Vancomycin-Loaded Sol-Gel System for In Situ Coating of Artificial Bone to Prevent Surgical Site Infections.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) related to implants have always been a major challenge for clinical doctors and patients. Clinically, doctors may directly apply antibiotics into the wound to prevent SSIs. However, this strategy is strongly associated with experience of doctors on the amount and the location of antibiotics. Herein, an in situ constructable sol-gel system is developed containing antibiotics during surgical process and validated the efficacy against SSIs in beagles. The system involves chitosan (CS), ß-glycerophosphate (ß-GP) and vancomycin (VAN), which can be adsorbed onto porous hydroxyapatite (HA) and form VAN-CS/ß-GP@HA hydrogel in a short time. The VAN concentration from VAN-CS/ß-GP@HA hydrogel is higher than minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) at the 21st day in vitro. In an in vivo canine model for the prevention of SSIs in the femoral condyle, VAN-CS/ß-GP@HA exhibits excellent biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, and promotion of bone healing. In all, the CS/ß-GP instant sol-gel system is able to in situ encapsulate antibiotics and adhere on artificial bone implants during the surgery, effectively preventing SSIs related to implants.

A peptidic network antibody inhibits both angiogenesis and inflammatory response.

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is a global threat to human health. Traditional anti-angiogenesis agent may have therapy effect, while the inflammation in disease area remains unsolved. Herein, we reported two binding-induced fibrillogenesis (BIF) peptides as peptidic network antibodies for high-efficient and long-lasting anti-angiogenesis with reduced inflammatory response. BIF peptides could self-assemble into nanoparticles and further perform BIF behavior through binding Ca2+. In vitro, the migration of integrin αvß3 highly expressed endothelial cells was inhibited by BIF peptides. In vivo, one BIF peptide (0.012 mg/Kg) exhibited higher anti-angiogenesis effect than monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (0.96 mg/Kg) in a CNV rabbit model on day 14, despite that the dose of BIF was only 1.3% of bevacizumab. Meanwhile, the inflammatory response, such as PI3 kinase/Akt pathway in CNV was successfully inhibited as well. The peptidic network antibody could block integrin αvß3 via a long-term retention mode, which led to long-term therapeutic effect. The study provides BIF peptides as promising therapeutic agents for both anti-angiogenesis and reduced inflammatory response.

Boron nitride aerogels incorporated with metal nanoparticles: Multifunctional platforms for iodine capture and detection.

Radioactive iodine vapors produced by nuclear fission can pose a significant risk to human health and the environment. Effective monitoring of iodine vapor leakage, capture and storage of radioactive iodine vapor are of great importance for the safety of the nuclear industry. Herein, we report a novel structure-function integrated solid iodine vapor adsorbent based on metal-modified boron nitride (BN) aerogel. Metal-modified BN aerogels incorporated with Cu/Ag nanoparticles (named as BN-Cu and BN-Ag, respectively) are successfully prepared by a metal-induced, ultrasonic-assisted, and in-situ transformation method. The metal-modified BN aerogels show improved mechanical properties in both of the maximum stress and residual deformation. Remarkably, due to the greatly enhanced "host-guest" and "guest-guest" effects by the introduction of metal nanoparticles, the BN-Cu and BN-Ag aerogels exhibit record-breaking iodine vapor adsorption capacities among inorganic adsorbents (1739.8 and 2234.13 wt% respectively), which are even higher than that of most organic adsorbents. Furthermore, an integrated iodine adsorption detection device based on metal-modified aerogels is constructed to realize real-time detection of the electrical properties of aerogels during iodine adsorption. This work provides a foundation for the development of BN aerogels as multifunctional platforms for effective iodine capture and detection. It also introduces new ideas for the use of structural-functional integrated materials in the prevention and control of radioactive iodine pollution.

Identification of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in sheep farms in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia, China (short communication).

BACKGROUND: Paratuberculosis is a widespread chronic infection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) that causes significant economic losses to the sheep industry. The current study investigated this disease, which causes diarrhea in sheep, particularly, in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia, China. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, pathological autopsy, histopathological inspection, and serological and molecular methods. RESULTS: MAP was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction using DNA extracted from tissue and fecal samples. Serum samples from 472 individual sheep were obtained to detect antibodies against MAP using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAP antibodies were separately detected in 17.86% (35/196) and 18.48% (51/276) of sheep herds at approximately 6 months and ≥ 1 year of age, respectively. The tissue lesion and pathological section results were consistent with paratuberculosis infection. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis seroprevalence in Bayannaoer sheep in Inner Mongolia. Our findings show that MAP is not only prevalent, but also a potential threat to this region. Further investigations, including long-term epidemiological surveillance and isolation are needed for the awareness and effective treatment of paratuberculosis in sheep of Inner Mongolia.

Establishment and Application of a Dual TaqMan Real-Time PCR Method for Proteus Mirabilis and Proteus Vulgaris.

Proteus species are common opportunistic bacteria and foodborne pathogens. The proper detection of Proteus can effectively reduce the occurrence of food-borne public health events. Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris are the two most important pathogens in the Proteus genus. In this study, a dual TaqMan Real-Time PCR method was established to simultaneously detect and distinguish P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris in samples. The method exhibited good specificity, stability, and sensitivity. Specifically, the minimum detection concentrations of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris in pure bacterial cultures were 6.08 × 102 colony forming units (CFU)/ml and 4.46 × 102 CFU/ml, respectively. Additionally, the minimum detectable number of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris in meat and milk was 103 CFU/g. In addition, the method can be used to distinguish between strains of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris within two hours. Overall, it is a sensitive, easy-to-use, and practical test for the identification and classification of Proteus in food.

Behavioral, inflammatory and neurochemical disturbances in LPS and UCMS-induced mouse models of depression.

The immuno-inflammatory activation triggered by various stresses play an important role in pathophysiology of depression. The immune responses display differential pathological characters in different stresses. However, comparative data and analysis on behavioural, inflammatory and neurochemical changes in different stress-induced depression is limited. To imitate different stressful situations, in this study, mice were subjected to a single injection of LPS (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and UCMS (4 week period), respectively. LPS-stressed mice showed more immobility time in FST and TST, as well as more time in periphery in OFT than UCMS-stressed mice. Further, LPS-stressed mice showed robuster expression and release of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in serum and depression-related brain areas (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum) as compared to UCMS-stressed mice. The ELISA results showed that IDO expression was significantly increased following LPS and UCMS stresses, but more increased IDO expression was observed in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of LPS-stressed mice. The decrease of 5-HT and BDNF was detected only in hippocampus of LPS-stressed mice, but in overall all the brain areas assessed in UCMS-stressed mice as compared to control. The data indicate that LPS induced more severe depressive-like behaviours and robuster immune activation than UCMS. Our study strongly imply that hippocampus is relatively more vulnerable to acute inflammatory challenge in depression, while chronic psychological stress is more likely to cause the multidimensional symptoms of clinical depression. Our findings provide more insight into pathophysiology in various stress-induced depression and also implicate a potential suitability of different stress models.

Complete Genome Sequence of Trueperella pyogenes, Isolated from Infected Farmland Goats.

Trueperella pyogenes is a significant pathogen of livestock, causing diverse diseases, such as mastitis, liver abscessation, and pneumonia. In this study, we have reported the genome sequence of Trueperella pyogenes 2012CQ-ZSH. Moreover, several genes coding for virulence factors were found, such as pyolysin (PYO), nanH, nanP, cbpA, fimC, and fimE.

Two-dimensional pseudo-random optical phased array based on tandem optical injection locking of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers.

We demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, a pseudo-random, two-dimensional optical phased array (OPA) concept based on tandem injection locking of 64-element vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays. A low cavity-Q VCSEL design resulted in an injection locking optical power of less than 1 µW per VCSEL, providing large OPA scaling potential. Tandem injection locking of two VCSEL arrays resulted in measured controllable optical phase change of 0-1.6π. A high quality beam formed with suppressed grating lobes due to the pseudo-random array design was demonstrated with performance close to simulated results. A preliminary 2.2° x 1.2° beam steering example using the tandem arrays was also demonstrated.

Compact 4.7 W, 18.3% wall-plug efficiency green laser based on an electrically pumped VECSEL using intracavity frequency doubling.

We have demonstrated a compact, 4.7 W green laser based on an electrically pumped vertical external-cavity surface emitting laser through intracavity frequency doubling. The overall wall-plug efficiency (electrical to green) was 18.3%. The power fluctuations were measured to be ±1.4% over a 2 h time period.

[Assessment comparison between area sampling and personal sampling noise measurement in new thermal power plant].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of noise hazard evaluations based on area sampling and personal sampling in a new thermal power plant and to analyze the similarities and differences between the two measurement methods. METHODS: According to Measurement of Physical agents in Workplace Part 8: Noise(GBZff 189.8-2007), area sampling was performed at various operating points for noise measurement, and meanwhile the workers under different types of work wore noise dosimeters for personal noise exposure measurement. The two measurement methods were used to evaluate the level of noise hazards in the enterprise according to the corresponding occupational health standards, and the evaluation results were compared. RESULTS: Area sampling was performed at 99 operating points, the mean noise level was 88.9 ± 11.1 dB (A)(range, 51.3-107.0 dB (A)), with an over-standard rate of 75.8%. Personal sampling was performed (73 person times),and the mean noise level was 79.3 ± 6.3 dB (A), with an over-standard rate of 6.6% ( 16/241 ). There was a statistically significant difference in the over-standard rate between the evaluation results of the two measurement methods ( x2=53.869, ?<0.001 ). CONCLUSION: Because of the characteristics of the work in new thermal power plants, the noise hazard evaluation based on area sampling cannot be used instead of personal noise exposure measurement among workers. Personal sampling should be used in the noise measurement in new thermal power plant.

Nanolithography using spin-coatable ZrO(2) resist and its application to sub-10 nm direct pattern transfer on compound semiconductors.

A typical method for sub-micrometer compound semiconductor dry etching utilizes polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to transfer patterns to SiO(2) as intermediate masks, which limits its ability to obtain etching resolutions approaching sub-10 nm. We report a new approach for direct sub-10 nm pattern transfer using sol-gel derived spin-coatable ZrO(2) resist as the mask. The optimal dose of ZrO(2) resist is ∼160 mC cm(-2). The sample InP compound semiconductor etching selectivity to ZrO(2) is over 13:1, with high aspect ratio of 35:1. The smallest etching feature is 9 nm. These results will be very useful for realizing various challenging nanoscale photonic and electronic devices and circuits.

Organic electro-optic modulator using transparent conducting oxides as electrodes.

A novel organic electro-optic (EO) modulator using transparent conducting oxides (ZnO and In2O3) as electrodes is demonstrated for the first time. The modulator employs the poled guest-host chromophore/polymer material AJL8/APC having r33=35pm/V and is able to achieve a low Vpi=2.8 V switching voltage for an 8mm-long device at a wavelength of 1.31ìm. This corresponds to a Vpi=1.1 V switching voltage for a 1cm-long device in a push-pull configuration. The push-pull VpiL figure of merit normalized for the EO coefficient is thus 1.1V-cm/(35pm/V), which is 3-4x lower than that can be achieved with a convetional modulator structure. The bottom electrode is ZnO grown by Metal-Organic Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) and top electrode In2O3 deposited using ionbeam assisted deposition. The top electrode is directly deposited on the guest-host organic material. The design and fabrication considerations for the modulator are also discussed.