The problem of bacteria-induced infections threatens the lives of many patients. Meanwhile, the misuse of antibiotics has led to a significant increase in bacterial resistance. There are two main ways to alleviate the issue: one is to introduce antimicrobial agents to medical devices to get local drug releasing and alleviating systemic toxicity and resistance, and the other is to develop new antimicrobial methods to kill bacteria. New antimicrobial methods include cationic polymers, metal ions, hydrophobic structures to prevent bacterial adhesion, photothermal sterilization, new biocides, etc. Biodegradable biocompatible synthetic polymers have been widely used in the medical field. They are often used in tissue engineering scaffolds as well as wound dressings, where bacterial infections in these medical devices can be serious or even fatal. However, such materials usually do not have inherent antimicrobial properties. They can be used as carriers for drug delivery or compounded with other antimicrobial materials to achieve antimicrobial effects. This review focuses on the antimicrobial behavior, preparation methods, and biocompatibility testing of biodegradable biocompatible synthetic polymers. Degradable biocompatible natural polymers with antimicrobial properties are also briefly described. Finally, the medical applications of these polymeric materials are presented.

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Fabrication of Biodegradable and Biocompatible Functional Polymers for Anti-Infection and Augmenting Wound Repair

This work aimed to develop biocompatible non-leachable antimicrobial polymers without ionic structures. A series of nonionic hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) with an isatin-based backbone and phenolic terminal units were synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures and thermal properties of the obtained HBPs were characterized by SEC, NMR, FTIR, TGA and DSC analyses. Disk diffusion assay revealed significant antibacterial activity of the obtained phenolic HBPs against nine different pathogenic bacteria. The presence of a methoxy or long alkyl group close to the phenolic unit enhanced the antibacterial effect against certain Gram positive and negative bacteria. The obtained nonionic HBPs were blended in polyester poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) films, which showed no noticeable leakage after being immersed in water for 5 days. Finally, these HBPs showed no cytotoxicity effect to MG-63 osteoblast-like human cells according to MTT analysis, and negligible hemolytic effect.

Biocompatible non-leachable antimicrobial polymers with a nonionic hyperbranched backbone and phenolic terminal units.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, as one of the most common types of inner RNA modification in eukaryotes, plays a multifunctional role in normal and abnormal biological processes. This type of modification is modulated by m6A writer, eraser and reader, which in turn impact various processes of RNA metabolism, such as RNA processing, translation, nuclear export, localization and decay. The current academic view holds that m6A modification exerts a crucial role in the post-transcriptional modulation of gene expression, and is involved in multiple cellular functions, developmental and disease processes. However, the potential molecular mechanism and specific role of m6A modification in the development of liver disease have not been fully elucidated. In our review, we summarized the latest research progress on m6A modification in liver disease, and explored how these novel findings reshape our knowledge of m6A modulation of RNA metabolism. In addition, we also illustrated the effect of m6A on liver development and regeneration to prompt further exploration of the mechanism and role of m6A modification in liver physiology and pathology, providing new insights and references for the search of potential therapeutic targets for liver disease. 

The emerging importance role of m6A modification in liver disease.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-38197-4.pdf

A novel prognostic signature for hepatocellular carcinoma based on SUMOylation-related genes

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The discovery and research of effective biomarkers have become prevailing trends. SUMO-activating enzyme subunit 1 (sae1), an E1-activating enzyme, is indispensable for protein SUMOylation. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of database contents and found that sae1 is highly expressed in HCC and is correlated with poor prognosis. We also identified its regulated transcription factor, rad51, and related signaling pathways. We conclude that sae1 is a promising cancer metabolic biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic value in HCC. 

Unveiling the Mystery of SUMO-activating enzyme subunit 1: A Groundbreaking Biomarker in the Early Detection and Advancement of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Nonionic nontoxic antimicrobial polymers: Indole-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) with pendant alkyl or ether groups

Abstract The function of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the expression profile and prognostic relevance of SUMO-related genes using publicly available data. A set of bioinformatics tools and experiments were integrated to explore the mechanism of the genes of interest. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis was used to construct a prognostic model. SUMO-2 and SUMO-activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1) were upregulated in HCC. The enrichment analysis indicated that SUMO-2 and SAE1 might regulate the cell cycle. The downregulation of SAE1 inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells, whereas the upregulation of the gene promoted cell proliferation. IGF2BP3 contributed to the upregulation of SAE1 in an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent way. Eventually, an SAE1-related risk score (SRRS) was developed and validated in HCC. SRRS could serve as an independent prognostic factor and predict the efficiency of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with HCC.

/pdf/bioinformatics-based-analysis-of-sumoylation-related-genes-3qumzn77.pdf

Bioinformatics-based analysis of SUMOylation-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma reveals a role of upregulated SAE1 in promoting cell proliferation

A Novel Boron-doping Approach for Long-term Cycling Life of Li-rich Layered Cathode

In order to achieve a fast, high-efficiency analysis of platelet aggregation, a novel microfluidic chip was designed and fabricated based on the traditional measurement principle and method. The chip had a main channel and six branch channels, which were connected with their own inlets (outlets). The master of this chip was fabricated using the traditional photolithography methods. Polydimethylsiloxane chip was replica molded on the master. In the platelet aggregation assay, blood sample and coagulant were loaded from separate inlets on both sides of the chip. Due to the diffusion of analytes in the laminar flow, two analytes diffused and mixed with each other within the main channel and gradually aggregated. The distance from the mixing point to the aggregation point denoted the aggregation capacity of the blood sample. Compared with traditional measurement methods based on glass tubes, this microfluidic chip–based method is simple, highly efficient, rapid, low consuming, inexpensive, and has high repeat...

Xiaoyan Li

Papers

Nonionic nontoxic antimicrobial polymers: Indole-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) with pendant alkyl or ether groups

Bioinformatics-based analysis of SUMOylation-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma reveals a role of upregulated SAE1 in promoting cell proliferation

Biocompatible non-leachable antimicrobial polymers with a nonionic hyperbranched backbone and phenolic terminal units.

A Novel Boron-doping Approach for Long-term Cycling Life of Li-rich Layered Cathode

A microfluidic device for platelet aggregation assay