Nontyphoidal Salmonellosis Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Stroke: Insights from Multinational Real-World Data.

Background: Stroke is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, contributing substantially to the global burden of disease. In low- and middle-income countries, stroke tends to occur at younger ages, with infection being one of the notable contributing factors. Previous studies have explored the impact of nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) on vascular and blood-related diseases, with animal experiments confirming related mechanisms.

Flushing emissions of methane and carbon dioxide from mangrove soils during tidal cycles.

Mangroves are transition areas connecting land, freshwater, and the ocean, where a great amount of organic carbon accumulates in the soil, forming a considerable carbon sink. However, the soil might also be a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study hypothesized that measuring GHG emissions solely during low tides can represent diurnal GHG emissions in mangroves.

Allometric equations may underestimate the contribution of fine roots to mangrove carbon sequestration.

The biomass and production of fine roots (diameter < 2 mm) are often omitted or derived simply from allometric equations when calculating mangrove carbon sinks. The purpose of this study was to assess the significance of fine roots by measuring the biomass and production of the fine roots in two mangrove species (Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina) with distinct root structures. The aboveground portion of K.

Contribution of unvegetated tidal flats to coastal carbon flux.

Unvegetated flats occupy a large area in the intertidal zone. However, compared to vegetated areas, the carbon sequestration of unvegetated tidal flats is rarely quantified, even though these areas are highly threatened by human development and climate change. We determined benthic maximum gross primary production (GPP ), net primary production (NPP) and total respiration (TR) during emersion on seven tidal flats along a latitudinal gradient (from 22.

Biodegradable Polymers as a Noncoding miRNA Nanocarrier for Multiple Targeting Therapy of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Therapeutic strategy based on the restoration of tumor suppressor-microRNAs (miRNAs) is a promising approach for cancer therapy, but the low delivery efficiency of miRNA remains a huge hurdle due to the lack of safe and efficient nonviral carriers. In this work, with the use of newly developed PEGylated biodegradable charged polyester-based vectors (PEG-BCPVs) as the carrier, the miR26a and miR122 codelivering therapeutic strategy (PEG-BCPVs/miR26a/miR122 as the delivery formulation) is successfully developed for efficient treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In vitro study results show that PEG-BCPVs are capable of effectively facilitating miRNA cellular uptake via a cell endocytosis pathway.

Biodegradable Polymer-Coated Multifunctional Graphene Quantum Dots for Light-Triggered Synergetic Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer.

In this work, we reported the synthesis of an engineered novel nanocarrier composed of biodegradable charged polyester vectors (BCPVs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for pancreatic cancer (MiaPaCa-2 cells) therapy applications. Such a nanocarrier was utilized to co-load doxorubicin (DOX) and small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), resulting in the formation of GQD/DOX/BCPV/siRNA nanocomplexes. The resulting nanocomplexes have demonstrated high stability in physiologically mimicking media, excellent K-ras downregulation activity, and effective bioactivity inhibition for MiaPaCa-2 cells.

Effects of Internal Electron-Withdrawing Moieties in D-A-π-A Organic Sensitizers on Photophysical Properties for DSSCs: A Computational Study.

D-A-π-A dyes differ from the traditional D-π-A framework having several merits in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. With regard to D-π-A dyes, D-A-π-A dyes red-shift absorption spectra and show particular photostability. Nevertheless, the effects of internal acceptor on the charge transfer (CT) probability are unclear.

On the Rocks: Microbiological Quality and Microbial Diversity of Packaged Ice in Southern California.

Ice is defined as a food and is frequently used in direct contact with food and beverages. Packaged ice is commercially produced and can be easily found in grocery and convenience stores. However, the quality and safety of packaged ice products is not consistent.

Synthesis of Polylactide-Based Core-Shell Interface Cross-Linked Micelles for Anticancer Drug Delivery.

Well-defined poly(ethylene glycol)-b-allyl functional polylactide-b-polylactides (PEG-APLA-PLAs) are synthesized through sequential ring-opening polymerization. PEG-APLA-PLAs that have amphiphilic properties and reactive allyl side chains on their intermediate blocks are successfully transferred to core-shell interface cross-linked micelles (ICMs) by micellization and UV-initiated irradiation. ICMs have demonstrated enhanced colloidal stability in physiological-mimicking media.

Synthesis of (E)-oxindolylidene acetate using tandem palladium-catalyzed Heck and alkoxycarbonylation reactions.

Tandem reactions use consecutive reaction steps to efficiently synthesize compounds of high molecular complexity. This paper presents a tandem Pd-catalyzed Heck and alkoxycarbonylation reaction for the stereoselective synthesis of (E)-oxindolylidene acetates. The mechanism underlying the Pd-catalyzed tandem reaction involves the syn-carbopalladation of ynamides followed by alkoxycarbonylation with CO and alcohol.

A NONOVARY-SPECIFIC VITELLOGENIN RECEPTOR FROM THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY, Bactrocera dorsalis (HENDEL).

The yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin (Vg), is absorbed into growing oocytes via receptor-mediated endocytosis for embryonic development. In this study, a Vg receptor (VgR) cDNA of the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) was cloned via RT-PCR and RACE (GenBank accession no. KR535603) and its expression analyzed.

Biconically tapered fiber optic probes for rapid label-free immunoassays.

We report use of U-shaped biconically tapered optical fibers (BTOF) as probes for label-free immunoassays. The tapered regions of the sensors were functionalized by immobilization of immunoglobulin-G (Ig-G) and tested for detection of anti-IgG at concentrations of 50 ng/mL to 50 µg/mL. Antibody-antigen reaction creates a biological nanolayer modifying the waveguide structure leading to a change in the sensor signal, which allows real-time monitoring.

Biodegradable nanoparticle-mediated K-ras down regulation for pancreatic cancer gene therapy.

RNA interference (RNAi) targeting the K-ras oncogene mutation in pancreatic cancer mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection is a very promising treatment. However, the rapid degradation and negative charge of naked siRNAs restrict their direct delivery into cells. In this contribution, we propose a safe and effective transmembrane transport nanocarrier formulation based on a newly developed biodegradable charged polyester-based vector (BCPV) for K-ras siRNA delivery into pancreatic cancer cells.

Antioxidant activity and inhibition of α-glucosidase by hydroxyl-functionalized 2-arylbenzo[b]furans.

This study synthesized a series of hydroxyl-functionalized 2-arylbenzo[b]furans based on the structure of tournefolic acid A and evaluated them for antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Compounds 5a, 5e, and 5n showed remarkable inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC50 values of 1.9-3.

Comparison of assembled Clostridium botulinum A1 genomes revealed their evolutionary relationship.

Clostridium botulinum encompasses bacteria that produce at least one of the seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/A-G). The availability of genome sequences of four closely related Type A1 or A1(B) strains, as well as the A1-specific microarray, allowed the analysis of their genomic organizations and evolutionary relationship. The four genomes share >90% core genes and >96% functional groups.

Gas discharge plasmas are effective in inactivating Bacillus and Clostridium spores.

Bacterial spores are the most resistant form of life and have been a major threat to public health and food safety. Nonthermal atmospheric gas discharge plasma is a novel sterilization method that leaves no chemical residue. In our study, a helium radio-frequency cold plasma jet was used to examine its sporicidal effect on selected strains of Bacillus and Clostridium.

Changing trends in antimicrobial resistance of major bacterial pathogens, 1985-2005: a study from a medical center in northern Taiwan.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major health problem worldwide. We evaluated the antimicrobial resistance trends of 16 major bacterial pathogens at a tertiary medical center in northern Taiwan.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of annual summary documents for antimicrobial susceptibility of clinically isolated gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria from 1985 to 2005.

Changes in the nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in children: 2004-2009.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of infection, particularly in persons colonized with this organism. This study compared the annual prevalence and microbiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization in Taiwanese children from 2004 through 2009.

Changing trend in antimicrobial resistance of pediatric uropathogens in Taiwan.

Background: There is growing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance worldwide, particularly of Escherichia coli, and the first choice of an antimicrobial agent for empiric treatment of pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI) is not well established.

Methods: The medical records from January 1991 to December 2005 for all children under 18 years of age admitted to Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei for their first UTI were reviewed. Two study periods, early (1991-2000) and late (2001-2005), were chosen during the 15 year period for evaluating the trend of antimicrobial resistance.

Risk factors and molecular analysis of panton-valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy children.

Background: Nasal carriage of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with community associated disease. The risk factors for and characteristics of PVL-positive MRSA colonization in the healthy pediatric population are not well understood.

Methods: Anterior nares cultures were obtained from healthy children < or =14 years of age presenting for health maintenance visits or attending 1 of 8 kindergartens during a 3-year period.

Erythema migrans mimicking cervical cellulitis with deep neck infection in a child with Lyme disease.

In the early stage of Lyme disease, atypical lesions of erythema migrans rash can develop and extend over the neck region, mimicking cervical cellulitis with deep neck infection. Here, we report a 9-year-old Taiwanese boy with a recent history of exposure to deer during his visit to Nanto County in central Taiwan. Cervical cellulitis with lymphadenitis was initially diagnosed.

Chilaiditi's syndrome in children.

Background: [corrected] Chilaiditi's syndrome (CS) is the condition for which radiological evidence of symptomatic colonic interposition between the liver and diaphragm is presented, although the syndrome is infrequently seen.

Methods: We reviewed patients with CS in our hospital in the past 15 years (3 patients, from July 1990 to June 2005) and case reports in the literature (10 patients). The diagnosis was made by abdominal computed tomography or roentgenograms of the chest and abdomen.

Variations in expression and release of botulinum neurotoxin in Clostridium botulinum type A strains.

In this study, we characterized the production and release of botulinum neurotoxin during growth of two Clostridium botulinum strains, Hall A and NCTC2916, of distinct gene organizations. The intra- and extracellular fractions of the bacterial cells harvested at various stages of growth were analyzed for the neurotoxin. Both strains exhibited a temporal neurotoxin gene expression; however, these two strains differ in their patterns of growth, toxin production, toxin release, and post-translational nicking.

Nasal carriage of a single clone of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among kindergarten attendees in northern Taiwan.

Background: To evaluate the prevalence and microbiological characterization of community-acquired (CA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage in a kindergarten.

Methods: Point prevalence study. Nasal swabs were collected from healthy children younger than 7 years of age who were attending a kindergarten in Taipei, Taiwan.

Young-infant sepsis combined with urinary tract infection due to Hafnia alvei.

Hafnia alvei infections are uncommon and occur mainly in adult patients featuring underlying illnesses. Its isolation in pediatric cases is even more unusual. We report a rare case of sepsis combined with urinary tract infection caused by H.