Multiparameter Assessment of Foam Cell Formation Progression Using a Dual-Color Switchable Fluorescence Probe.

The assessment of atherosclerosis (AS) progression has emerged as a prominent area of research. Monitoring various pathological features of foam cell (FC) formation is imperative to comprehensively assess AS progression. Herein, a simple benzospiropyran-julolidine-based probe, BSJD, with switchable dual-color imaging ability was developed. This probe can dynamically and reversibly adjust its molecular structure and fluorescent properties in different polar and pH environments. Such a polarity and pH dual-responsive characteristic makes it superior to single-responsive probes in dual-color imaging of lipid droplets (LDs) and lysosomes as well as monitoring their interaction. By simultaneously tracking various pathological features, including LD accumulation and size changes, lysosome dysfunction, and dynamically regulated lipophagy, more comprehensive information can be obtained for multiparameter assessment of FC formation progression. Using BSJD, not only the activation of lipophagy in the early stages and inhibition in the later phases during FC formation are clearly observed but also the important roles of lipophagy in regulating lipid metabolism and alleviating FC formation are demonstrated. Furthermore, BSJD is demonstrated to be capable of rapidly imaging FC plaque sites in AS mice with fast pharmacokinetics. Altogether, BSJD holds great promise as a dual-color organelle-imaging tool for investigating disease-related LD and lysosome changes and their interactions.

Photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas12a Sensors for Biomarkers Imaging and Point-of-Care Diagnostics.

In recent years, the CRISPR/Cas12a-based sensing strategy has shown significant potential for specific target detection due to its rapid and sensitive characteristics. However, the "always active" biosensors are often insufficient to manipulate nucleic acid sensing with high spatiotemporal control. It remains crucial to develop nucleic acid sensing devices that can be activated at the desired time and space by a remotely applied stimulus. Here, we integrated photoactivation with the CRISPR/Cas12a system for DNA and RNA detection, aiming to provide high spatiotemporal control for nucleic acid sensing. By rationally designing the target recognition sequence, this photoactivation CRISPR/Cas12a system could recognize HPV16 and survivin, respectively. We combined the lateral flow assay strip test with the CRISPR/Cas12a system to realize the visualization of nucleic acid cleavage signals, displaying potential instant test application capabilities. Additionally, we also successfully realized the temporary control of its fluorescent sensing activity for survivin by photoactivation in vivo, allowing rapid detection of target nucleic acids and avoiding the risk of contamination from premature leaks during storage. Our strategy suggests that the CRISPR/Cas12a platform can be triggered by photoactivation to sense various targets, expanding the technical toolbox for precise biological and medical analysis. This study represents a significant advancement in nucleic acid sensing and has potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.

Interior and Exterior Surface Modification of Zr-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Trace Benzene Removal.

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) significantly contributes to air pollution and poses a serious threat to human health. Benzene, one of the most toxic VOCs, is difficult for the human body to metabolize and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. The development of efficient adsorbents for removing trace amounts of benzene from ambient air is thus of great importance. In this work, we studied the benzene adsorption properties of four Zr-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) through static volumetric and dynamic breakthrough experiments. Two previously reported Zr-MOFs, BUT-12 and STA-26, were prepared with a tritopic carboxylic acid ligand (H3L1) functionalized with three methyl groups, and STA-26 is a 2-fold interpenetrated network of BUT-12. Two new isoreticular Zr-MOFs, BUT-12-Et and STA-26-Et, were synthesized using a similar ligand, H3L2, where the methyl groups are replaced with ethyl groups. There are mesopores in BUT-12 and BUT-12-Et and micropores in STA-26 and STA-26-Et. The four Zr-MOFs all showed high stability in liquid water and acidic aqueous solutions. The microporous STA-26 and STA-26-Et showed much higher benzene uptakes than mesoporous BUT-12 and BUT-12-Et at room temperature under low pressures. Particularly, the benzene adsorption capacity of STA-26-Et was high up to 2.21 mmol/g at P/P0 = 0.001 (P0 = 12.78 kPa), higher than those of the other three Zr-MOFs and most reported solid adsorbents. Breakthrough experiments confirmed that STA-26-Et could effectively capture trace benzene (10 ppm) from dry air; however, its benzene capture capacity was reduced by 90% under humid conditions (RH = 50%). Coating of the crystals of STA-26-Et with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) increased the hydrophobicity of the exterior MOF surfaces, leading to a more than 2-fold improvement in its benzene capture capacity in the breakthrough experiment under humid condition. PDMS coating of STA-26-Et likely slowed down the water adsorption process, and thus, the adsorbent afforded more efficient capture of benzene. This work demonstrates that modifying both the interior and exterior surfaces of MOFs can effectively enhance their performance in capturing trace benzene from ambient air, even under humid conditions. This finding is meaningful for the development of new adsorbents for effective air purification applications.

Efficacy and Safety of PL-5 (Peceleganan) Spray for Wound Infections: A Phase IIb Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of antimicrobial peptide PL-5 (Peceleganan) spray in the treatment of wound infections. BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptide PL-5 spray is a novel topical antimicrobial agent. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PL-5 spray, as compared with silver sulfadiazine, in patients with skin wound infections. The primary efficacy outcome was the clinical efficacy rate on the first day after ending the treatment (D8). The secondary efficacy outcome was the clinical efficacy rate on the fifth day posttreatment (D5), the bacteria clearance rate, and the overall efficacy rate at the mentioned 2 time points. The safety outcomes included adverse reactions and pharmacokinetic analysis posttreatment. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients from 27 hospitals in China were randomly assigned to 4 groups. On D8, the efficacy rate was 100.0%, 96.7%, 96.7% for the 1‰ PL-5, 2‰ PL-5, 4‰ PL-5 groups, respectively, as compared with 87.5% for the control group. The efficacy rate among the 4 groups was significantly different ( P <0.05). On D5, the efficacy rate was 100.0%, 93.4%, 98.3% for the 1‰ PL-5, 2‰ PL-5, 4‰ PL-5 groups, respectively, as compared with 82.5% for the control group. The efficacy rate among the 4 groups was significantly different ( P <0.05). The blood concentration of PL-5 was not detectable in pharmacokinetic analysis. No severe adverse event related to the application of PL-5 was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial peptide PL-5 spray is safe and effective for the treatment of skin wound infections. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000033334.

Highly Efficient Propyne/Propylene Separation in a "Flexible-Robust" and Hydrolytically Stable Cu(II)-MOF.

Propyne/propylene separation is important in the petrochemical industry but challenging due to their similar physical properties and close molecular sizes. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of promising adsorbents for light hydrocarbon separations. Among them, the so-called "flexible-robust" MOFs combine the advantages of flexibility and rigidity in structure and could show enhanced gas separation selectivity as well as improved gas uptake at low pressure. Interpenetrated MOFs offer a platform to explore the "flexible-robust" feature of MOFs based on their subnetwork displacement in the process of gas adsorption. Herein, we present two hydrolytically stable MOFs (BUT-308 and BUT-309) with interpenetrated structures and fascinating propyne/propylene separation performance. BUT-308 is composed of interpenetrated 2D Cu(BDC-NH2)BPB layers (H2BDC-NH2 = 2-aminobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid; BPB = 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene), while BUT-309 consists of twofold interpenetrated 3D pillared-layer Cu2(BDC-NH2)2(BPB-CF3) nets (BPB-CF3 = 2-trifluoromethyl-1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene). Gas adsorption measurements showed that BUT-309 was a "flexible-robust" adsorbent with multistep adsorption isotherms for C3H4 rather than C3H6 at a wide temperature range. The guest-dependent pore-opening behavior endows BUT-309 with high potential in the C3H4/C3H6 separation. The C3H4 adsorption measurements of BUT-309 at 273-323 K showed that the lowering of the temperature induced the pore-opening action at lower pressure. Column breakthrough experiments further confirmed the capability of BUT-309 for the efficient removal of C3H4 from a C3H4/C3H6 binary gas, and the C3H6 processing capacity at 273 K (15.7 cm3 g-1) was higher than that at 298 K (35.2 cm3 g-1). This work shows a rare example of "flexible-robust" MOFs and demonstrated its high potential for C3H4/C3H6 separation.

Accuracy in predicting soft tissue changes of orthodontic class III cases using Dolphin® software.

OBJECTIVES: The prediction of posttreatment outcomes is conducive to the final determination of ideal therapeutic options. However, the prediction accuracy in orthodontic class III cases is unclear. Therefore, this study conducted exploration on prediction accuracy in orthodontic class III patients using the Dolphin® software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, lateral cephalometric radiographs of pre- and posttreatment were collected from 28 angle class III adults who received completed non-orthognathic orthodontic therapy (8 males, 20 females; mean age = 20.89 ± 4.26 years). The values of 7 posttreatment parameters were recorded and inserted into the Dolphin® Imaging software to generate a predicted outcome, and then the prediction radiograph and actual posttreatment radiograph were superimposed and compared in terms of soft tissue parameters and landmarks. RESULTS: The prediction showed significant differences with the actual outcomes in nasal prominence (the difference between the prediction and the actual value was - 0.78 ± 1.82 mm), the distance from the lower lip to the H line (0.55 ± 1.11 mm), and the distance from the lower lip to the E line (0.77 ± 1.62 mm) (p < 0.05). Point subnasale (Sn) (an accuracy of 92.86% in the horizontal direction and 100% in the vertical direction in 2 mm) and point soft tissue A (ST A) (an accuracy of 92.86% in the horizontal direction and 85.71% in the vertical direction in 2 mm) were proven to be the most accurate landmarks, while the predictions in the chin region were relatively inaccurate. Furthermore, the predictions in the vertical direction were of higher accuracy compared to the horizontal direction except for the points around the chin. CONCLUSIONS: The Dolphin® software demonstrated acceptable prediction accuracy in midfacial changes in class III patients. However, there were still limitations for changes in the chin and lower lip prominence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clarifying the accuracy of Dolphin® software in predicting soft tissue changes of orthodontic class III cases will facilitate physician-patient communication and clinical treatment.

Interface Design of Head-Worn Display Application on Condition Monitoring in Aviation.

Head-worn displays (HWDs) as timely condition monitoring are increasingly used in aviation. However, interface design characteristics that mainly affect HWD use have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of several important interface design characteristics (i.e., the distance between calibration lines and the layouts of vertical and horizontal scale belts) on task performance and user preference between different conditions of display, i.e., HWD or head-up display (HUD). Thirty participants joined an experiment in which they performed flight tasks. In the experiment, the calibration lines' distance was set to three different levels (7, 9 and 11 mrad), and the scale belt layouts included horizontal and vertical scale belt layouts. The scale belts were set as follows: the original vertical scale belt width was set as L, and the horizontal scale belt height as H. The three layouts of the vertical calibration scale belt used were 3/4H, H and 3H/2. Three layouts of horizontal calibration scale belts were selected as 3L/4, L and 3L/2. The results indicated that participants did better with the HWD compared to the HUD. Both layouts of vertical and horizontal scale belts yielded significant effects on the users' task performance and preference. Users showed the best task performance while the vertical calibration scale belts were set as H and horizontal calibration scale belts were set as L, and users generally preferred interface design characteristics that could yield an optimal performance. These findings could facilitate the optimal design of usable head-worn-display technology.

[Rapid identification and differential markers of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces of different sources based on Heracles Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose].

Since Curcumae Radix decoction pieces have multiple sources, it is difficult to distinguish depending on traditional cha-racters, and the mixed use of multi-source Curcumae Radix will affect its clinical efficacy. Heracles Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose was used in this study to quickly identify and analyze the odor components of 40 batches of Curcumae Radix samples from Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. Based on the odor fingerprints established for Curcumae Radix decoction pieces of multiple sources, the odor components was identified and analyzed, and the chromatographic peaks were processed and analyzed to establish a rapid identification method. Principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor analysis(DFA), and soft independent modeling cluster analysis(SIMCA) were constructed for verification. At the same time, one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) combined with variable importance in projection(VIP) was employed to screen out the odor components with P<0.05 and VIP>1, and 13 odor components such as ß-caryophyllene and limonene were hypothesized as the odor differential markers of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces of diffe-rent sources. The results showed that Heracles Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose can well analyze the odor characteristics and rapidly and accurately discriminate Curcumae Radix decoction pieces of different sources. It can be applied to the quality control(e.g., online detection) in the production of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces. This study provides a new method and idea for the rapid identification and quality control of Curcumae Radix decoction pieces.

Biogeographic Patterns and Elevational Differentiation of Sedimentary Bacterial Communities across River Systems in China.

Bacterial biodiversity is tightly correlated with ecological functions of natural systems, and bacterial rare and abundant subcommunities make distinct contributions to ecosystem functioning. However, the biogeographic pattern and elevational differentiation of sedimentary bacterial diversity have rarely been studied in cross-river systems at a continental scale. This study analyzed the biogeographic patterns and elevational differentiations of the entire, abundant, and rare bacterial (sub)communities as well as the underlying mechanisms across nine rivers that span distinct geographic regions and large elevational gradients in China. We found that bacterial rare and abundant subcommunities shared similar biogeographic patterns and both demonstrated strong distance-decay relationships, despite their distinct community compositions. However, both null model and variation partitioning analysis results showed that while environmental selection governed rare subcommunity assemblies (contribution: 51.9%), dispersal limitation (62.7%) controlled the assembly of abundant subcommunities. The disparity was associated with the broader threshold width of abundant taxa to water temperature and pH variations than rare taxa. Elevation-induced bacterial composition variations were more evident than latitude-induced ones. Some specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs), representing 16.4% of the total sequences, much preferentially and even exclusively lived in high-elevation or low-elevation habitats and demonstrated some adaptations to local conditions. Greater positive: negative link ratios in bacterial co-occurrence networks of low elevations than high elevations (P < 0.05) partly resulted from their harboring higher organic carbon: nitrogen ratios. Together, this study draws a biogeographic picture of sedimentary bacterial communities in a continental-scale riverine system and highlights the importance of incorporating elevation-associated patterns of microbial diversity into riverine microbial ecology studies. IMPORTANCE Bacterial diversity is tightly correlated with the nutrient cycling of river systems. However, previous studies on bacterial diversity are mainly constrained to one single river system, although microbial biogeography and its drivers exhibit strong spatial scale dependence. Moreover, elevational differentiations of bacterial communities across river systems have also rarely been studied. Bacterial rare and abundant subcommunities make distinct contributions to ecosystem functioning, and they share similar biogeographic patterns in some environments but not in others. Therefore, we explored the biogeography of the entire, abundant, and rare (sub)communities in nine rivers that cover a wide space range and large elevational gradient in China. Our results revealed that bacterial rare and abundant subcommunities shared similar biogeographic patterns but their assembly mechanisms were much different in these rivers. Moreover, bacterial communities showed evident differentiations between high elevations and low elevations. These findings will facilitate a better understanding of bacterial diversity features in river systems.

MiR-325-3p Alleviates Acute Pancreatitis via Targeting RIPK3.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory disease that can lead to death. Mir-325-3p is strongly and abnormally expressed in many diseases, necessitating exploration of its function and mechanism in AP. METHODS: Blood samples from AP patients and mice were analyzed. The expression levels of miR-325-3p in AP patients and mouse were detected. Whether miR-325-3p targets RIPK3 gene was predicted by TargetScan online database and dual luciferase reporter assay. In vitro experiments verified the effect of miR-325-3p overexpression on caerulein-induced MPC83 pancreatic acinar cancer cell line. In vivo experiments verified the effect of overexpression of miR-325-3p on the disease degree of pancreatic tissues in AP mice. RESULTS: Analysis of blood samples from AP patients and experiments in mice demonstrated that expression of miR-325-3p was significantly reduced during the process of AP in humans and mice. Predicted using the TargetScan online database and through dual luciferase reporter assay detection, miR-325-3p directly targets the RIPK3 gene. In vitro experiments revealed that overexpression of miR-325-3p reversed caerulein-induced apoptosis and necroptosis in MPC83 pancreatic acinar cancer cell line. We used Z-VAD-FMK to assess necroptosis and demonstrated that miR-325-3p targets necroptosis to reduce cell damage. In subsequent experiments in mice, we verified that overexpression of miR-325-3p reduces inflammation, edema, hemorrhage, and necrosis in acute pancreatitis. Characteristic western blot, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy results revealed that overexpression of miR-325-3p reduces the severity of acute pancreatitis by inhibiting pancreatic necroptosis in AP mice. CONCLUSIONS: The current research results indicate that miR-325-3p directly targets RIPK3 and exerts a protective role in mouse AP. Necroptosis is still the primary mechanism of RIPK3 regulation. MiR-325-3p inhibits acute pancreatitis by targeting RIPK3-dependent necroptosis, which may represent a novel treatment method for acute pancreatitis.

A Prospective Study Comparing Cancer Detection Rates of Transperineal Prostate Biopsies Performed by Junior Urologists versus a Senior Consultant in a Real-World Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate biopsy (PB) is a typical daily practice method for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to compare the PCa detection rates and peri- and postoperative complications of PB among 3 residents and a consultant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 343 patients who underwent PB between August 2018 and July 2019 were involved in this study. Residents were systematically trained for 2 weeks by a consultant for performing systematic biopsy (SB) and targeted biopsy (TB). And then, 3 residents and the consultant performed PB independently every quarter due to routine rotation in daily practice. The peri- and postoperative data were collected from a prospectively maintained database (www.pc-follow.cn). The primary outcome and secondary outcome were to compare the PCa detection rates and complications between the residents and consultant, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the residents and consultant in terms of overall PCa detection rates of SB and TB or further stratified by prostate-specific antigen value and prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) scores. We found the consultant had more TB cores (175 cores vs. 86-114 cores, p = 0.043) and shorter procedural time (mean 16 min vs. 19.7-20.1 min, p < 0.001) versus the residents. The complication rate for the consultant was 6.7% and 5%-8.2% for the residents, respectively (p = 0.875). CONCLUSIONS: The residents could get similar PCa detection and complication rates compared with that of the consultant after a 2-week training. However, the residents still need more cases to shorten the time of the biopsy procedure.

Suitability evaluation of carrying capacity and utilization patterns on tidal flats of Bohai Rim in China.

Tidal flats in the Bohai Rim are facing threats from human activities. Quantifying the carrying capacity and suitability of tidal flats is of great significance to the regional environment and resource management. In this study, the existing social and natural data were collected and the natural conditions of tidal flats, e.g., the distributions and utilization patterns, were investigated through remote sensing image interpretation and field investigation in the Bohai Rim. Then, a multi-index evaluation system was developed with indexes organized under the framework of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the Drivers-State-Impact (DSI) framework, processed by fuzzy evaluation, and weighted by the entropy method. The studies show that the rapid expansion of industry-port-town, salt pans or aquafarms in the Bohai Rim during 1990-2020 squeezed the space of tidal flats. Despite the limitation of the declining resource condition, the carrying capacity of tidal flats in the Bohai Rim increased slightly during 2000-2018 because of the great improvement in economic and ecological conditions. We estimate 59.93% of the land resources are suitable for economic development while others are temporarily unsuitable for reclamation due to their high ecological importance. The land use data and macro-evaluation system of tidal flat utilization patterns herein can provide references for coastal resource management and ecological restoration.

Perovskite Quantum Dots Encapsulated in a Mesoporous Metal-Organic Framework as Synergistic Photocathode Materials.

Metal halide perovskite quantum dots, with high light-absorption coefficients and tunable electronic properties, have been widely studied as optoelectronic materials, but their applications in photocatalysis are hindered by their insufficient stability because of the oxidation and agglomeration under light, heat, and atmospheric conditions. To address this challenge, herein, we encapsulated CsPbBr3 nanocrystals into a stable iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with mesoporous cages (∼5.5 and 4.2 nm) via a sequential deposition route to obtain a perovskite-MOF composite material, CsPbBr3@PCN-333(Fe), in which CsPbBr3 nanocrystals were stabilized from aggregation or leaching by the confinement effect of MOF cages. The monodispersed CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (4-5 nm) within the MOF lattice were directly observed by transmission electron microscopy and corresponding mapping analysis and further confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption characterizations. Density functional theory calculations further suggested a significant interfacial charge transfer from CsPbBr3 quantum dots to PCN-333(Fe), which is ideal for photocatalysis. The CsPbBr3@PCN-333(Fe) composite exhibited excellent and stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic activities in aprotic systems. Furthermore, CsPbBr3@PCN-333(Fe) composite worked as the synergistic photocathode in the photoassisted Li-O2 battery, where CsPbBr3 and PCN-333(Fe) acted as optical antennas and ORR/OER catalytic sites, respectively. The CsPbBr3@PCN-333(Fe) photocathode showed lower overpotential and better cycling stability compared to CsPbBr3 nanocrystals or PCN-333(Fe), highlighting the synergy between CsPbBr3 and PCN-333(Fe) in the composite.

Spherical Neutralizing Aptamer Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Suppresses Mutational Escape.

New neutralizing agents against SARS-CoV-2 and associated mutant strains are urgently needed for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19. Herein, we develop a spherical cocktail neutralizing aptamer-gold nanoparticle (SNAP) to block the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 and host ACE2. With the multivalent aptamer assembly as well as the steric hindrance effect of the gold scaffold, SNAP exhibits exceptional binding affinity against the RBD with a dissociation constant of 3.90 pM and potent neutralization against authentic SARS-CoV-2 with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 142.80 fM, about 2 or 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of the reported neutralizing aptamers and antibodies. More importantly, the synergetic blocking strategy of multivalent multisite binding and steric hindrance ensures broad neutralizing activity of SNAP, almost completely blocking the infection of three mutant pseudoviruses. Overall, the SNAP strategy provides a new direction for the development of antivirus agents against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging coronaviruses.

Phytochemical Regulation of RNA in Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colon Cancer: Inspirations from Cell and Animal Studies.

Recent studies suggest an important role for RNA, especially noncoding RNA, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer. Drug development based on regulating RNA rather than protein is a promising new area. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant-derived compounds with chemical diversity, biologic activity, easy availability, and low toxicity. Many phytochemicals have been shown to exert protective effects on IBD and colon cancer through modulation of RNAs. The aim of this study was to summarize the advancements of phytochemicals in regulating RNA for the treatment of IBD and colon cancer. This review involves many phytochemicals, including polyphenols, flavones, and alkaloids, which can influence various types of RNAs, including microRNA, long noncoding RNA, as well as messenger RNA, by influencing a variety of upstream molecules or regulating epigenetic processes. The limitation for many current studies is that the specific mechanisms of phytochemicals regulating RNA have not been fully uncovered. Accompanied by more identified functions of RNAs, especially noncoding RNA functions, the screening of RNA-regulating phytochemicals has presented challenges as well as opportunities for the prevention and treatment of IBD and colon cancer. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Noncoding RNAs, which constitute the majority of the human transcriptional genome, play a key role in the disease state and are considered as important therapeutic targets in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer. Recent studies have shown that phytochemicals regulate the expression of many noncoding RNAs involved in IBD and colon cancer. Therefore, identifying the specific molecular mechanism of phytochemicals regulating noncoding RNA in disease models may result in novel and effective therapeutic opportunities.

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time in the wound management of necrotizing fasciitis.

OBJECTIVE: Recent literature has shown that negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) is a valid method of managing complex wounds and gained increasingly wider interest due in part to the increasing complexity of wounds. The purpose of this case study was to obtain information on the profile of NPWTi-d in necrotizing fasciitis patients, investigate the role it play in wound bed preparation, length of hospital stay and number of debridement operations. METHODS: NPWTi-d has been used in patients with necrotizing fasciitis with either normal saline or Prontosan® solution and complete the treatment were involved in the present study. Following aggressive surgical debridement, NPWTi-d was initiated by instilling solution with a set dwell time of 5-10 min, followed by continuous NPWT of -125 mm Hg for 3-5 h. The system was changed on a 3-5 days schedule until sufficient granulation tissue was evident. Patients received systemic antibiotics and underwent wound debridement as indicated. Data of wound bed preparation, length of hospital stay, duration of NPWTi-d therapy, number of surgical interventions were collected retrospectively from patient medical records. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis received NPWTi-d were included. Granulation tissue was found to be sufficient in 9-16 days. The mean duration of NPWTi-d therapy was 12.5 days prior to wound closure by split-thickness autograft (n = 21), suture (n = 9), or flap transplantation (n = 2).Patients received NPWTi-d treatment over a period of 8-16 days. The mean length of hospitalization was 22.8 days. All wounds were successfully closed and no recurrence of infection or adverse event was observed during NPWTi-d treatment. CONCLUSION: In these patients, NPWTi-d facilitates wound cleansing and wound bed preparation and offers the clinician an additional tool for the management of necrotizing fasciitis. Further well designed prospective investigations with low risk of bias are needed to confirm these findings in the future work.

Convex silica microlens arrays via femtosecond laser writing.

We report fabrication of silica convex microlens arrays with controlled shape, size, and curvature by femtosecond laser direct writing. A backside etching in dye solution was utilized for laser machining high-fidelity control of material removal and real-time surface cleaning from ablation debris. Thermal annealing was applied to reduce surface roughness to 3 nm (rms). The good optical performance of the arrays was confirmed by focusing and imaging tests. Complex 3D micro-optical elements over a footprint of $ 100 \times 100\;\unicode{x00B5}{{\rm m}^2} $100×100µm2 were ablated within 1 h (required for practical applications). A material removal speed of $ 120\;\unicode{x00B5}{{\rm m}^3}/{\rm s} $120µm3/s ($ 6 \times {10^5} \;{{\rm nm}^3}/{\rm pulse} $6×105nm3/pulse) was used, which is more than an order of magnitude higher compared to backside etching using a mask projection method. The method is applicable for fabrication of micro-optical components on transparent hard materials.

Natural Product-Based Fungicides Discovery: Design, Synthesis and Antifungal Activities of Some Sarisan Analogs Containing 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Moieties.

A series of sarisan analogs containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties were synthesized by iodine-mediated oxidative cyclization and screened in vitro for their antifungal activities at 50 µg/mL against five phytopathogenic fungi such as Valsa mali, Curvularia lunata, Alternaria alternate, Fusarium solani and Fusarium graminearum. 1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives 7e, 7p, 7r, 7t and 7u exhibited potent and a broad spectrum of antifungal activities against at least three phytopathogenic fungi at the concentration of 50 µg/mL. Especially, compound 7r displayed more potent antifungal activities against five phytopathogenic fungi than the positive control hymexazol. The EC50 of 7r against V. mali, C. lunata and A. alternate were 12.6, 14.5 and 17.0 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, some interesting results of structure-activity relationships (SARs) were also observed.

A randomized trial of a distraction-type intervention to assist in managing dressing changes for children experienced burns.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of the specially designed medical dressing screen during wound dressing changes for children aged 1-3 who experienced a burn on their hand or foot. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study was performed, between January 2019 - April 2019, at a Burn Outpatient Ward. A total of 52 outpatient children who had suffered burns were included in the clinical trial. The burn area of these participants accounted for 1-5% of the total body surface area. The children were randomly divided into two equal-sized groups, each receiving a different treatment. In the medical screen group (N = 26), a medical screen was used for children during the dressing changes. In the control group (N = 26), the children received only regular dressing changes. Pain level of the children during dressing change was the primary outcome, the satisfaction of children's parents and wound therapist were used as second outcomes. The Bonferroni method was used to perform pairwise comparisons of repeatedly measured data at different measurement times in two groups. RESULTS: The results showed that the medical screen group had better outcomes with respect to pain management during dressing changes; in addition, the satisfaction score of the wound therapist and children's parents presented also better outcomes compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated application of the medical screen for burns can relieve the pain of 1 - 3-year old children experienced a burn during dressing changes. In addition, the application of the medical screen also increased the satisfaction of the child's parents and wound therapist. Registration NO: 1,900,020,953. IMPACT: Compared with conventional dressing methods, the medical screen can be used as a novel way to decrease the negative experience of burn patients ages 1-3 who require dressing changes.

Deep frostbite: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in northeastern China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with severe frostbite in a single institution in northeastern China. METHODS: The clinical records of patients with severe frostbite of the extremities who were hospitalized at the authors' institution between January 2009 and April 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, predisposing factors, clinical presentation, duration of signs and symptoms, number of surgical interventions, and length of hospital stay were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 156 consecutive inpatients were treated for severe frostbite with the mean age was 43.7 ± 14.15 years. Hands were the most common site involved (38.5%). The most prevalent predisposing factor for frostbite included alcohol abuse (41.67%), smoking habits (37.18%) and psychiatric illness (14.11%). Mean duration of signs and symptoms was 3.6 days. Most of patients (37.8%) sustained frostbite injury in January. All patients survived, and the mean length of hospital stay was 45.6 days (range, 29-62). Amputations of limbs were performed in 40.4% of patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of deep frostbite in Jilin province correlates with the environmental temperature and is often associated with alcohol abuse, smoking and other psychosocial factors. Delayed presentation would increase the risk of amputation. These findings should guide clinical decisions about the treatment of individual patients with deep frostbite.