Dandelion-derived vesicles-laden hydrogel dressings capable of neutralizing Staphylococcus aureus exotoxins for the care of invasive wounds.

Delayed wound healing caused by bacterial infection remains a major challenge in clinical treatment. Exotoxins incorporated in bacterial extracellular vesicles play a key role as the disease-causing virulence factors. Safe and specific antivirulence agents are expected to be developed as an effective anti-bacterial infection strategy, instead of single antibiotic therapy. Plant-derived extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for skin diseases, but the elucidations of specific mechanisms of action and clinical transformation still need to be advanced. Here, dandelion-derived extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles (TH-EVNs) are isolated and exert antivirulence activity through specifically binding to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) exotoxins, thereby protecting the host cell from attack. The neutralization of TH-EVNs against exotoxins has considerable binding force and stability, showing complete detoxification effect in vivo. Then gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel is developed as TH-EVNs-loaded dressing for S. aureus exotoxin-invasive wounds. Hydrogel dressings demonstrate good physical and mechanical properties, thus achieving wound retention and controlled release of TH-EVNs, in addition to promoting cell proliferation and migration. In vivo results show accelerated re-epithelialization, promotion of collagen maturity and reduction of inflammation after treatment. Collectively, the developed TH-EVNs-laden hydrogel dressings provide a potential therapeutic approach for S. aureus exotoxin- associated trauma.

Meningitis caused by oral anaerobes detected using mNGS tool: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis is a central nervous system (CNS) infection disease of the meninges and brain parenchyma caused by the bacteria. Few cases of meningitis related to oral anaerobes have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of meningitis in a middle-aged woman, caused by oral anaerobes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with fever, headache for 21 days and left limb weakness for 2 days. The blood cell counts (11.73 × 109/L), neutrophil counts (9.22 × 109/L) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (> 5.00 mg/L) were elevated. The brain computerized tomography (CT) scanning indicated the new right thalamus infarct. The brain cranial-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the right lateral paraventricular and right thalamic infarct, and abnormal signal in occipital horns of bilateral lateral ventricles were increased. In addition, the brain enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scanning suggested that meninges were thickened and enhanced at the base of the brain, with meningitis changes. The neck CT angiography (CTA) revealed arteriosclerotic changes. The metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed Eubacterium brachy, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Torque teno virus in her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient was diagnosed with purulent meningitis caused by infection of oral anaerobes, and treated with mannitol, ceftriaxone and vancomycin. Her symptoms alleviated. Subsequently, she was transferred to the infectious department and treated with ceftriaxone plus metronidazole (anti-anaerobes) and mannitol (reduce intracranial pressure). Her symptoms improved and currently received rehabilitation treatment. CONCLUSION: We herein report a rare case involving meningitis caused by infection of oral anaerobes. The mNGS can accurately detect the pathogens of infectious diseases.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients With High Peripheral Blood Eosinophil Counts Have Better Predicted Improvement in 6MWD After Rehabilitation: A PRELIMINARY STUDY.

PURPOSE: The objective of this investigation was to determine whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with high blood eosinophil (EOS) counts had better improvement in 6-min walk test (6MWT) after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). METHODS: Fifty COPD patients were randomly assigned to either the rehabilitation group (RG) or the control group (CG). Patients in the RG (8 wk PR + routine medication) and the CG (routine medication) were followed for 32 wk. According to the blood EOS level, the RG was divided into an EOS ≥ 200 cells/µL group and EOS < 200 cells/µL group. The 6MWT distance, Borg Scale, and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were evaluated before intervention and 8 wk and 32 wk later. RESULTS: After the 8-wk intervention, 37 patients (19 RG/18 CG) completed the study. At 8-wk and 32-wk follow-up from baseline, a statistically significant difference was found between these two groups in the 6MWT, Borg Scale, and CAT. Compared with baseline, the 6MWT in the RG increased 49.1 ± 40.2 m (95% CI, 29.7-68.5, P < .001) at 8 wk and 60.8 ± 42.1 m (95% CI, 40.5-81.6, P < .001) at 32 wk. In addition, the improvement of 6MWT in the EOS ≥ 200 cells/µL RG group was higher than that in the EOS < 200 cells/µL group (40.1 ± 17.6 m, 95% CI, 36.8-43.4; P = .036) at 32-wk follow-up from baseline. CONCLUSION: An 8-wk PR can improve the exercise capacity of COPD patients, and the benefits persistent for 24 wk. The improvement in the 6MWT was more significant in COPD patients with a high blood EOS count.

A Novel Scale to Assess Humidification during Noninvasive Ventilation: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objective: To develop a novel scale to assess humidification during noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Methods: This study was performed in an ICU of a teaching hospital. Three ICU practitioners with more than 10 years of clinical experience developed an oral humidification scale with a range of 1-4 points. Each studied the current literature on humidification and examined 50 images of mouths of NIV patients with different levels of humidification. Then, through discussion, a consensus scale was developed. Next, 10 practitioners and 33 NIV patients were recruited to validate the scale. Finally, the patients rated the dryness of their mouths using the 1-4 visual scale just after the practitioners' assessment. Talking and discussion were forbidden during the assessment, and the scorers were blinded to each other. Results: We performed 36 assessments in 33 NIV patients. Three patients were assessed twice each more than 2 days apart. The interitem correlation coefficients between the 10 practitioners ranged from 0.748 to 0.917. Fleiss's kappa statistic was 0.516, indicating moderate agreement among practitioners. Of the 33 patients, 5 (15%) were unable to make an assessment using the 1-4 visual scale. Among the remainder, 55.7% provided scores that matched those given by the practitioners; 13.7% of scores were 1 point higher than that rated by the practitioners, and 20.7% were 1 point lower. Only 10% were beyond a 1-point difference. The kappa coefficient was 0.483 between patients and practitioners. Conclusions: The oral humidification scale showed moderate agreement between practitioners. It was also highly accurate in reflecting the level of humidification assessed by patients.

Finger-palm synergistic soft gripper for dynamic capture via energy harvesting and dissipation.

Robotic grippers, inspired by human hands, show an extraordinary ability to manipulate objects of various shapes, sizes, or materials. However, capturing objects with varying kinetic energy remains challenging, regardless of the classical rigid-bodied or frontier soft-bodied grippers. Here, we demonstrate a rapid energy harvesting and dissipation mechanism for the soft grippers leveraging the finger-palm synergy. Theoretically and experimentally, this mechanism enables a soft gripper to reliably capture high-speed targets by dissipating and harvesting almost all the target's kinetic energy within 30 milliseconds. The energy harvesting and dissipating capability are adjustable and can be enhanced by inflating pressure. Additionally, the harvested energy is autonomously transferred into fingers to enhance their grasping force and reduce the response time. To highlight, the grippers we developed are integrated into a six-rotor drone and successfully capture flying objects in an outdoor experiment. These results significantly advance robotics development in achieving dynamic capture of dynamic targets.

Association of Visceral Fat Area and Hyperuricemia in Non-Obese US Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between visceral fat area (VFA) and hyperuricemia (HUA) among non-obese adults. We extracted data from 6224 US adults aged 20−59 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011−2018. The VFA was divided into four quartiles (Q1−Q4). We used multivariable logistic regression models to control for known confounders. A generalized additive model (GAM) and restricted cubic spines were used to examine the association between VFA and HUA stratified by sex, and a two-piecewise linear regression model was used to calculate the threshold effect among males. The results revealed that the prevalence of HUA was 11.8% (men 15.8%, women 7.2%). In the fully adjusted model, there was a positive association between VFA and HUA [as a quartile variable, Q4 vs. Q1, odds ratio (OR): 3.77 and 95% confidence interval (CI): (2.47~5.75), p < 0.001, p for trend < 0.001; as a continuous variable, per 10 cm2 increment, OR (95%CI):1.10(1.07,1.14), p < 0.001]. Besides, this positive association remained significantly stratified by sex. Interestingly, we observed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between VFA and HUA in males (inflection point: 107.46 cm2). In conclusion, our study confirmed a significant positive relationship between VFA and HUA among non-obese adults and remained statistically significant when stratified by sex.

A Local Electricity and Carbon Trading Method for Multi-Energy Microgrids Considering Cross-Chain Interaction.

The objective of this paper is to propose a local electricity and carbon trading method for interconnected multi-energy microgrids. A local electricity market and a local carbon market are established, allowing microgrids to trade electricity and carbon allowance within the microgrid network. Specifically, excessive electricity and carbon allowance of a microgrid can be shared with other microgrids that require them. A local electricity trading problem and a local carbon trading problem are formulated for multi-energy microgrids using the Nash bargaining theory. Each Nash bargaining problem can be decomposed into two subproblems, including an energy/carbon scheduling problem and a payment bargaining problem. By solving the subproblems of the Nash bargaining problems, the traded amounts of electricity/carbon allowance between microgrids and the corresponding payments will be determined. In addition, to enable secure information interactions and trading payments, we introduce an electricity blockchain and a carbon blockchain to record the trading data for microgrids. The novelty of the usage of the blockchain technology lies in using a notary mechanism-based cross-chain interaction method to achieve value transfer between blockchains. The simulation results show that the proposed local electricity and carbon trading method has great performance in lowering total payments and carbon emissions for microgrids.

Physiological Effects of Surgical and N95 Masks During Exercise in the COVID-19 era.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies of the physiological effects of masking during exercise have been rare. METHODS: Twelve healthcare workers performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test while wearing a surgical mask, an N95 mask, or no mask. Variables were collected at rest, warm-up, anaerobic threshold, and maximal exercise. RESULTS: From rest to maximal exercise, both the surgical and N95 masks decreased inspiratory flow, minute ventilation, and prolonged inspiratory time compared to the no mask condition. Oxygen uptake (VO2) and oxygen pulse (VO2/HR) decreased at rest, warm-up, and maximal exercise in both the surgical and N95 mask conditions (vs. no mask). At the anaerobic threshold, the surgical mask also led to a reduction of oxygen uptake and oxygen pulse compared to no mask. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2% predicted) also decreased in both the surgical and N95 mask conditions. In addition, the severity of dyspnea increased, and exercise time decreased for both surgical and N95 masks. Compared to no mask, wearing an N95 mask led to lower breathing frequency and lower ventilation efficacy (assessed by VE/VCO2 and VE/VO2) from rest to maximal exercise (all p < 0.05 for trend). Wearing an N95 also led to retention of carbon dioxide (p < 0.05 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: Wearing a surgical mask leads to a somewhat negative impact on cardiopulmonary function, and this effect is more serious with an N95 mask. Attention should be paid to exercise while wearing surgical or N95 masks.

Mineral medicine: from traditional drugs to multifunctional delivery systems.

Mineral drugs are an important constituent of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Taking minerals that contain heavy metals as drugs is a very national characteristic part of TCM. However, the safety and scientific nature of mineral drugs are controversial owing to their heavy metals and strong toxicity. In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized arsenic trioxide (ATO) as first-line therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. This makes the development and utilization of mineral drugs become a research hotspot. The development of nanomedicine has found a great prospect of mineral drugs in nano-delivery carriers. And that will hold promise to address the numerous biological barriers facing mineral drug formulations. However, the studies on mineral drugs in the delivery system are few at present. There is also a lack of a detailed description of mineral drug delivery systems. In this review, the advanced strategies of mineral drug delivery systems in tumor therapy are summarized. In addition, the therapeutic advantages and research progress of novel mineral drug delivery systems are also discussed. Here, we hope that this will provide a useful reference for the design and application of new mineral drug delivery systems.

Mulberry leaf activates brown adipose tissue and induces browning of inguinal white adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic rats through regulating AMP-activated protein kinase signalling pathway.

The current epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly affects human health worldwide. Activation of brown adipocytes and browning of white adipocytes are considered as a promising molecular target for T2DM treatment. Mulberry leaf, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been demonstrated to have multi-biological activities, including anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Our experimental results showed that mulberry leaf significantly alleviated the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM rats. In addition, mulberry leaf induced browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) by enhancing the expressions of brown-mark genes as well as beige-specific genes, including uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), PRD1-BF-1-RIZ1 homologous domain containing protein 16 (PRDM16), cell death inducing DFFA-like effector A (Cidea), CD137 and transmembrane protein 26 (TMEM26). Mulberry leaf also activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) by increasing the expressions of brown-mark genes including UCP1, PGC-1α, PPARα, PRDM16 and Cidea. Moreover, mulberry leaf enhanced the expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) genes that are responsible for mitochondrial biogenesis in IWAT and BAT. Importantly, mulberry leaf also increased the expression of UCP1 and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT-1) proteins in both IWAT and BAT via a mechanism involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PGC-1α pathway. In conclusion, our findings identify the role of mulberry leaf in inducing adipose browning, indicating that mulberry leaf may be used as a candidate browning agent for the treatment of T2DM.

Efficient experimental quantum fingerprinting with channel multiplexing and simultaneous detection.

Quantum communication complexity explores the minimum amount of communication required to achieve certain tasks using quantum states. One representative example is quantum fingerprinting, in which the minimum amount of communication could be exponentially smaller than the classical fingerprinting. Here, we propose a quantum fingerprinting protocol where coherent states and channel multiplexing are used, with simultaneous detection of signals carried by multiple channels. Compared with an existing coherent quantum fingerprinting protocol, our protocol could consistently reduce communication time and the amount of communication by orders of magnitude by increasing the number of channels. Our proposed protocol can even beat the classical limit without using superconducting-nanowire single photon detectors. We also report a proof-of-concept experimental demonstration with six wavelength channels to validate the advantage of our protocol in the amount of communication. The experimental results clearly prove that our protocol not only surpasses the best-known classical protocol, but also remarkably outperforms the existing coherent quantum fingerprinting protocol.

Proof-of-Principle Experimental Demonstration of Twin-Field Type Quantum Key Distribution.

The twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol and its variants are highly attractive because they can beat the well-known fundamental limit of the secret key rate for point-to-point QKD without quantum repeaters (repeaterless bound). In this Letter, we perform a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of TFQKD based on the protocol proposed by Curty, Azuma, and Lo, which removes the need for postselection on the matching of a global phase from the original TFQKD scheme and can deliver a high secret key rate. Furthermore, we employ a Sagnac loop structure to help overcome the major difficulty in the practical implementation of TFQKD, namely, the need to stabilize the phase of the quantum state over kilometers of fiber. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, the estimated secure key rate from our experimental TFQKD data at the high loss region surpasses the repeaterless bound of QKD with current technology.

[A new triterpenic acid from the roots of Rosa laevigata].

This study was designed to investigate triterpenoids from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx. The silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx. HPLC was used to analyze its purity and chemical constitution. Spectroscopy methods were used to determine their structures. Five constituents were isolated and identified as19α-OH-3ß-E-feruloyl corosolic acid (1), 23-hydroxy-tormentic acid (2), 2α, 3ß, 19α, 23- tetrahydroxy-12-en-28-oleanolic acid (3), 2α, 3α, 20ß- trihydroxyurs-13 (18)-en-28-oic-acid (4), 2α, 3ß, 20ß-trihydroxyurs-13 (18)-en-28-oic-acid (5). Compound 1 was assigned as a new compound, compounds 4, 5 were obtained from the genus Rosa for the first time.

[Triterpenoids from roots of Rosa laevigata].

To study the triterpenoids from the roots of Rosa laevigata. The silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the chemical constituents from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx. HPLC was used to analyze its purity, chemical and spectroscopy methods were used to determine their structures. 12 constituents were isolated and identified as(2R, 19R)methyl 2-acetyloxy-19- hydroxyl-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-carboxylate(1), pomonic acid (2), 18, 19-seco, 2α, 3α-dihydroxy-19-oxo-urs-11, 13(18)-dien-28-oic acid(3), swinhoeic acid (4), myrianthic acid(5), 2α, 3ß, 19α-trihydroxy-24-oxo-urs-12-en-oic acid (6), tormentic acid(7), arjunic acid (8), 1ß-hydroxyeuscaphic acid(9), quadranoside Ⅷ (10), alpinoside(11), rubuside B (12). Compounds 1-4, 6, 9, 11-12 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compounds 2-4, 6, 11-12 were obtained from the genus Rosa for the first time.

[Triterpene constituents from Rosa cymosa Tratt].

The constituents in 95% ethanol extract of the root of Rosa cymosa Tratt were purified by column chromatography techniques, leading to isolation of eleven triterpenes. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as pomolic acid (1), fupenzic acid (2), ursolic acid (3), euscaphic acid (4), arjunic acid (5), tomentic acid (6), 3ß-E-feruloyl corosolic acid (7), 1ß-hydroxyeuscaphic acid (8), myrianthic acid (9), cecropiacic acid (10), and ilexoside B (11). Among them, compounds 3, 6-8, 10 and 11 were obtained from this plant for the first time, and compounds 7 and 10 were obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Regional land main-function division of Guangdong Province based on gravity center and central place theory].

In this paper, the regional land main-function division of Guangdong Province was studied, based on the statistical indices of 21 cities in the Province in 2008 and the central place theory, and by the methods of spatial gravity center and fuzzy clustering. In 2008, cities Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shantou, Foshan, Dongguan, and Chaozhou were the prior developed zones, lying in gravity center region and well exerted their radiating role in developed economy, being the central region for the development of economy in the Province. Cities Heyuan, Shanwei, Jiangmen, Yangjiang, Zhanjiang, Maoming, and Zhaoqing were the restrictively developed zones. These cities had lower centrality index and worse economic base, and thereby, their ecological restoration and protection should be strengthened to make these cities be established into an eco-benefit ensured region. Cities Zhuhai, Shaoguan, Meizhou, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Qingyuan, Jieyang and Yunfu were the key developed zones, which should undertake the transfer of the industries from prior developed zones of Guangdong and limit the transfer of population from restrictively developed zones of the Province, gradually becoming the main supporting region for the economic development and population agglomeration of Guangdong.

Pattern scan laser photocoagulator on retinopathy: an annual clinical application summary.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Pattern Scan Laser Photocoagulator (PASCAL) by observing the efficacy of PASCAL on retinopathy. METHODS: A total of 92 patients with retinopathy (121 eyes) who underwent PASCAL between December 2008 and February 2009 in our center were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the visual acuity changes and recovery conditions of the patients from baseline to posterior to the treatment. The retinopathy included: diabetic retinopathy, ischemic retinal vein occlusion (IRVO), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), retinal periphlebitis (Eales disease) and retinal degeneration/holes. RESULTS: The patients were subject to a 12-month follow up after PASCAL. The visual acuity findings were stated as below: for diabetic retinopathy (73 eyes), 10 eyes had improved visual acuity; 55 eyes were stabilized and 8 eyes progressed; for IRVO (13 eyes), 4 eyes showed improvement, 6 eyes were stabilized and 3 eyes progressed; for CSC (9 eyes), 6 eyes were alleviated and 3 eyes progressed; for retinal periphlebitis (5 eyes), 2 eyes had enhanced visual acuity and 3 eyes showed stable visual acuity; for retinal degeneration/holes (21 eyes), 5 eyes presented improved visual acuity, 16 eyes were stabilized and no eye progressed. Indirect ophthalmoscopic reexamination confirmed secured blockage by laser spots and favorable absorption of the retinal edema and newborn capillaries. No obvious leakage was observed during fundus fluorescein angiography and no laser-related ocular adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSION: PASCAL is accurate, effective and well-tolerated. The duration of short laser pulse falls within the safety range, ensuring the stabilization and improvement in the patient's visual acuity. The parameters, long-term efficacy and complications of PASCAL should be further demonstrated by performing long-term clinical trials with larger sample size.

[Structure problem analysis and trend prediction of energy supply and demand in Guangzhou City].

This paper aims at the tense situation of energy demand and supply and analysis the current situation and problems of energy supply and demand in Guangzhou. We predict total demand of energy which will be 4534.7 x 10(4) of standard coal in 2010 by using the department analysis method and sequence method, and the balance between supply and demand of energy will be 45,000 thousand tons of standard coal. From the primary conclusions of our empirical analysis and together with the overall environment of energy in Guangdong and China, we think the development strategies of energy in Guangzhou in the future should involve several main points as following: (1) Energy of Guangzhou should base on the overall energy development programming of China and that is, it should depend on the "transmission of electricity from the western to the eastern region", power incorporation of Sanxia, power generated of water energy, nuclear power and new resource. (2) Stop setting up or expending the natural monopoly and resource oriented Huangpu thermal power plant located in the windward direction of summer of Guangzhou which has serious pollution and consumes large quantities of energy. (3) It should not absolutely depend on the coal of the poor mountainous region of Guangdong and small power station and can make full use of the resource potential.

[Quantitative determination of anethole in the fruit of Illicium verum from various places of Guangxi province].

The quantitative determination of anethole in the fruit of Illicium verum from various places of Guangxi province were determined by GC. The average recovery rate and the RSD are 102.31%, 1.78% respectively. The content of anethole in the fruit of Illicium verum in various places were all more than 4.5%.