Spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation for disorders of consciousness: a systematic review and individual patient data analysis of 608 cases.

The application of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for disorders of consciousness (DoC) has been increasingly reported. However, there is no sufficient evidence to determine how effective and safe SCS and DBS are for DoC owing to various methodological limitations. We conducted a systematic review to elucidate the safety and efficacy of SCS and DBS for DoC by systematically reviewing related literature by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Library. Twenty eligible studies with 608 patients were included in this study. Ten studies with 508 patients reported the efficacy of SCS for DoC, and the estimated overall effectiveness rate was 37%. Five studies with 343 patients reported the efficacy of SCS for VS, and the estimated effectiveness rate was 30%. Three studies with 53 patients reported the efficacy of SCS for MCS, and the estimated effectiveness rate was 63%. Five studies with 92 patients reported the efficacy of DBS for DoC, and the estimated overall effectiveness rate was 40%. Four studies with 63 patients reported the efficacy of DBS for VS, and the estimated effectiveness rate was 26%. Three studies with 19 patients reported the efficacy of DBS for MCS, and the estimated effectiveness rate was 74%. The adverse event rate of DoC was 8.1% and 18.2% after SCS and DBS, respectively. These results suggest that SCS and DBS can be considered reasonable treatments for DoC with considerable efficacy and safety.

Deep brain stimulation for chorea-acanthocytosis: a systematic review.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a reversible treatment for chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc). Its safety and efficacy remain elusive due to the low prevalence of ChAc. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of DBS for ChAc by systematically reviewing literature through PubMed and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria were reports on the efficacy or safety of DBS for ChAc and English language articles, and exclusion criteria were other movement disorders, non-human subjects, and studies without original data. Most studies were published as case reports, and we therefore pooled these cases in one cohort. Twenty studies with 34 patients were included. The mean age of symptom onset was 29.3 years (range, 17-48). The median follow-up was 12 months (range, 2-84). Twenty-nine patients underwent GPi-DBS, two received STN-DBS, and one underwent Vop-DBS. Electrodes were implanted into the ventralis oralis complex of the thalamus and the pallidal in two patients. Symptoms seemed to be easier relieved in chorea (88.5%) and dystonia (76.9%) but dysarthria of most patients (85.7%) was no response after DBS. The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale-Motor Score was used to assess the efficacy of DBS in 25 patients; the mean score decreased from 43.2 to 22.3 and the median improvement rate was 46.7%. Of 24 patients with data on adverse events, complications occurred in 9 patients (37.5%; mostly transient and mild events). DBS is a promising treatment for ChAc with satisfactory efficacy and safety based on the review. Pallidal and thalamic DBS have been applied in ChAc; GPi-DBS seems to be more widely used.

[Research progress on antidepressant effects of Sini San based on three progressive levels of "single herb, herb-pair, and complicated Chinese herbal formula"].

Depression is a kind of mental illness accompanied by complex etiology and pathogenesis in clinic. With the quickening pace of circadian rhythm and increase of life pressure in modern society, the incidence of depression is increasing year by year. Nowadays, some typical antidepressant Western medicines, such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), have been used as the main therapeutic drugs in clinic. Unfortunately, administration of these drugs will result in severe adverse reactions, slow treatments, and low cure rates, thus obviously they can not be used for a long term. Sini San, which originated from Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by Zhang zhongjing, is a prescription widely applied in clinic for curing mental illness and also a basic Chinese herbal formula for modern treatment of depression. This article would review the research progress on antidepressant effects of Sini San based on single herbs of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba, herb-pair of Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Radix Alba, and formula of Sini San, providing directions and ideas for future research on complicated Chinese herbal formulae.

[Research progress of Baizhu Shaoyao powder in treating ulcerative colitis].

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, nonspecific and complex intestinal disease. The current clinical treatment guideline of this disease recommends a variety of options with oral western medicines, such as aminosalicylic acids, glucocorticosteroids, and immunosuppressors. However, due to their unstable therapeutic effects, high toxicities, and strong drug dependence, they are not suitable for long-term administration. Baizhu Shaoyao powder, a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, is clinically and commonly used for tonifying spleen and softening liver as well as eliminating dampness and relieving diarrhea. Recent researches suggest that Baizhu Shaoyao powder has significant effect in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This article reviewed the research progress on the curative effect and action mechanism of Baizhu Shaoyao powder in treating ulcerative colitis, and provided the ideas and directions for its further research in future.

[Determination of taxifolin in Polygonum orientale of different storage period].

OBJECTIVE: To find out the correlation between the content of taxifolin in Polygonum orientale and the storage time. METHOD: HPLC was used to determine taxifolin. The chromatographic condition was as following: Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase acetonitrile -0.1% phosphoric acid (gradient elution), the detection wavelength 290 nm and flow rate 1.0 mL x min(-1), the column temperature 30 degrees C. RESULT: The injection volume of taxifolin was in good linearity within 0.07 and 0.35 microg, the average recovery was 99.7% with RSD 0.2%. Taxifolin content was 0.84, 1.36, 1.75, 1.99 mg x g(-1) corresponding to storage time of 10, 7, 6, 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: The content of taxifolin decreased with the storage time. When the storage period is more than six years, the content is lower than that required by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version). This method has a good repeatability and accuracy, it provides a scientific reference for clinical use and quality evaluation of P. orientale.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium ameliorates diabetic foot ulcers in rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the effects of bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium (MSC-CM) treating diabetic foot ulcers in rats. METHODS: Models of T2DM rats were induced by a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of STZ in SD rats. Models of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) were made by operation on hind limbs in diabetic rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 for each group), i.e., Normal Control group (NC), Diabetes Control group (DM-C), MSC-CM group and Mesenchymal Stem Cells group (MSCs). MSC-CM group was treated with an injection of conditioned medium derived from preconditioned rats' bone marrow MSCs around ulcers. MSCs group were treated with an injection of rats' bone marrow MSCs. The other two groups were treated with an injection of PBS. After the treatment, wound closure, re-epithelialization (thickness of the stratum granulosums of the skin, by H&E staining), cell proliferation (Ki67, by IHC), angiogenesis (CD31, by IFC), autophagy (LC3B, by IFC and WB; autolysosome, by EM) and pyroptosis (IL-1ß, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N, by WB) in ulcers were evaluated. RESULTS: After the treatment wound area rate, IL-1ß by ELISA, and IL-1ß, Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N by WB of MSC-CM group were less than those of DM group. The thickness of the stratum granulosums of the skin, proliferation index of Ki67, mean optic density of CD31 and LC3B by IFC, and LC3B by WB of MSC-CM group were more than those of DM group. The present analysis demonstrated that the injection of MSC-CM into rats with DFUs enhanced the wound-healing process by accelerating wound closure, promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis, enhancing cell autophagy, and reducing cell pyroptosis in ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Studies conducted indicate that MSC-CM administration could be a novel cell-free therapeutic approach to treat DFUs accelerating the wound healing process and avoiding the risk of living cells therapy.

Stereotactic neurosurgery as a symptomatic treatment for autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review.

Stereotactic neurosurgery has been employed in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, its safety and effectiveness remain unclear owing to limited sample size and other methodological limitations. We aimed to systematically investigate the safety and efficacy of stereotactic neurosurgery for ASD. Eleven studies with 36 patients were included. Stereotactic neurosurgery alleviated the obsessive-compulsive disorder and aggressive behavior symptoms in ASD, with a mean improvement of 42.74% and 59.59% in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Overt Aggression Scale scores, respectively. Systematic studies are necessary to explore the role of deep brain stimulation for social and communication difficulties in ASD.

ATP5O Hypo-crotonylation Caused by HDAC2 Hyper-Phosphorylation Is a Primary Detrimental Factor for Downregulated Phospholipid Metabolism under Chronic Stress.

Objective. Chronic stress (CS)-induced abnormal metabolism and other subsequent aspects of abnormality are threatening human health. Little is known regarding whether and how protein post-translational-modifications (PTMs) correlate with abnormal metabolism under CS. The aim of this study was to address this issue and also identify novel key protein PTM. Methods. First, we screened which pan-PTM had significant change between control and CS female mice and whether clinical CS females had similar pan-PTM change. Second, we performed quantitative PTM-omics and metabolomics to verify the correlation between abnormal protein PTMs and atypical metabolism. Third, we performed quantitative phospho-omics to identify the key PTM-regulating enzyme and investigate the interaction between PTM protein and PTM-regulating enzyme. Fourth, we attempted to rectify the abnormal metabolism by correcting the activity of the PTM-regulating enzyme. Finally, we examined whether the selected key protein was also correlated with stress scores and atypical metabolism in clinical women. Results. We initially found that multiple tissues of CS female mice have downregulated pan-crotonylation, and verified that the plasma of clinical CS females also had downregulated pan-crotonylation. Then we determined that ATP5O-K51 crotonylation decreased the most and also caused gross ATP5O decrement, whereas the plasma of CS mice had downregulated phospholipids. Next, downregulating ATP5O crotonylation partially recapitulated the downregulated phospholipid metabolism in CS mice. Next, we verified that HDAC2-S424 phosphorylation determined its decrotonylation activity on ATP5O-K51. Furthermore, correcting HDAC2 hyper-phosphorylation recovered the gross ATP5O level and partially rescued the downregulated phospholipid metabolism in CS mice. Finally, the ATP5O level was also significantly lower and correlated with high stress scores and downregulated phospholipid metabolism in clinical female plasma. Conclusion. This study discovered a novel PTM mechanism involving two distinct types of PTM in CS and provided a novel reference for the clinical precautions and treatments of CS.

Three-dimensional digital measurement of the facet joint in normal individual and lumbar intervertebral disc herniation patients aged 13 - 18 years.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar facet joint is an important element of spinal "three-joint complex". Whether there is a relationship between strange structure of facet joint and adolescent lumbar disc herniation (ALDH) is nonetheless controversial, and the current research is mainly centered on adults. OBJECTIVE: To find out the normal lumbar facet joints between 13 and 18 years old to provide anatomical basis for early diagnosis and therapy of lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: CT imaging information of 32 sufferers with lumbar disc herniation aged from 13 to 18 years old in Inner Mongolia have been collected as the ALDH group, and 62 wholesome subjects in the equal period had been chosen as the normal group. Uncooked records of continuous scanning lumbar tomography pix were imported into MIMICS 21.0 for evaluation and size in DICOM format. The parameters include facet joint height, facet joint width, et al. RESULTS: 1. The left and right transverse angle of L5S1 segment in the ALDH group were (52.41 ± 9.2) ° and (55.99 ± 10.91) ° (P < 0.05), and the differences were statistically significant. The right side is larger than the left side. 2. Facet joint thickness in L3-L5 segment of the normal group was significantly higher than that of male (1.63 ± 0.32) mm than that of female (1.38 ± 0.25) mm; In 16-18 years old group, comparison of facet joint cross-sectional area was statistically significant (22.1 ± 3.04) mm2 in male than (18.92 ± 3.71) mm2 in female. 3. In comparison between normal and ALDH group, there was significant difference in L3-4 transverse angle (P < 0.05), L4-5 facet joint height and facet joint thickness (P < 0.05), L5S1 facet joint thickness and transverse angle (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When ALDH occurs in the L5S1 segment, there is a substantial difference between the left and right sides of the transverse angle, and there is a difference in the thickness and the facet joint cross-sectional area between males and females, which is generally larger in males than in females. Facet joint height is larger, transverse angle of left and right is asymmetric, inferior articular process is larger, and facet joint thickness is smaller can indicate that lumbar disc herniation is effortless to occur.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung: An analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung (HAL) is a rare malignant tumor that is defined as a primary alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing lung carcinoma. We aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with the survival of patients with HAL using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We collected data from patients diagnosed with HAL, adenocarcinoma (ADC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung between 1975 and 2016 from the SEER database. The clinical features of patients with ADC and SCC of the lung were also analyzed. The clinical features of HALs were compared to ADCs and SCCs. A chi-square test was used to calculate the correlations between categorical variables, and a t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for continuous variables. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to identify the prognostic factors for the overall survival (OS) of HALs. Two-tailed p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Sixty-five patients with HAL, 2,84,379 patients with ADC, and 1,86,494 with SCC were identified from the SEER database. Fewer males, advanced stages, and more chemotherapy-treated HALs were found. Compared to patients with SCC, patients with HAL were less likely to be male, more likely to be in an advanced stage, and more likely to receive chemotherapy (p < 0.05). The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging was the only prognostic factor for OS in patients with HAL, and stage IV was significantly different from other stages (hazard ratio = 0.045, 95% confidence interval: 0.005-0.398, p = 0.005). Males with HAL were more likely to receive radiotherapy compared to females with HAL (61.8 vs 31.5%, p = 0.034). Younger patients with HAL were more likely to receive chemotherapy (59.4 + 10.2 years vs 69 + 11.3 years, p = 0.001). The primary tumor size of HAL was associated with the location of the primary lesion (p = 0.012). No conventional antitumor therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, were shown to have a significant survival benefit in patients with HAL (p > 0.05). This study showed that stage IV was the only prognostic factor for OS in HALs compared to other clinicopathologic factors. Conventional antitumor therapies failed to show survival benefit; thus, a more effective method by which to treat HAL is needed. Interestingly, the clinical features and the location of the primary lesion were shown to be associated with primary tumor size and treatment in patients with HAL, which have not been reported before.

Role of thoracic radiotherapy in extensive stage small cell lung cancer: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The role of thoracic consolidation radiotherapy in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in these patients. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library to identify qualified clinical studies. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were extracted, and toxicity of the TRT group versus non-TRT group was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included in this meta-analysis, including 936 patients in the TRT group and 1,059 patients in the non-TRT group. The combined results showed that TRT significantly improved OS (HR =0.65; 95% CI: 0.55-0.77, P<0.00001), PFS (HR =0.64; 95% CI: 0.56-0.72, P<0.00001) and LRFS (HR =0.38, 95% CI: 0.26-0.53, P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis showed that OS benefits were observed in patients receiving sequential TRT (HR =0.67; 95% CI: 0.54-0.84, P=0.0006). The addition of TRT significantly improved OS in patients over 65 years of age (HR =0.55; 95% CI: 0.40-0.74, P=0.0001). For patients with only one organ metastasis, there was no significant difference in OS between the two groups (HR =0.61; 95% CI: 0.36-1.01, P=0.06). There was no statistical difference in hematologic toxicity (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia) and non-hematologic toxicity (nausea or vomiting) between the two groups. The incidence of grade ≥3 esophageal toxicity was 4.6% in the TRT group and 0% in the non-TRT group (P=0.0001). Grade ≥3 bronchopulmonary toxicity was 2.9% in the TRT group and 0.8% in the non-TRT group (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: TRT improves OS, PFS and LRFS in patients with ES-SCLC, with a low increase in esophageal and bronchopulmonary toxicity. More randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are expected to confirm our conclusions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020190575.

Experimental study on mechanical vibration massage for treatment of brachial plexus injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of the self-made mechanical vibration massage instrument for treatment of brachial plexus injury in rats and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Brachial plexus injury models were made in 144 Wistar rats and one week after natural healing of the wound, they were randomly divided into 3 groups, mechanical vibration treatment group (MV group), nerve growth factor treatment group (NGF group) and model group, 48 rats in each group. Then again, the each group was randomly divided into 4 subgroups, 7-day group, 14-day group, 21-day group and 28-day group, 12 rats in each subgroup. The MV group were treated by mechanical vibration at acupoints on three-yang and three-yin channels of the hand with the mechanical vibration massage instrument; The NGF group were treated with injection of NGF into musculus pectoralis major on the affected side; And the model group were normally fed with no treatment. After treatment for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, the diameter of both forelimbs were measured, the electrophysiological examination on the brachial plexus in vitro and the ultrastructure observation with electron microscope on the affected side were carried out, the motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and motor nerve action potential (MNAP) of the brachial plexus on the affected side, NGF content of submaxillary gland as well as muscular Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity were determined respectively. RESULTS: The different rates of the forelimb diameter in the MV group and the NGV group on the 14th d, 21st d and 28th d were better than those in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), and in the MV group were better than those in the NGF group on the 21st d and the 28th d (P < 0.05). MNCV in the MV group and the NGV group on the 21st d and 28th d was better than that in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), and in the MV group was better than that in the NGF group on the 28th d (P < 0.05). MNAP in the MV group and the NGV group on the 14th d, 21st d and 28th d was better than that in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001), and in the MV group was better than that in the NGF group on the 21st d and 28th d (P < 0.05). The NGF mean gray index of submaxillary gland in the model group was higher than that in the MV group and the NGF group on the 7th d (P < 0.05); in the NGF group and the model group was higher than that in the MV group on the 14th d (P < 0.05); and in the NGF group and the MV group was higher than that in the model group on the 21st d and 28th d (P < 0.05). Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in the model group and the MV group was higher than that in the NGF group (P < 0.05) on the 14th d, and in the MV group was higher than that in the model group on the 28th d (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As compared with the NGF group and the model group, mechanical vibration treatment can effectively accelerate repair of injured brachial plexus, slow down atrophy of skeletal muscle, and promote secretion of NGF in submaxillary gland.

Comparative transcriptome and co-expression analysis reveal key genes involved in leaf margin serration in Perilla frutescens.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify the genes involved in leaf margin serration in Perilla frutescens. P. frutescens (Family: Lamiaceae) is widely grown in Asian countries. Perilla leaf is the medicinal part stipulated in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. There are mainly two types of perilla leaves: one with serrated leaf margin which is the phenotype described in the pharmacopoeia and the other with smooth leaf margin. Methods: Transcriptome sequencing, co-expression analysis, and qRT-PCR analysis of six perilla tissues sampled from two different phenotypes (serrated and smooth leaves) were performed. Results: Forty-three differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which may potentially regulate leaf shape, were identified through de novo transcriptome sequencing between the two groups. Genes involved in leaf shape regulation were identified. Simultaneously, we validated five DEGs by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with the transcriptome data. In addition, 1186 transcription factors (TFs) belonging to 45 TF families were identified. Moreover, the co-expression network of DEGs was constructed. Conclusion: The study identified the key genes that control leaf shape by comparing the transcriptomes. Our findings also provide basic data for further exploring P. frutescens, which can help study the mechanism of leaf shape development and molecular breeding.

Light-Induced Thermal Decomposition of Alkoxyamines upon Infrared CO2 Laser: Toward Spatially Controlled Polymerization of Methacrylates in Laser Write Experiments.

Systems combining photopolymerization and thermal polymerization have already been reported in the literature. Upon near-infrared (NIR) light exposure, this principle of polymerization is called photoinduced thermal polymerization or photothermal polymerization. Thanks to an NIR dye used as the light-to-heat convertor (called hereafter a heater), an alkoxyamine (e.g., BlocBuilder-MA) is dissociated upon NIR light irradiation, initiating the free-radical polymerization of methacrylates. In the present paper, a novel approach is presented for the first time to decompose the alkoxyamine through a direct heat generation upon mid-infrared irradiation by a CO2 laser at 10.6 µm. Compared with previous approaches, there is no additional heater used in this work, as the heat is directly generated by laser irradiation on the alkoxyamine/monomer system. The polymerization can be initiated for benchmark methacrylate monomers with spatial controllability, that is, only in the laser-irradiated area, opening the way for laser write or three-dimensional printing applications in the presence of fillers.

3D Printing of Polydiacetylene Photocomposite Materials: Two Wavelengths for Two Orthogonal Chemistries.

Polydiacetylene (PDA) materials are appealing and gaining increasing research interest due to their outstanding chromatic transition and fluorescence enhancement effects upon exposure to various environmental stimuli. However, despite the photomask method, there are very few reports about the spatial controllable photopolymerization and subsequent 3D printing of PDA until now. Herein, for the first time, we reported the preparation of PDA photocomposite materials based on polyacrylate through the strategy of dual-wavelength polymerization and orthogonal chemistry. First, diacetylene (DA) monomers were homogeneously dispersed in acrylate resin. Then a violet light emitting diode (LED) (or laser diode) was used for the free radical polymerization of polyacrylate. Finally, UV irradiation was utilized to induce the 1,4-topopolymerization of PDA, which could show a successive blue to purple to red color transition in response to the gradient increment of temperature. Interestingly, instead of photomasks, we applied a 3D printing approach directly to this composite material and fabricated some macroscopic stereo patterns, which also illustrated thermochromic properties. This novel kind of functional photocomposite material would demonstrate a huge application prospect in many potential fields, including colorimetric sensing, information encryption, anticounterfeiting, and so on.

Early Research on COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis.

In December 2019, an outbreak of pneumonia, which was named COVID-2019, emerged as a global health crisis. Scientists worldwide are engaged in attempts to elucidate the transmission and pathogenic mechanisms of the causative coronavirus. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, making it critical to track and review the state of research on COVID-19 to provide guidance for further investigations. Here, bibliometric and knowledge mapping analyses of studies on COVID-19 were performed, including more than 1,500 papers on COVID-19 available in the PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from January 1, 2020 to March 8, 2020. In this review, we found that because of the rapid response of researchers worldwide, the number of COVID-19-related publications showed a high growth trend in the first 10 days of February; among these, the largest number of studies originated in China, the country most affected by pandemic in its early stages. Our findings revealed that the epidemic situation and data accessibility of different research teams have caused obvious difference in emphases of the publications. Besides, there was an unprecedented level of close cooperation and information sharing within the global scientific community relative to previous coronavirus research. We combed and drew the knowledge map of the SARS-CoV-2 literature, explored early status of research on etiology, pathology, epidemiology, treatment, prevention, and control, and discussed knowledge gaps that remain to be urgently addressed. Future perspectives on treatment, prevention, and control are also presented to provide fundamental references for current and future coronavirus research.

Advanced Architectures and Relatives of Air Electrodes in Zn-Air Batteries.

Zn-air batteries are becoming the promising power sources for portable and wearable electronic devices and hybrid/electric vehicles because of their high specific energy density and the low cost for next-generation green and sustainable energy technologies. An air electrode integrated with an oxygen electrocatalyst is the most important component and inevitably determines the performance and cost of a Zn-air battery. This article presents exciting advances and challenges related to air electrodes and their relatives. After a brief introduction of the Zn-air battery, the architectures and oxygen electrocatalysts of air electrodes and relevant electrolytes are highlighted in primary and rechargeable types with different configurations, respectively. Moreover, the individual components and major issues of flexible Zn-air batteries are also highlighted, along with the strategies to enhance the battery performance. Finally, a perspective for design, preparation, and assembly of air electrodes is proposed for the future innovations of Zn-air batteries with high performance.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium ameliorates diabetic foot ulcers in rats

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium (MSC-CM) treating diabetic foot ulcers in rats. Methods: Models of T2DM rats were induced by a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of STZ in SD rats. Models of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) were made by operation on hind limbs in diabetic rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 for each group), i.e., Normal Control group (NC), Diabetes Control group (DM-C), MSC-CM group and Mesenchymal Stem Cells group (MSCs). MSC-CM group was treated with an injection of conditioned medium derived from preconditioned rats' bone marrow MSCs around ulcers. MSCs group were treated with an injection of rats' bone marrow MSCs. The other two groups were treated with an injection of PBS. After the treatment, wound closure, re-epithelialization (thickness of the stratum granulosums of the skin, by H&E staining), cell proliferation (Ki67, by IHC), angiogenesis (CD31, by IFC), autophagy (LC3B, by IFC and WB; autoly-sosome, by EM) and pyroptosis (IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N, by WB) in ulcers were evaluated. Results: After the treatment wound area rate, IL-1β by ELISA, and IL-1β, Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N by WB of MSC-CM group were less than those of DM group. The thickness of the stratum granulosums of the skin, proliferation index of Ki67, mean optic density of CD31 and LC3B by IFC, and LC3B by WB of MSC-CM group were more than those of DM group. The present analysis demonstrated that the injection of MSC-CM into rats with DFUs enhanced the wound-healing process by accelerating wound closure, promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis, enhancing cell autophagy, and reducing cell pyroptosis in ulcers. Conclusions: Studies conducted indicate that MSC-CM administration could be a novel cell-free therapeutic approach to treat DFUs accelerating the wound healing process and avoiding the risk of living cells therapy.