Diagnostic application in streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy rats: A study based on Raman spectroscopy and machine learning.

Vision impairment caused by diabetic retinopathy (DR) is often irreversible, making early-stage diagnosis imperative. Raman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful tool, capable of providing molecular fingerprints of tissues. This study employs RS to detect ex vivo retinal tissue from diabetic rats at various stages of the disease. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to reveal the ultrastructural changes in retinal tissue. Following spectral preprocessing of the acquired data, the random forest and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis algorithms were employed for spectral data analysis. The entirety of Raman spectra and all annotated bands accurately and distinctly differentiate all animal groups, and can identify significant molecules from the spectral data. Bands at 524, 1335, 543, and 435 cm-1 were found to be associated with the preproliferative phase of DR. Bands at 1045 and 1335 cm-1 were found to be associated with early stages of DR.

Hot spots and frontiers in bone-tendon interface research: a bibliometric analysis and visualization from 2000 to 2023.

Objective: In this research, we investigated the current status, hotspots, frontiers, and trends of research in the field of bone-tendon interface (BTI) from 2000 to 2023, based on bibliometrics and visualization and analysis in CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and a bibliometric package in R software. Methods: We collected and organized the papers in the Web of Science core collection (WoSCC) for the past 23 years (2000-2023), and extracted and analyzed the papers related to BTI. The extracted papers were bibliometrically analyzed using CiteSpace for overall publication trends, authors, countries/regions, journals, keywords, research hotspots, and frontiers. Results: A total of 1,995 papers met the inclusion criteria. The number of papers published and the number of citations in the field of BTI have continued to grow steadily over the past 23 years. In terms of research contribution, the United States leads in terms of the number and quality of publications, number of citations, and collaborations with other countries, while the United Kingdom and the Netherlands lead in terms of the average number of citations. The University of Leeds publishes the largest number of papers, and among the institutions hosting the 100 most cited papers Hospital for Special Surgery takes the top spot. MCGONAGLE D has published the highest number of papers (73) in the last 10 years. The top three clusters include #0 "psoriatic arthritis", #1 "rotator cuff repair", and #2 "tissue engineering". The structure and function of the BTI and its key mechanisms in the healing process are the key to research, while new therapies such as mechanical stimulation, platelet-rich plasma, mesenchymal stem cells, and biological scaffolds are hot topics and trends in research. Conclusion: Over the past 23 years, global research on the BTI has expanded in both breadth and depth. The focus of research has shifted from studies concentrating on the structure of the BTI and the disease itself to new therapies such as biomaterial-based alternative treatments, mechanical stimulation, platelet-rich plasma, etc.

Agonistic behaviors and neuronal activation in sexually naïve female Mongolian gerbils.

Agonistic interaction is important for establishing social hierarchy and determining access to limited resources. Although there are substantial studies investigating the neural mechanisms of aggressive or defensive behavior in male rodents, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms underlying agonistic behaviors in females. In the present study, we depicted patterns of agonistic behaviors in sexually naïve female Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and examined the neuronal activation in the brain by Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) staining. We found that the winner-loser relationship was established rapidly. Winners displayed higher levels of aggression, environmental exploration, scent marking, and self-grooming, but less defensive behavior, in comparison to losers. Several patterns of Fos-ir expression emerged following agonistic interactions. Winners had the number of Fos-ir cells in the ventrolateral subnucleus of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) and dorsal periaqueductal grey (PAGd) more than the controls but less than the losers. Losers also had more Fos-ir cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), anterior medial (BSTam) and anteriolateral (BSTal) subnuclei of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), and the ventral subnucleus of the lateral septum (LSv), as well as less Fos-ir cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG), compared to the controls. In addition, the number of Fos-ir cells showed similar increases in the principal nucleus (BSTpr) and interfascicular nucleus (BSTif) of the BST and amygdala (AMYG) in both the winners and losers, compared to the controls. Together, these data illustrate the patterns of altered neuronal activation in a behavior-, social status-, and brain region-specific manner, implicating potential roles of the brain neural circuit in mediating agonistic interactions in female Mongolian gerbils.

Adsorption of toluene with water on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposites in a humid atmosphere.

Water vapor often present in the atmosphere will influence the adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The competitive adsorption behavior of toluene and water vapor on synthesized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and graphene oxide (GO) hybrid composites was investigated in a humid atmosphere. The ZIF-8/GO composites were successfully prepared in a methanol system at room temperature and exhibited tunable nanoscale morphology and surface area, both determined by the GO content. A series of characterization techniques confirmed the formation of strong interactions between ZIF-8 and GO in the synthesized composites. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that the ZIF-8/GO composites with a GO content of 4 wt% had the highest toluene adsorption capacity of 116 mg g-1 at a relative humidity (RH) of 55%, increased by 19% compared with pristine ZIF-8, and the recyclability of the adsorbent was investigated. The results showed that the synthesized ZIF-8/GO composites exhibited a higher toluene uptake capacity than pristine ZIF-8 crystals even at relatively high humidity, indicating that the ZIF-8/GO composites could be effective adsorbents in a humid atmosphere.

[Repair of calcaneus and skin defects with allograft and sural neurovascular flap].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical results of allograft and sural neurovascular flap in repairing calcaneus and skin defects. METHODS: From February 1996 to December 2002, allograft and sural neurovascular flap were used to repair calcaneus and skin defects in 6 cases. The causes included road accident in 3 cases, strangulation in 2 cases and crashing object in 1 case. The defect locations were at the back of the calcaneus (1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 of calcaneus in 3 cases, 2 cases and 1 case respectively). The flap area ranged from 6 cm x 7 cm to 12 cm x 17 cm. RESULTS: The flaps survived completely in 4 cases; the distal flaps necrosed partly in 2 cases and the wound healed by dressing. The postoperative X-ray films showed that the repaired bone and joint had normal position and the arcus plantaris recovered. After a follow up of 6 months to 3 years all the patients were achieved bone union in allograft and had no complications of absorption, infection and repulsion. The weight-bearing and walking functions were restored and the injured foot obtained a satisfactory contour. After 3-6 months of operation, the sensory recovery of foot occurred. CONCLUSION: The used allograft is easy to be obtained and arcus plantaris is easy to recover. The reverse sural neurovascular flap in repairing calcaneus and skin defects has the following advantages: the maintenance of blood supply for injured foot, the less dangerous operation, the simple procedure, the recovery of walking function, and the good appearance and sensation.