Vancomycin-loaded hydrogels with thermal-responsive, self-peeling, and sustainable antibacterial properties for wound dressing.

Wound dressings play an important role in wound healing. However, many wound dressings lack antibacterial properties and are difficult to remove from newly grown tissues, causing secondary wound injuries and repeated medical treatment. This study reports a new type of thermal-responsive hydrogel dressing consisting of vancomycin-loaded gelatin nanospheres (GNs) and poly((N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-N-(methylol acrylamide)) functional components that could impart self-peeling and sustainable antibacterial properties. SEM images showed that the prepared hydrogel possessed a porous microstructure and the homogeneous distribution of GNs in its network. Excellent swelling ratios and thermal-induced self-peeling characteristics were confirmed by qualitative analysis. The GNs not only enhanced the strain at break of the hydrogel, but also acted as drug carriers to slow down the drug release from the hydrogel, achieving sustainable antibacterial properties and balanced biocompatibility. Therefore, this vancomycin-loaded hydrogel with self-peeling characteristics provides an effective way of preventing wound infection and can be used as a novel platform for wide-ranging applications of wound dressings.

The post plasma-catalytic decomposition of toluene over K-modified OMS-2 catalysts at ambient temperature: Effect of K+ loading amount and reaction mechanism.

The present work is devoted to study the post plasma-catalytic (PPC) degradation of toluene using packed-bed discharge (PBD) plasma over K-modified manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) catalysts at ambient temperature. Compared to plasma alone, PPC can significantly improve the toluene degradation and mineralization performance simultaneously, and the generation of discharge byproducts and organic intermediates is suppressed. The catalytic capacity of OMS-2 for toluene degradation is greatly promoted by tuning potassium ions (K+) content in OMS-2 tunnel, which might be owing to the formation of more surface active oxygen species derived from weak Mn-O bonds, plenty of oxygen vacancies, as well as more superior low-temperature reducibility. Highest toluene degradation efficiency (89.4%) and COx selectivity (88.9%) can be achieved in plasma-catalysis system over K-modified OMS-2 sample with K/Mn molar ratio of 2 at the SIE of 658 J/L. A long-term stability test has also been successfully carried out to evaluate the stability of K-modified OMS-2 with the assistance of plasma. Possible reaction mechanism for plasma-catalytic degradation of toluene on K-modified OMS-2 catalyst has been proposed based on the plasma diagnosis, catalysts characterization, and organic intermediates identification. This work aims to gaina deeperunderstandingof plasma-catalytic degradation mechanism and provides an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient method for practical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) abatement in PPC process.

Degradation of toluene by pulse-modulated multistage DBD plasma: Key parameters optimization through response surface methodology (RSM) and degradation pathway analysis.

In the present work, a pulse-modulated high-frequency (HF) dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma has been employed and utilized to evaluate the feasibility of toluene degradation in a multistage rod-type reactor at room temperature. Experimental result indicates that the energy consumption is significantly reduced and heating effect can be effectively suppressed when the DBD plasma is ignited in pulse-modulated mode instead of continuous mode. The response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) model has been proposed to evaluate the contribution of key operating parameters including duty cycle and modulation frequency. The proposed model offers a good fit for actal data. The contribution of the modulation frequency is observed to be more dominant compared to the duty cycle for both the degradation efficiency and the energy yield. According to the results provided by the proposed model, the toluene degradation efficiency of 62.9 % and the energy yield of 0.90 g/kWh are obtained under the optimal conditions of 400 Hz modulation frequency and 56 % duty cycle. The effect of initial toluene concentration and gas flow rate have also been investigated. Increasing toluene initial concentration and gas flow rate are found to be unfavorable for the degradation of toluene, however, which are of benefit to the energy yield. A long-time experiment to assess the stability of pulse-modulated DBD has been successful performed. The possible pathways in plasma degradation of toluene is proposed based on the intermediates identification using GC-MS and FTIR.

MicroRNA expression profiling of lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei, China: A preliminary study.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to be related to the development and progression of lung cancer. However, the expression signatures of miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei are not yet clear. The current study aimed to identify the potential miRNA profiles in lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei by microarray.The miRNA profiles in 24 lung adenocarcinoma and paired non-tumor tissues in Xuanwei were ascertained by using the Exiqon miRCURY LNA microRNA Array (v.18.0). The results of the microarrays were further verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) detection. Bioinformatics analysis was used to carry out the functional annotations of differentially expressed miRNAs.One hundred fifty five differentially expressed (≥2-fold change) miRNAs were identified (65 upregulated and 90 downregulated). QRT-PCR was used to validate the top 4 most upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, and the results were generally consisted with microarray. Furthermore, the differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in numerous common pathways that were bound up with cancer. The pathways included focal adhesion and signaling pathways, such as cyclic guanosine monophosphate -protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and Hippo signaling pathway, etc.Our study identified the potential miRNA profiles in lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei by microarray. These miRNAs might be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and/or prognosis for lung cancer in Xuanwei and therefore warrant further investigation. Further study is needed to reveal the potential role of these miRNAs in the carcinogenesis of XuanWei Lung Cancer (XWLC).

Morphology-tunable tellurium nanomaterials produced by the tellurite-reducing bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. ZYM-1.

Although tellurite is highly toxic to organisms, elemental tellurium nanomaterials (TeNMs) have many uses. The microbe-mediated reduction of tellurite to Te(0) has been shown to be a green and cost-effective approach for turning waste into wealth. However, it is difficult to tune the morphology of biogenic nanomaterials. In this study, a series of experiments was conducted to investigate the factors influencing tellurite reduction by the tellurite-reducing bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. ZYM-1, including pH, tellurite concentration, temperature, and heavy metal ions. The optimal removal efficiency of tellurite was respectively achieved at pH 8, 0.5 mM tellurite, and 40 °C. All of the tested metal ions retarded the reduction of tellurite, especially Cd2+ and Co2+, which completely inhibited its reduction. Further characterization of the biogenic TeNMs indicated that their morphology could be tuned by the tellurite concentration, pH, temperature, and organic solvents used. Regular Te nanosheets were produced using 5 mM tellurite. The TeNMs were primarily synthesized in the cell membrane. Hexagonal Te nanoplates, nanorods, nanoflowers, and nanobranches were synthesized when combining membrane fractions with tellurite and NADH. The diverse morphologies are assumed to be induced by the synergy between the reduction kinetics and the protein structure. Therefore, this study confirmed that the bacterium can tune the morphology of TeNMs, broadening the potential application of biogenic TeNMs.

The prognostic value of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in patients with esophageal cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Published studies have investigated the prognostic role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in patients with esophageal cancer (EC), but the result remains controversial. Thus, this meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the impact of COX-2 expression on the prognostic value in patients with EC. Relevant studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Studies that detected the COX-2 expression by immunohistochemistry and evaluated the relationship between COX-2 expression and overall survival (OS) or clinicopathological parameters were used in our analysis. The summary hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios were calculated to assess the risk or hazard association. A total of 25 studies, which included 2,465 patients, were included in our meta-analysis. Our analysis suggested that overexpression of COX-2 was associated with poor OS (HR =1.60, 95% CI =1.32-1.94, P<0.001). Subgroup analyses by race, percentage of high/positive COX-2 expression, histology type, treatment, and sample size all suggested significant association. Moreover, overexpression of COX-2 was significantly associated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage. This meta-analysis suggested that overexpression of COX-2 might serve as a prognostic biomarker for EC. Large well-designed prospective studies are needed to confirm our conclusion.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Selenite- and Tellurite-Reducing Marine Bacterium, Lysinibacillus sp. Strain ZYM-1.

Lysinibacillus sp. ZYM-1, a Gram-positive strain isolated from marine sediments, reduces selenite and tellurite efficiently. Meanwhile, it also exhibits high resistance to Zn2+ and Mn2+. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain ZYM-1, which contains genes related to selenite and tellurite reduction and also metal resistance.

[Relation between complexes iotramolecular transfer and structure of [M(SS) (NN)](M = Zn2+, Cd2+)].

The title complexes of [M(SS)(NN)](M = Zn2+, Cd+; SS = 1,2-dicyano 1,2-ethylene -dithiolate or maleonitriledithiolate; NN = 5-nitro-1,10 phenanthroline) were synthesized. The electronic absorption spectra of complexes [M(SS)(NN)] in DMSO, DMF, acetone and Py were reported. The spectra absorption bands 270-280 nm, 320-350 nm and 350-390 nm are the intraligand pi(b) --> pi* transfer of ligand mnt(2-) and 5-NOz-phen. The spectra absorption band 400-500 nm is intramolecular charge transfer (LL'CT) from a ligand (mnt(2-)) to another ligand (5-NO2- phen) The relation between electronic spectra absorption band and correlative transition in the molecular orbital energy level diagram of the complexes was investigated. The LL'CT band of the title complexes is weaker by comparison with M(SS) (NN) (M = Co2+, Fe2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+). The LL'CT band of [M(SS) (NN)](M = Zn2+, Cd2+) (7b2 to 7b1) is symmetry forbidden.

[Changes of adenylate cyclase on cerebral regions related to mophine dependence in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of adenylate cyclase(AC) on cerebral regions related to morphine dependence in rats and investigate the relationship between the enzymological changes and the mechanism of morphine dependence. METHODS: The technique of enzyme-histochemistry was used to detect the variations of AC of special seven cerebral regions including frontalis cortex, lenticula, corpus amygdaloideun, substantia nigra, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray and locus coerleus in morphine dependent rats. The enzymological changes were observed by optical microscope. Changes of gray degree of these cerebral regions were also observed by using the image analysis system. RESULTS: Compared with those in control group, the contents of AC in morphine dependent groups were increased. CONCLUSION: The contents of AC are increase in those regions. The mechanism of morphine dependence close related to the increasing of AC. The correlation of the mechanism of morphine dependence and up-regulation of AC/cAMP-PKA system is discussed.

[Infrared spectra and coordinated mode of manganese (II), iron (II), cobalt (II) complexes with dithiolene and 1, 10-phenanthroline-5, 6-dione ligands].

The infrared spectra and far-infrared spectra of M(mnt)(phen-5, 6-dione) [M= Manganese(II), Iron(II), Cobalt(II). mnt2- = 1, 2-dicyano-1, 2-ethylenedithiolate or maleonitriledithiolate, phen-5, 6-dione = 1, 10-phenanthroline-5, 6-dione] are reported in detail. In infrared spectra and far-infrared, characteristic v (C[triplebond]N) , v (C==)) , (C==C) v (C-N), v (C-S), v (M-S) and V(M-N) are very strong. Far-infrared spectra shows that M-S bond is slightly strong than M-N bond. Through comparing infrared spectra, simple regular coordinate mode of M(mnt) (phen-5, 6-dione) is analysed. The relation between infrared spectra and structure of the title complexes is discussed. In the title complexes, transition metals ion with 1, 2-dicyano-1, 2-ethylenedithiolate and 1, 10-phenanthroline-5, 6-dione form quadridentate distortion tetrahedral configuration molecules. The symmetry is approximate to C2 and C2v.

Postmortem changes in the central nervous system and adrenal medulla of the heroin addicts.

This study describes the pathological changes in 20 heroin addicts (12 male and 8 female) autopsied 24 h after sudden death. The central nervous system (including the pituitary body) and the adrenal medulla were studied, along with those from age-matched controls who died from traffic accidents. Immunohistochemistry and histological (Hematoxylin and eosin) observation were performed. Some neuronal cells in every region of the CNS were positive for opioid receptors but these cells were most numerous in the hippocampus. Positive opioid fibers were most abundant in the basal ganglia region. Histopathology indicated coagulative changes of cytoplasm and dissolution of Nissl bodies of neuron. Edema of nerve fibers was frequently demonstrated. Pituitary body showed an evident decrease or even absence of basophils in the pars anterior. The adrenal medulla featured a down regulation of chromaffin granules. Degeneration of CNS neurons and fibers, alterations in hormonal and blood pressure regulation therefore would be the prime targets of heroin addiction in human subjects.