Rapid hemostatic antibacterial self-gelling powder based on methacryloylsulfonyl betaine and quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan.

Hemostatic powders can be used for deep wounds and wounds with irregular shapes that are frequently inaccessible to traditional hemostatic dressings like hemostatic gauze, sponges, and foams. In this study, sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) and quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (QCCS) were combined to create an antibacterial hemostatic hydrogel through photopolymerization under green LED irradiation, which was then changed into PSBMA/QCCS powder. PSBMA/QCCS powder could quickly form hydrogel with strong wet adhesion. The internal structure, water absorption capacity, and adhesion properties of the powder were evaluated. The coagulation ability, antimicrobial properties, and biocompatibility of the powder were also characterized. The PSBMA/QCCS powder could aggregate blood cells and platelets to enhance hemostasis. Meanwhile, PSBMA/QCCS powder also showed effective antibacterial ability against both gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). In summary, PSBMA/QCCS powder is a promising hemostatic agent with the characteristics of quick hemostasis, tough wet adhesion, satisfactory biocompatibility, considerable antibacterial effect, and adaptability to any irregularly shaped wounds.

BO3 Triangle and B@Zn2O3 Cationic Layer in the Structure of the Hybrid Zinc Acetate Borate [ZnAc]·[ZnBO3].

A zinc acetate borate, [ZnAc]·[ZnBO3] (1), was synthesized under mild conditions; the B@Zn2O3 layer of 1 contains a 6-membered ring embedded with a rare BO3 unit. The layers are pillared by acetate ions to form a 3D framework. The pillared structure of 1 supplies enough space as a nanoreactor, and the related application of CO2-to-CO reduction has been confirmed.

Formation Mechanism of a Polyanonic Framework from Layer to Chain Explored by Adjusting Time, Temperature, and pH: Preparation and Characterization of Metal-Complex-Templated 1D Borate and 2D Nickel Borate.

The first column of two-dimensional (2D)-layered metal-complex-templated nickel borate was obtained by using a solvothermal synthesis method. The 2D nickel borate [Ni(en)3]·[Ni0.5B6O8(OH)4]·Cl (1; en = ethylenediamine) contains [Ni(en)3]2+, Cl-, and the first reported inorganic nickel borate layer [Ni0.5B6O8(OH)4]-, which is formed by the interconnection of Ni and O atoms in the B-O cluster. By increasing the reaction temperature during the synthesis process of compound 1, the one-dimensional (1D) chain nickel borate [Ni(en)3]2·[B7O10(OH)3]·Cl2 (2) was obtained, wherein the [B7O10(OH)3] cluster was connected through an O atom to form a 1D chain structure. By adjusting the molar ratio of the raw materials, that is, adjusting the pH of the reaction, the other 1D chain nickel borate Ni(en)3·Hen·[B9O13(OH)4]·H2O (3) was obtained, in which [B5O8(OH)2] and [B4O7(OH)2] clusters can be connected via a common O atom to form an infinite [B9O13(OH)4] polyanionic chain. Meanwhile, we successfully synthesized the isoform of compound 3 with the metal cadmium.

A new approach to screening cancer stem cells from the U251 human glioma cell line based on cell growth state.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play important roles in the biological behaviour of malignant tumours. To study their properties, they must be carefully identified and purified. Cancer cells can acquire three different morphological types during single cell cloning. A small subpopulation of clones acquires a regular and compact shape, and these clones are enriched for CSCs; however, the majority of clones have an irregular morphology with loose intercellular junctions, with fewer characteristics of CSCs. At present, the main method to isolate CSCs is to collect the regular clones in low-density culture conditions; therefore, an insufficient amount of CSCs is obtained for clonal expansion. To obtain a more sufficient amount of CSCs, the clones with an irregular and loose morphology were examined in our study. We found a small subpopulation of U251 glioma cells that arrested in the suspended state and that subsequently migrated to form new clones. The suspended cells were isolated from the irregular and loose clones. Clonogenic assays were performed in which 43.70% of the suspended cells and 32.91% of the adherent cells formed new clones. To determine the biological differences between the suspended and adherent cells, carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) labelling, MTT assays, and cell cycle assays were performed. The results demonstrated that the suspended cells had the characteristics of CSCs, including higher proliferation rates, as well as self-maintenance and self-renewal capabilities, and they stained positively for markers of brain CSCs and had multilineage potential. Thus, we established a new and efficient approach for screening CSCs from the U251 human glioma cell line based on the cell growth state.

The highly conserved 5' untranslated region as an effective target towards the inhibition of Enterovirus 71 replication by unmodified and appropriate 2'-modified siRNAs.

BACKGROUND: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a highly infectious agent that plays an etiological role in hand, foot, and mouth disease. It is associated with severe neurological complications and has caused significant mortalities in recent large-scale outbreaks. Currently, no effective vaccine or specific clinical therapy is available against EV71. METHODS: Unmodified 21 nucleotide small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and classic 2'-modified (2'-O-methylation or 2'-fluoro modification) siRNAs were designed to target highly conserved 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the EV71 genome and employed as anti-EV71 agents. Real-time TaqMan RT-PCR, western blot analysis and plaque assays were carried out to evaluate specific viral inhibition by the siRNAs. RESULTS: Transfection of rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells with siRNAs targeting the EV71 genomic 5' UTR significantly delayed and alleviated the cytopathic effects of EV71 infection, increased cell viability in EV71-infected RD cells. The inhibitory effect on EV71 replication was sequence-specific and dosage-dependent, with significant corresponding decreases in viral RNA, VP1 protein and viral titer. Appropriate 2'-modified siRNAs exhibited similar RNA interference (RNAi) activity with dramatically increased serum stability in comparison with unmodified counterparts. CONCLUSION: Sequences were identified within the highly conserved 5' UTR that can be targeted to effectively inhibit EV71 replication through RNAi strategies. Appropriate 2'-modified siRNAs provide a promising approach to optimizing siRNAs to overcome barriers on RNAi-based antiviral therapies for broader administration.