulator of inflammation factors, which can be upregulated under an inflammatory state and related to the efferocytosis of macrophages. Herein, IRF5 was knockdown by small interfering RNA (siIRF5) to promote the anti-inflammatory effect of macrophages. Macrophage-targeting cationic liposome modified by folate (FA-LP) was developed to deliver siIRF5 (FA-LP/siIRF5). Liposomes were characterized for their particle size, zeta potential, protein adsorption and hemolysis of red blood cells. The amount of IRF5 mRNA and the expression of IRF5 were measured using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot, respectively. The phenotype and efferocytosis of macrophages and the regulatory pathway of efferocytosis and biodistribution of liposomes in the ALI mice model were investigated. Data revealed that FA-LP/siIRF5 could obviously downregulate the expression of IRF5 in macrophages, skewing the polarization of macrophages to M2 phenotype (anti-inflammatory state) and thus improving their efferocytosis. Moreover, regulation of efferocytosis of macrophages by siIRF5 is related to the NF- B pathway. The in vivo biodistribution of FA-LP exhibited higher accumulation in the inflammatory lungs, suggesting that FA-LP could be considered as a promising gene delivery system and FA-LP/siIRF5 is an alternative strategy for the treatment of ALI/ARDS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting that siIRF5 can be used for the treatment of ALI/ARDS.

[Effectiveness comparison of low-temperature bone cement perfusion before and after improvement in percutaneous vertebroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the safety and effectiveness of the improved technique by comparing the effects of low temperature bone cement infusion before and after the improvement in the percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). METHODS: The clinical data of 170 patients (184 vertebrae) with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture who met the selection criteria between January 2016 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with PVP by low-temperature bone cement perfusion technology. According to the technical improvement or not, the patients were divided into two groups: the group before the technical improvement (group A, 95 cases) and the group after the technical improvement (group B, 75 cases). In group A, the patients were treated by keeping the temperature of bone cement at 0℃ and parallel puncture; in group B, the patients were treated by increasing the temperature of bone cement or reducing the time of bone cement in ice salt water and cross puncture. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, T value of bone mineral density, operative segment, and preoperative vertebral compression rate, visual analogue scale (VAS) score between the two groups ( P>0.05). CT examination was performed immediately after operation, and the leakage rate of bone cement was calculated. The amount of bone cement perfusion and the proportion of bone cement in contact with the upper and lower endplates at the same time were compared between the two groups. The vertebral compression rate was calculated and the VAS score was used to evaluate the pain before operation, at immediate after operation, and last follow-up. RESULTS: There was no complication such as incision infection, spinal nerve injury, or pulmonary embolism in both groups. There was no significant difference in the amount of bone cement perfusion between groups A and B ( t=0.175, P=0.861). There were 38 vertebral bodies (36.89%) in group A and 49 vertebral bodies (60.49%) in group B exposed to bone cement contacting with the upper and lower endplates at the same time, showing significant difference ( χ 2=10.132, P=0.001). Bone cement leakage occurred in 19 vertebral bodies (18.45%) in group A and 6 vertebral bodies (7.41%) in group B, also showing significant difference ( χ 2=4.706, P=0.030). The patients in group A and group B were followed up (13.3±1.2) months and (11.5±1.1) months, respectively. The vertebral compression rates of the two groups at immediate after operation were significantly lower than those before operation ( P<0.05), but the vertebral compression rate of group A at last follow-up was significantly higher than that at immediate after operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in group B between at immediate after operation and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). The VAS scores of the two groups at immediate after operation were significantly lower than those before operation ( P<0.05); but the VAS scores of group A at last follow-up were significantly higher than those at immediate after operation ( P<0.05) and there was no siginificant difference in group B ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at immediate after operation ( t=0.380, P=0.705); but at last follow-up, VAS score in group B was significantly lower than that in group A ( t=3.627, P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The improved advanced low-temperature bone cement perfusion technology during PVP by increasing the viscosity of bone cement combined with cross-puncture technology, can reduce bone cement leakage, improve the distribution of bone cement in the vertebral body, and reduce the risk of vertebral collapse, and achieve better effectiveness.

Use of cellulose nanofibers as a denture immersing solution.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) solution on the mechanical and biological properties of denture base resins (DBR). Two types of CNFs obtained from bamboo (BB) and needle-leaved (NB) trees were used in this study. We prepared 18 different CNF solutions based on their fibrillation (A-low, B-middle, and C-high) and concentration (0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 wt%). A heat-polymerized acrylic resin was used as DBR. The contact angles for each specimen were measured after immersion. The flexural properties of the immersed specimens, and the biological properties of the CNF solutions were examined. Specimens immersed in CNF-NB-C-0.05 wt% solution presented with the lowest contact angles. Specimens in CNF-NB-C and CNF-BB-A groups showed higher flexural modulus values. No cytotoxic or antimicrobial effects were observed for the CNF solutions. This study suggest that CNF solution may improve the surface wettability of the DBR without affecting its flexural property.

Characterization of a novel calibration method for mineral density determination of dentine by X-ray micro-tomography.

Laboratory micro-CT systems, although limited by beam hardening effect and instability of the source, have been utilized to measure mineral density in combination with specific image processing methods. However, few attempts have been made to accurately determine mineral density profiles in dentine due to the lack of suitable calibration standards. The aim of this study was to develop a calibration method to evaluate mineral density profiles in dentine including changes associated with dentinal caries. A series of K(2)HPO(4) solution phantoms in a concentration range between 0 and 0.9 g cm(-3)--coupled to a set of water infiltrated porous solid hydroxyapatite (HA) phantoms, with mineral densities ranging from 1.52 to 2.08 g cm(-3), was used in this investigation. First we evaluated the micrometer-scale homogeneity and noise in the HA phantoms using a commercial laboratory micro-CT system. Then an experimental validation was performed of the linearity over the entire density range of these two different calibration materials. The results show the HA phantoms extended the calibration curve obtained from K(2)HPO(4) solution phantoms to densities as high as 2.08 g cm(-3); the linearity remains stable at different energy levels. Finally, compared to the reference micro-CT calibration methods, the advantages of this new method are discussed. We conclude that this calibration method allows a more rational assessment of mineral density of dentine by micro-CT and has a promising potential for future studies.

Spine SBRT With Halcyon™: Plan Quality, Modulation Complexity, Delivery Accuracy, and Speed.

Purpose: Spine SBRT requires treatment plans with steep dose gradients and tight limits to the cord maximal dose. A new dual-layer staggered 1-cm MLC in Halcyon™ treatment platform has improved leakage, speed, and DLG compared to 120-Millennium (0.5-cm) and High-Definition (0.25-cm) MLCs in the TrueBeam platform. Halcyon™ 2.0 with SX2 MLC modulates fluence with the upper and lower MLCs, while in Halcyon™ 1.0 with SX1 only the lower MLC modulates the fluence and the upper MLC functions as a back-up jaw. We investigated the effects of four MLC designs on plan quality for spine SBRT treatments. Methods: 15 patients previously treated at our institution were re-planned according to the NRG-BR-002 guidelines with a prescription of 3,000 cGy in 3 fractions, 6xFFF, 800 MU/min, and 3-arc VMAT technique. Planning objectives were adjusted manually by an experienced planner to generate optimal plans and kept the same for different MLCs within the same platform. Results: All treatment plans were able to achieve adequate target coverage while meeting NRG-BR002 dosimetric constraints. Planning parameters were evaluated including: conformity index, homogeneity index, gradient measure, and global point dose maximum. Delivery accuracy, modulation complexity, and delivery time were also analyzed for all MLCs. Conclusion: The Halcyon™ dual-layer MLC can generate comparable and clinically equivalent spine SBRT plans to TrueBeam plans with less rapid dose fall-off and lower conformity. MLC width leaf can impact maximum dose to organs at risk and plan quality, but does not cause limitations in achieving acceptable plans for spine SBRT treatments.

Effects of different immunization protocols and adjuvant on antibody responses to inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a deadly and highly infectious disease caused by SARS Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Inactivated SARS-CoV has been explored as a vaccine against SARS-CoV; however, current knowledge of inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine is quite limited. We attempted to investigate the effects of different immunization protocols and adjuvant on the antibody responses to inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine. With an intraperitoneal (IP) immunization protocol, inactivated SARS-CoV alone induced significant amounts of SARS-CoV-specific IgG antibodies in sera and a small quantity of SARS-CoV-specific IgA antibodies in the genital tract and feces, but failed to induce any detectable SARS-CoV-specific IgA antibodies in sera, saliva, lung, and intestine, and the addition of CpG ODN 2006 had only a marginal effect on antibody production. In contrast, with an intranasal (IN) immunization protocol, inactivated SARS-CoV alone failed to induce any detectable SARS-CoV-specific IgA antibodies in sera, saliva, lung, and intestine, except for a small quantity of IgA antibodies in fecal extracts and the genital tract, along with IgG antibodies in sera, but when given with adjuvant CpG ODN 2006, inactivated SARS-CoV induced significant amounts of SARS-CoV-specific IgG antibodies in sera, and a detectable amount of SARS-CoV-specific IgA antibodies in sera and all tested mucosal secretions and tissues (i.e., saliva, the genital tract, fecal extract, lung, and intestine). On a neutralization assay, neutralizing activity with the IP immunization protocol was detected in sera and mucosal secretions (from the saliva and genital tract), but sera from the IN protocol failed to show any neutralizing activity. Our study demonstrated that inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine is promising, and our data provide a sound foundation for the development of an effective inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine.

ß-Cyclodextrin functionalized polystyrene porous monoliths for separating phenol from wastewater.

A ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) functionalized polystyrene porous monolith was prepared by the following procedure: First, ß-CD was modified with allyl bromide leading to allyl-ß-cyclodextrin (allyl-ß-CD); then a concentrated emulsion was prepared using a mixture of allyl-ß-CD, styrene, and divinyl benzene as the continuous phase and water as the dispersed phase. In the third step, a ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) functionalized polystyrene porous monolith was obtained by copolymerization of allyl-ß-CD and styrene followed by removal of the water phase. Since the allyl-ß-CD contained both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, it tended to move towards the water/oil interface. As a result, the internal surfaces of the porous monolith were enriched with ß-CD. This enrichment was indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization. The high content of ß-CD and the high specific surface area of the porous monolith both contributed to a high adsorption capacity. For example, the maximum adsorption of phenol was 5.74 mg/g. Importantly, the porous monolith could be easily regenerated and recycled through desorption with ethanol and it was found that the adsorption properties remained stable for at least five adsorption/desorption cycles.