Surgical Correction of Orbital Hypertelorism With Absorbable Plate Instead of Frontal and Orbital Bar and Inverted U-Shaped Osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the effect and feasibility of using absorbable plate instead of frontal and orbital bar and inverted U-shaped osteotomy to correct the widening of orbital distance. METHODS: The surgical effect and feasibility of using absorbable plate instead of frontal and orbital bridge plus inverted U-osteotomy for orbital widening syndrome in seven cases between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. First, the surgical procedure for orbital hypertelorism was inverted U-shaped orbital osteotomy, and a frontal bone flap was removed, exposing the superior orbital margin and the orbital circumference, and the orbital bone was directly cut off by inverted U-shaped osteotomy. The widened bone in the middle of the orbit was removed, and a long absorbable plate was used to replace the orbitofrontal bridge. The two sides of the orbit were fixed on the absorbable plate, and the absorbable plate was fixed on the rear skull. The clinical effect of treatment, complications (such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection), safety, and feasibility of surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: Using absorbable plate instead of fronto-orbital bridge achieved the effect of orbitofrontal bridge, without orbital distance widening, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and intracranial infection. Operating time was reduced. There was no metal fixation, and there was no risk of a second operation. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of replacing the frontal-orbital bridge with an absorbable plate and inverted U-shaped osteotomy is positive, the operation time is short, and the orbital distance is clearly improved. This approach can replace the traditional orbital-distance operation, and the incidence of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection is low. Long-term follow-up results are stable.

Impact of Anterior and Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis (A-PVDO) and 3D-Printed Positioning/Shaping Templates in Apert Syndrome: A Case Series Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to examine the impact of anterior and posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (A-PVDO) in conjunction with 3D-printed positioning and shaping templates for the management of Apert syndrome. METHODS: From January 2018 to February 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 6 cases of Apert syndrome employing fronto-orbital 3D-printed positioning and molding templates. The cranium underwent surgical modification in accordance with the template's configuration and was affixed with absorbable plates. Subsequently, distraction devices were applied, encompassing both anterior and posterior craniotomies. The evaluation encompassed clinical outcomes, complications (including cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection), safety, and the feasibility of the distraction osteogenesis procedure. RESULTS: Six patients diagnosed with Apert syndrome underwent treatment involving the integration of fronto-orbital 3D-printed positioning and shaping templates in conjunction with anterior and posterior cranial distraction osteoplasty. Follow-up durations ranged from 18 to 32 months (average: 22 mo). No instances of fronto-orbital retraction, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or intracranial infection were noted during the follow-up period. The sole reported complication entailed an infection at the extension rod site in 1 case. All patients conveyed satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 3D-printed positioning and shaping templates in tandem with anterior and posterior cranial distraction osteogenesis demonstrates efficacy in addressing Apert syndrome. Notably, significant enhancements in head shape and orbit were observed, and the incidence of postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and infection remained minimal. Moreover, long-term follow-up affirmed stability.

Cu(I)-Induced 'Click Reaction' Involving Coordination and Covalent Assembly of Hybrid Borates for the Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction.

The design and synthesis of hybrid borates by the organic ligand modification method are urgent and undeveloped areas of research. It is difficult to directly integrate organoboronic acids within inorganic borate chemistry by adopting the traditional preparation approaches. This work reports a facile synthetic method to synthesize a large family of pyrazole molecule-protected borates in a rapid and precise manner under mild conditions. A unique cyclic eight-membered B4O4-ring has been identified as the cluster core for all these hybrid borates with two different conformations (boat and crown). This strategy can be applied to a system of pyrazolyl molecules to generate such hybrid borates in two independent routes from organoboronic or inorganic boric acids. Furtherly, the mechanism of 'click reaction' between boric acid and pyrazole induced by copper ions has been proposed based on the synthetic conditions and the structure of intermediate. Due to the bimetallic Cu sites and the functional surfaces, these materials can be used as electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction reaction and efficiently enhance the selectivity of HCOOH and C2H4. Our strategy can be regarded as a typical template technique for organic molecule-protected borates.

Knockdown of circ-ADAM9 inhibits malignant phenotype and enhances radiosensitivity in breast cancer cells via acting as a sponge for miR-383-5p.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been proven to play a critical role in breast cancer progression. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of circ-disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (circ-ADAM9) in breast cancer. METHODS: A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to assess the expression levels of circ-ADAM9, microRNA-383-5p (miR-383-5p), and profilin 2 (PFN2). Cellular growth curves of breast cancer cells were determined by colony-forming assay. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein expression level was analyzed by western blot. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by wound healing and Transwell assays. A xenograft experiment was established to clarify the functional role of circ-ADAM9 inhibition in vivo. The interactions among circ-ADAM9, miR-383-5p, and PFN2 were analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down assays. RESULTS: We found that circ-ADAM9 was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells compared to controls. Inhibition of circ-ADAM9 expression impaired proliferation, migration, and invasion, but increased radiosensitivity and apoptosis in breast cancer cells; besides, radiotherapy combined with circ-ADAM9 inhibition showed significant inhibitory effects on tumor growth. The functional effects of circ-ADAM9 were related to miR-383-5p, a target of circ-ADAM9. Overexpression of miR-383-5p-mediated malignant behaviors and radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells were dependent on PFN2. CONCLUSION: Circ-ADAM9 was found to participate in breast cancer progression through targeting the miR-383-5p/PFN2 axis.

Supramolecular Chemistry of Windmill-like Al10 Clusters: Adjustable Guests and Hydrogen-Bonding Networks for Enhanced Optical Limiting.

The interest in cluster chemistry lies not only in the development of new types of geometric structures but also in the higher-level connectivity and assembly of clusters at the supramolecular level. Here, we report a novel windmill-like Al10 cluster and consider this geometrically unique cluster as an anionic node assembled together with different cationic guests such as imidazolium and guanidinium. These guests with different hydrogen-bond angles can help to obtain a series of diverse hydrogen-bonding networks and then manipulate the stacking mode of hosts and guests. Furthermore, we realized a supramolecular approach to fine-tune the optical limiting properties of the cluster. This work not only enriches the host-guest chemistry of ionic windmill-like clusters but also opens up more possibilities for aluminum oxo cluster-based hydrogen-bonded frameworks.

Posterior Cranial Retraction Combined With Bilateral Parietal Distraction for Children With Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: The nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is the most common of craniosynostoses in childhood. There are many treatments. We aim to treat 12 cases of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis via posterior cranial vault distraction osteogenesis combined with bilateral parietal distraction. METHODS: Data of a total of 12 patients (7 boys and 5 girls) with nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis who underwent distraction osteogenesis between January 2015 and August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Bilateral parietal bone flaps and posterior occipital flaps were designed and cut. Then, distraction device was placed, which was distracted at 5 days after surgery (twice per day, 0.4-0.6 mm/d, and lasting for 10-15 days). After 6 months of fixation, the secondary surgery was performed to remove the device. RESULTS: The scaphocephaly was corrected, and the appearance was satisfactory. Postoperative follow-up time was 6 to 14 months, with an average of 10 months, and the mean CI was 63.2 and 78.25 before and after surgery, respectively; the mean anterior-posterior skull diameter was shortened (12.63 ± 3.47) mm, the transverse diameter of both temporal regions was lengthened (15.4 ± 4.18) mm, and the scaphocephalic deformity was significantly improved. There was no detachment or rupture of the extender postoperatively. No severe complications, such as radiation necrosis or intracranial infection, were observed. CONCLUSION: Posterior cranial retraction combined with bilateral parietal distraction in children with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, in which the proposed technique did not exhibit severe complications, and it is worthy of further promotion and application in clinical practice.

Mercapto-based palygorskite modified soil micro-biology and reduced the uptake of heavy metals by Salvia miltiorrhiza in cadmium and lead co-contaminated soil.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is an important traditional Chinese medicinal and edible plant that can easily accumulate excessive cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from contaminated soils. The soil contaminated with heavy metals severely threatened the quality of S. miltiorrhiza products. In this study, we investigated the effects of mercapto-based palygorskite (MPAL), a new passivation amendment, on restraining the uptake of Cd and Pb by S. miltiorrhiza, and the impact on soil micro-ecology. Results showed that the application of MPAL prominently enhanced the biomass and antioxidant enzyme activities of S. miltiorrhiza. With the treatment of 4% MPAL, the Cd and Pb contents in the roots were significantly decreased by 81.42% and 69.09%, respectively. The active ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza, including Danshensu, Cryptotanshinone, Tanshinone I and Tanshinone II were remarkedly increased by 1899.46%, 5838.64%, 54.23% and 200.78%, respectively. In addition, MPAL decreased the bio-availability of Cd and Pb by speciation transformation, which simultaneously boosted the activities of cellulase and sucrase. The application of MPAL also improved the bacterial community composition. These findings revealed that the application of MPAL regulated the soil micro-ecology, positively modified the growth and obstructed the Cd and Pb accumulation in S. miltiorrhiza.

Treatment of Syndromic Craniosynostosis by Anterior and Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis (A-PVDO).

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and therapeutic effect of anterior and posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (A-PVDO) in the treatment of infantile syndromic craniosynostosis. METHODS: Between January 2017 and December 2019, 7 children with syndromic craniosynostosis underwent osteotomy with Piezo-surgery at our hospital. The first step was to harvest the frontal bone flap and the orbitofrontal bone flap. The second step was to separate the scalp and expose the posterior occipital. Osteotomy was performed on the occipital tubercle. Thereafter, 2 distractors were horizontally installed on the upper edge of the anterior cranial orbit, 2 distractors of 3 cm were installed on the posterior cranial bone. Meanwhile, lambdoidal sutures were fixed by titanium plates. Bone distraction was initiated on postoperative day 5 at the rate of 0.4 to 0.6 mm/day, twice per-day, for a total of 10 to 15 days. After 6 months, the distractors and the titanium plates were removed by secondary surgery. RESULTS: The intracranial volume and posterior cranial morphology were recorded during the follow-up of 6 to 14 months (average = 12 months). The posterior craniums of 7 cases with lambdoidal sutures fixation were completely extended. The anterior cranial morphology was normal. All the cranial deformities were significantly improved. There were no severe complications, such as death, cranial necrosis, and intracranial infection. CONCLUSIONS: A-PVDO is an ideal method for the treatment of severe syndromic craniosynostosis, which can achieve more natural appearance than anterior vault distraction osteogenesis or posterior vault distraction osteogenesis. Moreover, A-PVDO causes no severe complications and is suitable for the treatment of severe syndromic craniosynostosis.

Two new dibenzyl derivatives from the stems of Dendrobium catenatum.

Two new dibenzyl derivatives, dendrocandins V-W (1-2), together with six known compounds (3-8), have been isolated from the dried stems of Dendrobium catenatum. Their structures were mainly elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS, one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. The isolated compounds 5-8 were evaluated in vitro for their antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Compound 8 showed moderate potent DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 value of 34.45 ± 1.07 µM. And compounds 5, 7-8 exhibited significant ABTS radical scavenging activities with IC50 values of 10.03 ± 0.88, 5.32 ± 1.13 and 9.01 ± 1.39 µM. Compounds 6-7 showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 36.05 ± 0.67 and 159.59 ± 0.86 µM.

Treatment with Subcritical Water-Hydrolyzed Citrus Pectin Ameliorated Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression and Modulated Gut Microbiota Composition in ICR Mice.

Subcritical water can effectively hydrolyze pectin into smaller molecules while still maintaining its functional regions. Pectic heteropolysaccharide can mediate immune regulation; however, the possible effects of subcritical water-hydrolyzed citrus pectin (SCP) on the immune response remain unclear. Therefore, the effects of SCP on immunomodulatory functions and intestinal microbial dysbiosis were investigated using a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mouse model. In this research, immunosuppressed ICR mice were administrated with SCP at dosages of 300/600/1200 mg/kg.bw by oral gavage, and body weight, immune organ indexes, cytokines, and gut microbiota were determined. The results showed that subcritical water treatment decreased the molecular mass and increased the content of galacturonic acid in citrus pectin hydrolysates. Meanwhile, the treatment with SCP improved immunoregulatory functional properties and bioactivities over the original citrus pectin. For example, SCP protected immune organs (accelerated recovery of immune organ indexes) and significantly enhanced the expression of immune-related cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α). The results of the 16S rDNA sequencing analysis on an IlluminaMiSeq platform showed that SCP normalized Cy-induced gut dysbiosis. SCP ameliorated Cy-dependent changes in the relative abundance of several taxa, shifting the balance back to normal status (e.g., SCP increased beneficial Muribaculaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Prevotellaceae while decreasing pathogenic Brevundimonas and Streptococcus). The results of this study suggest an innovative application of citrus pectin as an immunomodulator.

Physicochemical properties improvement and structural changes of bamboo shoots (Phyllostachys praecox f. Prevernalis) dietary fiber modified by subcritical water and high pressure homogenization: a comparative study.

In presented study, the effects of subcritical water (SW) and high pressure homogenization (HPH) treatments on the physicochemical and structural characteristics of dietary fibers (DFs) from bamboo shoots (Phyllostachys praecox f. Prevernalis) were investigated. The soluble dietary fiber (SDF) content was dramatically increased in SW and HPH treated DFs. Compared with HPH, SW modification enhanced higher physicochemical properties including water holding capacity (WHC), oil holding capacity (OHC) and swelling capacity (SC) of DFs. The abilities of DFs to absorb cholesterol and nitrite ions were both greatly increased after treatments. The results of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the structure of DFs were changed by SW and HPH. In conclusion, SW treatment showed better effects on improvement of physicochemical properties of bamboo shoot DFs than that of HPH, and the modified DFs could be a potential new functional foods or food additives.

Internal Distraction Osteogenesis With Piezosurgery Oblique Osteotomy of Supraorbital Margin of Frontal Bone for the Treatment of Unilateral Coronal Synostosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of internal distraction osteogenesis with Piezosurgery oblique osteotomy of supraorbital margin of frontal bone for the treatment of unilateral coronal synostosis and to study the outcome and complications of this procedure. Oblique osteotomy allows for entry into the cranial cavity, and along with parallel cut to the roof of the orbit, avoids the need to cut into the orbit which forms the frontal flap. METHODS: Oblique osteotomy was performed along the supraorbital rim to do a frontal suture of the glabella (ages of patients were less than 1 year) or on the opposite side of the supraorbital rim (ages of patients were older than 1 year) after performing a suturectomy of the effected coronal suture. Two internal distraction devices were subsequently placed across the osteotomized, fused coronal suture. Finally, the cranium pieces were divided in the middle and placed in the middle of the frontal bone using biological glue. Five days after the operation, a 0.6-mm distraction was done twice daily. The distraction was removed 6 months after reaching 2 to 3 cm. RESULTS: Internal distraction osteogenesis with supraorbital oblique osteotomy was performed in 9 patients suffering from unilateral coronal synostosis. Eight patients had no postoperative infections around the shaft puncture wounds. One patient had infection in the rods around the distraction during the period of fixed, but was cured with antibiotic treatment. During a mean follow-up period of 12 months (5-26 months), all patients were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results. No complications, including fixed screw displacement, penetration of the cranium and dura mater or retraction of distraction devices, occurred. The devices were exposed in 1 patient, resulting in a postoperative scar. Despite these complications, the cranium was successfully expanded in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Use of this procedure avoids the need for frontal osteotomy to move the orbit forward. Adding 2 cranium strips can be used to reconstruct the frontal nodule to make up for inadequacy of the frontal nodules highlighting to distract operation. Retracting a separated cranium is not easy after it has been fixed for 6 months. Thus, the management of unilateral coronal synostosis using internal distraction osteogenesis with supraorbital oblique osteotomy is safe and effective.

Treatment of Unilateral Lambdoid Synostosis Using Cranium Distraction Osteogenesis With Z-shaped Osteotomy.

PURPOSE: We studied the effect of cranium distraction osteogenesis using Z-shaped osteotomy to treat unilateral lambdoid synostosis. METHODS: Simulating the occipital, parietal, and temporal bones as a hemisphere, we designed a lambdoid suture that connected parallel osteotomy and sagittal sutures or extended to fossa cranii posterioras much like the parallel lines connect the upper and lower aspects of the letter Z. Two to 3 distraction devices were then installed after the Z-shaped osteotomy suture. From the second day postoperation, distraction at 0.6 mm twice a day up to 2 to 3 cm. Finally, we removed the distraction devices 3 months later. RESULTS: In total, 6 cases of unilateral lambdoid synostosis were performed and over 24 months mean follow-up (5-36 months), all patients were satisfied with cosmetic and functional outcomes. No complications, including fixed screw displacement, penetration of the cranium or dura matter or retraction of distraction devices occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure not only raises cranial height and extends it upward but also singularizes the occipital carina by prolonging it in a downward direction to form a occipitalia. The separated cranium is not easy to retract after fixation for 3 months so management of unilateral lambdoid synostosis with cranium distraction osteogenesis with a Z-shaped osteotomy is effective.

Repair lower face defect with an expanded flap from submental and submandibular region in children.

Scar and defect in the lower face always lead to serious facial deformity and asymmetry. Conventional method such as skin graft or free flap is hard to obtain a satisfactory outcome. In this article, we present a skin expanding technique. An expanded flap was designed to repair the lower face scar or defect on submental and submandibular regions. A tissue expander was implanted into the region and inflated for 2 to 3 months. After removing the expander, we harvested the flap as a rotation flap to repair the lower facial defect. The longest follow-up period was 3 years. All of the flaps were well matched to the surrounding skin with respect to color, texture, and thickness. An expanded flap on submental and submandibular regions is suitable to repair a lower face defect.

Nonconjugated amylopectin-grafted copolymers with dual fluorescence/low-temperature phosphorescence emission and superior processability.

Nonconjugated fluorescent polymers devoid of large π-π conjugated structures have received considerable attention due to their significant academic importance and broad application potentials in various fields. Herein, we report an effective strategy to fabricate multifunctional fluorescent amylopectin derivatives and reveal their unique aspects of aggregation-induced emission (AIE), cryogenic long-persistent phosphorescence (~6 s) and excellent processabilities characteristics, which are extremely different from traditional luminogens. These amylopectin-graft-poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-1-vinylimidazole) copolymers (Amylopectin-BVs) prepared by the grafting-from method employing RAFT and experienced subsequently with metal-ligand cross-linking. Specifically, clustering-triggered fluorescent emission or cryogenic long-persistent phosphorescence of amylopectin could be achieved by the aggregation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms along with conformation rigidification, which shows great promise in optoelectronic and biological applications.

Mitochondrial Genome Characteristics Reveal Evolution of Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi (Jordan and Starks, 1904) and Phylogenetic Relationships.

In the present study, the mitochondrial genomic characteristics of Acanthopsetta nadeshnyi have been reported and have depicted the phylogenetic relationship among Pleuronectidae. Combined with a comparative analysis of 13 PCGs, the TN93 model was used to review the neutral evolution and habitat evolution catalysis of the mitogenome to verify the distancing and purification selectivity of the mitogenome in Pleuronectidae. At the same time, a species differentiation and classification model based on mitogenome analysis data was established. This study is expected to provide a new perspective on the phylogenetic relationship and taxonomic status of A. nadeshnyi and lay a foundation for further exploration of environmental and biological evolutionary mechanisms.

Whole Genome Duplication Events Likely Contributed to the Aquatic Adaptive Evolution of Parkerioideae.

As the only aquatic lineage of Pteridaceae, Parkerioideae is distinct from many xeric-adapted species of the family and consists of the freshwater Ceratopteris species and the only mangrove ferns from the genus Acrostichum. Previous studies have shown that whole genome duplication (WGD) has occurred in Parkerioideae at least once and may have played a role in their adaptive evolution; however, more in-depth research regarding this is still required. In this study, comparative and evolutionary transcriptomics analyses were carried out to identify WGDs and explore their roles in the environmental adaptation of Parkerioideae. Three putative WGD events were identified within Parkerioideae, two of which were specific to Ceratopteris and Acrostichum, respectively. The functional enrichment analysis indicated that the lineage-specific WGD events have played a role in the adaptation of Parkerioideae to the low oxygen concentrations of aquatic habitats, as well as different aquatic environments of Ceratopteris and Acrostichum, such as the adaptation of Ceratopteris to reduced light levels and the adaptation of Acrostichum to high salinity. Positive selection analysis further provided evidence that the putative WGD events may have facilitated the adaptation of Parkerioideae to changes in habitat. Moreover, the gene family analysis indicated that the plasma membrane H+-ATPase (AHA), vacuolar H+-ATPase (VHA), and suppressor of K+ transport growth defect 1 (SKD1) may have been involved in the high salinity adaptation of Acrostichum. Our study provides new insights into the evolution and adaptations of Parkerioideae in different aquatic environments.

Development and validation of a cognitive dysfunction risk prediction model for the abdominal obesity population.

Objectives: This study was aimed to develop a nomogram that can accurately predict the likelihood of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with abdominal obesity by utilizing various predictor factors. Methods: A total of 1490 cases of abdominal obesity were randomly selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 2011-2014. The diagnostic criteria for abdominal obesity were as follows: waist size ≥ 102 cm for men and waist size ≥ 88 cm for women, and cognitive function was assessed by Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), Word Learning subtest, Delayed Word Recall Test, Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The cases were divided into two sets: a training set consisting of 1043 cases (70%) and a validation set consisting of 447 cases (30%). To create the model nomogram, multifactor logistic regression models were constructed based on the selected predictors identified through LASSO regression analysis. The model's performance was assessed using several metrics, including the consistency index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess the clinical benefit of the model. Results: The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex, education level, 24-hour total fat intake, red blood cell folate concentration, depression, and moderate work activity were significant predictors of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with abdominal obesity (p < 0.05). These predictors were incorporated into the nomogram. The C-indices for the training and validation sets were 0.814 (95% CI: 0.875-0.842) and 0.805 (95% CI: 0.758-0.851), respectively. The corresponding AUC values were 0.814 (95% CI: 0.875-0.842) and 0.795 (95% CI: 0.753-0.847). The calibration curves demonstrated a satisfactory level of agreement between the nomogram model and the observed data. The DCA indicated that early intervention for at-risk populations would provide a net benefit, as indicated by the line graph. Conclusion: Age, sex, education level, 24-hour total fat intake, red blood cell folate concentration, depression, and moderate work activity were identified as predictive factors for cognitive dysfunction in individuals with abdominal obesity. In conclusion, the nomogram model developed in this study can effectively predict the clinical risk of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with abdominal obesity.

Copigmentation effect of flavonols on anthocyanins in black mulberry juice and their interaction mechanism investigation.

Copigmentation effect of flavonoids on black mulberry juice and its main anthocyanin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), was evaluated. Results showed that the hyperchromic effect of flavonols, such as kaempferol (KAE), hyperoside (HYP), rutin (RUT), quercetin (QTI) and isoquercitrin (IQT), was better than that of quercitrin (QTR) and catechin (CAT). The degradation rate constant (k) of C3G decreased by 8.6 %∼50.0 % when KAE, HYP, RUT, QTI and IQT were added, whilst half-life (t1/2), activation energy (Ea) and hydration reaction equilibrium constant (pKh) increased by 7.4 %∼99.0 %, 60.0 %∼95.7 % and 8.3 %∼37.8 % respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum absorption wavelength of the mixture displayed bathochromic shift. Molecular simulation indicated that the interaction energy with C3G was KAE > HYP > RUT > QTI > IQT > QTR > CAT. The main driving force forming C3G-flavonol complex were hydrogen bond and Van der Waals interaction. These results will provide theoretical reference to enhance color stability of food rich in anthocyanins.

Repair of cervicothoracic skin defects with extra-long transverse cervical flaps by stepwise pressure packing in children: a technical innovation.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of prolonging predilated transverse cervical flap with stepwise pressure packing for neck and chest lesions in children. Methods: A retrospective review of children with large cervicothoracic lesions admitted to our department from January 2011 to June 2021 was conducted to compare stepwise pressure packing with normal dressing in the surgical method of transverse cervical pedicled flaps after expansion. Among 58 included children, 22 (14 males and 8 females) were allocated to the extended and expanded transverse cervical flap with stepwise compression dressing group, and 36 (19 males and 17 females) to the transverse cervical flap group. The causes of skin defects were: scars (37 cases) and giant nevus (21 cases). The course of the disease ranged from 0.5 to 8 years. The two groups were compared in terms of child satisfaction, the occurrence of infection, recurrence of the contracture, secondary operation, and repaired area. Results: In 22 cases of extended transverse cervical flaps, 8 cases were embedded with two expanders, resulting in a total of 30 expanded flaps, which were successfully transferred to the neck and chest without necrosis at the distal end of compression, with good effect. Comparison of pedicled transverse cervical flaps with stepwise pressure packing and pedicled transverse cervical flaps alone revealed no significant difference in child satisfaction, the occurrence of infection, recurrence of the contracture, and secondary surgery (all P > 0.05). Yet, there was a significant difference in the repair area between two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Prolongation of pedicled cervical flaps after expansion with stepwise pressure packing resulted in an effective method for repairing the large skin defect of children's face and neck caused by various diseases. In terms of increasing neck repair area, the operation with stepwise pressure dressing was significantly superior to the simple packing.