High prevalence of mixed infections identified by multilocus sequence typing in Ningbo, China.

This study used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to investigate the prevalence of () mixed infections and mixed infections involving unrelated strains; and determined the phylogeographic groups of recovered from patients in Ningbo, China. A total of 156 isolates were obtained from a convenience sample of 33 patients with culture-positive infection. MLST was used to classify 150 clinical isolates and 12 methodological control strains (6 clinical isolates and 6 strains of American Type Culture Collection ) into 43 and 12 sequence types (STs), respectively.

Fluorescent immunochromatography of vancomycin in plasma: A rapid and sensitive quantitative analysis.

Vancomycin (VAN) has a narrow therapeutic window and variable pharmacokinetic properties, which require timely monitoring of plasma concentration to adjust the dosage for better effectiveness. A sensitive and quantitative immunochromatographic method was developed to detect VAN in plasma. The linear response range of the method to detect plasma VAN was 1.

Identification of nanoparticle-mediated siRNA-ASPN as a key gene target in the treatment of keloids.

Keloid, also known as connective tissue hyperplasia, is a benign proliferative disorder with a global distribution. The available therapeutic interventions are steroid injections, surgical removal of keloids, radiotherapy, compression therapy, the application of cryosurgery, and many other methods. Existing treatments or approaches for keloids may lead to similar or even larger lesions at the site of keloid excision, leading to a high recurrence rate.

Comprehensive Analysis of Genes Reveals Differential Expression Patterns in Response to DC3000 and Their Overlapping Expression Pattern during PTI and ETI in Tomato.

NAC (NAM/ATAF/CUC) transcription factors belong to a unique gene family in plants, which play vital roles in regulating diverse biological processes, including growth, development, senescence, and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Tomato (), as the most highly valued vegetable and fruit crop worldwide, is constantly attacked by pv. DC3000 ( DC3000), causing huge losses in production.

A Closed-Loop Autologous Erythrocyte-Mediated Delivery Platform for Diabetic Nephropathy Therapy.

Failure to control blood glucose level (BGL) may aggravate oxidative stress and contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Using erythrocytes (ERs) as the carriers, a smart self-regulatory insulin (INS) release system was constructed to release INS according to changes in BGLs to improve patients' compliance and health. To overcome the limited sources of ERs and decrease the risk of transmitting infections, we developed an in vitro, closed-loop autologous ER-mediated delivery (CAER) platform, based on a commercial hemodialysis instrument modified with a glucose-responsive ER-based INS delivery system (GOx-INS@ER).

How Does the Change of Information Source Affect Residents' Risk Attitudes?

Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper investigates the effects of Internet use on residents' risk attitudes. Both Generalized Ordered Logit Model and Logit model are used to identify the effects of Internet use. The results reveal an association between Internet use and increases in both subjective and objective risk preferences that remains even after we adjust for possible endogeneity.

Erythrocyte-mimicking subcutaneous platform with a laser-controlled treatment against diabetes.

Exogenous insulin (INS) is critical for managing diabetes. However, owing to its short in vivo half-life, frequent injection of INS is un-avoidable, which is both painful and inconvenient, compromising the quality of life. Herein, we developed a laser-regulated INS release system (INS-ICG@ER hydrogel) that allowed an on-demand release of INS from the subcutaneous INS reservoir by remote laser control without the frequent injection of INS.

Preparation of nanostructured PDMS film as flexible immunosensor for cortisol analysis in human sweat.

This work proposed a novel and flexible immunosensor for highly selective and sensitive determination of cortisol in sweat. The flexible electrode was developed by transferring multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) film on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate and subsequent electrochemical deposition of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the MWCNTs surface. The obtained AuNPs/MWCNTs/PDMS electrode was then covalently immobilized with anti-cortisol monoclonal antibody (Anti-C) and blocked with BSA.

Bi-enzymes treatments attenuate cognitive impairment associated with oxidative damage of heavy metals.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment. Lead (Pb) is a common environmental toxicant and plays a vital role in oxidative stress activation. In this study, a superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) containing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) meso-particles (PLGA@SOD-CAT) were prepared to attenuate cognitive impairment via inhibiting oxidative stress in rats.

Au-Hemoglobin Loaded Platelet Alleviating Tumor Hypoxia and Enhancing the Radiotherapy Effect with Low-Dose X-ray.

Radiotherapy (RT) is a widely explored clinical modality to combat cancer. However, its therapeutic efficacy is not always satisfied because of the severe hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors and the high dosage of radiation harmful to the adjacent healthy tissue. Herein, Au nanoparticle-hemoglobin complex nanoparticle loaded platelets (Au-Hb@PLT) were fabricated.

Microfluidic Devices for Monitoring the Root Morphology of Arabidopsis Thaliana in situ.

Plant roots play critical roles in absorbing nutrients for the growth and development of plants as well as adapting different environments. Currently, there is no satisfactory way to track dynamic information when studying roots at the high temporal and spatial resolution. Herein, a simple microfluidic device with crossed microchannels was utilized for a microscopic investigation of Arabidopsis thaliana roots in situ.

An electrochemical biosensor based on multi-wall carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed electrode immobilized by uricase for the detection of salivary uric acid.

The amounts of uric acid (UA) in non-invasive biological samples, such as saliva, are critical for diagnosis and therapy of gout, hyperuricemia, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, and several other diseases. Here, disposable UA biosensors were fabricated with the screen printing technique on the substrate of flexible PET. The working electrode was modified with carbon nanotubes followed by uricase for UA detection with excellent selectivity.

Climate change and mortality evolution in China.

This paper explores the historical relationship between weather fluctuations and mortality evolution in China. Using panel data on the annual provincial mortality rate and daily weather variables for the 1964-2008 period, we applied a dynamic model structure with sufficient controls to estimate the short-term effects of temperature shocks on China's mortality rate. Our main results show that an additional 1 °C rise in average temperature in a given year increases the annual mortality rate by an average of 3.

Overcoming Hypoxia-Restrained Radiotherapy Using an Erythrocyte-Inspired and Glucose-Activatable Platform.

Radiotherapy (RT) as one of the most powerful cancer treatment strategies has been greatly restricted by tumor hypoxia. A mounting effort has been devoted to develop oxygen delivery systems for boosting the RT effect. Unluckily, those systems only supplied modest oxygen, which could not afford more than once and long-time RT.

Determination of salivary uric acid by using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythipohene) and graphene oxide in a disposable paper-based analytical device.

We developed a paper-based analytical device based on the electropolymerization of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythipohene) (PEDOT) and graphene oxide (GO) composites on the ITO substrate for the detection of uric acid (UA) in authentic human saliva. Scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis spectrum and X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of porous PEDOT combined with GO film during the electropolymerization process. The nanocomposite based sensor showed an enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward UA with high sensitivity and stability.

Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for voltammetric sensing of dopamine.

The authors describe an electrochemical dopamine sensor that is based on the use of electrochemically co-reduced graphene oxide (Er-GO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The synergistic effects of Er-GO and Er-AuNPs promote electron transport in the modified ITO. This results in an excellent performance for voltammetric sensing of dopamine (DA).

[Research progress on genotyping of ].

(Hp) is widely disseminated in human, and Hp infection causes various gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric cancer. Different genotypes of Hp may cause different diseases, so the genotyping is important for clinical and basic research of Hp. This article introduces the methods for Hp genotyping, including multilocus sequence typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphism, and whole-genome sequencing.

Fabrication and evaluation of hemoglobin-based polydopamine microcapsules as oxygen carriers.

Polydopamine-hemoglobin (PDA-Hb) microcapsules as suitable oxygen carriers are fabricated easily by templating decomposable MnCO3 particles in collaboration with self-polymerization of dopamine on pure Hb spheres. The PDA-Hb microcapsules possess a high oxygen affinity and are able to bind and release oxygen reversibly as demonstrated by electrochemical methods.

Ultrafast glucose-responsive, high loading capacity erythrocyte to self-regulate the release of insulin.

Unlabelled: Insulin (INS) delivery system that can mimic normal insulin secretion to maintain the blood glucose level (BGL) in the normal range is an ideal treatment for diabetes. However, most of the existing closed-loop INS delivery systems respond slowly to the changes in BGL, resulting in a time lag between the abnormal BGL and the release of INS, which is not suitable for practical application. In this study, glucose oxidase (GOx)-modified erythrocytes are used as INS carriers (GOx-INS-ER) that can rapidly self-regulate the release of INS upon the changes in BGL.

Extracorporeal magnetic approach to reduce the unwanted side-effects and improve antibacterial activity of Ag/Fe O nanocomposites in rat.

While Ag nanoparticles hold great promise for broad spectrum antibacterial activity, the potential risks of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on human health remain a challenge. In this study, Ag/Fe O composites have been successfully prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and their magnetic and antibacterial properties have been assessed. In vivo results show that the antibacterial effect of 500 μg/mL Ag/Fe O nanocomposites was significantly higher than that of 1000 μg/mL AgNPs after 72 h of treatment (p < 0.

Design, Synthesis and Bioactivities of Novel 1,4-Pentadien-3-one Derivatives Containing a Substituted Pyrazolyl Moiety.

In this study, in order to find novel biologically active penta-1,4-dien-3-one derivatives, a series of penta-1,4-dien-3-one compounds containing a substituted pyrazole subunit were designed and synthesized. Their structures were characterized by ¹H-NMR, C-NMR and elemental analysis. The preliminary bioassays displayed that most of the title compounds showed significant antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cell lines.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activities of Novel Pyrazole Oxime Compounds Containing a Substituted Pyridyl Moiety.

In this paper, in order to find novel biologically active pyrazole oximes, a series of pyrazole oxime compounds bearing a substituted pyridyl unit were prepared. Bioassays showed that some target compounds were found to have good acaricidal activity against at a concentration of 500 μg/mL, compound especially displayed potent acaricidal activity against when the concentration was reduced to 100 μg/mL. Interestingly, most target compounds possessed excellent insecticidal activities against at 500 μg/mL.

Role of Flagella in the Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori.

This review aimed to investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori flagella on the pathogenicity of this bacterium in humans. Helicobacter pylori is a flagellated pathogen that colonizes the human gastroduodenal mucosa and produces inflammation, and is responsible for gastrointestinal disease. Its pathogenesis is attributed to colonization and virulence factors.

Fabrication of Waterproof, Breathable Composite Liquid Dressing and Its Application in Diabetic Skin Ulcer Repair.

Objectives: Diabetic patients are at increased risk of severe skin infections. Covering the wound as early as possible can prevent infection and shorten the course of treatment. In this study, the authors fabricated a waterproof and breathable composite liquid dressing (CLD) that formed a barrier to bacteria and shortened healing time of diabetic rat skin ulcers.

Evaluation of a two-stage antibacterial hydrogel dressing for healing in an infected diabetic wound.

Various types of wound dressings have been used to treat complex infections in diabetes mellitus. This study is the first to evaluate the healing effects using a two-stage dressing in infected diabetic wounds. A two-stage antibacterial hydrogel dressing (two-stage dressing) was established with two time phases, an antibacterial phase and a drug release phase.