Correction: Zhu et al. Biodegradable and pH Sensitive Peptide Based Hydrogel as Controlled Release System for Antibacterial Wound Dressing Application. Molecules 2018, 23, 3383.

During the course of a review of our publication, we found two errors in Figure 4b and Figure 9 [...].

Quantification of the Masseter Muscle Hardness of Stroke Patients Using the MyotonPRO Apparatus: Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability and Its Correlation with Masticatory Performance.

BACKGROUND Chewing dysfunction is one of the most common serious complications after a stroke. It may be influenced by the hardness of the masseter muscle and masticatory performance; however, the association between these 2 factors is not explicit. Thus, it is meaningful to explore the functional status of the masseter muscle among stroke patients. The main objectives of this study were to examine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the MyotonPRO apparatus in measuring masseter muscle hardness in stroke patients and to investigate the correlation between the bilateral masseter muscle hardness and masticatory performance in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 20 stroke patients participated in our study. The hardness of the masseter muscle was measured by 2 physiotherapists using the MyotonPRO apparatus. Overall, each patient masticated 2 pieces of red-blue bicolor chewing gum for 20 chewing cycles each. The chewing pieces were analyzed using ViewGum software for masticatory performance. RESULTS The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the MyotonPRO apparatus for measuring bilateral masseter hardness of stroke patients was excellent. The correlation analysis showed that the hardness index of the masseter muscle on the affected side was moderately correlated with the masticatory performance of the same side. CONCLUSIONS The MyotonPRO device can be used for measuring the masseter muscle hardness of stroke patients, with excellent reliability. This study established the construct validity between the stiffness of the masseter muscle and masticatory performance.

Contact/Release Coordinated Antibacterial Cotton Fabrics Coated with N-Halamine and Cationic Antibacterial Agent for Durable Bacteria-Killing Application.

Coating a cationic antibacterial layer on the surface of cotton fabric is an effective strategy to provide it with excellent antibacterial properties and to protect humans from bacterial cross-infection. However, washing with anionic detergent will inactivate the cationic antibacterial coating. Although this problem can be solved by increasing the amount of cationic antibacterial coating, excessive cationic antibacterial coating reduces the drapability of cotton fabric and affects the comfort of wearing it. In this study, a coordinated antibacterial coating strategy based on quaternary ammonium salt and a halogenated amine compound was designed. The results show that the antibacterial effect of the modified cotton fabric was significantly improved. In addition, after mechanically washing the fabric 50 times in the presence of anionic detergent, the antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was still more than 95%. Furthermore, the softness of the obtained cotton fabric showed little change compared with the untreated cotton fabric. This easy-to-implement and cost-effective approach, combined with the cationic contact and the release effect of antibacterial agents, can endow cotton textiles with durable antibacterial properties and excellent wearability.

PI3K-PKB-mTOR hyperactivation in relation to nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression and prognosis.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a unique and complex etiology, which is not completely understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression patterns of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins in patients with NPC and their relationship with NPC progression and prognosis. Between January 2008 and March 2010, PI3K, PKB, and mTOR protein expressions were detected using immunohistochemistry among 119 patients with NPC and 30 healthy people. A 5-year follow-up was conducted for all patients. Correlations of PI3K, PKB, and mTOR proteins with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of NPC were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Kaplan-Meier curve. Cox's regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for the prognosis of NPC. First, PI3K, PKB, and mTOR were highly expressed in patients with NPC. The expressions of PI3K, PKB, and mTOR proteins were associated with T stage, N stage, clinical stage, relapse, and distant metastasis. Meanwhile, PI3K is positively correlated with PKB and PKB is positively correlated with mTOR in NPC. Higher PI3K, PKB, and mTOR protein expressions were related to a shorter survival time and a lower survival rate in NPC. Cox regression analysis revealed that age, T stage, N stage, PI3K, PKB, and mTOR were independent risk factors for NPC patient survival. Altogether, our data suggest that overexpression of PI3K, PKB, and mTOR proteins is an important indicator of poor survival in NPC. In addition, inhibition of PI3K-PKB-mTOR signaling may also contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for NPC.

Ultrathin MXene Nanosheets Decorated with TiO2 Quantum Dots as an Efficient Sulfur Host toward Fast and Stable Li-S Batteries.

Being conductive and flexible, 2D transition metal nitrides and carbides (MXenes) can serve in Li-S batteries as sulfur hosts to increase the conductivity and alleviate the volume expansion. However, the surface functional groups, such as OH and F, weaken the ability of bare MXenes in the chemisorption of polysulfides. Besides, they create numerous hydrogen bonds which make MXenes liable to restack, resulting in substantial loss of active area and, thus, inaccessibility of ions and electrolyte. Herein, a facile, one-step strategy is developed for the growth of TiO2 quantum dots (QDs) on ultrathin MXene (Ti3 C2 Tx ) nanosheets by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-assisted solvothermal synthesis. These QDs act as spacers to isolate the MXene nanosheets from restacking, and preserve their 2D geometry which guarantees larger electrode-electrolyte contact area and higher sulfur loading. The stronger adsorption energy of polysulfides with TiO2 (than with Ti3 C2 Tx ), as proven by density functional theory calculations, is essential for better on-site polysulfide retention. The ultrathin nature and protected conductivity ensure rapid ion and electron diffusion, and the excellent flexibility maintains high mechanical integrity. In result, the TiO2 QDs@MXene/S cathode exhibits significantly improved long-term cyclability and rate capability, disclosing a new opportunity toward fast and stable Li-S batteries.

Biodegradable and pH Sensitive Peptide Based Hydrogel as Controlled Release System for Antibacterial Wound Dressing Application.

The stimuli-sensitive and biodegradable hydrogels are promising biomaterials as controlled drug delivery systems for diverse biomedical applications. In this study, we construct hybrid hydrogels combined with peptide-based bis-acrylate and acrylic acid (AAc). The peptide-based bis-acrylate/AAc hybrid hydrogel displays an interconnected and porous structure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and exhibits pH-dependent swelling property. The biodegradation of hybrid hydrogels was characterized by SEM and weight loss, and the results showed the hydrogels have a good enzymatic biodegradation property. The mechanical and cytotoxicity properties of the hydrogels were also tested. Besides, triclosan was preloaded during the hydrogel formation for drug release and antibacterial studies. In summary, the peptide-based bis-acrylate/AAc hydrogel with stimuli sensitivity and biodegradable property may be excellent candidates as drug delivery systems for antibacterial wound dressing application.

Tumor necrosis factor-α 238 G/A polymorphism and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Though many studies were performed to assess the association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) 238 G/A polymorphism and gastric cancer risk, there were no conclusive findings. A meta-analysis of previous published studies was performed to get a comprehensive assessment of the association between TNF-α 238 G/A polymorphisms and gastric cancer. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated to assess the association. Fifteen studies with a total of 7,795 participants were finally included into this meta-analysis. Overall, there was an obvious association between TNF-α 238 G/A polymorphism and increased risk of gastric cancer (A vs. G: OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.02-1.72, P = 0.036; GA vs. GG: OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.72, P = 0.042; and AA/GA vs. GG: OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.02-1.76, P = 0.036). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed the statistically significant association between TNF-α 238 G/A polymorphism and gastric cancer was limited to Asian populations (A vs. G: OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.29-1.97, P < 0.001; GA vs. GG: OR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.29-2.04, P < 0.001; and AA/GA vs. GG: OR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.31-2.05, P < 0.001), and there was no obvious association in Caucasians. In conclusion, TNF-α 238 G/A polymorphism is significantly associated with increased risk of gastric cancer, especially in Asians.

[Retracted] 3­ß­Εrythrodiol isolated from Conyza canadensis inhibits MKN­45 human gastric cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, DNA fragmentation, ROS generation and reduces tumor weight and volume in mouse xenograft model.

Following the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to our attention that a number of apparent anomalies existed with the data presented in the above paper; specifically, there appeared to be strikingly similar and replicated patternings of the cells within the cellular images featured in Figs. 4A­D and 5A­D (affecting all the figure parts). Secondly, Fig. 4 in the above study appeared to have been a reproduction of Fig. 3 from following paper featuring different authors, albeit Fig. 4 appeared in greyscale, and not in colour, in the above paper [Wan G, Tao J­G, Wang G­D, Liu. S­P, Zhao H­X and Liang Q­D: In vitro antitumor activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Potentilla chinensis in osteosarcoma cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 14: 3634­3640, 2016]. Following an internal enquiry, the Editor of Oncology Reports was able to verify the claims made by the interested reader; therefore, in view of the number of potential anomalies that have been identified and owing to a lack of overall confidence in the presented data, the Editorial Board have decided to retract the above paper from the publication. The Journal were also contacted independently by the authors, who wished to retract the paper on account of not being able to reproduce the results shown in Fig.. 2. The Editor apologizes to the readership of the Journal for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Oncology Reports 35: 2328­2338, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4610].

Hydrophilic and degradable polyesters based on l-aspartic acid with antibacterial properties for potential application in hernia repair.

A polyester hernia patch has received extensive attention in mesh hernia repair. However, it is still a challenge to develop polyester-based implants with inherent antibacterial properties due to the lack of active functional groups. In this study, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene aspartate) (PBSA) was constructed by introducing aspartic acid on a polybutylene succinate (PBS) polyester chain (PBSA). Antimicrobial treatment was conducted by grafting levofloxacin (Lv) on the surface of a PBSA polymer (PBSA-g-Lv). In vitro antibacterial test results showed that PBSA-g-Lv had sufficient local antimicrobiotic effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and no side effect on L929 cells was observed. Furthermore, almost no change was observed in the thermodynamic properties of PBS and PBSA; in vivo tests demonstrated that this contact-active antibacterial PBSA-g-Lv nanofiber is a promising material to fulfill the dual functions of promoting tissue regeneration and preventing bacterial infection. The presented data confirmed that an antibiotic surface modification of PBSA polyesters was expected to be used as hernia repair materials.

Synthesis and characterization of arginine-NIPAAm hybrid hydrogel as wound dressing: In vitro and in vivo study.

A multi-functional hybrid hydrogel P(M-Arg/NIPAAm) with temperature response, anti-protein adsorption and antibacterial properties was prepared and applied as wound dressing. The hydrogel was carried out by free radical copolymerization of methacrylate arginine (M-Arg) and N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) monomers using N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinker, and ammonium persulfate/N,N,N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine as the redox initiator. To endow the antimicrobial property, chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX) was preloaded into the hydrogel and polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) was grafted on the hydrogel surface, respectively. The antimicrobial property of two series of hydrogels was evaluated and compared. The successful synthesis of M-Arg, PHMG and hydrogels was proved by 13C NMR, 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The hydrogel morphology characterized by scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the homogeneous porous and interconnected structures of the hydrogels. The swelling, protein adsorption property, in vitro release of CHX, antimicrobial assessment, cell viability as well as in vivo wound healing in a mouse model were studied. The results showed the nontoxicity and antimicrobial P(M-Arg/NIPAAm) hydrogel accelerated the full-thickness wound healing process and had the potential application in wound dressing. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the zwitterionic characteristic and biocompatible property of arginine based hydrogels, the brittle behavior and non-transparency still remain as a significant problem for wound dressing. Furthermore promoting the antibacterial property of the zwitterionic hydrogel is also necessary to prevent the bacterial colonization and subsequent wound infection. Therefore, we created a hybrid hydrogel combined methacrylate arginine (M-Arg) and N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm). NIPAAm improves transparency and mechanical property as well as acts as a temperature-response drug release system. Additionally, chlorhexidine (CHX) was preloaded into the hydrogels and polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) was grafted on the hydrogel surface, respectively, which make the hydrogel useful as a favorable antibacterial dressing. The hybrid hydrogel has a combination effect of biocompatibility, environmentally responsive transformation behavior, biodegradability, anti-protein adsorption and antimicrobial properties. This report proposes the preparation of P(M-Arg/NIPAAm) hydrogel that has a great potential for wound healing.

3-ß-Εrythrodiol isolated from Conyza canadensis inhibits MKN­45 human gastric cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, DNA fragmentation, ROS generation and reduces tumor weight and volume in mouse xenograft model.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer and apoptotic effects of 3-ß-erythrodiol, a plant-derived triterpene against MKN-45 human gastric cancer cells. In addition, effects on cellular morphology, cell cycle phase distribution, DNA fragmentation, and ROS generation were also elucidated in the current research work. Cytotoxic activity of 3-ß-erythrodiol was demonstrated by MTT cell viability and LDH assay. Cellular morphological study was carried out using phase contrast, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Cell cycle analysis was evaluated by flow cytometry and gel electrophoresis was used to evaluate DNA fragmentation pattern. The results of the present study revealed that 3-ß-erythrodiol induced dose-dependent as well as time-dependent anticancer effects in MKN-45 gastric cancer cells. Cellular morphological changes in MKN-45 cells as indicated by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy were induced by 3-ß-erythrodiol. This triterpene induced both early and late apoptotic features in these cancer cells. 3-ß-Erythrodiol treatment led to sub-G1 cell cycle arrest with a corresponding decrease in S-phase cells and an increase in G2/M phase cells. DNA fragments were evident in gel electrophoresis experiment following 3-ß-erythrodiol treatment. It was observed that 0.50 and 1.0 µg/g 3-ß-erythrodiol injection reduced the tumor weight from 1.4 g in PBS-treated group (control) to 0.61 and 0.22 g, respectively. Similarly, 0.50 and 1.0 µg/g 3-ß-erythrodiol injection reduced the tumor volume from 1.5 cm3 in PBS-treated group (control) to 0.91 and 0.31 cm3, respectively. The present investigation indicates that 3-ß-erythrodiol exerts anti-proliferative effects in human gastric cancer by inducing early and late apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and ROS generation. It also decreased the tumor volume and tumor weight in male Balb/c nude mice.

A rapid ammonia sensor based on lysine nanogel-sensitized PANI/PAN nanofibers.

In this paper, l-lysine-based materials which are rich in amino groups were synthesized through a chemical reaction. The polyaniline/polyacrylonitrile (PANI/PAN) thin film and PANI/PAN nanocomposite (NC) thin films doped with l-lysine based materials were obtained by electrospinning and in situ polymerization of aniline. The gas sensing properties of the PANI/PAN thin film and PANI/PAN NC thin films doped with l-lysine based materials towards NH3, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and DMF were examined at room temperature. The experimental results reveal that the PANI/PAN/l-lysine based nanogel (4-Lys-4 nanogel) NC thin film exhibited a highly selective response toward NH3 at room temperature with improved response kinetics. The PANI/PAN/4-Lys-4 nanogel NC thin film showed the response of 5.5 with response and recovery times of 22 s and 15 s, respectively, toward 100 ppm NH3, and the detection limit of 2.2 ppm. This response and recovery are quite fast compared with the reported studies based on PANI doped with other materials. The enhanced response could be attributed to the large surface area, the core-shell structure of the nanofibers and improved charge transfer as a result of a certain amount of amino groups doping PANI. Our results clearly indicate that the PANI/PAN/4-Lys-4 nanogel NC thin film could effectively be used for the practical room temperature NH3 sensing application with quite fast response and recovery properties. At the same time, a new application of 4-Lys-4 nanogel on sensors is supplied.