Titanium implants have been widely used in bone tissue engineering for decades. However, orthopedic implant-associated infections increase the risk of implant failure and even lead to amputation in severe cases. Although TiO2 has photocatalytic activity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), the recombination of generated electrons and holes limits its antibacterial ability. Here, we describe a graphdiyne (GDY) composite TiO2 nanofiber that combats implant infections through enhanced photocatalysis and prolonged antibacterial ability. In addition, GDY-modified TiO2 nanofibers exert superior biocompatibility and osteoinductive abilities for cell adhesion and differentiation, thus contributing to the bone tissue regeneration process in drug-resistant bacteria-induced implant infection.

Objective To determine the true community prevalence of human cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis (hydatid disease) in a highly endemic region in Ningxia Hui, China, by detecting asymptomatic cases. Methods Using hospital records and "AE-risk" landscape patterns we selected study communities predicted to be at risk of human echinococcosis in Guyuan, Longde and Xiji counties. We conducted community surveys of 4773 individuals from 26 villages in 2002 and 2003 using questionnaire analysis, ultrasound examination and serology. Findings Ultrasound and serology showed a range of prevalences for AE (0-8.1%; mean 2%) and CE (0-7.4%; mean 1.6%), with the highest prevalence in Xiji (2% for CE, 2.5% for AE). There were significant differences in the prevalence of CE, AE and total echinococcosis between the three counties and villages (with multiple degrees of freedom). While hospital records showed 96% of echinococcosis cases attributable to CE, our survey showed a higher prevalence of human AE (56%) compared to CE (44%). Questionnaire analysis revealed that key risk factors for infection were age and dog ownership for both CE and AE, and Hui ethnicity and being female for AE. Drinking well-water decreased the risk for both AE and CE. Conclusions Echinococcosis continues to be a severe public health problem in this part of China because of unhygienic practices/ habits and poor knowledge among the communities regarding this disease.

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infections, and biochemical disorders could be addressed with a wide variety of bone substitutes or implants. [1] Bone is a mineralized composite of inorganic and organic units, mostly hydroxyapatite (HA) and type I collagen, respectively. [2] To mimic the nature of bone, scientists have researched several aspects of the biomaterials of bone substitutes or implants over the past decades, [3] and chemical composition of them is a primary consideration. Currently, magnesium (Mg 2+ ) and Mg 2+ alloys are gaining increasing research interest due to their promising merits, such as biodegradability, relatively slow corrosion rates, and suitable mechanical properties. [4] However, the osteoinductive effect of Mg 2+ alloys could not be directly determined due to complex alloy constituents, complicated surface modification technology, and intricate physiological microenvironments.A bone mineral precursor, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), could be fabricated with Mg 2+ ions, which act as an ACP phase stabilizer to maintain a noncrystal phase. [5] Mg 2+ could partially substitute Ca 2+ ions in the apatite structure and inhibit ACP transformation into HA. [5a] Chemically, it has been shown that Mg 2+ ions retard the crystallization of ACP and control the final aging of crystals. [5c] Moreover, Mg 2+ is considered the main intracellular antagonist of Ca 2+ . [6] Hence, there is an unreasonable paradox that Mg 2+ exerts its role during bone formation as an indispensable element due to its inhibitory effects on biomineralization, which were ignored by previous studies. [6,7] Thus, logically, Mg 2+ is proposed to have a complicated connection with osteogenesis.To answer this question derived from the field of regenerative and bioengineering medicine, the best approach is to investigate development, which could subsequently guide regeneration. [2,8] Mineralization development is a kind of complex chemical reaction among calcium (Ca 2+ ), phosphate (PO 4 3− ), Mg 2+ , and some amino acids. [2] Among the bones in vertebrates, the cranial bone is unique because it provides spaces, support, and protection for soft brain tissues, and has two different developmental mechanisms, namely, endochondral and intramembranous ossification. [9] Therefore, the development of the skull is a proper model. [10] Numerous studies have demonstrated that several kinds of factors play explicit roles during cranial development, [8,9,11] but which elements and how these elements influence the formation and mineralization of the skull, in particular, HA and type I collagen, are not well defined.Magnesium (Mg 2+ ), as a main component of bone, is widely applied to promote bone growth and regeneration. However, Mg 2+ can chemically inhibit the crystallization of amorphous calcium phosphate into hydroxyapatite (HA). The underlying mechanisms by which Mg 2+ improves bone biomineralization remain elusive. Here, it is demonstrated that Mg 2+ plays dual roles in bone biomineralization from a developmental perspective. During embryonic development, the Mg 2+ ...

Polyploidization has played an important role in plant evolution and speciation, and newly formed allopolyploids have experienced rapid transcriptomic changes. Here, we compared the transcriptomic differences between a synthetic Brassica allohexaploid and its parents using a high-throughput RNA-Seq method. A total of 35,644,409 sequence reads were generated, and 32,642 genes were aligned from the data. Totals of 29,260, 29,060, and 29,697 genes were identified in Brassica rapa , Brassica carinata , and Brassica allohexaploid, respectively. We compared 7,397 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Brassica hexaploid and its parents, as well as 2,545 nonadditive genes of Brassica hexaploid. We hypothesized that the higher ploidy level as well as secondary polyploidy might have influenced these changes. The majority of the 3,184 DEGs between Brassica hexaploid and its paternal parent, B . rapa , were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant–pathogen interactions, photosynthesis, and circadian rhythm. Among the 2,233 DEGs between Brassica hexaploid and its maternal parent, B . carinata , several played roles in plant–pathogen interactions, plant hormone signal transduction, ribosomes, limonene and pinene degradation, photosynthesis, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. There were more significant differences in gene expression between the allohexaploid and its paternal parent than between it and its maternal parent, possibly partly because of cytoplasmic and maternal effects. Specific functional categories were enriched among the 2,545 nonadditive genes of Brassica hexaploid compared with the additive genes; the categories included response to stimulus, immune system process, cellular process, metabolic process, rhythmic process, and pigmentation. Many transcription factor genes, methyltransferases, and methylation genes showed differential expression between Brassica hexaploid and its parents. Our results demonstrate that the Brassica allohexaploid can generate extensive transcriptomic diversity compared with its parents. These changes may contribute to the normal growth and reproduction of allohexaploids.

Sensory neurons promote profound suppressive effects on neutrophils during Streptococcus pyogenes infection and contribute to the pathogenesis of necrotizing infection (“flesh-eating disease”). Thus, the development of new antibacterial agents for necrotizing infection is promising because of the clear streptococcal neuro-immune communication. Herein, based on the immune escape membrane exterior and competitive membrane functions of the glioma cell membrane, a novel nano neuro-immune blocker capsule was designed to prevent neuronal activation and improve neutrophil immune responses for necrotizing infection. These nano neuro-immune blockers could neutralize streptolysin S, suppress neuron pain conduction and calcitonin gene-related peptide release, and recruit neutrophils to the infection site, providing a strong therapeutic effect against necrotizing infection. Furthermore, nano neuro-immune blockers could serve as an effective inflammatory regulator and antibacterial agent via photothermal effects under near-infrared irradiation. In the Streptococcus pyogenes-induced necrotizing fasciitis mouse model, nano neuro-immune blockers showed significant therapeutic efficacy by ameliorating sensitivity to pain and promoting the antibacterial effect of neutrophils.

T cell immunotherapy holds significant challenges in solid tumors, mainly due to the T cells’ low activation and the decreased synthesis–release of therapeutic proteins, including perforin and granzyme B, which are present in lysosomes. In this study, a lysosome‐targeting nanoparticle (LYS‐NP) is developed by way of a mineralized metal–organic framework (MOF) coupled with a lysosome‐targeting aptamer (CD63‐aptamer) to enhance the antitumor effect of T cells. The MOF synthesized from Zn2+ and dimethylimidazole has good protein encapsulation and acid sensitivity, and is thus an ideal lysosomal delivery vector. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is used to induce MOF mineralization, improve the composite material's stability in encapsulating therapeutic protein, and provide calcium ions with synergistic effects. Before mineralization, perforin and granzyme B—T cell‐needed therapeutic proteins for tumors—are preloaded with the MOF. Moreover, T cells are pretreated with processed tumor‐specific antigens to activate or produce memory before reprogramming the lysosomes, facilitating the T cell receptor (TCR) for release of the therapeutic proteins. Using T cells recombined by LYS‐NPs, a significant enhancement of breast cancer control is confirmed.

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