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Feature selection is a fundamental pre‐processing step in machine learning that aims to reduce the dimensionality of a dataset by selecting the most effective features from the original features. This process is regarded as a combinatorial optimization problem, and the grey wolf optimizer (GWO), a novel meta‐heuristic algorithm, has gained popularity in feature selection due to its fast convergence speed and easy implementation. In this paper, an improved binary GWO algorithm incorporating a novel Population Adaptation strategy called PA‐BGWO is proposed. The PA‐BGWO takes into account the characteristics of the feature selection problem and designs three strategies. The proposed strategy includes an adaptive individual update procedure to enhance the exploitation ability and accelerate convergence speed, a head wolf fine‐tuned mechanism to exert the impact on each independent feature of the objective function, and a filter‐based method ReliefF for calculating feature weights with dynamically adjusted mutation probabilities based on the ranking features to effectively escape from local optima. Experimental comparisons with several state‐of‐the‐art feature selection methods on 15 classification problems demonstrate that the proposed approach can select a small feature subset with higher classification accuracy in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospun polymer/metal composite nanofibers have received much attention in the field of bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (BTERM) owing to their extracellular matrix- (ECM-) like structure, sufficient mechanical strength, favorable biological properties, and bone induction. In particular, electrospun nanofibers containing strontium (Sr) can significantly promote bone repair and regeneration by mediating osteolysis and osteogenesis, which offers a promising bioactive material for BTERM. In this review, we summarized the effects of electrospun nanofibers containing Sr on stem cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts in BTERM. Also, current challenges and future perspectives for electrospun nanofibers containing Sr in BTERM are briefly outlined. It is hoped that the systematic overview will inspire the readers to further study Sr-containing nanofibers for BTERM and accelerate their translation from the bench to the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospun polymer/metal composite nanofibers have received much attention in the field of bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (BTERM) owing to their extracellular matrix- (ECM-) like structure, sufficient mechanical strength, favorable biological properties, and bone induction. In particular, electrospun nanofibers containing strontium (Sr) can significantly promote bone repair and regeneration by mediating osteolysis and osteogenesis, which offers a promising bioactive material for BTERM. In this review, we summarized the effects of electrospun nanofibers containing Sr on stem cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts in BTERM. Also, current challenges and future perspectives for electrospun nanofibers containing Sr in BTERM are briefly outlined. It is hoped that the systematic overview will inspire the readers to further study Sr-containing nanofibers for BTERM and accelerate their translation from the bench to the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan and its derivatives have been increasingly used for bacteriostasis. To date, the effect of chitosan and N-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) associated with endodontic infection has remained to be determined. Chitosan and HTCC were serially diluted with double-distilled water (DDW) or PBS at concentrations of 20-2,500 µg/ml. Various strains of E. faecalis (American Type Tissue Collection no. 29212, as well as isolated strains P25RC and P52Sa) in plankton were adjusted to an optical density at 600 nm of 0.10 and treated with chitosan or HTCC. A colony-forming unit assay was used to determine the concentration of residual bacteria after treatment. Furthermore, E. faecalis biofilms were cultured on coverslips and treated with chitosan or HTCC. The coverslips were rinsed, stained using Live/dead® BacLight™ bacterial viability kit and observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope. In addition, biofilms on dentine blocks were prepared and observed under a scanning electron microscope. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were seeded on 96-well plates and treated with chitosan or HTCC at various concentrations. The cytotoxicity of chitosan and HTCC on MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. The results revealed that the final minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of chitosan and HTCC dissolved in DDW were 70 and 140 µg/ml, respectively. Chitosan and HTCC in DDW exerted a significantly greater antibacterial effect as compared with that in PBS (P<0.05). At the MBC, chitosan and HTCC in DDW, but particularly chitosan, had a significant antibacterial effect on E. faecalis biofilm. Chitosan exhibited no cytotoxicity to MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts at a concentration of <625 µg/ml, while HTCC inhibited the proliferation of the cells in the concentration range of 39-10,000 µg/ml. In conclusion, chitosan and HTCC exhibited prominent antibacterial properties on E. faecalis in the planktonic state and as a biofilm via charge interaction, indicating their potential for application in root canal disinfection and fillings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) is commonly seen in patients with heart failure (HF), but there are limited treatment options. Recent studies have shown an association between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms, and the association between ALDH2 and risk of PH-LHD in patients with HF. It also investigated different ALDH2 genotypes and examined their association with cardiac structure and function in HF patients with PH-LHD. A total of 178 HF patients were consecutively enrolled in this study: 102 without PH-LHD and 76 with PH-LHD. Clinical data, parameters of echocardiography, and relevant biochemical indexes were recorded in both groups. Differences in data obtained between groups were compared, and the risk of variant ALDH2 polymorphisms with PH-LHD in HF patients was analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of ALDH2 rs671 GA/AA polymorphisms (variant ALDH2) was 24 of 102 patients (23.53%) in the HF without PH-LHD group, and 32 of 76 patients (42.10%) in the HF with PH-LHD group, with a statistically significant difference. Univariate and multivariate logistical regression showed that variant ALDH2 is an independent risk factor for HF combined with PH-LHD. A higher proportion of patients with variant ALDH2 in the HF with PH-LHD group had a tricuspid regurgitation velocity >2.8 m/s, and they had higher values of peak early diastolic velocity of the mitral orifice/peak velocity of the early diastolic wave of the mitral orifice, maximum frequency shift of pulmonary valve flow, and pulmonary artery stiffness. Variant ALDH2 may be an independent risk factor for HF combined with PH-LHD. Variant ALDH2 may also be involved in pulmonary artery remodelling and is a potential new target for clinical treatment of PH-LHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Astaxanthin-loaded Janus nanofiber patches were prepared via electrospinning. • The saliva-insoluble PCL backing prevented drug loss in the oral cavity. • The patches showed a suitable astaxanthin release rate and permeated into buccal mucosa. • The patches greatly promoted the recovery of oral premalignant lesions. • The patches showed great potential for managing oral premalignant lesions. Oral premalignant lesions (OPL) are one of the most common oral diseases, affecting the quality of life and even leading to oral cancer. Current treatments commonly use steroids/retinoids in mouthwashes, films, or ointments. However, conventional drugs/formulations have significant side effects/limitations. Herein, astaxanthin-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin (GT) nanofiber-based mucoadhesive patches (PGA) with the water‐insoluble PCL nanofiber backing (PCL/PGA) are developed via electrospinning for the management of OPL. The saliva-insoluble PCL backing could greatly prevent drug loss after application in the oral cavity. The prepared PCL/PGA patches exhibit a suitable astaxanthin release rate for achieving high local drug concentration, which permeated into buccal mucosa. In addition, the developed thin patches display excellent wet tissue adhesion and great air permeability due to their high porosity. Notably, the in vivo experiment shows that the bioactive mucoadhesive patches significantly promote the recovery of OPL by suppressing the expression of Ki67 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), comparable to clinical tretinoin cream formulation. Also, the patches did not induce any side effects (i.e., hair loss and oral ulcers) compared to clinical tretinoin cream formulation. The results demonstrate that this novel electrospun mucoadhesive bilayer patch holds great potential for the treatment of OPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • All organic PC 71 BM/g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts were constructed by in situ self-assembly. • The heterostructures possess satisfactory biocompatibility. • The PC 71 BM served as the electron acceptor and photosensitizer. • · O 2 - acted as the main active species in the degradation process. Photocatalysis has been reported as a potential water purification technology for combating the pathogenic bacteria and degrading the hazardous chemicals. The photoactive organic semiconductors as the emerging class of an alternative to the traditional developed inorganic semiconductors are being widely pursued due to their tunable structures and low toxicity. Herein, the all-organic [6,6] -phenyl C 71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC 71 BM)/g-C 3 N 4 heterostructure have been created by introducing self-assembled n-type fullerene small molecule to the g-C 3 N 4 surface in situ. The absorption edge of the heterostructures with PC 71 BM as the photosensitizer extend from 450 to 650 nm. Moreover, the charge separation and transfer efficiencies of the photocatalysts are greatly promoted even with 1.0% amount of PC 71 BM because of its low reorganization energy and high reduction potential. All of these superiorities endow the heterostructures with over 99.7% antibacterial rates toward E. coli and S. aureus and excellent performance against their biofilms after irradiation for 135 and 180 min, respectively. Additionally, the heterostructures achieve excellent photocatalytic degradation ability for Rhodamine B and tetracycline. Importantly, the in vitro experiments reveal that the as-prepared heterostructures possess satisfactory biocompatibility and their toxicity is negligible. This study provides a new perspective for designing ecofriendly all-organic heterostructures with high photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoidan has received much attention in healthy food and biomedicine owing to their unique (bio)physicochemical properties, particularly antibacterial and antiviral. Pathogenic microorganisms and probiotics are coexisting in many tissues (e.g., gut, oral, and vagina). However, the effect of fucoidan on probiotics has not been examined. Herein, fucoidan sterilized by different methods (i.e., 0.22 μm filter and high-temperature autoclave) is applied to explore its effect on the responses of Lactobacillus rhamnosus. It is found that high-temperature autoclave treatment causes the depolymerization of fucoidan. Further, the proliferation, morphology, and metabolism of probiotics are greatly dependent on the concentrations of fucoidan. The formation of probiotic biofilm is reduced with an increased concentration of fucoidan. Moreover, the antibacterial ability of probiotics initially increases and then decreases with an increased concentration of fucoidan. Thus, fucoidan could serve as a new marine-origin prebiotic, offering new insight into probiotic modulation and its application in inhibiting bacterial infections. • Depolymerized fucoidan with appropriate concentration promotes the growth of L. rhamnosus. • Depolymerized fucoidan affects the morphology and metabolism of L. rhamnosus. • Depolymerized fucoidan inhibits the formation of probiotic biofilm. • Depolymerized fucoidan enhances the antibacterial ability of L. rhamnosus. • Depolymerized fucoidan serves as a marine-origin prebiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional wound-dressing materials with structural and functional deficiencies are not effective in promoting wound healing. The development of multifunctional wound dressings is emerging as a promising strategy to accelerate blood coagulation, inhibit bacterial infection, and trigger full-thickness wound into a regenerative process. Herein, multifunctional composite sponges were developed by incorporation of traditional Chinese medicine Kangfuxin (KFX) into alginate (AG)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) via green crosslinking, electrostatic interaction, and freeze-drying methods. It is demonstrated that the AG/CMC/KFX (ACK) sponges exhibit a highly interconnected and porous structure, suitable water vapor transmittance, excellent elastic properties, antibacterial behavior, cytocompatibility, and rapid hemostasis. Further, in a rat full-thickness wounds model, the ACK sponge containing 10% KFX (ACK-10) significantly facilitates wound closure compared to the AC group and ACK sponge containing 5% and 15% KFX. Thus, the multifunctional ACK-10 composite sponge has great promise for the application of full-thickness wound healing. Unlabelled Image • Multifunctional alginate/carboxymethyl chitosan/kangfuxin sponges (ACK) were successfully fabricated. • ACK possessed a highly porous structure and excellent elastic properties. • ACK accelerated hemostasis and inhibited bacterial infection • ACK triggered the full-thickness wound into a regenerative process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]