Differences in postoperative knee joint function and prognostic quality of life in patients undergoing posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at different surgical timing under enhanced recovery after surgery.

To explore the differences in postoperative knee joint function and prognostic quality of life in patients undergoing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction at different timing of surgery under the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. A total of 266 cases of PCL injury admitted to our hospital between March 2019 and October 2022 were included in this retrospective study and divided them into a short-term group (147 cases with PCL reconstruction completed within 3 weeks after injury) and a long-term group (119 cases with PCL reconstruction performed 3 weeks after injury) according to the timing of surgery after injury. All patients received ERAS care during treatment. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and incision length of both cohorts were counted to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Perioperative patients were assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale for pain severity. The pre- and post-operative knee function and knee joint range of motion were assessed by the International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale. Furthermore, the complication rate was counted and the quality of life was evaluated by the Short-Form 36 Item Health Survey. Patients were also assessed for their psychological states using the Self-rating Anxiety/Depression Scale and their satisfaction with care. The 2 groups showed similar operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, overall response rate, and Visual Analogue Scale (P > .05), but the short-term group had higher knee range of motion and scores of International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm Scale than the long-term group (P < .05). A similar complication rate was also determined in the 2 groups (P > .05), but the Short-Form 36 Item Health Survey scores were significantly higher in the short-term group (P < .05). Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale in both groups decreased after treatment (P < .05), and no statistical difference was determined in nursing satisfaction (P = 198). PCL reconstruction within 3 weeks after PCL injury is more conducive to the recovery of patients' knee joint function, and the ERAS protocol can more effectively improve the therapeutic effect of patients.

Controlled Architectures in Supported Photocatalysis: Exploring the Potential of Cold Plasma Discharge, Additive Manufacturing, and Fractal Geometry to Form Hierarchically Immobilized Ni-MOF/BiOI/AgVO3.

Herein, we explore the potential of innovative manufacturing techniques based on green chemistry principles, for the fabrication of convenient, performant, and stable supported photocatalysts to be used for water depollution. After giving some insight into the use of fractal geometry for the fabrication of tunable polymer supports for photocatalysts, we investigated the use of liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing to generate the fractal resin substrates to be used for the immobilization of semiconductor photocatalysts. Notably, confocal laser imaging was used as a first attempt for assessing the surface area of the fractal substrate. Immobilization methods based on cold plasma discharge (CPD) were employed to modify the surface of the polymer substrates and permanently anchor three different phases, namely, nickel-based metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF), BiOI, and AgVO3, in a hierarchical configuration. Herein, for the first time, we developed a plasma-initiated condensed in situ complexation-assisted precipitation (c-ISCAP) method that allowed 2D Ni-MOF to be synthesized directly onto the surface of a polymer substrate, in a single step. Not only this MOF coating was found to be strongly bound to the surface of the polymer substrate but also very uniform and fully functional, even when other inorganic phases were immobilized on the top of this layer. This chemical approach opens the way for the fabrication of hybrid materials with complex polymer substrates and MOF coatings that could be used in a range of possible applications, for instance as chemical sensors, electrodes, adsorbents, optical devices, etc. Our hybrid photocatalysts were tested via photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye upon visible light activation, with recycling runs to assess their durability. It was found that the hierarchical heterojunction Ni-MOF/BiOI/AgVO3 showed an outstanding ability for the removal of RhB dye, owing to the activity of the Ni-MOF layer in terms of charge transfer, and also partly because of its adsorbing potential. The three photoactive phases demonstrated a strong synergistic effect through coupling. However, more importantly, our findings show that their immobilization itself, regardless of the method used, significantly modified their optoelectronic properties, hence most likely changing the overall mechanism of charge transfer in the heterojunction. The Ni-MOF phase, notably, was found to display a reduced bandgap when obtained by c-ISCAP, which contributed to enhance its activation by visible light irradiation. Finally, it was established that the fractal geometry had a significant impact on the efficiency of the supported catalysts, probably thanks to an increased immobilization ratio of photocatalyst mostly, owing to the larger surface area available.

Effect of Dietary Supplemented with Mulberry Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites, Antioxidant Property and Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets.

Background: The study aimed to explore the effect of mulberry leaf powder (MP) on the performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant property, as well as intestinal health, of weaned piglets. A total of 120 healthy piglets weighing 8.43 ± 1.91 kg (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); weaned at 28 d) were chosen and classified into four treatments with three replicates of 10 piglets each based on a randomized complete block design (barrow:gilt = 1:1). The diet treatments were a corn-soybean meal basal diet added with 0% (Ctrl), 2% (MP_2), 4% (MP_4) and 6% MP (MP_6), respectively. The feeding experiment was 28 days in total. The feeding period lasted for 28 days in total. Results: The diet supplemented with 2% MP had no detrimental effects on the growth performance, immunity, enzyme capacity and inflammatory factors, as well as intestinal barrier function. MP_2 is capable of decreasing the levels of serum D-lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase, enhancing the superoxide dismutase capacity in the liver and diminishing the potential pathogenic bacteria Allisonella in the colon. However, compared with MP_2, MP_6 had unfavorable effects on the average daily gain and average daily feed intake; the concentration of serum non-esterified fatty acids; the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the capacity of lipase and amylase, as well as the intestinal barrier function-related mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and mucin-2 in piglets. Conclusion: Taken together, piglets fed with 2% MP had no adverse effect and was capable of improving the serum metabolites, enhancing the antioxidant capacity (SOD) and lowering the potential pathogenic bacteria of the hindgut (Allisonella). However, the highest concentration of MP (6%) may cause detrimental effects for piglets, which are probably associated with the higher antinutritional factors and fiber. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of 2% MP for piglets may be advisable.

Phosphor-Enhanced, Visible-Light-Storing g-C3N4/Ag3PO4/SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ Photocatalyst Immobilized on Fractal 3D-Printed Supports.

The combination of a phosphor with semiconductor photocatalysts can provide photoactivity in the dark. Indeed, the phosphor acts as a "light battery", harvesting photons during irradiation and later re-emitting light that can be used by the catalytic phase when in conditions of total darkness. This allows for continued activity of the composite catalyst, even in conditions of unstable light stimulation. In this study, we assess the use of a heterojunction, namely graphitic-C3N4/Ag3PO4, that enables efficient photoactivity specifically under visible light stimulation, in combination with a phosphor that exhibits green-blue phosphorescence (510 nm), that is SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+. Our findings showed that this combination was particularly interesting, noticeably displaying significant photoactivity in darkness, after short periods of activation by visible light. After finding the right combination and optimal ratios for maximum efficiency, the resulting catalyst composite was immobilized on resin supports with a fractal surface, printed by LCD-SLA 3D printing. The immobilization was effectuated via an aqueous-phase plasma-aided grafting (APPAG) process, using cold plasma discharge (CPD) and using vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) as a coupling agent. Whereas the colloidal photocatalyst displayed a serious problem of partial physical separation between the catalytic phase, g-C3N4/Ag3PO4, and the phosphor, the immobilization of the composite catalyst on polymer supports allowed solving this issue. Photodegradation assessments confirmed that the hybrid supported phosphor-enhanced catalyst was active, notably in dark conditions, as well as fairly photostable. This study offers new prospects for the fabrication of polymer-based panels for water purification, with round-the-clock activity and that are, in addition, extremely easy to recover and reuse, by comparison with colloidal catalysts.

Reconfiguring the band-edge states of photovoltaic perovskites by conjugated organic cations.

The band edges of metal-halide perovskites with a general chemical structure of ABX3 (A, usually a monovalent organic cation; B, a divalent cation; and X, a halide anion) are constructed mainly of the orbitals from B and X sites. Hence, the structural and compositional varieties of the inorganic B-X framework are primarily responsible for regulating their electronic properties, whereas A-site cations are thought to only help stabilize the lattice and not to directly contribute to near-edge states. We report a π-conjugation-induced extension of electronic states of A-site cations that affects perovskite frontier orbitals. The π-conjugated pyrene-containing A-site cations electronically contribute to the surface band edges and influence the carrier dynamics, with a properly tailored intercalation distance between layers of the inorganic framework. The ethylammonium pyrene increased hole mobilities, improved power conversion efficiencies relative to that of a reference perovskite, and enhanced device stability.

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Responsive to Sclerotinia scleroterum and Cloning of the Ss-Inducible Chitinase Genes in Morus laevigata.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Ss) is a devastating fungal pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot in rapeseed (Brassica napus), and is also detrimental to mulberry and many other crops. A wild mulberry germplasm, Morus laevigata, showed high resistance to Ss, but the molecular basis for the resistance is largely unknown. Here, the transcriptome response characteristics of M. laevigata to Ss infection were revealed by RNA-seq. A total of 833 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected after the Ss inoculation in the leaf of M. laevigata. After the GO terms and KEGG pathways enrichment analyses, 42 resistance-related genes were selected as core candidates from the upregulated DEGs. Their expression patterns were detected in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of M. laevigata. Most of them (30/42) were specifically or mainly expressed in flowers, which was consistent with the fact that Ss mainly infects plants through floral organs, and indicated that Ss-resistance genes could be induced by pathogen inoculation on ectopic organs. After the Ss inoculation, these candidate genes were also induced in the two susceptible varieties of mulberry, but the responses of most of them were much slower with lower extents. Based on the expression patterns and functional annotation of the 42 candidate genes, we cloned the full-length gDNA and cDNA sequences of the Ss-inducible chitinase gene set (MlChi family). Phylogenetic tree construction, protein interaction network prediction, and gene expression analysis revealed their special roles in response to Ss infection. In prokaryotic expression, their protein products were all in the form of an inclusion body. Our results will help in the understanding of the molecular basis of Ss-resistance in M. laevigata, and the isolated MlChi genes are candidates for the improvement in plant Ss-resistance via biotechnology.

Functional Supported ZnO/Bi2MoO6 Heterojunction Photocatalysts with 3D-Printed Fractal Polymer Substrates and Produced by Innovative Plasma-Based Immobilization Methods.

Inorganic photocatalysts became an essential and powerful tool for the remediation of polluted water. However, important limitations of photocatalysts in their colloidal form, especially nanosized, remain. For instance, their separation from water after use and recovery, which can be particularly demanding, time- and energy-wise. Considering such aspects, supported catalysts bear significant advantages. However, efforts still have to be made to develop processes that allow the permanent and efficient immobilization of inorganic photocatalysts in sustainable conditions, in order to maintain the advantages of supported catalysts over colloidal ones. Herein, we report the use of an aqueous-phase plasma-aided grafting (APPAG) process to produce functional and efficient hybrid photocatalysts. More specifically, based on cold plasma discharge (CPD), ZnO/Bi2MoO6 heterojunctions were permanently immobilized on polymer supports generated by 3D-printing, with fractal-inspired designs. Three different approaches of the APPAG process have been successfully used for the immobilization of the inorganic phase, that is core-shell-assisted direct grafting, indirect grafting and in situ complexation-assisted precipitation (ISCAP). Noticeably, the latter technique has never been reported before to our knowledge. These three immobilization routes rely on different strategies and yield to distinct morphological specificities, but all allow using mild synthesis conditions and producing stable, active, permanently immobilized coatings of photocatalysts. Regarding the preparation of the organic supports, two sorts of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies were employed, namely fused-deposition modeling (FDM) and liquid crystal diode (LCD)-based SLA (stereolithography). The use of fractal geometries combined with AM permits the production of supports with relatively high surface areas, in a single processing step. Overall, the three plasma-based immobilization methods revealed to be efficient and the performance of the different hybrid photocatalysts have later been assessed through the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye under simulated sunlight irradiation and visible light only, with promising results.

MYB43 in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus) Positively Regulates Vascular Lignification, Plant Morphology and Yield Potential but Negatively Affects Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Arabidopsis thaliana MYB43 (AtMYB43) is suggested to be involved in cell wall lignification. PtrMYB152, the Populus orthologue of AtMYB43, is a transcriptional activator of lignin biosynthesis and vessel wall deposition. In this research, MYB43 genes from Brassica napus (rapeseed) and its parental species B. rapa and B. oleracea were molecularly characterized, which were dominantly expressed in stem and other vascular organs and showed responsiveness to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection. The BnMYB43 family was silenced by RNAi, and the transgenic rapeseed lines showed retardation in growth and development with smaller organs, reduced lodging resistance, fewer silique number and lower yield potential. The thickness of the xylem layer decreased by 28%; the numbers of sclerenchymatous cells, vessels, interfascicular fibers, sieve tubes and pith cells in the whole cross section of the stem decreased by 28%, 59%, 48%, 34% and 21% in these lines, respectively. The contents of cellulose and lignin decreased by 17.49% and 16.21% respectively, while the pectin content increased by 71.92% in stems of RNAi lines. When inoculated with S. sclerotiorum, the lesion length was drastically decreased by 52.10% in the stems of transgenic plants compared with WT, implying great increase in disease resistance. Correspondingly, changes in the gene expression patterns of lignin biosynthesis, cellulose biosynthesis, pectin biosynthesis, cell cycle, SA- and JA-signals, and defensive pathways were in accordance with above phenotypic modifications. These results show that BnMYB43, being a growth-defense trade-off participant, positively regulates vascular lignification, plant morphology and yield potential, but negatively affects resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Moreover, this lignification activator influences cell biogenesis of both lignified and non-lignified tissues of the whole vascular organ.

In vivo degradation of copolymers prepared from L-lactide, 1,3-trimethylene carbonate and glycolide as coronary stent materials.

A series of high molecular weight polymers were prepared by ring opening polymerization of L-lactide (L-LA), 1,3-trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and glycolide using stannous octoate as catalyst. The resulting polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimeter and tensile tests. All the polymers present high molecular weights. Compared with PLLA and PTLA copolymers, the terpolymers exhibit interesting properties such as improved toughness and lowered crystallinity with only slightly reduced mechanical strength. In vivo degradation was performed by subcutaneous implantation in rats to evaluate the potential of the copolymers as bioresorbable coronary stent material. The results show that all the polymers conserved to a large extent their mechanical properties during the first 90 days, except the strain at break which exhibited a strong decrease. Meanwhile, significant molecular weight decrease and weight loss are detected in the case of terpolymers. Therefore, the PTLGA terpolymers present a good potential for the development of totally bioresorbable coronary stents.

Correlation of length of linear oligo(ethanamino) amides with gene transfer and cytotoxicity.

The optimization of synthetic carriers for gene transfer remains a major challenge. Cationic polymers such as polyethylenimine (PEI) often show increasing gene transfer activity with increasing molecular weight, but this favorable effect is accompanied by an undesired increase in cytotoxicity. Moreover, the polydispersity of polymers prevents accurate determination of optimum size. Herein we describe the step-by-step elongation of precise linear oligo(ethanamino) amides by making use of the artificial amino acid succinoyl-tetraethylene pentamine (Stp) for solid-phase-assisted synthesis. This procedure enabled us to identify the optimal oligomer Stp30-W (8.4 kDa) with a length of 30 Stp units, with which effective gene transfer occurs in the absence of cytotoxicity. The transfection efficiency of Stp30-W exceeded that of standard linear PEI (22 kDa) by sixfold; nevertheless, Stp30-W exhibited tenfold lower cytotoxicity. In addition to the lower molecular weight, the succinate spacer between the oligoamine units may also contribute to the favorable biocompatibility. The cytotoxicity of the cationic polymer PEI is a major concern for use as a carrier for gene delivery, so this comparison between linear PEI and the new Stp oligomers is particularly relevant.

Determination of polymer log D distributions by micellar and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography.

The characterization of the hydrophobicity of polymer compounds in solution remains a challenging issue of importance, especially for biomedical or pharmaceutical applications. To our knowledge, there is no data of polymer hydrophobicity (log D) in the literature. In this work, for the first time, the log D distributions of cationic polymers were characterized using micellar or microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography at physiological pH. The log D distributions of the polymer samples were obtained from the electrophoretic/chromatographic retardation of the polymer derivatives in presence of neutral micelles (or neutral microemulsion), using small cationic molecules for calibration. Separating electrolytes were based on a TRIS­chloride buffer containing a neutral surfactant (polyoxyethyleneglycoldodecyl ether) for the formation of micelles (in water) or microemulsion (in water/n-pentanol mixture).The log D distributions obtained at pH 7.4 using this method were in good agreement with the chemical structures of cationic polypeptides: poly(lys, phe) 1:1 > poly(lys, tyr) 1:1 > poly(lys, trp) 4:1 > poly(lys, ser)3:1 > poly(l-lysine), where x:y represents the molar ratio of each amino acid in the copolymer. Weight average octanol­water log D values and the dispersion of the log D distribution were also defined and determined for each polymer sample.

Cloning, overexpression, and functional characterization of a phytase from the genus bacillus.

Bacillus strain WYCQ02 was obtained from soil samples by high-temperature screening. A 1,327-bp DNA fragment containing a 1,152-bp long open reading frame named phyC-WYCQ02 was amplified from the genomic DNA of strain WYCQ02 by PCR. The ORF encoded a polypeptide of 383 amino acid residues with a putative signal peptide of 26 amino acids. The 1,089-bp fragment encoding the mature peptide of neutral phytase and a 6 × histidine tag was cloned into the plasmid pPIC9K. The expression vector, pPIC9K-phyC, was linearized and transformed in Pichia pastoris. The molecular weight of phytase was estimated to be approximately 53 kDa by electrophoresis. The optimal temperature of the purified phytase was 55°C and the optimal pH value was between 7.0 and 8.0. After incubation at 70°C for 10 and 30 min, the relative activity was still over 80 and 62%, and over 70% of enzyme activity remained in the pH range of 5.0-10.0. There was no significant difference in enzymatic activity after incubation for 30 or 60 min in buffer with different pH values, therefore the purified phytase had some acid and alkali resistance. The phytase gene and the engineered yeast strain may have value in industrial applications.