NMR Immunosensor Based on a Targeted Gadolinium Nanoprobe for Detecting Salmonella in Milk.

Detecting harmful pathogens in food is not only a crucial aspect of food quality management but also an effective way to ensure public health. In this paper, a complete nuclear magnetic resonance biosensor based on a novel gadolinium (Gd)-targeting molecular probe was developed for the detection of Salmonella in milk. First, streptavidin was conjugated to the activated macromolecular polyaspartic acid (PASP) via an amide reaction to generate SA-PASP. Subsequently, the strong chelating and adsorption properties of PASP toward the lanthanide metal gadolinium ions were exploited to generate the magnetic complex (SA-PASP-Gd). Finally, the magnetic complex was linked to biotinylated antibodies to obtain the bioprobe and achieve the capture of Salmonella. Under optimal experimental conditions, the sensor we have constructed can achieve a rapid detection of Salmonella within 1.5 h, with a detection limit of 7.1 × 103 cfu mL-1.

Rapid adaptive and acute stimulatory responses to low salinity stress in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): Insights from integrative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis.

The Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a euryhaline crustacean capable of tolerating a wide range of ambient salinity, but the strategies of hepatopancreas to rapid adaptive or acute stimulatory responses to extremely low salinity fluctuations remains unclear. In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses on the hepatopancreas derived from rapid adaptative (RA) and acute stimulatory (AS) responses to extremely low salinity stress (0.3 ppt) to unveil specific regulatory mechanisms. The RA group displayed normal epithelial cells and tubule structures, while the AS group showed histological changes and lesions. A total of 754 and 649 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in RA and AS treatments, respectively. For proteome, a total of 206 and 66 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained in the RA/CT and AS/CT comparison groups, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted among the DEGs and DEPs, revealing that metabolic related pathways were significantly enriched pathways in both comparison groups. In addition, correlation analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic results showed that 20 and 3 pairs of DEGs/DEPs were identified in RA vs. CT and AS vs. CT comparison groups, respectively. This study is the first report on the rapid adaptive and acute stimulatory transcriptomic and proteomic responses of L. vannamei to extremely low salinity, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying osmoregulation in euryhaline crustaceans.

TRAF Family Member 4 Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy Through the Activation of the AKT Pathway.

Background Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a major cause of heart failure morbidity. The complex mechanism of intermolecular interactions underlying the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy has led to a lack of development and application of therapeutic methods. Methods and Results Our study provides the first evidence that TRAF4, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family, acts as a promoter of cardiac hypertrophy. Here, Western blotting assays demonstrated that TRAF4 is upregulated in cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, TRAF4 deletion inhibits the development of cardiac hypertrophy in a mouse model after transverse aortic constriction surgery, whereas its overexpression promotes phenylephrine stimulation-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis revealed that TRAF4 promoted the activation of the protein kinase B pathway during cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, we found that inhibition of protein kinase B phosphorylation rescued the aggravated cardiomyocyte hypertrophic phenotypes caused by TRAF4 overexpression in phenylephrine-treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, suggesting that TRAF4 may regulate cardiac hypertrophy in a protein kinase B-dependent manner. Conclusions Our results revealed the regulatory function of TRAF4 in cardiac hypertrophy, which may provide new insights into developing therapeutic and preventive targets for this disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease increased the risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in China.

Background and aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was proposed to substitute NAFLD in 2020. This new term highlights the systematic metabolic disturbances that accompany fatty liver. We evaluated the correlations between MAFLD and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA) based on a nationwide health examination population in China. Methods: We performed a nationwide cross-sectional population and a Beijing retrospective cohort from 2009 to 2017. SCA was defined as elevated carotid intima-media thickness. The multivariable logistic and Cox models were used to analyze the association between MAFLD and SCA. Results: 153,482 participants were included in the cross-sectional study. MAFLD was significantly associated with SCA in fully adjusted models, with an odds ratio of 1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62-1.70. This association was consistent in the cohort, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.31. The association between baseline MAFLD and incident SCA increased with hepatic steatosis severity. Subgroup analysis showed an interaction between age and MAFLD, with a higher risk in younger groups (HR:1.67, 95% CI: 1.17-2.40). Conclusion: In this large cross-section and cohort study, MAFLD was significantly associated with the presence and development of SCA. Further, the risk was higher among MAFLD individuals with high hepatic steatosis index and young adults.

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) vitelline membrane outer layer protein 1 (VMO1) is produced in the hepatopancreas and transported into ovarian oocytes during vitellogenesis.

In birds, vitelline membrane outer layer protein 1 (VMO1) is an exogenous protein that can be absorbed by eggs as a barrier to prevent the mixing of yolk and egg white. However, researches on VMO1 are limited in birds but not other non-avian species until now. In this study, we first identified a novel Vmo1 cDNA (Lv-Vmo1) in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), the most important cultured shrimp in the world. We further analyzed its gene organization, phylogenetic relationship and protein structure. The Lv-Vmo1 transcript was specifically expressed in the hepatopancreas without sexual dimorphism. During ovarian development in female, the hepatopancreatic Lv-Vmo1 mRNA levels showed a significant increase. By in situ hybridization, Lv-Vmo1 mRNA was present in three cell types of the hepatopancreas but neither oocytes nor follicle cells of the ovary. In contrast, immunofluorescence revealed that Lv-VMO1 protein was distributed in the cytoplasms of both hepatopancreatic cells and ovarian oocytes. Western blot showed that Lv-VMO1 protein was produced in the hepatopancreas and transported to the ovary via hemolymph circulation. Identification of a species-specific egg-entry guide protein is the key to the receptor-mediated ovarian transduction of cargo, a novel gene editing approach in oviparous animals. This study lays the mechanism for exogenous transport into penaeid shrimp eggs by VMO1, as a foundation for achieving exogenous protein-mediated incorporation into oocytes.

Energy substrate metabolism and oxidative stress in metabolic cardiomyopathy.

Metabolic cardiomyopathy is an emerging cause of heart failure in patients with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. It is characterized by impaired myocardial metabolic flexibility, intramyocardial triglyceride accumulation, and lipotoxic damage in association with structural and functional alterations of the heart, unrelated to hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development and progression of metabolic cardiomyopathy. Mitochondria are the most significant sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiomyocytes. Disturbances in myocardial substrate metabolism induce mitochondrial adaptation and dysfunction, manifested as a mismatch between mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and the electron transport chain (ETC) activity, which facilitates ROS production within the ETC components. In addition, non-ETC sources of mitochondrial ROS, such as ß-oxidation of fatty acids, may also produce a considerable quantity of ROS in metabolic cardiomyopathy. Augmented ROS production in cardiomyocytes can induce a variety of effects, including the programming of myocardial energy substrate metabolism, modulation of metabolic inflammation, redox modification of ion channels and transporters, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, ultimately leading to the structural and functional alterations of the heart. Based on the above mechanistic views, the present review summarizes the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying metabolic cardiomyopathy, focusing on the role of oxidative stress.

Early intervention with acupuncture improves the outcome of patients with Bell's palsy: A propensity score-matching analysis.

Objective: Although acupuncture is widely used as a complementary therapy in the treatment of Bell's palsy (BP) when to initiate acupuncture is still controversial. This study aims to determine the efficacy of the early intervention by acupuncture on BP. Methods: We retrospectively gathered clinical data from the Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN-YAT SEN University between 2016 and 2021. We selected newly diagnosed patients with BP who were diagnosed by registered neurologists or acupuncturists formally. The qualified patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not initial acupuncture treatment was given within 7 days from the onset of palsy. Cohorts were balanced using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Cox proportional hazards modeling and Kaplan-Meier analysis were applied to determine the differences between the two groups. The outcome included time to complete recovery of facial function, the rate of complete recovery, and the occurrence of sequelae in 24 weeks. Results: A total of 345 patients were eligible for this study and were divided into the manual acupuncture/electroacupuncture (MA/EA) group (n = 76) and the EA group (n = 125). In the propensity score-matched cohort, the time to complete recovery was significantly shorter in the MA/EA group compared with the patients in the EA group (hazard ratio 1.505, 95% CI 1.028-2.404, p <0.05). The MA/EA group had a higher rate of favorable outcomes at 12 weeks than the EA group (93.4 vs. 80.3%, p = 0.032), and the occurrence of sequelae at 24 weeks showed a greater reducing trend in the MA/EA group than the EA group (6.6 vs. 16.4%, p = 0.088). Conclusion: Acupuncture intervention at the acute stage of BP could shorten the time to recovery and improve the outcome. Clinical trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR 2200058060.

Inspiration After Posterior Pharyngeal Flap Palatoplasty: A Preliminary Study Using Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis.

Posterior pharyngeal flap palatoplasty (PPF) is one of the most commonly used surgical procedures to correct speech, especially for patients suffering from velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). During PPF, surgeons use the catheter to control the lateral velopharyngeal port on each side. Airway obstruction and sleep apnea are common after PPF. To understand the air dynamics of the upper airway after PPF, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to demonstrate the airflow. In our previous study, we have revealed the expiration process of the upper airway after PPF and shown the features of how PPF successfully restores the oral pressure for speech. In this study, we focus on examining the inspiration process. Normal airway structures were included. For the normal velopharyngeal structure, one cylinder was applied to each model. For recapitulating the velopharyngeal structure after PPF, two cylinders were used in each model. The ports for borderline/inadequate closure, which can help the oral cavity get the required pressure, were chosen for this study. A real-time CFD simulation was used to capture the airflow through the ports. We found that the airflow dynamics of the upper airway's inspiration were dependent on the velopharyngeal structure. Although the airflow patterns were similar, the velocities between one-port and two-port structures were different, which explained why patients after PPF breathed harder than before and suggested that the one-port structure might be a better choice for secondary VPI reconstruction based on the CFD analyses.

The Role of Structural Deterioration and Biomechanical Changes of the Necrotic Lesion in Collapse Mechanism of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a crippling disease which is due to a lack of effective therapeutic measures. Its natural progression is rapid, the internal bone structure of the femoral head changes dramatically, and the subsequent fractures and collapse cause severe hip pain and loss of hip function. Femoral head collapse is a critical turning point in the development of ONFH and is related to the prognosis of patients. Early prevention and intervention help to preserve the hip joint and delay femoral head collapse. However, the mechanism of collapse still needs to be further studied because it is affected by different complex factors. This review discusses the underlying causes of femoral head collapse from two aspects: structural degradation and regional changes of biomechanical properties in the necrotic femoral head.

Effect of positive airway pressure on cardiac troponins in patients with sleep-disordered breathing: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for cardiac injury. Previous studies evaluating the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) on cardiac troponins in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) have yielded conflicting results. The meta-analysis was performed to examine the effect of PAP on cardiac troponins in SDB patients. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE before September 2021 on original English language studies were searched. The data on cardiac troponins in both baseline and post-PAP treatment were extracted from all studies. The data on the change of cardiac troponins in both PAP and control group were extracted from randomized controlled trials. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to synthesize quantitative results. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included. PAP treatment was not associated with a significant change in cardiac troponin T between the baseline and post-PAP treatment (SMD = -0.163, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.652 to 0.326, z = 0.65, p = .514). The pooled estimate of SMD of cardiac troponin I between the pre- and post-PAP treatment was 0.287, and the 95% CI was -0.586 to 1.160 (z = 0.64, p = .519). The pooled SMD of change of cardiac troponin T between the PAP group and control group was -0.473 (95% CI = -1.198 to 0.252, z = 1.28, p = .201). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis revealed that PAP treatment was not associated with any change of cardiac troponin in SDB patients.

Hydrogel composite scaffolds achieve recruitment and chondrogenesis in cartilage tissue engineering applications.

BACKGROUND: The regeneration and repair of articular cartilage remains a major challenge for clinicians and scientists due to the poor intrinsic healing of this tissue. Since cartilage injuries are often clinically irregular, tissue-engineered scaffolds that can be easily molded to fill cartilage defects of any shape that fit tightly into the host cartilage are needed. METHOD: In this study, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) affinity peptide sequence PFSSTKT (PFS)-modified chondrocyte extracellular matrix (ECM) particles combined with GelMA hydrogel were constructed. RESULTS: In vitro experiments showed that the pore size and porosity of the solid-supported composite scaffolds were appropriate and that the scaffolds provided a three-dimensional microenvironment supporting cell adhesion, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. In vitro experiments also showed that GelMA/ECM-PFS could regulate the migration of rabbit BMSCs. Two weeks after implantation in vivo, the GelMA/ECM-PFS functional scaffold system promoted the recruitment of endogenous mesenchymal stem cells from the defect site. GelMA/ECM-PFS achieved successful hyaline cartilage repair in rabbits in vivo, while the control treatment mostly resulted in fibrous tissue repair. CONCLUSION: This combination of endogenous cell recruitment and chondrogenesis is an ideal strategy for repairing irregular cartilage defects.

Molecular Identification of Anion Exchange Protein 3 in Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): mRNA Profiles for Tissues, Ontogeny, Molting, and Ovarian Development and Its Potential Role in Stress-Induced Gill Damage.

Bicarbonate (HCO3 -) transport mechanisms play an essential role in the acid-base homeostasis of aquatic animals, and anion exchange protein 3 (AE3) is a membrane transport protein that exchanges Cl-/HCO3 - across the cell membrane to regulate the intracellular pH. In this study, the full-length cDNA of AE3 (Lv-AE3) was obtained from the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The Lv-AE3 cDNA is 4,943 bp in length, contains an open reading frame of 2,850 bp, coding for a protein of 949 amino acids with 12 transmembrane domains. Lv-AE3 shows high sequence homology with other AE3 at the protein level. Lv-AE3 mRNA was ubiquitously detected in all tissues selected, with the highest expression level in the gill, followed by the ovary, eyestalk and brain. By in situ hybridization, Lv-AE3-positive cells were shown predominant localization in the secondary gill filaments. The expression levels of Lv-AE3 were further investigated during the essential life processes of shrimp, including ontogeny, molting, and ovarian development. In this case, the spatiotemporal expression profiles of Lv-AE3 in L. vannamei were highly correlated with the activities of water and ion absorption; for example, increased mRNA levels were present after hatching, during embryonic development, after ecdysis during the molt cycle, and in the stage IV ovary during gonadal development. After low/high pH and low/high salinity challenges, the transcript levels of Lv-AE3 were reduced in the gill, while the cell apoptosis rate increased. In addition, knockdown of Lv-AE3 mRNA expression induced cell apoptosis in the gill, indicating a potential link between Lv-AE3 and gill damage. Altogether, this study thoroughly investigated the relationship between the mRNA expression profiles of Lv-AE3 and multiple developmental and physiological processes in L. vannamei, and it may benefit the protection of crustaceans from fluctuated aquatic environments.

Core Decompression with Local Administration of Zoledronate and Enriched Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells for Treatment of Non-Traumatic Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of core decompression (CD) with local administration of zoledronate and enriched bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCS) for the treatment of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: A total of 17 patients (30 hips) diagnosed with stage II and III ONFH according to the 2019 revised Association for Research on Osseous Circulation (ARCO) staging criteria from 2012 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients received the following therapy: the BMMCs and zoledronate were injected into the necrotic zone, respectively, along with CD. The mean age of the patients was 36.8 years; 14 were men and three were women. All patients included had non-traumatic ONFH and a minimum follow-up of 5 years, which ended when total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed. Imaging modalities, including plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were taken pre- and postoperatively. Harris hip score (HHS) was used to evaluate the functional outcomes of femoral head necrosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was adopted to determine the probability of survivorship with THA as the end point in this series of patients. The correlation between radiological progression or THA and related risk factors were further analyzed. All complications were recorded. RESULTS: With THA as the follow-up endpoint, All patients were followed up for an average of 69.1 ± 20.5 months (range, 18-95 months). Preoperative imaging found six hips (20%) at ARCO stage II, 14 hips (46.7%) at stage IIIA, 10 hips (33.3%) at stage IIIB. Fourteen hips (46.7%) shown progression radiologically, while six hips (20%) underwent TKA among these patients with hip preservation. The cumulative survival was 80% (95% CI, 0.608-905) at 5 years with THA as the end point. HHS improved from 63.3 ± 8.7 preoperatively to 74.6 ± 20.6 postoperatively (P = 0.000). Radiological progression was found to be associated with ARCO stage, Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) type, and corticosteroid exposure (P = 0.047; P = 0.012; P = 0.031). However, no correlation was found between conversion to THA and the known risk factors. No major complication was reported, with only four patients complaining about general weakness and muscle soreness, and all disappeared within 2-3 days. CONCLUSIONS: The novel treatment modality could relieve pain, delay the progression of collapse, which might be an effective and safe method for hip preservation of early and mid-term ONFH. However, the effect of this method may be related to ARCO stage, JIC type, and corticosteroid exposure.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a tropical sea cucumber, Stichopus chloronotus.

In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Stichopus chloronotus. The mitogenome was 16,247 base pairs (58.55% A + T content) in length, comprising a total of 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. To resolve the phylogenetic position of S. chloronotus, we analyzed all mitochondrial protein-coding genes from 27 species within the Echinodermata. The results showed that S. chloronotus belonged to the family Stichopodidae and was more closely related to tropical Stichopus species (S. horrens and S. monotuberculatus) than to other species. Our results will be useful for evolutionary analysis of sea cucumber species.

Three-Dimensional Distribution of Bone-Resorption Lesions in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Based on the Three-Pillar Classification.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate three-dimensional distribution of bone-resorptive lesions based on the three-pillar classification and its effect on the disease progression of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: A total of 194 femoral head CT images from 117 patients diagnosed with ARCO stage II and III ONFH were retrospectively reviewed from April 2014 to February 2019. Three-dimensional structures of the femoral head and the bone-resorptive lesions were reconstructed. Using the three-pillar classification and coronal plane of the femoral head, we divided each femoral head into six regions to observe the location characteristics of bone-resorption lesions, and explore the destruction of different areas of the femoral head by the bone-resorptive lesions. Then the hips were divided into two groups based on whether they contained bone-resorption lesions and compared the difference of stage II and stage III between the two groups. RESULTS: The regional distribution revealed 39 (27.27%), 55 (38.46%), six (4.20%), 23 (16.08%), 17 (11.89%) and three (2.10%) bone-resorptive lesions in regions I, II, III, IV, V and VI respectively. The lateral pillar, AL (I + IV), contained 44.76% of the lesions, central pillar, C (II + V), 48.95%, and medial pillar, M (III + VI), 6.29%. Moreover, there were 81.82% bone-resorption lesions in anterolateral pillar, AL (I + II + IV), and 18.18% in posteromedial pillar, PM (III + V + VI). In all ONFH hips, the lateral pillar of 81(88.04%) femoral heads were affected, the central pillar of 84 (91.30%) femoral heads were affected, and the medical pillar of 29 (31.52%) femoral heads were affected. The ratio of ARCO stage III in the group with bone-resorption lesions was significantly higher than that of the group without bone-resorption lesions (76.09% vs 30.39%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the bone-resorption lesions are mainly distributed in the lateral and central pillar of the femoral head, and the two pillars of the femoral head are usually involved by bone-resorption lesions. Furthermore, the ratio of ARCO stage III in the group with bone-resorption lesions was significantly higher than that of the group without bone-resorption lesions, suggesting that the bone-resorption lesions might accelerate the progression of ONFH.

Prevalence and modifiable risk factors of degenerative valvular heart disease among elderly population in southern China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and modifiable risk factors of degenerative valvular heart disease (DVHD) among elderly population in southern China. METHODS: A stratified multistage sampling method was used to recruit subjects. The contents of the survey included the questionnaire, laboratory examination, echocardiography, and other auxiliary examinations. The possible risk factors of DVHD were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3538 subjects ≥ 65 years of age were enrolled. One thousand three hundred and seven subjects (36.9%) were diagnosed with DVHD. Degenerative was the most common etiology of VHD. Prevalence of DVHD increased with advancing age. The prevalence of DVHD differed by living region (χ 2 = 45.594, P < 0.001), educational level ( χ 2 = 50.557, P < 0.001), and occupation ( χ 2 = 36.961, P < 0.001). Risk factors associated with DVHD included age (two-fold increased risk for each 10-year increase in age), elevated level C-reactive protein (OR = 1.346, 95% CI: 1.100-1.646), elevated level low density lipoprotein (OR = 1.243, 95% CI: 1.064-1.451), coronary artery disease (OR = 1.651, 95% CI: 1.085-2.513), smoking (OR = 1.341, 95% CI: 1.132-1.589), and hypertension (OR = 1.414, 95% CI: 1.221-1.638). Other significant risk factors included reduced or elevated level red blood cell (OR = 1.347, 95% CI: 1.031-1.761; OR = 1.599, 95% CI: 1.097-2.331; respectively), elevated level platelets (OR = 1.891, 95% CI: 1.118-3.198), elevated level uric acid (OR = 1.282, 95% CI: 1.112-1.479), and stroke (OR: 1.738, 95% CI = 1.085-2.513). CONCLUSIONS: The survey characterized the baseline conditions of DVHD cohort of elderly population in Guangzhou city. The established and emerging risk factors for DVHD may represent challenges and opportunities for therapy.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pink warty sea cucumber (Cercodemas anceps Selenka, 1867).

In this study, we sequenced the circular mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Cercodemas anceps. This genome was determined to measure 16,539 bp in length and contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. The longest gene was observed to be nad5, which measures 1,641 bp in length and is located at position 6,540 ∼ 8,180 of the C. anceps mitogenome. One PCG, nad6, and five tRNA genes (tRNASer(UCN) , tRNAGln , tRNAAla , tRNAVal, and tRNAAsp ) were located on the light chain, and the other genes were located on the heavy chain. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with the mitogenome sequences of 26 types of echinoderm species, and the results show that C. anceps is most closely related to C. quadrangularis.

Local administration of zoledronic acid prevents traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rat model.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a refractory disease due to its unclear pathomechanism. Neither conservative treatment nor surgical treatment during the early stage of ONFH achieves satisfactory results. Therefore, this study aims to explore the available evidence on the effect of zoledronic acid on early-stage ONFH. METHODS: For groups were established:the Normal group, model group, Normal saline group(NS group) and zoledronic acid-treated group. The blood supply to the femoral head of animals in the model group and zoledronic acid-treated group was interrupted via a surgical procedure, and zoledronic acid was then locally administered to the femoral head. Four weeks after surgery, all the hips were harvested and evaluated by micro-CT and histopathology(H&E staining, TRAP staining, Toluidine blue staining and masson staining). RESULTS: The values of BMD, BS/BV and Tb.Th in the Normal group and zoledronic acid-treated group were significantly higher than those in the model group and NS group (p â€‹< â€‹0.05). The outcome of H&E staining, Toluidine blue staining and masson staining were consistent with that of micro-CT. CONCLUSION: The local administration of zoledronic acid in the femoral head had positive effects on the bone structure of the femoral head in a modified rat model of traumatic ONFH and offered a promising therapeutic strategy during the early stage of ONFH. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: This article could provide a choice for treating patients who have osteonecrosis of femora head and can be the basic research for advanced development over this disease.

Self-Consciousness of Appearance in Chinese Patients With Cleft Lip: Validation of the Chinese Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59) Instrument.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable and valid Chinese version of the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59) instrument for assessing the self-consciousness of appearance in Chinese patients with cleft lip. METHODS: The original DAS 59 instrument was translated into Mandarin, back-translated, and culturally adapted among the Chinese population, following the protocol of the original DAS 59. The validation of the Chinese DAS 59 instrument was estimated on 443 adult participants including 213 subjects with a history of cleft lip with/without palate (CL/P, study group) and 230 normal subjects without facial appearance concern (control group). The reliability was estimated by Cronbach's α coefficient and Guttman's split-half coefficient. Content validity was tested using the Spearman correlation coefficient, while discriminant validity was tested by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The overall internal consistency of Chinese DAS 59 was excellent; Cronbach's α was 0.951 (α = 0.965 and 0.959 in the study and control groups, respectively). Further, Guttman's split-half coefficient was excellent in the study group (0.935) and control group (0.901). The validity of content was good with an acceptable correlation between all the items and domains. The construct validity through the discrimination was good with a statistically significant difference in most domains between the two groups. Patients with CL/P had more concern about the general self-consciousness and social self-consciousness of appearance. They also showed a good self-concept score. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of DAS 59 demonstrated acceptable reliability and good construct and discriminant validity. It can be used for the research and assessment of the psychological state and quality of life for Chinese patients with cleft lip as well as other appearance problems and concerns.

A fully biodegradable and self-electrified device for neuroregenerative medicine.

Peripheral nerve regeneration remains one of the greatest challenges in regenerative medicine. Deprivation of sensory and/or motor functions often occurs with severe injuries even treated by the most advanced microsurgical intervention. Although electrical stimulation represents an essential nonpharmacological therapy that proved to be beneficial for nerve regeneration, the postoperative delivery at surgical sites remains daunting. Here, a fully biodegradable, self-electrified, and miniaturized device composed of dissolvable galvanic cells on a biodegradable scaffold is achieved, which can offer both structural guidance and electrical cues for peripheral nerve regeneration. The electroactive device can provide sustained electrical stimuli beyond intraoperative window, which can promote calcium activity, repopulation of Schwann cells, and neurotrophic factors. Successful motor functional recovery is accomplished with the electroactive device in behaving rodent models. The presented materials options and device schemes provide important insights into self-powered electronic medicine that can be critical for various types of tissue regeneration and functional restoration.