Efficacy and Safety of Cell-Assisted Acellular Adipose Matrix Transfer for Volume Retention and Regeneration Compared to Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection.

BACKGROUND: Cell-assisted acellular adipose matrix (AAM) transfer is a novel technique for soft tissue volume restoration, where AAM acts as a scaffold for tissue proliferation and promotes host cell migration, vascularization, and adipogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of in vivo cell-assisted AAM transfer compared to hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection. METHODS: Human adipose tissue was used to manufacture AAM, and murine adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were prepared. Nude mice were divided into four groups: AAM transfer (AT), ASC-assisted AAM transfer (CAT), HA filler injection (HI), and ASC-assisted HA filler injection (CHI). Eight weeks post-transfer, in vivo graft volume/weight, histology, and gene expression were analyzed to assess efficacy and safety. RESULTS: The AAM retained its three-dimensional scaffold structure without cellular components. AT/CAT showed lower volume retention than HA/CHA; however, CAT maintained a similar volume to HA. Histologically, adipogenesis and collagen formation were increased in AT/CAT compared to HA/CHA, with CAT showing the highest levels. CAT also demonstrated superior angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and gene expression (Vegf and Pparg), along with lower Il-6 expression, higher Il-10 expression, and reduced capsule formation, indicating better biocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-assisted AAM transfer is a promising technique for volume retention and tissue regeneration, offering a safe and effective alternative to HA filler injections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin using floating α-NiMoO4/mpg-C3N4/EP under visible light.

Conventional water treatment processes often fail to effectively remove antibacterial drugs, necessitating advanced strategies. This study presents the synthesis of novel floating, visible light-active α-NiMoO4/mpg-C3N4/EP composites for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CFX), a widely used quinolone antibiotic, from water. These composites are easily recoverable, highly stable, and demonstrate excellent reusability. The optimal photocatalyst, NC-101/EP (α-NiMoO4/mpg-C3N4 = 10:1), achieved 96.2 ± 1.1% degradation of CFX at 1.6 g L-1 within 80 min under visible light, significantly outperforming previous benchmarks. This high efficiency is attributed to the formation of interfacial junctions and a built-in electric field, which enhanced charge transfer and hydroxyl radical generation through an S-scheme mechanism. Fluorescence spectroscopy provided precise monitoring of CFX degradation without interference from coexisting intermediates. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that hydroxyl radicals initiated highly favorable and spontaneous oxidation of CFX, with a reaction rate constant of 6.04 × 109 M-1 s-1. The preferred oxidation pathway followed the sequence: HO-addition > H-abstraction > single electron transfer. Four degradation pathways were identified, with key intermediates confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The process also significantly reduced CFX toxicity, ensuring minimal environmental impact. These findings position NC-101/EP as a promising photocatalyst for large-scale water treatment applications targeting antibiotic contamination.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Repair of Simple Congenital Heart Defects Using the Right Vertical Infra-Axillary Thoracotomy Approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical repair for patients diagnosed with simple congenital heart defects (CHD) using the minimally invasive right vertical infra-axillary minithoracotomy (RVIAT) approach. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive RVIAT for repair of CHD between August 2019 and August 2022. There were 382 patients who underwent 8 primary procedures and were included in this study. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 16.2 (interquartile range [IQR], 7.2 to 41.9) months, and the median weight of the patients was 8.8 (IQR, 6.5 to 14) kg. The preoperative diagnoses were as follows: ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, partial atrioventricular septal defect, cor triatriatum, complete atrioventricular septal defect, and myxoma. The mean aortic cross-clamp time, bypass time, and operation time were 45.4 ± 19.3 min, 65.6 ± 23.1 min, and 154.5 ± 29.7 min, respectively. There was no in-hospital mortality or conversion to median sternotomy. Two patients (0.5%) required early reoperation; 1 due to postoperative bleeding and 1 for permanent pacemaker implantation. Other complications included trivial residual shunts (23 of 382, 6%), pleural effusion (3 of 382, 0.8%), pneumothorax (0.8%), and wound infection (4 of 382, 1%). There were 2 late noncardiac deaths. Late reoperation was performed on 1 patient with progressive aortic valve regurgitation who required aortic valvuloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: RVIAT is a minimally invasive approach that can be safely performed on patients with simple CHDs. RVIAT may be a good alternative approach for median sternotomy and cardiac intervention.

Comparison of Stored and Fresh Injectable Acellular Adipose Matrix in Soft Tissue Reconstruction in a Murine Model.

BACKGROUND: We previously showed comparable volume effects of injections of acellular adipose matrix (AAM), an adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix, and conventional fat grafting in a murine model. Thus, AAM could be a novel allogenic injectable product. However, its retention rate poses a concern, as repeated AAM injections may be required in some cases. This study investigated the biological properties and therapeutic value of stored AAM and compared them with those of fresh AAM, in a murine model. METHODS: AAM was manufactured from fresh human abdominoplasty fat. Fresh and stored injectable AAM was prepared within 24 h and 3 months after generation, respectively. Either fresh or stored injectable AAM was injected into the scalp of athymic nude mice (0.2 mL/sample, n = 6 per group). After 8 weeks, graft retention was assessed through weight measurement, and histological analysis was performed, including immunofluorescence staining for CD31 and perilipin. RESULTS: Retention rate was significantly reduced in the stored compared to the fresh injectable AAM group. Nevertheless, histological analysis revealed comparable inflammatory cell presence, with minimal capsule formation, in both groups. Adipogenesis occurred in both groups, with no significant difference in the blood vessel area (%) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the volume effects of stored AAM for soft tissue reconstruction were limited compared to those of fresh injectable AAM, stored AAM had similar capacity for adipogenesis and angiogenesis. This promising allogeneic injectable holds the potential to serve as an effective "off-the-shelf" alternative for repeated use within a 3-month storage period. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors https://link.springer.com/journal/00266 .

Daily station-level records of air temperature, snow depth, and ground temperature in the Northern Hemisphere.

Air temperature (Ta), snow depth (Sd), and soil temperature (Tg) are crucial variables for studying the above- and below-ground thermal conditions, especially in high latitudes. However, in-situ observations are frequently sparse and inconsistent across various datasets, with a significant amount of missing data. This study has assembled a comprehensive dataset of in-situ observations of Ta, Sd, and Tg for the Northern Hemisphere (higher than 30°N latitude), spanning 1960-2021. This dataset encompasses metadata and daily data time series for 27,768, 32,417, and 659 gages for Ta, Sd, and Tg, respectively. Using the ERA5-Land reanalysis data product, we applied deep learning methodology to reconstruct the missing data that account for 54.5%, 59.3%, and 74.3% of Ta, Sd, and Tg daily time series, respectively. The obtained high temporal resolution dataset can be used to better understand physical phenomena and relevant mechanisms, such as the dynamics of land-surface-atmosphere energy exchange, snowpack, and permafrost.

Impact of preoperative respiratory distress on outcomes of slide tracheoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Children with congenital tracheal stenosis born in the developing world face a high risk of mortality due to limited access to proper treatment. Patients who required preoperative respiratory support were suspected to have poor survival after slide tracheoplasty; however, this was not clearly demonstrated in the previous studies. This study aims to investigate the impact of preoperative respiratory conditions on outcomes of slide tracheoplasty. METHODS: From 2016 to 2022, children who underwent slide tracheoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with respiratory distress requiring emergency operations (group A) were compared with patients in stable condition who were scheduled for surgery (group B). RESULTS: Perioperative results revealed that group A (n = 43) had a longer bypass time (P < 0.001), operation time (P = 0.01), postoperative ventilation time (P < 0.001) and length of intensive care unit stay (P = 0.00125) than group B (n = 60). The early mortality rate was 7.8%, and the actuarial 5-year survival rate was 85.3%. The cumulative incidence test revealed that group A was highly significant for overall mortality [sudistribution (SHR) 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-16.4; P = 0.023]. Risk factors for overall mortality were prolonged postoperative ventilation time (hazard ratio 3.86; 95% CI 1.20-12.48; P = 0.024), bronchial stenosis (hazard ratio 5.77; 95% CI 1.72-19.31; P = 0.004), and preoperative tracheal mucositis (hazard ratio 5.67; 95% CI 1.51-21.31; P = 0.01). Four patients needed reintervention during a follow-up of 28.4 months (interquartile range 15.3-47.3). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative respiratory distress negatively affected the outcomes of patients who required slide tracheoplasty. Therefore, early detection of congenital tracheal stenosis and aggressive slide tracheoplasty are crucial and obligatory to enhance long-term survival in this lethal congenital airway disease.

When intervention becomes imperative: a case report of spontaneous vulvar edema during pregnancy.

Spontaneous idiopathic vulvar edema during the second trimester is a rare condition. The approach to managing this condition involves relieving symptoms, identifying underlying causes, and implementing appropriate treatment. Managing such cases during pregnancy is challenging because of concerns for potential adverse fetal outcomes. Conservative management expects the condition to be relieved spontaneously postpartum, whereas invasive treatment offers a more rapid resolution. Treatment choices are controversial because each method has its pros and cons and influences the delivery process to a certain extent. Surgical drainage becomes a viable option when patients are not responsive to medications. We report a case of spontaneous massive vulvar edema in a 22-year-old primigravida in her 23rd week of pregnancy. After ruling out other notable causes of vulvar edema, we decided to intervene using an invasive procedure because she complained of progressive symptoms and discomfort. Subsequently, the edema subsided postprocedure, and the patient experienced successful labor with no complications. This report aims to alert clinicians that drainage attempts should be considered in pregnant patients with worsening symptoms.

Transconjunctival Levator Aponeurosis-Müller Muscle Complex Plication to Correct the Acquired Ptosis Following Double-Eyelid Surgery.

One of the most common adverse outcomes of an upper blepharoplasty involving double-eyelid surgery is asymmetric upper eyelids due to unbalanced supratarsal folds or a difference in the palpebral fissure height. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transconjunctival levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex plication for correcting acquired ptosis following double-eyelid surgery. This retrospective study evaluated 18 patients who underwent transconjunctival levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex plication between June 2016 and June 2019 to correct acquired ptosis. On the basis of the main area of eyelid drooping, ptosis was categorized as central (mid-pupillary), medial (medial limbus), or lateral (lateral limbus). Preoperative and postoperative palpebral fissure heights were measured and compared. Three months postsurgery, the mean difference in palpebral fissure height between bilateral eyes decreased from 0.96 to 0.04 mm in the medial ( P <0.001), from 0.93 to 0.00 mm in central ( P =0.003), and from 1.30 to -0.03 mm in lateral ptosis ( P =0.079). In 13 patients who underwent unilateral correction, the amount of plication was significantly associated with increased palpebral fissure height at the medial limbus ( P =0.043) and mid-pupillary line ( P =0.035). All patients reported a significant improvement in satisfaction. Five patients experienced acute postoperative complications, including chemosis, conjunctival injection, and foreign body sensation, all of which were resolved after a month of observation. No asymmetries or recurrences were observed. Transconjunctival levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex plication is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective technique for correcting acquired ptosis following upper eyelid surgery.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for metanephric adenoma in a pediatric patient - The first case report from vietnam.

Metanephric adenoma presents as a rare benign tumor in children with differentiated diagnoses: Wilms tumor or renal cell carcinoma. When confronted with small renal tumors, whether they fall into one of these three diagnostic categories, tumor resection surgery with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is considered a viable and effective operative approach. Herein, we report the case of an 11-year-old female patient initially diagnosed with stage T1a renal cell carcinoma with postoperative pathology results confirming metanephric adenoma. Successfully treated with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, the patient showed no signs of recurrence or metastasis during follow-up.

Anti-Staphylococcus aureus potential of compounds from Ganoderma sp.: A comprehensive molecular docking and simulation approaches.

In this study, a series of secondary metabolites from Ganoderma sp. were screened against Staphylococcus aureus protein targets, including as phosphotransacetylase, clumping factor A, and dihydrofolate reductase, using molecular docking simulations. The chemicals that showed the strongest binding energy with the targeted proteins were ganodermanontriol, lucidumol B, ganoderic acid J, ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, 7-oxoganoderic acid Z, ganoderic acid AM1, ganosinoside A, ganoderic acid D, and 24R-ergosta-7,2E-diene-3ß,5α,6ß-triol. Interestingly, ganosinoside A showed the greatest affinity for the protein clumping factor A, a result validated by molecular dynamic simulation. Additionally, three natural Ganoderma sp. Strains as Ganoderma lingzhi VNKKK1903, Ganoderma lingzhi VNKK1905A2, and Amauroderma subresinosum VNKKK1904 were collected from Kon Ka Kinh National Park in central land of Vietnam and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus using an agar well diffusion technique. These results suggest that the fungal extracts and secondary metabolites may serve as valuable sources of antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus. These findings provided an important scientific groundwork for further exploration of the antibacterial mechanisms of compounds derived from Ganoderma sp. in future research.

Self-Buffering system for Cost-Effective production of lactic acid from glucose and xylose using Acid-Tolerant Issatchenkia orientalis.

This study presents a cost-effective strategy for producing organic acids from glucose and xylose using the acid-tolerant yeast, Issatchenkia orientalis. I. orientalis was engineered to produce lactic acid from xylose, and the resulting strain, SD108XL, successfully converted sorghum hydrolysates into lactic acid. In order to enable low-pH fermentation, a self-buffering strategy, where the lactic acid generated by the SD108XL strain during fermentation served as a buffer, was developed. As a result, the SD108 strain produced 67 g/L of lactic acid from 73 g/L of glucose and 40 g/L of xylose, simulating a sugar composition of sorghum biomass hydrolysates. Moreover, techno-economic analysis underscored the efficiency of the self-buffering strategy in streamlining the downstream process, thereby reducing production costs. These results demonstrate the potential of I. orientalis as a platform strain for the cost-effective production of organic acids from cellulosic hydrolysates.

Mitochondrial ATP generation is more proteome efficient than glycolysis.

Metabolic efficiency profoundly influences organismal fitness. Nonphotosynthetic organisms, from yeast to mammals, derive usable energy primarily through glycolysis and respiration. Although respiration is more energy efficient, some cells favor glycolysis even when oxygen is available (aerobic glycolysis, Warburg effect). A leading explanation is that glycolysis is more efficient in terms of ATP production per unit mass of protein (that is, faster). Through quantitative flux analysis and proteomics, we find, however, that mitochondrial respiration is actually more proteome efficient than aerobic glycolysis. This is shown across yeast strains, T cells, cancer cells, and tissues and tumors in vivo. Instead of aerobic glycolysis being valuable for fast ATP production, it correlates with high glycolytic protein expression, which promotes hypoxic growth. Aerobic glycolytic yeasts do not excel at aerobic growth but outgrow respiratory cells during oxygen limitation. We accordingly propose that aerobic glycolysis emerges from cells maintaining a proteome conducive to both aerobic and hypoxic growth.

Effect of Injectable Acellular Adipose Matrix on Soft Tissue Reconstruction in a Murine Model.

BACKGROUND: The extracellular matrix isolated from adipose tissue, known as acellular adipose matrix (AAM), represents a novel biomaterial. AAM functions as a scaffold that not only supports stem cell proliferation and differentiation but also induces adipogenesis and angiogenesis. This study aims to investigate the volumetric effects and microenvironmental changes associated with injectable AAM in comparison to conventional fat grafting. METHODS: AAM was manufactured from fresh human abdominoplasty fat using a mechanically modified method and then transformed into an injectable form. Lipoaspirate was harvested employing the Coleman technique. A weight and volume study was conducted on athymic nude mice by injecting either injectable AAM or lipoaspirate into the scalp (n=6 per group). After eight weeks, graft retention was assessed through weight measurement and volumetric analysis using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning. Histological analysis was performed using immunofluorescence staining for perilipin and CD31. RESULTS: Injectable AAM exhibited similar weight and volume effects in murine models. Histological analysis revealed comparable inflammatory cell presence with minimal capsule formation when compared to conventional fat grafts. Adipogenesis occurred in both AAM-injected and conventional fat graft models, with no significant difference in the blood vessel area (%) between the two. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, injectable AAM demonstrates effectiveness comparable to conventional fat grafting concerning volume effects and tissue regeneration in soft tissue reconstruction. This promising allogeneic injectable holds the potential to serve as a safe and effective "Off-the-Shelf" alternative in both aesthetic and reconstructive clinical practices. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Histological Comparison of Nanofat and Lipoconcentrate: Enhanced Effects of Lipoconcentrate on Adipogenesis and Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Nanofat and lipoconcentrate contain adipose-derived stem cells and growth factors, and have wide clinical applications in the regenerative field. This study aimed to investigate the microenvironmental changes associated with nanofat and lipoconcentrate. METHODS: Conventional fat, nanofat, or lipoconcentrate (0.2 mL each, n = 5 per group) were injected subcutaneously into the dorsal flanks of athymic nude mice. The graft weights were measured at postoperative week 4; the grafts and their overlying skin were used for histological analyses. RESULTS: Weights of the lipoconcentrate grafts were significantly greater than those of the conventional fat (p < 0.05) and nanofat (p < 0.01) grafts. There was no significant difference in inflammation, oil cysts, and fibrosis between the conventional fat and nanofat groups. Histological examination of the lipoconcentrate grafts showed less macrophage infiltration and the formation of fibrosis and oil cysts. Additionally, adipogenesis and angiogenesis were induced more in the lipoconcentrate grafts than in the nanofat grafts (p < 0.01). Lipoconcentrate and nanofat improved dermal thickness (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively, versus the baseline). CONCLUSION: Lipoconcentrate grafts had greater volume and shape retention than conventional fat and nanofat grafts. They had better histological structure and acted as scaffolds for adipogenesis and angiogenesis. Both products showed regenerative effects on dermal thickness; however, only lipoconcentrate grafts had the required volume and regenerative effects, allowing it to serve as a novel adipose-free grafting method for facial rejuvenation and contouring. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The Arterial Switch Operation in the Developing World: Risk Factors and Current Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Published data on the outcomes of the arterial switch operation in the developing world are limited. We sought to identify the midterm outcomes of and risk factors for mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing the arterial switch operation at a high-volume center in Vietnam. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 608 patients who underwent an arterial switch operation for the treatment of transposition of the great arteries (TGA; n = 509) or double-outlet right ventricle TGA (DORV-TGA; n = 99) at a single center from 2010 to 2021. RESULTS: Overall early mortality was 5.9%, and late mortality was 1%. Multivariate Cox regression showed weight at operation of <3 kg (P < .001), prolonged aortic cross-clamp time (P < .001), and need for secondary aortic cross-clamp (P = .011) as risk factors for overall mortality. The actuarial 10-year survival rate was 93%. The overall cardiac reoperation rate was significantly higher in patients with DORV-TGA (hazard ratio [HR], 16.43; 95% CI, 4.70-57.43; P < .001). The rate of freedom from cardiac reoperation at 10 years was 94%. Risk factors for outflow tract reoperation were patients with DORV-TGA (HR, 23.28; 95% CI, 2.86-189.66; P = .003), single coronary artery (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.16-14.46; P = .028), and mild aortic valve regurgitation observed in 3.7% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of the arterial switch operation in a low- and middle-income country were satisfactory. Nevertheless, the complexity of the procedure and lower weight of patients are still challenges. Patients with DORV-TGA and single coronary artery need to be closely followed up.

Isolation and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides Isolated from Brevibacillus halotolerans 7WMA2 for the Activity Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Multidrug resistance to pathogens has posed a severe threat to public health. The threat could be addressed by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with broad-spectrum suppression. In this study, Brevibacillus halotolerans 7WMA2, isolated from marine sediment, produced AMPs against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The AMPs were precipitated by ammonium sulfate 30% (w/v) from culture broth and dialyzed by a 1 kDa membrane. Tryptone Soy Agar (TSA) was used for the cultivation and resulted in the largest bacteria-inhibiting zones under aerobic conditions at 25 °C, 48 h. An SDS-PAGE gel overlay test revealed that strain 7WMA2 could produce AMPs of 5-10 kDa and showed no degradation when held at 121 °C for 30 min at a wide pH 2-12 range. The AMPs did not cause toxicity to HeLa cells with concentrations up to 500 µg/mL while increasing the arbitrary unit up to eight times. The study showed that the AMPs produced were unique, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial ability.

Emerging nonmodel eukaryotes for biofuel production.

Microbial synthesis of biofuels offers a promising solution to the global environmental and energy concerns. However, the main challenge of microbial cell factories is their high fermentation costs. Model hosts, such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are typically used for proof-of-concept studies of producing different types of biofuels, however, they have a limited potential for biofuel production at an industrially relevant scale due to the weak stability/robustness and narrow substrate scope. With the advancements of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, nonmodel eukaryotes, with naturally favorable phenotypic and metabolic features, have been emerging as promising biofuel producers. Here, we introduce the emerging nonmodel eukaryotes for the biofuel production and discuss their specific advantages, especially those with the capacity of producing cellulosic ethanol, higher alcohols, and fatty acid-/terpene-derived biofuel molecules. We also propose the challenges and prospects for developing nonmodel eukaryotic as the ideal hosts for future biofuel production.