Clinical Efficacy of Two Different Surgical Methods in the Treatment of Type IB Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury.

Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical efficacy of two surgical methods, miniaturized anchor nail repair and transosseous tunnel repair, in treating type IB triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries, highlighting the importance of this comparison in optimizing surgical approaches. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 91 patients with type IB TFCC injuries, treated from June 2020 to January 2022. Group A (43 patients) underwent miniaturized anchor nail repair, and Group B (48 patients) underwent transosseous tunnel repair, both under wrist arthroscopy. Follow-up for 12 months post-surgery included assessments of efficacy, Mayo wrist function score, range of motion, VAS score for ulnar wrist pain, grip strength, DASH score, PRWE, and postoperative complications, along with flow cytometry and lymphocyte immune subset assays. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in wrist function, grip strength, and range of motion post-surgery, with reduced pain and disability scores. No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the groups. Conclusion: Both miniaturized anchor nail and transosseous tunnel repairs under wrist arthroscopy are effective in improving wrist function and alleviating symptoms in type IB TFCC injuries, with comparable clinical efficacy. These findings could significantly influence surgical practices and future research in TFCC injury management.

Effect of continuous instant pressure drop treatment on the rheological properties and volatile flavor compounds of whole highland barley flour.

Continuous instant pressure drop (CIPD) treatment effectively reduces microbial contamination in whole highland barley flour (WHBF). Base on it, this study further investigated its effects on flour properties (especially rheological properties) and volatile compounds (VOCs) profile of WHBF, and compared it with that of ultraviolet-C (UV-C), ozone and hot air (HA) treatments. The results showed that the damaged starch content (6.0%) of CIPD-treated WHBF was increased, leading to a rough surface and partial aggregation of starch particle, thereby increasing the particle size (18.06 µm of D10, 261.46 µm of D50 and 534.44 µm of D90). Besides, CIPD treatment exerted a positive influence on the structure and rheological properties of WHBF, including an elevation in pasting temperature and viscosity. Notably, CIPD-treated WHBF exhibited higher storage modulus and loss modulus compared to the other three groups of sterilization treatments, contributing to the formulation of a better-defined and stable gel strength (tan δ = 0.38). UV-C and ozone, as cold sterilization techniques, also induced alterations in specific characteristics of WHBF. UV-C treatment led to changes in WHBF's crystallinity, while ozone treatment caused modifications in the secondary protein structure of WHBF. A total of 68 VOCs were identified in raw WHBF (including 3 acids, 19 alcohols, 25 aldehydes, 1 alkene, 8 esters, 2 ethers, 3 furans, and 7 ketones). The maximum flavor-contributing VOC in CIPD-treated WHBF remained dimethyl sulfide monomer (cabbage aroma), consistent with the raw WHBF. Conversely, in HA-treated WHBF, the maximum flavor-contributing VOC shifted to 2-furanmethanethiol monomer (roasted coffee aroma), altering the initial flavor presentation. These findings will provide strong support for the application of CIPD technology in the powdery foods industry.

Supplementation of Schisandrin B in Semen Extender Improves Quality and Oxidation Resistance of Boar Spermatozoa Stored at 4 °C.

During cold storage, boar spermatozoa undergo oxidative stress, which can impair sperm function and fertilizing capacity. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B) in semen extenders on the quality of boar semen stored at hypothermia. Semen was collected from twelve Duroc boars and diluted in extenders supplemented with different concentrations of Sch B (0 µmol/L, 2.5 µmol/L, 5 µmol/L, 10 µmol/L, 20 µmol/L, and 40 µmol/L). Here, we demonstrated that 10 µmol/L Sch B provided the best effects on motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, sperm normality rate, average movement velocity, wobbility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity of sperm. The results of Sch B effects on antioxidant factors in boar sperm showed that Sch B significantly elevated the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and markedly decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of sperm. The expression of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA was increased, while the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA demonstrated no change compared to non-treated boar sperm. Compared to the non-treated group, Sch B triggered a decrease in Ca2+/protein kinase A (PKA) and lactic acid content in boar sperm. Similarly, Sch B led to a statistically higher quantitative expression of AWN mRNA and a lower quantitative expression of porcine seminal protein I (PSP-I) and porcine seminal protein II (PSP-II) mRNA. In a further reverse validation test, no significant difference was observed in any of the parameters, including adhesion protein mRNA, calcium content, lactic acid content, PKA, and protein kinase G (PKG) activity after sperm capacitation. In conclusion, the current study indicates the efficient use of Sch B with a 10 µmol/L concentration in the treatment of boar sperm through its anti-apoptosis, antioxidative, and decapacitative mechanisms, suggesting that Sch B is a novel candidate for improving antioxidation and decapacitation factors in sperm in liquid at 4 °C.

Effect of Lianhua Qingwen capsules on the positive rate of COVID-19 close contacts: A retrospective analysis of a large-scale population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still spreading worldwide. COVID-19 close contact is a key point of this epidemic. However, no medication is now available for close contact. This study aims to evaluate the beneficial effect and safety of the Lianhua Qingwen capsule (LHQW) on COVID-19 close contacts via a large, retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 25,002 close contacts from 199 quarantine sites in Changchun, Jilin, who underwent medical observation, were included. The information about these close contacts were collected for further epidemiological research. Moreover, subjects were divided into an exposure group (LHQW group, oral, 4 capsules/time, t.i.d.; 18,579 subjects) and a non-exposure group (control group; 6,423 subjects). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with propensity score was employed to evaluate the positive rate of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test in nasal and throat swabs confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 22,975 subjects were included in the analysis, 17,286 cases in the LHQW group and 5,689 cases in the control group. The positive rate of nucleic acid testing in the LHQW group was 5.12%, and that in the control group was 9.70% before the adjustment of IPTW of the propensity score; the difference between the two groups was -4.58% (95% CI -5.44- -3.77%, p <  0.001). After adjusting IPTW, the positive rate of nucleic acid testing in the LHQW group and the control group was 5.10% and 9.80%, respectively; the difference between the two groups was -4.70% (95% CI -5.18- -4.23, p < 0.001). The conclusions before and after the IPTW adjustment were consistent. No test drug-related adverse reactions were observed during the study period. CONCLUSION: LHQW has a beneficial effect and safety on the close contacts of SARS-CoV-2 who are under medical observation at the quarantine sites and can be used as an optional drug for those close contacts.

The structural and functional properties of dietary fibre extracts obtained from highland barley bran through different steam explosion-assisted treatments.

The effects of steam explosion (SE)-assisted ultrasound (SEU), citric acid (SEC), sodium hydroxide (SEA), and cellulase (SEE) treatment on the properties of soluble dietary fibre (SDFP) extracted from highland barley bran were analysed. The results showed that SE pretreatment combined with other methods effectively improves the SDFP yield. The highest yield of SDF (20.01%) was obtained through SEA treatment. SEU-SDFP had a loose and porous structure, whereas the surface of SEC-SDFP and SEA-SDFP presented a complicated and dense texture. Although SE pretreatment reduced the thermal stability of SDFP, SEC and SEE treatment maintained its thermal stability. Furthermore, SEU-SDFP exhibited the highest water and oil holding capacities, and cholesterol and nitrite ion adsorption capacities. SEE-SDFP exhibited the best DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities. In summary, four SE-assisted extraction methods had different advantages, and highland barley bran SDF can be considered as a potential functional additive in the food industry.

Therapeutic and Neuroprotective Effects of Bushen Jianpi Decoction on a Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta. Dopamine (DA) replacement therapy is one of the most effective drug treatments for PD; however, long-term levodopa treatment can lead to various side effects that negatively impact the quality of life of patients. Therefore, finding safe and effective alternative drugs to treat PD is of clinical importance. The Bushen-Jianpi decoction (BSJPD) was derived from classic traditional Chinese medicine and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PD. This study explored the effects and mechanisms of action of BSJPD in PD. In our study, rats were randomly divided into six groups: the vehicle group, rotenone (ROT) + Saline group, ROT + low-dose BSJPD group, ROT + high-dose BSJPD group, ROT + Madopar group, and ROT + low-dose BSJPD + Madopar group. Treatment was administered to the rats once a day for 28 days, and behavioral tests were assessed. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), dopa decarboxylase (DDC), alpha-synuclein (α-syn), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels were detected. Our results show that BSJPD increases the body weight of rats, improves their motor coordination, reverses decreasing TH levels in the SN, and increases the expression level of DDC and HO-1 in the striatum (ST), but it fails to affect TH levels in the ST in the PD model. In addition, BSJPD reduced the expression of MAO-B in the ST in the PD model, but it did not have a significant effect on COMT. Rather, COMT in the plasma and liver increased in the low-dose BSJPD treatment group. Upregulation of α-syn in the PD model was also observed, but BSJPD has shown no obvious effect to clear it. Our results suggest that BSJPD exhibits a therapeutic effect on PD and may play a neuroprotective role by regulating HO-1 expression and participating in the metabolic process of DA.

Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Injection in Preventing Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity: An Analysis of Evidence from 3598 Patients.

Background: Oxaliplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of malignant tumors. However, severe oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN) has been well documented. Traditional Chinese medicine injections (TCMIs) have shown significant efficacy in preventing OIPN. However, it is difficult for clinicians to determine the differences in the efficacy of various TCMIs in preventing OIPN. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of various TCMIs in preventing OIPN through a network meta-analysis (NMA) to further inform clinical decision-making. Methods: The Chinese Journal Full Text Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full Text Database, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCMIs for OIPN prevention. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to April 12, 2021. NMA was performed using Stata 14.0 software after 2 evaluators independently screened the literature, extracted information, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. Results: A total of 45 eligible RCTs involving 3598 cancer patients and 13 TCMIs were included. The 13 TCMIs included Xiaoaiping injection (XAPI), compound kushen injection (CKSI), Aidi injection (ADI), Brucea javanica oil emulsion injection (BJOEI), Shenmai injection (SMI), Kangai injection (KAI), Astragalus injection (AI), elemene emulsion injection (EEI), Shenfu injection (SFI), Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SIFZI), Kanglaite injection (KLEI), Huachansu injection (HCSI), and lentinan injection (LI). NMA results showed that AI was superior to AD and SIFZI was superior to ADI in reducing the incidence of grade I neurotoxicity. SIFZI was superior to EEI and ADI, and BJOEI was superior to chemotherapy alone in reducing the incidence of grade II neurotoxicity. SMI was superior to LI and CKSI in reducing the incidence of grade III neurotoxicity. SIFZI was superior to LI, BJOEI, XAPI, EEI, SMI, chemotherapy alone, HCSI, KLEI, and ADI in reducing the total incidence of grade I-IV neurotoxicity. SFI was superior to ADI. Based on the SUCRA values, AI was the most likely intervention to reduce the incidence of grade I neurotoxicity, SIFZI was the most likely intervention to reduce the total incidence of grade II and I-IV neurotoxicity, and SMI was the most likely intervention to reduce the incidence of grade III and IV neurotoxicity. Conclusion: TCMIs can prevent OIPN to some extent, among which SIFZI, SMI, and AI may be the most promising TCMIs. However, given the limitations of current studies, more well-designed, high-quality clinical trials will be needed in the future to validate the benefits of TCMIs.

Sunflower resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is potentiated by selenium through regulation of redox homeostasis and hormones signaling pathways.

White mold of sunflower caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating disease that causes serious yield losses. Selenium (Se) helps plants resist stress. In this study, the resistance of sunflower to S. sclerotiorum was improved after foliar application of selenite. Selenite sprayed on leaves can be absorbed by sunflowers and transformed to selenomethionine. Consequently, sunflowers treated with Se exhibited a delay in lesion development with decrease by 54% compared to mock inoculation at 36-h post inoculation (hpi). In addition, treatment with Se compromised the adverse effects caused by S. sclerotiorum infection by balancing the regulation of genes involved in redox homeostasis. In particular, cat expression on leaves treated with Se increased to 2.5-fold to alleviate the downregulation caused by S. sclerotiorum infection at 12 hpi. Additionally, apx expression on leaves treated with Se decreased by 36% to alleviate the upregulation caused by S. sclerotiorum infection at 24 hpi, whereas expressions of gpx, pox, and nox on leaves treated with Se also successively decreased by approximately 40-60% to alleviate the upregulation caused by S. sclerotiorum infection at 24 and 36 hpi, respectively. The use of Se also enhanced the regulation of genes involved in hormones signaling pathways, in which expressions of AOC and PAL increased to 2.0- and 1.5-fold, respectively, to enhance the upregulation caused by S. sclerotiorum infection at 12 hpi, whereas expressions of AOC and PDF1.2 increased to 2.7- and 1.8-fold at 24 hpi, respectively. In addition, EIN2 expression on leaves treated with Se increased to 1.8-, 2.0-, and 1.5-fold to alleviate the downregulation caused by S. sclerotiorum infection. These results suggest that Se can improve sunflower defense responses against S. sclerotiorum infection aiming a sustainable white mold management.