Antifouling strategies for electrochemical sensing in complex biological media.

Surface fouling poses a significant challenge that restricts the analytical performance of electrochemical sensors in both in vitro and in vivo applications. Biofouling resistance is paramount to guarantee the reliable operation of electrochemical sensors in complex biofluids (e.g., blood, serum, and urine). Seeking efficient strategies for surface fouling and establishing highly sensitive sensing platforms for applications in complex media have received increasing attention in the past. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent research efforts focused on antifouling electrochemical sensors. Initially, we present a detailed illustration of the concept about biofouling along with an exploration of four key antifouling mechanisms. Subsequently, we delve into the commonly employed antifouling strategies in the fabrication of electrochemical sensors. These encompass physical surface topography (micro/nanostructure coatings and filtration membranes) and chemical surface modifications (PEG and its derivatives, zwitterionic polymers, peptides, proteins, and various other antifouling materials). The progress in antifouling electrochemical sensors is proposed concerning the antifouling mechanisms as well as sensing capability assessments (e.g., sensitivity, stability, and practical application ability). Finally, we summarize the evolving trends in the field and highlight some key remaining limitations.

Handheld Doppler Detection and Light Illumination for Vascular Mapping in Nasal Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The application of the expanded forehead flap in nasal reconstruction has the advantage of being able to provide a sufficient amount of flap and can provide good aesthetic results. For an expanded forehead flap to survive, there must be adequate arterial supply and venous return. Despite this, limited studies have been conducted on preoperative vascular mapping and the design of the expanded forehead flap for nasal reconstruction. In this article, the authors present a technique of hand-held Doppler detection with light illumination for vascular mapping. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included patients who underwent total nasal reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps between May 2016 and April 2021. The design of the flap was based on the result of preoperative vascular detection by hand-held Doppler detection assisted by light illumination. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients underwent total nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. The distal part of the flap became necrotic 1 week after the surgery in 2 patients. Following dressing changes and the administration of antibiotics, the distal flap in these patients survived well. No complications were reported in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Hand-held Doppler detection combined with light illumination is a convenient and effective preoperative design method for nasal reconstruction with an expanded forehead flap. All flaps survived well in the long term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Costal Cartilage Harvest Through a Small Incision in Asian Rhinoplasty After Breast Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: The costal cartilage is widely used in rhinoplasty. Although different surgical methods of costal cartilage harvest have been developed, few studies have reported the method of costal cartilage harvest for patients after breast augmentation. This study aims to provide our experience of costal cartilage harvest through a small incision approach. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for patients undergoing esthetic rhinoplasty with costal cartilage after breast augmentation between May 2019 and May 2021. Postoperative pain was evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale, and the scars at the donor site were assessed 1 year postoperatively with the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale. RESULTS: A total of 23 female patients were included. The average follow-up time was 21.4 months. No complications of massive bleeding, pleural injury, or breast implant injury during the surgery, wound dehiscence, or wound infection in the harvested site were observed. No patients complained of changes in breast morphology or breast asymmetry after costal cartilage harvest. Results of Visual Analog Scale for donor-site pain indicated pain in donor-site peaked at 12 hours after surgery and gradually decreased. All patients were satisfied with the scarring of the donor sites after surgery. CONCLUSION: The better scar performance, low complication rates, and high satisfaction among patients suggest that this is a safe technique to harvest costal cartilage with a small incision in rhinoplasty for patients after breast augmentation.

Global research trend and hotspot in the low FODMAP diet: a bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: According to national guidelines, a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) is a second-line therapy option for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and improves functional intestinal symptoms. Numerous noteworthy results have been published in this field over the past fifteen years. This study aims to analyze the global research trend and hotspot of the low FODMAP diet research, and provide a comprehensive perspective and direction for researchers. METHODS: The Science Citation Index-Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was used to identify low FODMAP diet-related articles and reviews. Three bibliometric programs (CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphic) were utilized to analyze and visualize the annual publications, authors, countries, institutions, journals, citations, and keywords. RESULTS: In total, 843 documents related to the low FODMAP diet research were published in 227 journals by 3,343 authors in 1,233 institutions from 59 countries. The United States, which was the most engaged nation in international collaboration, had the largest annual production and the fastest growth. The most productive organization was Monash University, and the most fruitful researcher was Gibson PR. Nutrients ranked first in terms of the number of published documents. The article "A diet low in FODMAPs reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome" (Halmos EP, 2014) received the most co-citations. Keywords that appear frequently in the literature mainly involve two main aspects: the clinical efficacy evaluation and mechanism exploration of the low FODMAP diet. The term "gut microbiota" stands out as the most prominent keyword among the burst keywords that have remained prevalent till date. CONCLUSION: The restriction stage of the low FODMAP diet is superior to other dietary therapies for IBS in terms of symptom response, but it has a negative impact on the abundance of gut Bifidobacteria and diet quality. Identification of biomarkers to predict response to the low FODMAP diet is of great interest and has become the current research hotspot.

An electrochemical biosensor for HER2 detection in complex biological media based on two antifouling materials of designed recognizing peptide and PEG.

A simple tactic for electrochemical determination of a typical biomarker for breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), was presented via the construction of a low fouling sensing interface functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptide. The HER2 biosensor was developed based on an electrode modified by the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) as the sensing substrate, and followed by the immobilization of an antifouling PEG and a peptide with both recognizing and antifouling properties. Thanks to the combined antifouling effect of the PEG and peptide, and the specific recognizing ability of the peptide to the target HER2, the developed electrochemical biosensor exhibited strong antifouling performances in complex biofluids, such as human blood and serum, and it was capable of assaying target HER2 within a very wide linear range (1.0 pg mL-1 to 1.0 µg mL-1), with an ultralow limit of detection (0.44 pg mL-1). The combination of two kinds of antifouling biomaterials (PEG and peptide) offered an effective strategy for the development of low fouling sensing platforms suitable for practical assay in complex biotic environments.

Materials and Design Approaches for a Fully Bioresorbable, Electrically Conductive and Mechanically Compliant Cardiac Patch Technology.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Recently developed cardiac patches provide mechanical support and additional conductive paths to promote electrical signal propagation in the MI area to synchronize cardiac excitation and contraction. Cardiac patches based on conductive polymers offer attractive features; however, the modest levels of elasticity and high impedance interfaces limit their mechanical and electrical performance. These structures also operate as permanent implants, even in cases where their utility is limited to the healing period of tissue damaged by the MI. The work presented here introduces a highly conductive cardiac patch that combines bioresorbable metals and polymers together in a hybrid material structure configured in a thin serpentine geometry that yields elastic mechanical properties. Finite element analysis guides optimized choices of layouts in these systems. Regular and synchronous contraction of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes on the cardiac patch and ex vivo studies offer insights into the essential properties and the bio-interface. These results provide additional options in the design of cardiac patches to treat MI and other cardiac disorders.

Solid lipid nanoparticles for phytosterols delivery: The acyl chain number of the glyceride matrix affects the arrangement, stability, and release.

The lipid matrix plays a key role in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) embedding active ingredients. To investigate the influence of lipid matrix structure on arrangement, release, and stability of solid lipid nanoparticles, three phytosterols formulations with different carrier glycerides [glycerol monostearate (GMS), glycerol distearate (GDS), and glycerol tristearate (GTS)] were prepared and evaluated. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry revealed the lowest crystallinity of phytosterols in the GMS matrix, corresponding to the maximum bioaccessibility (40.2%) in vitro experiments. Sustained release and better stability were observed from GDS and GTS matrices, which could be attributed to strong molecular interactions or a core-rich structure inside the nanoparticles. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the affinity between phytosterols and glycerides decreased in the order GDS > GTS > GMS, as well as explaining the release and storage capacities of the three nanoparticles. This study would facilitate the rational design of SLNs in functional foods.

[Efficacy of inactivated autologous porous bone flap and BAM bone-induced artificial bone for repairing skull defect in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of BAM bone grafting combined with inactivated autologous porous bone flap in repairing skull defect in rats. METHODS: Seventy-two Wistar rats with skull defect were randomly divided into control group, inactivated autologous bone flap group (AB group), BAM bone-induced artificial bone material group (BAM group), and inactivated autologous bone flap with BAM bone-induced artificial bone group (BAM+AB group). The bone healing was evaluated with micro-CT and the new bone formation was assessed with histological staining at 1, 2, and 3 months after modeling. RESULTS: Inactivated porous bone flap combined with BAM bone-induced artificial bone effectively induced vascular and fibrous tissue regeneration and osteogenesis in the cranial defects. With the inactivated porous bone flap as the scaffold, BAM bone-induced artificial bone obviously promoted the restoration of the skull appearance in the rats with cranial defects. CONCLUSION: Inactivated autologous bone flap group and BAM bone-induced artificial bone material can promote skull healing and restoration of the original skull appearance, and can be used for reconstruction of the local anatomy of the skull surface.

Chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol nanoscale liquid film-forming system facilitates MRSA-infected wound healing by enhancing antibacterial and antibiofilm properties.

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most predominant and fatal pathogens at wound infection sites. MRSA is difficult to treat because of its antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms at the wound site. METHODS: In this study, a novel nanoscale liquid film-forming system (LFFS) loaded with benzalkonium bromide was produced based on polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan. RESULTS: This LFFS showed a faster and more potent effect against MRSA252 than benzalkonium bromide aqueous solution both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the LFFS had a stronger ability to destroy biofilms (5 mg/mL) and inhibit their formation (1.33 µg/mL). The LFFS inflicted obvious damage to the structure and integrity of MRSA cell membranes and caused increases in the release of alkaline phosphate and lactate dehydrogenase in the relative electrical conductivity and in K+ and Mg2+ concentrations due to changes in the MRSA cell membrane permeability. CONCLUSION: The novel LFFS is promising as an effective system for disinfectant delivery and for application in the treatment of MRSA wound infections.

[Effects of shading and plant density on ear development and plant productivity of spring maize in Northeast China]. / é®é˜´å’Œç§æ¤å¯†åº¦å¯¹ä¸œåŒ—æ˜¥çŽ‰ç±³ç©—éƒ¨å‘è‚²å’Œæ¤æ ªç”Ÿäº§åŠ›çš„å½±å“.

It is important to investigate the effects of shading on maize ear characteristics and yield, which can provide references to variety breeding and agronomic technique improvement for coping with climate change and dense planting. An experiment was carried out with two varieties (compact type hybrid ZD909, flat type hybrid ND4) and two planting densities (45000 and 90000 plants·hm-2) at Gongzhuling City, Jilin Province. Two treatments were conducted for each variety and planting density, including shading (with a shading degree of 65% from small bell mouth stage to mature stage) and no shading treatment (CK). The results showed that shading affected maize ear development significantly. Shading delayed maize anthesis and silking stages, especially prolonging the length of anthesis-silking interval by 3-15 days compared with the CK. Moreover, shading decreased dry matter accumulation of spring maize significantly, leading to more than 50% (50.8%-87.0%) of reduction in grain yield. The negative effects of shading on ear characteristics and yield of spring maize with dense planting was greater than that with sparse planting. The variety with a dense plant type achieved fewer effects on ear characteristics and grain yield than the variety with a sparse plant type under shading and dense planting. The variety with a dense plant type had strong adaptability to ecological environment change and the consistency in density-tolerance and shade-tolerance.

[Drug distribution in gastric cancer and adjacent tissues by preoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy with Co-fluorouracil liposome].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the distribution of fluorouracil in gastric cancer (CA), lymph node (LN), normal gastric mucosa (NG), peritoneum (PE), greater omentum (GO) and lesser omentum (LO) by preoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy with Co-fluorouracil liposome (Co 5-Fu), and offer an experimental basis for clinic practice. METHODS: Ninety-six gastric cancer patients were divided into four groups: Co 5-Fu i.v. injection group (Co 5-Fu i.v.), Co 5-Fu intraperitoneal perfusion group (Co 5-Fu i.p.), 5-Fu i.v. injection group (5-Fu i.v.) and intraperitoneal perfusion group (5-Fu i.p.) given on day-2, day-1 and 60 minutes before operation. Fluorouracil concentration in all tissues collected during operation were examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The fluorouracil concentration in the tissues in Co 5-Fu i.p. group was significantly higher than that in Co 5-Fu i.v. or 5-Fu i.p. group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and that in 5-Fu i.p. group was greatly higher than that at 5-Fu i.v. group (P < 0.01). In Co 5-Fu i.p. group, the concentration of drug in LN, CA, PE, NG, GO and LO decreased gradually with the former 3 tissues significantly higher than the latter 3 tissues (P < 0.01), and adjacent lymph node was the highest. In Co 5-Fu i.v. group, the ranking was LN, CA, NG, PE, GO and LO with the former 3 tissues significantly higher than the latter 3 tissues (P < 0.01) and showing tumor tissues higher than the other tissues (P < 0.01). In 5-Fu i.p. group, the ranking was PE, LN, CA, NG, GO and LO with the former 2 tissues significantly higher than the latter tissues (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Co 5-Fu possesses drug targeting, slow release and long effect in gastric cancer tissues and adjacent lymph nodes. Preoperative chemotherapy with Co 5-Fu i.p. is more advantageous than 5-Fu given i.v. or 5-Fu i.p.

Hydrothermal fabrication of ZSM-5 zeolites: biocompatibility, drug delivery property, and bactericidal property.

The bone graft-associated infection is widely considered in orthopedic surgery, which may lead to implant failure, extensive bone debridement, and increased patient morbidity. In this study, we fabricated ZSM-5 zeolites for drug delivery systems by hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology, biocompatibility, drug delivery property, and bactericidal property of the ZSM-5 zeolites were investigated. The ZSM-5 zeolites have mordenite framework inverted-type structure and exhibit the disk-like shape with the diameter of ∼350 nm and thickness of ∼165 nm. The biocompatibility tests indicate that human bone marrow stromal cells spread out well on the surfaces of the ZSM-5 zeolites and proliferate significantly with increasing culture time. As compared with the conventional hydroxyapatite particles, the ZSM-5 zeolites possess greater drug loading efficiency and drug sustained release property because of the ordered micropores, large Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas, and functional groups. For the gentamicin-loaded ZSM-5 zeolites, the sustained release of gentamicin minimizes significantly bacterial adhesion and prevents biofilm formation against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The excellent biocompatibility, drug delivery property, and bactericidal property of the ZSM-5 zeolites suggest that they have great application potentials for treating implant-associated infections.

Formation of TiO2 nanoparticles by reactive-layer-assisted deposition and characterization by XPS and STM.

Stoichiometric TiO2 nanoparticles (1-5 nm) were prepared by reactive-layer-assisted deposition (RLAD), in which Ti was initially deposited on a multilayer of H2O (or NO2) on a Au(111) substrate at approximately 90 K. The composition and atom-resolved structure of the nanoparticles were studied by XPS and STM. The approximately 5 nm TiO2 particles had either a rutile or anatase phase with various crystal facets. STS of the nanoparticles suggests size-dependent electronic structure. These well-defined nanoparticles can be used in molecular-level studies of the reactions and mechanisms of photocatalytic processes on TiO2 nanoparticle surfaces.