Effectiveness in Sterilization of Objects Produced by 3D Printing with Polylactic Acid Material: Comparison Between Autoclave and Ethylene Oxide Methods / Eficácia na esterilização de objetos produzidos pela impressão 3D com material ácido polilático: Comparação entre os métodos autoclave e óxido de etileno

Abstract Objective Due to the popularity of 3D technology, surgeons can create specific surgical guides and sterilize them in their institutions. The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of the autoclave and ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization methods for objects produced by 3D printing with polylactic acid (PLA) material. Methods Forty cubic-shaped objects were printed with PLA material. Twenty were solid and 20 were hollow (printed with little internal filling). Twenty objects (10 solid and 10 hollow) were sterilized in autoclave, forming Group 1. The others (10 solid and 10 hollow) were sterilized in EO, composing Group 2. After sterilization, they were stored and referred to culture. Hollow objects of both groups were broken during sowing, communicating the dead space with the culture medium. The results obtained were statistically analyzed (Fisher exact test and residue analysis). Results In group 1 (autoclave), there was bacterial growth in 50% of solid objects and in 30% of hollow objects. In group 2 (EO), growth occurred in 20% of hollow objects, with no bacterial growth in solid objects (100% of negative samples). The bacteria isolated in the positive cases was non-coagulase-producing Staphylococcus Gram positive. Conclusions Sterilization by both autoclave and EO was not effective for hollow printed objects. Solid objects sterilized by autoclave did not demonstrate 100% of negative samples and were not safe in the present assay. Complete absence of contamination occurred only with solid objects sterilized by EO, which is the combination recommended by the authors.

Resumo Objetivo Devido à popularidade da tecnologia 3D, cirurgiões podem criar guias cirúrgicos específicos e esterilizá-los nas suas instituições. O objetivo do presente estudo é comparar a eficácia dos métodos de esterilização por autoclave e óxido de etileno (OE) de objetos produzidos pela impressão 3D com material ácido polilático (PLA, na sigla em inglês). Métodos Quarenta objetos em formato cúbico foram impressos com material de PLA. Vinte eram sólidos e 20 eram ocos (impressos com pouco enchimento interno). Vinte objetos (10 sólidos e 10 ocos) foram esterilizados em autoclave, formando o Grupo 1. Os demais (10 sólidos e 10 ocos) foram esterilizados em OE, compondo o Grupo 2. Após a esterilização, os objetos foram armazenados e encaminhados para cultura. Objetos ocos de ambos os grupos foram quebrados durante a semeadura, comunicando o espaço morto com o meio de cultura. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente (teste exato de Fisher e análise de resíduo). Resultados No grupo 1 (autoclave) houve crescimento bacteriano em 50% dos objetos sólidos e em 30% dos objetos ocos. No grupo 2 (OE) o crescimento ocorreu em 20% dos objetos ocos, com ausência de crescimento bacteriano nos objetos sólidos (100% de amostras negativas). A bactéria isolada nos casos positivos foi Staphylococcus Gram positivo não produtor de coagulase. Conclusões A esterilização tanto em autoclave quanto pelo OE não foi eficaz para objetos impressos no formato oco. Objetos sólidos esterilizados em autoclave não demonstraram 100% de amostras negativas, não sendo seguro no presente ensaio. Ausência completa de contaminação ocorreu apenas com objetos sólidos esterilizados pelo OE, sendo a combinação recomendada pelos autores.

Enzymatic properties and degradation characterization of a bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate hydrolase from Saccharothrix sp / 生物工程学报

The discovery of new enzymes for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) degradation has been a hot topic of research globally. Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) is an intermediate compound in the degradation of PET and competes with PET for the substrate binding site of the PET-degrading enzyme, thereby inhibiting further degradation of PET. Discovery of new BHET degradation enzymes may contribute to improving the degradation efficiency of PET. In this paper, we discovered a hydrolase gene sle (ID: CP064192.1, 5085270-5086049) from Saccharothrix luteola, which can hydrolyze BHET into mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET) and terephthalic acid (TPA). BHET hydrolase (Sle) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli using a recombinant plasmid, and the highest protein expression was achieved at a final concentration of 0.4 mmol/L of isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactoside (IPTG), an induction duration of 12 h and an induction temperature of 20 ℃. The recombinant Sle was purified by nickel affinity chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography, and its enzymatic properties were also characterized. The optimum temperature and pH of Sle were 35 ℃ and 8.0, and more than 80% of the enzyme activity could be maintained in the range of 25-35 ℃ and pH 7.0-9.0 and Co2+ could improve the enzyme activity. Sle belongs to the dienelactone hydrolase (DLH) superfamily and possesses the typical catalytic triad of the family, and the predicted catalytic sites are S129, D175, and H207. Finally, the enzyme was identified as a BHET degrading enzyme by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This study provides a new enzyme resource for the efficient enzymatic degradation of PET plastics.

Advances in poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolases / 生物工程学报

Plastics have brought invaluable convenience to human life since it was firstly synthesized in the last century. However, the stable polymer structure of plastics led to the continuous accumulation of plastic wastes, which poses serious threats to the ecological environment and human health. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is the most widely produced polyester plastics. Recent researches on PET hydrolases have shown great potential of enzymatic degradation and recycling of plastics. Meanwhile, the biodegradation pathway of PET has become a reference model for the biodegradation of other plastics. This review summarizes the sources of PET hydrolases and their degradation capacity, degradation mechanism of PET by the most representative PET hydrolase-IsPETase, and recently reported highly efficient degrading enzymes through enzyme engineering. The advances of PET hydrolases may facilitate the research on the degradation mechanism of PET and further exploration and engineering of efficient PET degradation enzymes.

Commentary: polymer binding modules accelerate enzymatic degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) / 生物工程学报

The large scale production and indiscriminate use of plastics led to serious environmental pollution. To reduce the negative effects of plastics waste on the environment, an approach of enzymatic degradation was put forward to catalyze plastics degradation. Protein engineering strategies have been applied to improve the plastics degrading enzyme properties such as activity and thermal stability. In addition, polymer binding modules were found to accelerate the enzymatic degradation of plastics. In this article, we introduced a recent work published in Chem Catalysis, which studied the role of binding modules in enzymatic hydrolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) at high-solids loadings. Graham et al. found that binding modules accelerated PET enzymatic degradation at low PET loading (< 10 wt%) and the enhanced degradation cannot be observed at high PET loading (10 wt%-20 wt%). This work is beneficial for the industrial application of polymer binding modules in plastics degradation.

Effect of ACC oxidase gene AhACOs on salt tolerance of peanut / 生物工程学报

ACC oxidase (ACO) is one of the key enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of ethylene. Ethylene is involved in salt stress response in plants, and salt stress seriously affects the yield of peanut. In this study, AhACO genes were cloned and their functions were investigated with the aim to explore the biological function of AhACOs in salt stress response, and to provide genetic resources for the breeding of salt-tolerant varieties of peanut. AhACO1 and AhACO2 were amplified from the cDNA of salt-tolerant peanut mutant M29, respectively, and cloned into the plant expression vector pCAMBIA super1300. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into Huayu22 by pollen tube injection mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. After harvest, the small slice cotyledon was separated from the kernel, and the positive seeds were screened by PCR. The expression of AhACO genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR, and the ethylene release was detected by capillary column gas chromatography. Transgenic seeds were sowed and then irrigated with NaCl solution, and the phenotypic changes of 21-day-seedings were recorded. The results showed that the growth of transgenic plants were better than that of the control group Huayu 22 upon salt stress, and the relative content of chlorophyll SPAD value and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of transgenic peanuts were higher than those of the control group. In addition, the ethylene production of AhACO1 and AhACO2 transgenic plants were 2.79 and 1.87 times higher than that of control peanut, respectively. These results showed that AhACO1 and AhACO2 could significantly improve the salt stress tolerance of transgenic peanut.

A clinical study of linaclotide combined with compound polyethylene glycol electrolytes powder for bowel preparation for colonoscopy / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To explore the value of linaclotide combined with compound polyethylene glycol electrolytes powder (PEG) for bowel preparation for colonoscopy.Methods:A randomized and single blind prospective clinical study was conducted in patients who intended to receive colonoscopy at the Department of Gastroenterology in Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University from June 2021 to August 2021. One hundred and fifty-two patients in the experimental group were treated with 580 μg linaclotide + 2 L PEG, and 152 patients in the control group were treated with 3 L PEG. The bowel preparation effects including Boston bowel preparation scale (BBPS) score, bubble score and lesion detection rate, and safety (adverse events) were compared between the two groups.Results:The total BBPS scores were 9 (8, 9) in the experimental group, and 9 (9, 9) in the control group with no significant difference ( Z=0.141, P=0.888). The bubble scores were 1 (1, 2) in the experimental group, and 1 (1, 1) in the control group with no significant difference ( Z=1.788, P=0.074). There was no significant difference in detection rate of lesions between the experimental group and the control group [37.50% (57/152) VS 33.55% (51/152), χ2=0.517, P=0.472]. There was no significant difference in safety including incidence of nausea [7.24% (11/152) VS 13.16% (20/152), χ2=2.910, P=0.088], vomiting [2.63% (4/152) VS 7.24% (11/152), χ2=3.436, P=0.064], abdominal distension [7.89% (12/152) VS 11.84% (18/152), χ2=1.331, P=0.249] and abdominal pain [2.63% (4/152) VS 4.61% (7/152), χ2=0.849, P=0.357] between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion:Linaclotide combined with PEG for colonoscopic bowel preparation reduces drinking water volume. The cleaning effect and safety are comparable to using 3 L PEG. It can be recommended for bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Distinguish mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive change by β-amyloid PET imaging / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore the association of the impaired cognition and the deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) in normal cognitive (NC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods:From December 2018 to January 2021, 305 subjects (113 males, 192 females; age (64.0±7.7) years) who completed neuropsychological tests and MRI in Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and 18F-florbetapir (AV45) PET imaging in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed. The subjects were divided into MCI group and NC group based on neuropsychological tests, and each group was further divided into Aβ-positive and Aβ-negative based on PET imaging results. Independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to analyze the data. Results:There were 118 subjects in MCI group and 187 subjects in NC group. The Aβ-positive rate in MCI group (37.3%, 44/118) was higher than that in NC group (26.2%, 49/187; χ2=4.19, P=0.041). The assessment performances of MCI group in general cognitive function, memory function, language function and executive function were inferior to those of NC group ( t values: from -10.63 to -6.31, z values: from -11.01 to -6.03, all P<0.001). The Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Long Delay Recall (AVLT-LDR) score of Aβ-positive subjects was lower than that of Aβ-negative subjects in MCI group (1.00(0.00, 3.00) and 3.00(1.00, 4.00); z=-2.49, P=0.013). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic (MoCA-B) score of Aβ-positive subjects was lower than that of Aβ-negative subjects in NC group (25.29±2.67 and 26.36±2.42; t=-2.61, P=0.010). Conclusion:Compared to Aβ-negative subjects, MCI patients with Aβ-positive perform worse on memory tests, and NC subjects with Aβ-positive perform worse on general cognitive function.

Imaging study of β-amyloid deposits in preclinical Alzheimer′s disease patients in communities of Shanghai / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore the β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition pattern of subjects with the preclinical Alzheimer′s disease (AD), community-derived amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and normal cognition (NC) from communities of Shanghai.Methods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 273 subjects (104 males, 169 females; age (64.2±7.6) years) were recruited from Shanghai community and memory clinics from December 2018 to July 2020. All subjects underwent MRI, 18F-AV45 PET imaging and neuropsychological scale tests and were grouped into AD, aMCI and NC groups based on clinical diagnosis. Differences in demographic information, the neuropsychological scale tests′ scores and positive rate of Aβ deposition among each group were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance or χ2 test. Aβ deposition patterns of AD and MCI groups were analyzed at voxel level, and the differences of Aβ deposition among different groups were compared. Results:Among 273 patients, the positive rates of Aβ deposition in AD, aMCI and NC groups were 84.4%(38/45), 36.4%(20/55) and 23.1%(40/173), respectively ( χ2=58.37, P<0.001). Among AD, aMCI, NC and NC (Aβ-) groups ( n=132), the education years of AD group was the lowest ((9.7±4.6) years; F=8.86, P<0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in the scores of several neuropsychological scale tests among AD, aMCI, NC groups and NC (Aβ-) group ( F values: 27.68-235.50, all P<0.001). Compared with subjects in NC(Aβ-) group, the Aβ depositions in the aMCI and AD groups were widely distributed in the whole cerebral cortex; and AD group had higher Aβ deposition in bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobe, cingulate gyrus and precuneus than aMCI group. Conclusions:The positive rate of Aβ deposition in the preclinical AD population from the Shanghai community is obtained. There are significant different Aβ deposition patterns in subjects at different stages of AD.

Systems biology applied to the study of papaya fruit ripening: the influence of ethylene / Biologia de sistemas aplicada ao estudo do amadurecimento de mamões: a influência do etileno

Fruit ripening is a biochemical process that results in flavor, odor, texture, and color suitable for human consumption, in addition to providing access to important nutrients. Although ripening promotes sensory and nutritional increases in fruits, there is also an increased susceptibility to physical damage, as is the case with papaya. These transformations occur due to changes in gene expression patterns at different stages of maturity, whose control and coordination result from the combined action of plant hormones, especially ethylene. As the action of this hormone in the regulation of gene expression is still elusive, this dissertation sought to address the global analysis of the transcriptome in an overview study of molecular processes involved in the ripening of ethylene-treated and non-treated papaya. Transcription factors related to ethylene synthesis and signaling had increased activity towards exogenous-ethylene treatment. Consequently, ethylene-induced enzymes had their coding genes differentially expressed, like genes related to the synthesis of carotenoids, linalool, and vitamins, which increase color, aroma, and antioxidant activity, respectively. Metabolic pathways related to the synthesis of sugars were suppressed while genes encoding the enzyme responsible for sucrose synthesis maintained a basal expression, showing that the accumulation of sugars occurs before the ripening process. The firmness of the peel and pulp of the fruits were strongly influenced by the treatment with ethylene and by the time of the experiment, suffering the action of numerous enzymes related to the degradation of the cell wall. The main enzyme responsible for softening the pulp was polygalacturonase, together with the activity of other pectinases and cellulases. In contrast to the need for the pre-climacteric action of pectate lyase and pectinesterase reported in other fleshy fruits, such as tomatoes and strawberries, papaya did not show a significant difference in their expression. The meta-analysis of several papaya ripening transcriptomes confirmed the expression profile observed in the previous RNA-seq, besides providing statistical enrichment to the biological narratives. Finally, the present study gathered a range of robust information on the gene regulation of the papaya ripening process, which opens possibilities for future approaches to transcriptomic analysis and validates the use of papaya as a model for such studies

O amadurecimento de frutos é um processo bioquímico que resulta em sabor, odor, textura e cor adequados para o consumo humano, além de propiciar o acesso a nutrientes importantes. Apesar do amadurecimento promover incrementos sensoriais e nutricionais nos frutos, ocorre também um aumento da suscetibilidade a danos físicos, como é o caso do mamão. Essas transformações ocorrem devido às alterações nos padrões de expressão gênica nos diferentes estádios de amadurecimento, cujo controle e coordenação decorrem da ação combinada de hormônios vegetais, principalmente do etileno. Como a ação deste hormônio na regulação da expressão gênica ainda é elusiva, a presente dissertação buscou abordar a análise global do transcriptoma em um amplo estudo dos processos moleculares envolvidos no amadurecimento de mamões tratados e não tratados com etileno. Os fatores de transcrição relacionados com a síntese e a sinalização do etileno tiveram sua atividade aumentada perante o tratamento exógeno com etileno. Consequentemente, as enzimas reguladas por esse hormônio tiveram seus genes de codificação expressos diferencialmente, como foi o caso de genes relacionados à síntese de carotenoides, linalool e vitaminas, que atuam no aumento da cor, aroma e atividade antioxidante, respectivamente. Vias metabólicas relacionadas com à síntese de açúcares foram reprimidas enquanto genes codificantes da enzima responsável pela síntese de sacarose mantiveram uma expressão basal, evidenciando que o acúmulo de açúcares ocorre antes do processo de amadurecimento. A firmeza da casca e da polpa dos frutos foram fortemente influenciadas pelo tratamento com etileno e pelo tempo de experimento, sofrendo ação de inúmeras enzimas relacionadas com a degradação da parede celular. A principal enzima responsável pelo amolecimento da polpa foi a poligalacturonase, em conjunto com a atividade de outras pectinases e celulases. Em contraste com a necessidade da ação pré-climatérica da pectato liase e da pectinesterase relatada em outras frutas carnosas, como tomates e morangos, o mamão não apresentou uma diferença significativa na expressão das mesmas. A meta-análise de diversos transcriptomas do amadurecimento do mamão reafirmaram o perfil de expressão observado no RNA-seq, além de prover enriquecimento estatístico às narrativas biológicas. Por fim, o presente estudo reuniu uma gama de informações robustas sobre a regulação gênica do processo de amadurecimento do mamão papaia, o que abrange a possibilidade para futuras abordagens de análise transcriptomica e valida o uso do mamão como modelo para tais estudos

Effect of Ethephon Application on Fruit Quality at Harvest and Post-harvest Storage of Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina) cv. Fortune

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate different concentrations of ethephon on Fortune plum ripening, also observing the effect of ethephon concentration on the fruit parameters of yield, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, firmness, wooliness, diameter, length, and average fruit mass at harvest and post-harvest. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replications, each experimental unit consisting of four plants. The ethephon concentrations of zero, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg∙L-1 were applied on the plums 20 days before the estimated harvest time. The results indicated that ethephon application induced a higher fruit yield in earlier harvest time, but with no effect on overall yield. Relative to the quality characteristics, the application of ethephon induced a reduction of fruit firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity. Fruit length was not affected. The parameters of soluble solids, titratable acidity, and firmness presented a negative significant correlation with the ethephon dose. Relative to post-storage evaluation, the ethephon application induced a higher SS/TA ratio, and lower wooliness, titratable acidity, and soluble solids content. The parameters of soluble solids and titratable acidity presented a significant negative correlation, whereas the SS/TA ratio was positively correlated with the ethephon dose.

Determination of residual impurities in pharmaceutical excipient cetomacrogol 1000 by gas chromatography / 中国药科大学学报

@#For the quality control of cetomacrogol 1000, a gas chromatographic method for the determination of residual impurities in cetomacrogol 1000, such as ethylene oxide, 1, 4-dioxane, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol, was established and validated.The DB-1 column with headspace injection was used to detect ethylene oxide and 1, 4-dioxane with the inlet temperature of 150 °C, the FID temperature of 250 °C, the headspace equilibration temperature of 70 °C and the equilibration time of 45 min.The VF-17MS column with liquid injection was used to detect ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol with the inlet temperature of 270 °C, and the FID temperature of 290 °C.The results showed that ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane have a good linearity within their specified addition amount ranges (r > 0.999), with the RSD of precision of below 8.0% and the average recovery rates of 90.6% and 101.2%; and that ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol also have a good linearity between 3 ? 60 μg/mL (r > 0.999), with the RSD of precision of below 3.0%, and the recovery rates of 96% ~ 103%.The method established in this study has good specificity, linearity, precision and recovery rate, which can effectively detect the multi-component and trace impurities.

Aeração de dispositivos médicos esterilizados a óxido de etileno: considerações acerca da regulação brasileira / Aecization of medical devices sterilized to ethylene oxide: considerations about Brazilian regulation / Aireación de dispositivos médicos esterilizados con óxido de etileno: consideraciones sobre la regulación brasileña

Objetivos: Descrever níveis residuais aceitáveis de óxido de etileno em dispositivos médicos, analisar processos de aeração recomendados e compará-los com a regulação brasileira. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura, com descritores específicos, sem restrição de ano de publicação. Busca dos dados entre outubro e novembro de 2019, que resultou em 34 estudos incluídos no estudo. Resultados: A regulação brasileira vigente está desatualizada em relação à classificação de produtos, à determinação de valores de resíduos tóxicos de óxido de etileno em dispositivos médicos e aos processos recomendados para a aeração desses produtos, podendo contribuir para riscos de eventos adversos para pacientes usuários de dispositivos inadequadamente aerados, e, consequentemente, urge sua atualização. Conclusão: As lacunas desse marco regulatório beneficiam indiretamente as empresas que terceirizam a esterilização a óxido de etileno ao omitir controles essenciais para a segurança do paciente exposto a possíveis resíduos tóxicos de óxido de etileno, favorecer práticas inseguras de esterilização de produtos para saúde, além de dificultar o controle de serviço de saúde pelas vigilâncias sanitárias do país.

Objectives: To describe acceptable residual levels of ethylene oxide in medical devices, analyze recommended aesther processes and compare them with the Brazilian regulation. Method: Integrative literature review, with specific descriptors, without year of publication restriction. Data search between October and November 2019, which resulted in 34 studies included in the study. Results: Current Brazilian regulation is outdated in relation to product classification, the determination of waste values ethylene oxide toxic in medical devices and the recommended processes for the aecization of these products, and may contribute to risks of adverse events for patients users of inappropriately aenated devices, and consequently urge their update. Conclusion: The shortcomings of this regulatory framework indirectly benefit companies that outsource ethylene oxide sterilization by omitting essential controls for safety of the patient exposed to possible toxic residues of ethylene oxide, unsafe practices of sterilization of health products, in addition to hindering the control of health service by the country's health surveillance.

Objetivos: Describir los niveles residuales aceptables de óxido de etileno (OE) en dispositivos médicos, analizar los procesos de aireación recomendados y compararlos con la normativa brasileña. Método: revisión integrativa de la literatura, con descriptores específicos, sin restricción de año de publicación. Búsqueda de datos entre octubre y noviembre de 2019, que resultó en 34 estudios incluidos en el estudio. Resultados: La normativa brasileña actual está desactualizada en cuanto a la clasificación de productos, determinación y valores de residuos tóxicos de OE en dispositivos médicos y procesos recomendados para la aireación de estos productos, lo que puede contribuir al riesgo de eventos adversos para los pacientes que utilizan una aireación inadecuada de dispositivos y, en consecuencia, se necesita urgentemente una actualización. Conclusión: Las brechas en este marco regulatorio benefician indirectamente a las empresas que externalizan la esterilización a OE, al omitir controles esenciales para la seguridad de los pacientes expuestos a posibles residuos tóxicos de OE, favoreciendo prácticas inseguras de esterilización de productos sanitarios, además de dificultar el control de servicio de salud por la Vigilancia Sanitaria del país.

Biomechanical modeling and experimental research of peripherally inserted venous catheter / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To conduct theoretical analysis and experimental research on peripherally inserted venous catheters, establish theoretical models of interaction between different materials catheters and simulated skin tissues, and test different catheters at the same time to provide theoretical basis and experimental basis for the optimization design.Methods:According to the mechanical properties of the catheter at 25 ℃ and 37 ℃, a finite element model of the catheter and simulate skin tissue was established. The relationship between catheter folds and material and structure during puncture was analyzed, and the stiffness, radiographic properties, etc. were tested experimentally.Results:The performance of the catheter at different temperatures is closely related to its material. The wrinkle situation of the catheter is related to the catheter material and the inclination of the wedge surface. The elastic modulus of the polyurethane (PU) catheter is about 500 MPa and 250 MPa, respectively at room temperature (25 ℃) and body temperature (37 ℃), which meets the clinical needs of high rigidity during puncture and soft material during indwelling. When the catheter structure is the same, the PU catheter is less prone to wrinkles than the fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP) catheter. When the catheter material is the same, the smaller the inclination of the wedge surface, the less likely the catheter to wrinkle.Conclusions:Appropriately reducing the inclination of the wedge-shaped surface of the needle of peripherally inserted venous catheters can improve the success rate of puncture. The PU catheters have good mechanical properties, they are not prone to wrinkles during puncture, and their stiffness can be reduced at body temperature, which can not only increase the success rate of puncture, but also reduce the occurrence of complications. Therefore, PU catheters have a better clinical application prospect.

Effects of simethicone combined with compound polyethylene glycol for bowel cleaning on the detection rate of colon polyps / 中华消化内镜杂志

To explore the effects of simethicone combined with compound polyethylene glycol for bowel cleaning on the detection rate of intestinal polyps. A total of 300 patients undergoing colonoscopy from May to July 2020 were randomly divided into group A and B. Patients in group A only used 2 packets of compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder for bowel cleaning. Patients in group B took simethicone combined with compound polyethylene glycol for intestinal cleaning. The time, method and dosage of compound polyethylene glycol were the same as those of group A. Intestinal cleanliness, intestinal defoaming degree, intestinal polyp detection rate and incidence of adverse reactions in group A and B were compared respectively. The scores of intestinal cleaning, the rate of intestinal foam removal and the detection rate of large and small polyps in group B were higher than those in group A. There was no significant difference in the incidence of short-term adverse reactions between the two groups. However, the incidence of postoperative abdominal distension in group B was significantly reduced. Simethicone combined with compound polyethylene glycol for bowel cleaning can significantly improve the degree of intestinal cleaning and improve postoperative abdominal distension. It has obvious effects on improving the detection date of intestinal polyps and preventing the occurrence of certain intestinal tumors. The method is simple, feasible and economical, which is worth promoting.

In vitro study of different methods in the removal of calcium hydroxide from root canals / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To compare the efficacy of different methods in the removal of calcium hydroxide from root canals and to provide a reference for clinical treatment. @*Methods@# A total of 160 extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars were instrumented up to ProTaper Universal F4. The roots were split longitudinally, and standardized groove and depression models were prepared and filled with calcium hydroxide. The samples were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=40) according to different irrigation methods: syringe needle irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation, XP-endo finisher (XPF) irrigation, and M3-Max irrigation. Each group was then divided into 2 subgroups (n=20) according to the irrigation protocol: NaOCl and NaOCl+EDTA. Photos of grooves and depressions were taken under a microscope after irrigation, and the residual calcium hydroxide was scored to compare the removal effects of different irritation methods and solutions.@*Results@#In the groove and depression model, when sodium hypochlorite is used as the irrigation fluid, ultrasound irrigation, XPF and M3-Max are better than syringe needle irrigation in removing calcium hydroxide (P < 0.05); when sodium hypochlorite combined with EDTA flushing, the effect of removing calcium hydroxide with ultrasound irrigation, XPF and M3-Max is better than that of syringe needle irrigation (P < 0.05); but there is no statistically significant difference between ultrasound, XPF and M3-Max (P > 0.05); when compared with the use of sodium hypochlorite, the combined use of EDTA irrigation could enhance the effect of ultrasonic irrigation, XPF and M3 Max on the removal of calcium hydroxide (P < 0.05), but there was no significant improvement in the syringe needle irrigation group (P > 0.05). @*Conclusion @#Sodium hypochlorite combined with EDTA can enhance the effect of ultrasonic irrigation, XPF and M3 Max on the removal of calcium hydroxide, and there is no significant difference among these approaches, which are more effective than syringe needle irrigation.

Intracellular uptake of nanocrystals: Probing with aggregation-induced emission of fluorescence and kinetic modeling

Nanocrystal formulations have been explored to deliver poorly water-soluble drug molecules. Despite various studies of nanocrystal formulation and delivery, much more understanding needs to be gained into absorption mechanisms and kinetics of drug nanocrystals at various levels, ranging from cells to tissues and to the whole body. In this study, nanocrystals of tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethylene (THPE) with an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property was used as a model to explore intracellular absorption mechanism and dissolution kinetics of nanocrystals. Cellular uptake studies were conducted with KB cells and characterized by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and quantitative analyses. The results suggested that THPE nanocrystals could be taken up by KB cells directly, as well as in the form of dissolved molecules. The cellular uptake was found to be concentration- and time-dependent. In addition, the intracellular THPE also could be exocytosed from cells in forms of dissolved molecules and nanocrystals. Kinetic modeling was conducted to further understand the cellular mechanism of THPE nanocrystals based on first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). By fitting the kinetic model against experimental measurements, it was found that the initial nanocrystal concentration had a great influence on the dynamic process of dissolution, cellular uptake, and exocytosis of THPE nanocrystals. As the nanocrystal concentration increased in the culture media, dissolution of endocytosed nanocrystals became enhanced, subsequently driving the efflux of THPE molecules from cells.

The biological fate of the polymer nanocarrier material monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-

Monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-

Synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers of vanillic acid and extraction of vanillic acid from spiked blood serum

Vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid) is a phenolic acid found in many plant extracts. It is used as aflavoring and scent agent and produces a pleasant, creamy odor. It is widely used in many applications for therapeuticpurposes to flavoring agent. Molecularly imprinted polymers of vanillic acid were synthesized by precipitationpolymerization with a noncovalent approach for the extraction from blood serum. Three different imprinted polymershave been synthesized with varying molar ratio of monomer. The synthesized polymer particles were characterizedusing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The extraction efficiency of highlyselected imprinted polymer of vanillic acid from spiked blood serum was about 80%.

Source Analysis of Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Residues in Medical Devices / 中国医疗器械杂志

At present, the most commonly used sterilization method for medical devices is ethylene oxide sterilization. The residue after sterilization is closely related to the health of the people who contacted with the medical devices. The study team analyzed the possible residues of medical devices after sterilization with ethyleneoxide. It is suggested that ethylene oxide, 2-chloroethanol and ethylene glycol should be evaluated comprehensively through the analysis of factors such as production links of medical devices, production process of ethylene oxide, sterilization process, sterilization environment and detection method.

Analysis changes of Epimedii Folium's flavonoids before and after processing based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS / 中草药

Objective: Based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS technology, the fingerprint of Epimediumkoreanum before and after processing was established to analyze the whole composition and find out the iconic chemical composition to clarify the change rule of flavonoids. Methods: The data of E.koreanum raw and processed products were collected in positive ion mode using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS technology, and orthogonal partial least least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) method was used to explore the differences in chemical composition of E.koreanum before and after processing in nine different origins and batches. Results: Nine iconic chemical constituents from E.koreanum raw and processed products were found and identified, including 8-ethylene-kaempferol, icaritin, icariin I, icartin-3-O-glucoside, isoamyl alcohol sagittatoside B,1,3-prenyl epimedin C, 1,3-prenyl-sagittatoside B-7-O-glucuronic acid, 3-O-((4-acetoxy) rhamnose-2-O-(m-2acetoxy) glucose) icariin and its isomers. Conclusion: The structures of E.koreanum's flavonoids changed after the processing, the secondary glycosides of flavonoids increased, the polyglycosides decreased, and the flavonoids were generally converted to low glycoside components, which further clarified the change rule of E.koreanum's flavonoids after processing.