Short-term effect of magnesium implantation on the osteomyelitis modeled animals induced by Staphylococcus aureus.

Pure magnesium (Mg) granules were implanted into the tibial medullary cavity of osteomyelitis modeled animals after debridement, and the animals without implant were taken as the control group. The antibacterial and osteogenic effects on bone tissue during Mg degradation were evaluated through detecting Mg ions, counting bacteria culture in peripheral blood, histology and iconography. The results showed that there was no significant difference for the concentration of serum Mg between the preoperative and postoperative animals within 5 weeks, maintaining in the normal range, and the number of bacteria in bone tissue of the Mg implant group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Mg implantation showed good biocompatibility no harmful to the liver, spleen, kidney and other organs in the modeled animals. In addition, the formation rate of new bone tissues around the implanted Mg was faster, indicating that the degradation of Mg could also promote the osteogenic process with good biocompatibility.

Does bacterial community succession within the polyethylene mulching film plastisphere drive biodegradation?

Agricultural fields are severely contaminated with polyethylene mulching film (PMF) and this plastic in the natural environment can be colonized by biofilm-forming microorganisms that differ from those in the surrounding environment. In this study, we investigated the succession of the soil microbial communities in the PMF plastisphere using an artificial micro-ecosystem as well as exploring the degradation of PMF by plastisphere communities. The results indicated a significant and gradual decrease in the alpha diversity of the bacterial communities in the plastisphere and surrounding liquid. The community compositions in the plastisphere and surrounding liquid differed significantly from that in agricultural soil. Phyla and genera with the capacity to degrade polyethylene and hydrocarbon were enriched in the plastisphere, and some of these microorganisms were core members of the plastisphere community. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis detected increases in metabolism pathways for PMF plastisphere Xenobiotics Biodegradation and Metabolism, thereby suggesting the possibility of polyethylene degradation in the plastisphere. Observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated the formation of biofilms on the incubated PMF. SEM, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and water contact angle detected significant changes in the surface microstructure, chemical composition and hydrophobicity change of the films, thereby suggesting that the plastisphere community degraded PMF during incubation. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the changes in agricultural soil microorganisms in the PMF plastisphere and the degradation of PMF.

Transarterial embolization using pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol for the treatment of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical resection is the current treatment for focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver (FNH) when indicated. However, tumor location and size, patient comorbidities, and risk of complications may limit surgical options in some cases. Our goal was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) using pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion (PLE) and polyvinyl alcohol particles to treat FNH. METHODOLOGY: Four patients with FNH, who experienced dull pain in the upper abdomen or liver area and confirmed by biopsy, were treated by TAE with PLE and polyvinyl alcohol (diameter: 500µm-700µm). Therapeutic effects including changes in lesion diameter and symptomatic improvement, and occurrence of complications, were evaluated for a follow-up period ranging from 12 to 42 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All of four patients were successfully treated with PLE and polyvinyl alcohol embolization. One month after the procedure, dull pain in the upper abdomen or liver area vanished completely. Follow-up examination by CT or MRI revealed complete resolution in two cases and an obvious decrease in the other two cases. No immediate or delayed postembolization complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization using PLE and polyvinyl alcohol should be considered as a safe and effective method for the treatment of FNH.

Development and characterization of electrospun nanofibers based on pullulan/chitin nanofibers containing curcumin and anthocyanins for active-intelligent food packaging.

An electrospun nanofiber based on pullulan/chitin nanofibers (PCN) containing curcumin (CR) and anthocyanins (ATH) was developed using an electrospinning technique for active-intelligent food packaging. The results of scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that CR and ATH were successfully immobilized on the film-forming substrate based on PCN. The physical and chemical properties of nanofibers with no colorant, a single colorant, and double colorants were compared. The nanofiber containing ATH and CR (PCN/CR/ATH) had stronger antioxidant and antimicrobial activities than those of nanofibers containing CR (PCN/CR) or ATH (PCN/ATH). With respect to pH sensitivity, the color of the PCN/CR nanofibers did not change obviously, but the color of the PCN/ATH and PCN/CR/ATH nanofibers changed significantly with the change in pH. Furthermore, the PCN/CR/ATH nanofibers clearly changed color with the progressive spoilage of Plectorhynchus cinctus at room temperature. Therefore, the electrospun PCN/CR/ATH nanofiber have great application potential in active-intelligent food packaging.