High dietary biotin levels affect the footpad and hock health of broiler chickens reared at different stocking densities and litter conditions

Responses to stocking density (SD), dietary biotin concentration and litter condition were evaluated on 2016 Ross 308 male broilers in the fattening period (day 22-day 42). The birds were placed in 48 pens with either dry or wet litter to simulate the final stocking density of 30 kg (12 broilers/m² ; normal stocking density, NSD) and 40 kg (16 broilers/m² ; high stocking density, HSD) of body weight (BW)/m² floor space. A corn-soybean meal-based diet was supplemented with biotin to provide a normal (NB; 155 μg/kg) or high (HB, 1521 μg/kg) level of dietary biotin. There were six repetitions per treatment. The inappropriate moisture content of litter associated with HSD was avoided (p < 0.05) by good management (SD difference: dry litter, 6.65% vs. wet litter, 13.23%; 42 days), which made it advantageous (p < 0.01) for footpad (SD difference: dry litter, 0.118 vs. wet litter, 0.312; weekly average value) and hock health (SD difference: dry litter, 0.090 vs. wet litter, 0.303; weekly average value) of HSD birds, but not (p > 0.05) for growth and processing yield. In HSD, the biotin effect (gains, FCR) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in NSD. The similar response of HSD birds to supplemental biotin was observed (p < 0.05) for lesion scores of footpad and hock in particularly finishing chickens, and a significant interaction (p < 0.01) among stocking density, biotin supplementation and litter condition existed from 35 to 42 days of age. Taken together, increasing dietary biotin improves the performance and well-being of broiler chickens stocked at high densities in litter-independent and litter-dependent manners respectively.

Association of Beclin-1 and microRNA-30a expression with the severity and treatment response of colorectal cancer

We investigated the associations between Beclin-1 and microRNA-30a (miR-30a) expression and the severity and treatment response in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our sample size consisted of 139 CRC patients who were treated with surgery alone. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of Beclin-1 in CRC, while the weak expression of Beclin-1 in normal tissue was used as the basis for assessing tumors (control group). Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction quantified miR-30a levels. The expression levels of Beclin-1 and miR-30a were associated with clinical variables and prognoses. Beclin-1 was expressed more highly in CRC tissues than in controls. This expression was related to gender (P = 0.023), histological grade (P = 0.006), M stage (P = 0.004), tumor node metastasis stage (P = 0.020), vascular invasion, and nodal involvement. Patients with higher Beclin-1 expression levels had higher survival rates (P = 0.08) than patients with lower Beclin-1 expression levels. Beclin-1 was a prognostic indicator (P < 0.05) in a multivariate analysis. Beclin-1 was overexpressed in CRC tissues and was correlated with lower levels of miR-30a (P < 0.05, r = -0. 4189). In conclusion, Beclin-1 was a good prognostic indicator in CRC and was correlated with survival rate. Beclin-1 is important in the growth and metastasis of CRC. Apoptosis in CRC might be due to the increased autophagy induced by decreased levels of miR-30a.

Prevalence of hepatitis A viral RNA and antibodies among Chinese blood donors

Like other developing countries, China was reported to have a relatively high seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A antibodies (anti-HAV). However, no studies have evaluated the prevalence of anti-HAV and HAV RNA among voluntary blood donors with or without elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. Anti-HAV antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was carried out for detection of HAV RNA. In the current study, we analyzed a total of 450 serum samples with elevated ALT levels (≥40 U/L) and 278 serum samples with non-elevated ALT levels. Seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV were 51.6% in donors with elevated ALT and 41.4% in donors with non-elevated ALT; however, none of the samples was positive for HAV RNA. The results of our study showed lower seroprevalence rates of anti-HAV in blood donors (irrespective of ALT levels) than those in published data on Chinese populations. Although donors with elevated ALT had statistically higher prevalence rates of anti- HAV than did those with non-elevated ALT, none of the serum samples had detectable levels of the active virus. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the transmission of hepatitis A by blood transfusion will occur rarely.

Source Areas for the Early Immigration of Sogatella furcifera (Homoptera: Delphacidae) at Xiushan in the Middle Reach of Yangtze River of China

The spatiotemporal distribution of source areas for the early immigration of the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvάth), at Xiushan in the middle reach of Yangtze River of China, was analyzed with HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) and ArcGIS 10.0. The analysis was based on light trap data collected during April-July in 2000-2012. The synoptic meteorology backgrounds during the immigration periods were analyzed by GrADS (Grid Analysis and Display System). The light trap catches of S. furcifera varied monthly and annually. S. furcifera started immigration in Xiushan in early April to early May, whereas the main immigration period was in July. The distribution of the source areas varied monthly, and the core was moved from the south to the north gradually. The main source areas of S. furcifera in May were in southwestern Guangxi and northern Vietnam. The source areas of S. furcifera in June were located in southwestern Guangxi and western Hunan. Additionally, some of the pests were from southeastern Yunnan. The source areas in July were in northwestern Guangxi, southwestern Guizhou, eastern Yunnan, and the transitional parts of Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan. The sum frequencies of southwest and south winds on the 850 hPa isobaric surface of Xiushan of May-July in heavy occurrence years were more than the light occurrence years. The key meteorological factors were suggested to be vertical perturbation, precipitation, and wind shear during S. furcifera immigration periods.

Recurrent duplication mutation in HRAS causing mild Costello syndrome in a Chinese patient

Costello syndrome (CS; OMIM 218040) is caused by heterozygous germline mutations of HRAS (OMIM 190020).We report on a patient with sporadic CS presenting with characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism, congenital cardiopulmonary disorders, intellectual impairment, and skin abnormalities manifesting as loose redundant skin of the hands and feet, acanthosis nigricans, multiple naevi and hypotrichosis. Using Sanger sequencing for the case-parents trio, we detected a de novo insertion mutation (c.187_207dup) in HRAS, which was predicted to result in duplication of amino acids 63-69 (p.E63_D69dup). This mutation was recently described in a mild case of CS, with hyperactivation of HRAS and disrupted capacity to respond to incoming signals. Our study delineates the detailed clinical features associated with this noncanonical HRAS mutation and further expands the phenotypic spectrum of CS.

[Decline of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 expressions with a liver X receptor-independent pathway in patients with type 2 diabetes]

OBJECTIVE

To examine the cholesterol efflux and the expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) in macrophages of diabetic patients and the roles of liver-X receptor (LXR) in regulation of ABCG1 expressions.

METHODS

Blood was collected from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls. The peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated into macrophages with macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). The cells were radio labeled with [(3)H] cholesterol and were performed with cholesterol efflux assays. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT PCR) and Western blot were performed to measure the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1. To test the effects of LXR on ABCG1 expressions, inhibition of LXRα and LXRβ by siRNA were performed. The DNA-protein complex of LXR and LXR element (LXRE) located in the promoter region of ABCG1 gene were detected with electrophery mobility supershift assay (EMSA).

RESULTS

Macrophage ABCG1 expressions and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) induced cholesterol efflux were significantly reduced (19.0%±1.2% vs. 12.8%±3.6%, t=2.532, P=0.016) in the diabetic subjects whereas ABCA1 expressions and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) induced cholesterol efflux were comparable (12.0%±1.2% vs. 10.2%±2.3%, t=1.771, P=0.109) between the diabetic patients and healthy subjects. The mRNA expressions of LXRα and LXRβ had no changes between the diabetes subjects and healthy controls (t=1.025, P=0.315; t=-0.531, P=0.600). The LXR-LXRE DNA-protein complex detected by EMSA were also similar between the diabetes subjects and healthy controls (t=1.483, P=0.164). Moreover, ABCG1 expressions were not altered by inhibition of LXRα/β siRNA (t=2.143, P=0.061).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that expression of ABCG1 and HDL induced cholesterol efflux were reduced in type 2 diabetic patients. However, the LXR mRNA expression and binding complex of LXR and ABCG1 promoter were not changed. The impairment of cholesterol efflux and ABCG1 gene expressions might be regulated via an LXR-independent pathway.

Secular trends in meat and seafood consumption patterns among Chinese adults, 1991-2011

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Several studies have suggested differential health effects in relation to different meat composition in Western population. The purpose of the study was to examine secular trends in meat and seafood consumption patterns among Chinese adults between 1991 and 2011.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Our longitudinal data are from 21,144 adults aged 18-75 in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, prospective cohort study. We assessed the intakes of meat and subtypes with three 24-h dietary recalls. We conducted multilevel mixed-effect logistic and linear regression models to examine meat consumption dynamics.

RESULTS

The proportions of Chinese adults who consumed red meat, poultry and seafood increased from 65.7% in 1991 to 86.1% in 2011, from 7.5 to 20.9% and from 27.4 to 37.8%, respectively. With rapid decrease in meat intakes since 2009, the intakes of total meat, red meat, poultry and seafood among their consumers were 86.7 g/day, 86.4 g/day, 71.0 g/day and 70.3 g/day in 2011, respectively, which were just slightly higher compared with those in 1991. Fatty fresh pork has been predominantly component of total meat overtime, which consituted 54.0% of total meat intake, 80.0% of fresh red meat intake and 98.7% of fatty fresh red meat intake in 2011.

CONCLUSION

Over the past two decades, meat consumption patterns of Chinese adults have been characterized by having a predominant intake of fatty fresh pork, suboptimal intakes of seafood and increased proportion of adults having excessive intakes of red meat and poultry overtime.

Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract with N-butyl cyanoacrylate

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (N-BCA) embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract and to establish an appropriate technique.

METHODS

40 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal venous intervention for various reasons. Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract was performed after the procedure in all of the patients using N-BCA and Lipiodol® (Lipiodol Ultra Fluide; Laboratoire Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France) mixture. Immediate ultrasonography and fluoroscopy were performed to evaluate perihepatic haematoma formation and unintended embolization of more than one segmental portal vein. Follow-up CT was performed, and haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were checked to evaluate the presence of bleeding.

RESULTS

Immediate haemostasis was achieved in all of the patients, without development of perihepatic haematoma or unintended embolization of more than one segmental portal vein. Complete embolization of percutaneous access tract was confirmed in 39 out of 40 patients by CT. Seven patients showed decreased haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Other complications included mild pain at the site of embolization and mild fever, which resolved after conservative management. 16 patients died during the follow-up period owing to progression of the underlying disease.

CONCLUSION

Embolization of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein access tract with N-BCA is feasible and technically safe. With the appropriate technique, N-BCA can be safely used as an alternate embolic material since it is easy to use and inexpensive compared with other embolic materials.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of N-BCA for percutaneous transhepatic portal venous access tract embolization.

Vertical structure of stratospheric water vapour trends derived from merged satellite data

Stratospheric water vapour is a powerful greenhouse gas. The longest available record from balloon observations over Boulder, Colorado, USA shows increases in stratospheric water vapour concentrations that cannot be fully explained by observed changes in the main drivers, tropical tropopause temperatures and methane. Satellite observations could help resolve the issue, but constructing a reliable long-term data record from individual short satellite records is challenging. Here we present an approach to merge satellite data sets with the help of a chemistry-climate model nudged to observed meteorology. We use the models' water vapour as a transfer function between data sets that overcomes issues arising from instrument drift and short overlap periods. In the lower stratosphere, our water vapour record extends back to 1988 and water vapour concentrations largely follow tropical tropopause temperatures. Lower and mid-stratospheric long-term trends are negative, and the trends from Boulder are shown not to be globally representative. In the upper stratosphere, our record extends back to 1986 and shows positive long-term trends. The altitudinal differences in the trends are explained by methane oxidation together with a strengthened lower-stratospheric and a weakened upper-stratospheric circulation inferred by this analysis. Our results call into question previous estimates of surface radiative forcing based on presumed global long-term increases in water vapour concentrations in the lower stratosphere.

Synchronization of time-delayed chemically coupled burst-spiking neurons with correlated noises

Synchronization of two time-delayed chemically coupled neurons with burst-spiking states is studied. Different from the previous study by N. Buric et al. (Phys. Rev. E 78, 036211 (2008)), it is found that exactly synchronous burst-spiking dynamics can occur for small coupling strengths and time delays. The results are confirmed by common time delays and non-equal time delays. When common noise is added to the two neurons, synchronization is enhanced as noise strength is increased. But the results are different for larger time delay and smaller time delay. When noises are correlated, it is found that only strong noises with large correlation coefficient can induce exact synchronization. Even one percent of independent noises can influence synchronization much.

Trends in dietary fiber intake in Chinese aged 45 years and above, 1991-2011

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To analyze the time trends in total dietary fiber (DF) intake, DF food sources and total DF intake per 1000 kcal (DF density) in Chinese adults aged 45 years and above in the past 20 years.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

We used the data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) collected in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011. Adults who were aged 45 years and above were included in each round. Water-insoluble DF intake was calculated by substituting the water-insoluble DF content of each food in the Chinese Food Composition Table (FCT) for food intake. Total DF was calculated according to the convert index, which indicates the ratio between total DF and water-insoluble DF for each food group.

RESULTS

The mean daily total DF intake in males was 19.5 g/day in 1991 and 19.4 g/day in 2011. In females, it was 17.5 g/day in 1991 and 17.6 g/day in 2011. DF density increased in both males and females from 2004 to 2011. It was 9.0 g/1000 kcal in males and 9.5 g/1000 kcal in females in 2011. The major food sources of water-insoluble DF were cereals and vegetables. Communities with different levels of urbanization showed different trends in total DF intake: decreased consumption (2.9 g) in residents of low-urbanization communities and increased consumption (3.1 g) in those of high-urbanization communities.

CONCLUSION

The average total DF intake in Chinese adults aged 45 years and above remained at a stable level. DF density increased because of slight decrease in energy intake. More public health messages should be disseminated, especially to the residents of low-urbanization communities, so as to increase their daily DF intake to a level close to the recommended DF intake.

An overview on natural polysaccharides with antioxidant properties

Pharmacotherapy using natural substances can be currently regarded as a very promising future alternative to conventional therapy. With the rapid development of biotechnologies and analytical techniques, a great number of methods have been developed for the identification and quantification of the material, extracts, and products of natural ingredients. The advances available today. The need for safer drugs without side effects has led to the use of natural ingredients with proven safety. In recent years, some bioactive polysaccharides isolated from natural sources have attracted much attention in the field of biochemistry and pharmacology. As an example, polysaccharides or their glycoconjugates were shown to exhibit multiple biological activities including anticarcinogenic, anticoagulant, immunostimulating, antioxidant, etc. During the last several years, we have witnessed a steady expansion in the number of publications that focus in antioxidant polysaccharides. This review presents current findings on the latest advancements and trends in antioxidant polysaccharides isolated from the following: plants, fungi, bacteria, animal sources, and algae. Some interesting studies focus on investigation of the relationship between their structure and antioxidant activity, elucidation of their antioxidant mechanism at the molecular level, and improvement of their various biological activities by chemical modifications. Although the mechanism of their antioxidant action is still not completely clear, these polysaccharides are suggested to enhance cell-mediated immune responses in vivo and in vitro and act as biological response modifiers.

China in the period of transition from scarcity and extensive undernutrition to emerging nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, 1949-1992

This study uses unique official data to document nutritional changes in the 1949-1992 period. In 1949, widespread famine, high mortality and low life expectancy dominated. Economic progress was uneven; however, the longer term food supply changed greatly, and hunger was conquered. Diet composition shifted greatly over this period. Cereal consumption, already high, increased from 541.2 g d(-1) (70.0% coarse grains) in 1952 to 645.9 g d(-1) (15.9% coarse grains) in 1992. Consumption of animal-source foods, half of which were pork and pork products, tripled from 30.0 to 103.0 g d(-1). The proportion of energy intake from fat tripled from 7.6% to 22.5%, and that from carbohydrates decreased from 83.0% to 65.8% over the same period. Physical activity was high in all domains, but shifts were beginning to occur (e.g. the initial mechanization of work and the expansion of biking). Nutritional improvement was uneven, including increased undernutrition in the 1959-1962 period and a remarkable rebound and continued improvement thereafter. Overweight emerged only after 1982. Shifts in diet, activity and body composition in 1949-1992 set the stage for major shifts in nutrition in the subsequent decades.

The physical activity transition among adults in China: 1991-2011

Previous studies have linked work, home production, travel activities and inactivity with weight and health outcomes. However, these focused on average physical activity (PA) over time rather than changes in PA and associated sociodemographic and economic factors and urbanicity. Using the 1991-2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey data, we estimated the metabolic equivalent of task hours per week for individuals in occupational, domestic, travel and active leisure domains and sedentary hours per week. We present the distributions among adult men and women (aged 18-60), and use quantile regression models to explore factors associated with these trends. Trend analyses on the distribution of PA show declines along the whole distribution of occupational PA for men and women and domestic PA for women in China. These patterns remain consistent after adjusting for individual- and household-level factors. Controlling for urbanicity mitigated the decrease in occupational PA, particularly for men, but not the decrease in domestic PA. Given China's rapid urbanization and its association with occupational PA declines and the strong time trend in domestic PA, there is a need to invest in interventions and policies that promote PA during leisure and travel times.

Nanostructured conducting polymers and their biomedical applications

Much attention has been paid to nanostructured conducting polymers due to their unique properties, which arise from their nanoscale size, such as their large surface area, high electrical conductivity, electrochemical stability and quantum effects. This article reviews three methods to synthesize nanostructured conducting polymers and their applications in the biomedical field, focusing specifically on neural probes, biosensors, artificial muscles or actuators and controlled drug release. Challenges and future directions of these nanostructured conducting polymer are also discussed.

A new germline mutation in KIT associated with diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis in a Chinese family

Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) is an extremely rare disease characterized by massive proliferation of mast cells infiltrating the entire skin. We report a Chinese family with indolent DCM, and detection of a new germline KIT mutation located in the fifth immunoglobulin-like loop of the KIT protein, which probably results in a gain-of-function effect and consequent overactivation of mast cells. Our report expands the knowledge of correlations between the genotype of KIT mutations and the phenotype of DCM.

Snapshots of Dirac fermions near the Dirac point in topological insulators

The recent focus on topological insulators is due to the scientific interest in the new state of quantum matter as well as the technology potential for a new generation of THz optoelectronics, spintronics and quantum computations. It is important to elucidate the dynamics of the Dirac fermions in the topologically protected surface state. Hence we utilized a novel ultrafast optical pump mid-infrared probe to explore the dynamics of Dirac fermions near the Dirac point. The femtosecond snapshots of the relaxation process were revealed by the ultrafast optics. Specifically, the Dirac fermion-phonon coupling strength in the Dirac cone was found to increase from 0.08 to 0.19 while Dirac fermions were away from the Dirac point into higher energy states. Further, the energy-resolved transient reflectivity spectra disclosed the energy loss rate of Dirac fermions at room temperature was about 1 meV/ps. These results are crucial to the design of Dirac fermion devices.

Novel tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for Chinese beard eel (Cirrhimuraena chinensis Kaup)

In this study, we characterized 12 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for Chinese beard eel (Cirrhimuraena chinensis Kaup) from a tetranucleotide microsatellite-enriched library. Loci screened on a sample of 37 individuals from Xiamen wild stocks revealed 8 to 24 alleles per locus, with a mean of 13.83 over all loci. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.270 to 0.944 and 0.439 to 0.942, respectively. These efficient genetic markers thus provide useful tools in the study of the population genetics and phylogeography of Chinese beard eel.

In vitro evaluation of the therapeutic potential of nevirapine in treatment of human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a severe thyroid malignancy with poor prognosis, due to its early metastasis and unresponsiveness to both radiation and chemotherapy. Nevirapine, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, has been used as a re-differentiation agent to treat cancers in several human cancer models. So far, the effects of nevirapine on human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma cells have not been documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of nevirapine in treatment of human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma. Cell proliferation was determined by methly thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by Hoechst 33258 staining. The mRNA expression of NIS and TSHR was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). Iodine uptake was determined by (125)I radioactivity assay. At all doses (100, 200, 350, 500 μmol/L) tested, nevirapine significantly inhibited cell proliferation after 48 h treatment. At high dose (500 μmol/L), nevirapine significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells compared with control (P<0.01). At lower doses (200 μmol/L and 350 μmol/L), nevirapine did not induce cell apoptosis, but up-regulated NIS and THSR mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. In FRO cells pre-treated with nevirapine, the increase in NIS expression had no obvious effect on iodine uptake. These findings indicate that nevirapine has an anti-proliferative effect on FRO cells, which correlates with an induction of cell differentiation.

XBP1 promoter polymorphism modulates platinum-based chemotherapy gastrointestinal toxicity for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is a critical transcription factor in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, which is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Here, we investigated whether the regulatory variant rs2269577 of the XBP1 gene influences clinical outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We recruited 663 Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC treated with platinum-based regimens and assessed the association between rs2269577 and clinical outcome. Subsequent functional analyses, including real-time quantitative PCR and dual-luciferase assays, were performed to explore possible molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

The G/G genotype of rs2269577 was significantly associated with severe gastrointestinal toxicity compared with the homozygous C/C genotype (P=0.012, odds ratio=2.755), particularly in the female, performance status 0-1, and adenocarcinoma subgroups. No significant relevance was found between rs2269577 and treatment efficacy. In gastric epithelial cells, in vitro molecular analyses demonstrated that XBP1 mRNA expression levels decreased after treatment with cisplatin and the G allele of rs2269577 weakened the transcriptional activity of the XBP1 promoter.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to evaluate the effect of XBP1 polymorphism on severe chemotherapy-related adverse outcomes in platinum-treated advanced NSCLC patients using both pharmacogenomics and functional molecular analyses.

Multifunctional surfaces with biomimetic nanofibres and drug-eluting micro-patterns for infection control and bone tissue formation

For long-term orthopaedic implants, the creation of a surface that is repulsive to bacteria while adhesive to tissue cells represents a promising strategy to control infection. To obtain such multifunctional surfaces, two possible approaches were explored to incorporate a model antibiotic, rifampicin (Rf), into the osteogenic polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CHS) biomimetic nanofibre meshes by (1) blending Rf into the electrospinning solutions and then electrospinning into nanofibres (i.e., Rf-incorporating fibres), or (2) depositing Rf-containing poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) micro-patterns onto the PCL/chitosan nanofibre meshes via ink-jet printing (i.e., Rf-eluting micro-pattern/fibre). Rapid release of Rf from both meshes was measured even though a relatively slower release rate was obtained from the Rf-eluting micro-pattern ones. Antibacterial assay with Staphylococcus epidermidis showed that both mesh surfaces could effectively kill bacteria and prevent biofilm formation. However, only Rf-eluting micro-pattern meshes favoured the attachment, spreading and metabolic activity of preosteoblasts in the cell culture study. Furthermore, the Rf-eluting micro-pattern meshes could better support the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts by up-regulating the gene expression of bone markers (type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase). Clearly, compared to Rf-incorporating nanofibre meshes, Rf-eluting micro-patterns could effectively prevent biofilm formation without sacrificing the osteogenic properties of PCL/chitosan nanofibre surfaces. This finding provides an innovative avenue to design multifunctional surfaces for enhancing bone tissue formation while controlling infection.