Rumen-protected lysine supplementation improved amino acid balance, nitrogen utilization and altered hindgut microbiota of dairy cows.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and rumen-protected lysine (RPL) supplementation on lactation performance, amino acid (AA) balance, nitrogen (N) utilization and hindgut microbiota in dairy cows. Treatments were in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, and the main effects were CP concentration (16% vs. 18%) and RPL supplementation (with or without RPL at 40 g/cow per day). Forty cows were randomly allocated to 4 groups: low-CP diet (LP), low-CP diet plus RPL (LPL), high-CP diet (HP), high-CP diet plus RPL (HPL). The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks. Results showed that RPL increased the dry matter intake (P < 0.01), milk protein yield (P = 0.04) and energy corrected milk (P = 0.04), and tended to increase milk fat yield (P = 0.06) and fat corrected milk (P = 0.05). Cows in the HP group tended to have higher milk urea N (P = 0.07). Plasma concentrations of Arg, Ile, Lys, Met, Pro, total essential AA and total nonessential AA were increased by RPL (P < 0.05). The total essential AA, total nonessential AA and most AA (except Ile, Phe, Gly and Pro) were increased in the HP group (P < 0.05). N excretion was increased in the HP group through an increase in urea N excretion (P < 0.01) and an upward trend in plasma urea N (P = 0.07). In addition, RPL tended to increase milk protein N secretion (P = 0.08), milk N (P = 0.07) and microbial protein synthesis (P = 0.06), and decreased plasma urea N (P < 0.001). In the hindgut, the bacterial community were different between the LP and LPL groups (P < 0.01). The probiotic abundances of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Acinetobacter were increased by RPL (P = 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). The pathogenic abundances of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (P < 0.001) and Turicibacter (P < 0.01) were decreased by RPL. In conclusion, supplementing RPL with low dietary CP could balance AA supply and increase milk protein yield, resulting in an improvement in N utilization efficiency, and altered the composition of the hindgut microbiota to favor the lactation performance of dairy cows.

Prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through traditional Chinese medicine: role of the gut microbiota.

Recently, despite the increasing availability of treatments for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the incidence of RA and associated disability-adjusted life years have been on the rise globally in the late decades. At present, accumulating evidence has been advanced that RA is related to the gut microbiota, therefore, the therapeutic approaches for RA by regulating the gut microbiota are anticipated to become a new means of treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can regulate immunity, reduce inflammation and improve quality of life in various ways. Moreover, it can treat diseases by affecting the gut microbiota, which is a good way to treat RA. In this review, we mainly explore the relationship between TCM and gut microbiota regarding the perspective of treating RA. Moreover, we comprehensively summarize the roles of gut microbiota in the onset, development, progression, and prognosis of RA. Additionally, we elucidate the mechanism of TCM prevention and treatment of RA by the role of microbiota. Finally, we provide an evidence-based rationale for further investigation of microbiota-targeted intervention by TCM.

Internet-Based Self-Help Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention for Parents of Children With Cancer: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Parents of children with cancer may experience persistent psychological distress and impaired physical health throughout their children's diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a mindful self-compassion program for parents of children with cancer and explore its effect. METHODS: This pre-post-test study without a control group was conducted with 34 Chinese parents of children with cancer, using mixed methods. Participants received a 6-week internet-based self-help mindful self-compassion intervention. Self-compassion, post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, and sleep quality were measured at baseline and at 10 weeks post-baseline. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 completers within 10 days after the intervention was completed. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in self-compassion, re-experiencing, physical depressive symptoms, and sleep quality. Two participants reported feeling miserable or recalling distressing experiences, of which one withdrew from the study while the other completed the intervention. CONCLUSION: The program could improve self-compassion, re-experiencing, physical depressive symptoms, and sleep quality in parents of children with cancer, which demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a self-help mindful self-compassion intervention through the internet. Increasing retention rates in future studies merits further discussion.

Protocol for rheumatoid arthritis complicated with cardiovascular damage treated with Guanxining tablet with a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Apart from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation of RA are also risk factors for complex cardiovascular damage. Although methotrexate (MTX) is beneficial to CVD in RA patients by inhibiting inflammation, its adverse effects limit its clinical application. Therefore, it is essential to seek safer and more effective drugs. Objective: We aimed to assess the efficacy of Guanxining Tablet (GXNT) for rheumatoid arthritis complicated with cardiovascular damage. Methods: We will conduct a prospective single-center randomized trial. We will randomly divide 56 eligible patients into two groups. The treatment group will take GXNT and MTX treatment, and the control group will receive MTX and the placebo. The primary outcome measure will be aortic distensibility (AD). Secondary outcome measures will be Cardiac function which will contain right ventricular outflow tract diameter (RVOTD), aortic diameter (AOD), left atrium diameter (LAD), right ventricular end diastolic diameter (RVDD), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVDD), ejection fraction (EF%), fractional shortening (FS%), stroke volume (SV). Adverse events will be closely monitored during the entire trial period. Discussion: This trial is intended to determine whether the addition of GXNT will improve the prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular damage without severe adverse reactions. Completing this clinical trial might provide these patients with a novel and effective drug while avoiding adverse reactions similar to methotrexate. Trial registration: ChiCTR2000030247.

Function of the R2R3-MYB Transcription Factors in Dalbergia odorifera and Their Relationship with Heartwood Formation.

R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) form one of the most important TF families involved in regulating various physiological functions in plants. The heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera is a kind of high-grade mahogany and valuable herbal medicine with wide application. However, the role of R2R3-MYB genes in the growth and development of D. odorifera, especially their relevance to heartwood formation, has not been revealed. A total of 126 R2R3-MYBs were screened from the D. odorifera genome and named DodMYB1-126 based on their location on 10 chromosomes. The collinearity results showed that purification selection was the main driving force for the evolution of the R2R3-MYB TFs family, and whole genome/fragment replication event was the main form for expanding the R2R3-MYB family, generating a divergence of gene structure and function. Comparative phylogenetic analysis classified the R2R3-MYB TFs into 33 subfamilies. S3-7,10,12-13,21 and N4-7 were extensively involved in the metabolic process; S9,13,16-19,24-25 and N1-3,8 were associated with the growth and development of D. odorifera. Based on the differential transcriptional expression levels of R2R3-MYBs in different tissues, DodMYB32, DodMYB55, and DodMYB89 were tentatively screened for involvement in the regulatory process of heartwood. Further studies have shown that the DodMYB89, localized in the nucleus, has transcriptional activation activity and is involved in regulating the biosynthesis of the secondary metabolites of heartwood by activating the promoters of the structural genes DodI2'H and DodCOMT. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the functions of the R2R3-MYB TFs and screen for candidate genes that might be involved in heartwood formation of D. odorifera.

Enhancing Prognostic Assessment for Influenza-Associated Pneumonia: An Examination of Contributing Risk Factors.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the prognostic risk factors influencing patient outcomes in cases of influenza-associated pneumonia. Methods: We comprehensively analysed clinical data from patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between December 2017 and April 2019. Patients with confirmed influenza-associated pneumonia, determined through nucleic acid detection in throat swabs or sputum samples, were included in the study. The collected data were meticulously analyzed to identify significant prognostic risk factors. Results: A total of 151 patients diagnosed with influenza-associated pneumonia were included in the final analysis, yielding a fatality rate of 19.87% (30/151). The application of multivariate regression analysis revealed that several independent risk factors significantly affected the prognosis of patients afflicted with influenza-associated pneumonia. These included lymphocyte count (L), oxygenation index (O), albumin (A), and urinary (U) levels. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis further elucidated the prognostic value of these factors. Specifically, the Composite Index LOAU (Lymphocyte, Oxygenation index, Albumin, Urinary) demonstrated a robust area under the curve (AUC) of 0.909 (95% CI: 0.851-0.950), surpassing the performance of established scoring systems, such as the pneumonia severity index (PSI) (AUC = 0.746), Apache II (AUC = 0.732), and CURB-65 (AUC = 0.662). These differences were statistically significant (P < .05). Conclusions: The prognosis of influenza-associated pneumonia can be effectively predicted by assessing peripheral blood parameters, including lymphocyte count, albumin level, urinary markers, and the oxygenation index upon admission. Notably, the Composite Index LOAU, as a comprehensive amalgamation of these factors, holds promising potential to enhance prognostic precision and management outcomes in cases of influenza-associated pneumonia.

Traditional Chinese medicine use is associated with lower risk of pneumonia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the association between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy and the risk of pneumonia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: This population-based control study analyzed the data retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research database in Taiwan. From a cohort of 2 million records of the 2000-2018 period, 9,714 newly diagnosed patients with SLE were initially included. 532 patients with pneumonia and 532 patients without pneumonia were matched 1:1 based on age, sex, and year of SLE diagnosis using propensity score matching. The use of TCM therapy was considered from the SLE diagnosis date to the index date and the cumulative days of TCM therapy were used to calculate the dose effect. Conditional logistic regression was used to investigate the risk of pneumonia infection. Furthermore, to explore the severity of pneumonia in SLE, sensitivity analyses were performed after stratification using the parameters of emergency room visit, admission time, and antibiotic use. Results: TCM therapy for >60 days could significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia in patients with SLE (95% CI = 0.46-0.91; p = 0.012). Stratified analysis showed that TCM use also reduced the risk of pneumonia in younger and female patients with SLE by 34% and 35%, respectively. TCM for >60 days significantly reduced the risk of pneumonia in the follow-up periods of >2, >3, >7, and >8 years. In addition, the exposure of TCM for >60 days reduced the risk of pneumonia in patients with SLE who were treated with antibiotics for moderate or severe pneumonia. Finally, the study found that using formulae to tonify the kidney for more than 90 days and formulae to activate blood circulation for less than 30 days could significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia infection in patients with SLE. Conclusion: TCM use is associated with a lower risk of pneumonia among patients with SLE.

Rheumatoid arthritis characteristics and classification of heat and cold patterns-an observational study.

Introduction: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proven to be an effective complementary therapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The cold pattern and the heat pattern were the two main TCM patterns for RA, which is crucial for TCM treatment. The cold pattern is characterized by fear of cold and wind, joint pain with a thin white tongue coating which can be relieved by hot herbs. In contrast, heat pattern patients suffer from severe joint pain with a yellow coating, with red swelling of the skin and high skin temperature which can be relieved by cooling herbs. Objective: We aimed to classify the heat and cold patterns in RA patients with cluster analysis and factor analysis. Moreover, we aimed to explore the association of RA characteristics between these two patterns. Methods: and Design: A cross-sectional observational research method was used, and data was collected on 300 RA patients in Hangzhou in China. Signs and symptoms associated with RA were clustered using SPSS 22.0 software. In addition, factor analysis was also used for the classification. After classification of heat and cold patterns, characteristics and treatment of the RA participants between the two patterns were explored. Results: RA patients in the study were divided into two categories using cluster analysis. Twenty-two symptoms in the first category were included in the heat pattern of RA patients. After factor analysis, nine principal components were extracted to heat pattern. The component with the highest eigenvalue (2.530) were mainly contributed by shortness of breath, palpitation, heavy limbs, chest tightness and yellow greasy tongue with high factor loading values (0.765, 0.703, 0.504, 0.429 and 0.402, respectively). Ten symptoms in the second category were included in the cold pattern of RA patients. Four principal components were extracted to cold pattern. The component with the highest eigenvalue (2.089) were mainly contributed by joint distension and pain, joint stiffness, fatigue and upset with high factor loading values (0.597, 0.590, 0.491 and 0.481, respectively). Although there were no statistical differences between the levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline (anti-CCP), the levels of C-reactive protein, platelet count and the disease activity score using 28 joint counts were significantly higher in the heat pattern RA patients compared to the ones in cold pattern. Moreover, heat pattern RA patients were more likely to be prescribed two more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) combined with Methotrexate (MTX) (70.59% versus 49.72%; P = 0.000). Conclusions: In conclusion, heat and cold patterns in RA patients could be classified well using cluster analysis and factor analysis. Most of RA patients with heat pattern were active and likely to be prescribed two more DMARDs combined with MTX.

Quantifying the effects of submerged aquatic vegetation on internal loading in lake: A modeling study of the largest shallow lake in North China.

Shallow lakes are greatly influenced by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), which affects hydraulic and water quality during their entire life cycle. An integrated model was developed based on the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), which considers the dynamic bottom roughness and sediment release flux related to SAV growth and decomposition. Model results of hydrodynamics, water quality, and sediment-P release in Baiyangdian Lake (BL) were analyzed with and without the SAV module. The results showed that SAV played a critical and alterable role in regulating the internal loading in lakes. During the period of exponential growth, SAV reduced the velocity and sediment-P release in Zaozhadian by 20 % and 12 %, respectively. During the period of senescence, SAV reduced the velocity by 19 % and increased sediment-P release by 49 %, which was mainly attributed to dissolved oxygen (DO) consumption during residue decomposition. To mitigate the adverse effects of SAV on internal loading, measures should be taken to control the growth of SAV and ensure timely salvage before decomposition.

The protective capability of Hedyotis diffusa Willd on lupus nephritis by attenuating the IL-17 expression in MRL/lpr mice.

Lupus nephritis (LN), the most severe organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is generally treated with glucocorticoids (GC) in clinical practice, leading to drug resistance and adverse effects in the long term. Fortunately, the combination of GC and traditional Chinese medical prescriptions can attenuate the adverse effects and improve therapeutic efficiency. Hedyotis diffusa Willd (HDW) is one of the most commonly used herbal compounds for LN treatment, which exhibits "heat-clearing" and "detoxification" effects. However, the underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. The present study identified the chemical compounds in HDW extract with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. A total of 49 components were identified in the HDW extract, and the IL-17 signaling pathway was highly enriched by network pharmacological analysis. MRL/lpr model mice, reflecting the spontaneous development of LN, were used to evaluate the protective activity and investigate the underlying mechanism of the combination treatment. The white blood cell content (WBC), including lymphocytes and neutrophils, cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-a), and various autoantibodies (ANA, ab-dsDNA, ab-snRNP/sm) in the blood of MRL/lpr mice were significantly improved by the intragastric administration of HDW. Additionally, the expression of STAT3, IL-17, Ly6G, and MPO in the kidney and neutrophil NETosis were ameliorated with HDW treatment. The pathological and morphological analysis suggested that HDW application could reduce urinary protein levels and inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibit glomerular interstitial cell proliferation. Hence, HDW might ameliorate lupus nephritis by inhibiting IL-6 secretion and STAT3-induced IL-17 expression. The active compounds in HDW were predictively selected with computational methods. The docking affinity of asiatic acid, neoandrographolide to IL-6, glycyrrhetinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and wilforlide A to STAT3 are extremely high. In conclusion, the IL-6 and STAT3/IL-17signaling pathways could be critical regulative targets of HDW on LN.

Nanophysical Antimicrobial Strategies: A Rational Deployment of Nanomaterials and Physical Stimulations in Combating Bacterial Infections.

The emergence of bacterial resistance due to the evolution of microbes under antibiotic selection pressure, and their ability to form biofilm, has necessitated the development of alternative antimicrobial therapeutics. Physical stimulation, as a powerful antimicrobial method to disrupt microbial structure, has been widely used in food and industrial sterilization. With advances in nanotechnology, nanophysical antimicrobial strategies (NPAS) have provided unprecedented opportunities to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, via a combination of nanomaterials and physical stimulations. In this review, NPAS are categorized according to the modes of their physical stimulation, which include mechanical, optical, magnetic, acoustic, and electrical signals. The biomedical applications of NPAS in combating bacterial infections are systematically introduced, with a focus on their design and antimicrobial mechanisms. Current challenges and further perspectives of NPAS in the clinical treatment of bacterial infections are also summarized and discussed to highlight their potential use in clinical settings. The authors hope that this review will attract more researchers to further advance the promising field of NPAS, and provide new insights for designing powerful strategies to combat bacterial resistance.

Study on the compatibility principle of Wutou Decoction based on network pharmacology / 数字中医药（英文）

@#Objective To investigate the underlying drug enhancement mechanisms of the Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) combination and toxicity reduction of Chuanwu combined with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) in Wutou Decoction (乌头汤, WTD), and to elucidate the compatibility principle. Methods The active compounds and potential effective targets of the selected combinations were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID). The toxicity of Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix) was investigated by selecting all five toxic compounds from the literature and the TCMSP database, and obtaining their targets through SwissTargetPrediction. Targets related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were searched using DisGeNET, GenCards, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Mutual targets between the drug pairs and RA were selected as potential RA therapy targets. The medicinally active compound-target network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.0. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) platform. Results We obtained 191 active compound targets for Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), 171 for Huangqi (Astragali Radix), and 103 for Chuanwu (Radix Aconiti) (hypoaconitine’s target was obtained through literature and SwissTargetPrediction). A total of 5872 genes were obtained for RA. A drug-active compound-target network involving 13 effect-enhancing and nine toxicity reduction targets was constructed. PGR was the main effect enhancement target, and KCNH2 was the main toxicity reduction target. The effect-enhancing targets were related to 23 GO terms (such as positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, steroid hormone-mediated signaling pathway, plasma membrane, and protein binding) (P < 0.01), and 13 KEGG pathways related to synergism [such as estrogen signaling pathway, cholinergic synapse, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway]. The toxicity reduction targets were related to 28 GO terms (mainly involes G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, plasma membrane, and drug binding) (P < 0.01), and five KEGG pathways related to toxicity reduction (cholinergic synapse, calcium signaling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and serotonergic synapse). Conclusion The combination of Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) plays an important effect-enhancing role in WTD and involves the estrogen and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, with PGR as the core. The Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) combination decreases toxicity in WTD and is associated with the cholinergic synapse and calcium signaling pathways, with KCNH2 as the core.

Tumor Temporal Proteome Profiling Reveals the Immunological Triple Offensive Induced by Synthetic Anti-Cancer Salmonella.

The engineered "obligate" anaerobic Salmonella typhimurium strain YB1 shows a prominent ability to repress tumor growth and metastasis, which has great potential as a novel cancer immunotherapy. However, the antitumor mechanism of YB1 remains unelucidated. To resolve the proteome dynamics induced by the engineered bacteria, we applied tumor temporal proteome profiling on murine bladder tumors after intravenous injection of either YB1 or PBS as a negative control. Our data suggests that during the two weeks treatment of YB1 injections, the cured tumors experienced three distinct phases of the immune response. Two days after injection, the innate immune response was activated, particularly the complement and blood coagulation pathways. In the meantime, the phagocytosis was initiated. The professional phagocytes such as macrophages and neutrophils were recruited, especially the infiltration of iNOS+ and CD68+ cells was enhanced. Seven days after injection, substantial amount of T cells was observed at the invasion margin of the tumor. As a result, the tumor shrunk significantly. Overall, the temporal proteome profiling can systematically reveal the YB1 induced immune responses in tumor, showing great promise for elucidating the mechanism of bacteria-mediated cancer immunotherapy.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as interventions for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Seven electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Wanfang, Embase, and PubMed, were comprehensively searched, from their inception to August 16, 2020, for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focused on CHM used alone or in combination with conventional medicine for SLE. Outcomes were SLE activity index (SLEDAI), traditional Chinese medicine symptom/syndrome score (TCMSS), dosage of glucocorticoids, main serological testing, and incidence of adverse events. Data were extracted and pooled using Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 13 RCTs enrolling 856 participants met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses showed that, compared to placebo, CHM had statistically significant effect on reducing SLEDAI score (MD=-1.74, 95% CI: -2.29 to -1.18), diminishing TCMSS (SMD=-0.89, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.62), decreasing dosage of glucocorticoids (MD=-2.41 mg/d, 95% CI: -3.34 to -1.48), lowering erythrocyte sedimentation rate (MD=-4.78 mm/h, 95% CI: -8.86 to -0.71), and increasing serum complement C4 level (MD=0.03 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.06). No significant difference was found between CHM and placebo on adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: CHM provided significant beneficial effect on controlling disease activity and reducing dose of glucocorticoids used among SLE patients. Future advanced designed RCTs for CHM treating moderate to severe SLE with multicenter and longer follow-up are urgently needed.

Complementary therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine for a patient with Sjögren's syndrome: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: . A case study was used to discuss the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments on Sjögren's syndrome. CLINICAL FEATURES AND OUTCOMES: . A 45-year-old woman suffered from dry eyes, dry mouth, and fatigue for six months and was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome. She had received regular treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and artificial tears as well as artificial saliva for nearly one year, but the results were unsatisfactory. Therefore, she sought CHM for further intervention. After 7 months of Yi-Guan-Jian with Huai-Xiao-Mai (Triticum aestivum Linn.) and Tian-Hua-Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), on the seventh treatment with TCM, she reported no fatigue or sleep dysfunction and relief of dry eyes and mouth. Neither complications nor side effects were noted during the CHM treatment. CONCLUSIONS: . From this case, we concluded that CHM may be an effective and safe alternative therapy for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome.

Enzyme-responsive turn-on nanoprobes for in situ fluorescence imaging and localized photothermal treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

Sensitive diagnosis and elimination of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections at an early stage remain paramount challenges. Herein, we present a gelatinase-responsive turn-on nanoprobe for in situ near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and localized photothermal treatment (PTT) of in vivo methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The designed nanoprobe (named AuNS-Apt-Cy) is based on gold nanostars functionalized with MRSA-identifiable aptamer and gelatinase-responsive heptapeptide linker (CPLGVRG)-cypate complexes. The AuNS-Apt-Cy nanoprobe is non-fluorescent in aqueous environments due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the gold nanostar core and cypate dye. We demonstrate that the AuNS-Apt-Cy nanoprobe can achieve MRSA targeting and accumulation as well as gelatinase (overexpressed in MRSA environments)-responsive turn-on NIR fluorescence due to the cleavage of the CPLGVRG linker and localized in vitro PTT via a mechanism involving bacterial cell wall and membrane disruption. In vivo experiments show that the AuNS-Apt-Cy nanoprobe can enable rapid (1 h post-administration) and in situ turn-on NIR fluorescence imaging with high sensitivity (105 colony-forming units) in diabetic wound and implanted bone plate mouse models. Remarkably, the AuNS-Apt-Cy nanoprobe can afford efficient localized PTT of diabetic wound and implanted bone plate-associated MRSA infections under the guidance of turn-on NIR fluorescence imaging, showing robust capability for early diagnosis and treatment of in vivo MRSA infections. In addition, the nanoprobe exhibits negligible damage to surrounding healthy tissues during PTT due to its targeted accumulation in the MRSA-infected site, guaranteeing its excellent in vivo biocompatibility and solving the main bottlenecks that hinder the clinical application of PTT-based antibacterial strategies.

Immediate effect of kinesiology tape on ankle stability.

BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, particularly among the sporting population. Due to such prevalence, many interventions have been tried to prevent initial, or further, ankle sprains. Current research shows that the use of traditional athletic tape can reduce the incidence of sprain recurrence, but this may be at a cost to athletic performance through restriction of motion. Kinesiology tape, which has become increasingly popular, is elastic in nature, and it is proposed by the manufacturers that it can correct ligament damage. Kinesiology tape, therefore, may be able to improve stability and reduce ankle sprain occurrence while overcoming the problems of traditional tape. AIM: To assess the effect of kinesiology tape on ankle stability. METHODS: 27 healthy individuals were recruited, and electromyography (EMG) measurements were recorded from the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles. Recordings were taken from the muscles of the dominant leg during induced sudden ankle inversion perturbations using a custom-made tilting platform system. This was performed with and without using kinesiology tape and shoes, creating four different test conditions: barefoot(without tape), shoe(without tape), barefoot(with tape) and shoe(with tape). For each test condition, the peak muscle activity, average muscle activity and the muscle latency were calculated. RESULTS: No significant difference (p>0.05) was found by using the kinesiology tape on any of the measured variables while the wearing of shoes significantly increased all the variables. CONCLUSION: Kinesiology tape has no effect on ankle stability and is unable to nullify the detrimental effects that shoes appear to have.

Sulfur and phosphorus co-doped graphene quantum dots for fluorescent monitoring of nitrite in pickles.

Doping graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with heteroatoms can change their band gap and electronic density, thus enhancing their fluorescence quantum yield (QY). In this work, we for the first time reported a nontoxic, rapid, and one-pot hydrothermal method to synthesize sulfur and phosphorus co-doped GQDs (S, P-GQDs). Citric acid was functioned as a carbon source, whereas sodium phytate and anhydrous sodium sulfate are used as the P and S sources, respectively, in this bottom-up synthesis. The resulting S, P-GQDs exhibit high heteroatomic doping ratios of 9.66 at.% for S and 3.34 at.% for P, and higher QY than those obtained from monoatomic doped GQDs. Additionally, the as-prepared S, P-GQDs exhibit excitation-dependent behavior, pH sensitivity between 8.0 and 13.0, high tolerance of ionic strength. More importantly, the as-synthesized S, P-GQDs show a sensitive and selective behavior for sensing nitrite (NO2-) in the concentration range of 0.7-9 µmol/L, and the detection limit was as low as 0.3 µmol/L. Additionally, the S, P-GQDs was successfully used in detecting NO2- in pickled foods, showing their promise for potential applications in realistic analysis.

Comparison of the efficiency of different enemas on patients with distal ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVES: Rectal application of steroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is associated with few side effects and has a high therapeutic efficacy in left-sided colitis. Previous studies have shown that rectal administration of both steroids and 5-ASA is superior to one single alone. However, some reports are still controversial. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the treatment choice and efficacy of these different enemas in distal ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire survey and a retrospective study were carried out in Chinese hospitals to investigate the efficacy of 5-ASA or hydrocortisone/dexamethasone or their combination enema in patients with distal active UC. Dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice was also utilized to evaluate the effects in vivo. RESULTS: The results from questionnaire survey showed that majority of physicians would prefer oral 5-ASA with topical 5-ASA therapy for distal UC patients. However, 43.01% of physicians would like to choose oral 5-ASA and topical hydrocortisone/dexamethasone with or without 5-ASA enema. A retrospective study demonstrated that 5-ASA enema or 5-ASA combined with hydrocortisone/dexamethasone enema therapy was superior to hydrocortisone/dexamethasone enema to decrease C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Mayo score and induce clinical remission and clinical response. No superiority of combination therapy was further proved in DSS-induced colitis in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Although 43.01% of physicians would like to choose hydrocortisone/dexamethasone with or without 5-ASA enema for the treatment of distal UC, the combination was not superior to 5-ASA enema. Hydrocortisone/dexamethasone enema with 5-ASA enema is not recommended for distal active UC patients.

Classifying rheumatoid arthritis by Traditional Chinese Medicine Zheng: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between disease symptoms and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome (Zheng) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: RA Patients were recruited in Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, and diagnosed with a particular RA Zheng from their symptoms. Demographic characteristics, self-reported symptoms, and blood samples were collected from patients. All data were input into EpiData and analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The study included 302 RA patients (age range: 18-86 years). All patients were Chinese, and 85.1% were women. Cold and fatigue triggers were reported by 8.6% of patients, followed by triggers such as childbirth (4.3%), cold (3.0%), dampness (2.0%), menopause (1.3%), and psychentonia (0.7%). The most prevalent Zheng was dampness and heat blockage (Shire Yuzu in Chinese, SRYZ), diagnosed in 39.4% of patients (119), followed by phlegm and stagnation blockage (Tanyu Bizu, TYBZ) in 21.5%, liver and kidney deficiency (Ganshen Buzu, GSBZ) in 18.5%, dual deficiency of Qi and blood (Qixue Liangxu, QXLX) in 9.6%, cold and dampness blockage (Hanshi Bizu, HSBZ) in 6%, and wind and dampness blockage (Fengshi Bizu, FSBZ) in 5%. Increased length of time since RA diagnosis was associated with the GSBZ group. Patients diagnosed with the SRYZ Zheng had the highest disease activity score. Patients diagnosed with the QXLX Zheng had the lowest blood platelet counts; patients diagnosed with the QXLX and HSBZ Zhengs had lower C-reactive protein levels and lower health assessment questionnaire scores. Patients diagnosed with the GSBZ and QXLX Zhengs had the highest health assessment questionnaire scores. CONCLUSION: The specific Zheng was related to RA characteristics. The findings suggest that eliminating dampness, cooling the patient, and promoting blood circulation may assist in treating severe RA.