Physiological and Immunological Changes Associated with Oral Microbiota When Using a Thermoplastic Retainer

Background: The study examined the oral microbiota, physiological and immunological changes in patients using thermoplastic retainers during three months of use. Methods: The study included several steps. Firstly, 10 swabs were collected from the buccal and palatal surfaces of the teeth of the patients, approximately 2 mL of saliva was collected from the same patients and 2 mL of saliva was collected from 10 healthy people to measure the pH and secretory IgA level. This was followed by the isolation and identfication of the bacterial isolates in the patient samples. Then, isolate susceptibility toward chlorhexidine (CHX) and their adhesion ability to thermoplastic retainer surfaces was measured. In addition to that the study estimated the numbers of Lactobacillus and Streptooccus mutans colonies during three months and finally, a comparsion of pH acidity and IgA level between the patients and healthy people was performed. The results showed the predominant bacteria during the three months were Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. followed by different rates of other bacteria. Raoultella ornithinolytica showed more resistance to CHX while Lactobacillus spp. showed more sensitivity. Streptococcus mutans colony levels were higher than Lactobacillus spp. colonies during the three months, also S. mutans had the highest value in adherence to retainer thermoplastic. Finally, pH acidity showed a highly significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the third month, like IgA levels (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results obtained from the current study, the researchers noted that the thermoplastic retainers helped change the oral cavity environment.     

Probing the Local Reaction Environment During High Turnover Carbon Dioxide Reduction with Ag-Based Gas Diffusion Electrodes

Discerning the influence of electrochemical reactions on the electrode microenvironment is an unavoidable topic for electrochemical reactions that involve the production of OH⁻ and the consumption of water. That is particularly true for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), which together with the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) exert changes in the local OH⁻ and H₂O activity that in turn can possibly affect activity, stability, and selectivity of the CO₂RR. We determine the local OH⁻ and H₂O activity in close proximity to a CO₂-converting Ag-based gas diffusion electrode (GDE) with product analysis using gas chromatography. A Pt nanosensor is positioned in the vicinity of the working GDE using shear-force-based scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) approach curves, which allows monitoring changes invoked by reactions proceeding within an otherwise inaccessible porous GDE by potentiodynamic measurements at the Pt-tip nanosensor. We show that high turnover HER/CO₂RR at a GDE lead to modulations of the alkalinity of the local electrolyte, that resemble a 16 m KOH solution, variations that are in turn linked to the reaction selectivity.     

一种基于萘酰亚胺的检测细胞内pH值的荧光探针及其生物成像应用

细胞内溶酶体的pH值对细胞自噬、吞噬、酶加工等各项生命活动有着重要影响. 细胞核是真核细胞中最大的细胞器, 控制着生物体内的遗传和代谢过程, 参与代谢过程的酶对pH值的变化很敏感. 因此, 研究细胞体内的pH值变化至关重要. 我们设计并以简单的两步反应合成了一种新型荧光探针 NpH-1. 该探针以萘酰亚胺作为荧光团, 以吗啉基团作为对pH值响应的位点, 通过光诱导电子转移(PET)机制调控荧光, 能够对pH值变化响应. 我们在缓冲范围为1.81到11.92的Britton-Robison缓冲液中测定了 NpH-1对pH值变化响应的光谱性质. 在pH值3.0道10.0的范围内, NpH-1能够对pH值的变化产生快速可逆的响应, 其p Ka值为5.41. 探针具有很高的光稳定性. NpH-1具有很低的细胞毒性, 能够用于活细胞成像. 我们用氯喹刺激HeLa细胞, 使细胞的pH值发生变化, 并用探针 NpH-1监测了这一过程中的pH值变化. 另外, 还对 NpH-1进行了溶酶体、线粒体、高尔基体、内质网和细胞核的共定位实验, 结果表明, 探针主要分布在溶酶体和细胞核中, 这意味着 NpH-1可以用于检测复杂细胞环境中的pH值变化.     

Cooperative Chemotaxis of Magnesium Microswimmers for Corrosion Spotting

Numerous artificial micro- and nanomotors, as well as various swimmers have been inspired by living organisms that are able to move in a coordinated manner. Their cooperation has also gained a lot of attention because the resulting clusters are able to adapt to changes in their environment and to perform complex tasks. However, mimicking such a collective behavior remains a challenge. In the present work, magnesium microparticles are used as chemotactic swimmers with pronounced collective features, allowing the gradual formation of macroscopic agglomerates. The formed clusters act like a single swimmer able to follow pH gradients. This dynamic behavior can be used to spot localized corrosion events in a straightforward way. The autonomous docking of the swimmers to the corrosion site leads to the formation of a local protection layer, thus increasing corrosion resistance and triggering partial self-healing.     

DCE-MRI定量参数对子宫内膜癌的诊断价值及与临床病理因素的相关性

本文选取了子宫内膜癌患者108例作为观察组,另选取子宫内膜良性病变患者105例作为对照组,均行DCE-MRI检查后发现,观察组容量转移常数(K trans)、速率常数(K ep)、血管外细胞外间隙容积比值(V e)高于对照组(P<0.05);K trans、K ep、V e值联合诊断子宫内膜癌的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.841;K trans、K ep、V e值与临床分期、肌层浸润程度呈正相关,与分化程度呈负相关(P<0.05)。本研究结果提示DCE-MRI定量参数对子宫内膜癌具有一定鉴别诊断价值,有助于进一步区分子宫内膜癌患者肌层浸润程度、临床分期、分化程度。     

Rheological and Solubility Properties of Soy Protein Isolate

Soy protein isolate (SPI) powders often have poor water solubility, particularly at pH values close to neutral, which is an attribute that is an issue for its incorporation into complex nutritional systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to improve SPI solubility while maintaining low viscosity. Thus, the intention was to examine the solubility and rheological properties of a commercial SPI powder at pH values of 2.0, 6.9, and 9.0, and determine if heat treatment at acidic or alkaline conditions might positively influence protein solubility, once re-adjusted back to pH 6.9. Adjusting the pH of SPI dispersions from pH 6.9 to 2.0 or 9.0 led to an increase in protein solubility with a concomitant increase in viscosity at 20 °C. Meanwhile, heat treatment at 90 °C significantly improved the solubility at all pH values and resulted in a decrease in viscosity in samples heated at pH 9.0. All SPI dispersions measured under low-amplitude rheological conditions showed elastic-like behaviour (i.e., G′ > G″), indicating a weak “gel-like” structure at frequencies less than 10 Hz. In summary, the physical properties of SPI can be manipulated through heat treatment under acidic or alkaline conditions when the protein subunits are dissociated, before re-adjusting to pH 6.9.     

Measuring local pH in electrochemistry

Localized pH measurements are important in various areas of electrochemistry, from corrosion to bio-electrochemistry and electrocatalysis. Different techniques are available to perform these measurements and offer numerous possibilities in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, sensitivity, and precision. In this brief review we present the recent progress made and summarize the main techniques available for localized pH measurements in electrochemistry such as scanning probe techniques (SECM, SICM, SIET), laser (confocal) fluorescence microscopy, rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE) voltammetry, and infra-red spectroscopy, among others.     

Enzyme-regulated the changes of pH values for assembling a colorimetric and multistage interconnection logic network with multiple readouts

Based on enzymatic reactions-triggered changes of pH values and biocomputing, a novel and multistage interconnection biological network with multiple easy-detectable signal outputs has been developed. Compared with traditional chemical computing, the enzyme-based biological system could overcome the interference between reactions or the incompatibility of individual computing gates and offer a unique opportunity to assemble multicomponent/multifunctional logic circuitries. Our system included four enzyme inputs: β-galactosidase (β-gal), glucose oxidase (GOx), esterase (Est) and urease (Ur). With the assistance of two signal transducers (gold nanoparticles and acid–base indicators) or pH meter, the outputs of the biological network could be conveniently read by the naked eyes. In contrast to current methods, the approach present here could realize cost-effective, label-free and colorimetric logic operations without complicated instrument. By designing a series of Boolean logic operations, we could logically make judgment of the compositions of the samples on the basis of visual output signals. Our work offered a promising paradigm for future biological computing technology and might be highly useful in future intelligent diagnostics, prodrug activation, smart drug delivery, process control, and electronic applications.     

Continuous fast focusing in a trapezoidal void channel based on bidirectional isotachophoresis in a wide pH range

This study concentrates on development of instrumentation for focusing and separation of analytes in continuous flow. It is based on bidirectional ITP working in wide pH range with separation space of closed void channel of trapezoidal shape and continuous supply of sample. The novel instrumentation is working with electrolyte system formulated previously and on the contrary to devices currently available, it allows preparative separation and concentration of cationic, anionic, and amphoteric analytes simultaneously and in wide pH range. The formation of sharp edges at zone boundaries as well as low conductivity zones are avoided in suggested system and thus, local overheating is eliminated allowing for high current densities at initial stages of focusing. This results in high focusing speed and reduction of analysis time, which is particularly advantageous for separations performed in continuous flow systems. The closed void channel is designed to avoid basic obstacles related to liquid leakage, bubbles formation, contacts with electrodes, channel height and complicated assembling. The performance of designed instrumentation and focusing dynamics were tested by using colored low molecular mass pH indicators for local pH determination, focusing pattern, and completion. In addition, feasibility and separation efficiency were demonstrated by focusing of cytochrome C and myoglobin. The collection of fractions at instrument output allows for subsequent analysis and identification of sample components that are concentrated and conveniently in form of solution for further processing. Since the instrumentation operates with commercially available simple defined buffers and compounds without need of carrier ampholytes background, it is economically favorable.