Effects of microplastics (MPs) and tributyltin (TBT) alone and in combination on bile acids and gut microbiota crosstalk in mice.

Microplastics (MPs) and tributyltin (TBT) are both potential environmental pollutants that enter organisms through the food chain and affect bodily functions. However, the effects and mechanisms of MPs and TBT exposure (especially the co-exposure of both pollutants) on mammals remain unclear. In this study, Ф5µm MPs (5MP) was administered alone or in combination with TBT to investigate the health risk of oral exposure in mice. All three treatments induced inflammation in the liver, altered gut microbiota composition and disturbed fecal bile acids profiles. In addition to decreasing triglyceride (TG) and increasing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and macrophage-expressed gene 1 (Mpeg1), 5MP induced hepatic cholestasis by stimulating the expression of the cholesterol hydroxylase enzymes CYP8B1 and CYP27A1, and inhibiting multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and 3 (MRP2, MRP3), and bile-salt export pump (BSEP) to prevent bile acids for entering the blood and bile. Correspondingly, 5MP treatment decreased 7-ketolithocholic acid (7-ketoLCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA), which were positively correlated with decreased Bacteroides and Marvinbryantia and negatively correlated with increased Bifidobacterium. In addition, TBT increased interferon γ (IFNγ) and Mpeg1 levels to induce inflammation, accompanied by decreased 7-ketoLCA, tauro-alpha-muricholic acid (T-alpha-MCA) and alpha-muricholic acid (alpha-MCA) levels, which were negatively related to Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 and Bifidobacterium. Co-exposure to 5MP and TBT also decreased TG and induced bile acids accumulation in the liver due to inhibited BSEP, which might be attributed to the co-regulation of decreased T-alpha-MCA and Harryflintia. In conclusion, the administration of 5MP and TBT alone and in combination could cause gut microbiome dysbiosis and subsequently alter bile acids profiles, while the combined exposure of 5MP and TBT weakened the toxic effects of 5MP and TBT alone.

Inhibition of IL-6 and IL-8 production in LPS-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts by glycyrrhizin via activating LXRα.

The aim of this study was to clarify the anti-inflammatory effects and its molecular mechanism of glycyrrhizin on LPS-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), which will be of benefit for periodontitis treatment. An MTT assay was performed to assess the effects of glycyrrhizin on cellular viability. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by ELISA. The expression of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, and LXRα were detected by western blot analysis. The results showed that glycyrrhizin significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. LPS-induced NF-κB activation in HGFs was also inhibited by treatment of glycyrrhizin. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin increased the expression of LXRα in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the inhibition of glycyrrhizin on IL-6 and IL-8 production was reversed by LXRα inhibitor GGPP. In conclusion, these results indicated that glycyrrhizin exhibited its anti-inflammatory effects in HGFs by activating LXRα.

Lignin hydrogel sensor with anti-dehydration, anti-freezing, and reproducible adhesion prepared based on the room-temperature induction of zinc chloride-lignin redox system.

In recent years, flexible sensors constructed mainly from hydrogels have received increasing attention. However, conventional hydrogels need to be prepared by high-temperature or radiation-induced polymerization reactions, which limits their practical applications due to their suboptimal electrical conductivity and weak mechanical properties. In this paper, using sodium lignosulfonate as the raw material, a dynamic catechol-quinone redox system formed by lignin­zinc ions was constructed to initiate rapid free radical polymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomer at room temperature. In addition, Deep eutectic solvent (DES) can form a strong hydrogen bonding network within the molecules and between the molecules of the hydrogel, resulting in a hydrogel with good tensile properties (hydrogel elongation at break of 727.19 %, breaking strength of 84.09 kPa), and provides the hydrogel with high electrical conductivity, anti-dehydration, anti-freezing, and anti-bacterial properties. Meanwhile, the addition of lignin also improved the adhesion and UV resistance of the hydrogel. This hydrogel assembled into a flexible sensor can sense various small and large amplitude movements such as nodding, smiling, frowning, etc., and has a wide range of applications in flexible sensors.

Biodegradable ferroelectric molecular crystal with large piezoelectric response.

Transient implantable piezoelectric materials are desirable for biosensing, drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and antimicrobial and tumor therapy. For use in the human body, they must show flexibility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These requirements are challenging for conventional inorganic piezoelectric oxides and piezoelectric polymers. We discovered high piezoelectricity in a molecular crystal HOCH2(CF2)3CH2OH [2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoropentane-1,5-diol (HFPD)] with a large piezoelectric coefficient d33 of ~138 picocoulombs per newton and piezoelectric voltage constant g33 of ~2450 × 10-3 volt-meters per newton under no poling conditions, which also exhibits good biocompatibility toward biological cells and desirable biodegradation and biosafety in physiological environments. HFPD can be composite with polyvinyl alcohol to form flexible piezoelectric films with a d33 of 34.3 picocoulombs per newton. Our material demonstrates the ability for molecular crystals to have attractive piezoelectric properties and should be of interest for applications in transient implantable electromechanical devices.

The role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) in chronic periodontitis progression.

Long non-coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is a novel pro-inflammatory factor in severe human diseases. Since inflammatory plays important roles in periodontitis progression, we aimed to explore the role of NEAT1 in chronic periodontitis (CP) in vitro. We established a periodontitis cell model was established by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS)-induced periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of NEAT1, microRNA (miR)-200c-3p, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Cell viability, inflammatory factors, and protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and TRAF6 were analyzed by MTT, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot. The target relationships among NEAT1, miR-200c-3p, and TRAF6 were predicted by the StarBase/TargetScan software, and further validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. In this research, NEAT1 is up-regulated in CP tissues and periodontitis model group. Silencing of NEAT1 and over-expression of miR-200c-3p enhanced cell viability and repressed apoptosis in the periodontitis model group. NEAT1 targets miR-200c-3p, and miR-200c-3p further targets TRAF6. MiR-200c-3p inhibitor or over-expression of TRAF6 reversed the promoting effect of NEAT1 knockdown on cell viability, and the inhibiting effects on inflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis. Consequently, the silencing of NEAT1 inhibits inflammation and apoptosis via targeting miR-200c-3p/TRAF6 axis, thereby contributing to alleviate the progression of CP. This finding could provide an underlying target for the treatment of CP.

Construction of nickel ferrite nanoparticle-loaded on carboxymethyl cellulose-derived porous carbon for efficient pseudocapacitive energy storage.

The preparation of biomass-derived carbon electrode materials with abundant active sites is suitable for development of energy-storage systems with high energy and power densities. Herein, a hybrid material consisting of highly-dispersed nickel ferrite nanoparticle on 3D hierarchical carboxymethyl cellulose-derived porous carbon (NiFe2O4/CPC) was prepared by simple annealing treatment. The synergistic effects of NiFe2O4 species with multiple oxidation states and 3D porous carbon with a large specific surface area offered abundant active centers, fast electron/ion transport, and robust structural stability, thereby showing the excellent performance of the electrochemical capacitor. The best performing sample (NiFe2O4/CPC-800) exhibited a superior capacitance of 2894F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1. Encouragingly, an asymmetric supercapacitor with NiFe2O4/CPC-800 as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode delivered a high energy density of 135.2 W h kg-1 along with an improved power density of 10.04 kW kg-1. Meanwhile, the superior cycling stability of 90.2% over 10,000 cycles at 5 A g-1 was achieved. Overall, the presented work offers a guideline for the design and preparation of advanced electrode materials for energy-storage systems.

Intelligent hydrogel with both redox and thermo-response based on cellulose nanofiber for controlled drug delivery.

The purpose of this study is to develop a hydrogel with temperature and redox response to control drug delivery. However, the strength of temperature sensitive N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) hydrogel is weak. Therefore, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidized cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is introduced to improve this problem. The compressive strength of hydrogels increased by 360% after CNF addition. Meanwhile, N,N'-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BACy) is introduced into the hydrogels as a cross-linker, imparting redox responsive properties to the hydrogels. Tumor therapeutic drugs are used as model drugs for in vitro release studies. The drug release rate of hydrogel is regulated by temperature and reducing environment. The maximum cumulative release rate of doxorubicin (DOX) is 39.56%, and the Berberine (BBR) is 99.50% after 60 h. The swelling and transparency of hydrogels showed dramatic changes in the range of 30-40 °C. Cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the hydrogel had almost no cytotoxicity.

Immediate implant placement in combination with platelet rich-fibrin into extraction sites with periapical infection in the esthetic zone: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: In this case, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was added to guided tissue regeneration as a biomaterial in proper order for immediate planting in aesthetic area with periapical infection. CASE SUMMARY: With the history of endodontic failure in maxillary central incisor, a 34-year-old female patient required the extraction of maxillary anterior residual root and immediate implantation. Cone beam computed tomography and clinical observation were used to assess the regeneration of soft and bone tissue. Before operation, cone beam computed tomography showed the anterior residual root had serious periapical periodontitis with insufficient labial bone in the aesthetic zone. The patient underwent immediate implant placement and reconstruction of the bone substitution by modified guided bone regeneration. The barrier was a three-layer structure of PRF-collagen membrane-PRF that covered the mixture of PRF and Bio-Oss to promote both osteogenesis and soft tissue healing. At 6 mo postoperatively, the definitive crown was placed after accomplished finial impression. One-year follow-up showed a satisfactory aesthetic effect with no obvious absorption of the labial bone and soft tissue. CONCLUSION: The use of PRF in combination with guided bone regeneration can serve as a reliable and simple adjuvant for immediate implanting in infected socket and result in a stable osteogenic effect with good aesthetic outcome.

Preparative isolation and purification of B-type fumonisins by using macroporous resin column and high-speed countercurrent chromatography.

B-type fumonisins (FBs) are water-soluble mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species, which are mainly found in maize products and threaten food safety. Toxicological studies and quantitative determinations of fumonisins require large amounts of pure toxins, and their high prices limit progress in FBs research. In this study, we used a macroporous resin column combined with high-speed countercurrent chromatography to separate large quantities of FBs. A fermented rice culture was extracted with 75% methanol. The dynamic adsorption capacity of FBs on XAD-2 resin was 27.5 mg/g resin at 25°C, pH 4.0, and then the FBs were desorbed with 60% methanol. The crude FBs were further purified using a biphasic system consisting of n-heptane/n-butanol/methanol/water (2:4:1:4, v/v/v/v). The method yielded 1.55 g of FB1 and 0.55 g of FB3 with purities of 96.8% and 95.6%, respectively, from 1 kg of rice culture, and the final overall yield of FBs was 74.8%.

S-S-PEG-COOH Self-Assembled Monolayer on Gold Surface Enabled a Combined Assay for Serological EBV Antibody Isotypes.

PURPOSE: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human gamma herpes virus that infects human epithelial cells and B lymphocytes. It would be potentially valuable to develop novel combined assays to benefit screening for large panels of samples of EBV infectious diseases. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A simple antigen-probed biochip that is modified with S-S-PEG-COOH and is used as a label-free high-throughput screening method for a combined detection of EBV capsid antigen IgM antibody, capsid antigen IgG antibody, and nuclear antigen IgG antibody. RESULTS: This protein biochip has similar feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity in comparison with Liaison chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Detection limit of the EBV antibodies by the biochip is almost identical to that by CLIA-L (2.91 U mL-1 vs 3.00 U mL-1 for EBNA-1 IgG, 8 U mL-1 vs10 U mL-1 for EBV-VCA IgG, and 3.5 U mL-1 vs 10 U mL-1 for EBV-VCA IgM). Tests of the three serological antibodies against EBV by the biochip are consistent with the CLIA-L method in 274 clinical sera, respectively. Finally, the combined biochip is successfully utilized for diagnostic identification of EBV infection in 14 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) and 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus SLE, as well as additional 10 known real-time PCR positive patients. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This biochip format will enable concurrent detection of antibodies against EBV infection and confirm infection status of EBV. It will be a versatile tool for large-scale epidemiological screening in view of its miniaturization and high throughput.

Sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor based on Au@Ag supported on functionalized phenolic resin microporous carbon spheres for ultrasensitive analysis of α-fetoprotein.

Signal amplification is crucial for obtaining low detection limits in electrochemical immunosensor. In this work, we developed a novel signal amplification strategy using Au@Ag nanoparticles loaded by polydopamine functionalized phenolic resin microporous carbon spheres (Au@Ag/PDA-PR-MCS). Phenolic resin microporous carbon spheres (PR-MCS) possesses uniform size and a large surface area (1656.8 m2 g-1). Polydopamine (PDA) functionalized phenolic resin microporous carbon spheres (PDA-PR-MCS) retains the advantages of PR-MCS and possesses strong adsorption ability. With the unique structure of PDA-PR-MCS, it not only improves the loading capacity and dispersity of Au@Ag nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs), but also enhances the stability for the combination of the Au@Ag NPs by chemical absorption between Au@Ag NPs and -NH2 of PDA. The Au@Ag/PDA-PR-MCS exhibits extraordinary electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to make the electrochemical response more sensitive. Furthermore, Au NPs with good biocompatibility and excellent conductivity were electrodeposited on the surface of electrode, which was used as a sensing platform to immobilize primary antibody (Ab1) and accelerate the electron transfer on the electrode interface. Herein, the designed immunosensor provided a broad linear range from 20 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL for alpha fetoprotein (AFP) detection and a low detection limit of 6.7 fg/mL (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) under optimal experimental conditions. Moreover, the excellent performance in detection of human serum samples indicated that the proposed immunosensor will provide promising applications in clinical monitoring of AFP.

Fabrication, characterization and biocompatibility of collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose-Ca composite scaffold for carrying Schwann cells.

Schwann cell (SC) is the primary structural and functional part of the peripheral nervous system, and it plays a key role in the repair and regeneration of peripheral nerve. In order to develop a suitable scaffold for SC nerve tissue engineering, three kinds of scaffolds, including pristine collagen, pure oxidized regenerated cellulose-Ca (ORCCa) and collagen/ORC-Ca composite scaffolds, have been fabricated for carrying SC in this study. SC is then seeded on the scaffolds to form SC-scaffold nerve tissue engineering composites and evaluate their biocompatibility. The chemical and physical structure of the scaffolds are investigated by FTIR, NMR and SEM. The wettability of the collagen/ORC-Ca composite scaffold is close to that of pristine collagen, and the tensile strength of the composite scaffold (0.58 MPa) is better than that of pristine collagen (0.36 MPa). Cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, cell adhesion and western blotting assays are conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility and properties of different scaffolds. The results show that the three scaffolds exhibit no toxicity, and the proliferation rate of SC on the collagen/ORC-Ca composite scaffold is significantly higher than that of the other scaffolds (p < 0.05). The number of the adhesion cells on the composite scaffold (244.67 ±â€¯13.02) is much more than that in the pure ORC-Ca group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the expression of N-Cadheri and PMP22 proteins in the collagen/ORC-Ca composite scaffold is significantly superior to the other two scaffolds (both p < 0.01). Therefore, it could be concluded that the collagen/ORC-Ca composite is a promising candidate as a scaffold for carrying SC to form nerve tissue engineering composites in order to assist the peripheral nervous in the repair and regeneration.

Coupling of a bifunctional peptide R13 to OTMCS-PEI copolymer as a gene vector increases transfection efficiency and tumor targeting.

BACKGROUND: A degradable polyethylenimine (PEI) derivative coupled to a bifunctional peptide R13 was developed to solve the transfection efficiency versus cytotoxicity and tumor-targeting problems of PEI when used as a gene vector. METHODS: We crossed-linked low molecular weight PEI with N-octyl-N-quaternary chitosan (OTMCS) to synthesize a degradable PEI derivative (OTMCS-PEI), and then used a bifunctional peptide, RGDC-TAT (49-57) called R13 to modify OTMCS-PEI so as to prepare a new gene vector, OTMCS-PEI-R13. This new gene vector was characterized by various physicochemical methods. Its cytotoxicity and gene transfection efficiency were also determined both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: The vector showed controlled degradation and excellent buffering capacity. The particle size of the OTMCS-PEI-R13/DNA complexes was around 150-250 nm and the zeta potential ranged from 10 mV to 30 mV. The polymer could protect plasmid DNA from being digested by DNase I at a concentration of 23.5 U DNase I/µg DNA. Further, the polymer was resistant to dissociation induced by 50% fetal bovine serum and 400 µg/mL sodium heparin. Compared with PEI 25 kDa, the OTMCS-PEI-R13/DNA complexes showed higher transfection efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. Further, compared with OTMCS-PEI, distribution of OTMCS-PEI-R13 at tumor sites was markedly enhanced, indicating the tumor-targeting specificity of R13. CONCLUSION: OTMCS-PEI-R13 could be a potential candidate as a safe and efficient gene delivery carrier for gene therapy.

Polyethylenimine derivate conjugated with RGD-TAT-NLS as a novel gene vector.

To solve the contradiction between the cell toxicity and transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine (PEI) derivate in non-viral gene therapy, a novel gene vector, P123-PEI-R18 was synthesized by using biodegradable PEI derivate conjugated with trifunctional peptide RGD-TAT-NLS. The particle size of P123-PEI-R18/DNA was around 100-250 nm. The gene vector could condense DNA at the weight ratio of 2 and protect plasmid DNA from being dissolved in the blood circulation. Importantly, the complexes exhibited lower cell toxicity and higher transfection efficiency contrasted with PEI 25 kDa in vitro. P123-PEI-R18 holds high potential as a safe and efficient gene vector.

Intracellular disassembly and localization of a new P123-PEI-R13/DNA complex.

The appropriate location and release of target gene is necessary for gene therapy. In our previous paper, a gene vector named P123-PEI-R13 has been successfully synthesized, and the physical characteristics and cellular trafficking of nanoparticle P123-PEI-R13/DNA has been explored explicitly, but little was known about its disassembly within cells. In order to investigate its intracellular disassembly, P123-PEI-R13/DNA complex was exposed to the different competitors (RNA, DNA, proteins) or different conditions of pH and osmolarity, DNA release was determined by gel electrophoresis. Meanwhile, confocal laser technology was used to locate the complex in cells. The results revealed that DNA, RNA and osmolarity could affect the stability of the complex obviously, especially RNA which exist in nucleus. In addition, the speed of DNA release decreased as the weight ratio of polymer increased. Images got by a confocal fluorescence microscope confirmed that after cell uptake, P123-PEI-R13 could translocate DNA into nucleus.

Experimental investigation of egg ovalbumin scaling on heated stainless steel surface and scale-removal compared with that of whey protein.

Fouling and cleaning on a heat exchanger surface during milk processing have been studied extensively in the past due to their great importance in energy, product quality, and safety. However, little information is available for egg ovalbumin (OVA) fouling and cleaning behavior. In the present work, fouling and cleaning behaviors of OVA were investigated using a real-time monitoring system for heat transfer coefficient. A comparison was made between the behavior of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and that of OVA. WPC has been well studied which can be used as a benchmark. Ultrasonic cleaning was also applied to investigate the cleaning behavior of OVA fouling. Results have shown that OVA created more thermal resistance than WPC in the 2 h fouling process. It was also much more difficult to remove the OVA deposit than the WPC fouling. Different from what were observed from WPC deposit, there was no optimal cleaning rate for OVA deposit in the NaOH concentration range tested (0-2.0 wt%), while WPC fouling is known to have the highest cleaning rate around 0.5 wt% NaOH concentration at moderate temperatures.

Preparation of raspberry-like polypyrrole composites with applications in catalysis.

Raspberry-like composites were prepared by coating the silver/polypyrrole core/shell composites onto the surface of silica spheres via oxidation polymerization of pyrrole monomer with [Ag(NH3)2]+ ions as oxidants. The whole process allowed the absence of stabilizers, which greatly improved the quality of the conducting polymer composites. The morphology of the resulting composites was investigated, which can be described as raspberry-like; also, the structure and composition of the composites were characterized in detail. A possible formation mechanism was proposed. The present synthetic strategy substantially extended the scope of metal/conducting polymer composite synthesis. The raspberry-like composites exhibited excellent catalytic properties in the reduction of methylene blue dye with the reducing agent of sodium borohydride.

Facile fabrication of monodisperse polymer hollow spheres.

This article reports the facile synthesis of monodisperse polymer hollow spheres by seeded emulsion polymerization without additional treatment. In this method, P(St-MMA-MAA) copolymer latex particles were first prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization and then used as seeds to carry out emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), divinyl benzene (DVB), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator at 80 degrees C. The void of hollow spheres was readily adjusted by changing the monomer/seed weight ratio, and it could be enlarged while the diameters of hollow spheres changed little after etching by dimethyl formamide (DMF). The effects of synthetic parameters including the monomer composition and the properties of seeds on the morphology of hollow spheres were investigated in detail. On the basis of the experimental results, it seemed reasonable to conclude that the formation of hollow spheres was due to the "dissolution" of seeds in monomers and phase separation between the constituent polymers. As a thermodynamic factor, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) would allow the preparation of solid particles depending on its level.