Mussel-inspired hydrogels as tough, self-adhesive and conductive bioelectronics: a review.

To overcome the wearable sensor's defects and achieve the goal of robust mechanical properties, long-term adhesion, sensitive electrical conductivity, the multifunctional hydrogels were inspired by various mussels on the base of catechol and its analogues. In this review, we review the strategies for improving the mechanical strength, adhesion, conductivity and antibacterial properties of mussel-inspired hydrogels as bioelectronics. Double network structures, nanocomposites, supramolecular block polymers and other strategies were utilized for achieving tough hydrogels to prevent tensile fractures under high deformation.

Production and Characterization of Chemically Inactivated Genetically Engineered Clostridium difficile Toxoids.

A recombinant Clostridium difficile expression system was used to produce genetically engineered toxoids A and B as immunogens for a prophylactic vaccine against C. difficile-associated disease. Although all known enzymatic activities responsible for cytotoxicity were genetically abrogated, the toxoids exhibited residual cytotoxic activity as measured in an in vitro cell-based cytotoxicity assay.

Reduction of diesters of 1,2-diols. Regioselective C-O bond cleavage of the anionic forms.

The electrochemical reduction of benzoate diesters of glycols has been studied in acetonitrile and N,N-dimethylformamide as solvents. The reductions occur in two closely spaced one-electron steps, and it was found that the dianion diradicals decompose by one of two routes, depending on the substituents on the ethylene moiety: cleavage of two benzoates to produce alkene or formation of benzil by way of a postulated cyclic intermediate to produce also the dianion of the diol. These correspond to cleavage of the R-OC(O)Ar bonds and the RO-C(O)Ar bonds, respectively.

Microencapsulated subunit vaccine approach to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and other mucosal pathogens.

Infections of the intestinal, urogenital, and respiratory tracts are serious health problems worldwide from both a morbidity and mortality perspective. Mucosal pathogens attach to surfaces of mucosa as a prerequisite for colonization and subsequent pathogenesis. By expressing various surface adhesins (colonization factors, CF) they are able to bind to specific mucosal receptors.