Machine Learning-Assisted Pattern Recognition of Amyloid Beta Aggregates with Fluorescent Conjugated Polymers and Graphite Oxide Electrostatic Complexes.

Five fluorescent positively charged poly(para-aryleneethynylene) (P1-P5) were designed to construct electrostatic complexes C1-C5 with negatively charged graphene oxide (GO). The fluorescence of conjugated polymers was quenched by the quencher GO. Three electrostatic complexes were enough to distinguish between 12 proteins with 100% accuracy. Furthermore, using these sensor arrays, we could identify the levels of Aß40 and Aß42 aggregates (monomers, oligomers, and fibrils) via employing machine learning algorithms, making it an attractive strategy for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Design of self-assembly dipeptide hydrogels and machine learning via their chemical features.

Hydrogels that are self-assembled by peptides have attracted great interest for biomedical applications. However, the link between chemical structures of peptides and their corresponding hydrogel properties is still unclear. Here, we showed a combinational approach to generate a structurally diverse hydrogel library with more than 2,000 peptides and evaluated their corresponding properties. We used a quantitative structure-property relationship to calculate their chemical features reflecting the topological and physicochemical properties, and applied machine learning to predict the self-assembly behavior. We observed that the stiffness of hydrogels is correlated with the diameter and cross-linking degree of the nanofiber. Importantly, we demonstrated that the hydrogels support cell proliferation in culture, suggesting the biocompatibility of the hydrogel. The combinatorial hydrogel library and the machine learning approach we developed linked the chemical structures with their self-assembly behavior and can accelerate the design of novel peptide structures for biomedical use.

Tissue Reactions to Heterogenic and Allogeneic Acellular Dermal Matrix Mesh Placed in the Vesicovaginal Space in a Rabbit Model.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study is aimed at investigating the tissue reactions of heterogenic and allogeneic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) mesh implanted in the vesicovaginal space in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty eight rabbits were implanted with heterogenic or allogeneic mesh, respectively, in the vesicovaginal space, and 4 served as the no-implantation control group. Rabbits were sacrificed at 7, 30, and 90 days after implantation. Histopathological study and immunohistochemical examination for collagen were performed. RESULTS: Heterogenic but not allogeneic mesh was identifiable at 90 days. In the allogeneic group, neovascularization was observed from day 7 after implantation. A chronic inflammatory reaction was noted in the heterogenic group at 30 days that decreased at 90 days. Inflammation was less in the allogeneic group, but giant cells and fibroblasts were present. With respect to collagen, the heterogenic mesh remained structurally unchanged at 90 days, while new collagen fibers were observed in the allogeneic group from day 7. CONCLUSION: The immunological outcomes of heterogenic and allogeneic ADM mesh are different. Heterogenic mesh induces a chronic inflammatory reaction at day 30 after implantation, and maintains its original form longer. Allogeneic mesh is associated with new collagen generation, but degrades earlier.

Local reaction to the different meshes at the vesicovaginal space in rabbit model.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This paper aims to study the vesicovaginal space local tissue reaction to type I and II polypropylene mesh in a rabbit model. METHODS: Different types of meshes were implanted into the rabbit vesicovaginal space. The animals were killed at days 7 and 60, and the initial implant and the neighboring host tissue were removed, including the bladder and vaginal wall. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen) were performed to evaluate the cell proliferation, and the indirect local inflammatory response was described. RESULTS: One rabbit had erosion at the urinary bladder mucous membrane, which resulted in vesical stone formation in the type I mesh group at day 60. Obvious local tissue reaction was found after the different types of meshes were implanted, and the reaction tapered and disappeared over time. At day 7, the reaction in the type I mesh group was stronger than that in the type II group, while at day 60, the reaction shows no difference. CONCLUSION: The two types of meshes could induce local tissue reaction, but this was stronger in type I mesh group at day 7 and shows no obvious difference between the two groups at day 60.

[Clinical study on silicone pessary in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and influence factors of silicone pessary in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: From October 2005 to October 2010, 132 with symptomatic POP managed by pessary were enrolled in this retrospective study. Validated prolapse quality of life questionnaire (pelvic floor distress inventory short form 20, PFDI-20), pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form 7 (PFIQ-7) and the patients' satisfaction degree were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Clinical characteristic of the patients with successful using for more than 6 months (successful fitting group), giving up within 6 months (giving up group), unsuccessful fitting (unsuccessful fitting group) were compared. Factors influencing satisfaction degree and causing discontinuation were investigated. RESULTS: One hundred and six among 132 (106/132, 80.3%) patients were in successful fitting group, 26 (26/132, 19.7%) patients were in the unsuccessful fitting group. In the successful fitting group, 86.8% (92/106) patients were followed up, the median follow-up time was 12.5 months. And 78.3% (72/92) patients continued to use pessary with the wearing time ranged 3 - 69 months; 21.7% (20/92) patients discontinued with the wearing time ranged 1 - 38 month, 14 patients (14/20) gave up in the initial 6 months. The median scores of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 questionnaires before pessary use were 50.0 and 47.6, which decreased to 8.9 and 0.0 after pessary use (P < 0.05). And 87.1% (61/70) patients were satisfied. There was no significantly difference among 3 groups on clinical characteristics, such as age, body mass index (BMI), pelvic surgery and so on (P > 0.05). The main factor influencing satisfaction degree and causing discontinuation was difficulties in placing and removing. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone pessary is effective for patients with POP. It could relieve discomfort symptoms and improve quality of life. The main factor influencing pessary use is difficulties in placing and removing. Thus, More suggestions are needed for patients in the initial 6 months.

[Study on mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcome and complications of mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery in treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: From Feb 2007 to Jan 2009, mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery were performed on 66 women with pelvic organ prolapse stage III-IV. Pre and postoperative symptoms, pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q) stage and pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) measurements were studied to assess anatomic and quality-of-life outcome. Operative complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 65 patients underwent successful surgeries. The rate of follow-up was 97% (63/65) with a median follow-up of 17.2 months. Subjective cure rate and objective cure rate were both 97% (61/63) at 6 and 12 months after surgeries, 51 women completed PFDI-20 measurements and scores were 102 ± 50 before surgery, 16 ± 21 at 6 months and 15 ± 20 at 12 months. It reached statistical difference when scores were compared before and after surgeries (P < 0.05). Among 66 patients, 2 patients underwent organ injuries, 2 had recurrent prolapse, 4 had mesh-related complications and 1 had severe de novo stress urinary incontinence. Six patients underwent second surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery in treatment of pelvic organ prolapsed brought satisfied clinical outcome. The incidence of mesh-related complications was low and secondary operative interventions were effective.

Simple and robust polymer-based sensor for rapid cancer detection using serum.

We report a polymer-based sensor that rapidly detects cancer based on changes in serum protein levels. Using three ratiometric fluorescence outputs, this simple system identifies early stage and metastatic lung cancer with a high level of accuracy exceeding many biomarker-based assays, making it an attractive strategy for point-of-care testing.

An Optimized Sensor Array Identifies All Natural Amino Acids.

Wet-chemical discrimination of amino acids is still a challenge due to their structural similarity. Here, an optimized self-assembled eight-member sensor array is reported. The optimized sensor array stems from the combination of elements of different tongues, containing poly( para-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) and a supercharged green fluorescent protein (GFP) variant. The responsivity of the sensor dyes (PPEs and GFP) is enhanced in elements that contain adjuvants, such as metal salts but also cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and acridine orange; a suitable and robust eight element array discriminates all of the 20 natural amino acids in water at 25 mM concentration with 100% accuracy. The results group well to the amino acid type, i.e., hydrophobic, polar, and aromatic ones.

Unexpected Enhancement in Antibacterial Activity of N-Halamine Polymers from Spheres to Fibers.

Preventing bacterial infections is a main focus of medical care. Antibacterial agents with broad and excellent disinfection capability against pathogenic bacteria are in fact urgently required. Herein, a novel strategy for the development of N-halamine polymers from spheres to fibers using a combined copolymerization-electrospinning-chlorination technique was reported, allowing fight against bacterial pathogen. Optimizing the process conditions, e.g., comonomer molar ratio, concentration of electrospinning solution, chlorination order, and chlorination period, resulted in the formation of N-halamine fibers with controllable morphology. N-Halamine polymers were tested against two common bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and were found to be extremely potent against both bacteria, suggesting that they possess powerful sterilizing properties. Remarkably, compared with those with sphere morphology, N-halamine fibers show unexpected enhancement toward both pathogens possibly because of their shape (fiber morphology), surface state (rough surfaces), and surface charge (positive zeta potentials). It is believed that this approach has great potential to be utilized in various fields where antifouling and antibacterial properties are highly required.