Carbon Dioxide Fractional Laser Treatment Induces Lgr5+ Stem Cell Activation and Hair Regrowth Through the Canonical Wnt/ß-Catenin Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Different types of alopecia have negative impacts on patients. Recently, some kinds of laser or light therapies have been reported to effectively alleviate hair loss. Carbon dioxide fractional laser (CO2FL) treatment is one of the most effective laser treatments, but its beneficial effects and exact mechanism in hair regrowth have not been reported in detail. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism further. METHODS: C57 and Lgr5-Cre: Rosa-mTmG mouse models of hair regrowth were established by CO2FL treatment, and the parameters that induced the best effect were determined. Tissues were harvested on the day prior to the treatment day and on days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 after CO2FL. H&E and immunofluorescence staining, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blotting (WB) and related inhibitor were used to determine the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of CO2FL treatment on the hair cycle and hair regrowth. In clinical trial, five participants were treated three sessions at 1-month intervals to obverse the effects. RESULTS: Hair regrew and covered the treatment area on the tenth day after CO2FL treatment with the best parameters, while the control group showed signs of hair growth on the 14th day. H&E and immunofluorescence staining showed that the transition of hair follicles (HFs) from telogen to anagen was accelerated, and the rapid activation and proliferation of Lgr5+ hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) were observed in the treatment group. The RNA-seq, qPCR and WB results indicated that the Wnt pathway was significantly activated after CO2FL treatment. Improvement achieved with CO2FL treatment in clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that CO2FL treatment can promote hair regrowth by activating Lgr5+ HFSCs and upregulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Clinical trial results demonstrated that CO2FL treatment will be a promising therapeutic regimen for alopecia. 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 .

Integrated Multiomics and Synergistic Functional Network Revealed the Mechanism in the Tolerance of Different Ecotypes of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. to Doxycycline Pollution.

Tetracycline pollution in soil irreversibly damages the biosafety of plants by inhibiting the mitochondrial function. Some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plants, such as Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, have a strong tolerance to mitochondrial damage. We comprehensively compared the doxycycline (DOX) tolerances of two ecotypes of S. miltiorrhiza in the Sichuan and Shandong provinces and found that the Sichuan ecotype had a lower yield reduction, more stable accumulation of medicinal ingredients, higher mitochondrial integrity, and a more robust antioxidant system. The synergetic response networks under DOX pollution of both ecotypes were constructed using RNA sequencing and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The differentiation of the downstream pathways of aromatic amino acids (AAAs) produced variations in the DOX tolerance of S. miltiorrhiza in different regions. The Sichuan ecotype maintained redox homeostasis and xylem development by activating salvianolic acid and indole biosynthesis, while the Shandong ecotype balanced chemical and mechanical defenses by regulating the flavonoid biosynthesis. Rosmarinic acid, a downstream AAA molecule, maintains the mitochondrial homeostasis of plant seedlings under DOX pollution by targeting the ABCG28 transporter. We also highlight the significance of downstream AAA small molecules in guiding the development of bio-based environmental pollution remediation agents.

Is remnant preservation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction superior to the standard technique? An overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament injury is a common knee joint injury. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a common surgical treatment to treat anterior cruciate ligament injury. It may have certain advantages to retain the ligament stump during the operation, but the results of systematic evaluation on whether to retain the ligament stump are different. The conclusion is still controversial, and the quality needs to be strictly evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the methodological quality, risk of bias, reporting quality and evidence quality of the systematic review of remnant preservation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and to provide reference for clinical work. METHODS: We systematically searched the system evaluations in 8 electronic databases, the languages were limited to Chinese and English, and the time limit was from the establishment of the database to June 2023. Two reviewers independently screened literature and extracted data. The methodological quality, risk of bias, reporting quality and quality of evidence were evaluated by AMSTAR-2, ROBIS, PRISMA and GRADE tools. RESULTS: A total of 14 systematic reviews were included. The evaluation of results showed that the methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was relatively low, of which 5 were low quality and 9 were critically low quality. A small number of systematic reviews were low risk of bias. The system evaluation reports are relatively complete, but the lack of program registration is a common problem. A total of 111 pieces of clinical evidence were extracted from the included 14 systematic reviews. The quality of evidence was generally low, with only 7 pieces of high-quality evidence, 45 pieces of medium-quality evidence, and the rest were low and very low-quality evidence. Among the reasons for relegation, imprecision is the most common, followed by inconsistency and indirectness. The existing evidence shows that patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant preservation have certain advantages in knee joint function, joint stability and proprioception recovery, which may be a more effective surgical method. However, it may also increase the incidence of postoperative complications and adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Compared with Standard Technique, Remnant Preservation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction has more advantages in restoring joint function and stability and proprioception. But the potential risks should also be considered by surgeons. At present, the quality of evidence is generally low, and the reliability of the conclusion is insufficient. It still needs to be verified and further in-depth research is needed.

Single-cell analyses reveal the differentiation shifts of Schwann cells in neonatal rat sciatic nerves.

Schwann cells provide essential physical and chemical support for neurons and play critical roles in the peripheral nervous system. To acquire an enhanced understanding of the genetic characteristics of Schwann cells, we analyzed single-cell transcriptional profiling of Schwann cells in neonatal rat sciatic nerves, ordered the pseudotemporal states of Schwann cells, and determined the magnitude of RNA velocity vectors as well as cell cycle stages of Schwann cell subtypes. We discovered the cellular heterogeneity of Schwann cells in neonatal rat sciatic nerves, revealed the dynamic changes of Schwann cell subtypes, and pointed out the differentiation trajectory from Timp3- and Col5a3-expressing Schwann cell subtype 3 to other Schwann cell subtypes. The functional interpretation further indicated that subtype 3 Schwann cells display genetic signatures of DNA replication and the acquisition of mesenchymal traits. Our study presents a transcriptional summarization of the differentiation states of Schwann cell subtypes in neonatal rat sciatic nerves at single-cell resolution and may serve as a foundation for a deeper comprehension of the involvement of Schwann cells in the development and regeneration of peripheral nerves.

Three-Dimensional Arterial Distribution Over the Midline of the Nasal Bone.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive understanding of arterial variations around the midline of the nose is of great importance for the safety of filler injection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to clearly define the 3-dimensional location of the arteries along the midline of the nasal bone. METHODS: The arterial structures overlapping the nasal bone along the midline were observed in 79 cadavers. RESULTS: The present study found that 0 to 3 named arteries per nose segment could be identified. All the arterial structures were located in or above the superficial musculoaponeurotic system layer overlapping the nasal bone. The probability of encountering named arteries at 5 defined points, P1 to P5, was 5/79 (6.3%), 4/79 (5.1%), 1/79 (1.3%), 6/79 (7.6%), and 9/79 (11.4%), respectively. The depth of the main arterial trunk was 1.2 ± 0.4 mm, 1.6 ± 0.6 mm, 1.8 ± 0 mm, 1.0 ± 0.4 mm, and 0.9 ± 0.5 mm below the skin at P1 to P5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The authors confirmed that sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic system injection along the midline through a needle is anatomically reliable and that a technique with 1 entry point through the rhinion via a cannula can easily keep the needle sufficiently deep for safe nasal filler injection.

Betacellulin regulates peripheral nerve regeneration by affecting Schwann cell migration and axon elongation.

BACKGROUND: Growth factors execute essential biological functions and affect various physiological and pathological processes, including peripheral nerve repair and regeneration. Our previous sequencing data showed that the mRNA coding for betacellulin (Btc), an epidermal growth factor protein family member, was up-regulated in rat sciatic nerve segment after nerve injury, implying the potential involvement of Btc during peripheral nerve regeneration. METHODS: Expression of Btc was examined in Schwann cells by immunostaining. The function of Btc in regulating Schwann cells was investigated by transfecting cultured cells with siRNA segment against Btc or treating cells with Btc recombinant protein. The influence of Schwann cell-secreted Btc on neurons was determined using a co-culture assay. The in vivo effects of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation after rat sciatic nerve injury were further evaluated. RESULTS: Immunostaining images and ELISA outcomes indicated that Btc was present in and secreted by Schwann cells. Transwell migration and wound healing observations showed that transfection with siRNA against Btc impeded Schwann cell migration while application of exogenous Btc advanced Schwann cell migration. Besides the regulating effect on Schwann cell phenotype, Btc secreted by Schwann cells influenced neuron behavior and increased neurite length. In vivo evidence supported the promoting role of Btc in nerve regeneration after both rat sciatic nerve crush injury and transection injury. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the essential roles of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation and imply the potential application of Btc as a regenerative strategy for treating peripheral nerve injury.

Improvement of Surgical Scars by Early Intervention With Carbon Dioxide Fractional Laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laser therapy during the early stage of wound healing can reduce surgical scar formation. Previous clinical trials showed that ablative fractional laser (AFL) therapy might have achieved the best outcomes; however, there was no consensus on the laser therapy protocol. The current study investigated the efficacy of early intervention with carbon dioxide FL (CO2 FL) in reducing the surgical scars in patients of all age groups to understand the effects of specific intervention timing, light dose, number of treatments, treatment interval on the therapeutic outcome, and side effects. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within 1 week after suture removal, 18 patients received low-energy CO2 FL therapy on their incisional wounds from facial or neck surgery. The treatments were performed once every 3 months for 1-3 sessions. After the surgical treatment, we applied a topical gel that contained recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the incisional wounds to facilitate wound healing. The outcomes were evaluated by the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and a satisfaction survey (the quartile grading scale) before and 3 months after completing the therapy was conducted. During the same period, 15 patients who had not received any treatment for about one year after face and neck surgery were randomly selected as the untreated control group. RESULTS: In the treatment group, 18 patients had no obvious scar marks after the laser therapy. The satisfaction survey showed excellent outcomes in 16 (88.9%) patients and good outcomes in two (11.1%). After treatment, the average VSS scale and satisfaction score of the treatment group were 1.11 and 3.89, respectively; while the average VSS scale of the control group was 3.07 and the satisfaction score was 1.93. There were significant differences in VSS scale and satisfaction score between the treatment group and the control group (P < 0.01). No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention with CO2 FL on surgical wounds achieved satisfactory outcomes in improving the surgical scars. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enhancement of Solasodine Extracted from Fruits of Solanum nigrum L. by Microwave-Assisted Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction and Analysis by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Background: Solasodine is a major bioactive ingredient in Solanum nigrum L. that has strong pharmacological characteristics. Therefore, the development of a simple and effective extraction method for obtaining solasodine is highly important. This study aims to provide a rapid and effective method for extracting solasodine from Solanum nigrum L. by microwave-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (MAATPE). Methods: First, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) conditions were established for the detection of solasodine. Then, the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) compositions were examined. On the basis of the results of single-factor experiments, for a better yield, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize influential factors including the extraction temperature, extraction time and liquid-to-solid ratio. Results: The maximum extraction yield of 7.11 ± 0.08 mg/g was obtained at 44 °C, an extraction time of 15 min, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 42:1 mL/g in the ATPS consisting of EtOH solvent, (NH4)2SO4, and water (28:16:56, w/w/w). The extraction yield of the alkaloid obtained using this method was markedly higher than those of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Conclusions: In this work, solasodine was extracted by MAATPE for the first time and a high yield was obtained. MAATPE is a simple, rapid, and green technique for extraction from medical plants. Thus, the present study will enable the development of a feasible extraction method of active alkaloids from Solanum nigrum L.

Inhibition of miR-182-5p protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia-induced apoptosis by targeting CIAPIN1.

Myocardial infarction (MI), a type of ischemic heart disease, is generally accompanied by apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. MicroRNAs play the vital roles in the development and physiology of MI. Here, we established a downregulation model of miR-182-5p in H9c2 cells under hypoxic conditions to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms for miR-182-5p in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis (HICA). RT-qPCR indicated that miR-182-5p levels exhibit a time-dependent increase in the rate of apoptosis induced by hypoxia. The results from the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assays indicated that cardiomyocyte injury noticeably increased after exposure to hypoxia. Meanwhile, hypoxia dramatically increased the apoptosis rate [which was reflected in the results from the annexin V - propidium iodide (PI) assay], enhanced caspase-3 activity, and reduced the expression of Bcl-2. Downregulation of miR-182-5p can significantly reverse hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury or apoptosis. Importantly, bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that CIAPIN1 (cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1) was a direct functional target of miR-182-5p, and that inhibition of miR-182-5p can lead to an increase in CIAPIN1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the knockdown of CIAPIN1 with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) efficiently abolished the protective effects of miR-182-5p inhibitor on HICA, demonstrating that miR-182-5p plays a pro-apoptotic role in cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions by downregulating CIAPIN1. Collectively, our results demonstrate that miR-182-5p may serve an underlying target to prevent cardiomyocytes from hypoxia-induced injury or apoptosis.

Hindrances to precise recovery of cellular forces in fibrous biopolymer networks.

How cells move through the three-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) is of increasing interest in attempts to understand important biological processes such as cancer metastasis. Just as in motion on flat surfaces, it is expected that experimental measurements of cell-generated forces will provide valuable information for uncovering the mechanisms of cell migration. However, the recovery of forces in fibrous biopolymer networks may suffer from large errors. Here, within the framework of lattice-based models, we explore possible issues in force recovery by solving the inverse problem: how can one determine the forces cells exert to their surroundings from the deformation of the ECM? Our results indicate that irregular cell traction patterns, the uncertainty of local fiber stiffness, the non-affine nature of ECM deformations and inadequate knowledge of network topology will all prevent the precise force determination. At the end, we discuss possible ways of overcoming these difficulties.

Polarity mechanisms such as contact inhibition of locomotion regulate persistent rotational motion of mammalian cells on micropatterns.

Pairs of endothelial cells on adhesive micropatterns rotate persistently, but pairs of fibroblasts do not; coherent rotation is present in normal mammary acini and kidney cells but absent in cancerous cells. Why? To answer this question, we develop a computational model of pairs of mammalian cells on adhesive micropatterns using a phase field method and study the conditions under which persistent rotational motion (PRM) emerges. Our model couples the shape of the cell, the cell's internal chemical polarity, and interactions between cells such as volume exclusion and adhesion. We show that PRM can emerge from this minimal model and that the cell-cell interface may be influenced by the nucleus. We study the effect of various cell polarity mechanisms on rotational motion, including contact inhibition of locomotion, neighbor alignment, and velocity alignment, where cells align their polarity to their velocity. These polarity mechanisms strongly regulate PRM: Small differences in polarity mechanisms can create significant differences in collective rotation. We argue that the existence or absence of rotation under confinement may lead to insight into the cell's methods for coordinating collective cell motility.

Antimicrobial blue light therapy for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in a mouse burn model: implications for prophylaxis and treatment of combat-related wound infections.

In this study, we investigated the utility of antimicrobial blue light therapy for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in a mouse burn model. A bioluminescent clinical isolate of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii was obtained. The susceptibility of A. baumannii to blue light (415 nm)-inactivation was compared in vitro to that of human keratinocytes. Repeated cycles of sublethal inactivation of bacterial by blue light were performed to investigate the potential resistance development of A. baumannii to blue light. A mouse model of third degree burn infected with A. baumannii was developed. A single exposure of blue light was initiated 30 minutes after bacterial inoculation to inactivate A. baumannii in mouse burns. It was found that the multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strain was significantly more susceptible than keratinocytes to blue light inactivation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed blue light-induced ultrastructural damage in A. baumannii cells. Fluorescence spectroscopy suggested that endogenous porphyrins exist in A. baumannii cells. Blue light at an exposure of 55.8 J/cm(2) significantly reduced the bacterial burden in mouse burns. No resistance development to blue light inactivation was observed in A. baumannii after 10 cycles of sublethal inactivation of bacteria. No significant DNA damage was detected in mouse skin by means of a skin TUNEL assay after a blue light exposure of 195 J/cm(2).

PtRu nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped polyhedral mesoporous carbons as electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation.

Nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbons (NMPCs) with well-developed polyhedral morphology were prepared by direct carbonization of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanopolyhedrons. The fantastic structural characteristics of NMPCs such as ultrahigh BET surface area (1960 m(2) g(-1)), large pore volume (1.16 cm(3) g(-1)), and nitrogen doping make it an excellent catalyst support. PtRu nanoparticles (with a size of approximately 1.9 nm) were homogeneously supported on NMPCs by microwave-assisted reduction in ethylene glycol, and the obtained PtRu/NMPCs catalyst shows a significantly higher electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation than the typical commercial PtRu/C (E-TEK) catalyst.

Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicines as a Complementary Therapy Combined With Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

BACKGROUND: In China, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), as a complementary therapy combined with chemotherapy, is widely used in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). In order to systematically evaluate and synthesize existing evidence to provide a scientific basis for the efficacy and safety of this complementary therapy, we present an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) on the topic of TCMs as a complementary therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC. METHODS: SRs/MAs on TCMs combined with chemotherapy for GC were comprehensively searched in 8 databases. Methodological quality, risk of bias, reporting quality, and quality of evidence were assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic (ROBIS) scale, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020), as well as the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: Thirteen published SRs/MAs were included in our study. In terms of methodology, all SRs/MAs were considered to be of very low quality. Only 3 SRs/MAs has been assessed as low risk of bias. None of the SRs/MAs has been fully reported on the checklist. A total of 97 outcome indicators extracted from the included SRs/MAs were evaluated, and only 1 item was assessed as high quality. CONCLUSIONS: TCMs may be an effective and safe complementary therapy in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC. However, this conclusion must be treated with caution as the quality of the evidence provided by SRs/MAs is generally low.

Construction of site-specific magnetic Z-scheme CdS/Fe3O4@N-doped graphene aerogel microtube/N-doped TiO2 with porous structure: enhanced catalytic performance in photo-Fenton reaction.

The development of composite photocatalysts with high charge transfer efficiency, great visible light absorption, and quick recovery has aroused the interest of many researchers. Herein, based on the hydrothermal assisted vacuum freeze drying method, CdS, Fe3O4, and N-TiO2 were, respectively, fixed in the inner, middle, and outer layers of nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel for preparation of the site-specific magnetic porous Z-scheme CdS/Fe3O4@N-doped graphene aerogel microtube/N-doped TiO2 (CdS/Fe3O4@NGAM/N-TiO2) photocatalyst. For the composite, Fe3O4@NGAM carrier with porous and tubular structure not only helps the recycle and reactants/productions mass transport in the photocatalytic process but also ensures the well-steered transfer of electrons and holes from CdS and N-TiO2 in the Z-type heterojunction system, greatly improving the separation of photogenerated carriers. Besides, Fe3O4 can also work as a Fenton catalyst to activate hydrogen peroxide which is generated in situ by CdS. Thus, the CdS/Fe3O4@NGAM/N-TiO2 composite presents excellent degradation efficiencies towards methyl orange ((MO) 98% removal rate within 50 min), bisphenol A ((BPA) 96% removal rate within 50 min), tetracycline hydrochloride ((TCH) 96% removal rate within 120 min) and strong stabilities after 6 cycles. The free radical removal experiments show that ·O2- and ·OH are the main active substances of catalysis, which further confirms the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and Fenton catalysis.

Fabrication of close-contact S-scheme Cr2Bi3O11-Bi2O3/Fe3O4@porous carbon microspheres based on in-situ reaction: Enhanced photo-Fenton wastewater treatment.

Low photo-induced carrier recombination rate, exceptional light absorption, and advantageous recycling performance are crucial attributes of semiconductor photocatalyst for wastewater purification. Herein, based on in-situ reaction, close-contact S-scheme bismuth chromate/bismuth oxide/ferroferric oxide@porous carbon microspheres (Cr2Bi3O11-Bi2O3/Fe3O4@PCs) (F-CBFP) was fabricated using alginates as precursor. Due to the abundance of functional groups on the porous carbon (PCs), Bi2O3 and Cr2Bi3O11 nanoparticles (NPs) are in situ deposited onto the highly conductive 3D magnetic porous Fe3O4@PCs microsphere surface, which not only form tight interfacial contacts and reduces interfacial potential barriers but also prevent agglomeration or shedding of the NPs during photocatalytic reactions. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirm that the formation of a robust built-in electric field (BIEF) within F-CBFP prompts photo-induced electrons in the conduction band (CB) of Bi2O3 to combine with holes in the valence band (VB) of Cr2Bi3O11, effectively constructing a S-scheme heterojunction system. Also, Fe3O4 can act as a Fenton catalyst, activating the H2O2 generated by Cr2Bi3O11 under illumination. In wastewater treatment, the obtained F-CBFP shows remarkable photo-Fenton degradation (towards methyl orange (97.8 %, 60 min) and tetracycline hydrochloride (95.3 %, 100 min)) and disinfection performance (100 % E. coli inactivation), and exceptional cyclic stability.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of ZnO quantum dots mitigating cadmium stress in Salvia miltiorrhiza.

This study delved into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the mitigation of cadmium (Cd) stress in the model medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza through the application of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs, 3.84 nm). A pot experiment was conducted, wherein S. miltiorrhiza was subjected to Cd stress for six weeks with foliar application of 100 mg/L ZnO QDs. Physiological analyses demonstrated that compared to Cd stress alone, ZnO QDs improved biomass, reduced Cd accumulation, increased the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), and enhanced the levels of essential nutrient elements (Ca, Mn, and Cu) under Cd stress. Furthermore, ZnO QDs significantly lowered Cd-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, including H2O2, O2-, and MDA, while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, APX, and GSH-PX). Additionally, ZnO QDs promoted the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, such as total protein, soluble sugars, terpenoids, and phenols, thereby mitigating Cd stress in S. miltiorrhiza. At the molecular level, ZnO QDs were found to activate the expression of stress signal transduction-related genes, subsequently regulating the expression of downstream target genes associated with metal transport, cell wall synthesis, and secondary metabolite synthesis via transcription factors. This activation mechanism contributed to enhancing Cd tolerance in S. miltiorrhiza. In summary, these findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the mitigation of Cd stress by ZnO QDs, offering a potential nanomaterial-based strategy for enhancing Cd tolerance in medicinal plants.

Facile preparation of high-quality Pt/reduced graphene oxide nanoscrolls for methanol oxidation.

A simple and novel approach for the preparation of a Pt/reduced graphene oxide nanoscroll (Pt/RGOS) nanocatalyst is reported for the first time. The Pt/reduced graphene oxide (Pt/RGO) was fabricated by the co-reduction of GO and Pt salt using ethylene glycol under microwave irradiation, then the Pt/RGOSs were obtained by oxygen implosion in situ rolling up of the Pt/RGO using catalytic decomposition of Pt towards H2O2 under ultrasonication. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the Pt nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the reduced graphene oxide nanoscrolls with tubular structure, open edges and ends, and tubular diameter ranging from 10 to 100 nm. X-ray diffraction indicates that the crystal structure and diffraction intensity of the platinum practically remains unchanged, and the RGO has not been oxidized before or after rolling. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the Pt/RGOSs have a higher D/G ratio (1.2) than Pt/RGO (1.1). BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) results exhibit that the Pt/RGOSs possess higher specific surface area and broader pore size range (188 m(2) g(-1), 25-45 nm) than Pt/RGO (122 m(2) g(-1), 30-38 nm). Additionally, the electrocatalytic performance of the Pt/RGOSs for methanol oxidation was evaluated, and the results show that the Pt/RGOSs possess significantly higher electrocatalytic activity and stability than Pt/RGO.

The effect of acupuncture on recovery after colorectal cancer resection: A systematic review meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture by systematically reviewing the literature on colorectal cancer resection. METHODS: Seven electronic databases were searched from inception to February 28, 2023. Randomized controlled trials on acupuncture in patients after CRC resection were included. Two reviewers independently selected relevant trials, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to obtain summary effect estimates. The data were pooled and analyzed using RevMan 5.3. The heterogeneity of selected studies was evaluated by evaluating the I-squared (I2) statistics. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies with 1878 patients were included. Results of the meta-analysis showed there was a low level evidence that acupuncture may improve early postoperative symptoms, such as time to first flatus (n = 876, MD -0.77h, 95% CI -1.22 to -0.33 h, I2 = 89%), time to first bowel movement (n = 671, MD -1.41h, 95% CI -2.20 to -0.63 h, I2 = 95%), time to first defecation (n = 556, MD -1.03h, 95% CI -1.88 to -0.18 h, I2 = 95%), and nausea/vomiting (n = 1488, RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.89, I2 = 49%) compared with usual care and sham acupuncture. However, there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative pain (n = 1188, MD-0.21, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.17, I2 = 74%). And there was no sufficient evidence of improving long-term functional outcomes. There was substantial heterogeneity across trials. The adverse events associated with acupuncture stimulation were minor in include studies. CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS: There is currently low-level evidence supporting the use of acupuncture on postoperative symptoms for patients after colorectal cancer resection. More investigations should be established based on the STRICTA statement strictly.

Transcriptional Control of Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Transcription factors are master regulators of various cellular processes under diverse physiological and pathological conditions. Many transcription factors that are differentially expressed after injury to peripheral nerves play important roles in nerve regeneration. Considering that rapid and timely regrowth of injured axons is a prerequisite for successful target reinnervation, here, we compile transcription factors that mediates axon elongation, including axon growth suppressor Klf4 and axon growth promoters c-Myc, Sox11, STAT3, Atf3, c-Jun, Smad1, C/EBPδ, and p53. Besides neuronal changes, Schwann cell phenotype modulation is also critical for nerve regeneration. The activation of Schwann cells at early time points post injury provides a permissive microenvironment whereas the re-differentiation of Schwann cells at later time points supports myelin sheath formation. Hence, c-Jun and Sox2, two critical drivers for Schwann cell reprogramming, as well as Krox-20 and Sox10, two essential regulators of Schwann cell myelination, are reviewed. These transcription factors may serve as promising targets for promoting the functional recovery of injured peripheral nerves.