Encapsulation nanoarchitectonics of glabridin with sophorolipid micelles for addressing biofilm hazards via extracellular polymeric substance permeation and srtA gene suppression.

BACKGROUND: Biofilm, a common drug-resistant phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), demonstrates significant drug resistance and recurrence due to its extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) barrier and subsequent bacterial migration. Hence, there is an urgent need for effective solutions to mitigate the hazards posed by biofilms. RESULT: This study developed a stable, low-toxicity multifunctional nanomicelle, GLA@SOL/EYL, by encapsulating glabridin (GLA) using sophorolipid (SOL) and egg yolk lecithin (EYL). Optimizations were performed for the hydration medium, the ratio of carrier materials to GLA, and EYL additions. GLA@SOL/EYL exhibited a particle size of 122.1 ± 0.8 nm and a surface potential of -66.4 ± 1.7 mV, endowing it with the ability to permeate biofilms EPS effectively. GLA@SOL/EYL encapsulated 98.3 ± 1.2 % of GLA and demonstrated a slow-release effect, significantly enhancing the bioavailability of GLA. The addition of EYL reduced the hemolytic toxicity of GLA@SOL/EYL and improved its encapsulation rate and stability. GLA@SOL/EYL reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration of GLA to 8 µg/mL and extended its inhibitory effect at low concentrations by rapidly disrupting the structural integrity of S. aureus. GLA@SOL/EYL may penetrate biofilms to disperse EPS and remove twice as much biofilm as GLA alone, thereby eliminating 99.99 % of S. aureus within biofilms, compared to 99 % bactericidal efficacy of GLA. Additionally, GLA@SOL/EYL inhibited 63.8 ± 1.8 % of biofilm formation by affecting the expression of the srtA gene, thereby reducing the expression of cell wall-anchoring protein genes. In contrast, the biofilm inhibition rates of GLA and blank micelles were less than 10 %. CONCLUSION: GLA@SOL/EYL utilizes the nanoparticle effect to penetrate biofilms and deliver antimicrobial GLA. The SOL disperses the biofilm matrix while GLA is released to kill S. aureus, preventing bacterial dissemination and colonization. Thus, GLA@SOL/EYL presents an innovative strategy for effectively eradicating S. aureus biofilms and preventing new hazards in a one-step approach.

Transcriptome analysis of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. uncovers key genes and pathways involved in root formation in response to low-temperature stress.

Sesuvium portulacastrum L., a perennial facultative halophyte, is extensively distributed across tropical and subtropical coastal regions. Its limited cold tolerance significantly impacts both the productivity and the geographical distribution of this species in higher-latitude areas. In this study, we employed RNA-Seq technology to delineate the transcriptomic alterations in Sesuvium plants exposed to low temperatures, thus advancing our comprehension of the molecular underpinnings of this physiological adaptation and root formation. Our findings demonstrated differential expression of 10,805, 16,389, and 10,503 genes in the low versus moderate temperature (LT vs. MT), moderate versus high temperature (MT vs. HT), and low versus high temperature (LT vs. HT) comparative analyses, respectively. Notably, the gene categories "structural molecule activity", "ribosome biogenesis", and "ribosome" were particularly enriched among the LT vs. HT-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs). When synthesizing the insights from these three comparative studies, the principal pathways associated with the cold response mechanism were identified as "carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms", "starch and sucrose metabolism", "plant hormone signal transduction", "glycolysis/gluconeogenesis", and "photosynthesis". In addition, we elucidated the involvement of auxin signaling pathways, adventitious root formation (ARF), lateral root formation (LRF), and novel genes associated with shoot system development in root formation. Subsequently, we constructed a network diagram to investigate the interplay between hormone levels and pivotal genes, thereby clarifying the regulatory pathways of plant root formation under low-temperature stress and isolating key genes instrumental in root development. This study has provided critical insights into the molecular mechanisms that facilitate the adaptation to cold stress and root formation in S. portulacastrum.

Development of a clinical diagnostic model for Bell's palsy in patients with facial muscle weakness.

Early diagnosis of Bell's palsy is crucial for effective patient management in primary care settings. This study aimed to develop a simplified diagnostic tool to enhance the accuracy of identifying Bell's palsy among patients with facial muscle weakness. Data from 240 patients were analyzed using seven potential clinical evaluation indicators. Two diagnostic benchmarks were established: one based on clinical assessment and the other incorporating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed based on these benchmarks, resulting in the construction of a predictive tool evaluated through latent class models. Both models retained four key clinical indicators: absence of forehead wrinkles, accumulation of food and saliva inside the mouth on the affected side, presence of vesicular rash in the ear or pharynx, and lack of pain or symptoms associated with tick exposure, rash, or joint pain. The first model demonstrated excellent discriminative ability (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94 - 0.99) and calibration (P < 0.001), while the second model also showed good performance (AUC = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83 - 0.92) and calibration (P = 0.005). Bootstrap validation indicated no significant overfitting. The latent class defined by the first model significantly aligned with the clinical diagnosis group, while the second model showed lower consistency.

Application of biofilm dispersion-based nanoparticles in cutting off reinfection.

Bacterial biofilms commonly cause chronic and persistent infections in humans. Bacterial biofilms consist of an inner layer of bacteria and an autocrine extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Biofilm dispersants (abbreviated as dispersants) have proven effective in removing the bacterial physical protection barrier EPS. Dispersants are generally weak or have no bactericidal effect. Bacteria dispersed from within biofilms (abbreviated as dispersed bacteria) may be more invasive, adhesive, and motile than planktonic bacteria, characteristics that increase the probability that dispersed bacteria will recolonize and cause reinfection. The dispersants should be combined with antimicrobials to avoid the risk of severe reinfection. Dispersant-based nanoparticles have the advantage of specific release and intense penetration, providing the prerequisite for further antibacterial agent efficacy and achieving the eradication of biofilms. Dispersant-based nanoparticles delivered antimicrobial agents for the treatment of diseases associated with bacterial biofilm infections are expected to be an effective measure to prevent reinfection caused by dispersed bacteria. KEY POINTS: • Dispersed bacteria harm and the dispersant's dispersion mechanisms are discussed. • The advantages of dispersant-based nanoparticles in bacteria biofilms are discussed. • Dispersant-based nanoparticles for cutting off reinfection in vivo are highlighted.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for Chronic Ischemic Stroke: Contribution of Dosage Parameters.

BACKGROUND: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) combined with rehabilitation is a Food and Drug Administration approved intervention for moderate to severe upper extremity deficits in chronic ischemic stroke patients. Previous studies demonstrated that VNS improves upper extremity motor impairments, using the Fugl Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE); however, delineating where these improvements occur, and the role of VNS dosage parameters were not reported. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between dosing (time over which task repetitions were executed and number of VNS stimulations) and changes within proximal and distal components of the FMA-UE. METHODS: Participants underwent VNS implantation, with 1 group receiving VNS paired with rehabilitation (Active VNS) and the other group receiving rehabilitation with sham stimulation (Controls). Both groups received 6 weeks of in-clinic therapy followed by a 90-day at-home, self-rehabilitation program. Participants who completed at least 12 of 18 in-clinic sessions were included in the analyses (n = l06). Pearson correlations and analysis of covariance were used to investigate the relationship between dosing and FMA-UE outcome change along with the effect of covariates including baseline severity, time since stroke, age, and paretic side. RESULTS: Compared to Controls, active VNS favorably influenced distal function with sustained improvement after the home program. Significant improvements were observed in only distal components (FMdist) at both post day-1 (1.80 points, 95% Cl [0.85, 2.73], P < .001) and post-day 90 (1.62 points, 95% CI [0.45, 2.80], P < .007). CONCLUSIONS: VNS paired with rehabilitation resulted in significant improvements in wrist and hand impairment compared to Controls, despite similar in-clinic dosing across both groups.NCT03131960.

Regulatory role of PI16 in autoimmune arthritis and intestinal inflammation: implications for Treg cell differentiation and function.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity and inflammation. A proportion of Treg cells can lose Foxp3 expression and become unstable under inflammation conditions. The precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. METHODS: The PI16 gene knockout mice (PI16fl/flFoxp3Cre) in Treg were constructed, and the genotypes were identified. The proportion and phenotypic differences of immune cells in 8-week-old mice were detected by cell counter and flow cytometry. Two groups of mouse Naïve CD4+T cells were induced to differentiate into iTreg cells to observe the effect of PI16 on the differentiation and proliferation of iTreg cells, CD4+CD25+Treg and CD4+CD25- effector T cells (Teff) were selected and co-cultured with antigen presenting cells (APC) to observe the effect of PI16 on the inhibitory ability of Treg cells in vitro. The effects of directed knockout of PI16 in Treg cells on inflammatory symptoms, histopathological changes and immune cell expression in mice with enteritis and autoimmune arthritis were observed by constructing the model of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) and colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS). RESULTS: We identified peptidase inhibitor 16 (PI16) as a negative regulator of Treg cells. Our findings demonstrate that conditional knock-out of PI16 in Tregs significantly enhances their differentiation and suppressive functions. The conditional knockout of the PI16 gene resulted in a significantly higher abundance of Foxp3 expression (35.12 ± 5.71% vs. 20.00 ± 1.61%, p = 0.034) in iTreg cells induced in vitro compared to wild-type mice. Mice with Treg cell-specific PI16 ablation are protected from autoimmune arthritis (AIA) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis development. The AIA model of PI16CKO is characterized by the reduction of joint structure and the attenuation of synovial inflammation and in DSS-induced colitis model, conditional knockout of the PI16 reduce intestinal structural damage. Additionally, we found that the deletion of the PI16 gene in Treg can increase the proportion of Treg (1.46 ± 0.14% vs. 0.64 ± 0.07%, p < 0.0001) and decrease the proportion of Th17 (1.00 ± 0.12% vs. 3.84 ± 0.64%, p = 0.001). This change will enhance the shift of Th17/Treg toward Treg cells in AIA arthritis model (0.71 ± 0.06% vs. 8.07 ± 1.98%, p = 0.003). In DSS-induced colitis model of PI16CKO, the proportion of Treg in spleen was significantly increased (1.40 ± 0.15% vs. 0.50 ± 0.11%, p = 0.003), Th17 (2.18 ± 0.55% vs. 6.42 ± 1.47%, p = 0.017), Th1 (3.42 ± 0.19% vs. 6.59 ± 1.28%, p = 0.028) and Th2 (1.52 ± 0.27% vs. 2.76 ± 0.38%, p = 0.018) in spleen was significantly decreased and the Th17/Treg balance swift toward Treg cells (1.44 ± 0.50% vs. 24.09 ± 7.18%, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: PI16 plays an essential role in inhibiting Treg cell differentiation and function. Conditional knock out PI16 gene in Treg can promote the Treg/Th17 balance towards Treg dominance, thereby alleviating the condition. Targeting PI16 may facilitate Treg cell-based therapies for preventing autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases. The research provides us with novel insights and future research avenues for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, particularly arthritis and colitis.

An Ultra-Low Self-Discharge Aqueous|Organic Membraneless Battery with Minimized Br2 Cross-Over.

Batteries dissolving active materials in liquids possess safety and size advantages compared to solid-based batteries, yet the intrinsic liquid properties lead to material cross-over induced self-discharge both during cycling and idle when the electrolytes are in contact, thus highly efficient and cost-effective solutions to minimize cross-over are in high demand. An ultra-low self-discharge aqueous|organic membraneless battery using dichloromethane (CH2 Cl2 ) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) added to a zinc bromide (ZnBr2 ) solution as the electrolyte is demonstrated. The polybromide is confined in the organic phase, and bromine (Br2 ) diffusion-induced self-discharge is minimized. At 90% state of charge (SOC), the membraneless ZnBr2 |TBABr (Z|T) battery shows an open circuit voltage (OCV) drop of only 42 mV after 120 days, 152 times longer than the ZnBr2  battery, and superior to 102 previous reports from all types of liquid active material batteries. The 120-day capacity retention of 95.5% is higher than commercial zinc-nickel (Zn-Ni) batteries and vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB, electrolytes stored separately) and close to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Z|T achieves >500 cycles (2670 h, 0.5 m electrolyte, 250 folds of membraneless ZnBr2  battery) with ≈100% Coulombic efficiency (CE). The simple and cost-effective design of Z|T provides a conceptual inspiration to regulate material cross-over in liquid-based batteries to realize extended operation.

Zn Anode Surviving Extremely Corrosive Polybromide Environment with Alginate-Graphene Oxide Hydrogel Coating.

Zinc-bromine (Zn-Br) redox provides a high energy density and low-cost option for next-generation energy storage systems, and polybromide diffusion remains a major issue leading to Zn anode corrosion, dendrite growth, battery self-discharge and limited electrochemical performance. A dual-functional Alginate-Graphene Oxide (AGO) hydrogel coating is proposed to prevent polybromide corrosion and suppress dendrite growth in Zn-Br batteries through negatively charged carboxyl groups and enhanced mechanical properties. The battery with anode of plain zinc coated with AGO (Zn]AGO) survives a severely corrosive environment with higher polybromide concentration than usual without a membrane, and achieves 80 cycles with 100% Coulombic and 80.65% energy efficiencies, four times compared to plain Zn anode. The promising performance is comparable to typical Zn-Br batteries using physical membranes, and the AGO coating concept can be well adapted to various Zn-Br systems to promote their applications.

Peptidase inhibitor 16 promotes inflammatory arthritis by suppressing Foxp3 expression via regulating K48-linked ubiquitin degradation Bmi-1 in regulatory T cells.

Abnormalities of regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been suggested in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) is the key transcriptional factor of Tregs expression. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated peptidase inhibitor 16 (PI16) was significantly increased in the peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue from RA patients. PI16 transgenic mice (PI16Tg) aggravated arthritis severity partly through suppressing Foxp3 expression. Mechanistically, PI16 could interact with and stabilize Bmi-1 in Tregs via inhibiting K48-linked polyubiquitin of Bmi-1, which promotes the enrichment of repressive histone mark in Foxp3 promoter. Furthermore, Bmi-1 specific inhibitor PTC209 could restore Foxp3 expression and alleviate arthritis progression in PI16Tg mice, accompanied by increased recruitment of active histone mark in the promoter of Tregs. Our results suggest that PI16-Bmi-1 axis plays an important role in RA and other autoimmune diseases by suppressing Foxp3 expression in Tregs via Bmi-1-mediated histone modification.

Rhamnolipid Micelles Assist Azithromycin in Efficiently Disrupting Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms and Impeding Their Re-Formation.

Introduction: Biofilm is highly resistant to antibiotics due to its heterogeneity and is implicated in over 80% of chronic infections; these refractory and relapse-prone infections pose a huge medical burden. Methods: In this study, rhamnolipid (RHL), a biosurfactant with antibiofilm activity, was loaded with the antibiotic azithromycin (AZI) to construct a stable nanomicelle (AZI@RHL) that promotes Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilm disruption. Results: AZI@RHL micelles made a destruction in biofilms. The biofilm biomasses were reduced significantly by 48.2% (P<0.05), and the main components polysaccharides and proteins were reduced by 47.5% and 36.8%, respectively. These decreases were about 3.1 (15.9%), 7.3 (6.5%), and 1.9 (19.5%) times higher compared with those reported for free AZI. The disruption of biofilm structure was observed under a confocal microscope with fluorescent labeling, and 48.2% of the cells in the biofilm were killed. By contrast, the clearance rates of cells were only 20% and 17% when treated alone with blank micelles or free AZI. Biofilm formation was inhibited up to 92% in the AZI@RHL group due to effects on cell auto-aggregation and eDNA release. The rates for the other groups were significantly lower, with only 27.7% for the RHL group and 12% for the AZI group (P<0.05). The low cell survival and great formation inhibition could reduce biofilm recolonization and re-formation. Conclusion: The antibiofilm efficacy of rhamnolipid was improved through micellar nanoparticle effects when loading azithromycin. AZI@RHL provides a one-step solution that covers biofilm disruption, bacteria inactivation, recolonization avoidance, and biofilm re-formation inhibition.

Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of DNA Hydrogel.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), as a natural polymer material, carries almost all the genetic information and is recognized as one of the most intelligent natural polymers. In the past 20 years, there have been many exciting advances in the synthesis of hydrogels using DNA as the main backbone or cross-linking agent. Different methods, such as physical entanglement and chemical cross-linking, have been developed to perform the gelation of DNA hydrogels. The good designability, biocompatibility, designable responsiveness, biodegradability and mechanical strength provided by DNA building blocks facilitate the application of DNA hydrogels in cytoscaffolds, drug delivery systems, immunotherapeutic carriers, biosensors and nanozyme-protected scaffolds. This review provides an overview of the main classification and synthesis methods of DNA hydrogels and highlights the application of DNA hydrogel in biomedical fields. It aims to give readers a better understanding of DNA hydrogels and development trends.

Inflammasome activation and metabolic remodelling in p16-positive aging cells aggravates high-fat diet-induced lung fibrosis by inhibiting NEDD4L-mediated K48-polyubiquitin-dependent degradation of SGK1.

BACKGROUND: Chronic changes caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) may be associated with weakened lung function in obese patients. However, few studies have focused on the role of senescent cells in HFD-induced pulmonary fibrosis. This study aimed to determine whether (i) obesity causes the accumulation of aging cells in the lungs, (ii) p16 accumulation in aging epithelial cells or fibroblasts exacerbates long-term HFD-induced senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis (SAPF) and (iii) p16 deletion or clearance of aging cells ameliorates HFD-induced SAPF through inactivation of the inflammasome and metabolic remodelling. METHODS: Twelve-month old male mice of p16INK4a (hereafter p16) knockout (p16-- ) and wild-type (WT), ApoE knockout (ApoE-- ) and ApoE-- p16-- were fed a HFD to induce obesity, and the effects of treatment with the senolytic drug ABT263 or the SGK1 specific inhibitor EMD638683 on fibrosis, inflammaging, gene expression, integrin-inflammasome signalling and metabolism were examined. A549 and IMR-90 cells were transduced with p16-overexpressing adenovirus, and treated with palmitic and oleic acids (P&O) to induce steatosis in vitro. RESULTS: We found that long-term HFD promoted the expression of p16 and the increase of senescent cells in the lung. P16 knockout or ABT263 treatment alleviated pulmonary fibrosis, the increase of senescent cells and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in HFD-fed mice, as well as in P&O-treated A549 and IMR-90 cells. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses revealed that p16 knockout inhibited activation of the integrin-inflammasome pathway and cellular glycolysis. Mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays demonstrated that p16 bound to the N-terminal of SGK1, thereby interfering with the interaction between the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4L and SGK1, and subsequently inhibiting K48-polyubiquitin-dependent degradation of SGK1 mediated by the NEDD4L-Ubch5 complex. EMD638683 was found to alleviate HFD-induced pulmonary fibrosis and activation of the integrin-inflammasome pathway. CONCLUSION: P16 accumulation promoted activation of integrin- inflammasome pathway and cell glycolysis by binding to the N- terminal of SGK1, intefering with the interaction between the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4L and SGK1, thereby inhibiting K48- polyubiquitin- dependent degradation of SGK1 mediated by the NEDD4L-Ubch5 complex. ABT263 or EMD638683 could be used as potential drugs to treat pulmonary fibrosis in obese patients.

Tetrahedral-Framework Nucleic Acid Loaded with MicroRNA-155 Enhances Immunocompetence in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice by Modulating Dendritic Cells and Macrophages.

Nanomaterials are often used as immunomodulators because they can be tailored by a controllable process. In this work, a complex based on a tetrahedral framework nucleic acid delivery system and MicroRNA-155, known as T-155, is synthesized for the modulation of immunosuppression. In vivo, T-155 ameliorated spleen and thymus damage and hematopoiesis suppression in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice by promoting T-cell proliferation to resist oxidative stress. In vitro, T-155 induced immature dendritic cells (DCs) to differentiate into mature DCs by the ERK1/2 pathway and converted M0 macrophages (Mφ) into the M1 type by the NF-κB pathway to enhance the surveillance capabilities of antigen-presenting cells. The experimental results suggest that T-155 has therapeutic potential as an immunomodulator for immunosuppression.

[Professor LIN Guo-hua's experience in the clinical application of "Dayingxiang"].

The paper introduces professor LIN Guo-hua's experience in treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion at "Dayingxiang". Based on the application of Neiyingxiang (internal LI 20), professor LIN defines the entire nasal cavity and its adjacent nasopharynx as "Dayingxiang", of which, "Neiyingxiang" and "Biyandian" (nasopharynx point) are commonly stimulated with acupuncture-moxibustion. "Dayingxiang" may regulate lung qi and promote the circulation of the marrow sea in treatment of the disorders of lung system and the marrow. Fire needling with twirling or burning-scallion technique is predominated in manipulation. "Neiyingxiang" is stimulated for the shallow-located disorders, while, "Biyandian" is for the deep-located ones. These two points are optioned alternatively or in combination to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids-based delivery promotes intracellular transfer of healing peptides and accelerates diabetic would healing.

OBJECTIVES: Peptide-based therapeutics are natural candidates to desirable wound healing. However, enzymatic surroundings largely limit its stability and bioavailability. Here, we developed a tetrahedral framework nucleic acids(tFNA)-based peptide delivery system, that is, p@tFNAs, to address deficiencies of healing peptide stability and intracellular delivery in diabetic wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AGEs (advanced glycation end products) were used to treat endothelial cell to simulate cell injury in diabetic microenvironment. The effects and related mechanisms of p@tFNAs on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and ROS (reactive oxygen species) production have been comprehensively studied. The wound healing model in diabetic mice was photographically and histologically investigated in vivo. RESULTS: Efficient delivery of healing peptide by the framework(tFNA) was verified. p@tFNAs helped overcome the angiogenic obstacles induced by AGEs via ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In the meantime, p@tFNA exhibited its antioxidative property to achieve ROS balance. As a result, p@tFNA improved angiogenesis and diabetic wound healing in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that p@tFNA could be a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound healing. Moreover, a new method for intracellular delivery of peptides was also constructed.

A Tetrahedral Framework DNA-Based Bioswitchable miRNA Inhibitor Delivery System: Application to Skin Anti-Aging.

MicroRNA (miR)-based therapy shows strong potential; however, structural limitations pose a challenge in fully exploiting its biomedical functionality. Tetrahedral framework DNA (tFNA) has proven to be an ideal vehicle for miR therapy. Inspired by the ancient Chinese myth "Sun and Immortal Birds," a novel bioswitchable miR inhibitor delivery system (BiRDS) is designed with three miR inhibitors (the three immortal birds) and a nucleic acid core (the central sun). The BiRDS fuses miR inhibitors within the framework, maximizing their loading capacity, while allowing the system to retain the characteristics of small-sized tFNA and avoiding uncertainty associated with RNA exposure in traditional loading protocols. The RNase H-responsive sequence at the tail of each "immortal bird" enables the BiRDS to transform from a 3D to a 2D structure upon entering cells, promoting the delivery of miR inhibitors. To confirm the application potential, the BiRDS is used to deliver the miR-31 inhibitor, with antiaging effects on hair follicle stem cells, into a skin aging model. Superior skin penetration ability and RNA delivery are observed with significant anti-aging effects. These findings demonstrate the capability and editability of the BiRDS to improve the stability and delivery efficacy of miRs for future innovations.

Effects of Acupuncture in Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Acupuncture is a well-known treatment option for ischemic stroke recovery, but evidence of its effectiveness remains limited. This is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for ischemic stroke rehabilitation. Methods: Rehabilitation training was provided to the control group. In acupuncture arm 1, these acupoints were derived from the ancient books, including GV20 (baihui), GV26 (shuigou), PC9 (zhongchong), ST6 (jiache), ST4 (dicang), LI15 (jianyu), LI11 (quchi), LI4 (hegu), GB30 (huantiao), GB31 (fengshi), GB34 (yanglingquan), and GB39 (xuanzhong). In acupuncture arm 2, the acupoints used were GV20 (baihui), PC6 (neiguan), LI11 (quchi), LI10 (shousanli), SJ5 (waiguan), LI4 (hegu), GB30 (huantiao), ST36 (zusanli), GB34 (yanglingquan), SP6 (sanyinjiao), ST41 (jiexi), and LR3 (taichong), which were extracted from Acupuncture and Moxibustion Science. After acupuncture, the needles were left in for 30 min and manually manipulated every 10 min. The three groups received treatment once a day, 5 times a week for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the secondary outcomes were the Barthel Index (BI) and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Outcomes were measured in patients both before and after treatment. Results: A total of 497 patients with ischemic stroke were randomized into either arm 1 (159 cases), arm 2 (173 cases), or the control group (165 cases). After 2 weeks of treatment, the NIHSS scores for arm 1 were lower than those of the control group (P = 0.017); the BI scores were higher in arm two than that in the control group at T2 (P = 0.016) and follow-up (P = 0.020). Additionally, there was no significant difference between arm one and the control group for either the BI scores or the MAS scores (P > 0.05) and no significant difference between arm two and the control group for the MAS scores or the NIHSS scores (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of arm 1 and arm 2 (acupuncture groups) was superior to that of the control group, but there was no difference between the effects of the two acupuncture groups. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR-IOR-16008627.

Nanocarriers for combating biofilms: Advantages and challenges.

Bacterial biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics and pose a great threat to human and animal health. The control and removal of bacterial biofilms have become an important topic in the field of bacterial infectious diseases. Nanocarriers show great anti-biofilm potential because of their small particle size and strong permeability. In this review, the advantages of nanocarriers for combating biofilms are analysed. Nanocarriers can act on all stages of bacterial biofilm formation and diffusion. They can improve the scavenging effect of biofilm by targeting biofilm, destroying extracellular polymeric substances and enhancing the biofilm permeability of antimicrobial substances. Nanocarriers can also improve the antibacterial ability of antimicrobial drugs against bacteria in biofilm by protecting the loaded drugs and controlling the release of antimicrobial substances. Additionally, we emphasize the challenges faced in using nanocarrier formulations and translating them from a preclinical level to a clinical setting.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Frequentist Network Meta-Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation.

Purpose: Acupuncture and moxibustion techniques have been increasingly used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). However, there is a paucity of comparative information and cost-effectiveness assessment for techniques on PNP management. Patients and Methods. Randomized controlled trials studying the acupuncture or moxibustion treatments on PNP were identified from electronic databases. The quality of the included studies and the potential risk of bias was evaluated using the ROB 2.0 assessment tool. The primary outcome was at least 20% pain relief. The treatment effects were pooled through a frequentist-based network meta approach. Subsequently, the cost-effectiveness measured by incremental cost per additional responder (ICPR) was calculated. Results: One three-arm trial and 15 two-arm trials comprising 1308 participants that satisfy the eligibility criteria were identified. Among the included studies, 12.5% were at low risk of bias, 68.75% had some concerns about the risk of bias, and 18.75% were at high risk of bias. The major sources of bias originated from the randomization processes of the studies. The patients were assigned to seven different acupuncture or moxibustion interventions and two pharmaceutical treatments. Except for acupoint injection, all the included acupuncture and moxibustion techniques showed superior improvements in PNP and were more cost-effective as compared to pharmaceutical treatments. Warm needling, fire needling, and moxibustion were the most effective treatments. Fire needling showed the lowest ICPR relative to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the cost-effectiveness analysis of direct and indirect costs. Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion techniques are beneficial and cost-effective approaches for easing PNP and hence can be considered for PNP management.