Socioeconomic disparity in the natural history of cutaneous melanoma: evidence from two large prospective cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) failed to distinguish the effects of different SES factors under an individual-data-based prospective study design. METHODS: Based on UK Biobank (UKB) and China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB), we estimated the effects of four SES factors on transitions from baseline to CMM in situ, subsequently to invasive CMM and further CMM mortality by applying multistate models. We further explored to which extent the associations between SES and CMM incidence could be explained by potential mediators including sun exposure, lifestyle and ageing in UKB. RESULTS: In multistate analyses, good household income was independently associated with an increased risk of CMM in situ (HR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.58) and invasive CMM (HR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.48) in UKB. These findings were partly validated in CKB. Especially in UKB, we observed an increased risk of CMM in situ and invasive CMM among participants with good type of house; only good education was independently associated with lower risk of evolving to invasive CMM among patients with CMM in situ (HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.92); only good household income was independently associated with lower risk of CMM mortality among patients with CMM (HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.95). In mediation analysis, the proportions attributable to the mediating effect were <6% for all selected variables, including self-reported sun exposure-related factors. CONCLUSION: SES factors have different effects on the incidence and progression of CMM. The association between SES and incident CMM is neither causal nor well explained by selected mediators.

The HPE1 RNA-binding protein modulates chloroplast RNA editing to promote photosynthesis under cold stress in Arabidopsis.

Cold stress has severe negative consequences for plant growth and crop yield. Here, we report that an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant that lacks the HPE1 gene, which encodes an RNA-binding protein, maintains higher photosynthetic activity under cold stress, together with higher accumulation of thylakoid proteins. We showed that HPE1 interacts with MORF2 and MORF9 and thereby mediates RNA editing in chloroplasts. Loss of HPE1 function increased the editing efficiency at four RNA editing sites, rpoC-488, ndhB-149, ndhB-746 and matK-706, under cold stress and altered the expression of nuclear photosynthesis-related genes and cold-responsive genes. We propose that HPE1-mediated RNA editing acts as a trigger for retrograde signaling that affects photosynthesis under cold stress.

Au-Based Bimetallic Catalysts for Aerobic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid under Base-Free Reaction Conditions.

The aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of renewable, biodegradable plastics and sustainable chemicals. Although supported gold nanoclusters (NCs) exhibit significant potential in this process, they often suffer from low selectivity. To address this challenge, a series of gold-M (M means Ni, Fe, Cu, and Pd) bimetallic NCs catalysts were designed and synthesized to facilitate the selective oxidation of HMF to FDCA. Our findings indicate that the introduction of doped metals, particularly Ni and Pd, not only improves the reaction rates for HMF tandem oxidation but also promotes high yields of FDCA. Various characterizations techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of CO adsorption (CO-DRIFTS), and temperature-programmed desorption of oxygen (O2-TPD), were employed to scrutinize the structural and electronic properties of the prepared catalysts. Notably, an electronic effect was observed across the Au-based bimetallic catalysts, facilitating the activation of reactant molecules and enhancing the catalytic performance. This study provides valuable insights into the alloy effects, aiding in the development of highly efficient Au-based bimetallic catalysts for biomass conversions.

Photochromic radical states in 3D covalent organic frameworks with zyg topology for enhanced photocatalysis.

Covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) with photoinduced donor-acceptor (D-A) radical pairs show enhanced photocatalytic activity in principle. However, achieving long-lived charge separation in COFs proves challenging due to the rapid charge recombination. Here, we develop a novel strategy by combining [6 + 4] nodes to construct zyg-type 3D COFs, first reported in COF chemistry. This structure type exhibits a fused Olympic-rings-like shape, which provides a platform for stabilizing the photoinduced D-A radical pairs. The zyg-type COFs containing catalytically active moieties such as triphenylamine and phenothiazine (PTZ) show superior photocatalytic production rates of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Significantly, the photochromic radical states of these COFs show up to 400% enhancement in photocatalytic activity compared to the parent states, achieving a remarkable H2O2 synthesis rate of 3324 µmol g-1 h-1, which makes the PTZ-COF one of the best crystalline porous photocatalysts in H2O2 production. This work will shed light on the synthesis of efficient 3D COF photocatalysts built on topologies that can facilitate photogenerating D-A radical pairs for enhanced photocatalysis.

Clinical efficacy of Zhiyang Xiaozhen granules combined with second-generation antihistamine in the treatment of chronic urticaria. / 止痒消疹颗粒联合第2ä»£æŠ—ç»„èƒºè¯æ²»ç–—æ ¢æ€§è¨éº»ç–¹çš„ä¸´åºŠç–—æ•ˆ.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic urticaria presents a chronic process of recurrent attacks, and its first-line treatment is second-generation antihistamine with limited treatment options. The efficacy of antihistamine varies among individuals and cannot meet the needs of all patients. This study aims to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhiyang Xiaozhen granules combined with antihistamine in the treatment of chronic urticaria patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with chronic urticaria who visited the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April 2020 to March 2021. The patients who received conventional second-generation antihistamine treatment were selected as a control group, while the patients who received combined treatment with Zhiyang Xiaozhen granules on the basis of conventional second-generation antihistamine treatment were selected as an observation group. The differences in the Weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) between the 2 groups before and 4 weeks after treatment were compared. The Symptom Score Reduce Index (SSRI) was used to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the 2 treatment regimens. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, the UAS7 levels in both groups were significantly reduced (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). The effective rates of the control group and the observation group were 61.11% and 59.38%, respectively when converting UAS7 to SSRI for efficacy evaluation, and there was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between the 2 groups (P>0.05); however, when converting DLQI to SSRI for efficacy evaluation, the effective rates of the control group and the observation group were 33.33% and 46.88%, respectively, and the difference in efficacy between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). There were 3 patients with adverse drug reactions related to drowsiness in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Zhiyang Xiaozhen granules and second-generation antihistamine can effectively improve disease activity in patients with chronic urticaria, and the improvement in quality of life is better than that with the second-generation antihistamine alone.

Air pollution and skin diseases: A comprehensive evaluation of the associated mechanism.

Air pollutants deteriorate the survival environment and endanger human health around the world. A large number of studies have confirmed that air pollution jeopardizes multiple organs, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Skin is the largest organ and the first barrier that protects us from the outside world. Air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will affect the structure and function of the skin and bring about the development of inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis), skin accessory diseases (acne, alopecia), auto-immune skin diseases (cutaneous lupus erythematosus(CLE) scleroderma), and even skin tumors (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC)). Oxidative stress, skin barrier damage, microbiome dysbiosis, and skin inflammation are the pathogenesis of air pollution stimulation. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the effects of air pollution on skin diseases and possible mechanisms to provide strategies for future research.

Discovery of novel coumarin-based KRAS-G12C inhibitors from virtual screening and Rational structural optimization.

KRAS-G12C inhibitors has been made significant progress in the treatment of KRAS-G12C mutant cancers, but their clinical application is limited due to the adaptive resistance, motivating development of novel structural inhibitors. Herein, series of coumarin derivatives as KRAS-G12C inhibitors were found through virtual screening and rational structural optimization. Especially, K45 exhibited strong antiproliferative potency on NCI-H23 and NCI-H358 cancer cells harboring KRAS-G12C with the IC50 values of 0.77 µM and 1.50 µM, which was 15 and 11 times as potent as positive drug ARS1620, respectively. Furthermore, K45 reduced the phosphorylation of KRAS downstream effectors ERK and AKT by reducing the active form of KRAS (KRAS GTP) in NCI-H23 cells. In addition, K45 induced cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BAD and BAX in NCI-H23 cells. Docking studies displayed that the 3-naphthylmethoxy moiety of K45 extended into the cryptic pocket formed by the residues Gln99 and Val9, which enhanced the interaction with the KRAS-G12C protein. These results indicated that K45 was a potent KRAS-G12C inhibitor worthy of further study.

Crosstalk between H2O2 and Ca2+ signaling is involved in root endophyte-enhanced tanshinone biosynthesis of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Tanshinones are bioactive ingredients derived from the herbal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza and are used for treating diseases of the heart and brain, thus ensuring quality of S. miltiorrhiza is paramount. Applying the endophytic fungus Trichoderma atroviride D16 can significantly increase the content of tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza, but the potential mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the colonization of D16 effectively enhanced the levels of Ca2+ and H2O2 in the roots of S. miltiorrhiza, which is positively correlated with increased tanshinones accumulation. Further experiments found that the treatment of plantlets with Ca2+ channel blocker (LaCl3) or H2O2 scavenger (DMTU) blocked D16-promoted tanshinones production. LaCl3 suppressed not only the D16-induced tanshinones accumulation but also the induced Ca2+ and H2O2 generation; nevertheless, DMTU did not significantly inhibit the induced Ca2+ biosynthesis, implying that Ca2+ acted upstream in H2O2 production. These results were confirmed by observations that S. miltiorrhiza treated with D16, CaCl2, and D16+LaCl3 exhibit H2O2 accumulation and influx in the roots. Moreover, H2O2 as a downstream signal of Ca2+ is involved in D16 enhanced tanshinones synthesis by inducing the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of tanshinones, such as DXR, HMGR, GGPPS, CPS, KSL and CYP76AH1 genes. Transcriptomic analysis further supported that D16 activated the transcriptional responses related to Ca2+ and H2O2 production and tanshinones synthesis in S. miltiorrhiza seedlings. This is the first report that Ca2+ and H2O2 play important roles in regulating fungal-plant interactions thus improving the quality in the D16-S. miltiorrhiza system.

Psychometric properties of the chinese version of multidimensional experiential avoidance questionnaire-30.

BACKGROUND: Experiential avoidance represents the tendency to avoid negative internal experiences, which is a key concept in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. However, existing measures of experiential avoidance (i.e., Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, AAQ-II) have some limitations. This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire-30 (MEAQ-30) and provide evidence for the reliability and validity of this new instrument. METHODS: Two questionnaire surveys were conducted. The first sample (N = 546) was analyzed using classical test theory (CTT), and the second sample (N = 511) was analyzed using multidimensional item response theory (MIRT). RESULTS: CTT supported the six-factor structure of MEAQ-30, indicating good internal consistency and measurement invariance across genders. Furthermore, the Chinese version of MEAQ-30 showed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. The incremental validity test showed that after controlling for the effects of neuroticism and AAQ-II, the Chinese version of MEAQ-30 could still significantly predict depression, anxiety, and stress. MIRT indicated that 30 items had good discrimination and difficulty, and the six subscales were sufficiently reliable across the continuum of experiential avoidance. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of MEAQ-30 has good reliability and validity and is suitable for assessing experiential avoidance among Chinese populations.

Multifunctional Nanocarrier for Synergistic Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease by Inhibiting ß-Amyloid Aggregation and Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species.

The excessive depositions of ß-amyloid (Aß) and abnormal level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as the important pathogenic factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Strategies targeting only one of them have no obvious effects in clinic. In this study, a multifunctional nanocarrier CICe@M-K that crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) efficiently was developed for inhibiting Aß aggregation and scavenging ROS synchronously. Antioxidant curcumin (Cur) and photosensitizer IR780 were loaded in mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSNs). Their surfaces were grafted with cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) and a short peptide K (CKLVFFAED). Living imaging showed that CICe@M-K was mainly distributed in the brain, liver, and kidneys, indicating CICe@M-K crossed BBB efficiently and accumulated in brain. After the irradiation of 808 nm laser, Cur was continuously released. Both of Cur and the peptide K can recognize and bind to Aß through multiple interaction including π-π stacking interaction, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bond, inhibiting Aß aggregation. On the other hand, Cur and CeO2 NPs cooperate to relieve the oxidative stress in the brains by scavenging ROS. In vivo assays showed that the CICe@M-K could diminish Aß depositions, alleviate oxidative stress, and improve cognitive ability of the APP/PS1 AD mouse model, which demonstrated that CICe@M-K is a potential agent for AD treatment.

Real-world evidence of combined treatment of biologics and exclusive enteral nutrition in patients with ileum-dominant Crohn's disease: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although biologics were prescribed to achieve and maintain clinical remission of active Crohn's disease (CD), almost half of patients experienced a loss of response or intolerance. Here, we investigated the efficacy of combined treatment of biologics and 16-weeks exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in moderate-to-severe CD patients with small intestine lesions. METHODS: This was a real-world, multicenter retrospective study, from October 2016 to March 2023, medical records of patients registered at three IBD centers were reviewed for patients with ileal or ileocolonic CD in moderate-to-severe activity. All patients received treatment of biologics with concomitant 16-week EEN (BioEEN) or biologics alone (Bio). The clinical outcomes and endoscopic outcomes were assessed at week 16 and 52. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between Bio (97 patients) and BioEEN group (100 patients) at baseline for demographic and clinical characteristics. Compared to treatment with biologics alone, patients with BioEEN treatment achieved higher rates of clinical response (95.0% vs. 66.0%), clinical remission (87.0% vs. 52.6%), endoscopic response (91.4% vs. 47.4%) including mucosal healing (85.7% vs. 23.7%) at week 16. The superiority of BioEEN sustained in maintenance, with 84.7% (vs. 49.1%) clinical response, 77.8% (vs. 38.6%) clinical remission, 69.2% (vs. 32.6%) endoscopic response and 51.9% (vs. 18.6%) mucosal healing at week 52. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment of biologics and 16-week EEN was an efficient therapeutic strategy with affirmative effectiveness for small intestine diseases of active CD.

Habitat-Based Radiomics for Predicting EGFR Mutations in Exon 19 and 21 From Brain Metastasis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To explore and externally validate habitat-based radiomics for preoperative prediction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in exon 19 and 21 from MRI imaging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-originated brain metastasis (BM). METHODS: A total of 170, 62 and 61 patients from center 1, center 2 and center 3, respectively were included. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1CE) and T2-weighted (T2W) MRI scans. Radiomics features were extracted from the tumor active (TA) and peritumoral edema (PE) regions in each MRI slice. The most important features were selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to develop radiomics signatures based on TA (RS-TA), PE (RS-PE) and their combination (RS-Com). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to access performance of radiomics models for both internal and external validation cohorts. RESULTS: 10, four and six most predictive features were identified to be strongly associated with the EGFR mutation status, exon 19 and exon 21, respectively. The RSs derived from the PE region outperformed those from the TA region for predicting the EGFR mutation, exon 19 and exon 21. The RS-Coms generated the highest performance in the primary training (AUCs, RS-EGFR-Com vs. RS-exon 19-Com vs. RS-exon 21-Com, 0.955 vs. 0.946 vs. 0.928), internal validation (AUCs, RS-EGFR-Com vs. RS-exon 19-Com vs. RS-exon 21-Com, 0.879 vs. 0.819 vs. 0.882), external validation 1 (AUCs, RS-EGFR-Com vs. RS-exon 19-Com vs. RS-exon 21-Com, 0.830 vs. 0.825 vs. 0.822), and external validation 2 (AUCs, RS-EGFR-Com vs. RS-exon 19-Com vs. RS-exon 21-Com, 0.812 vs. 0.818 vs. 0.800) cohort. CONCLUSION: The developed habitat-based radiomics model can be used to accurately predict the EGFR mutation subtypes, which may potentially guide personalized treatments for NSCLC patients with BM.

A piezoelectric-driven microneedle platform for skin disease therapy.

With over a million cases detected each year, skin disease is a global public health problem that diminishes the quality of life due to its difficulty to eradicate, propensity for recurrence, and potential for post-treatment scarring. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment with minimal invasiveness or scarring and few side effects, making it well tolerated by patients. However, this treatment requires further research and development to improve its effective clinical use. Here, a piezoelectric-driven microneedle (PDMN) platform that achieves high efficiency, safety, and non-invasiveness for enhanced PDT is proposed. This platform induces deep tissue cavitation, increasing the level of protoporphyrin IX and significantly enhancing drug penetration. A clinical trial involving 25 patients with skin disease was conducted to investigate the timeliness and efficacy of PDMN-assisted PDT (PDMN-PDT). Our findings suggested that PDMN-PDT boosted treatment effectiveness and reduced the required incubation time and drug concentration by 25% and 50%, respectively, without any anesthesia compared to traditional PDT. These findings suggest that PDMN-PDT is a safe and minimally invasive approach for skin disease treatment, which may improve the therapeutic efficacy of topical medications and enable translation for future clinical applications.

Phytochemical Profile and Bioactivity of Bound Polyphenols Released from Rosa roxburghii Fruit Pomace Dietary Fiber by Solid-State Fermentation with Aspergillus niger.

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, bioactivity, and release mechanism of bound polyphenols (BPs) released from Rosa roxburghii fruit pomace insoluble dietary fiber (RPDF) through solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Aspergillus niger. The results indicated that the amount of BPs released from RPDF through SSF was 17.22 mg GAE/g DW, which was significantly higher than that achieved through alkaline hydrolysis extraction (5.33 mg GAE/g DW). The BPs released through SSF exhibited superior antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities compared to that released through alkaline hydrolysis. Chemical composition analysis revealed that SSF released several main compounds, including ellagic acid, epigallocatechin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid. Mechanism analysis indicated that the disruption of tight structure, chemical bonds, and hemicellulose was crucial for the release of BPs from RPDF. This study provides valuable information on the potential application of SSF for the efficient release of BPs from RPDF, contributing to the utilization of RPDF as a functional food ingredient.

Efficacy of consolidation of immune checkpoint inhibitor after chemoradiation for unresectable, locally advanced PD­L1 negative non­small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta­analysis.

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by consolidation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as durvalumab or pembrolizumab, for patients with unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumor PD-L1 expression <1% remains a topic of controversy. Previous studies from PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were searched for a meta-analysis. A total of 16 studies were included in part one of the meta-analysis and it was observed that consolidation of ICIs after CRT improved overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.46; P=0.005] and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 1.26; P=0.023) for the patients with PD-L1 expression ≥1% compared with those with PD-L1 expression <1%. Then, 15 studies were included in part two of the meta-analysis and the results indicated that the pooled 1, 2 and 3-year OS were 77% vs. 83% (P=0.07), 55% vs. 59% (P=0.327) and 38% vs. 51% (P=0.006) for CRT alone compared with CRT followed by consolidation of ICIs, respectively. The pooled 1, 2 and 3-year PFS were 51% vs. 53% (P=0.632), 29% vs. 40% (P=0.015) and 20% vs. 28% (P=0.153) for CRT alone compared with CRT followed by consolidation of ICIs, respectively. The findings of the present study highlighted that the benefits of CRT followed by consolidation of ICIs were higher compared with CRT alone in patients with unresectable, locally advanced NSCLC and PD-L1 expression <1%. Consolidation of ICIs after CRT would provide greater benefits for locally advanced NSCLC patients with PD-L1 expression ≥1% compared with those with PD-L1 expression <1%.

[The relationship between the expression of PGE2 and COX-2 and the osteogenic activity and oxygen level of alveolar bone].

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the osteogenic activity and oxygen level of alveolar bone. METHODS: The alveolar bones of 56 patients with chronic periodontitis who received dental treatment from March 2021 to March 2023 were collected as the experimental (periodontitis) group, and the healthy alveolar bones of 53 patients who received dental treatment during the same period were selected as the control group. The osteoblasts were cultured by tissue block culture, and modified Kaplow's alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was used to identify the cells. COX-2, PGE2 and osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OPG) receptor activator of nuclear factor-κb ligand (RANKL) and other indicators were determined by ELISA. PGE2, COX-2, OPG, internal oxygen level, ALP, RANKL and their correlation were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 27.0 software package. RESULTS: PGE2, COX-2 and RANKL in periodontitis group were significantly higher than those in the control group, but OPG, internal oxygen level and ALP were significantly lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). PGE2 and COX2 were highly positively correlated with OPG, internal oxygen level and ALP, but were highly positively correlated with RANKL(P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of PGE2 and COX-2 is highly negatively correlated with ALP and oxygen levels. Clinical treatment may consider increasing oxygen levels, increasing oxygen partial pressure, and regulating ALP levels by drugs, so as to change the inflammatory condition of periodontitis or other dental diseases.

Epidemiological Surveillance: Genetic Diversity of Rotavirus Group A in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, China in 2019.

Objective: This study aimed to understand the epidemic status and phylogenetic relationships of rotavirus group A (RVA) in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province, China. Methods: This study included individuals aged 28 days-85 years. A total of 706 stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis collected between January 2019 and January 2020 were analyzed for 17 causative pathogens, including RVA, using a Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel, followed by genotyping, virus isolation, and complete sequencing to assess the genetic diversity of RVA. Results: The overall RVA infection rate was 14.59% (103/706), with an irregular epidemiological pattern. The proportion of co-infection with RVA and other pathogens was 39.81% (41/103). Acute gastroenteritis is highly prevalent in young children aged 0-1 year, and RVA is the key pathogen circulating in patients 6-10 months of age with diarrhea. G9P[8] (58.25%, 60/103) was found to be the predominant genotype in the RVA strains, and the 41 RVA-positive strains that were successfully sequenced belonged to three different RVA genotypes in the phylogenetic analysis. Recombination analysis showed that gene reassortment events, selection pressure, codon usage bias, gene polymorphism, and post-translational modifications (PTMs) occurred in the G9P[8] and G3P[8] strains. Conclusion: This study provides molecular evidence of RVA prevalence in the Pearl River Delta region of China, further enriching the existing information on its genetics and evolutionary characteristics and suggesting the emergence of genetic diversity. Strengthening the surveillance of genotypic changes and gene reassortment in RVA strains is essential for further research and a better understanding of strain variations for further vaccine development.

[Study on the antimicrobial effect of new bioactive glass against common bacteria in apical periodontitis of deciduous teeth].

PURPOSE: To study the antimicrobial effect of different concentrations of new bioactive glass(BG) on common bacteria in apical periodontitis of deciduous teeth. METHODS: The diameter (mm) of the inhibitory rings formed after treatment of Enterococcus faecalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Clostridium nucleatum with the new bioactive glass was detected and observed by paper diffusion method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of E. faecalis, P. gingivalis and C. pseudomallei were determined. The mixed plaques of the three bacteria were treated with 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/mL of the new bioactive glass for 24 h. The results were analyzed by laser confocal microscopy. The antibacterial effect of the new bioactive glass on the mixed plaque was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 10.0 software. RESULTS: The new bioactive glass showed strong antibacterial potential against the common bacteria of apical periodontitis; the MBEC of the new bioactive glass on the plaque was significantly greater than MIC and MBC of Enterococcus faecalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Clostridium nucleatum, and as the concentration of the new bioactive glass increased, the number of dead bacteria in the mixed plaque increased, and there was significant difference from that of the blank control group (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The novel bioactive glass shows significant antibacterial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Clostridium nucleatum, which are the common bacteria in apical periodontitis of deciduous teeth.

Impact of Metal Salt Oxidants and Preparation Technology on Efficacy of Bacterial Cellulose/Polypyrrole Flexible Conductive Fiber Membranes.

In this study, we investigated the preparation and characterization of flexible conductive fiber membranes (BC/PPy) using different metal salt oxidants on bacterial cellulose (BC) and pyrrole (Py) in the in situ polymerization and co-blended methods, respectively. The effects of these oxidants, namely, ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) and silver nitrate (AgNO3), on the structural characterization, conductivity, resistance value and thermal stability of the resulting materials were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A comparative study revealed that the BC/PPy conductive fiber membrane prepared using FeCl3·6H2O as the oxidant had a resistance value of 12 Ω, while the BC/PPy conductive fiber membrane prepared using AgNO3 as the oxidant had an electrical resistance value of 130 Ω. The conductivity of the same molar ratio of BC/PPy prepared using FeCl3·6H2O as an oxidant was 10 times higher than that of the BC/PPy prepared using AgNO3 as an oxidant. Meanwhile, the resistance values of the conductive fiber membranes prepared from BC and PPy by the co-blended method were much higher than the BC/PPy prepared by in situ polymerization. SEM and XPS analyses revealed that when FeCl3·6H2O was used as the oxidant, the Fe-doped polypyrrole conductive particles could form uniform and dense conductive layers on the BC nanofiber surfaces. These two metal salt oxidants demonstrated differences in the binding sites between PPy and BC.

A real-time augmented reality system integrated with artificial intelligence for skin tumor surgery: experimental study and case series.

BACKGROUND: Skin tumors affect many people worldwide, and surgery is the first treatment choice. Achieving precise preoperative planning and navigation of intraoperative sampling remains a problem and is excessively reliant on the experience of surgeons, especially for Mohs surgery for malignant tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To achieve precise preoperative planning and navigation of intraoperative sampling, we developed a real-time augmented reality (AR) surgical system integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance three functions: AI-assisted tumor boundary segmentation, surgical margin design, and navigation in intraoperative tissue sampling. Non-randomized controlled trials were conducted on manikin, tumor-simulated rabbits, and human volunteers in Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease Laboratory to evaluate the surgical system. RESULTS: The results showed that the accuracy of the benign and malignant tumor segmentation was 0.9556 and 0.9548, respectively, and the average AR navigation mapping error was 0.644 mm. The proposed surgical system was applied in 106 skin tumor surgeries, including intraoperative navigation of sampling in 16 Mohs surgery cases. Surgeons who have used this system highly recognize it. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical system highlighted the potential to achieve accurate treatment of skin tumors and to fill the gap in global research on skin tumor surgery systems.