SMMP: A Deep-Coverage Marine Metaproteome Method for Microbial Community Analysis throughout the Water Column Using 1 L of Seawater.

Marine microbes drive pivotal transformations in planetary-scale elemental cycles and have crucial impacts on global biogeochemical processes. Metaproteomics is a powerful tool for assessing the metabolic diversity and function of marine microbes. However, hundreds of liters of seawater are required for normal metaproteomic analysis due to the sparsity of microbial populations in seawater, which poses a substantial challenge to the widespread application of marine metaproteomics, particularly for deep seawater. Herein, a sensitive marine metaproteomics workflow, named sensitive marine metaproteome analysis (SMMP), was developed by integrating polycarbonate filter-assisted microbial enrichment, solid-phase alkylation-based anti-interference sample preparation, and narrow-bore nanoLC column for trace peptide separation and characterization. The method provided more than 8500 proteins from 1 L of bathypelagic seawater samples, which covered diverse microorganisms and crucial functions, e.g., the detection of key enzymes associated with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Then, we applied SMMP to investigate vertical variations in the metabolic expression patterns of marine microorganisms from the euphotic zone to the bathypelagic zone. Methane oxidation and carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation were active processes, especially in the bathypelagic zone, which provided a remarkable energy supply for the growth and proliferation of heterotrophic microorganisms. In addition, marker protein profiles detected related to ammonia transport, ammonia oxidation, and carbon fixation highlighted that Thaumarchaeota played a critical role in primary production based on the coupled carbon-nitrogen process, contributing to the storage of carbon and nitrogen in the bathypelagic regions. SMMP has low microbial input requirements and yields in-depth metaproteome analysis, making it a prospective approach for comprehensive marine metaproteomic investigations.

Exploring the capacities of ChatGPT: A comprehensive evaluation of its accuracy and repeatability in addressing helicobacter pylori-related queries.

BACKGROUND: Educational initiatives on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) constitute a highly effective approach for preventing its infection and establishing standardized protocols for its eradication. ChatGPT, a large language model, is a potentially patient-friendly online tool capable of providing health-related knowledge. This study aims to assess the accuracy and repeatability of ChatGPT in responding to questions related to H. pylori. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one common questions about H. pylori were collected and categorized into four domains: basic knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. ChatGPT was utilized to individually answer the aforementioned 21 questions. Its responses were independently assessed by two experts on H. pylori. Questions with divergent ratings were resolved by a third reviewer. Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated to assess the consistency between the scores of the two reviewers. RESULTS: The responses of ChatGPT on H. pylori-related questions were generally satisfactory, with 61.9% marked as "completely correct" and 33.33% as "correct but inadequate." The repeatability of the responses of ChatGPT to H. pylori-related questions was 95.23%. Among the responses, those related to prevention (comprehensive: 75%) had the best response, followed by those on treatment (comprehensive: 66.7%), basic knowledge (comprehensive: 60%), and diagnosis (comprehensive: 50%). In the "treatment" domain, 16.6% of the ChatGPT responses were categorized as "mixed with correct or incorrect/outdated data." However, ChatGPT still lacks relevant knowledge regarding H. pylori resistance and the use of sensitive antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT can provide correct answers to the majority of H. pylori-related queries. It exhibited good reproducibility and delivered responses that were easily comprehensible to patients. Further enhancement of real-time information updates and correction of inaccurate information will make ChatGPT an essential auxiliary tool for providing accurate H. pylori-related health information to patients.

Novel MAXPOWER biological antibacterial liquid for eradicating oral Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Eradication of oral Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) not only reduces the infection rate from the transmission route but also improves the success rate of intragastric eradication. MAXPOWER Biological Bacteriostatic Liquid, developed in our previous work, is a composite biological preparation with strong antibacterial ability and unique antibacterial mechanism. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the MAXPOWER biocontrol solution on H. pylori and its success rate in eradicating oral H. pylori in clinical patients. METHODS: Live-dead cell staining and hemolysis test were used to evaluate the cellular safety of MAXPOWER biocontrol solution; plate spreading, live-dead bacterial staining, and scanning electron microscopy methods were used to evaluate its antimicrobial effect against H. pylori. Transcriptomics was used to analyze the changes in H. pylori genes before and after treatment. After seven days of gavage treatment, H&E staining and mice feces were collected for 16SrDNA sequencing to evaluate the animals' safety. Oral H. pylori-positive patients were randomized to be given a placebo and MAXPOWER Bio-Bacteriostatic Liquid gargle for seven days to evaluate the effect on oral H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: In vitro tests demonstrated that this product has excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility and can effectively eradicate oral H. pylori. In vivo tests further showed that it has good biosafety and virtually no adverse effect on intestinal microflora. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that it kills H. pylori cells mainly by disrupting their cell membranes and metabolism. Additionally, the results of randomized controlled trials on humans disclosed that the oral H. pylori eradication rates achieved by MAXPOWER Biological Antibacterial Liquid were 71.4% and 78.9% according to the intention-to-treat and the per-protocol analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: MAXPOWER Biological Antibacterial Liquid is both safe and efficacious in the eradication of oral H. pylori. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov Trial Registry on 21/09/2023 (NCT06045832).

Adverse Environmental Perturbations May Threaten Kelp Farming Sustainability by Exacerbating Enterobacterales Diseases.

Globally kelp farming is gaining attention to mitigate land-use pressures and achieve carbon neutrality. However, the influence of environmental perturbations on kelp farming remains largely unknown. Recently, a severe disease outbreak caused extensive kelp mortality in Sanggou Bay, China, one of the world's largest high-density kelp farming areas. Here, through in situ investigations and simulation experiments, we find indications that an anomalously dramatic increase in elevated coastal seawater light penetration may have contributed to dysbiosis in the kelp Saccharina japonica's microbiome. This dysbiosis promoted the proliferation of opportunistic pathogenic Enterobacterales, mainly including the genera Colwellia and Pseudoalteromonas. Using transcriptomic analyses, we revealed that high-light conditions likely induced oxidative stress in kelp, potentially facilitating opportunistic bacterial Enterobacterales attack that activates a terrestrial plant-like pattern recognition receptor system in kelp. Furthermore, we uncover crucial genotypic determinants of Enterobacterales dominance and pathogenicity within kelp tissue, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns, potential membrane-damaging toxins, and alginate and mannitol lysis capability. Finally, through analysis of kelp-associated microbiome data sets under the influence of ocean warming and acidification, we conclude that such Enterobacterales favoring microbiome shifts are likely to become more prevalent in future environmental conditions. Our study highlights the need for understanding complex environmental influences on kelp health and associated microbiomes for the sustainable development of seaweed farming.

Molybdesum selenide-based platelet-rich plasma containing carboxymethyl chitosan/polyvinyl pyrrolidone composite antioxidant hydrogels dressing promotes the wound healing.

Excess free radicals at the wound site can cause an inflammatory response, which is not conducive to wound healing. Hydrogels with antioxidant properties can prevent inflammatory storms by scavenging free radicals from the wound site and inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors. In this study, we prepared the carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/Molybdenum (IV) Selenide (MoSe2), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (CMCS/PVP/MoSe2/PRP) hydrogels for accelerating the repair of wounds. In the hydrogels, the MoSe2 can scavenge various free radicals to reduce oxidative stress at the site of inflammation, endowed the hydrogels with antioxidant properties. Interestingly, growth factors released by PRP assisted the tissue repair by promoting the formation of new capillaries. CMCS as a backbone not only showed good biocompatibility and biodegradability but also played a significant role in maintaining the sustained release of growth factors. In addition, incorporating PVP enhanced the tissue adhesion and mechanical properties. The multifunctional composite antioxidant hydrogels have good swelling properties and biodegradability, which is completely degraded within 28 days. Thus, the antioxidant CMCS/PVP/MoSe2/PRP hydrogels provide a new idea for designing ideal multifunctional wound dressings.

Upregulation of acid sensing ion channels is associated with esophageal hypersensitivity in GERD.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the mainstay of therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but up to 60% of patients have inadequate response to therapy. Acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) play important roles in nociception. This study aimed to investigate whether the increased expression of ASICs results in neuronal hyperexcitability in GERD. Esophageal biopsies were taken from GERD patients and healthy subjects to compare expression of ASIC1 and 3. Next, gene and protein expression of ASIC1 and 3 from esophageal mucosa and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were measured by qPCR, Western-blot and immunofluorescence in rodent models of reflux esophagitis (RE), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and sham operated groups. Excitability of DRG neurons in the GERD and sham groups were also tested by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. We demonstrated that ASIC1 and 3 expression were significantly increased in patients with RE compared with healthy controls. This correlated positively with symptom severity of heartburn and regurgitation (p < .001). Next, ASIC1 and 3 gene and protein expression in rodent models of RE and NERD were similarly increased in esophageal mucosa as well as T3-T5 DRG neurons compared with sham operation. DRG neurons from RE animals showed hyperexcitability compared with sham group. However, intrathecal injection of ASIC specific inhibitors, PcTx1 and APTEx-2, as well as silencing ASIC1 and 3 genes with specific siRNAs prevented visceral hypersensitivity. Overall, upregulation of ASIC1 and 3 may lead to visceral hypersensitivity in RE and NERD and may be a potential therapeutic target for PPI non-responsive patients.

Significant Differences in Planktonic Virus Communities Between "Cellular Fraction" (0.22 ~ 3.0 µm) and "Viral Fraction" (< 0.22 µm) in the Ocean.

Compared to free-living viruses (< 0.22 m) in the ocean, planktonic viruses in the "cellular fraction" (0.22 ~ 3.0 µm) are now far less well understood, and the differences between them remain largely unexplored. Here, we revealed that even in the same seawater samples, the "cellular fraction" comprised significantly distinct virus communities from the free virioplankton, with only 13.87% overlap in viral contigs at the species level. Compared to the viral genomes deposited in NCBI RefSeq database, 99% of the assembled viral genomes in the "cellular fraction" represented novel genera. Notably, the assembled (near-) complete viral genomes within the "cellular fraction" were significantly larger than that in the "viral fraction," and the "cellular fraction" contained three times more species of giant viruses or jumbo phages with genomes > 200 kb than the "viral fraction." The longest complete genomes of jumbo phage (~ 252 kb) and giant virus (~ 716 kb) were both detected only in the "cellular fraction." Moreover, a relatively higher proportion of proviruses were predicted within the "cellular fraction" than "viral fraction." Besides the substantial divergence in viral community structure, the different fractions also contained their unique viral auxiliary metabolic genes; e.g., those potentially participating in inorganic carbon fixation in deep sea were detected only in the "cellular-fraction" viromes. In addition, there was a considerable divergence in the community structure of both "cellular fraction" and "viral fraction" viromes between the surface and deep-sea habitats, suggesting that they might have similar environmental adaptation properties. The findings deepen our understanding of the complexity of viral community structure and function in the ocean.

Phage Infection Benefits Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum by Regulating the Associated Bacterial Community.

The interaction between marine phyto- and bacterioplankton is regulated by multiple environmental and biological factors. Among them, phages as the major regulators of bacterial mortality are considered to have important impacts on algae-associated bacteria and algae-bacteria relationship. However, little is currently known about the actual impact of phages from this perspective. Here, we revealed that phage infection improved the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II of Phaeodactylum tricornutum by regulating the associated bacterial community. Specifically, phage infection weakened bacterial abundance and eliminated their negative effects on the diatom. Unexpectedly, the structure of the bacterial community co-cultured with the diatom was not significantly affected, likely because the shaping effect of the diatom on the bacterial community structure can far outcompete or mask the impact of phage infection. Our results established a link between algae, bacteria, and phages, suggesting that phage infection benefits the diatom by regulating the associated bacterial community.

Biodegradable MoSe2-polyvinylpyrrolidone nanoparticles with multi-enzyme activity for ameliorating acute pancreatitis.

Exogenous antioxidant materials mimicking endogenous antioxidant systems are commonly used for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced injuries. Thus, artificial enzymes have emerged as promising candidates for balancing and treating the dysregulation of redox homeostasis in vivo. Herein, a one-pot hydrothermal strategy for the facile preparation of MoSe2-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanoparticles (NPs) is reported. The synthesized NPs were biodegradable due to their exposure to oxygen and exhibited high stability. Moreover, they effectively mimicked various naturally occurring enzymes (including catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase) and scavenged free radicals, such as 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ·OH, ·O2-, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. Further apoptosis detection studies revealed that MoSe2-PVP NPs significantly increased the cell survival probability in H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytoprotective effect of MoSe2-PVP NPs was explored for an animal model of acute pancreatitis, which confirmed its remarkable therapeutic efficacy. Owing to the biodegradable and biocompatible nature of MoSe2-PVP NPs, the findings of this work can stimulate the development of other artificial nanoenzymes for antioxidant therapies.

Research Progress of Antioxidant Nanomaterials for Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a complex inflammatory disease caused by multiple etiologies, the pathogenesis of which has not been fully elucidated. Oxidative stress is important for the regulation of inflammation-related signaling pathways, the recruitment of inflammatory cells, the release of inflammatory factors, and other processes, and plays a key role in the occurrence and development of AP. In recent years, antioxidant therapy that suppresses oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species has become a research highlight of AP. However, traditional antioxidant drugs have problems such as poor drug stability and low delivery efficiency, which limit their clinical translation and applications. Nanomaterials bring a brand-new opportunity for the antioxidant treatment of AP. This review focuses on the multiple advantages of nanomaterials, including small size, good stability, high permeability, and long retention effect, which can be used not only as effective carriers of traditional antioxidant drugs but also directly as antioxidants. In this review, after first discussing the association between oxidative stress and AP, we focused on summarizing the literature related to antioxidant nanomaterials for the treatment of AP and highlighting the effects of these nanomaterials on the indicators related to oxidative stress in pathological states, aiming to provide references for follow-up research and promote clinical application.

Synthesis of iridium-based nanocomposite with catalase activity for cancer phototherapy.

The combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted attention due to its enhanced tumor therapy effect. This study proposes a novel nanoenzyme-based theranostic nanoplatform, IrO2@MSN@PDA-BSA(Ce6), for the combined PTT and PDT of tumors. IrO2 was prepared by a simple hydrolysis method and coated with a thin layer of mesoporous silica (MSN) to facilitate the physical adsorption of Chlorin e6 (Ce6). The PDA coating and IrO2 NPs of the nanoplatform demonstrated an improved photothermal conversion efficiency of 29.8% under NIR irradiation. Further, the Ce6 loading imparts materials with the ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) under 660 nm NIR laser irradiation. It was also proved that the IrO2 NPs could catalyze the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to generate endogenous oxygen (O2), thereby enhancing the efficiency of PDT. The in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the nanocomposite was highly biocompatible and could produce a satisfactory tumor therapeutic effect. Thus, the findings of the present study demonstrate the viability of using theranostic nanoenzymes for translational medicine.

2D LDH-MoS2 clay nanosheets: synthesis, catalase-mimic capacity, and imaging-guided tumor photo-therapy.

Owing to the hypoxia status of the tumor, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the tumor is less efficient. Herein, a facile method which involves the synthesis of Mg-Mn-Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) clay with MoS2 doping in the surface and anionic layer space of LDH was presented, to integrate the photo-thermal effect of MoS2 and imaging and catalytic functions of Mg-Mn-Al LDH. The designed LDH-MoS2 (LMM) clay composite was further surface-coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to maintain the colloidal stability of LMM in physiological environment. A photosensitizer, chlorin e6 (Ce6), was absorbed at the surface and anionic layer space of LMM@BSA. In the LMM formulation, the magnetic resonance imaging of Mg-Mn-Al LDH was enhanced thanks to the reduced and acid microenvironment of the tumor. Notably, the ROS production and PDT efficiency of Ce6 were significantly improved, because LMM@BSA could catalyze the decomposing of the overexpressed H2O2 in tumors to produce oxygen. The biocompatible LMM@BSA that played the synergism with tumor microenvironment is a promising candidate for the effective treatment of cancer.

Fibromodulin is upregulated by oxidative stress through the MAPK/AP-1 pathway to promote pancreatic stellate cell activation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fibromodulin (FMOD) expression in chronic pancreatitis (CP) tissues and its effect on PSC was unknown. Our aim was to investigate the role of FMOD in regulating PSC profibrogenic phenotype and the molecular mechanism of CP. METHODS: Rat CP models were induced by dibutyltin dichloride. Pancreatic fibrosis was evaluated by Sirius Red staining. The expression of FMOD and α-SMA was measured, the correlation between FMOD expression and fibrosis was investigated in CP models and CP patients. The effects of FMOD on PSCs were examined by CCK-8 and migration assays. We investigated the mechanisms underlying FMOD expression using MND and a MAPK pathway inhibitor. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the effects of AP-1 on FMOD expression. RESULTS: Sirius Red staining revealed high collagen deposition in model rats. Higher expression of FMOD and α-SMA was observed in fibrotic tissues, and the expression of FMOD was correlated with that of α-SMA and the areas of Sirius Red staining. Upregulation of FMOD increased the expression of collagen I and α-SMA and the proliferation and migration of PSCs. MND induced FMOD and α-SMA expression, and knockdown of FMOD abated α-SMA expression. ERK and JNK inhibitors attenuated FMOD expression as induced by MND. AP-1 upregulated the expression of FMOD. AP-1 binds to the FMOD promoter and transcriptionally regulates FMOD expression. CONCLUSION: FMOD levels are upregulated in fibrosis tissues in CP and it is a critical downstream mediator of oxidative stress. FMOD induces PSC activation and maintains the fibrosis phenotype of PSCs.

Altered diversity and composition of gut microbiota in Chinese patients with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gut microbiota alterations in chronic pancreatitis (CP) are seldomly described systematically. It is unknown whether pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) and different etiologies in patients with CP are associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. METHODS: The fecal microbiota of 69 healthy controls (HCs) and 71 patients with CP were compared to investigate gut microbiome alterations in CP and the relationship among gut microbiome dysbiosis, PEI and different etiologies. Fecal microbiomes were analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene profiling, based on next-generation sequencing. Pancreatic exocrine function was evaluated by determining fecal elastase 1 activity. RESULTS: Patients with CP showed gut microbiota dysbiosis with decreased diversity and richness, and taxa-composition changes. On the phylum level, the gut microbiome of the CP group showed lower Firmicutes and Actinobacteria abundances than the HC group and higher Proteobacteria abundances. The abundances of Escherichia-Shigella and other genera were high in gut microbiomes in the CP group, whereas that of Faecalibacterium was low. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways (lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and bacterial invasion of epithelial cells) were predicted to be enriched in the CP group. Among the top 5 phyla and 8 genera (in terms of abundance), only Fusobacteria and Eubacterium rectale group showed significant differences between CP patients, with or without PEI. Correlation analysis showed that Bifidobacterium and Lachnoclostridium correlated positively with fecal elastase 1 (r = 0.2616 and 0.2486, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings indicate that patients with CP have gut microbiota dysbiosis that is partly affected by pancreatic exocrine function.

Preparation of electrospray ALG/PDA-PVP nanocomposites and their application in cancer therapy.

In this study, sodium alginate (ALG)/poly dopamine (PDA)-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposites was synthesized via a one-step electrostatic spraying method. The spinning solution of ALG and dopamine was electrostatically sprayed into an alkaline solution of PVP, calcium chloride and tris buffer (pH = 8.5), in which the gelation of ALG and the polymerization of dopamine could be simultaneously triggered. PDA hence produced possesses a high photothermal conversion efficiency, while the PVP that was facilely conjugated onto the surface of nanocomposites improves the colloidal stability and compatibility of the material. Moreover, the ALG renders the nanocomposite excellent drug (doxorubicine, DOX) loading capacity. Promisingly, the temperature increment during the PTT process could promote the DOX release, thus enhancing its therapeutic effect. The in vitro/in vivo biosafety and tumor treatment experiments further corroborate that the ALG/PDA-PVP nanocomposites have remarkable biocompatibility and synergism for tumor hyperthermia and chemotherapy. Consequently, such a one-step electrospray strategy provides a new way for designing nanomaterials and is expected to significantly promote the development of organic photothermal therapeutic agents with excellent bio-compatibility.

Correction: Preparation of electrospray ALG/PDA-PVP nanocomposites and their application in cancer therapy.

Correction for 'Preparation of electrospray ALG/PDA-PVP nanocomposites and their application in cancer therapy' by Yangjie Xu et al., Soft Matter, 2020, 16, 132-141.

Changes in bacterial community structure and humic acid composition in response to enhanced extracellular electron transfer process in coastal sediment.

Humic acids are one of the main organic matters in sediments and contribute importantly to the marine biogeochemical cycles. Extracellular electron transfer is a ubiquitous natural process and has potentials to change the macrostructure of humic acids which can act as an electron shuttle. By setting up marine sediment microbial fuel cells, the present study revealed that enhanced extracellular electron transfer process could increase the content of C and H, but decrease the O content in humic acids, which could result in an increased aromaticity and decreased polarity of humic acids, whereas no significant changes occurred to the humification degree of the humic acids. Specific bacterial groups as potential exoelectrogens including Proteobacteria (especially Pseudomonas strains) and Firmicutes were enriched under enhanced extracellular electron transfer process, indicating that they were active to exchange electrons and might play important roles during the changes of humic acids, while the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes was reduced during these processes. The results of the present research shed lights on the relation between exoelectrogens and the transformation of humic acids in coastal sediment, while the microbial process and mechanisms behind it require further study.

Macroalgal virosphere assists with host-microbiome equilibrium regulation and affects prokaryotes in surrounding marine environments.

The microbiomes in macroalgal holobionts play vital roles in regulating macroalgal growth and ocean carbon cycling. However, the virospheres in macroalgal holobionts remain largely underexplored, representing a critical knowledge gap. Here we unveil that the holobiont of kelp (Saccharina japonica) harbors highly specific and unique epiphytic/endophytic viral species, with novelty (99.7% unknown) surpassing even extreme marine habitats (e.g. deep-sea and hadal zones), indicating that macroalgal virospheres, despite being closest to us, are among the least understood. These viruses potentially maintain microbiome equilibrium critical for kelp health via lytic-lysogenic infections and the expression of folate biosynthesis genes. In-situ kelp mesocosm cultivation and metagenomic mining revealed that kelp holobiont profoundly reshaped surrounding seawater and sediment virus-prokaryote pairings through changing surrounding environmental conditions and virus-host migrations. Some kelp epiphytic viruses could even infect sediment autochthonous bacteria after deposition. Moreover, the presence of ample viral auxiliary metabolic genes for kelp polysaccharide (e.g. laminarin) degradation underscores the underappreciated viral metabolic influence on macroalgal carbon cycling. This study provides key insights into understanding the previously overlooked ecological significance of viruses within macroalgal holobionts and the macroalgae-prokaryotes-virus tripartite relationship.

Citric Acid Loaded Hydrogel-Coated Stent for Dissolving Pancreatic Duct Calculi.

In recent years, the incidence of chronic pancreatitis has increased significantly. Pancreatic calculi obstruct the pancreatic duct and induce abdominal pain in the patients. Pancreatic duct stenting is the major treatment option for chronic pancreatitis with calculi. In this study, a new kind of drug-eluting stent, a pancreatic stent coated by methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel loaded with citric acid (CA), was designed for the interventional treatment of pancreatic duct calculi. The CA loading capacity reached up to 0.7 g CA/g hydrogel-coated stent. The GelMA hydrogel coating has higher mechanical strength and lower swelling performance after loading with CA. The in vitro experiments of stents exhibited good performance in CA sustained release and the calculi can be dissolved in almost 3 days. The stents also showed good blood compatibility and cell compatibility. This research has important clinical value in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic calculi.