Synthesis of Phosphate Buffered Saline- and Ascorbic Acid-Responsive Polymeric Nanocapsules with Cross-Linked Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and Polystyrene Blocks

Polymeric nanocapsules with cross-linked poly­(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polystyrene blocks (PS-<i>b</i>-(<i>c</i>-PHEMA) nanocapsules) were synthesized via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling reactions. With alkoxyamine bonds as the cross-linkers, the nanocapsules exhibited unique responsive behavior: When PBS and oxygen existed, these nanocapsules were broken down into pieces, which self-assembled into nanocapsules again when ascorbic acid was added. When PBS, ascorbic acid, and oxygen existed together, these nanocapsules self-assembled into larger capsules. However, both the nanocapsules and capsules would finally disintegrate into pieces as the time extended

Intrinsic Defect Physics in Indium-based Lead-free Halide Double Perovskites

Lead-free halide double perovskites (HDPs) are expected to be promising photovoltaic (PV) materials beyond organic–inorganic halide perovskite, which is hindered by its structural instability and toxicity. The defect- and stability-related properties of HDPs are critical for the use of HDPs as important PV absorbers, yet their reliability is still unclear. Taking Cs₂AgInBr₆ as a representative, we have systemically investigated the defect properties of HDPs by theoretical calculations. First, we have determined the stable chemical potential regions to grow stoichiometric Cs₂AgInBr₆ without structural decomposition. Second, we reveal that Ag-rich and Br-poor are the ideal chemical potential conditions to grow <i>n</i>-type Cs₂AgInBr₆ with shallow defect levels. Third, we find the conductivity of Cs₂AgInBr₆ can change from good <i>n</i>-type, to poorer <i>n</i>-type, to intrinsic semiconducting depending on the growth conditions. Our studies provided important guidance for experiments to fabricate Pb-free perovskite-based solar cell devices with superior PV performances

MOESM1 of Efficient 3-hydroxypropionic acid production from glycerol by metabolically engineered Klebsiella pneumoniae

Additional file 1: Figure S1. λ-Red-mediated recombinase assisted gene replacement for dhaT knockout in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Figure S2. A. Confirmation of ldhA deletion in Kp4 by single colony PCR. M, DL2000 Marker; 1, wild-type Kp4 at 2221bp; 2-5, Kp4 ΔldhA::apr at 2773bp. B. Confirmation of dhaT deletion in JJQ01 by single colony PCR. M, DL2000 Marker; 1, wild-type Kp4 at 2642bp; 2-4, Kp4ΔldhAΔdhaT::apr at 2847bp

Production of Succinate from Acetate by Metabolically Engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Acetate, a major component of industrial biological wastewater and of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate, could potentially be a less costly alternative carbon source. Here we engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i> MG1655 strain for succinate production from acetate as the sole carbon source. Strategies of metabolic engineering included the blockage of the TCA cycle, redirection of the gluconeogenesis pathway, and enhancement of the glyoxylate shunt. The engineered strain MG03 featuring the deletion of genes: succinate dehydrogenase (<i>sdhAB</i>), isocitrate lyase regulator (<i>iclR</i>), and malic enzymes (<i>maeB</i>) accumulated 6.86 mM of succinate in 72 h. MG03­(pTrc99a-<i>gltA</i>) overexpressing citrate synthase (<i>gltA</i>) accumulated 16.45 mM of succinate and the yield reached 0.46 mol/mol, about 92% of the maximum theoretical yield. Resting-cell was adopted for the conversion of acetate to succinate, and the highest concentration of succinate achieved 61.7 mM

Video_2_CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of the extracranial cranial nerve for the treatment of Meige’s syndrome.MP4

BackgroundMeige’ s syndrome, a rare form of dystonia, lacks effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of CT-guided percutaneous extracranial radiofrequency ablation of the facial and/or trigeminal nerves in the treatment of Meige’s syndrome.MethodsA total of 10 patients were enrolled in this study, with the numbers of blepharospasm dystonia syndrome (BDS), oromandibular dystonia syndrome (ODS), and blepharospasm combined with oromandibular dystonia syndrome (B-ODS) being 7, 1, and 2, respectively. BDS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve; ODS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral foramen oval trigeminal mandibular branch, and B-ODS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve and foramen oval trigeminal mandibular branch. The therapeutic effects and complications were observed.ResultsAll 10 patients in this series experienced improved Meige’s syndrome-related symptoms after extracranial radiofrequency ablation of the cranial and/or mandibular branches of the extracranial trigeminal nerve. Adverse events included class II–III facial paralysis and/or mandibular skin numbness. Two patients had recurrences at the 18th and 22nd months postoperatively, respectively; the other patients were being followed up.ConclusionThese results shown that CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve and/or oval foramen trigeminal mandibular branch can effectively treat the corresponding types of Meige’s syndrome. According to preliminary observations, the therapeutic effect may last more than 18 months.</p

Representative examples of the location of the carotid sinus (A).

<p>All arteries were marked by the black arrow. The left carotid sinus was highlighted by the blue arrow. Representative changes of blood pressure and heart rate during CBS (B). It suggested that the electrode was implanted the proper placement of carotid sinus. CBS, carotid baroreceptor stimulation.</p

HF and LF/HF during baseline, 1 hour in the both two groups.

<p>Both HF (Fig. 6A) and LF/HF (Fig. 6B) were not significantly different between the two groups during the baseline status. LL-CBS obviously increased HF component and decreased LF/HF compared with the SHAM group. ns, no significant; *, <i>P</i><0.01 when compared with the SHAM group.</p

Image_1_Antibiotic-induced depletion of Clostridium species increases the risk of secondary fungal infections in preterm infants.tif

Preterm infants or those with low birth weight are highly susceptible to invasive fungal disease (IFD) and other microbial or viral infection due to immaturity of their immune system. Antibiotics are routinely administered in these vulnerable infants in treatment of sepsis and other infectious diseases, which might cause perturbation of gut microbiome and hence development of IFD. In this study, we compared clinical characteristics of fungal infection after antibiotic treatment in preterm infants. As determined by 16S rRNA sequencing, compared with non-IFD patients with or without antibiotics treatment, Clostridium species in the intestinal tracts of patients with IFD were almost completely eliminated, and Enterococcus were increased. We established a rat model of IFD by intraperitoneal inoculation of C. albicans in rats pretreated with meropenem and vancomycin. After pretreatment with antibiotics, the intestinal microbiomes of rats infected with C. albicans were disordered, as characterized by an increase of proinflammatory conditional pathogens and a sharp decrease of Clostridium species and Bacteroides. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that C. albicans-infected rats pretreated with antibiotics were deficient in IgA and IL10, while the number of Pro-inflammatory CD11c+ macrophages was increased. In conclusion, excessive use of antibiotics promoted the imbalance of intestinal microbiome, especially sharp decreases of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing Clostridium species, which exacerbated the symptoms of IFD, potentially through decreased mucosal immunomodulatory molecules. Our results suggest that inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics may promote the colonization of invasive fungi. The results of this study provide new insights into the prevention of IFD in preterm infants.</p

Video_1_CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of the extracranial cranial nerve for the treatment of Meige’s syndrome.MP4

BackgroundMeige’ s syndrome, a rare form of dystonia, lacks effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of CT-guided percutaneous extracranial radiofrequency ablation of the facial and/or trigeminal nerves in the treatment of Meige’s syndrome.MethodsA total of 10 patients were enrolled in this study, with the numbers of blepharospasm dystonia syndrome (BDS), oromandibular dystonia syndrome (ODS), and blepharospasm combined with oromandibular dystonia syndrome (B-ODS) being 7, 1, and 2, respectively. BDS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve; ODS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral foramen oval trigeminal mandibular branch, and B-ODS patients underwent radiofrequency ablation of the bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve and foramen oval trigeminal mandibular branch. The therapeutic effects and complications were observed.ResultsAll 10 patients in this series experienced improved Meige’s syndrome-related symptoms after extracranial radiofrequency ablation of the cranial and/or mandibular branches of the extracranial trigeminal nerve. Adverse events included class II–III facial paralysis and/or mandibular skin numbness. Two patients had recurrences at the 18th and 22nd months postoperatively, respectively; the other patients were being followed up.ConclusionThese results shown that CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of bilateral stylomastoid foramen facial nerve and/or oval foramen trigeminal mandibular branch can effectively treat the corresponding types of Meige’s syndrome. According to preliminary observations, the therapeutic effect may last more than 18 months.</p

Percentage of ischemic myocardial mass (%).

<p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0109313#pone-0109313-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a> summarized the left ventricle and septum myocardial mass of the ischemic area in the different groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups.</p><p>Percentage of ischemic myocardial mass (%).</p