A highly sensitive SERS sensor based on PVDF/Au nanofibers for trace analysis of nitrite ions.

Nitrite ions present a significant risk to both environmental and human health, necessitating precise and sensitive detection methods. Herein, we fabricated a highly sensitive SERS sensor based on PVDF/Au nanofibers for nitrite ion detection. The synthesis of PVDF nanofibers involved the utilization of electrospinning apparatus, while the uniformity and high density of SERS activity "hot spots" were achieved by directly coating plasma gold nanoparticles onto the PVDF surface adopting thermal evaporation. The efficient charge transfer of the interface dipole layer directly generated on the surface of PVDF nanofibers was achieved through thermal evaporation. The enhanced Raman responses were due to the combined effects of local surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticles and photoelectric and piezoelectric properties of PVDF. It is noteworthy that the prepared SERS substrate exhibited high sensitivity towards rhodamine 6G, boasting an enhancement factor of 9.4 × 107 and a detection limit spanning from 10-6-10-11 M. Furthermore, the PVDF/Au membrane functionalized with p-aminothiophenol (PATP) effectively captured NO2- ions at concentrations as low as 10-8 M and successfully detected NO2- in river water samples. Additionally, the SERS substrate has good repeatability and stability, and can be applied to trace detection in food safety and medical diagnosis.

One-Step Physical and Chemical Dual-Reinforcement with Hydrophobic Drug Delivery in Gelatin Hydrogels for Antibacterial Wound Healing.

Gelatin-based bioadhesives, especially methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), have emerged as superior alternatives to sutureless wound closure. Nowadays, their mechanical improvement and therapeutic delivery, particularly for hydrophobic antibiotics, have received ever-increasing interest. Herein, a reinforced gelatin-based hydrogel with a hydrophobic drug delivery property for skin wound treatment was reported. First, photosensitive monomers of N'-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N-acryloyl glycinamide (NBNAGA) were grafted onto GelMA via Michael addition, namely, GelMA-NBNAGA. Second, gelation of the GelMA-NBNAGA solution was accomplished in a few seconds under one step of ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Multiple effects were realized simultaneously, including chemical cross-linking initiated by lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), physical cross-linking of uncaged dual hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic drug release along with o-NB group disintegration. The mechanical properties of the dual-reinforcement hydrogels were verified to be superior to those only with a chemical or physical single-cross-linked network. The hydrophobic anticancer doxorubicin (DOX) and antibiotic rifampicin (Rif) were successfully charged into the hydrogels, separately. The in vitro antimicrobial tests confirmed the antibacterial activity of the hydrogels against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. The in vivo wound-healing assessment in mice further assured their drug release and efficacy. Therefore, this NBNAGA-modified GelMA hydrogel has potential as a material in skin wound dressing with a hydrophobic antibiotic on-demand delivery.

Beneficial effects of duck-derived lactic acid bacteria on growth performance and meat quality through modulation of gut histomorphology and intestinal microflora in Muscovy ducks.

Duck-derived lactic acid bacteria (DDL) are a crucial beneficial bacterium in the intestines, contributing significantly to the health of ducks. However, the mechanism by which these DDL improves the growth performance and meat quality of Muscovy duck is not clear. In this study, A total of 800 male Muscovy ducks, initially weighing 50.15 ± 5.37 g, were randomly allocated into 4 groups, each with 4 replicates, consisting of 50 ducks per replicate. The control group consumed deep well water, while the experimental groups were given water supplemented with 1%, 3%, and 5% DDL (1.59×108 CFU/mL). The study duration was 70 d. The results revealed that Muscovy ducks drinks with the DDL significant reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05) and increased the sweetness and richness of duck meat, among which the 5% drinking group has the most significant difference. Further study finding, the DDL significantly increased the height of villi, the ratio of villi height/crypt depth (V/C) on jejunum and colon, and the ratio of acidic mucus, neutral mucus, and glycogen to tissue area in both the duodenum and ileum of Muscovy ducks, and significantly decreased the tunel positive cells. Moreover, DDL significantly enhanced the abundance of genus beneficial bacterium (Bacillus, lentilactobacillus, Bacterodies, Lactobacillus) on duodenum and ileum. Additionally, drink with the DDL elevated the level of IgG in blood and the immune indices of the thymus and the fabricius bursa (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the meat composition analysis demonstrated that Muscovy duck drinks with the DDL raised the level of the saturated fatty acid rate(C12:0), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (C18:2 n-6 and C20:5 n-3,), and the monounsaturated (C18:1 n-7, and C18:1 n-9). Furthermore, correlation analysis finding that the growth performance of Muscovy ducks was positively correlated with the height of villi, the ratio of villi height/crypt depth (V/C), the abundance of genus beneficial bacterium. And the meat quality of Muscovy ducks has positively correlated with genus beneficial bacterium in intestinal, glutamic acid, saturated fatty acid rate and polyunsaturated fatty acid. This finding suggest DDL is an effective strategy to improve the growth performance and meat quality of Muscovy ducks by gut histomorphology and intestinal microflora.

Duck compound probiotics fermented diet alters the growth performance by shaping the gut morphology, microbiota and metabolism.

Dietary absorption and digestion are influenced by the microbiota, morphology, and digestive enzymes of intestines, and fermentation is a popular and effective technique to enhance animal rearing growth performance. This study aims to explore the pivotal role of Muscovy duck probiotics fermented feedstuff (FF) in altering the growth performance by reshaping gut morphology, microorganisms and metabolism. The findings showed that FF considerably raised the levels of fatty acids (FA) and small peptides (7-19AA) in the diet. Further feeding trial data reveals that FF greatly increased the Muscovy duck average daily gain (ADG) but had no effect on their daily feed intake (DFI), and the FCR significantly dropped (P < 0.05). Additionally, it was evident that FF improved the integrity of the intestinal mucosa in Muscovy duck by increasing villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and lowering crypt depth. Then, in comparison to the control group (NC), there was a significant increase in the gene expression of the mucosal tight junction proteins Occludin, Claudin-1, and Zo-1 in the intestine of Muscovy duck. Additionally, there was higher expression of the mucosal transport channels SGLT-1, PepT1, AQP2, AQP3, and AQP10 in the similarly colon site, jejunum, and duodenum. Furthermore, in AB-PAS/PAS-stained duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and similarly colon site, FF markedly increased relative mucus output and goblet cells while decreasing epithelial cell apoptosis. Following 16S sequencing data indicated that the intestinal microbiota was altered and the diversity and richness of gut microbes was greatly enhanced by FF. Particularly, the boost of core probiotics, such as Rothia of duodenum, Limosilactobacillus and Lentilactobacillus of jejunum, Lactococcus and Rothia of ileum, Ligilactobacillus and Entocuccus of similarly colon site, Gallibacterium of caecum. And reduced potentially pathogenic bacteria (Campylobacter, Prevotellaceae, Clostridia-vadinBB60, and Oscillospira). Nontargeted metabolomics assay for intestinal content confirmed an increased organic acids (oxidanesulfonic acid, cholic acid, gallic acid, coumaric acid, pipecollc acid, 13s-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid) and glycosides metabolites (5-hydroxydantrolene, 3-hydroxyguanfacine glucuronide, acetylleucine, astragalin, xanthosine, taxiphylin, sinapine, denudatine, penylalanyl-tyrosine and phenylalanyl-valine). These findings demonstrated that FF, a viable option to improve Muscovy duck growth performance through reconstructed intestinal morphology, microorganisms, and metabolism, subsequently promoted the gut health and increased diet digestion and absorption. The study that is being presented offers scientific proof that FF might be a useful strategy for improving Muscovy duck growth performance.

Lactobacillus plantarum supernatant inhibits growth of Riemerella anatipestifer and mediates intestinal antimicrobial defense in Muscovy ducks.

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) is an important pathogen of waterfowl, with multiple serotypes and a lack of cross-protection between each serotype, which leads to the continued widespread in the world and causing significant economic losses to the duck industry. Thus, prevention and inhibition of RA infection are of great concern. Previous research has established that Lactobacillus plantarum supernatant (LPS) can prevents the pathogenic bacteria infection. However, LPS whether inhibits RA and underlying mechanisms have not yet been clarified. In this study, we investigated the direct and indirect effects of LPS-ZG7 against RA infection in Muscovy ducks. The results demonstrated that LPS-ZG7 prevented RA growth in the presence of pH-neutralized, and the inhibition was relatively stable and unaffected by heat, acid-base and ultraviolet light (UV). Following flow cytometry data found that LPS-ZG7 increased RA membrane permeability and leakage of intracellular molecules. And scanning electron microscopy revealed LPS-ZG7 damaged the RA membrane integrity and leading to RA death. Furthermore, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis represented that LPS-ZG7 upregulated mucosal tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-1, and Zo-1 in Muscovy ducks, and increasing mucosal transport channels SGLT-1, PepT1, AQP2, AQP3, and AQP10 in duodenum, jejunum, and colon, then decreased the intestinal permeability and intestinal barrier disruption which were caused from RA. From the data, it is apparent that LPS-ZG7 enhanced intestinal mucosal integrity by rising villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and lower crypt depth. LPS-ZG7 significantly decreased intestinal epithelia cells apoptosis caused by RA invasion, and enhanced intestinal permeability and contribute to barrier dysfunction, ultimately improving intestinal health of host, indirectly leading to reduce diarrhea rate and mortality caused by RA. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that LPS-ZG7 directly inhibited the RA growth by increased RA membrane permeability and damaged the RA membrane integrity, and then indirectly enhanced intestinal mucosal integrity, improved intestinal health of host and mediated intestinal antimicrobial defense.

Comparison of Gefitinib in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and clinical effects of Osimertinib and EGFR Gene mutation.

Objectives: To compare the clinical effects of Osimertinib and Gefitinib in the treatment of non-small cell lung (NSCLC) complicated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 102 patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR gene mutations treated in the Chest Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020. We divided the data based on the administered treatments into Osimertinib and Gefitinib groups. The disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and the incidence of adverse events in both groups were analyzed. Results: In the Osimertinib group, there was one patients with complete response (CR), 38 with partial response (PR), eight with stable disease (SD), and two with progressive disease (PD)/ The overall response rate (ORR) was 79.59% (39/49), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 95.92% (47/49). In the Gefitinib group, we found zero patients with CR, 37 patients with PR, 11 with SD, and five with PD. The ORR in the Gefitinib group was 69.80% (37/53) and DCR was 90.57% (48/53). There was no statistical significance between the two groups, ORR was Χ2=0.927 (P=0.336) and the DCR Χ2=0.221 (P=0.638). The median PFS of and Gefitinib groups was significantly higher in the oxitinib group, compared to the Gefitinib group (18.1 months (95% CI 15.4-20.7) and 10.7 months (95% CI 9.9-11.4), respectively, P<0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions in the Osimertinib group was 12.24% (6/49), which was significantly lower than 28.30% (15/53) in the Gefitinib group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The clinical effect of oxitinib in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer complicated with EGFR gene mutation is similar to that of Gefitinib. In patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR gene mutations, oxitinib treatment is associated with significantly longer PFS and lower adverse reaction rate compared with Gefitinib treatment.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of independent risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the independent risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: Related studies of PHN risk factors were searched in PubMed for screening and meta-analysis. In this study, data from studies included were extracted and summarized, including odds ratio (OR) value, 95% confidence interval (CI), P value, sample size, and the number of patients with and without PHN. The chi-square test was used for heterogeneity test. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding low-quality studies and using different model analysis. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were further screened for meta-analysis, including 4,192 patients with herpes zoster. Of these patients, 478 (11.40%) had neuralgia and 3,714 (88.60%) did not have neuralgia. Age [OR =1.59; 95% CI: (1.23, 2.04); Z=3.62; P<0.001], acute severe pain in the herpes stage [OR =1.49; 95% CI: (1.08, 2.08); Z=2.39; P=0.02], prodromal symptoms [OR =2.00; 95% CI: (1.16, 3.44); Z=2.48; P=0.01], and severe rash [OR =2.40; 95% CI: (1.83, 3.14); Z=6.38; P<0.001] were independent risk factors for PHN. The funnel chart shows that there is no publication bias or geographic bias in the above independent risk factors. Gender (Z=0.37; P=0.71) was not associated with PHN, and the funnel chart shows that there is no publication bias or geographic bias. DISCUSSION: Age, acute pain, prodromal symptoms, and severe rash were independent risk factors for PHN.

Photo-induced hydrogen-bonding complexes for drug periodic release.

The construction of intelligent supramolecular nanocarriers has received much attention for their potential application in chemotherapy. Herein, we report the successful design and synthesis of a photoreactive monomer, N'-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N-acryloyl glycinamide (NBNAGA). Using a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based macro-RAFT agent, the amphiphilic diblock copolymer (BCP), PEG-b-PNBNAGA, was prepared through a reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Then, photoresponsive polymeric micelles (PMs) were fabricated with the hydrophilic PEG shielding coronas and hydrophobic PNBNAGA inner cores via the self-assembly of PEG-b-PNBNAGA BCPs. Upon 365 nm UV light irradiation, the o-nitrobenzyl groups in the micellar cores were removed with freshly formed amide moieties. 1. Combined with the original amide moieties dual hydrogen bond interactions in the side chains came into being, subsequently changing the PMs' cores from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Thus, the photo-induced dual hydrogen-bonding complex rather than a hydrophobic interaction assembly with inviable nanostructures was achieved, which gave rise to the first stage of doxorubicin (DOX) release. During the second period, the noncovalent cross-linked PMs underwent further structural disintegration upon heating with dissociation of the dual hydrogen bonds, resulting in the sequential DOX release. In other words, periodic drug release was successfully accomplished via a photoirradiation-induced mechanism modification of micellar cores formation and then by subsequent heating-induced hydrogen-bonding complex disruption, thus indicating its promise for use in therapeutics synergistic delivery in severe disease therapy.

Fabrication of pH- and Thermoresponsive Three-Layered Micelles via Host-Guest Interactions.

Well-defined ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD)-terminated double hydrophilic diblock copolymers (DHBCs), ß-CD- poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PMEO2 MA)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEA) (BP1) and ß-CD-PDEA-b-PMEO2 MA (BP2), are synthesized via sequential atom transfer radical polymerizations of di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate using alkynyl-functionalized initiator, followed by click reactions with an excess of mono-azido-substituted ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD-N3 ). The micellization behavior of these as-prepared DHBCs in aqueous solutions suffers from insufficient colloidal stabilities at basic pH and high temperatures (e.g., pH 9 and 45 °C), resulting in the formation of macroscopic precipitations. However, the stabilities of colloidal nanoparticles can be remarkably enhanced as a result of the convenient formation of three-layered micelles by taking advantage of host-guest interactions of BP1/BP2 and Ad-terminated poly(ethylene glycol). The pH- and thermoresponsive three-layered micelles with enhanced stability may augur promising applications in targeted drug delivery and controlled intelligent release.

Poly (vinyl alcohol)/SiO2 composite microsphere based on Pickering emulsion and its application in controlled drug release.

In this paper, with W/O Pickering emulsion stabilized by modified SiO(2) nanoparticles as template, PVA/SiO(2) composite microspheres with PVA hydrogel cores and shells of SiO(2) nanoparticles are successfully fabricated through freezing/thawing method. The final structure and constituents of the products are investigated through SEM, FTIR, and TGA. The PVA/SiO(2) composite microspheres obtained are applied as a drug carrier to study their controlled release behaviors and methylene blue is used as a model drug. The effect of PVA concentration, SiO(2) nanoparticle concentration, and freezing/thawing cycles on the morphology of products and release behaviors is studied. All release curves are, respectively, fitted by Monoexponential equation, Higuchi equation, Weibull equation, and Hixson-Crowell equation. Weibull equation is found to give the best fit to the release process. The fitted results prove that the drug release from the PVA/SiO(2) composite microspheres follows Fick diffusion.

Two new furostanol saponins from Tribulus terrestris.

Two new furostanol saponins were isolated from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. Their structures were established as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5alpha-furost-20(22)-en-3beta,26-diol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1) and 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5alpha-furost-20(22)-en-12-one-3beta,26-diol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2) on the basis of spectroscopic data as well as chemical evidence.

A new furostanol glycoside from Tribulus terrestris.

Besides two known glycosides, a new furostanol glycoside was isolated from the Fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. The structure of the new furostanol glycoside was established as 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-5alpha-furostane-20(22)-en-12-one-3beta, 26-diol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1) on the basis of 1D and 2D-NMR techniques, including COSY, HMBC, and HMQC correlations.

A new triterpenoid saponin from Pulsatilla cernua.

A new triterpenoid saponin was isolated from Pulsatilla cernua, along with eight known triterpenoids and triterpenoid glycosides. The new compound was identified as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-bayogenin-28-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) on the basis of 1D, 2D-NMR techniques, including COSY, HMBC, and HMQC correlations, MS analysis, as well as chemical methods.