Reducing cherry rain-cracking: Enhanced wetting and barrier properties of chitosan hydrochloride-based coating with dual nanoparticles.

The synergistic effects of phosphorylated zein nanoparticles (PZNP) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in enhancing the wetting and barrier properties of chitosan hydrochloride (CHC)-based coating are investigated characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy and by investigating the mechanical properties, etc., with the aim of reducing cherry rain cracking. FTIR and XRD showed dual nanoparticles successfully implanted into CHC, CHC-PZNP-CNC combined moderate ductility (elongation at break: 7.8 %), maximum tensile strength (37.5 MPa). The addition of PZNP alone significantly improved wetting performance (Surface Tension, CHC: 55.3 vs. CHC-PZNP: 48.9 mN/m), while the addition of CNC alone led to a notable improvement in the water barrier properties of CHC (water vapor permeability, CHC: 6.75 × 10-10 vs. CHC-CNC: 5.76 × 10-10 gm-1 Pa-1 s-1). The final CHC-PZNP-CNC coating exhibited enhanced wettability (51.2 mN/m) and the strongest water-barrier property (5.32 × 10-10 gm-1 Pa-1 s-1), coupled with heightened surface hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 106.4°). Field testing demonstrated the efficacy of the CHC-PZNP-CNC coating in reducing cherry rain-cracking (Cracking Index, Control, 42.3 % vs. CHC-PZNP-CNC, 19.7 %; Cracking Ratio, Control, 34.6 % vs. CHC-PZNP-CNC, 15.8 %). The CHC-PZNP-CNC coating is a reliable option for preventing rain-induced cherry cracking.

Construction and characterization of Zn-WPH-COS complex nanoparticles with improved zinc bioavailability.

Precipitation was an important obstacle to improving zinc's bioavailability. Therefore, zinc-whey protein hydrolysate-chitosan oligosaccharide (Zn-WPH-COS) complexes (167 nm) were prepared by linking Zn-WPH (zinc: 18.4%) with COS (1:1, 2 h) to enhance zinc's bioaccessibility. Fourier-transform infrared showed Zn-WPH formed with zinc replaced hydrogen (from 3274 to 3279 cm-1) and reacted with COO- (C-N: from 1394 to 1402 cm-1), a new peak at 1025 cm-1 proved COS can be successful cross-linked (Zn-WPH-COS). Fluorescence spectra showed zinc and COS reduced WPH hydrophobicity (28.0 and 39.0%, respectively). Circular dichroism showed zinc decreased WPH α-helix (from 13.7 to 11.5%), in contrast with COS to Zn-WPH. Zinc solubility and dialyzability were increased (64.5/ 54.2% vs 50.2/ 41.2% vs 29.5/ 21.7%) in Zn-WPH-COS, compared with Zn-WPH and ZnSO4·7H2O, respectively, due to the smallest size (167 nm) and COS protection on Zn-WPH (gastric digestion). These results indicate Zn-WPH-COS could significantly improve the digestion and absorption of zinc.

Influence of environmental pH on the interaction properties of WP-EGCG non-covalent nanocomplexes.

BACKGROUND: Whey protein-epigallocatechin gallate (WP-EGCG) covalent conjugates and non-covalent nanocomplexes were prepared and compared using Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The effect of pH (at 2.6, 6.2, 7.1, and 8.2) on the non-covalent nanocomplexes' functional properties and the WP-EGCG interactions were investigated by studying antioxidant activity, emulsification, fluorescence quenching, and molecular docking, respectively. RESULTS: With the formation of non-covalent and covalent complexes, the amide band decreased; the -OH peak disappeared; the antioxidant activity of WP-EGCG non-covalent complexes was 2.59- and 2.61-times stronger than WP-EGCG covalent conjugates for 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), respectively (particle size: 137 versus 370 nm). The antioxidant activity (DPPH 27.48-44.32%, FRAP 0.47-0.63) was stronger at pH 6.2-7.1 than at pH 2.6 and pH 8.2 (DPPH 19.50% and 26.36%, FRAP 0.39 and 0.41). Emulsification was highest (emulsifying activity index 181 m2 g-1 , emulsifying stability index 107%) at pH 7.1. The interaction between whey protein (WP) and EGCG was stronger under neutral and weakly acidic conditions: KSV (5.11-8.95 × 102 L mol-1 ) and Kq (5.11-8.95 × 1010 L mol s-1 ) at pH 6.2-7.1. Binding constants (pH 6.2 and pH 7.1) increased with increasing temperature. Molecular docking suggested that hydrophobic interactions played key roles at pH 6.2 and pH 7.1 (∆H > 0, ∆S > 0). Hydrogen bonding was the dominant force at pH 2.6 and pH 8.2 (∆H < 0, ∆S < 0). CONCLUSION: Environmental pH impacted the binding forces of WP-EGCG nanocomplexes. The interaction between WP and EGCG was stronger under neutral and weakly acidic conditions. Neutral and weakly acidic conditions are preferable for WP-EGCG non-covalent nanocomplex formation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Role of intra-wound powdered vancomycin in primary total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: No study has evaluated the effect of topical powdered vancomycin in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The goal of this study is to determine if this method reduces postoperative infection rates following primary TKA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 855 consecutive patients undergoing TKA. The first 418 patients, who did not receive topical vancomycin, were grouped into the control group and the subsequent 437 patients, who received powdered vancomycin applied to the target joint prior to wound closure, were grouped into the treatment group. RESULTS: The control group was found to have 18 infectious complications (4.3%) compared with 6 (1.4%) in the treatment group, which differed significantly (p<0.05). When comparing the rates of infectious complications independently, there was no significant difference in the rate of superficial infection (3.1% vs. 1.4%; p>0.05), while the difference in prevalence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) was statistically significant (1.2% vs. 0; p<0.05). No serious adverse events (AEs) occurred. DISCUSSION: Topical application of powdered vancomycin may present a reasonable means of decreasing the risk of infectious complications following TKA. There were no serious AEs associated with topical vancomycin. Further research is needed to focus on its long-term efficacy and safety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective, cohort study.

A new technique for medial-end comminuted clavicle fractures.

Fractures of the medial comminuted clavicle are rare injuries but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although rare, such injuries deserve rapid diagnosis and effective treatment to avoid future complications. An optimal, standardized operative treatment has not yet been established. We presented a medial-end comminuted clavicle fracture and demonstrated successful results using a bridging plate technique across the sternum maintaining reduction and achieving union. We aim to provide an alternative technique to fix a displaced periarticular medial clavicle fracture, which we believe is simple, safer and promising.

An intraoperative device to restore femoral offset in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) can lead to unsatisfactory outcome. Our objective was to design and evaluate a simple and reliable intraoperative device (Length-offset Lever) to minimize leg length discrepancy. METHODS: This device was used in 51 patients undergoing primary total hip replacements. The leg length discrepancy was measured pre- and postoperatively based on plain radiographs. RESULTS: Preoperative radiographic leg length discrepancy averaged 13.5 ± 6.2 mm. Leg length discrepancy showed significant improvement, with a postoperative average of 4.1 ± 2.3 mm (p < 0.0001). There were no complications associated with this device. CONCLUSIONS: The 'Length-offset Lever' is a useful intraoperative tool to restore anatomic femoral offset and height of femoral head.

STAT1-caspase 3 pathway in the apoptotic process associated with steroid-induced necrosis of the femoral head.

Osteocyte apoptosis is the main manifestation of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH). STAT1 and caspase 3 participate in the process of apoptosis and STAT1 upregulates the expression of caspase 3. We examined the relationship between the STAT1-caspase 3 pathway and apoptosis in SANFH. All specimens were divided into four groups: the negative control group, Ficat I-II group, Ficat III group, and Ficat IV-V group, and examined histologically, with a TUNEL assay, immunohistochemically, with a caspase 3 activity assay, with ELISAs of STAT1 and phospo-STAT1 (p-STAT1), with a western blotting analysis of p-STAT1 and with real-time RT-PCR. The proportion of empty lacunae increased significantly with the development of SANFH. The proportion of TUNEL-positive cells and immunohistochemical analysis of caspase 3 also increased significantly, although the Ficat I-II group did not differ significantly from the negative control group. Immunohistochemical analysis of STAT1 and p-STAT1, caspase 3 activity all showed significant differences among the groups. An ELISA and a western blotting analysis of p-STAT1 showed significant differences among the groups. An ELISA of STAT1, real-time RT-PCR analysis of caspase 3 and STAT1 all showed significant differences among the groups except between the Ficat I-II and negative control groups. The correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between the proportion of empty lacunae and the proportion of TUNEL-positive cells between caspase 3 activity and the proportion of TUNEL-positive cells and between the levels of p-STAT1 protein and caspase 3 mRNA. The apoptotic process in SANFH develops with the upregulated expression of caspase 3 via the expression and activation of STAT1. The STATI-caspase 3 pathway plays a critical role in the development of SANFH.

Quantitative assessment of the motor-sensory specificity of the motor and primary sensory neurons after the end-to-side neurorrhaphy.

We sought to evaluate the motor-sensory specificity of the motor and primary sensory neurons after the end-to-side neurorrhaphy. We divided 90 rats into three groups: (1) end-to-side neurorrhaphy using the ulnar nerve as donor nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve as recipient nerve; (2) normal control; and (3) transected nerve with the stumps buried. At 5 months, we monitored the grooming test, the electromyographic recordings, the histologic changes in the nerve, and quantitatively evaluated motoneurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons following their retrograde labeling by Fluoro-Gold (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) applied to the musculocutaneous nerve and its biceps brachii branch. Grooming and electrophysiological investigations recovered successfully in the end-to-side group. The implanted musculocutaneous nerve contained varying but satisfactory numbers of axons. In the end-to-side group, the proportion of motoneurons for the biceps brachii branch of musculocutaneous nerve was very similar to the musculocutaneous nerve sections proximal to this branch (17.3% ± 2.7% and 21.7% ± 3.7%, respectively), but it did not correspond with the proportion of the biceps brachii branch of musculocutaneous nerve in the normal group (28.3% ± 3.5%). The present study confirms that limited but functional reinnervation can occur after the end-to-side neurorrhaphy, and the motor-sensory specificity is not important.