Hyaluronic acid-based multifunctional bio-active coating integrated with cinnamaldehyde/hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for fruit preservation.

Natural preservatives such as cinnamaldehyde (CIN) are garnering increasing interest to replace their synthetic counterparts in maintaining fruit freshness and safety. However, their long-term effectiveness and widespread application have been greatly limited due to high volatility and potent aroma. To address these challenges, we developed a viable and simple strategy to prepare a multifunctional active coating for fruit preservation by incorporating host-guest inclusion complex of CIN and 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) CIN@HP-ß-CD into hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural polysaccharide with exceptional film-forming properties. The as-prepared HA/CIN@HP-ß-CD coatings exhibited universal surface affinity, excellent antimicrobial performance, and satisfactory antioxidant properties with no potential toxicity. Release kinetic studies have demonstrated that CIN in the coating is continuously and slowly released. Furthermore, freshness preservation experiments on bananas and fresh-cut apples demonstrated that the developed coating is effective in preserving the color of fruit, decreasing the weight loss rate, preventing the microorganism's growth, and significantly extending the period of freshness, exhibiting the potential for application in fruit preservation.

Synthesis, characterization, thermal stability, and in vitro and in vivo degradation study of polycaprolactone and polyglycolide block copolymers.

Biodegradable polymer materials are attractive in various biomedical applications. Herein, we report a block aliphatic copolymer, polycaprolactone-block-polyglycolide (PCL-b-PGA, denoted as PCLGA), and explored the polymer composition effect on the thermal and degradation behaviors. Three copolymers with different PCL/PGA weight ratios were obtained by a two-step ring opening polymerization. The chemical structures and compositions of copolymers were studied by NMR and FT-IR. The thermal behaviors were investigated by DSC and TGA. The in vitro degradation in phosphate buffer saline and in vivo degradation as an implant in rats were evaluated and the hygroscopic rate and polymer weight loss changes were monitored in an eight-week period. PCLGA with a higher PCL composition showed a slower degradation in vitro and in vivo. These PCLGAs with different degradation rates could be used as biomedical implants for potential application in drug delivery and tissue repair.

Chemical Analysis and Simulated Pyrolysis of Tobacco Heating System 2.2 Compared to Conventional Cigarettes.

Introduction: Tobacco Heating System 2.2 (THS 2.2, marketed as iQOS) is a heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco product that has been successfully introduced to global markets. Despite its expanding market, few independent and systematic researches into THS 2.2 have been carried out to date. Methods: We tested a comprehensive list of total particulate matter (TPM), water, tar, nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, aromatic amines, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, N-nitrosamines, phenol, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon under both ISO and HCI regimes. We also simulated pyrolysis of THS 2.2 heating sticks and made comparisons with conventional cigarette tobacco fillers using comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC × GC-MS) to determine whether the specially designed ingredients help reduce harmful constituents. Results: Other than some carbonyls, ammonia, and N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB), the delivered releases from THS 2.2 were at least 80% lower than those from 3R4F. Tar and nicotine remained almost the same as 3R4F. Interestingly, the normalized yield of THS 2.2 to 3R4F under the HCI regime was lower than that under the ISO regime. Conclusions: THS 2.2 delivered fewer harmful constituents than the conventional cigarette 3R4F. Simulated pyrolysis results showed that the lower temperature instead of specially designed ingredients contributed to the distinct shift. In particular, if smoking machines are involved to evaluate the HNB products, smoking regimes of heat-not-burn tobacco products should be carefully chosen. Implications: To our knowledge, few independent studies of HNB products have been published. In this paper, a comprehensive list of chemical releases was tested systematically and compared to those from 3R4F. Although THS 2.2 generates lower levels of harmful constituents, the nicotine and tar levels were almost identical to 3R4F.The results should be discussed carefully in the future when assessing the dual-use with other conventional cigarettes, nicotine dependence of HNB products, etc. This study also suggests that regulatory agencies should pay attention to the smoking regimes that are adopted to evaluate HNB tobacco products.

A 6-Month Follow-Up Study of the Relation between Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relation between ApoE gene polymorphisms and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during a 6-month follow-up. METHODS: From October 2016 to July 2017, 211 patients were admitted to a cardiology clinic with a diagnosis of ACS. Blood samples were obtained from all patients on the first day. The primary end point was a 6-month incidence of MACE. ApoE gene polymorphism was genotyped by real-time PCR using TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay. RESULTS: The patients with the E4 allele were associated with higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol (TC) levels compared with the patients without the E4 allele (p = 0001 and p = 0.001). The patients with the E4 allele were associated with a higher rate of MACE compared with the patients without the E4 allele (ApoE4 allele(+) 23.1% vs. ApoE4 allele(-) 9.3%; p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis suggested that E4 allele carriers showed an 85% risk increment of 6-month MACE (odds ratio 2.48, 95% confidence interval 2.37-5.95; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The trial shows that E4 allele carriers were correlated with not only higher LDL cholesterol and TC levels, but also with a higher incidence of MACE during a 6-month follow-up.

The correlation between glucose fluctuation from self-monitored blood glucose and the major adverse cardiac events in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome during a 6-month follow-up by WeChat application.

Background This study aimed to investigate the correlation between glucose fluctuation from self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during a 6-month follow-up period using the WeChat application. Methods From November 2016 to June 2017, 262 patients with ACS were discharged in a stable condition and completed a 6-month follow-up period. SMBG was recorded using the WeChat application. The patients were divided to a high glucose fluctuation group (H group; n=92) and a low glucose fluctuation group (L group; n=170). The 6-month incidence of MACE, lost-to-follow-up rate and satisfaction rate were measured through the WeChat follow-up. Results MACE occurred in 17.4% of patients in the H group and in 8.2% of patients in the L group (p=0.04). Multivariable analysis suggested that high glucose fluctuation conferred an 87% risk increment of MACE in the 6-month follow-up period (odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.95-4.85; p=0.03). The lost-to-follow-up rate was lower and the satisfaction rate was higher in the patients using the WeChat application during follow-up than those of the regular outpatient follow-up during the same period (p<0.05). Conclusions The trial demonstrates that higher glucose fluctuation from SMBG after discharge was correlated with a higher incidence of MACE in diabetic patients with ACS. WeChat follow-up might have the potential to promote a good physician-patient relationship.

Fabrication of aluminum alloy functionally graded material using directional solidification under an axial static magnetic field.

Aluminum alloy in situ functionally graded materials (FGMs) have been successfully fabricated using directional solidification under an axial static magnetic field. Al-Zn, Al-Ni and Al-Cu alloys with a hypereutectic composition were selected to produce FGMs. Experimental results show that the graded composition of the primary phases (i.e., Zn, Al3Ni and Al2Cu) is obvious along the longitudinal section of the sample. The graded composition of the primary phases could be controlled by the value of the magnetic field, growth rate and temperature gradient. A proposed model and simulations are carried out to explain the origin of the graded composition of the primary phases in FGMs during directional solidification under an axial static magnetic field. It should be attributed to the combined actions of heavier species migration under gravity force and thermoelectric (TE) magnetic convection under magnetic field. Furthermore, it can be found that the magnetic field can induce the columnar FGMs to change into equiaxed FGMs. This work not only presents a new approach to fabricate FGMs using the directional solidification under an axial static magnetic field but also deeply understands the effect of the solute migration and temperature distribution on the crystal growth during directional solidification.

Impact of glycemic variability on the occurrence of periprocedural myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after coronary intervention in patients with stable angina pectoris at 6months follow-up.

BACKGROUND: We explored the impact of glycemic variability on the occurrence of periprocedural myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after coronary intervention in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) at 6months follow-up. METHODS: From May 2015 to April 2016, a total of 746 patients with SAP were divided to high glycemic variability group (H group) (n=261) and low glycemic variability group (L group) (n=485). The primary end point was incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction and MACE at 6months follow-up. RESULTS: The occurrence of periprocedural myocardial infarction occurred in 18.8% of patients in H group and in 12.4% in L group (P=0.03). The incidence of MACE at 6months follow-up was 9.6% in H group and 4.5% in L group (P=0.01). Multivariable analysis suggested that high glycemic variability conferred a 53% risk increment of 6months follow-up MACE (odds ratio 2.13, 95% confidence interval 1.85-5.38; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The trial shows that higher blood glucose variability was correlated with higher incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction and MACE at 6months follow-up.

Efficacy of High-Intensity Atorvastatin for Asian Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Statins have proven cardioprotective effects, but higher doses are accompanied by various concerns and may not lead to superior clinical outcomes in Chinese/Asian populations. OBJECTIVE: We designed a trial to test the efficacy of high-intensity statin therapy for the reduction of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, including cardiovascular death, spontaneous MI, unplanned revascularization) in an Asian population. METHODS: A total of 798 Chinese patients with stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were randomized to high-intensity atorvastatin (80 mg/d before percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] and 40 mg/d thereafter for 1 year, n = 400) or moderate-intensity atorvastatin (20 mg/d for 1 year, n = 398). The primary end point was 1-year incidence of MACEs. RESULT: In patients with stable angina, 1-year MACE rates were not significantly different between moderate- and high-intensity groups (7.6% vs 5.7%, P = 0.53). In contrast, in patients with ACS, the 1-year MACE rate was significantly higher in the moderate- than in the high-intensity atorvastatin group (16.8% vs 10.1%, P = 0.021; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.77, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Whereas stable angina patients derive similar benefit from moderate- and high-intensity atorvastatin therapy over the duration of 1 year after PCI, high-intensity statin therapy is superior in ACS patients.

The anti-bacterial poly(caprolactone)-poly(quaternary ammonium salt) as drug delivery carriers.

Anti-bacterial materials play significant role in biomedical field. Researches and applications of new anti-bacterial materials are necessary. Novel linear and star-shaped copolymers of poly(caprolactone)-poly(quaternary ammonium salt) (PCL-PJDMA) were synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization. The structures of the copolymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The copolymers self-assembled into ball-shaped micelles with low critical micelle concentration (10(-4) ∼ 10(-3) mg/ml). An anti-bacterial drug, triclosan, was chosen as a model drug to investigate the potential application of the copolymers in drug-controlled release. The anti-bacterial experiments against Escherichia coli indicated that all the copolymer micelles had anti-bacterial ability and drug-loaded star-shaped PCL-PJDMA micelles were the best. The slow release of the drug from the drug-loaded micelles prolonged anti-bacterial effect. Therefore, PCL-PJDMA themselves have not only anti-bacterial ability but also the copolymer micelles can be used as carriers for anti-bacterial drugs.

[Midterm follow-up outcomes of ticagrelor on acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of antiplatelet therapy of ticagrelor on patients suffering from acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: In the study, 96 patients suffering from acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction onset within 12 h undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention from May to October in 2013 were randomly divided into ticagrelor group (n=48) and clopidogrel group (n=48) by using the method of random number table. Ticagrelor and clopidogrel antiplatelet treatment were used before and after operation. Their baseline data, coronary artery disease characteristics, platelet count, adenosine diphosphate(ADP)-induced platelet inhibition rate by thrombelastograph after 5 days of treatment, the major adverse cardiovascular events of the follow up for 6 months and bleeding complications were observed and compared in the two groups. RESULTS: The differences between the two groups of patients with their baseline data, the features of coronary artery lesions, platelet count before and after 5 days of treatment had no statistical significance (P>0.05). ADP induced platelet inhibition rate [(80.2±10.7)%] after 5 days of treatment in ticagrelor group was significantly higher than that in clopidogrel group [(75.3±12.1)%, P<0.05]. The two groups of patients were followed up for 6 months, 8 cases of major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in clopidogrel group, 2 cases of major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in ticagrelor group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The two groups (7 cases of 48 patients in ticagrelor group vs. 3 cases of 48 patients in clopidogrel group) had no statistically significant difference in bleeding complications (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Antiplatelet therapy of ticagrelor on patients suffering from acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing emergency PCI has good efficacy and safety.

[Cardioprotective effect and mechanism of intensive lipid modulation on patients with coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of intensive lipid modulation on the perioperative period of patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac surgery. METHODS: In the study, 60 patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective noncardiac surgery were randomly divided into intensive lipid modulation group (n = 30) and conventional group (n = 30). In intensive lipid modulation group, the patients were given atorvastatin 40 mg every night before surgery, 80 mg 12 h before surgery, and 40 mg 2 h before surgery, and 40 mg every night after noncardiac surgery. In conventional group, the patients were given atorvastatin 20 mg every night before surgery and also after the surgery. The occurrence of perioperative major adverse cardiac events (including sudden cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization) were compared in the two groups. Preoperative and 48 h postoperative changes of lipid levels and inflammatory markers were also compared in the two groups. RESULTS: In conventional group, one patient suffered myocardial infarction with acute anterior ST-segment elevation and was given emergency left anterior descending artery interventional reperfusion therapy, and 7 patients suffered asymptomatic myocardial infarction. In intensive lipid modulation group, one patient suffered asymptomatic myocardial infarction, and the incidence rate of perioperative acute myocardial infarction reduced significantly compared with conventional group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative changes of lipid levels in the two groups (P > 0.05), and compared with conventional group, there was significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers in intensive lipid modulation group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intensive lipid modulation group significantly reduced the incidence of perioperative major adverse cardiac events especially asymptomatic myocardial infarction, and the inhibition of the inflammatory response may be one of the protective mechanisms, which still needs to be further confirmed by large multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials.

[Experimental research on establishing chronic ischemic heart failure model of minipig with intracoronary perfusion of plastic microspheres by catheterization].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a stable chronic ischemic heart failure (CIHF) model of minipig caused by gradual myocardial ischemia and necrosis that was achieved with repetitive microspheres perfusion in left anterior descending artery (LAD). METHODS: A total of fifteen Wuzhishan minipigs original in Hainan China (8 to 11 months old with body weight of 20 to 30 kg) were used. The 4F angiographic catheter was superselectively engaged in LAD, and 1 ml of suspending plastic microspheres fluid were given repeatedly at ten-minute intervals, which include microspheres 1.0 x 10(5)/ml, until LVEDP raising and maintaining from 15 mm Hg to 18 mm Hg and TIMI flow was less than or equal to grade 2. Electrocardiography, hemodynamic parameters, CK-MB and cTnT were monitored during the procedure. LVEF was repeatedly measured with ultracardiography at 10 d, 20 d, 30 d, 40 d, 50 d, 60 d after establishing chronic ischemic heart failure model. Meanwhile, hemodynamic indices including mRAP, mRVP, mPAP, PCWP and CO (thermo-dilution method) were measured before and two months after procedure. The success rate, stability and repetition of chronic ischemic heart failure model were identified and evaluated. Finally, myocardial infarcted area was measured and myocardial pathologic examination was investigated. RESULTS: Eleven minipigs survived two months after procedure. There were ten minipigs accorded with the criteria (LVEDP > 18 mm Hg CO reduced by 30%) of the CIHF model and the success rate was 66.7% with a mean of 3.2 +/- 0.9 times of microspheres injections and total doses of (3.2 +/- 0.9) x 10(5) microspheres. This resulted in 38.5% reduction in LVEF, 197.8% elevation in LVEDP and 46.8% declining in CO from baseline values (P < 0.01), while mRAP, mRVP, mPAP and PCWP increased significantly as compared with those before procedure. Cross myocardium pathology showed the ratio of necrosis area to left ventricle (LV) area was 25.4% - 34.9% (mean 28.6%) and light microscopy examination of LV myocardium revealed that intravascular semitransparent plastic microspheres distributed throughout subendocardium of left ventricular anterior and apical parts, with more numerous focal myofiber necrosis, which characterized by pathologic founding of ischemic necrosis of myocardium with fibre proliferation. CONCLUSION: A stable CIHF model could be established in Chinese Wuzhishan minipigs with intra-coronary microspheres perfusion via superselectively engaging in LAD, which was prior to those of drug-induced, tachycardia-pacing induced or coronary artery ligation-induced, and had the advantages of stability, closed chest, mild trauma higher success rate and easy for repetition. It might be suitable for using the research of CIHF as large reliable experimental animal model.