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Changes in the gut microbiome have pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogenic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) 1-6 . However, effective methods for safely resolving gut dysbiosis have not yet been established. An expansion of the pathogen Enterococcus faecalis in the intestine, associated with dysbiosis, has been shown to be a risk factor for aGVHD 7-10 . Here we analyse the intestinal microbiome of patients with allo-HCT, and find that E. faecalis escapes elimination and proliferates in the intestine by forming biofilms, rather than by acquiring drug-resistance genes. We isolated cytolysin-positive highly pathogenic E. faecalis from faecal samples and identified an anti-E. faecalis enzyme derived from E. faecalis-specific bacteriophages by analysing bacterial whole-genome sequencing data. The antibacterial enzyme had lytic activity against the biofilm of E. faecalis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, in aGVHD-induced gnotobiotic mice that were colonized with E. faecalis or with patient faecal samples characterized by the domination of Enterococcus, levels of intestinal cytolysin-positive E. faecalis were decreased and survival was significantly increased in the group that was treated with the E. faecalis-specific enzyme, compared with controls. Thus, administration of a phage-derived antibacterial enzyme that is specific to biofilm-forming pathogenic E. faecalis-which is difficult to eliminate with existing antibiotics-might provide an approach to protect against aGVHD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Although vaccination is recommended for protection against invasive pneumococcal disease, the frequency of pneumococcal pneumonia is still high worldwide. In fact, no vaccines are effective for all pneumococcal serotypes. Fusion pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been shown to induce a broad range of cross-reactivity with clinical isolates and afford cross-protection against pneumococcal challenge in mice. Furthermore, we developed prime-boost-type mucosal vaccines that induce both antigen-specific IgG in serum and antigen-specific IgA in targeted mucosal organs in previous studies. We investigated whether our prime-boost-type immunization with a fusion PspA was effective against pneumococcal infection in mice and cynomolgus macaques., Methods: C57BL/6 mice were intramuscularly injected with fusion PspA combined with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan. Six weeks later, PspA was administered intranasally. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected and antigen-specific IgG and IgA titers were measured. Some mice were given intranasal Streptococcus pneumoniae and the severity of infection was analyzed. Macaques were intramuscularly injected with fusion PspA combined with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan at week 0 and week 4. Then, 13 or 41 weeks later, PspA was administered intratracheally. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected and antigen-specific IgG and IgA titers were measured. Some macaques were intranasally administered S. pneumoniae and analyzed for the severity of pneumonia., Results: Serum samples from mice and macaques injected with antigens in combination with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan contained antigen-specific IgG. Bronchial samples contained antigen-specific IgA after the fusion PspA boosting. This immunization regimen effectively prevented S. pneumoniae infection., Conclusions: Prime-boost-type immunization with a fusion PspA prevented S. pneumoniae infection in mice and macaques., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background & Aims: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective therapy for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). However, the overall mechanisms underlying FMT success await comprehensive elucidation, and the safety of FMT has recently become a serious concern because of the occurrence of drug-resistant bacteremia transmitted by FMT. We investigated whether functional restoration of the bacteriomes and viromes by FMT could be an indicator of successful FMT., Methods: The human intestinal bacteriomes and viromes from 9 patients with rCDI who had undergone successful FMT and their donors were analyzed. Prophage-based and CRISPR spacer-based host bacteria-phage associations in samples from recipients before and after FMT and in donor samples were examined. The gene functions of intestinal microorganisms affected by FMT were evaluated., Results: Metagenomic sequencing of both the viromes and bacteriomes revealed that FMT does change the characteristics of intestinal bacteriomes and viromes in recipients after FMT compared with those before FMT. In particular, many Proteobacteria, the fecal abundance of which was high before FMT, were eliminated, and the proportion of Microviridae increased in recipients. Most temperate phages also behaved in parallel with the host bacteria that were altered by FMT. Furthermore, the identification of bacterial and viral gene functions before and after FMT revealed that some distinctive pathways, including fluorobenzoate degradation and secondary bile acid biosynthesis, were significantly represented., Conclusions: The coordinated action of phages and their host bacteria restored the recipients' intestinal flora. These findings show that the restoration of intestinal microflora functions reflects the success of FMT., (Copyright © 2021 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The application of bacteriophages (phages) is proposed as a highly specific therapy for intestinal pathobiont elimination. However, the infectious associations between phages and bacteria in the human intestine, which is essential information for the development of phage therapies, have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we report the intestinal viral microbiomes (viromes), together with bacterial microbiomes (bacteriomes), in 101 healthy Japanese individuals. Based on the genomic sequences of bacteriomes and viromes from the same fecal samples, the host bacteria-phage associations are illustrated for both temperate and virulent phages. To verify the usefulness of the comprehensive host bacteria-phage information, we screened Clostridioides difficile-specific phages and identified antibacterial enzymes whose activity is confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. These comprehensive metagenome analyses reveal not only host bacteria-phage associations in the human intestine but also provide vital information for the development of phage therapies against intestinal pathobionts., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: Dysregulation of the microbiome has been associated with development of complex diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. However, no method has been developed to control disease-associated commensal microbes. We investigated whether immunization with microbial antigens, using CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan as adjuvants, induces systemic antigen-specific IgA and IgG production and affects development of diseases in mice., Methods: C57BL/6 mice were given intramuscular injections of antigens (ovalbumin, cholera toxin B-subunit, or pneumococcal surface protein A) combined with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and/or curdlan. Blood and fecal samples were collected weekly and antigen-specific IgG and IgA titers were measured. Lymph nodes and spleens were collected and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antigen-specific splenic T-helper 1 cells, T-helper 17 cells, and memory B cells. Six weeks after primary immunization, mice were given a oral, nasal, or vaginal boost of ovalbumin; intestinal lamina propria, bronchial lavage, and vaginal swab samples were collected and antibodies and cytokines were measured. Some mice were also given oral cholera toxin or intranasal Streptococcus pneumoniae and the severity of diarrhea or pneumonia was analyzed. Gnotobiotic mice were gavaged with fecal material from obese individuals, which had a high abundance of Clostridium ramosum (a commensal microbe associated with obesity and diabetes), and were placed on a high-fat diet 2 weeks after immunization with C ramosum. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction., Results: Serum and fecal samples from mice given injections of antigens in combination with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and curdlan for 3 weeks contained antigen-specific IgA and IgG, and splenocytes produced interferon-gamma and interleukin 17A. Lamina propria, bronchial, and vaginal samples contained antigen-specific IgA after the ovalbumin boost. This immunization regimen prevented development of diarrhea after injection of cholera toxin, and inhibited lung colonization by S pneumoniae. In gnotobiotic mice colonized with C ramosum and placed on a high-fat diet, the mice that had been immunized with C ramosum became less obese than the nonimmunized mice., Conclusions: Injection of mice with microbial antigens and adjuvant induces antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses. Immunization with S pneumoniae antigen prevented lung infection by this bacteria, and immunization with C ramosum reduced obesity in mice colonized with this microbe and placed on a high-fat diet. This immunization approach might be used to protect against microbe-associated disorders of intestine., (Copyright © 2019 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Phage therapy, the use of bacteriophages (phages) to treat bacterial infections, is regaining momentum as a promising weapon against the rising threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This comprehensive review explores the historical context, the modern resurgence of phage therapy, and phage-facilitated advancements in medical and technological fields. It details the mechanisms of action and applications of phages in treating MDR bacterial infections, particularly those associated with biofilms and intracellular pathogens. The review further highlights innovative uses of phages in vaccine development, cancer therapy, and as gene delivery vectors. Despite its targeted and efficient approach, phage therapy faces challenges related to phage stability, immune response, and regulatory approval. By examining these areas in detail, this review underscores the immense potential and remaining hurdles in integrating phage-based therapies into modern medical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective article describes the past, present, and future directions on TiO2 photocatalysis, 3D concrete printing, and recycling for developing innovative building envelope components from façade skins. Using a methodology consisting of three phases, first the historical evolution of TiO2 photocatalysis, 3D concrete printing, and recycling policies was investigated. Second, the rationale and positioning with regard to the state of the art were developed. Third, the cementitious mix design assessment for 3D printing of the building envelope components, evaluation of the photocatalytic activity, evaluation of the self-cleaning and air-purifying properties, and environmental and health assessment of the building envelope components were identified and discussed as major issues in developing innovative building envelope components that have the potential to mitigate urban air pollution, reduce building maintenance activities, and reduce building embedded carbon while, for example, recycling significant amounts of construction and demolition waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent ban on the production and use of long-chain perfluorinated compounds, the development of alternative approaches to prepare liquid-repellent surfaces that avoids the use of such compounds has become an urgent issue. We have succeeded in the development of fish-mimicking hydrophilic transparent hydrogel-based films with long-lasting anti-oil adhesion properties. Such films could be prepared by simply mixing poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), nanoclay particles (NCPs), and a waterborne aminosilane (AOS) using an integral blend (IB) method. When submerged in water, these films displayed underwater superoleophobicity (advancing and receding contact angles (CAs) of diiodomethane were ~171°/~163°) with low CA hysteresis (less than 8°), because the hydrophilic nature of the films promoted the formation of a thin layer of adsorbed water on the topmost film surfaces, similar to fish scales. Furthermore, when our films were coated onto the inside of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles and pre-wetted using 80 °C hot water vapors, these film surfaces could effectively repel various oils and were able to maintain their oil-repellent properties for more than 5 weeks. These water-driven, non-perfluorinated transparent hydrogel-based films are expected to increase recycling of PET bottles for oils that are generally incinerated or landfilled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-fogging coatings/surfaces have attracted much attention lately because of their practical applications in a wide variety of engineering fields. In this study, we successfully developed transparent anti-fogging surfaces using a non-volatile and hygroscopic ionic liquid (IL), bis(hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium methanesulfonate ([BHEDMA][MeSO3]), with a high surface tension (HST, 66.4 mN/m). To prepare these surfaces, a layer of highly transparent, superhydrophilic silica (SiO2) nano-frameworks (SNFs) was first prepared on a glass slide using candle soot particles and the subsequent chemisorption of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). This particulate layer of SNFs was then used as the support for the preparation of the [BHEDMA][MeSO3] layer. The resulting IL-infused SNF-covered glass slide was highly transparent, superhydrophilic, hygroscopic, and had self-healing and reasonable reversible/repeatable anti-fogging/frosting properties. This IL-infused sample surface kept its excellent anti-fogging performance in air for more than 8 weeks due to the IL's non-volatile, HST, and hygroscopic nature. In addition, even if the water absorption limit of [BHEDMA][MeSO3] was reached, the anti-fogging properties could be fully restored reversibly/repeatably by simply leaving the samples in air for several tens of minutes or heating them at 100 °C for a few minutes to remove the absorbed water. Our IL-based anti-fogging surfaces showed substantial improvement in their abilities to prevent fogging when compared to other dry/wet (super)hydrophobic/(super)hydrophilic surfaces having different surface geometries and chemistries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric materials that can convert thermal energy to electrical energy are stable and long-lasting and do not emit greenhouse gases; these properties render them useful in novel power generation devices that can conserve and utilize lost heat. SiC exhibits good mechanical properties, excellent corrosion resistance, high-temperature stability, non-toxicity, and environmental friendliness. It can withstand elevated temperatures and thermal shock and is well suited for thermoelectric conversions in high-temperature and harsh environments, such as supersonic vehicles and rockets. This paper reviews the potential of SiC as a high-temperature thermoelectric and third-generation wide-bandgap semiconductor material. Recent research on SiC thermoelectric materials is reviewed, and the principles and methods for optimizing the thermoelectric properties of SiC are discussed. Thus, this paper may contribute to increasing the application potential of SiC for thermoelectric energy conversion at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a straightforward template method was utilized to fabricate a superhydrophilic ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) surface where the paper sheet was used as template. Organic modified montmorillonite (OMMT) powder was introduced in order to improve the superhydrophilic response rate of the TPV surface. Investigations were conducted to research the durability and the self-cleaning behavior of the TPV surface, as well as to explore its potential application in the separation of oil-water and oil-oil mixtures. Experimental results demonstrated that the EVA/NBR/OMMT TPV (mass ratio 20/80/7) surface molded with No. 1000 paper sheet exhibited the excellent superhydrophilic property, which could achieve a contact angle of 0.0° within 5.5 s and had a surface energy of 35.6 mN·m-1. The superhydrophilic surface displayed the remarkable durability and the evident self-cleaning behavior; moreover, it could exhibit the significant difference in the critical pressure data for various liquids, suggesting the promising application in the field of oil-water and oil-oil separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laponite® (LAP) is an intensively studied synthetic clay due to the versatility given by its layered structure, which makes it usable in various applications. This review describes the multifaceted properties and applications of LAP in aqueous dispersions and gel systems. The first sections of the review discuss the LAP structure and the interactions between clay discs in an aqueous medium under different conditions (such as ionic strength, pH, temperature, and the addition of polymers) in order to understand the function of clay in tailoring the properties of the designed material. Additionally, the review explores the aging phenomenon characteristic of LAP aqueous dispersions as well as the development of shake-gels by incorporating LAP. The second part shows the most recent studies on materials containing LAP with possible applicability in the drilling industry, cosmetics or care products industry, and biomedical fields. By elucidating the remarkable versatility and ease of integration of LAP into various matrices, this review underscores its significance as a key ingredient for the creation of next-generation materials with tailored functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel UV-light-curable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate matrix composite material with unmodified and methacryloxyl-grafted TiO2 and TiO2-ZrO2 systems was developed and tested as a potential coating material for medical components. The main goal of the research was to evaluate how the addition of (un)modified inorganic oxide fillers affects the properties of the composition (viscosity, UV/Vis spectra), the kinetics of photocuring (photo-DSC), and the morphological (SEM), physicochemical, and thermal properties (DSC, TGA) of the resulting composites. The applied filler functionalization process decreased their polarity and changed their size, BET surface area, and pore volume, which influenced the viscosity and kinetics of the photocurable system. In addition, the addition of synthesized fillers reduced the polymer's glass transition temperature and increased its thermal stability. It was also observed that additional UV irradiation of the tested composite changed its surface, resulting in hydrophobic properties (with the addition of 7 wt.% filler, an increase in the contact angle by more than 45% was observed). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium implants undergo an aging process through surface hydrocarbon deposition, resulting in decreased wettability and bioactivity. Plasma treatment was shown to significantly reduce surface hydrocarbons, thus improving implant hydrophilicity and enhancing the osseointegration process. This study investigates the effect of plasma surface treatment on bone-to-implant contact (BIC) of implants presenting a nanostructured calcium-incorporated surface (XPEED®). Following a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design, patients undergoing implant surgery in the posterior maxilla received additional plasma-treated (n = 7) or -untreated (n = 5) 3.5 × 8 mm implants that were retrieved after a 4-week healing period for histological examination. Histomorphometric analysis showed that plasma-treated implants exhibited a 38.7% BIC rate compared to 22.4% of untreated implants (p = 0.002), indicating enhanced osseointegration potential. Histological images also revealed increased bone formation and active osteoblastic activity around plasma-treated implants when compared to untreated specimens. The findings suggest that plasma treatment improves surface hydrophilicity and biological response, facilitating early bone formation around titanium implants. This study underscores the importance of surface modifications in optimizing implant integration and supports the use of plasma treatment to enhance osseointegration, thereby improving clinical outcomes in implant dentistry and offering benefits for immediate and early loading protocols, particularly in soft bone conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In natural microbiomes, microorganisms interact with each other and exhibit diverse functions. Microbiome engineering, which enables bacterial knockdown, is a promising method to elucidate the functions of targeted bacteria in microbiomes. However, few methods to selectively kill target microorganisms in the microbiome without affecting the growth of nontarget microorganisms are available. In this study, we focused on the host-specific lytic ability of virulent phages and validated their potency for precise microbiome engineering. In an artificial microbiome consisting of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, the addition of bacteriophages infecting their respective host strains specifically reduced the number of these bacteria more than 102 orders. Remarkably, the reduction in target bacteria did not affect the growth of nontarget bacteria, indicating that bacteriophages were effective tools for precise microbiome engineering. Moreover, a virulent derivative of the phage was synthesized from prophage DNA in the genome of lysogen by in vivo DNA assembly and phage-rebooting techniques, and E. coli-targeted microbiome engineering was achieved. These results propose a novel approach for precise microbiome engineering using bacteriophages, in which virulent phages are synthesized from prophage DNA in lysogenic strains without isolating phages from environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To separate oil–water mixtures especially in oil field operations, new energy-efficient methods are urgently required. Conventional separation techniques using demulsifiers for separation of oil–water mixtures or even use of membranes usually suffered from high cost and energy consumption, composition dependency of demulsifiers and fouling or inability of a single membrane to separate all types of oil–water mixtures. This research aimed to synthesize tungsten oxide-coated stainless steel mesh using the hydrothermal method, with a focus on evaluating its effectiveness in oil–water separation. The coating procedure was carried out using hydrothermal techniques, with an emphasis on investigating the impact of precursor concentration, pH levels, reaction temperature and duration, on the separation efficiency of the optimal coating solution. The hydrothermally coated stainless steel mesh was created within a polytetrafluoroethylene reaction vessel, submerged in a 150 ml aqueous solution containing 0.0094 mol of sodium tungstate di-hydrate at pH 3.0, achieved through the addition of hydrochloric acid. Additionally, 1 g of oxalic acid, acting as a chelating agent, was introduced. Subsequently, the mesh underwent a 4 h reaction at 220 °C and was subsequently annealed for 30 min in a 350 °C furnace. Remarkably, the resultant mesh exhibited an exceptional water separation flux of 9870 ± 15 L/hr/m2 when exposed to 1:1 v/v oil–water mixtures. This performance significantly outperformed previous filters designed for similar oil–water separation tasks. The mesh efficiently facilitated the passage of water through the oil–water mixture, achieving an efficiency rate exceeding 98 ± 1%. To gauge its wetting behavior, the hydrophilic/underwater oleophobic filter underwent static contact angle measurements. The filter's wetting mechanism was primarily attributed to its hierarchical surface structure, which enhanced surface hydrophilicity and roughness. Analytical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM were employed to scrutinize the fabricated filter's composition. These analyses confirmed the successful creation of a nanostructured WO3 coating on both sides of the stainless steel mesh. Moreover, the utilization of commercially available chemicals and straightforward fabrication techniques underscores the promising potential of this approach for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this comprehensive review, we explore the pivotal role of commensal Bifidobacterium (c-BIF) as potent non-self-antigens through antigenic mimicry, along with exploring the potential of humoral immune responses for both malignant and non-malignant disease. c-BIF, a predominant component of the human gut microbiome encompassing around 90% of the human genome, has emerged as a pivotal player in human biology. Over recent decades, there has been extensive research elucidating the intricate connections between c-BIF and various facets of human health, with particular emphasis on their groundbreaking impact on anti-cancer effects and the management of non-malignant diseases. The multifaceted role of c-BIF is explored, ranging from enhancing anti-tumor immunity to improving the efficacy of anti-cancer and anti-infectious disease strategies, and serving as predictive biomarkers for various diseases. Recent studies highlight not only c-BIF's promotion of anti-tumor immunity but also their role in enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The review emphasizes the promising avenue of manipulating the gut microbiota, particularly c-BIF, for modulating cancer immunotherapy with targeted effects on tumor cells while minimizing harm to normal tissue. In the context of infectious and inflammatory diseases, the crucial role of c-BIFs in the management of COVID-19 symptoms is examined, emphasizing their impact on the severity of and immune response to COVID-19. Furthermore, c-BIF exhibits preventive and therapeutic effects on Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and shows promise in improving inflammatory bowel diseases. The potential application of c-BIF as a biomarker for immunotherapy is explored, with a specific emphasis on its predictive and prognostic value in cancer. Suggestions are made regarding the use of humoral immune responses to cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope peptides that share motifs with c-BIF, proposing them as potential markers for predicting overall survival in diverse cancer patients. In conclusion, c-BIF emerges as a crucial and multifaceted determinant of human health, across anti-tumor immunity to infectious and inflammatory disease management. The manipulation of c-BIF and gut microbiota presents a promising avenue for advancing therapeutic strategies, particularly in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, this review highlights the significance of c-BIF as potent non-self-antigens via antigenic mimicry, emphasizing the importance of robust humoral immune responses against c-BIF for preventing various diseases, including inflammatory conditions. Elevated levels of circulating antibodies against c-BIF in healthy individuals may serve as potential indicators of lower risks for malignant and non-malignant diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document describes a proprietary design, construction, programming and testing of a low-cost pulsed high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power supply with an output of 430 V and power of 25 W. The design obtained allows costs to be reduced compared to commercial ones, highlighting that the manufacturing of this HVDC is easy to replicate. To demonstrate the operation of the pulsed power supply prototype, coatings of silicon carbide (SiC) and SiC mixed with graphite (C) and/or alumina (Al2O3) were made using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. After processing, samples underwent a heat treatment at 500 °C to evaluate their thermoelectric (TE) efficiency. The samples were analysed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. The Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity were measured in a temperature range of 100–500 °C in a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. The electrical conductivity of the SiC 6C-4Al sample was 0.65 S/cm at 500 °C, while the maximum Seebeck coefficient was 2500 μV/K of the SiC 6C-4Al sample at 200 °C. The thermal conductivity of SiC 6C-4Al was in the range of 0.35–0.37 W/m·K, which was much lower than the SiC sample free of alumina and graphite in the same measured temperature range. In conclusion, the SiC 6C-4Al sample presented the highest figure of merit with a ZT ≈ 0.01. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The incidence of the autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes (T1D), has been increasing worldwide and recent studies have shown that the gut microbiota are associated with modulating susceptibility to T1D. Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) recognizes bacterial flagellin and is widely expressed on many cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), which are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs). TLR5 modulates susceptibility to obesity and alters metabolism through gut microbiota; however, little is known about the role TLR5 plays in autoimmunity, especially in T1D. Methods: To fill this knowledge gap, we generated a TLR5-deficient non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, an animal model of human T1D, for study. Results: We found that TLR5-deficiency led to a reduction in CD11c+ DC development in utero, prior to microbial colonization, which was maintained into adulthood. This was associated with a bias in the DC populations expressing CD103, with or without CD8α co-expression, and hyper-secretion of different cytokines, both in vitro (after stimulation) and directly ex vivo. We also found that TLR5-deficient DCs were able to promote polyclonal and islet antigen-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Interestingly, only older TLR5-deficient NOD mice had a greater risk of developing spontaneous T1D compared to wild-type mice. Discussion: In summary, our data show that TLR5 modulates DC development and enhances cytokine secretion and diabetogenic CD4+ T cell responses. Further investigation into the role of TLR5 in DC development and autoimmune diabetes may give additional insights into the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infection caused by Clostridioides difficile represents one of the bacterial infections with the greatest increase in incidence among nosocomial infections in recent years. C. difficile is a Gram-positive bacterium able to produce toxins and spores. In some cases, infection results in severe diarrhoea and fulminant colitis, which cause prolonged hospitalisation and can be fatal, with repercussions also in terms of health economics. C. difficile is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in the healthcare setting. The problem of bacterial forms that are increasingly resistant to common antibiotic treatments is also reflected in C. difficile infection (CDI). One of the causes of CDI is intestinal dysmicrobialism induced by prolonged antibiotic therapy. Moreover, in recent years, the emergence of increasingly virulent strains resistant to antibiotic treatment has made the picture even more complex. Evidence on preventive treatments to avoid recurrence is unclear. Current guidelines indicate the following antibiotics for the treatment of CDI: metronidazole, vancomycin, and fidaxomycin. This short narrative review provides an overview of CDI, antibiotic resistance, and emerging treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viruses, the majority of which are uncultivated, are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth. From altering microbial physiology to driving community dynamics, viruses are fundamental members of microbiomes. While the number of studies leveraging viral metagenomics (viromics) for studying uncultivated viruses is growing, standards for viromics research are lacking. Viromics can utilize computational discovery of viruses from total metagenomes of all community members (hereafter metagenomes) or use physical separation of virus-specific fractions (hereafter viromes). However, differences in the recovery and interpretation of viruses from metagenomes and viromes obtained from the same samples remain understudied., Results: Here, we compare viral communities from paired viromes and metagenomes obtained from 60 diverse samples across human gut, soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Overall, viral communities obtained from viromes had greater species richness and total viral genome abundances than those obtained from metagenomes, although there were some exceptions. Despite this, metagenomes still contained many viral genomes not detected in viromes. We also found notable differences in the predicted lytic state of viruses detected in viromes vs metagenomes at the time of sequencing. Other forms of variation observed include genome presence/absence, genome quality, and encoded protein content between viromes and metagenomes, but the magnitude of these differences varied by environment., Conclusions: Overall, our results show that the choice of method can lead to differing interpretations of viral community ecology. We suggest that the choice of whether to target a metagenome or virome to study viral communities should be dependent on the environmental context and ecological questions being asked. However, our overall recommendation to researchers investigating viral ecology and evolution is to pair both approaches to maximize their respective benefits. Video Abstract., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

There is no doubt that organic dyes currently play an indispensable role in our daily life; they are used in products such as furniture, textiles, and leather accessories. However, the main problems related to the widespread use of these dyes are their toxicity and non-biodegradable nature, which mainly are responsible for various environmental risks and threaten human life. Therefore, the elimination of these toxic materials from aqueous media is highly recommended to save freshwater resources, as well as our health and environment. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a potential technique for dye degradation, in which a photocatalyst is used to absorb light (UV or visible) and produce electron–hole pairs that enable the reaction participants to undergo chemical changes. In the past, various metal oxides have been successfully applied as promising photocatalysts for the degradation of dyes and various organic pollutants due to their wide bandgap, optical, and electronic properties, in addition to their low cost, high abundance, and chemical stability in aqueous solutions. Various parameters play critical roles in the total performance of the photocatalyst during the photocatalytic degradation of dyes, including morphology, which is a critical factor in the overall degradation process. In our article, the recent progress on the morphological dependence of photocatalysts will be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are associated with persistent intestinal dysfunction preceded by gut bacterial dysbiosis. There are limited data on intestinal bacteriophages in these conditions. The aim of the present work was to detect associations between dominant intestinal bacteria by means of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and some clinically significant viruses detected with a customized primer panel for NGS-based study. The clinical group included patients with Crohn's disease (IBD, n = 9), or GVHD (n = 6) subjected to fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy donors. The stool specimens were taken initially, and 5 times post-FMT until day 120. Using NGS approach, we have found a higher abundance of Proteobacterota phylum in GVHD, especially, at later terms post-FMT. Moreover, we found an early increase of Klebsiella and E. coli/Shigella abundance in GVHD, along with decreased relative content of Faecalibacterium. Upon evaluation of intestinal phageome, the relative amount of Caudoviricetes class was higher in GVHD. A significant correlation was found between Proteobacteria and Caudoviricetes, thus suggesting their association during the post-FMT period. Moreover, the relative amounts of five Caudoviricetes phage species showed distinct correlations with Klebsiella and Enterococcus ratios at different terms of FMT. In conclusion, parallel use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted NGS viral panel is a feasible and useful option for tracing specific viral strains in fecal microbiota. The developed array of viral primers may be extended to detect other phages infecting the clinically relevant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridioides difficile colonizes a polymicrobial environment in the intestine and is a causative agent for antibioticassociated diarrhea (AAD) and pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). The most important virulence factors of C. difficile are bacterial toxins, and three toxins (toxin A, toxin B, and binary toxin) are produced by toxigenic strains. Other virulence factors include spores, flagella, capsules, biofilms, hydrolytic enzymes and adhesins. C. difficile infection (CDI) is specifically diagnosed by anaerobic culture and toxin detection by either nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For treatment of CDI, metronidazole, vancomycin and fidaxomicin are used based on the severity of CDI. Mutual interaction between C. difficile and gut microbiota is associated with pathogenesis of CDI, and decreased microbial diversity with altered gut microbiome was detected in CDI patients. Restoration of certain gut microbiota is considered to be potentially effective for the prevention and treatment of CDI, and an ideal goal for CDI patients is restoration of the gut microbiota to a healthy state. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly successful method of microbiome restoration and has been reported to be effective for the prevention of recurrent CDI. In addition, approaches to restoring the gut microbiota by using probioitcs and live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) are currently being studied to examine the effect on CDI. Further microbial ecological research on C. difficile and gut microbiota could lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of CDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A biosensor is considered an integrated receptor transducer device, with the ability to convert a biological impulse into an electrical signal. The amendment of biosensors has been recognized for its great potential by many researchers, due to its numerous applications e.g., environmental management, disease diagnosis, agricultural aspects, food companies, health care, drug monitoring, and water treatment as it can be used in the detection of water quality. Moreover, technological development of the biosensor is integrated with several merits such as affordability and enhancement in medical fields in disease detection and body response; furthermore, it is easy to use, effective, and scalable. This article briefly reviews how to construct an oxalic acid (OA) biosensor by integration of tissue enzymes and peroxide simulated enzymes. OA is converted to peroxide (H2O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) with the help of the oxalate oxidase (OxOx) present in spinach leaves as catalyst. Afterwards, with the presence of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4), nanoparticles (NPs) have a catalytic effect on concentrated H2O2 and chemiluminescence (CL) luminol (C8H7N3O2). Therefore, CL flow can be constructed under a biosensor to determine OA in the sample. The co-presence of tissue column and CoFe2O4, as well as a high level of relative CL intensity can be obtained. The biosensor based on H2O2 and involving inorganic nanomaterials has many advantages such as high efficiency, affordability, outstanding sensitivity, stability and selectivity, a fast response, and an extended range of linearity with a lower detection limit. In addition, optimization factors for the oxalate biosensor, limitations, and outlooks for the biosensor were also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in metagenomic analyses have made it easier to analyze microbiota. The microbiota, a symbiotic community of microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses within a specific environment in tissues such as the digestive tract and skin, has a complex relationship with the host. Recent studies have revealed that microbiota composition and balance particularly affect the health of the host and the onset of disease. Influences such as diet, food preferences, and sanitation play crucial roles in microbiota composition. The oral cavity is where the digestive tract directly communicates with the outside. Stable temperature and humidity provide optimal growth environments for many bacteria. However, the oral cavity is a unique environment that is susceptible to pH changes, salinity, food nutrients, and external pathogens. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of the oral microbiota, as changes in bacterial composition and balance could contribute to the development of systemic diseases. This review focuses on saliva, IgA, and fermented foods because they play critical roles in maintaining the oral bacterial environment by regulating its composition and balance. More attention should be paid to the oral microbiota and its regulatory factors in oral and systemic health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spontaneous directional transportation (SDT) of water and gas has functions such as efficient water collection, enhanced heat transfer, underwater drag reduction, and so on, having great application prospects in aerospace and navigation fields. Therefore, it is important to efficiently prepare spontaneous directional water droplet transportation (SDWT) surfaces and spontaneous directional gas bubble transportation (SDBT) surfaces and apply them in different fields. In recent years, researchers have used biological structures as the basis for their studies and have continued to analyze the SDT transport mechanism in depth, aiming to find more efficient transportation methods. In this review, we first summarize the important basic theories related to fluid transportation. Then, the related methods and the limitations corresponding to SDWT and SDBT are introduced and discussed. In addition, we review the applications of SDWT and SDBT. Finally, we highlight the challenges and future perspectives of SDWT and SDBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately identifying phage–host relationships from their genome sequences is still challenging, especially for those phages and hosts with less homologous sequences. In this work, focusing on identifying the phage–host relationships at the species and genus level, we propose a contrastive learning based approach to learn whole-genome sequence embeddings that can take account of phage–host interactions (PHIs). Contrastive learning is used to make phages infecting the same hosts close to each other in the new representation space. Specifically, we rephrase whole-genome sequences with frequency chaos game representation (FCGR) and learn latent embeddings that 'encapsulate' phages and host relationships through contrastive learning. The contrastive learning method works well on the imbalanced dataset. Based on the learned embeddings, a proposed pipeline named CL4PHI can predict known hosts and unseen hosts in training. We compare our method with two recently proposed state-of-the-art learning-based methods on their benchmark datasets. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method using contrastive learning improves the prediction accuracy on known hosts and demonstrates a zero-shot prediction capability on unseen hosts. In terms of potential applications, the rapid pace of genome sequencing across different species has resulted in a vast amount of whole-genome sequencing data that require efficient computational methods for identifying phage–host interactions. The proposed approach is expected to address this need by efficiently processing whole-genome sequences of phages and prokaryotic hosts and capturing features related to phage–host relationships for genome sequence representation. This approach can be used to accelerate the discovery of phage–host interactions and aid in the development of phage-based therapies for infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is a risk factor for adverse events such as sudden cardiac arrest, liver and kidney failure and death. The gut microbiota and its metabolites are directly linked to the pathogenesis of heart failure. As emerging studies have increased in the literature on the role of specific gut microbiota metabolites in heart failure development, this review highlights and summarizes the current evidence and underlying mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of heart failure. We found that gut microbiota-derived metabolites such as short chain fatty acids, bile acids, branched-chain amino acids, tryptophan and indole derivatives as well as trimethylamine-derived metabolite, trimethylamine N-oxide, play critical roles in promoting heart failure through various mechanisms. Mainly, they modulate complex signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, Bcl-2 interacting protein 3, NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing inflammasome, and Protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase. We have also highlighted the beneficial role of other gut metabolites in heart failure and other cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced coatings are essential to modern technologies as they optimise surface characteristics for different application scenarios. Transparent and self-cleaning coatings are increasingly used as protective coatings for various applications, such as foldable touchscreens, windows, and solar panels. Moreover, incorporating other functionalities such as high hardness, wear resistance, and flexibility into transparent and self-cleaning coatings is important for broadening the use cases. Although many kinds of multifunctional coatings have been developed, it is still difficult to embody several properties in one coating adequately as some properties, such as hardness and flexibility, are inherently contrastive. This review first describes basic principles, including wettability, photocatalytic reactions, photo-induced hydrophilic phenomena, and the implication of self-cleaning. The desired properties of multifunctional coatings are then listed and the methods for evaluating different properties are used. Recent progress in various preparation methods for multifunctional coatings, including the sol–gel, dip/spin, and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) methods, are also presented. Magnetron sputtering (MS) technology is widely used in coating preparation. Compared with chemosynthesis and CVD, MS is time-saving, suitable for industrial production, and environmentally friendly. Coatings prepared by MS usually possess excellent mechanical properties. Thus, we highlight the current research status of MS technology in multifunctional coating preparation. Moreover, according to the multilayer design structure of coatings, their optical and mechanical properties and self-cleaning ability can be controlled by combining the characteristics of different materials. Finally, combining photocatalytic materials such as TiO2 with other materials through a multilayer structure to obtain a multifunctional coating with excellent overall properties is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic cotton fabric with photoinduced reversibly switchable wettability was prepared by a coating of the hydrophobic copolymer and α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The surface morphology of the fabric was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The wettability of the surface was tested under UV illumination and after storage in the dark. The chemical composition of the cotton fabric surfaces before and after UV illumination was analyzed using an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and FTIR. The experimental results showed that the prepared cotton fabric exhibited the excellent superhydrophobic property with a contact angle (CA) of 157.3 ± 2.9°, and became superhydrophilic after UV illumination for 64 h. The surface wettability reverted back to its initial superhydrophobic state after being stored in the dark for 30 d. Based on the XPS and FTIR analyses, the possible mechanism was discussed, and the switchable wettability was caused by the content change of the hydroxyl groups on the α-Fe2O3 surface. Moreover, the superhydrophobic cotton fabric also became superhydrophilic after sunlight illumination for 120 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet irradiation confers titanium dioxide amphiphilicity. Unlike the UV-induced hydrophilic properties that had a long history of academic interest, oleophilicity has not received much attention. This study aims to investigate the molecular evidence of lipid adsorption onto UV-treated TiO2 surface by in vitro and in silico approaches. Artificial lipid vesicles were fabricated for empirical confirmation of the increased oleophilicity of the TiO2 surface after UV irradiation and in silico model was developed for computational simulation of the underlying molecular dynamics. After UV treatment and application of a synthetic liposome solution, the TiO2 surfaces were analyzed for surface roughness and the trace of lipid molecules by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and fluorescence confocal microscopy. The surface roughness was reduced and the increased liposome residues on the surface of TiO2 were observed after UV irradiation. The in silico simulation of molecular dynamics predicted higher non-covalent bonding energy to phospholipids and a closer atomic distance between the lipid molecules and the TiO2 surface after UV irradiation. These data suggested that UV irradiation enhanced the oleophilicity of the TiO2, presumably by the result of the hydrogen bonds between lipid and TiO2. Further studies on the oleophilicity of TiO2 are required to elucidate the osseointegration process of UV-treated implant fixtures in hyperlipidemic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many publications report coatings that exhibit antimicrobial potency applicable to high-touch surfaces and desirable for healthcare settings to contribute to reductions in the occurrence of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI). In this review, the importance of surface contamination and the transmission of microbes is addressed. The standard strategy to tackle fomites is to implement proper disinfection and cleaning practices and periodically monitor the environment's cleanliness. However, the probability of recontamination of cleaned surfaces is high. Therefore, an additional first line of defense against pathogen transmission and subsequent infection is the antimicrobial surface that can eliminate or at least repel pathogens, introducing a barrier to the spread of infection. It is a simple concept, but formulating a durable, antimicrobial coating with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifouling activities has proven challenging. The challenges and progress made in developing such material are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low cost, accessibility, and ease of implementation of SiO2 hydrophilic coatings should encourage further promotion as practical surface treatments. The calcination process, however, poses an obstacle to convenience. Herein, a calcination-free, antifogging SiO2 superhydrophilic coating was prepared at room temperature by sol–gel method with the guidance of particle gradation theory, which was used to regulate the size and concentration of colloid nanoparticles. The surface micromorphology, roughness, and water contact angle (WCA) of coatings were characterized and measured using scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and contact angle measuring equipment. The antifogging capability of superhydrophilic coating was also examined. It has been found that hydrophilicity of coatings can be significantly improved by reasonable particle gradation design. The closer the particle packing pattern is to the hexagonal close-packing model, the better the hydrophilicity of coatings. When the concentration ratio of particle diameter 60.29, 9.26, and 3.68 nm is 15:4:1, the coating exhibits exceptional hydrophilicity (WCA, 2.3°) and outstanding anti-fogging performance. An implication of this study is that a versatile and easily manipulated strategy is presented here for designing surface microstructures that are sensitive to roughness. Highlights: The calcination-free SiO2 superhydrophilic coating was successfully prepared by the sol-gel method. Reasonable matching of colloidal silica particle size can effectively improve the coating hydrophilic performance. The silica coating exhibits exceptional hydrophilicity (WCA, 2.3°) and outstanding anti-fogging performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Toner materials for electrophotography. It is empirically known that titanium dioxide nanoparticles stabilize the contact and frictional charge of the host polymers to which they are added. However, the mechanism for the stabilization process has not yet been elucidated. In this study, polyester films doped with titanium dioxide nanoparticles of different crystalline forms were triboelectrically charged and the effect of humidity on their charging characteristics was subsequently investigated to elucidate the charge stabilization mechanism. Our first finding was that the rutile-, rutile–anatase mixed crystal (P25)-, and amorphous-dominant-type titanium dioxide nanoparticles reduced the sensitivity of the films to humidity (humidity dependence), while the anatase-type titanium dioxide enhanced the humidity dependence. This difference in action was explained by associating it with the different water adsorption forms on the major crystalline surface of each titanium dioxide type. The second finding was that doping with titanium dioxide nanoparticles, particularly rutile and P25 nanoparticles, reduced fluctuations in the amount of tribocharges of the polyester film. This crystalline-form-dependent difference in action was considered to be based on the depth of the electron traps involved in each titanium dioxide type. The above two findings have allowed us to propose the first mechanism of tribocharge stabilization by titanium dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution is considered a serious threat to human life. An advanced oxidation process in the presence of semiconductor photocatalysts is a popular method for the effective decomposition of organic pollutants from wastewater. TiO2 nanoparticles are widely used as photocatalysts due to their low cost, chemical stability, environmental compatibility and significant efficiency. The aim of this study is to review the photocatalytic processes and their mechanism, reaction kinetics, optical and electrical properties of semiconductors and unique characteristics of titanium as the most widely used photocatalyst; and to compare the photocatalytic activity between different titania phases (anatase, rutile, and brookite) and between colorful and white TiO2 nanoparticles. Photocatalytic processes are based on the creation of electron–hole pairs. Therefore, increasing stability and separation of charge carriers could improve the photocatalytic activity. The synthesis method has a significant effect on the intensity of photocatalytic activity. The increase in the density of surface hydroxyls as well as the significant mobility of the electron–hole pairs in the anatase phase increases its photocatalytic activity compared to other phases. Electronic and structural changes lead to the synthesis of colored titania with different photocatalytic properties. Among colored titania materials, black TiO2 showed promising photocatalytic activity due to the formation of surface defects including oxygen vacancies, increasing the interaction with the light irradiation and the lifetime of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Among non-metal elements, nitrogen doping could be effectively used to drive visible light-activated TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments and theory have revealed versatile possible phases for adsorbed and confined water on two-dimensional solid surfaces, which are closely related to the aspects of various phenomena in physics, chemistry, biology, and tribology. In this review, we summarize our recent works showing that the different water phases with disordered and ordered structures can greatly affect surface wetting behavior, dielectric properties, and frictions. This includes the ordered phase of water structure that induces an unexpected phenomenon, an "ordered water monolayer that does not completely wet water", at T = 300 K on the model's surface and some real, solid material, together with the anomalous low dielectric properties due to ordered water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A TiO2-coated net with photocatalytic antibacterial properties that purifies water for practical use in developing countries was fabricated. The TiO2 particles were modified with a silane coupling agent, aminopropyltriethoxysilane or hexadecyltrimethoxysilane, to improve particle dispersibility. The net comprises three layers: a TiO2-silicone photocatalyst layer, a silicone layer to protect the net substrate from the oxidizing power of TiO2, and a polypropylene net substrate. The net is flexible and light enough to float on the surface of water. By modifying the surface of the TiO2 particles, we succeeded in preparing a highly water-durable photocatalyst coating that can be maintained for 49 days of outdoor exposure. The inactivation of E. coli by the TiO2-coated net under 1.0 mW/cm2 of UV irradiation was confirmed. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties were investigated under natural sunlight. The number of E. coli decreased from 320,000 to 10 CFU/mL under natural sunlight in just 2 h. The results showed that the photocatalyst-coated polypropylene net effectively eliminates E. coli from water, reducing the risk of infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in genome analysis technology using next-generation sequencing have revealed that abnormalities in the composition of the intestinal microbiota are important in numerous diseases. Furthermore, intestinal commensal pathogens that are directly involved in the onset and exacerbation of disease have been identified. Specific control of them is strongly desired. However, antibiotics are not appropriate for the control of intestinal commensal pathogens because they may kill beneficial bacteria as well. The intestinal tract contains many viruses: most are bacteriophages (phages) that infect intestinal bacteria rather than viruses that infect human cells. Phages have very high specificity for their host bacteria. Therefore, phage therapy is considered potentially useful for controlling intestinal commensal pathogens. However, the intestinal tract is a specialized, anaerobic environment, and it is impossible to isolate phages that infect host intestinal bacteria if the bacteria cannot be cultured. Furthermore, genomic analysis methods for intestinal phages have not been well established, so until recently, a complete picture of the intestinal phage has not been clear. In this review, I summarize the importance of next-generation phage therapy based on metagenomic data and describe a novel therapy against Clostridioides difficile developed using such data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), one of the most frequently used materials in general, has emerged as an excellent photocatalytic material for environmental applications. In this review, principles and mechanisms of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 have been analyzed. Structural and physical specificities of TiO2 nanoparticles, such as morphology, crystal structure, and electronic and optical properties, have been considered in the context of photocatalytic applications. A review of the influence of several factors, such as the type and dimensions of photocatalyst particles, pH of the solution, the influence of oxidants/electron acceptors, and light intensity on photocatalytic properties of TiO2, has been provided. Superhydrophilicity as an intrinsic property of the TiO2 surface was discussed through surface reconstruction on TiO2 during the reversible hydrophilic changes. Additionally, attention was paid to improving the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 particles through aggregation and agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adhesion of zirconia and soft tissue is very important for the success of zirconia implants. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of excimer laser treatment of zirconia on the adhesion of L929 fibroblasts. In this study, polished zirconia disks treated with an excimer laser were the experimental group and untreated zirconia disks were the control group. Surface roughness and contact angles of zirconia disks were measured. mRNA expression levels of integrin β1 and collagen type I α1 in L929 fibroblasts cultured on zirconia disks were measured using qRT-PCR. Cell morphology was evaluated using 3D laser microscopy and the expression of vinculin was characterized using confocal microscopy. There was no significant difference in the surface roughness of zirconia disks, but contact angles were significantly lower. mRNA expression of integrin β1 was significantly higher at 3, 6 and 24 h and of collagen type I α1 was significantly higher at 6 and 24 h. L929 fibroblasts tended to form elongated microspikes and vinculin colocalization in those microspikes. Furthermore, vinculin was strongly expressed in filopodia of L929 fibroblasts at 24 h. These results suggest that excimer laser treatment improves adhesion between zirconia disks and L929 fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The early life gut microbiome is crucial in maintaining host metabolic and immune homeostasis. Though neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) are at substantial risks of malnutrition and immune imbalance, the microbial links to CCHD pathophysiology remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the gut microbiome in neonates with CCHD in association with metabolomic traits. Moreover, we explored the clinical implications of the host-microbe interactions in CCHD. Methods: Deep metagenomic sequencing and metabolomic profiling of paired fecal samples from 45 neonates with CCHD and 50 healthy controls were performed. The characteristics of gut microbiome were investigated in three dimensions (microbial abundance, functionality, and genetic variation). An in-depth analysis of gut virome was conducted to elucidate the ecological interaction between gut viral and bacterial communities. Correlations between multilevel microbial features and fecal metabolites were determined using integrated association analysis. Finally, we conducted a subgroup analysis to examine whether the interactions between gut microbiota and metabolites could mediate inflammatory responses and poor surgical prognosis. Results: Gut microbiota dysbiosis was observed in neonates with CCHD, characterized by the depletion of Bifidobacterium and overgrowth of Enterococcus, which was highly correlated with metabolomic perturbations. Genetic variations of Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus orchestrate the metabolomic perturbations in CCHD. A temperate core virome represented by Siphoviridae was identified to be implicated in shaping the gut bacterial composition by modifying microbial adaptation. The overgrowth of Enterococcus was correlated with systemic inflammation and poor surgical prognosis in subgroup analysis. Mediation analysis indicated that the overgrowth of Enterococcus could mediate gut barrier impairment and inflammatory responses in CCHD. Conclusions: We demonstrate for the first time that an aberrant gut microbiome associated with metabolomic perturbations is implicated in immune imbalance and adverse clinical outcomes in neonates with CCHD. Our data support the importance of reconstituting optimal gut microbiome in maintaining host metabolic and immunological homeostasis in CCHD. 4pXZJ27nHYVeyd4JvNJWQd Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ternary metal oxides (TMOs) with flexible band structures are of significant potential in the field of photocatalysis. The efficient utilization of renewable and green solar energy is of great importance to developing photocatalysts. To date, a wide range of TMOs systems has been developed as photocatalysts for water and air purification, but their practical applications in visible light-assisted chemical reactions are hindered mainly by its poor visible light absorption capacity. Introduction of N atoms into TMOs can narrow the band-gap energy to a lower value, enhance the absorption of visible light and suppress the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes, thus improving the photocatalytic performance. This review summarizes the recent research on N-modified TMOs, including the influence of N doping amounts, N doping sites, and N-induced phase transformation. The introduced N greatly tuned the optical properties, electronic structure, and photocatalytic activity of the TMOs. The optimal N concentration and the influence of N doping sites are investigated. The substitutional N and interstitial N contributed differently to the band gap and electron transport. The introduced N can tune the vacancies in TMOs due to the charge compensation, which is vital for inducing different activity and selectivity. The topochemical ammonolysis process can convert TMOs to oxynitride with visible light absorption. By altering the band structures, these oxynitride materials showed enhanced photocatalytic activity. This review provides an overview of recent advances in N-doped TMOs and oxynitrides derived from TMOs as photocatalysts for environmental applications, as well as some relevant pointers for future burgeoning research development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents studies on the ammonium fluoride processing of dusts from the reduction smelting of ilmenite concentrate with separation of silicon to obtain titanium dioxide. Optimal conditions for pyrohydrolysis of titanium fluorides were determined. The effects of temperature and duration on the process were studied. The optimal conditions for pyrohydrolysis of titanium fluorides were a temperature of 600 °C and duration of 240–300 min. The degree of titanium fluoride conversion to titanium oxide was 99.5% at these conditions. Titanium dioxide obtained by pyrohydrolysis of titanium fluorides was purified from iron, chromium, and manganese impurities. The effect of hydrochloric acid solution concentration, S:L ratio, and the process duration on the purification degree of titanium fluoride pyrohydrolysis was studied. The following optimum purification conditions were determined: hydrochloric acid solution concentration 12.5–15 wt%, temperature 25–30 °C, S:L = 1:6÷8, duration 20–30 min. The purified titanium dioxide consisted mainly of anatase. The pigmented titanium dioxide of rutile modification with 99.8 wt% TiO2 was obtained after calcination at 900 °C for 120 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research on the development of a technology intended to process electric smelting dusts of ilmenite concentrate with the extraction of silicon and titanium and the production of products in the form of their dioxides. Dusts were processed for silicon separation using the ammonium fluoride method. The optimum conditions for the fluorination and sublimation process of silicon compounds from the electric smelting dust of the ilmenite concentrate were determined: a temperature of 260 °С, a 6 h duration, and mass ratio of dust to ammonium bifluoride of 1:0.5 ÷ 0.9. The sublimation degree of silicon compounds was ~84–91%. The sublimation of titanium fluorides from the remaining sinter was carried out at a temperature of 600 ± 10 °C for 2 h, the mass ratio titanium-containing residue: ammonium bifluoride of 1:0.5, and the degree of sublimation of titanium fluorides was 99%. Iron, manganese, and chromium impurities in the sublimation of titanium fluorides sublimate to a rather low degree. Pyrohydrolysis of titanium fluoride sublimes at 600 °C and allows for the conversion of fluorides into titanium dioxide by 99.5% in 4–5 h. Titanium dioxide of rutile modification with 99.8% TiO2 was obtained after hydrochloric acid purification and calcination. A technological scheme for the complex processing of dust from the electric smelting of ilmenite concentrates with the production of silica and titanium dioxide is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent studies on the superacid-catalyzed preparation of ionic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSSs) and their properties, polymerization, and hybridization, that have been developed by the author and co-workers so far. Octameric POSSs (T8-POSS) containing ammonium side-chain groups as the main products can be obtained at a high yield within a short reaction time by dissolving amino group-containing organotrialkoxysilanes in an aqueous superacid (e.g., trifluoromethanesulfonic acid) solution, followed by hydrolytic condensation by heating in an open system to evaporate the solvents. When these reactions were performed in a hydrophobic alcohol, such as 1-hexanol, a POSS mixture with a high proportion of decameric POSS (T10-POSS) was obtained. It was found that the proportion of T10-POSS can be increased by properly controlling the reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, and solvent evaporation time) using a Kugelrohr apparatus during POSS preparation in an aqueous superacid solution. Furthermore, a low-crystalline POSS and ionic liquids containing POSS components can be obtained by the superacid-catalyzed hydrolytic condensation of the mixtures of two types of organotrialkoxysilanes containing functional groups, which can be converted into ionic groups. This superacid-catalyzed hydrolytic condensation can be applied to the preparation of carboxyl-functionalized POSSs and an ammonium-functionalized specific cyclotetrasiloxane isomer. An antifogging film with a hard-coating property comprising polyamide obtained by the polycondensation of ammonium- and carboxyl-functionalized POSSs was developed as an ionic POSS application. Furthermore, using an ionic POSS and cyclotetrasiloxane as crosslinking agents, polyacrylamide hydrogels exhibiting extremely flexible and irrefrangible properties can be obtained. Highlights: Ionic POSSs can be obtained at a high yield within a short reaction time using superacid catalysts. The POSS size can be controlled by properly selecting the solvent type and reaction conditions. Low-crystalline ionic POSS can be obtained from a mixture of two types of organotrialkoxysilanes. Ionic liquids containing POSS components can be obtained from the mixture of two types of organotrialkoxysilanes. An antifogging film and hydrogel with flexible and irrefrangible properties were developed using ionic POSSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]