A young woman with Mycobacterium chelonae complex infection caused by facial stem cell injection.

In outpatient settings, Mycobacterium chelonae complex infection brought on by cosmetic injections are rather uncommon. We came across a case of infection brought on by a commercial stem cell injection.

Recent advances in exosomal non-coding RNA-based therapeutic approaches for photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Photoaging is a degenerative biological process that affects the quality of life. It is caused by environmental factors including ultraviolet radiation (UVR), deep skin burns, smoking, active oxygen, chemical substances, and trauma. Among them, UVR plays a vital role in the aging process. AIM: With the continuous development of modern medicine, clinical researchers have investigated novel approaches to treat aging. In particular, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), non-coding RNAs are involved in various physiological processes have broad clinical application as they have the advantages of convenient samples, abundant sources, and avoidable ethical issues. METHODS: This article reviews research progress on five types of stem cell, exosomes, non-coding RNA in the context of photoaging treatment: adipose-derived stem cell, human umbilical cord MSCs, epidermal progenitor cells, keratinocyte stem cells, and hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). It also includes stem cell related exosomes and their non-coding RNA research. RESULTS: The results have clinical guiding significance for prevention and control of the onset and development of photoaging. It is found that stem cells secrete cytokines, cell growth factors, non-coding RNA, exosomes and proteins to repair aging skin tissues and achieve skin rejuvenation. In particular, stem cell exosomes and non-coding RNA are found to have significant research potential, as they possess the benefits of their source cells without the disadvantages which include immune rejection and granuloma formation.

Cracking the intestinal lymphatic system window utilizing oral delivery vehicles for precise therapy.

Oral administration is preferred over other drug delivery methods due to its safety, high patient compliance, ease of ingestion without discomfort, and tolerance of a wide range of medications. However, oral drug delivery is limited by the poor oral bioavailability of many drugs, caused by extreme conditions and absorption challenges in the gastrointestinal tract. This review thoroughly discusses the targeted drug vehicles to the intestinal lymphatic system (ILS). It explores the structure and physiological barriers of the ILS, highlighting its significance in dietary lipid and medication absorption and transport. The review presents various approaches to targeting the ILS using spatially precise vehicles, aiming to enhance bioavailability, achieve targeted delivery, and reduce first-pass metabolism with serve in clinic. Furthermore, the review outlines several methods for leveraging these vehicles to open the ILS window, paving the way for potential clinical applications in cancer treatment and oral vaccine delivery. By focusing on targeted drug vehicles to the ILS, this article emphasizes the critical role of these strategies in improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes. Overall, this article emphasizes the critical role of targeted drug vehicles to the ILS and the potential impact of these strategies on improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of 30% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Peeling for Papulopustular Rosacea Treatment.

Background: Thirty per cent supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA) is a water-soluble, sustained release salicylic acid (SA) modality, which is well tolerated by sensitive skin. Anti-inflammatory therapy plays an important role in papulopustular rosacea (PPR) treatment. SSA at a 30% concentration has a natural antiinflammatory property. Aims: This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of 30% SSA peeling for PPR treatment. Methods: Sixty PPR patients were randomly divided into two groups: SSA group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). Patients of the SSA group were treated with 30% SSA peeling three times every 3 weeks. Patients in both groups were instructed to topically apply 0.75% metronidazole gel twice daily. Transdermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and erythema index were assessed after 9 weeks. Results: Fifty-eight patients completed the study. The improvement of erythema index in the SSA group was significantly better than that in the control group. No significant difference was found in terms of TEWL between the two groups. The content of skin hydration in both the groups increased, but there was no statistical significance. No severe adverse events were observed in both the groups. Conclusion: SSA can significantly improve the erythema index and overall appearance of skin in rosacea patients. It has a good therapeutic effect, good tolerance and high safety.

Mutations in γ-secretase subunit-encoding PSENEN gene alone may not be sufficient for the development of acne inversa.

BACKGROUND: The effects of PSENEN mutations in patients with acne inversa (AI) are poorly understood. Hyperproliferation of follicular keratinocytes and resulting occlusion may constitute the initial pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of PSENEN knockdown on γ-secretase subunits, biological behaviors, and related signaling pathways in keratinocytes. METHODS: HaCaT cells were divided into an experimental group (PSENEN knock down), a negative control group, and a blank control group. Whole transcriptome sequencing was used to measure differences in mRNA expression of the whole genome; real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to determine the interference efficiency and the effects of interference on the components of γ-secretase and related molecules. CCK-8 was used to measure cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis and the cell cycle. RESULTS: A comparison of five healthy controls with three patients with PSENEN mutation (c.66delG, c.279delC, c.229_230insCACC) revealed decreased expression of mRNA and protein in skin lesions of the experimental group. In this group, expression of the other components of γ-secretase presenilin C-terminal fragment decreased, expression of immature nicastrin increased, expression of mature nicastrin decreased, and expression of anterior pharynx defective-1 remained unchanged. KEGG analysis revealed that differentially expressed molecules were enriched in m-TOR signaling pathways. Subsequent verification confirmed that differences in PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway molecules, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and the expression levels of Ki-67, KRT1, and IVL between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PSENEN mutations alone may be insufficient to cause the development of AI, or they may only induce a mild phenotype of AI.

On the formation of taiji diagram from the perspective of twenty-four solar terms.

This paper discusses the forming principle of Taiji Diagram from the perspective of the 24 Solar Terms, and then analyses the trend of Taiji Curves, the Polar Point of Taiji Diagram and the meaning of Yin-Yang fishes' eyes. This paper argues that the Taiji Diagram is originated from the S-style solar term model, or model of S-style Taiji Diagram combining solar term and Yin-yang fish. According to methods provided in this essay, the drawing work of Taiji Diagram could be simplified. This paper also further integrates the model diagram with the Chinese traditional medicine, especially with main and collateral channels, Zang-Fu organs and hours of daily time, and directly reveals the relationship among them and sets up two model figures: one is the S-style Taiji Yin-Yang Fishes and Main and Collateral Channels Model Figure, the other is S-style Taiji Yin-Yang Fish and Main and Collateral Channels Hours Model Figure. The Taiji Diagram described in this essay looks like that one black fish (symbolizing Yin) hugs with the other white fish (symbolizing Yang), which contains universal laws and rules of constraints between the Yin-Yang opposites, mutual usages with each other, balance of the ebb and flow, reciprocal transformation, etc. By analyzing the shift and transformation between Yin and Yang of the 24 solar terms in a year, it could not only explain the naming of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, but also help preserve people's health with the combination between medicine and Yi science. The advantages of preventive medicine of traditional Chinese medicine will be high lighted.

The dynamic three-dimensional culture of islet-like clusters in decellularized liver scaffolds.

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide metabolic disease which constitutes a major threat to human health. Stem cells with the ability to differentiate into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) could provide unlimited sources of transplanted cells and solve allogeneic rejection problems. The decellularized scaffolds could provide IPCs with tissue microarchitecture and intact vascular systems. The goal of this study was to engineer intact whole rat liver scaffolds and repopulate the stem cell-derived IPCs into the scaffolds to discover whether the decellularized scaffolds could facilitate the growth and development of IPCs. Decellularized liver scaffolds were obtained using 1 % Triton X-100 with 0.1 % ammonium hydroxide. Architecture and composition of the original extracellular matrix were confirmed by morphologic, histological and immunolabeling examinations. Islet-like clusters were differentiated from Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) by a three-step induction procedure. The differentiation was evaluated by morphology, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and glucose stimulation experiments. The islet-like clusters were recellularized into the decellularized scaffolds by the portal-vein infusion method and cultured by the dynamic circulation perfusion device. After cultivation, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR were conducted. Our results demonstrated that the decellularized rat liver scaffolds have favorable biochemical properties and could support the survival of WJMSC-derived IPCs. In addition, the three-dimensional decellularized scaffolds could enhance the expression of the insulin gene compared with two-dimensional plate culture. In conclusion, these findings suggested that the decellularized scaffolds could provide a suitable platform for cellular activities of IPCs such as survival, differentiation, proliferation and insulin secretion. This study provides fundamental support for regenerating insulin-secreting organs from the decellularized scaffolds combined with stem cell-derived IPCs as a potential clinical application.

Controlling the blood glucose of type 1 diabetes mice by co-culturing MIN-6 ß cells on 3D scaffold.

T1D is an autoimmune disease, which may be caused by lack of insulin-secreting ß cells due to damage of autoimmune system. Living with T1D is a challenge for the child and the family; cell transplantation is a treatment option for diabetes in children. To establish a microenvironment suitable for cell growth and proliferation as well as for sustained cellular function, we used MIN-6 ß cells as seed cells and SF-IV collagen as a 3D composite scaffold to construct artificial pancreas in this experiment. The cell viabilities were determined by MTT assay, and the response of cells to different glucose concentrations was observed by glucose stimulation test. Artificial pancreas was transplanted into the abdominal cavity of T1D mice, and the changes of blood glucose were monitored. After 10 days, insulin expression was detected by immunohistochemical method, and the claybank stained area showed effectiveness of insulin secretion. A series of experiments showed that implantation of 3D cell scaffold into the abdominal cavity can effectively control the blood glucose level of T1D mice. It also had longer-lasting hypoglycemic effects than simple cell transplantation, which was expected to become a new method for the treatment of T1D.

[Stereological study of the placenta in patients receiving different vasopressors for hypotension during cesarean section].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of dopamine and phenylephrine for treatment of hypotension during cesarean section under combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) on the stereology of the placenta. METHODS: Forty puerperants undergoing cesarean section under CSEA were randomly divided into dopamine group and phenylephrine group. Ropivacaine (16 mg) was administered immediately after spinal anethesia. Blood pressure was maintained near the baseline by adjusting the drug infusion rate. Fetal blood gas, Apgar score, and placental villus microvascular stereological changes were observed during the operation. RESULTS: The microvascular density was significantly lower in dopamine group than in phenylephrine group (P<0.05). Phenylephrine group showed significantly lower umbilical artery blood pH than dopamine group (P<0.05). The Apgar score and blood pressure were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to the baseline, both of the two groups showed significantly lowered heart rate during the operation (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Dopamine is associated with the risk of fetal acidosis. Phenylephrine is helpful for preventing hypotension by increasing placental blood flow and improving oxygen supply to ensure maternal and fetal safety during cesarean section.

[Correlation between Pet-CO2 and PaCO2 in morbidly obese patients during anesthesia for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between arterial partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) and end expiratory tidal partial pressure of CO2 (Pet-CO2) in morbidly obese patients during anesthesia for laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. METHODS: Forty morbidly obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 50 kg/m(2) underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery under general anesthesia. PaCO2 and Pet-CO2 were measured after intubation and before induction of pneumoperitoneum (T0), at 30 min (T1), 60 min (T2), and 120 min (T3) during pneumoperitoneum, and at 30 min (T4) and 60 min (T5) after deflation. RESULTS: At each time point of measurement, Pet-CO2 was lower than PaCO2 in all the patients. PaCO2 and Pet-CO2 were positively correlated before, during, and after pneumoperitoneum (P<0.05). At a moderate pressure of CO2 pneumoperitoneum (16 mmHg), the level of correlation between PaCO2 and Pet-CO2 at T1, T2, and T3 differed from that before and after post-pneumoperitoneum. CONCLUSIONS: PaCO2 and Pet-CO2 are closely correlated during a moderate CO2 pneumoperitoneum in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

[Nanometer detection of self-assembly morphology of sodium hyaluronate injection on mica].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the self-assembly morphology of sodium hyaluronate injection on mica using atomic force microscopy(AFM). METHODS: Atomic force microscopy with nanometer resolution was used to observe the self-assembly morphology of different concentrations of sodium hyaluronate injection on mica at room temperature. RESULTS: The self-assembly morphology of 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/ml sodium hyaluronate injection on mica featured piebald, reticular and dendritic structures, respectively. At 1 and 5 mg/ml, sodium hyaluronate injection displayed bacilliform and spherical structures on mica, respectively; the diameter and height of the particles of 5 mg/ml sodium hyaluronate was 197.97±78.48 nm and 30.79±18.67 nm, significantly greater than those of 0.1 mg/ml sodium hyaluronate injection (49.52±11.93 nm and 5.37±1.59 nm, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The self-assembly morphology of sodium hyaluronate injection on mica varies with its concentration. The piebald and reticular structure may facilitate the function of sodium hyaluronate, and the dendritic feature resembles the representative model of diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA).