Negative mixing enthalpy solid solutions deliver high strength and ductility.

Body-centred cubic refractory multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), with several refractory metal elements as constituents and featuring a yield strength greater than one gigapascal, are promising materials to meet the demands of aggressive structural applications1-6. Their low-to-no tensile ductility at room temperature, however, limits their processability and scaled-up application7-10. Here we present a HfNbTiVAl10 alloy that shows remarkable tensile ductility (roughly 20%) and ultrahigh yield strength (roughly 1,390 megapascals). Notably, these are among the best synergies compared with other related alloys. Such superb synergies derive from the addition of aluminium to the HfNbTiV alloy, resulting in a negative mixing enthalpy solid solution, which promotes strength and favours the formation of hierarchical chemical fluctuations (HCFs). The HCFs span many length scales, ranging from submicrometre to atomic scale, and create a high density of diffusive boundaries that act as effective barriers for dislocation motion. Consequently, versatile dislocation configurations are sequentially stimulated, enabling the alloy to accommodate plastic deformation while fostering substantial interactions that give rise to two unusual strain-hardening rate upturns. Thus, plastic instability is significantly delayed, which expands the plastic regime as ultralarge tensile ductility. This study provides valuable insights into achieving a synergistic combination of ultrahigh strength and large tensile ductility in MPEAs.

Triple-Mechanism Enhanced Flexible SiO2 Nanofiber Composite Hydrogel with High Stiffness and Toughness for Cartilaginous Ligaments.

Hydrogels are widely used in tissue engineering, soft robotics and wearable electronics. However, it is difficult to achieve both the required toughness and stiffness, which severely hampers their application as load-bearing materials. This study presents a strategy to develop a hard and tough composite hydrogel. Herein, flexible SiO2 nanofibers (SNF) are dispersed homogeneously in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix using the synergistic effect of freeze-drying and annealing through the phase separation, the modulation of macromolecular chain movement and the promotion of macromolecular crystallization. When the stress is applied, the strong molecular interaction between PVA and SNF effectively disperses the load damage to the substrate. Freeze-dried and annealed-flexible SiO2 nanofibers/polyvinyl alcohol (FDA-SNF/PVA) reaches a preferred balance between enhanced stiffness (13.71 ± 0.28 MPa) and toughness (9.9 ± 0.4 MJ m-3). Besides, FDA-SNF/PVA hydrogel has a high tensile strength of 7.84 ± 0.10 MPa, super elasticity (no plastic deformation under 100 cycles of stretching), fast deformation recovery ability and excellent mechanical properties that are superior to the other tough PVA hydrogels, providing an effective way to optimize the mechanical properties of hydrogels for potential applications in artificial tendons and ligaments.

Numerical Simulation Technologies in Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation Processes.

Solar interfacial evaporation technology has the advantages of environmentally conscious and sustainable benefits. Recent research on light absorption, water transportation, and thermal management has improved the evaporation performance of solar interfacial evaporators. However, many studies on photothermal materials and structures only aim to improve performance, neglecting explanations for heat and mass transfer coupling or providing evidence for performance enhancement. Numerical simulation can simulate the diffusion paths and heat and water transfer processes to understand the thermal and mass transfer mechanism, thereby better achieving the design of efficient solar interfacial evaporators. Therefore, this review summarizes the latest exciting findings and tremendous advances in numerical simulation for solar interfacial evaporation. First, it presents a macroscopic summary of the application of simulation in temperature distribution, salt concentration distribution, and vapor flux distribution during evaporation. Second, the utilization of simulation in the microscopic is summed up, specifically focusing on the movement of water molecules and the mechanisms of light responses during evaporation. Finally, all simulation methods have the goal of validating the physical processes in solar interfacial evaporation. It is hoped that the use of numerical simulation can provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the application of solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Prognosis Prediction in Patients with Synchronous Primary Thyroid and Breast Cancer Based on SEER Database.

This study aimed to develop prognostic prediction models for patients diagnosed with synchronous thyroid and breast cancer (TBC). Utilizing the SEER database, key predictive factors were identified, including T stage of thyroid cancer, T stage of breast cancer, M stage of breast cancer, patient age, thyroid cancer surgery type, and isotope therapy. A nomogram predicting 5-year and 10-year survival rates was constructed and validated, exhibiting strong performance (C-statistic: 0.79 in the development cohort (95% CI: 0.74-0.84), and 0.82 in the validation cohort (95% CI: 0.77-0.89)). The area under the Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve ranged from 0.798 to 0.883 for both cohorts. Calibration and decision curve analyses further affirmed the model's clinical utility. Stratifying patients into high-risk and low-risk groups using the nomogram revealed significant differences in survival rates (P < 0.0001). The successful development and validation of this nomogram for predicting 5-year and 10-year survival rates in patients with synchronous TBC hold promise for similar patient populations, contributing significantly to cancer research.

Withanolides from Physalis angulata var. villosa and the Relative Configurational Revision of Some Known Analogs.

Physalis angulata var. villosa is a plant possessing abundant withanolides, but in-depth research is lacking. In our ongoing study of P. angulata var. villosa, 15 previously undescribed withanolides (1-15), along with 21 known analogs (16-36), were isolated from the whole plant. The structures of the withanolides (1-15) were elucidated based on analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD data. Additionally, the application of γ-gauche effects with the help of ROESY correlations led to the formulation of empirical rules for withanolides with 14-OH/15-OAc to rapidly determine the 14-OH orientations, making it possible to propose configurational revisions of 19 previously reported analogs (1'-19'). Withanolides 1, 4-6, and 10 showed potent cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and A549).

Discovery of piperine derivatives as inhibitors of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase to induce ferroptosis in cancer cells.

Inhibition of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH) represents a promising strategy for suppressing the proliferation of cancer cells. To identify novel and potent hDHODH inhibitors, a total of 28 piperine derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines (NCI-H226, HCT-116, and MDA-MB-231) and hDHODH inhibitory activities were also evaluated. Among them, compound H19, exhibited the strongest inhibitory activities (NCI-H226 IC50 = 0.95 µM, hDHODH IC50 = 0.21 µM). Further pharmacological investigations revealed that H19 exerted anticancer effects by inducing ferroptosis in NCI-H226 cells, with its cytotoxicity being reversed by ferroptosis inhibitors. This was supported by the intracellular growth or decline of ferroptosis markers, including lipid peroxidation, Fe2+, GSH, and 4-HNE. Overall, H19 emerges as a promising hDHODH inhibitor with potential anticancer properties warranting development.

Prevalence, geographic distribution and risk factors of Eimeria species on commercial broiler farms in Guangdong, China.

BACKGROUND: Coccidiosis is one of the most frequently reported diseases in chickens, causing a significant economic impact on the poultry industry. However, there have been no previous studies evaluating the prevalence of this disease in broiler farms in Guangdong province. Therefore, this study aims to conduct an epidemiological investigation into the occurrence of Eimeria species and associated risk factors in intensive management conditions across four regions in Guangdong province, China. A total of 394 fecal samples were collected from 89 broiler farms in Guangdong province. The prevalence of Eimeria species infection was determined using PCR, and the occurrence of Clostridium perfringens type A was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The results showed an overall prevalence of 98.88% (88/89) at the farm level and 87.06% (343/394) at the flock level. All seven Eimeria species were identified, with E. acervulina (72.53%; 64/89), E. tenella (68.54%; 61/89), and E. mitis (66.29%; 59/89) at the farm level, and E. acervulina (36.55%; 144/394), E. mitis (35.28%; 139/394), and E. tenella (34.01%; 134/394) at the flock level. The predominant species combination observed was a co-infection of all seven Eimeria species (6.74%; 6/89), followed by a combination of E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. brunetti, and E. maxima (5.62%, 5/89). A combination of E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. brunetti, and E. praecox (4.49%; 4/89) was also observed at the farm level. Furthermore, the study identified several potential risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species, including farm location, chicken age, drinking water source, control strategy, and the presence of C. perfringens type A were identified as potential risk factors associated with prevalence of Eimeria species. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significant association between E. necatrix infection and both grower chickens (OR = 10.86; 95% CI: 1.92-61.36; p < 0.05) and adult chickens (OR = 24.97; 95% CI: 4.29-145.15; p < 0.001) compared to starter chickens at the farm level. Additionally, farms that used groundwater (OR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08-0.94; p < 0.05) were less likely to have E. maxima compared to those that used running water. At the flock level, the prevalence of E. tenella was significantly higher in the Pearl River Delta (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.0-6.15; p = 0.05) compared to eastern Guangdong. Interestingly, flocks with indigenous birds were less likely to have E. brunetti (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26-0.89; p < 0.05) compared to flocks with indigenous crossbred birds. Furthermore, flocks that used anticoccidial drugs (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.03-0.31; p < 0.001) or a combination of vaccines and anticoccidial drugs (OR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01-0.25; p < 0.001) were less likely to be positive for E. tenella compared to flocks that only used vaccines. Finally, flocks with C. perfringens type A infection were significantly more likely to have E. necatrix (OR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.96-5.43; p < 0.001), E. tenella (OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.36-3.36; p < 0.001), E. brunetti (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.45-4.23; p < 0.001), and E. acervulina (OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.69-4.06; p < 0.001) compared to flocks without C. perfringens type A. CONCLUSIONS: This study conducted an investigation on the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with Eimeria species infection in broiler chickens in Guangdong. The farm-level prevalence of Eimeria species was higher than the previous prevalence figures for other areas and countries. E. brunetti was identified at higher prevalence in Guangdong than previously survived prevalence in different regions in China. Farm location, chicken age, drinking water source, control strategy, and the presence of C. perfringens type A were considered as potential risk factors associated with prevalence of Eimeria species. It is imperative to underscore the necessity for further surveys to delve deeper into the occurrence of Eimeria species under intensive management conditions for different flock purposes.

Mechanisms of intestinal epithelial cell damage by Clostridiumperfringens.

Clostridium perfringens, a Gram-positive bacterium, causes intestinal diseases in humans and livestock through its toxins, related to alpha toxin (CPA), beta toxin (CPB), C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), epsilon toxin (ETX), Iota toxin (ITX), and necrotic enteritis B-like toxin (NetB). These toxins disrupt intestinal barrier, leading to various cell death mechanisms such as necrosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. Additionally, non-toxin factors like adhesins and degradative enzymes contribute to virulence by enhancing colonization and survival of C. perfringens. A vicious cycle of intestinal barrier breach, misregulated cell death, and subsequent inflammation is at the heart of chronic inflammatory and infectious gastrointestinal diseases. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing targeted therapies against C. perfringens-associated intestinal diseases.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based classification of the myodural bridge complex and its influencing factors.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation is considered the third circulation of the human body. Recently, some scholars have proposed the myodural bridge (MDB) as a novel power source for CSF flow. Moreover, the suboccipital muscles can exert a driving force on the CSF via the MDB. This hypothesis is directly supported by head rotation and nodding movements, which can affect CSF circulation. The MDB has been validated as a normal structure in humans and mammals. In addition, the fusion of MDB fibers of different origins that act in concert with each other forms the MDB complex (MDBC). The MDBC may be associated with several CSF disorder-related neurological disorders in clinical practice. Therefore, the morphology of the MDBC and its influencing factors must be determined. In this study, T2-weighted imaging sagittal images of the cervical region were analyzed retrospectively in 1085 patients, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typing of the MDBC was performed according to the imaging features of the MDBC in the posterior atlanto-occipital interspace (PAOiS) and posterior atlanto-axial interspace (PAAiS). The effects of age and age-related degenerative changes in the cervical spine on MRI staging of the MDBC were also determined. The results revealed four MRI types of the MDBC: type A (no MDBC hyposignal shadow connected to the dura mater in either the PAOiS or PAAiS), type B (MDBC hyposignal shadow connected to the dura mater in the PAOiS only), type C (MDBC hyposignal shadow connected to the dura mater in the PAAiS only), and type D (MDBC hyposignal shadow connected to the dura mater in both the PAOiS and PAAiS). The influencing factors for the MDBC typing were age (group), degree of intervertebral space stenosis, dorsal osteophytosis, and degenerative changes in the cervical spine (P < 0.05). With increasing age (10-year interval), the incidence of type B MDBC markedly decreased, whereas that of type A MDBC increased considerably. With the deepening of the degree of intervertebral space stenosis, the incidence of type C MDBC increased significantly, whereas that of type A MDBC decreased. In the presence of dorsal osteophytosis, the incidence of type C and D MDBCs significantly decreased, whereas that of type A increased. In the presence of protrusion of the intervertebral disc, the incidence of type B, C, and D MDBCs increased markedly, whereas that of type A MDBC decreased considerably, with cervical degenerative changes combined with spinal canal stenosis. Moreover, the incidence of both type C and D MDBCs increased, whereas that of type A MDBC decreased. Based on the MRI signal characteristics of the dural side of the MDBC, four types of the MDBC were identified. MDBC typing varies dynamically according to population distribution, depending on age and cervical degeneration (degree of intervertebral space stenosis, vertebral dorsal osteophytosis formation, simple protrusion of intervertebral disc, and cervical degeneration changes combined with spinal canal stenosis, except for the degree of protrusion of the intervertebral disc and the degree of spinal canal stenosis); however, it is not influenced by sex.

Popular science and education of cosmetic surgery in China: Quality and reliability evaluation of Douyin short videos.

BACKGROUND: Douyin APP is the short video APP with the largest number of users in China. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of short videos about cosmetic surgery on Douyin. METHODS: In August 2022, we retrieved and screened 300 short videos related to cosmetic surgery from Douyin, extracted basic video information, encoded the content and identified the video source. The quality and reliability of short video information were evaluated using the DISCERN instrument. RESULTS: A total of 168 short videos of cosmetic surgery were included in the survey, and the video sources included personal accounts and institutional accounts. Overall, the total proportion of institutional accounts (47/168, 27.98%) is significantly less than that of personal accounts (121/168, 72.02%); nonhealth professionals received the most praises, comments and even collections and reposts, while for-profit academic organizations or institutions received the least. The DISCERN scores of 168 short videos of cosmetic surgery were 3.74-4.58 (average 4.22). Content reliability (p = .04) and overall short video quality (p = .02) are significantly different, but short videos published from different sources have no significant difference in treatment selection (p = .052). CONCLUSION: The overall information quality and reliability of short videos about cosmetic surgery on Douyin are satisfactory in China. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The participants were involved in developing research questions, study design, management and conduct, interpretation of evidence and dissemination.

Juvenile hormone suppresses the FoxO-takeout axis to shorten longevity in male silkworm.

Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a crucial endocrine regulatory role in insect metamorphosis, reproduction, and longevity in multiple organisms, such as flies, honeybees, and migratory monarch butterflies. However, the molecular mechanism of JH affecting longevity remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed that JH III and its analog methoprene shortened the survival days significantly in the adulthood of male silkworm. At the same time, the allatostatin, a neuropeptide that inhibits the secretion of JH by the corpora allata, could extend the survival days dramatically after adult eclosion in male silkmoth. Interestingly, a central pro-longevity FoxO transcription factor was reduced upon JH stimulation in silkworm individuals and BmN-SWU1 cells. Furthermore, the analysis of the upstream sequence of the FoxO gene identified a JH response element which suggested that FoxO might be regulated as a target of JH. Surprisingly, we identified a Bmtakeout (BmTO) gene that encodes a JH-binding protein and contains a FoxO response element. As expected, FoxO overexpression and knockdown up- and down-regulated the expression of BmTO respectively, indicating that BmTO functions as a FoxO target. BmTO overexpression could release the inhibitory effect of JH on the BmFoxO gene by reducing JH bioavailability to block its signal transduction. Collectively, these results may provide insights into the mechanism of the JH-FoxO-TO axis in aging research and pest control.

Precise Coronoidectomy and Zygomatic Arch Reduction for Unilateral Hyperplasia of the Coronoid Process (Jacob's Disease) via Computer-aided Design and Manufacture.

Jacob disease is the new formation of a pseudo-joint between both of enlarged coronoid process and even zygomatic arch. A 23-year-old female patient with facial asymmetry and limited mouth opening was reported. Computed tomography images showed the classic symptom of Jacob disease with a mushroom-shaped tumor mass from the coronoid process a pseudoarthrosis joint with zygomatic arch. Coronoidectomy and zygomatic arch reduction were planned to operate based on computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. During the actual operation, the excision of coronoid process and reconstruction of zygomatic arch were all navigated by 3-dimensional-printed surgical templates as designed through an intraoral approach. As a result, the enlarged coronoid process was smoothly removed without sequela and mouth opening along with facial symmetry were successfully improved. The authors suggested that computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing should be considered as an auxiliary technique to shorten operation time and enhance surgical accuracy.

Cardiac-Specific Expression of Cre Recombinase Leads to Age-Related Cardiac Dysfunction Associated with Tumor-like Growth of Atrial Cardiomyocyte and Ventricular Fibrosis and Ferroptosis.

Transgenic expression of Cre recombinase driven by a specific promoter is normally used to conditionally knockout a gene in a tissue- or cell-type-specific manner. In αMHC-Cre transgenic mouse model, expression of Cre recombinase is controlled by the myocardial-specific α-myosin heavy chain (αMHC) promoter, which is commonly used to edit myocardial-specific genes. Toxic effects of Cre expression have been reported, including intro-chromosome rearrangements, micronuclei formation and other forms of DNA damage, and cardiomyopathy was observed in cardiac-specific Cre transgenic mice. However, mechanisms associated with Cardiotoxicity of Cre remain poorly understood. In our study, our data unveiled that αMHC-Cre mice developed arrhythmias and died after six months progressively, and none of them survived more than one year. Histopathological examination showed that αMHC-Cre mice had aberrant proliferation of tumor-like tissue in the atrial chamber extended from and vacuolation of ventricular myocytes. Furthermore, the αMHC-Cre mice developed severe cardiac interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, accompanied by significant increase of expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cardiac atrium and ventricular. Moreover, cardiac-specific expression of Cre led to disintegration of the intercalated disc, along with altered proteins expression of the disc and calcium-handling abnormality. Comprehensively, we identified that the ferroptosis signaling pathway is involved in heart failure caused by cardiac-specific expression of Cre, on which oxidative stress results in cytoplasmic vacuole accumulation of lipid peroxidation on the myocardial cell membrane. Taken together, these results revealed that cardiac-specific expression of Cre recombinase can lead to atrial mesenchymal tumor-like growth in the mice, which causes cardiac dysfunction, including cardiac fibrosis, reduction of the intercalated disc and cardiomyocytes ferroptosis at the age older than six months in mice. Our study suggests that αMHC-Cre mouse models are effective in young mice, but not in old mice. Researchers need to be particularly careful when using αMHC-Cre mouse model to interpret those phenotypic impacts of gene responses. As the Cre-associated cardiac pathology matched mostly to that of the patients, the model could also be employed for investigating age-related cardiac dysfunction.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide improves dopamine metabolism and symptoms in an MPTP-induced model of Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and elderly populations, whereas there is no cure for PD so far. Novel animal models and medications await development to elucidate the aetiology of PD and attenuate the symptoms, respectively. METHODS: A neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), was used in the current study to establish a PD pathologic model in silkworms. The time required to complete specific behaviours was recorded. Dopamine content was detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). The activity of insect tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was determined using a double-antibody sandwich method. Oxidative stress was assessed by changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and the content of oxidative products. RESULTS: MPTP-treated silkworms were characterized by impaired motor ability, reduced dopamine content, and elevated oxidative stress level. The expression of TH, a dopamine biosynthetic enzyme within dopaminergic neurons in the brain, was significantly reduced, indicating that dopaminergic neurons were damaged. Moreover, MPTP-induced motility impairment and reduced dopamine level in the silkworm PD model could be rescued after feeding a combination of levodopa (L-dopa [LD]) and carbidopa (CD). MPTP-induced oxidative damage was also alleviated, in ways consistent with other PD animal models. Interestingly, administration of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) improved the motor ability, dopamine level, and TH activity, and the oxidative damage was concomitantly reduced in the silkworm PD model. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a promising animal model for elucidating the pathogenesis of PD, as well as a relevant preliminary drug screening (e.g., LBP) and evaluation.

Power-assisted rotary cutter with negative pressure suction through small incision for axillary osmidrosis.

BACKGROUND: The glandular fluid secreted by apocrine sweat glands is decomposed by parasitic bacteria on the skin surface and releases a bad smell called axillary osmidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of power-assisted rotary cutter with negative pressure suction through small incision for axillary osmidrosis. METHODS: From January 2017 to January 2022, 647 patients with axillary osmidrosis underwent power-assisted rotary cutter with negative pressure suction through small incision surgery to treat for axillary osmidrosis. The operation time (min), intraoperative bleeding (ml) and recovery time (days) were counted. Three months after operation, the amount of underarm sweat, the disappearance of underarm hair, the incidence of operation, the effective rate of operation, and the satisfaction of operation results were evaluated by questionnaire. RESULTS: There were no postoperative complications except five cases of mild axillary pigmentation after 3 months. All patients evaluated good odor elimination. No patient was rated as average or poor. No recurrence. CONCLUSION: Power-assisted rotary cutter with negative pressure suction through small incision is an effective and ideal surgical method to reduce the complications and recurrence of axillary osmidrosis.

Clinical application of absorbable collagen thread and cosmetic suture technique in emergency treatment of children's facial trauma.

AIM: To explore the effect of absorbable collagen thread and cosmetic suture technique on scar inhibition after emergency facial trauma in children, and to explore the application value of absorbable collagen thread in emergency facial trauma. METHODS: Children who received emergency treatment of facial trauma in plastic surgery department from January 2021 to January 2022 were analysed retrospectively, and were divided into absorbable collagen thread group and non-absorbable nylon thread group. The general data, scar appearance and local symptoms of the two groups were analysed, and the scar appearance was scored by scar beauty rating scale and non-inferiority test was analysed statistically. RESULTS: A total of 632 children with facial trauma were included in this study, including 458 patients with absorbable collagen thread and 174 patients with non-absorbable nylon thread. The SCAR score of the absorbable collagen thread group (3.03 ± 1.57) was similar to that of the non-absorbable nylon thread group (2.98 ± 2.39) (95% confidence interval), and the final scar outcome score was not statistically different (P > 0.05). All families of the patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure, 95% very satisfied. CONCLUSION: The use of absorbable collagen thread and cosmetic suture technique to treat the wounds of children with facial emergency trauma, resulted in good wound healing, little scar expansion, low incidence of erythema and pigment abnormality, no obvious surgical trace, and no scar hypertrophy or atrophy. The overall impression was good, the pain of stitch removal was avoided for children's patients, and the satisfaction of family members was high. Cosmetic suture technique with absorbable sutures is worthy of clinical application.

Prevalence and diversity of Trichomonas gallinae in meat pigeons (Columba livia) in Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.

Pigeon farming for meat has developed into an important economic industry in most countries, especially in China. Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae, is a worldwide disease in pigeons. However, studies of the prevalence and distribution of T. gallinae lineages in domestic pigeons in southern China are limited. In this study, a total of 636 pigeon throat swabs samples from four regions in Guangdong Province were screened for T. gallinae by in vitro culture assays and microscopy. The results revealed an overall prevalence of T. gallinae infection in southern China of 26.6% (169/636). There were significant differences in the infection rate of T. gallinae between the four regions (χ2 = 117.948, df = 4, P = 0.000), with up to 44.6% in the Pearl River Delta region. The infection rate of young pigeons was as high as 70.8%. The rDNA sequences (18S rRNA/ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) of 153 positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Results identified 58.2% (89/153) overall as ITS-A (18S-VI) (also known as ITS-OBT-Tg-1) and 41.8% (64/153) as ITS-B (18S-IV) (also known as ITS-OBT-Tg-2). Thus, ITS-A (18S-VI) was the dominant T. gallinae genotype in southern China, especially in young pigeon (97.0%, 32/33). In conclusion, a high prevalence of T. gallinae infection in domestic pigeons was identified in southern China, particularly in the Pearl River Delta region. The ITS-A (18S-VI) was the dominant genotype highly pathogenic, which may weaken the immune system of pigeons, and cause a negative impact on the development of the pigeon industry in China.

CO2 fractional laser combined with triamcinolone acetonide injection for the hypertrophic scars: which is first?

The aim of this study is to investigate and analyze the effect of different application sequences of CO2 fractional laser and triamcinolone acetonide injection on the application effect of hypertrophic scar in one operation. Patients with hypertrophic scars who received CO2 lattice laser combined with triamcinolone acetonide injection from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different initial operations, they were divided into CO2 FL-TA group and TA-CO2 FL group. The Vancouver Scar Scale score and scar thickness of the two groups before and after treatment were analyzed. The complications occurred in the two groups during the treatment period. The clinical efficacy of the two groups before and after the treatment was calculated. Before treatment, there was no difference in scar thickness and VSS score between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the above indexes in CO2 FL-TA group were significantly better than those in TA-CO2 FL group (P < 0.05); the incidence of adverse reactions in CO2 FL-TA group was 9.38%, which was significantly lower than that in TA-CO2 FL group (18.75%) (P < 0.05); the total effective rate of CO2 FL-TA group was 90.63%, which was significantly higher than that in TA-CO2 FL group (65.63%) (P < 0.05). In the process of combined CO2 fractional laser and triamcinolone acetonide injection in the treatment of hypertrophic scars, CO2 fractional laser treatment first, and then triamcinolone acetonide injection can reduce the number of treatments, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, and achieve more satisfactory treatment effect.

Computer-Aided Autogenous Coronoid Process Graft Combined With Median and Unilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy for Late Reconstruction of Condylar Fracture and Occlusion after Trauma.

PURPOSE: This study proposes a high-precision surgical technique that combines both computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and the screw-track transfer technique for condylar and occlusal reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 43-year-old male patient with facial asymmetry, limited mouth opening, and malocclusion underwent condylar and occlusal reconstruction surgery. An autogenous cor-onoid process graft was performed by combining CAD/CAM and the screw-track transfer technique. RESULTS: The surgical plan was transformed successfully from preoperative virtual surgical planning to actual surgery; this was confirmed by merging the postoperative computed tomography images with the preoperative three-dimensional surgical design. The patient recovered well and had better occlusion and facial symmetry, as well as an increased degree of mouth opening post-surgery. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: CAD/CAM combined with the screw-track transfer technique is a precise and feasible method that can be applied to autogenous coronoid process grafts. This approach can be used to reconstruct the condylar process and achieve a good occlusal relationship.

Improvement of Temperature Performance of Singlemode-Multimode-Singlemode Fiber Structure.

A theoretical model for studying the temperature properties of singlemode-multimode-singlemode (SMS) fiber structure fabricated by absorptive multimode fiber (MMF) cladding is established. Moreover, an SMS-based temperature sensor is fabricated and experimentally demonstrated. Experimental results show that the dip wavelength of the transmission spectrum changes linearly with temperature, which is in good agreement with the simulated results obtained by using the model. Further, a comprehensive study of temperature characteristics affected by the thermo-optic effect, thermal expansion effect, and thermal effect of absorption characteristics is performed for SMS fiber optic structures with different refractive indexes, thermo-optic coefficients, and absorption properties of MMF cladding, MMF core diameters, and thermal expansion coefficients of packaging shell. According to the obtained rules, investigations are carried out into the thermal response of an SMS fiber structure resulting from combined thermal effects for temperature performance optimization. Excellent temperature stability with a temperature sensitivity of 0 pm/°C or good temperature sensitivity of -441.58 pm/°C is achieved accordingly.