Multifunctional Nanofiber Membranes Constructed by Microfluidic Blow-Spinning to Inhibit Scar Formation at Early Intervention Stage.

Pathological scarring has been a challenge in skin injury repair since ancient times, and prophylactic treatment in the early stages of wound healing usually results in delayed wound healing. In this study, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and chitosan (CTS) were used as carrier materials to construct multifunctional pirfenidone (PFD)/CTS/PEO (PCP) nanofiber membranes (NFMs) loaded with PFD by microfluidic blow-spinning (MBS). MBS is a good method for quickly, safely, and greenly constructing large-area manufacturing of inexpensive NFMs.

Development of a bioluminescent immunoassay based on Fc-specific conjugated antibody-nanoluciferase immunoreagents for determining aflatoxin B.

Aflatoxin B (AFB) is a potent carcinogen, and is among the most hazardous mycotoxins in agricultural products. Therefore, the development of sensitive and convenient detection methods for AFB is significant for food safety against mycotoxins. Herein, a bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay (BLEIA) was developed for ultrasensitive detection of AFB, based on the novel Fc-specific antibody-nanoluciferase (Ab-Nluc) conjugates which were fabricated using an IgG-binding protein-assisted photo-conjugation strategy.

Fabrication of cysteine-modified antibodies with Fc-specific conjugation for covalent and oriented immobilization of native antibodies.

Covalent and oriented immobilization of antibodies (Abs) can substantially improve the sensitivity and stability of solid-phase immunoassays. By modifying the natural Abs with functional groups that provide unique handles for further conjugation, Abs could be immobilized onto the solid matrices with uniform orientation. Herein, an effective approach for Fc-specific modification of Abs was developed for the oriented and covalent immobilization of Abs.

Adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor 6 inhibition protects burn sepsis induced lung injury through preserving vascular integrity and suppressing ASC inflammasome transmission.

Background: Severe burns are devastating injuries with significant immune dysfunction and result in substantial mortality and morbidity due to sepsis induced organ failure. Acute lung injury is the most common type of organ injury in sepsis, however, the mechanisms of which are poorly understood and effective therapeutic measures are limited. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of a small Guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase), Adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), on burn sepsis induced lung injury, and discuss the possible mechanisms.

Hydroxyapatite/Poly (Butylene Succinate)/Metoprolol Tartrate Composites with Controllable Drug Release and a Porous Structure for Bone Scaffold Application.

Nowadays, it is a challenge for a bone scaffold to achieve controllable drug release and a porous structure at the same time. Herein, we fabricated hydroxyapatite/poly (butylene succinate)/metoprolol tartrate (HA/PBS/MPT) composites via melt blending, aiming to provide the option of an in situ pore-forming strategy. The introduction of HA not only significantly improved the hydrophilicity of the PBS matrix by reducing the hydrophilic contact angle by approximately 36% at a 10% content, but also damaged the integrity of the PBS crystal.

The POR rs10954732 polymorphism decreases susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma and hepsin as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltration based on proteomics.

The effect of the cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) rs10954732 (G > A) polymorphism on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility is unknown. Here we found that A allele carriers showed a 69% decrease in susceptibility to HCC with overall survival (OS) prolonged to 199%, accompanied by lower activity for cytochrome P450 2E1. A total of 222 differentially expressed proteins were mainly enriched in neutrophil and T cell activation and involved in the immune and inflammatory responses, constituting the altered immune tumor microenvironment related with A allele by proteomics analysis.

Development of site-specific antibody-conjugated immunoliposomes for sensitive detection of disease biomarkers.

Liposome-based immunoassay (LIA) is an attractive protocol for amplifying the detection signals because of the excellent ability of liposomes to encapsulate signal marker compounds. The antigen-binding activity of the conjugated antibodies on the liposomal surface is crucial for the specificity and sensitivity of LIA. We present here a general platform to ensure that antibodies can conjugate onto the surface of liposomes in a site-specific and oriented manner.

Directional immobilization of antibody onto magnetic nanoparticles by Fc-binding protein-assisted photo-conjugation for high sensitivity detection of antigen.

Immobilized antibodies with site-specific, oriented, and covalent pattern are of great significance to improve the sensitivity of solid-phase immunoassay. Here, we developed a novel antibody conjugation strategy that can immobilize antibodies in a directional and covalent manner. In this study, an IgG-Fc binding protein (Z domain) carrying a site-specific photo-crosslinker, p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine, and a single C-terminal cysteine (Cys) handle was genetically engineered.

Fc-specific and covalent conjugation of a fluorescent protein to a native antibody through a photoconjugation strategy for fabrication of a novel photostable fluorescent antibody.

Fluorophore-antibody conjugates with high photobleaching resistance, high chemical stability, and Fc-specific attachment is a great advantage for immunofluorescence imaging. Here, an Fc-binding protein (Z-domain) carrying a photo-cross-linker (p-benzoylphenylalanine, Bpa) fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), namely photoactivatable Z-EGFP recombinant, was directly generated using the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/suppressor tRNA technique without any further modification. By employing the photoactivatable Z-EGFP, an optimal approach was successfully developed which enabled EGFP to site-selectively and covalently attach to native antibody (IgG) with approximately 90% conjugation efficiency.

Efficient copper(i)-catalyzed oxidative intermolecular 1,2-estersulfenylation of styrenes with peroxyesters and disulfides.

A simple and practical method for the synthesis of thio-substituted esters through copper(i)-catalyzed intermolecular 1,2-estersulfenylation of styrenes with peroxyesters and disulfides was developed. In this transformation, two new C-S bond and C-O bond were constructed simultaneously under a copper catalyst system, and the transformation exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. In addition, this method can also be applied to arylthiols.

Site-specific, covalent immobilization of an engineered enterokinase onto magnetic nanoparticles through transglutaminase-catalyzed bioconjugation.

Enterokinase (EK) is one of the most popular enzymes for the in vitro cleavage of fusion proteins due to its high degree of specificity for the amino-acid sequence (Asp)-Lys. Enzyme reusability is desirable for reducing operating costs and facilitating the industrial application of EK. In this work, we report the controlled, site-specific and covalent cross-linking of an engineered EK on amine-modified magnetic nanoparticles (NH-MNPs) via microbial transglutaminase-catalyzed bioconjugation for the development of the oriented-immobilized enzyme, namely, EK@NH-MNP biocatalyst.

Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in the Formation of Hypertrophic Scar with Model of Lipopolysaccharide Stimulated Skin Fibroblast Cells.

Objective: Hypertrophic scar is common in burn patients, but treating result could not meet the expectation of the patients and doctors. We have found that certain concentration level of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated normal fibroblast cells have statistically similar with fibroblast cells from hypertrophic scar on the phenotype level, and with this work we are trying to figure out which Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) is affected and how it is affected.

Methods: Experiments were conducted in May, 2017 at the first affiliated hospital of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Structure-Property Relationship Study of Donor and Acceptor 2,6-Disubstituted BODIPY Derivatives for High Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Seven donor and acceptor 2,6-disubstituted 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes have been synthesized and characterized. Including MPBTCA, which is a known compound, the seven BODIPY dyes have been characterized by varied physical methods, such as UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy, low energy photo-electron spectroscopy (AC-2), and HOMO-LUMO DFT/TDDFT calculation. All seven BODIPY dyes have absorption λ around 535-545 nm, which is significantly longer than 499 nm of 4,4-difluoro-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (PM 546).

A 4,5-quinolimide-based fluorescent sensor for the turn-on detection of Cd with live-cell imaging.

A 4,5-quinolimide derivative, BNA, bearing the amide-DPA receptor, was synthesized as a turn-on fluorescent sensor for Cd. Under physiological conditions, BNA could distinguish Cd from Zn, showing turn-on fluorescence behaviour and an increased fluorescence lifetime. BNA and Cd formed a 1 : 1 stoichiometric complex, and the detection limit was measured to be as low as 11 nM.

Fc-specific biotinylation of antibody using an engineered photoactivatable Z-Biotin and its biosensing application.

The development of a site-specific and covalent attachment methodology is crucial for antibody-biotin conjugates to preserve the antigen-binding ability of antibodies and yield homogeneous products. In this study, an engineered photoactivatable Z-domain variant [an UV-active amino acid benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa) was genetically incorporated into the Z-domain] carrying one biotin molecule (Z-Biotin) was prepared by employing aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/suppressor tRNA and Avitag/BirA techniques. The site-specific and covalent attachment of IgG-biotin conjugates, viz.

Site-specific, covalent immobilization of BirA by microbial transglutaminase: A reusable biocatalyst for in vitro biotinylation.

A facile approach for the production of a reusable immobilized recombinant Escherichia coli biotin ligase (BirA) onto amine-modified magnetic microspheres (MMS) via covalent cross-linking catalyzed using microbial transglutaminase (MTG) was proposed in this study. The site-specifically immobilized BirA exhibited approximately 95% of enzymatic activity of the free BirA, and without a significant loss in intrinsic activity after 10 rounds of recycling (P > 0.05).

[Effects of ulinastatin on immune function of patients with severe burn injury].

Objective: To primarily evaluate the effects of ulinastatin on immune function of patients with severe burn injury.

Methods: Forty patients with severe burn admitted to our ward from March 2013 to October 2015, conforming to the study criteria, were divided into conventional treatment group (CT, n=20) and ulinastatin treatment group (UT, n=20) according to the random number table and patient's consent. After admission, patients in group CT received antishock treatment, antibiotic treatment, debridement, skin grafting, and nutrition support, etc.

An efficient protocol to enhance the extracellular production of recombinant protein from Escherichia coli by the synergistic effects of sucrose, glycine, and Triton X-100.

Targeting recombinant proteins at highly extracellular production in the culture medium of Escherichia coli presents a significant advantage over cytoplasmic or periplasmic expression. In this work, a recombinant protein between ZZ protein and alkaline phosphatase (rZZ-AP) was constructed. Because rZZ-AP has the IgG-binding capacity and enzymatic activity, it can serve as an immunoreagent in immunoassays.

[Effects of ulinastatin on immune function of spleen in severely burned rats and its mechanism].

Objective: To observe the effects of ulinastatin on immune function of splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) and content of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in peripheral blood of severely burned rats, and to analyze the possible mechanisms.

Methods: Ninety-six male SD rats were divided into sham injury group, burn group, and ulinastatin group according to the random number table, with 32 rats in each group. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured on the back by immersing in 37 ℃ warm water for 12 s.

[Progress in treatment of refractory wound and its challenges we are facing].

Till now, though great progress has been made in the treatment of refractory wound, severe challenges are still awaiting to be solved. The strategy of treatment is generally either non-surgical treatment or surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment includes physical therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, growth factor therapy, stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, application of new biological dressing, application of skin tissue engineering, three-dimensional bio-printing technology, biological therapy, and Chinese herbal medicine therapy.

Development of an Animal Model for Burn-Blast Combined Injury and Cardiopulmonary System Changes in the Early Shock Stage.

The purposes of this study were to establish an animal model for burn-blast combined injury research and elaborate cardiopulmonary system changes in the early shock stage. In this study, royal demolition explosive or RDX (hexagon, ring trimethylene nitramine) was used as an explosive source, and the injury conditions of the canine test subjects at various distances to the explosion (30, 50, and 70 cm) were observed by gross anatomy and pathology to determine a larger animal model of moderate blast injury. The canines were then subjected to a 35 % total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness flame injury using napalm, which completed the development of a burn-blast combined injury model.

Curcumin induces apoptosis in p53-null Hep3B cells through a TAp73/DNp73-dependent pathway.

Curcumin has anticancer functions in various tumors. It has been shown to induce apoptosis through p53-dependent pathways. p73 gene is a member of the p53 family which encodes both a tumor suppressor (transactivation-competent p73 (TAp73)) and a putative oncogene (dominant-negative p73 (DNp73)); the former shares similarity with the tumor suppressor p53, and the latter behaves as dominant-negative proteins that interfere with the activity of TAp73.

Assessing Short-Term Voltage Stability of Electric Power Systems by a Hierarchical Intelligent System.

In the smart grid paradigm, growing integration of large-scale intermittent renewable energies has introduced significant uncertainties to the operations of an electric power system. This makes real-time dynamic security assessment (DSA) a necessity to enable enhanced situational-awareness against the risk of blackouts. Conventional DSA methods are mainly based on the time-domain simulation, which are insufficiently fast and knowledge-poor.

Association of CD14 and TLR4 with LPS-stimulated human normal skin fibroblasts in immunophenotype changes and secretion of TGF-β1 and IFN-γ.

Objectives: We attempted to explore the association of CD14 and TLR4 with LPS-stimulated human normal skin fibroblasts in immunophenotype changes and secretion of TGF-β1 and IFN-γ, and to expand the current knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie LPS-induced scar formation.

Methods: We randomized the human normal skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro into four groups. The expression profile of immune phenotypes was determined by immunohistochemical staining.