TGF-ß/SMAD Pathway Mediates Cadmium Poisoning-Induced Chicken Liver Fibrosis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Cadmium(Cd) is a toxic heavy metal widely present in the environment, capable of accumulating in the liver and causing liver damage. In this study, the mechanism of cadmium-induced liver fibrosis in chickens was investigated from the perspective of hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) based on the establishment of a model of chicken cadmium toxicity and a model of cadmium-stained cells in a chicken hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (LMH). The 7-day-old chickens were randomly divided into the regular group (C group) and cadmium poisoning group (Cd group), and the entire test cycle was 60 days. Three sampling time points of 20 days, 40 days, and 60 days were established. By testing the liver coefficient, histopathological and ultrastructural changes in chicken livers were observed. The enzyme activities of liver function and the expression changes of fibrosis markers (COL1A1, Fibronectin), epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, and α-SMA), and the critical factors of the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway (TGF-ß1, SMAD 2, and SMAD 3) were detected in the liver expression changes. The results showed that at the same sampling time point, the chicken liver coefficient in group Cd was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01); the activities of the liver function enzymes ALT and AST in chickens in the Cd group were significantly higher than those in the C group (P < 0.01); liver hepatocytes degenerated and necrotic, the number of erythrocytes in the blood vessels was increased, and inflammatory cells infiltrated in the sinusoidal gap; the perisinusoidal gap of the liver was enlarged, and there was an apparent aggregation of collagen fibers in the intervening period as seen by transmission electron microscopy. The results of Masson staining showed that the percentage of fiber area was significantly higher in the chickens' livers of the Cd group. The fiber area percentage was significantly higher. The results of real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot showed that the expression of E-cadherin in the livers of chickens in the Cd group was significantly lower than that in the C group (P < 0.01). The expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, COL1A1, Fibronectin, TGF-ß1, SMAD 2, and SMAD 3 was significantly higher than that in the C group (P < 0.01). The results of in vitro assays showed that in the LMH cell model established by adding trimethylamine N-oxide, an activator of the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway, and oxidized picric acid, an inhibitor of the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway, the expression of E-cadherin was significantly reduced in cadmium-stained LMH cells (P < 0.01). The expression of α-SMA, Vimentin, COL1A1, Fibronectin, TGF-ß, SMAD 2, and SMAD 3 was significantly elevated (P < 0.01). Cadmium and Trimethylamine N-oxide, an activator of the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway, promoted the expression of these factors. In contrast, the inhibitor of the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway, Oxymatrine, a TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway inhibitor, significantly slowed down these changes. These results suggest that cadmium induces hepatic epithelial-mesenchymal transition by activating the TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway in chicken hepatocytes, promoting hepatic fibrosis.

Epitaxial Growth of the Large-Scale, Highly-Ordered 3D GaN-Truncated Pyramid Array Toward an Ultrahigh Rejection Ratio and Responsivity Visible-Blind Ultraviolet Photodetection.

The micro- and nanostructures of III-nitride semiconductors captivate strong interest owing to their distinctive properties and myriad potential applications. Nevertheless, challenges endure in managing the damage inflicted on crystals through top-down processes or achieving extensive control over the large-area growth of these microstructures via bottom-up methods, thereby impacting their optical and electronic properties. Here, we present novel epitaxially grown 3D GaN truncated pyramid arrays (TPAs) on patterned Si substrates, devoid of any catalyst. These GaN TPAs feature highly ordered, large-scale structures, attributed to the utilization of 3D Si substrates and thin AlN interlayers to alleviate epitaxial strains and limit dislocation formation. Comprehensive characterization via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cathodoluminescence attests to the superior structural and optical attributes of these crystals. Furthermore, photoluminescence and ultraviolet (UV)-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy reveal sharp band-edge emission and significant light trapping in the UV bands. Employing these GaN TPAs, we constructed metal-semiconductor-metal visible-blind UV photodetectors (PDs) incorporating Ti3C2 MXene as Schottky electrodes. These PDs display exceptional responsivity, achieving 5.32 × 103 mA/W at 255 nm and an ultrahigh UV/visible rejection ratio (R255nm/R450nm) approaching 106, which are 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than most recently reported works. This exploration showcases novel GaN-based microstructures characterized by uniformity, ordered geometry, and exemplary crystalline integrity, paving the way for developing optoelectronic applications.

Thermally Oxidized Memristor and 1T1R Integration for Selector Function and Low-Power Memory.

Resistive switching memories have garnered significant attention due to their high-density integration and rapid in-memory computing beyond von Neumann's architecture. However, significant challenges are posed in practical applications with respect to their manufacturing process complexity, a leakage current of high resistance state (HRS), and the sneak-path current problem that limits their scalability. Here, a mild-temperature thermal oxidation technique for the fabrication of low-power and ultra-steep memristor based on Ag/TiOx/SnOx/SnSe2/Au architecture is developed. Benefiting from a self-assembled oxidation layer and the formation/rupture of oxygen vacancy conductive filaments, the device exhibits an exceptional threshold switching behavior with high switch ratio exceeding 106, low threshold voltage of ≈1 V, long-term retention of >104 s, an ultra-small subthreshold swing of 2.5 mV decade-1 and high air-stability surpassing 4 months. By decreasing temperature, the device undergoes a transition from unipolar volatile to bipolar nonvolatile characteristics, elucidating the role of oxygen vacancies migration on the resistive switching process. Further, the 1T1R structure is established between a memristor and a 2H-MoTe2 transistor by the van der Waals (vdW) stacking approach, achieving the functionality of selector and multi-value memory with lower power consumption. This work provides a mild-thermal oxidation technology for the low-cost production of high-performance memristors toward future in-memory computing applications.

A deep learning model integrating a wind direction-based dynamic graph network for ozone prediction.

Ozone pollution is an important environmental issue in many countries. Accurate forecasting of ozone concentration enables relevant authorities to enact timely policies to mitigate adverse impacts. This study develops a novel hybrid deep learning model, named wind direction-based dynamic spatio-temporal graph network (WDDSTG-Net), for hourly ozone concentration prediction. The model uses a dynamic directed graph structure based on hourly changing wind direction data to capture evolving spatial relationships between air quality monitoring stations. It applied the graph attention mechanism to compute dynamic weights between connected stations, thereby aggregating neighborhood information adaptively. For temporal modeling, it utilized a sequence-to-sequence model with attention mechanism to extract long-range temporal dependencies. Additionally, it integrated meteorological predictions to guide the ozone forecasting. The model achieves a mean absolute error of 6.69 µg/m3 and 18.63 µg/m3 for 1-h prediction and 24-h prediction, outperforming several classic models. The model's IAQI accuracy predictions at all stations are above 75 %, with a maximum of 81.74 %. It also exhibits strong capabilities in predicting severe ozone pollution events, with a 24-h true positive rate of 0.77. Compared to traditional static graph models, WDDSTG-Net demonstrates the importance of incorporating short-term wind fluctuations and transport dynamics for data-driven air quality modeling. In principle, it may serve as an effective data-driven approach for the concentration prediction of other airborne pollutants.

An AS-OCT image dataset for deep learning-enabled segmentation and 3D reconstruction for keratitis.

Infectious keratitis is among the major causes of global blindness. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images allow the characterizing of cross-sectional structures in the cornea with keratitis thus revealing the severity of inflammation, and can also provide 360-degree information on anterior chambers. The development of image analysis methods for such cases, particularly deep learning methods, requires a large number of annotated images, but to date, there is no such open-access AS-OCT image repository. For this reason, this work provides a dataset containing a total of 1168 AS-OCT images of patients with keratitis, including 768 full-frame images (6 patients). Each image has associated segmentation labels for lesions and cornea, and also labels of iris for full-frame images. This study provides a great opportunity to advance the field of image analysis on AS-OCT images in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) and would aid in the development of artificial intelligence-based keratitis management.

New Insights into Photo-Fenton Chemistry: The Overlooked Role of Excited IronIII Species.

Direct photoreduction of FeIII is a widely recognized route for accelerating FeIII/FeII cycle in photo-Fenton chemistry. However, most of the wavelengths covering the full spectral range are insufficient to supply enough photon energy for the direct reduction process. Herein, the hitherto neglected mechanism of FeIII reduction that the FeIII indirect reduction pathway initiated by light energy-dependent reactivity variation and reactive excited state (ES) was explored. Evolution of excited-state FeIII species (*FeIII) resulting from metal-centered charge excitation (MCCE) of FeIII is experimentally verified using pulsed laser femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with UV-vis detection and theoretically verified by quantum chemical calculation. Intense photoinduced intravalence charge transition was observed at λ = 380 and 466 nm, revealing quartet 4MCCE and doublet 2MCCE and their exponential processes. Light energy-dependent variation of *FeIII reactivity was kinetically certified by fitting the apparent rate constant of the radical-chain sequence of photo-Fenton reactions. Covalency is found to compensate for the intravalence charge separation following photoexcitation of the metal center in the MCCE state of Fenton photosensitizer. The *FeIII is established as a model, demonstrating the intravalence hole delocalization in the ES can be leveraged for photo-Fenton reaction or other photocatalytic schemes based on electron transfer chemistry.

ß-arrestin2 is indispensable for the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine via inhibiting astrocytic pyroptosis in chronic mild stress mouse model for depression.

ß-arrestin2 is a versatile protein for signaling transduction in brain physiology and pathology. Herein, we investigated the involvement of ß-arrestin2 in pharmacological effects of fluoxetine for depression. A chronic mild stress (CMS) model was established using wild-type (WT) and ß-arrestin2-/- mice. Behavioral results demonstrated that CMS mice showed increased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test, elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory factors in peripheral blood, increased expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, and increased co-labeling of glial fibrillary acidic protein and Caspase1 p10 in the hippocampus compared to the CON group. Treatment with fluoxetine (FLX) ameliorated these conditions. However, compared with the ß-arrestin2-/- CMS group, these results of the ß-arrestin2-/- CMS + FLX group showed no significant changes. These results suggested that the above effects of FLX could be eliminated by knocking out ß-arrestin2. Mass spectrometry implying that FLX promoted the binding of ß-arrestin2 to the NLRP2 inflammasome of depressed mice. Subsequently, the results of the cellular experiments suggested that the 5HT2B receptor antagonist may attenuate L-kynurenine + ATP-induced cell pyroptosis by attenuating NLRP2 binding to ß-arrestin2. We further found that the lack of ß-arrestin2 eliminated the anti-pyroptosis effect of fluoxetine. In conclusion, ß-arrestin2 is an essential protein for fluoxetine to alleviate pyroptosis in the hippocampal astrocytes of CMS mice. Mechanistically, we found that the 5-HT2BR-ß-arrestin2-NLRP2 axis is vital for maintaining the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.

Dual-wavelength distributed feedback laser array based on four-phase-shifted sampled Bragg grating for terahertz generation.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a dual-wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array utilizing a four-phase-shifted sampled Bragg grating. By using this grating, the coupling coefficient is enhanced by approximately 2.83 times compared to conventional sampled Bragg gratings. The devices exhibit a stable dual-mode lasing achieved by introducing further π-phase shifts at 1/3 and 2/3 positions along the cavity. These devices require only one stage of lithography to define both the ridge waveguide and the gratings, mitigating issues related to misalignment between them. A dual-wavelength laser array has been fabricated with frequency spacings of 320 GHz, 500 GHz, 640 GHz, 800 GHz, and 1 THz. When integrated with semiconductor optical amplifiers, the output power of the device can reach 23.6 mW. Furthermore, the dual-wavelength lasing is maintained across a wide range of injection currents, with a power difference of <3 dB between the two primary modes. A terahertz (THz) signal has been generated through photomixing in a photoconductive antenna, with the measured power reaching 12.8 µW.

Comprehensive quantifications of tumour microenvironment to predict the responsiveness to immunotherapy and prognosis for paediatric neuroblastomas.

Treatment strategies for paediatric neuroblastoma as well as many other cancers are limited by the unfavourable tumour microenvironment (TME). In this study, the TMEs of neuroblastoma were grouped by their genetic signatures into four distinct subtypes: immune enriched, immune desert, non-proliferative and fibrotic. An Immune Score and a Proliferation Score were constructed based on the molecular features of the subtypes to quantify the immune microenvironment or malignancy degree of cancer cells in neuroblastoma, respectively. The Immune Score correlated with a patient's response to immunotherapy; the Proliferation Score was an independent prognostic biomarker for neuroblastoma and proved to be more accurate than the existing clinical predictors. This double scoring system was further validated and the conserved molecular pattern associated with immune landscape and malignancy degree was confirmed. Axitinib and BI-2536 were confirmed as candidate drugs for neuroblastoma by the double scoring system. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that axitinib-induced pyroptosis of neuroblastoma cells activated anti-tumour immunity and inhibited tumour growth; BI-2536 induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase in neuroblastoma cells. The comprehensive double scoring system of neuroblastoma may predict prognosis and screen for therapeutic strategies which could provide personalized treatments.

[Immunogenic and toxic effects of graphene oxide nanoparticles in mouse skeletal muscles and human red blood cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immunogenic and toxic effects of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles in mouse skeletal muscles and in human blood in vitro. METHODS: GO nanoparticles prepared using a probe sonicator were supended in deionized H2O or PBS, and particle size and surface charge of the nanoparticles were measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS). Different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL) of GO suspension or PBS were injected at multiple sites in the gastrocnemius muscle (GN) of C57BL/6 mice, and inflammatory response and immune cell infiltrations were detected with HE and immunofluorescence staining. We also examined the effects of GO nanoparticles on human red blood cell (RBC) morphology, hemolysis and blood coagulation using scanning electron microscope (SEM), spectrophotometry, and thromboelastography (TEG). RESULTS: GO nanoparticles suspended in PBS exhibited better colloidal dispersity, stability and surface charge effects than those in deionized H2O. In mouse GNs, injection of GO suspensions dose- and time-dependently resulted in sustained muscular inflammation and myofiber degeneration at the injection sites, which lasted till 8 weeks after the injection; immunofluorescence staining revealed obvious infiltration of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells around the injection sites in mouse GNs. In human RBCs, incubation with GO suspensions at 0.2, 2.0 and 20 mg/mL, but not at 0.002 or 0.02 mg/mL, caused significant alterations of cell morphology and hemolysis. TEG analysis showed significant abnormalities of blood coagulation parameters following treatment with high concentrations of GO. CONCLUSION: GO nanoparticles can induce sustained inflammatory and immunological responses in mouse GNs and cause RBC hemolysis and blood coagulation impairment, suggesting its muscular toxicity and hematotoxicity at high concentrations.

Cascade spatial and channel-wise multifusion network with criss cross augmentation for corneal segmentation and reconstruction.

High-quality 3D corneal reconstruction from AS-OCT images has demonstrated significant potential in computer-aided diagnosis, enabling comprehensive observation of corneal thickness, precise assessment of morphological characteristics, as well as location and quantification of keratitis-affected regions. However, it faces two main challenges: (1) prevalent medical image segmentation networks often struggle to accurately process low-contrast corneal regions, which is a vital pre-processing step for 3D corneal reconstruction, and (2) there are no reconstruction methods that can be directly applied to AS-OCT sequences with 180-degree scanning. To combat these, we propose CSCM-CCA-Net, a simple yet efficient network for accurate corneal segmentation. This network incorporates two key techniques: cascade spatial and channel-wise multifusion (CSCM), which captures intricate contextual interdependencies and effectively extracts low-contrast and obscure corneal features; and criss cross augmentation (CCA), which enhances shape-preserved feature representation to improve segmentation accuracy. Based on the obtained corneal segmentation results, we reconstruct the 3D volume data and generate a topographic map of corneal thickness through corneal image alignment. Additionally, we design a transfer function based on the analysis of intensity histogram and gradient histogram to explore more internal cues for better visualization results. Experimental results on CORNEA benchmark demonstrate the impressive performance of our proposed method in terms of both corneal segmentation and 3D reconstruction. Furthermore, we compare CSCM-CCA-Net with state-of-the-art medical image segmentation approaches using three challenging medical fundus segmentation datasets (DRIVE, CHASEDB1, FIVES), highlighting its superiority in terms of segmentation accuracy. The code and models will be made available at https://github.com/qianguiping/CSCM-CCA-Net.

Dual-Junction Field-Effect Transistor with Ultralow Subthreshold Swing Approaching the Theoretical Limit.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors as basic electronic devices of integrated circuits have been greatly developed and widely used in the past decades. However, as the thickness of the conducting channel decreases, the interface electronic scattering between the gate oxide layer and the channel significantly impacts the performance of the transistor. To address this issue, van der Waals heterojunction field-effect transistors (vdWJFETs) have been proposed using two-dimensional semiconductors, which utilize the built-in electric field at the sharp van der Waals interface to regulate the channel conductance without the need of a complex gate oxide layer. In this study, a novel dual-junction vdWJFET composed of a MoS2 channel and a Te nanosheet gate has been developed. This device achieves an ultralow subthreshold swing (SS) and an extremely low current hysteresis, greatly surpassing the single-junction vdWJFET. In the transistor, the SS decreases from 475.04 to 68.3 mV dec-1, nearly approaching the theoretical limit of 60 mV dec-1 at room temperature. The pinch-off voltage (Vp) decreases from -4.5 to -0.75 V, with a current hysteresis of ∼10 mV and a considerable field-effect mobility (µ) of 36.43 cm2 V-1 s-1. The novel dual-junction vdWJFET provides a new approach to realize a transistor with a theoretical ideal SS and a negligible current hysteresis toward low-power electronic applications.

2D Free-Standing GeS1-xSex with Composition-Tunable Bandgap for Tailored Polarimetric Optoelectronics.

Germanium-based monochalcogenides (i.e., GeS and GeSe) with desirable properties are promising candidates for the development of next-generation optoelectronic devices. However, they are still stuck with challenges, such as relatively fixed electronic band structure, unconfigurable optoelectronic characteristics, and difficulty in achieving free-standing growth. Herein, it is demonstrated that two-dimensional (2D) free-standing GeS1-xSex (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanoplates can be grown by low-pressure rapid physical vapor deposition (LPRPVD), fulfilling a continuously composition-tunable optical bandgap and electronic band structure. By leveraging the synergistic effect of composition-dependent modulation and free-standing growth, GeS1-xSex-based optoelectronic devices exhibit significantly configurable hole mobility from 6.22 × 10-4 to 1.24 cm2V-1s⁻1 and tunable responsivity from 8.6 to 311 A W-1 (635 nm), as x varies from 0 to 1. Furthermore, the polarimetric sensitivity can be tailored from 4.3 (GeS0.29Se0.71) to 1.8 (GeSe) benefiting from alloy engineering. Finally, the tailored imaging capability is also demonstrated to show the application potential of GeS1-xSex alloy nanoplates. This work broadens the functionality of conventional binary materials and motivates the development of tailored polarimetric optoelectronic devices.

Study on the cut-off point and the influencing factors of distress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Objective: Our aim is to investigate the cut-off point of distress and the influencing factors associated with distress in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of distress was conducted in 167 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer admitted to the Department of General Surgery of a tertiary care hospital from July 2020 to March 2022. Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Distress Thermometer (DT) questionnaire within 3 days of admission. The HADS ≥15 was used as the gold standard, and the cut-off point of the DT measure was analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The cut-off point obtained by ROC curve analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of distress in breast cancer patients by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results: A total of 167 patients completed the survey, with an average HADS score of 8.43 ± 5.84 and a total HADS score of ≥15 in 37 (22.16%) patients, the mean DT score was 2.96 ± 1.85. ROC curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.885, with a maximum Jorden index (0.723) at a DT score of 4, the sensitivity was 100.0% and specificity was 72.3%. There were 73 (43.71%) patients with DT score ≥ 4. Regression analysis showed that insurance/financial problems, dealing with partner problems, tension, bathing/dressing problems, pain, and sleep problems were independent risk factors for l distress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Conclusion: A DT score 4 is the cut-off point for distress in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. In clinical practice, target intervention should be carried out according to the risk factors of distress of patients.

Can arsenic bioavailability be predicted in soils using in vitro gastro-intestinal simulation?

Many gastrointestinal simulation methods have been used to predict bioavailability, but the suitability of different methods for the same metal(loid)s varies widely, which inevitably affects the accuracy of human health risk assessment. Arsenic is a common and important contaminant in many contaminated land situations. It can be readily absorbed and has teratogenic and mutagenic toxicity. Therefore, in this study, four the most commonly used in vitro simulation methods (the Physiologically Based Extraction Test (PBET), In Vitro Gastrointestinal Method (IVG), Soluble Bioavailability Research Consortium (SBRC), the Unified BARGE Method (UBM)) were tested against an in vivo animal live model, to evaluate their effectiveness for the prediction of soil As bioavailability in 10 industrially contaminated soils. The soil As relative bioavailability (RBA) varied between 15% and 68% in the different soils. As bioaccessibility differed between the 4 gastro-intestinal simulation methods. Gastric phase of UBM (UBMG) predicted As relative bioavailability the best of the 4 assays (R2 = 0.81). This study provides theoretical and technical support to refine human health risk assessment of As in soils from urban industrial legacy contaminated sites.

RNA-based detection of genetically modified plants via current-voltage characteristic measurement.

The widespread adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops has escalated concerns about their safety and ethical implications, underscoring the need for efficient GM crop detection methods. Conventional detection methods, such as polymerase chain reaction, can be costly, lab-bound, and time-consuming. To overcome these challenges, we have developed RapiSense, a cost-effective, portable, and sensitive biosensor platform. This sensor generates a measurable voltage shift (0.1-1 V) in the system's current-voltage characteristics, triggered by an increase in membrane's negative charge upon hybridization of DNA/RNA targets with a specific DNA probe. Probes designed to identify the herbicide resistance gene hygromycin phosphotransferase show a detection range from ∼1 nM to ∼10 µM and can discriminate between complementary, non-specific, and mismatched nucleotide targets. The incorporation of a small membrane sensor to detect fragmented RNA samples substantially improve the platform's sensitivity. In this study, RapiSense has been effectively used to detect specific DNA and fragmented RNA in transgenic variants of Arabidopsis, sweet potato, and rice, showcasing its potential for rapid, on-site GM crop screening.

A novel injectable thermo/photo dual-crosslinking hydrogel based on modified chitosan for fast sealing open globe injury.

Open globe injuries (OGIs) demand immediate attention to prevent further complications and improve vision prognosis. Herein, we developed a thermo/photo dual-crosslinking injectable hydrogel, HBC_m_Arg, for rapidly sealing OGIs in emergency ophthalmic cases. HBC_m_Arg was prepared with arginine and methacrylic anhydride modified hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC). HBC_m_Arg was initially in liquid form at 25 °C, enabling easy injection at the injury site. After reaching the ocular surface temperature, it underwent reversible heat-induced gelation to achieve in situ transformation. Further, HBC_m_Arg was capable of rapid photocrosslinking under UV light, forming a dual network structure to bolster mechanical strength, thereby facilitating effective OGI closure. Biocompatibility assessments, including in vitro studies with three ocular cell types and in vivo experiments on rabbit eyes, confirmed the safety profile of HBC_m_Arg. Ex vivo and in vivo burst pressure tests demonstrated the hydrogel's ability to promptly restore intraocular pressure and withstand elevated pressures, underscoring its potential for OGI stabilization. Additionally, the suitable degradation of HBC_m_Arg within ocular tissues, coupled with its stability in ex vivo assessments, presented a delicate balance between stability and biodegradability. In conclusion, HBC_m_Arg holds promise for improving emergency ophthalmic care by providing a rapid, effective, and safe way to seal OGIs in critical situations.

Immunological studies on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A review.

From the 4 perspectives of T lymphocytes, various cytokines, adenosine and "neuro-endocrine-immune" network, the researches related to the immune mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in recent years were summarized, and different acupuncture and moxibustion treatments were analyzed. The method has a regulatory effect on the mechanism of RA, in order to provide a reference and basis for acupuncture research on the immune mechanism of RA, and promote the further development of research in this field.

An antibacterial and anti-oxidant hydrogel containing hyperbranched poly-l-lysine and tea polyphenols accelerates healing of infected wound.

Both bacteria-infection and excessive inflammation delay the wound healing process and even create non-healing wound, thus it is highly desirable to endow the wound dressing with bactericidal and anti-oxidation properties. Herein an antibacterial and antioxidation hydrogel based on Carbomer 940 (CBM) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) loaded with tea polyphenols (TP) and hyperbranched poly-l-lysine (HBPL) was designed and fabricated. The hydrogel killed 99.9 % of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) at 107 CFU mL-1, and showed strong antioxidation against H2O2 and 2,2-di(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals without noticeable cytotoxicity in vitro. The CBM/HPMC/HBPL/TP hydrogel significantly shortened the inflammatory period of the MRSA-infected full-thickness skin wound of rats in vivo, with 2 orders of lower MRSA colonies compared with the blank control, and promoted the wound closure especially at the earlier stage. The inflammation was suppressed and the vascularization was promoted significantly as well, resulting in reduced pro-inflammatory factors including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increased anti-inflammatory factors such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10).

A tough, antibacterial and antioxidant hydrogel dressing accelerates wound healing and suppresses hypertrophic scar formation in infected wounds.

Wound management is an important issue that places enormous pressure on the physical and mental health of patients, especially in cases of infection, where the increased inflammatory response could lead to severe hypertrophic scars (HSs). In this study, a hydrogel dressing was developed by combining the high strength and toughness, swelling resistance, antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities. The hydrogel matrix was composed of a double network of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and agarose with excellent mechanical properties. Hyperbranched polylysine (HBPL), a highly effective antibacterial cationic polymer, and tannic acid (TA), a strong antioxidant molecule, were added to the hydrogel as functional components. Examination of antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the hydrogel confirmed the full play of the efficacy of HBPL and TA. In the in vivo studies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, the hydrogel had shown obvious promotion of wound healing, and more profoundly, significant suppression of scar formation. Due to the common raw materials and simple preparation methods, this hydrogel can be mass produced and used for accelerating wound healing while preventing HSs in infected wounds.