Comparison of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation in preterm infants after patent ductus arteriosus ligation: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) in preterm infants requiring mechanical ventilation after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on intubated preterm infants who underwent PDA ligation at our hospital from July 2021 to January 2023. Infants were divided into NAVA or SIMV groups based on the ventilation mode after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty preterm infants were included. During treatment, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and mean airway pressure (MAP) were lower with NAVA compared to SIMV (PIP: 19.1 ± 2.9 vs. 22.4 ± 3.6 cmH2O, P < 0.001; MAP: 9.1 ± 1.8 vs. 10.9 ± 2.7 cmH2O, P = 0.002). PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were higher with NAVA (PaO2: 94.0 ± 11.7 vs. 84.8 ± 15.8 mmHg, P = 0.031; PaO2/FiO2: 267 [220-322] vs. 232 [186-290] mmHg, P = 0.025). Less sedation was required with NAVA (midazolam: 1.5 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 µg/kg/min, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to SIMV, early use of NAVA post PDA ligation in preterm infants was associated with decreased PIP and MAP. Early NAVA was also associated with reduced sedation needs and improved oxygenation. However, further studies are warranted to quantify the benefits of NAVA ventilation.

[Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids and Human Health].

In recent years, tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) have become a hot topic in the field of DNA nanomaterials due to their excellent mechanical, chemical and biological properties. By taking advantage of these merits, tFNAs of varied sizes and modification methods have been designed and applied in diverse fields such as regenerative medicine, biosensors, and tumor treatment to promote human health. This paper reviews the current research progress of tFNAs in human health-related fields, and the future challenges in the clinical applications of tFNAs.

Kayaking paddle blade compression load distribution sensing system based on optical fiber with a polydimethylsiloxane membrane.

This paper proposed a novel real-time compression load measurement system for a kayaking paddle based on optical fiber technology. The optical fiber sensor, fiber Bragg grating, is embedded in a 2 mm polydimethylsiloxane membrane, which serves as a pressure mat that can be easily attached/detached to/from the kayaking paddle. The proposed system is proposed for measuring and evaluating both handgrip loading and paddle blade load distribution during on-water kayaking, e.g., peak compression load distribution pattern and duration of the paddle blade in real time. Both indoor prototype experiment results and on-water experimental data on an expert paddler were presented to demonstrate the application potential of the proposed system.

Effect of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures on proliferation and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells via activation of the notch signaling pathway.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) derived from the human dental pulp tissue have multiple differentiation capabilities, such as osteo/odontogenic differentiation. Therefore, DPSCs are deemed as ideal stem cell sources for tissue regeneration. As new nanomaterials based on DNA, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) have tremendous potential for biomedical applications. Here, the authors aimed to explore the part played by TDNs in proliferation and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs, and attempted to investigate if these cellular responses could be driven by activating the canonical Notch signaling pathway. Upon exposure to TDNs, proliferation and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs were dramatically enhanced, accompanied by up regulation of Notch signaling. In general, our study suggested that TDNs can significantly promote proliferation and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs, and this remarkable discovery can be applied in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to develop a significant and novel method for bone and dental tissue regeneration.

Effect of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells via activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are considered to be ideal stem cell sources for bone regeneration owing to their ability to differentiate into osteo-like cells. Therefore, they have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs), a new type of DNA-based biomaterials, have shown great potential for biomedical applications. In the present work, we aimed to investigate the role played by TDNs in osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of ADSCs and tried to explore if the canonical Wnt signal pathway could be the vital biological mechanism driving these cellular responses. Upon exposure to TDNs, ADSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were significantly enhanced, accompanied by the up-regulation of genes correlated with the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. In conclusion, our results indicate that TDNs are crucial regulators of the increase in osteogenic potential and ADSCs proliferation, and this noteworthy discovery could provide a promising novel approach toward ADSCs-based bone defect regeneration.

The osteogenic response of undifferentiated human adipose-derived stem cells under mechanical stimulation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the osteogenic response of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) under mechanical and/or chemical stimulation. hASCs were divided into three groups. In group A, the cells were cultured without any stimulation, in group B, the cells were induced with chemical stimulation, and in group C, the cells were induced with a combination of chemical stimulation and stretch loading. Stretch loading and chemical stimulation were applied using a four-point bending apparatus (0.5 Hz, 2,000 µÎµ, 2 h/day) and osteogenic differentiation medium, respectively. At the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th day following initiation of stretch loading, we detected alkaline phosphatase activity, mRNA expression (RUNX2, ALPL, osteonectin, osteopontin and type I collagen) and protein expression (RUNX2 and osteopontin) by colorimetric assay, real-time PCR and Western blot methods, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase activity, mRNA expression and protein expression all increased in groups B and C along with the culture time, but were observed to be downregulated by the 7th day in group C (p < 0.05). Compared to group A, most of the above markers were significantly higher in groups B and C (p < 0.05). All of the above markers in group C were higher than those in group B before the 5th day (p < 0.05), except at the 1st day. These results indicated that stretch loading promoted osteogenic differentiation of hASCs and that the combination of mechanical and chemical stimulation could enhance the osteogenic capability up to the 5th day relative to chemical stimulation alone.

Using Human Milk Fortifiers to Improve the Preoperative Nutritional Status of Infants With Non-restricted Ventricular Septal Defect.

Objective: To explore the effects of human milk fortifier (HMF) on improving the preoperative nutritional status of infants with non-restricted ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital in China. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 29) and a control group (n = 29). HMFs were added proportionally to the infants' feeds in the intervention group based on breastfeeding status, and the infants in the control group received exclusive breastfeeding as needed. The nutritional status of the two groups was compared 1 month after the intervention. Results: Compared with the control group, the weight, head circumference, height, albumin level, and prealbumin level of the human milk fortifier group were significantly higher 1 month after the intervention (p < 0.05). The STRONGkids score of the HMF group was significantly lower than that of the non-HMF group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in pneumonia, liver insufficiency, feeding intolerance, or jaundice between the two groups. Conclusion: The addition of HMFs based on the breastfeeding status of infants with non-restricted VSD can improve the preoperative nutritional status and does not increase the incidence of gastrointestinal complications. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR2000041135.

Research progress on the application of framework nucleic acid in bone regeneration.

Framework nucleic acid (FNA) is a set of DNA nanostructures characterized by the framework morphology. It can design rational DNA sequences and follow the principle of complementary base pairing to construct FNA. The recent discovery of FNA constructed by DNA nanotechnology has great application potential in the field of bone regene-ration. It plays a positive role in the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells, bone regeneration, vascular regeneration, neuromodulation, immune regulation, and drug delivery. Here, we reviewed the current study findings on FNA in the field of bone regeneration.

Non-invasive High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation as Initial Respiratory Support for Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of nHFOV as initial respiratory support in preterm infants with RDS. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 244 premature infants with RDS who were treated in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2019 and divided into the nHFOV group (n = 115) and the BiPAP group (n = 129) based on the initial respiratory support method. Results: Respiratory outcomes showed that the rate of NIV failure during the first 72 hours of life in the nHFOV group was significantly lower than that in the BiPAP group. The time of NIV in the nHFOV group was significantly shorter than that in the BiPAP group. The time of supplemental oxygen in the nHFOV group was significantly shorter than that in the BiPAP group. The incidence of air leakage syndrome in the nHFOV group was significantly lower than that in the BiPAP group, and the length of hospital stay of the nHFOV group was also significantly shorter than that in the BiPAP group. Although the rate of infants diagnosed with BPD was similar between the two groups, the rate of severe BPD in the nHFOV group was significantly lower than that in the BiPAP group. Conclusion: This study showed that nHFOV as initial respiratory support for preterm infants with RDS was feasible and safe compared to BiPAP. Furthermore, nHFOV can reduce the need for IMV and reduce the incidence of severe BPD and air leak syndrome.

[Experimental study on the development of tissue-engineered tooth germ with heterotopic allotransplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the growth and development of tissue engineered tooth germ implanted into different tissues, and explore a suitable growing environment for the tissue engineered teeth in vivo. METHODS: SD rat/porcine tooth germ cells from postnatal 4 days were used as seeding cells, which combined various scaffolding biomaterials to construct the compound with tissue engineered teeth. The allografts were implanted into renal subcapsule, the mesenteries and subcutaneous tissues. Then, the implants were retrieved at special time points for histological analysis. RESULTS: Further developments were not observed in the graft implanted into mesenteries and subcutaneous tissues. Partial grafts were fallen off and lost from the subcutaneous tissues after implanted, and there were obvious lymphocyte infiltrations in the mesenteries. Moreover, the enamel and pulp-dentin complex were observed within the graft implanted in the subrenal capsule, which indicated there to be good condition. CONCLUSION: The subrenal capsule can provide a promising implantation environment for the further growth of allogeneic tissue engineered tooth germ, and the subrenal capsule implantation can be used as a new alternative method for tissue-engineering tooth in vivo.

[Construction of tissue culture model in vitro and investigation of transforming growth factor promoting pulp fibroblast to differentiate into the odontoblast].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the tissue culture model in vitro, and investigate the potential of dental pulp fibroblast differentiating into the odontoblast and the promoting role of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) on it. METHODS: Human pulps were cultured for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days on bone matrix gelatin (BMG) in DMEM cultural medium supplemented with TGF-beta1. The characteristics of matrix were studied through toluidine blue and Mallory stain. Meanwhile, the expression of dentin salivary protein (DSP) on the pulp cells was investigated with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: This experiment found that the pulp tissue in vitro were able to develop into more progressive stage, and some pulp fibroblast cells to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells. Toluidine blue and Mallory staining analysis revealed the localized deposition of mineralized bone-dentin matrix that was detected at the site of dental pulp cells. Immunohistochemical analysis proved that the DSP synthesized in these cells with the presence of TGF-beta1. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that this culture condition can maintain the phenotype of human pulp tissue. The model of organ culture is suitable to study the development of pulp tissue in vitro. TGF-beta1 can promote the potential of pulp cell into odontoblast, which provides an academic basis for tooth repair and regeneration.

[Expressions of fibronectin and bone morphogenetic protein-2, 4 during development of mouse tooth germ].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and relationship of fibronectin (FN), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2, 4 during development of mouse tooth germ. METHODS: Rat embryonic first molars were collected from E14 (bud stage) and E18 (bell stage). The expressions of FN and BMP-2, 4 were analyzed with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: FN was located in the epithelium and dental mesenchyme on bud stage, but on bell stage, the FN was found at the region of differentiating odontoblasts and in the inner enamel epithelium, and also BMP-2, 4 were abundant mainly at the brisk region of differentiating odontoblasts. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that BMP-2, 4 and FN play the important roles during bud stage and bell stage, and there may be synergy between BMP-2, 4 and FN in regulating differentiation and maturity of odontoblasts.

Effects of Micro-environmental pH of Liposome on Chemical Stability of Loaded Drug.

Liposome is a promising carrier system for delivering bioactive molecules. However, the successful delivery of pH-sensitive molecules is still limited by the intrinsic instability of payloads in physiological environment. Herein, we developed a special liposome system that possesses an acidic micro-environment in the internal aqueous chamber to improve the chemical stability of pH-sensitive payloads. Curcumin-loaded liposomes (Cur-LPs) with varied internal pH values (pH 2.5, 5.0, or 7.4) were prepared. These Cur-LPs have similar particle size of 300 nm, comparable physical stabilities and analogous in vitro release profiles. Interestingly, the chemical stability of liposomal curcumin in 50% fetal bovine serum and its anticancer efficacy in vitro are both micro-environmental pH-dependent (Cur-LP-2.5 > Cur-LP-5.0 > Cur-LP-7.4). This serum stability still has space to be further enhanced to improve the applicability of Cur-LP. In conclusion, creating an acidic micro-environment in the internal chamber of liposome is feasible and efficient to improve the chemical stability of pH-sensitive payloads.

[The gene expression patterns of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells under different osteogenic induction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism of osteogenetic differentiation of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and the probability using the BMSCs to gene therapy for bone fractures. METHODS: By gradient centrifugation and adherence to the culture plastic, the MSCs were separated and purified from mouse bone marrow. The BMSCs then were cultured and sub-cultured in the osteogenetic medium (100 nmol/L Dexamethasone, 10 mmol/L beta-glycerophosphate and 50 mg/mL ascorbic acid, osteogenic supplements, OS-medium) or the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2, 500 ng/mL) for the mineralized inductions of osteogenesis, and stained by alizarin red in inducing week 1 and 2 for the identification of calcium nodule formed. The gene expressions of Runx2, Osx, OCN, and Col I were detected by RT-PCR on day 1, 2 and 3 after doing the osteogenetic inductions. RESULTS: The BMSCs induced by OS-medium and rhBMP-2 were both of positive Ca nodules with alizarin red. However, the Ca nodule induced by OS-medium formed in 1 inducing week, but the one done by rhBMP-2 occurred in 2 inducing weeks, which meant it was a late for one week. In the OS-group, the mRNA of Runx2 could not be detected on inducing day 1, 2 and 3, but the Osx mRNA appeared on inducing day 2 and 3, and also the mRNAs of OCN and Col I could be detected in all the three inducing days. In rhBMP-2 group, the Runx2 gene expressed on inducing day 2, the Osx gene expressed on inducing day 2 and 3, the OCN and Col I genes expressed on inducing day 1, 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: The BMSCs induced by OS-medium are more likely to form bone nodules than that of rhBMP-2, because of their simpler mechanisms to differentiate into osteoblasts.

Understanding the Biomedical Effects of the Self-Assembled Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructure on Living Cells.

Recently, much attention has been paid to DNA again due to the successful synthesis of DNA-based nanostructures that can enter cells via endocytosis and thus have great potential in biomedical fields. However, the impacts of DNA nanostructures on life activities of a living cell are unknown. Herein, the promotion effect of tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN) on cell growth and the underlying molecular mechanisms are reported. Upon exposure to TDN, cell proliferation is significantly enhanced, accompanied by up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase like-1 gene, changes in cell cycle distribution, and up-regulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling-related proteins (ß-catenin, Lef 1 and cyclin D). In contrast, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) shows no such functions. Furthermore, TDN is able to reverse the inhibition effect of DKK1, a specific inhibitor for Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Hence, the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is the target for TDN to promote cell proliferation. The findings allow TDN to be a novel functional nanomaterial that has great potential in tissue repair and regeneration medicine.

Insight into the Interaction of Graphene Oxide with Serum Proteins and the Impact of the Degree of Reduction and Concentration.

As novel applied nanomaterials, both graphene oxide (GO) and its reduced form (rGO) have attracted global attention, because of their excellent properties. However, the lack of comprehensive understanding of their interactions with biomacromolecules highly limits their biomedical applications. This work aims to initiate a systematic study on the property changes of GO/rGO upon interaction with serum proteins and on how their degree of reduction and exposure concentration affect this interaction, as well as to analyze the possible biomedical impacts of the interaction. We found that the adsorption of proteins on GO/rGO occurred spontaneously and rapidly, leading to significant changes in size, zeta potential, and morphology. Compared to rGO, GO showed a higher ability in quenching intrinsic fluorescence of serum proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. The protein adsorption efficiency and the types of associated proteins varied, depending on the degree of reduction and concentration of graphene. Our findings indicate the importance of evaluating the potential protein adsorption before making use of GO/rGO in drug delivery, because the changed physicochemical properties after protein adsorption will have significant impacts on safety and effectiveness of these delivery systems. On the other hand, this interaction can also be used for the separation, purification, or delivery of certain proteins.

Independent effect of polymeric nanoparticle zeta potential/surface charge, on their cytotoxicity and affinity to cells.

OBJECTIVES: Up to now, little research has been focussed on discovering how zeta potential independently affects polymeric nanoparticle (NP) cytotoxicity. METHODS: Polymeric nanoparticles of gradient zeta potential ranging from -30 mv to +40 mv were fabricated using the same poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx) biopolymer. Interaction forces between nanoparticles and cells were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles to cells was investigated by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. RESULTS: Four kinds of nanoparticle with similar sizes and gradient zeta potentials, were fabricated. Those with positive surface charges were found to be more toxic than those with negative surface charges. Positively charged nanoparticles or nanoparticles with higher 'like' charges, offered higher interaction force with cells. CONCLUSION: This work proposes a novel approach for investigating interaction between NPs and cells, and discloses the importance of controlling zeta potential in developing NPs-based formulations in the future.

Enhanced biostability of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems by albumin corona.

AIMS: The long-term efficacy of nanoparticles is limited by their rapid metabolism in tissues. In this work, we aim to enhance nanoparticle biostability by preforming a bovine serum albumin (BSA) corona. MATERIALS & METHODS: A BSA corona was formed by incubating poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate nanoparticles with BSA solution and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The impacts of the BSA corona on the drug release, biostability and biodistribution of nanoparticles were investigated. RESULTS: In the presence of the BSA corona, the drug release (coumarin-6 was used as the model drug) of nanoparticles was significantly slower and their stability in liver homogenate and in organs was enhanced. CONCLUSION: Preformation of a BSA corona may be a promising approach for enhancing drug biostability and for developing long-acting nanoparticle formulations.

Snail and Slug collaborate on EMT and tumor metastasis through miR-101-mediated EZH2 axis in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

microRNAs(miRNAs) can regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through transcription factors, however, little is known whether EMT transcription factors can modulate miRNAs and further induce EMT and cancer metastasis. Here we show that overexpression of Snail and Slug leads to a mesenchymal phenotype and morphology and enhances cell invasion along with stem cell properties in squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue (OTSCC) cells. Repression of miR-101 expression by Snail and Slug is essential for Snail/Slug-induced malignant phenotypes. The suppression of miR-101 subsequently activates EZH2, the sole histone methyltransferase, inducing EMT, migration and invasion of OTSCC cells. Importantly, co-overexpression of Slug and Snail correlates with poor survival and elevated EZH2 expression in two independent patient cohorts of OTSCC specimens. These findings defined a Snail and Slug/miR-101/EZH2 pathway as a novel regulatory axis of EMT-mediated-microRNA signaling.

Nanocomplex based on biocompatible phospholipids and albumin for long-circulation applications.

Achieving long circulating delivery of nanoparticles (NPs) is important for efficient drug therapy, but it is difficult due largely to proteins adsorption (opsonization) or/and nonsufficient stability of NPs. In this present work, we aimed to address the above issues by constructing a phospholipid and BSA-based nanocomplex system, namely BSA-phospholipid NPs (BSA-PL-NPs). Combining sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and proteins adsorption property, we confirmed that some BSA molecules were fixed on the inner surface of BSA-PL-NPs via hydrophobic interactions and the others were located in the core area. This special configuration allowed BSA-PL-NPs to not only maintain the antiadsorption and low phagocytosis properties but also have the slow zero-order drug release and the enhanced nanostructure stability. Interestingly, we found that BSA-PL-NPs had no cytotoxicity to mouse L929 fibroblasts but could stimulate the cells' growth instead. In conclusion, BSA-PL-NPs have a great potential to be developed as a long-circulation drug delivery system, and the ready availability, biocompatibility and nontoxicity of phospholipids and albumin give this system great promise for practical use.