Novel Dynamic Event-Triggered Consensus Control of Multiagent Systems With Markovian Switching Topologies Under DoS Attacks.

This article focuses on the issue of novel dynamic event-triggered consensus control of multiagent systems (MASs) with denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Different from the conventional Markovian switching topologies, the generally uncertain semi-Markovian (GUSM) switching topologies with partially unknown elements and time-dependent uncertainties are constructed for the leader-following MASs by considering the equipment performance and external uncertain environment influence. To save communication resources, the novel dynamic memory event-triggered strategy (DMETS) is presented to decrease the frequency of communication between agents. Some secure consensus control criteria are established for the MASs with GUSM switching topologies and DoS attacks due to the potential system communication disruption caused by attackers. Finally, two physical system examples are designed to prove the effectiveness of the presented method.

Tim-4 alleviates acute hepatic injury by modulating homeostasis and function of NKT cells.

T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 4 (Tim-4) is an immune checkpoint molecule, which involves in numerous inflammatory diseases. Tim-4 is mainly expressed on antigen presenting cells. However, increasing evidences have shown that Tim-4 is also expressed on natural killer T (NKT) cells. The role of Tim-4 in maintaining NKT cell homeostasis and function remains unknown. In this study, we explored the effect of Tim-4 on NKT cells in acute liver injury. This study found that Tim-4 expression on hepatic NKT cells was elevated during acute liver injury. Tim-4 deficiency enhanced IFN-γ, TNF-α expression while impaired IL-4 production in NKT cells. Loss of Tim-4 drove NKT cell effector lineages to be skewed to NKT1 subset. Furthermore, Tim-4 KO mice were more susceptible to α-GalCer challenge. In conclusion, our findings indicate that Tim-4 plays an important role in regulating homeostasis and function of NKT cells in acute liver injury. Therefore, Tim-4 might become a new regulator of NKT cells and a potential target for the therapy of acute hepatitis.

Wnt/Wingless signaling promotes lipid mobilization through signal-induced transcriptional repression.

The Wnt/Wingless signaling pathway plays critical roles in metazoan development and energy metabolism, but its role in regulating lipid homeostasis remains not fully understood. Here, we report that the activation of canonical Wnt/Wg signaling promotes lipolysis while concurrently inhibiting lipogenesis and fatty acid ß-oxidation in both larval and adult adipocytes, as well as cultured S2R+ cells, in Drosophila. Using RNA-sequencing and CUT&RUN (Cleavage Under Targets & Release Using Nuclease) assays, we identified a set of Wnt target genes responsible for intracellular lipid homeostasis. Notably, active Wnt signaling directly represses the transcription of these genes, resulting in decreased de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid ß-oxidation, but increased lipolysis. These changes lead to elevated free fatty acids and reduced triglyceride (TG) accumulation in adipocytes with active Wnt signaling. Conversely, downregulation of Wnt signaling in the fat body promotes TG accumulation in both larval and adult adipocytes. The attenuation of Wnt signaling also increases the expression of specific lipid metabolism-related genes in larval adipocytes, wing discs, and adult intestines. Taken together, these findings suggest that Wnt signaling-induced transcriptional repression plays an important role in regulating lipid homeostasis by enhancing lipolysis while simultaneously suppressing lipogenesis and fatty acid ß-oxidation.

Development and Implementation of a Dynamically Updated Big Data Intelligence Platform Using Electronic Medical Records for Secondary Hypertension.

Background: The accurate identification and diagnosis of secondary hypertension is critical,especially while cardiovascular heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death. To develop a big data intelligence platform for secondary hypertension using electronic medical records to contribute to future basic and clinical research. Methods: Using hospital data, the platform, named Hypertension DATAbase at Urumchi (UHDATA), included patients diagnosed with hypertension at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region since December 2004. The electronic data acquisition system, the database synchronization technology, and data warehouse technology (extract-transform-load, ETL) for the scientific research big data platform were used to synchronize and extract the data from each business system in the hospital. Standard data elements were established for the platform, including demographic and medical information. To facilitate the research, the database was also linked to the sample database system, which includes blood samples, urine specimens, and tissue specimens. Results: From December 17, 2004, to August 31, 2022, a total of 295,297 hypertensive patients were added to the platform, with 53.76% being males, with a mean age of 59 years, and 14% with secondary hypertension. However, 75,802 patients visited the Hypertension Center at our hospital, with 43% (32,595 patients) being successfully diagnosed with secondary hypertension. The database contains 1458 elements, with an average fill rate of 90%. The database can continuously include the data for new hypertensive patients and add new data for existing hypertensive patients, including post-discharge follow-up information, and the database updates every 2 weeks. Presently, some studies that are based on the platform have been published. Conclusions: Using computer information technology, we developed and implemented a big database of dynamically updating electronic medical records for patients with hypertension, which is helpful in promoting future research on secondary hypertension.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for poor outcomes of invasive pneumococcal disease in pediatric patients in China.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a significant health concern in children worldwide. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical features, antibiotic resistance, and risk variables for poor outcomes in patients with IPD in Hangzhou. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre study was performed using the pediatric intensive care (PIC) database from 2010 to 2018. The clinical characteristics, laboratory data, antimicrobial resistance, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality and sepsis in patients with IPD in intensive care units (ICUs) were analyzed systematically. RESULTS: A total of 178 IPD patients were included in the study. The majority of the IPD children were 2-10 years old. Antimicrobial resistance tests of S. pneumoniae isolates revealed high resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline and compound sulfamethoxazole (SMZ-Co). All the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, telithromycin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin. IPD patients may experience poor outcomes, including death and sepsis. The in-hospital mortality was 3.93%, and 34.27% of patients suffered from sepsis. Temperature (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.62-8.87; P = 0.0021), Partial Pressure of Oxygen in Arterial Blood (PaO2) (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-1.00; P = 0.0266), and albumin (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99; P = 0.0329) were found to be independent risk factors for sepsis in children with IPD. CONCLUSION: Pediatric IPD deserves attention in China. Appropriate surveillance and antibiotic selection are crucial in managing resistant strains. Early identification of high-risk individuals with risk factors contributes to the development of appropriate treatment strategies.

From Pixels to Principles: A Decade of Progress and Landscape in Trustworthy Computer Vision.

The rapid development of computer vision technologies and applications has brought forth a range of social and ethical challenges. Due to the unique characteristics of visual technology in terms of data modalities and application scenarios, computer vision poses specific ethical issues. However, the majority of existing literature either addresses artificial intelligence as a whole or pays particular attention to natural language processing, leaving a gap in specialized research on ethical issues and systematic solutions in the field of computer vision. This paper utilizes bibliometrics and text-mining techniques to quantitatively analyze papers from prominent academic conferences in computer vision over the past decade. It first reveals the developing trends and specific distribution of attention regarding trustworthy aspects in the computer vision field, as well as the inherent connections between ethical dimensions and different stages of visual model development. A life-cycle framework regarding trustworthy computer vision is then presented by making the relevant trustworthy issues, the operation pipeline of AI models, and viable technical solutions interconnected, providing researchers and policymakers with references and guidance for achieving trustworthy CV. Finally, it discusses particular motivations for conducting trustworthy practices and underscores the consistency and ambivalence among various trustworthy principles and technical attributes.

Policy Iteration Q -Learning for Linear Itô Stochastic Systems With Markovian Jumps and Its Application to Power Systems.

This article addresses the solution of continuous-time linear Itô stochastic systems with Markovian jumps using an online policy iteration (PI) approach grounded in Q -learning. Initially, a model-dependent offline algorithm, structured according to traditional optimal control strategies, is designed to solve the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE). Employing Lyapunov theory, we rigorously derive the convergence of the offline PI algorithm and the admissibility of the iterative control law through mathematical analysis. This article represents the first attempt to tackle these technical challenges. Subsequently, to address the limitations inherent in the offline algorithm, we introduce a novel online Q -learning algorithm tailored for Itô stochastic systems with Markovian jumps. The proposed Q -learning algorithm obviates the need for transition probabilities and system matrices. We provide a thorough stability analysis of the closed-loop system. Finally, the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed algorithms are demonstrated through a simulation example, underpinned by the theorems established herein.

Denosumab ameliorates osteoarthritis by protecting cartilage against degradation and modulating subchondral bone remodeling.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide. Effective management for early-stage OA is crucial. Denosumab (DS) has been widely used to treat osteoporosis (OP) and rheumatoid arthritis, but its potential for managing OA remains clear. We assessed the effects of DS on osteoclast activity and chondrocyte apoptosis using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, and TUNEL staining. To assess the impact of DS on the NF-κB pathway, we performed Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, we used an OA model to explore the influence of DS on subchondral bone remodeling and cartilage degeneration in vivo. We found that DS hindered receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting the activity of the NF-κB pathway. Besides, DS alleviated reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced apoptosis in chondrocytes by regulating the expression of genes related to apoptosis. Moreover, we observed an attenuation of OA-related subchondral bone remodeling and cartilage degeneration in vivo. Our findings indicate that DS could effectively suppress osteoclast activity and chondrocyte apoptosis, thereby mitigating OA-related subchondral bone remodeling and cartilage degeneration. These results provide a mechanistic basis for using DS to treat OA.

Cryo-electron tomography reveals the packaging pattern of RuBisCOs in Synechococcus ß-carboxysome.

Carboxysomes are large self-assembled microcompartments that serve as the central machinery of a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). Biogenesis of carboxysome requires the fine organization of thousands of individual proteins; however, the packaging pattern of internal RuBisCOs remains largely unknown. Here we purified the intact ß-carboxysomes from Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and identified the protein components by mass spectrometry. Cryo-electron tomography combined with subtomogram averaging revealed the general organization pattern of internal RuBisCOs, in which the adjacent RuBisCOs are mainly arranged in three distinct manners: head-to-head, head-to-side, and side-by-side. The RuBisCOs in the outermost layer are regularly aligned along the shell, the majority of which directly interact with the shell. Moreover, statistical analysis enabled us to propose an ideal packaging model of RuBisCOs in the ß-carboxysome. These results provide new insights into the biogenesis of ß-carboxysomes and also advance our understanding of the efficient carbon fixation functionality of carboxysomes.

Glycosyltransferase Slr1064 regulates carbon metabolism by modulating the levels of UDP-GlcNAc in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are enzymes that transfer sugars to various targets. They play important roles in diverse biological processes, including photosynthesis, cell motility, exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism; however, their involvement in regulating carbon metabolism in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has not been reported. We identified a novel GT protein, Slr1064, involved in carbon metabolism. The effect of slr1064 deletion on the growth of Synechocystis cells and functional mechanisms of Slr1064 on carbon metabolism were thoroughly investigated through physiological, biochemistry, proteomic, and metabolic analyses. We found that this GT, which is mainly distributed in the membrane compartment, is essential for the growth of Synechocystis under heterotrophic and mixotrophic conditions, but not under autotrophic conditions. The deletion of slr1064 hampers the turnover rate of Gap2 under mixotrophic conditions and disrupts the assembly of the PRK/GAPDH/CP12 complex under dark culture conditions. Additionally, UDP-GlcNAc, the pivotal metabolite responsible for the O-GlcNAc modification of GAPDH, is downregulated in the Δslr1064. Our work provides new insights into the role of GTs in carbon metabolism in Synechocystis and elucidate the mechanism by which carbon metabolism is regulated in this important model organism.

Data Quality-Aware Mixed-Precision Quantization via Hybrid Reinforcement Learning.

Mixed-precision quantization mostly predetermines the model bit-width settings before actual training due to the non-differential bit-width sampling process, obtaining suboptimal performance. Worse still, the conventional static quality-consistent training setting, i.e., all data is assumed to be of the same quality across training and inference, overlooks data quality changes in real-world applications which may lead to poor robustness of the quantized models. In this article, we propose a novel data quality-aware mixed-precision quantization framework, dubbed DQMQ, to dynamically adapt quantization bit-widths to different data qualities. The adaption is based on a bit-width decision policy that can be learned jointly with the quantization training. Concretely, DQMQ is modeled as a hybrid reinforcement learning (RL) task that combines model-based policy optimization with supervised quantization training. By relaxing the discrete bit-width sampling to a continuous probability distribution that is encoded with few learnable parameters, DQMQ is differentiable and can be directly optimized end-to-end with a hybrid optimization target considering both task performance and quantization benefits. Trained on mixed-quality image datasets, DQMQ can implicitly select the most proper bit-width for each layer when facing uneven input qualities. Extensive experiments on various benchmark datasets and networks demonstrate the superiority of DQMQ against existing fixed/mixed-precision quantization methods.

Non-transcriptional regulatory activity of SMAX1 and SMXL2 mediates karrikin-regulated seedling response to red light in Arabidopsis.

Karrikins and strigolactones govern plant development and environmental responses through closely related signaling pathways. The transcriptional repressor proteins SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1 (SMAX1), SMAX1-like2 (SMXL2), and D53-like SMXLs mediate karrikin and strigolactone signaling by directly binding downstream genes or by inhibiting the activities of transcription factors. In this study, we characterized the non-transcriptional regulatory activities of SMXL proteins in Arabidopsis. We discovered that SMAX1 and SMXL2 with mutations in their ethylene-response factor-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif had undetectable or weak transcriptional repression activities but still partially rescued the hypocotyl elongation defects and fully reversed the cotyledon epinasty defects of the smax1 smxl2 mutant. SMAX1 and SMXL2 directly interact with PHYTOCHROME INTERACTION FACTOR 4 (PIF4) and PIF5 to enhance their protein stability by interacting with phytochrome B (phyB) and suppressing the association of phyB with PIF4 and PIF5. The karrikin-responsive genes were then identified by treatment with GR24ent-5DS, a GR24 analog showing karrikin activity. Interestingly, INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID INDUCIBLE 29 (IAA29) expression was repressed by GR24ent-5DS treatment in a PIF4- and PIF5-dependent and EAR-independent manner, whereas KARRIKIN UPREGULATED F-BOX 1 (KUF1) expression was induced in a PIF4- and PIF5-independent and EAR-dependent manner. Furthermore, the non-transcriptional regulatory activity of SMAX1, which is independent of the EAR motif, had a global effect on gene expression. Taken together, these results indicate that non-transcriptional regulatory activities of SMAX1 and SMXL2 mediate karrikin-regulated seedling response to red light.

TIPE1 limits virus replication by disrupting PKM2/ HIF-1α/ glycolysis feedback loop.

OBJECTIVE: Virus infection is a major threat to human health and remains a significant cause of death to date. Macrophages are important innate immune cells that exhibit indispensable roles in controlling virus replication. It was recently reported that metabolic adaption determines the functional state of macrophages. Thus, to further unravel the crucial factors involving in metabolic adaption of macrophages might provide the potential candidates for optimizing their anti-viral capabilities. METHODS: RT-PCR, Western blotting, virus plaque assay and HE were used to evaluate the viral load in virus-infected Tipe1M-KO and Tipe1f/f mice or cultured macrophages. RNA sequencing were performed with Tipe1M-KOor Tipe1f/f BMDMs upon virus infection. Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was applied for analyzing glycolysis rate in virus-infected BMDMs. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay and LC-MS/MS were used to determine the potential interacting proteins of TIPE1. RESULTS: TIPE1 level was significantly reduced in BMDMs infected with either RNA viruses or DNA virus. Deficiency of Tipe1 in macrophages increased viral load and aggravated tissue damage. Mechanistically, TIPE1 suppressed the glycolytic capacity of macrophages through interacting with PKM2 and promoting its ubiquitination degradation, which in turn decreased HIF1α transcription and viral replication in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: TIPE1 functions as a novel regulator for metabolic reprogramming and virus infection in macrophages.

Palladium-Catalyzed Arylations towards 3,6-Diaryl-1,3a,6a-triazapentalenes and Evaluation of Their Fluorescence Properties.

Methyl 4-(1,3a,6a-triazapentalen-3-yl)benzoate (TAP1) shows interesting properties as a small molecule fluorophore. In the search for post-functionalization methods, palladium-catalyzed arylation reactions were demonstrated. Direct CH arylation reactions of TAP1 with various aryl halides resulted in 3,6-diaryltriazapentalenes TAP4, although mostly in poor yields. Bromination of TAP1 followed by Suzuki coupling, on the other hand, requires a more delicate procedure, but gave arylated products with the same regiochemistry (TAP4) in moderate to good yields. The structure of 6-phenyltriazapentalene TAP4a was confirmed by crystallographic analysis. In addition, the effect of the C6 arylation on the fluorescent properties of 3-aryl-1,3a,6a-triazapentalenes was studied in dichloromethane at room temperature and in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran at 77 K, while the photophysical properties of two saponified derivatives were measured in acetonitrile.

Compare the Quadriceps Activity between Mini-Midvastus and Mini-Medial Parapatellar Approach in Total Knee Arthroplasty with Electromyography.

Background: The comparison between the mini-midvastus (mini-MV) and mini-parapatellar (mini-MPP) approach in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a subject of debate. The present study compared quadriceps activation, pain levels, and clinical outcomes between the two approaches; quadricep activation was assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study comprised a total of 78 patients aged between 50 and 85 years with primary osteoarthritis. Patients were divided into a mini-MV (n = 38) group and a mini-MPP (n = 40) group according to the surgical approach. Results: The two groups exhibited no significant differences in sEMG for the vastus medialis (VM) or rectus femoris (RF) at the follow-up time points, with the exception that the mini-MV group exhibited superior strength of RF during extensions at the 2-week follow-up. However, the mini-MPP group had superior Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC) total and function scores at the 2- and 6-week follow-ups. The mini-MPP group also had superior WOMAC stiffness scores at the 2-week follow-up. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of pain levels or morphine consumption. Conclusions: The sEMG data of quadriceps muscle would not differ significantly between the mini-MV and mini-MPP approaches for TKA. Moreover, the mini-MPP approach may yield superior WOMAC scores when compared with the mini-MV approach.

Application of Carbon Nanoparticles in Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Unilateral Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is newly applied technology. Carbon nanoparticles (CNs) are novel lymph node tracers that have been widely used in China to help remove central lymph nodes (CLNs) and protect the parathyroid glands (PGs) in open thyroid cancer surgery. This study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CNs in TOETVA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients who underwent TOETVA with unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma were enrolled in this study from March 2019 to February 2022. The participants were divided into a CNs group (n=88) and a control group (n=70), based on whether they received a intraoperative injection of CNs or not. Meanwhile, the CNs group were additionally divided into 2 subgroups, leakage subgroup (n=26) and standard subgroup (n=62). The 2 groups and subgroups were compared in terms of patient characteristics, perioperative clinical results, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: All common metrics had no significant differences were found between the CNs group and the control group ( P >0.05). The standard subgroup of CNs group had advantage over the control group on PGs identification (59/62 vs. 59/70 for superior PG, 56/62 vs. 52/70 for inferior PG, P <0.05). Moreover, the standard subgroup harvested more CLNs than the control group (8.97±2.96 vs. 7.47±2.93, P <0.05). More operation time was spent on the leakage subgroup of CNs group than the control group (160.00±17.61 vs. 140.00±13.32, P <0.05). Meanwhile, the leakage subgroup had disadvantage on intraoperative hemorrhage (26.15±10.80 vs. 21.21±7.09, P <0.05) and hospital durations (4.96±0.72 vs. 4.57±0.69, P <0.05). Furthermore, the leakage group identified fewer inferior PG than the control group (7/26 vs. 52/70, P <0.05). Contrary to the standard subgroup, the CLNs of the leakage subgroup was also unsatisfactory compared with the control group (4.96±1.84 vs. 7.47±2.93, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of CNs suspension tracing technology has a definite effect in TOETVA. It can improve the thoroughness of lymph node dissection in the central region and enhance recognition of the PG. However, refined extracapsular anatomy is indispensable to prevent CN leakage. Leaked CNs will also be counterproductive to the operation.

Protein profile of circulating extracellular vesicles reveals biomarker candidates for diagnosis of post-traumatic deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication after trauma and mostly without specific symptoms. Timely diagnosis and early appropriate treatment measures can prevent further development of thrombosis for patients with traumatic lower extremity fractures. Although extracellular vesicles (EVs) are confirmed as promising disease biomarkers, little is known about the role of altered levels and composition in the diagnosis of post-traumatic DVT. METHOD: The levels of circulating EVs subgroups were measured using flow cytometry. Isolated EVs were characterized and subjected to proteomics analysis to screen for differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between DVT and non-DVT patients. Regularized logistic regression analysis based on L2 penalty terms using R's caret package was applied to build a model for DVT diagnosis. RESULTS: Compared to non-DVT patients, DVT patients had higher circulating hepatocyte-derived EVs (hEVs) with good predictive value for post-traumatic DVT diagnosis. The results of the proteomic analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of circulating EVs between the DVT group and non-DVT group were enriched in the complement and coagulation cascade. Finally, an integrated model of five biomarkers including SERPING1, C8G, CFH, FIX, and hEVs level was established for post-traumatic DVT diagnosis with robust identification of the traumatic patients with and without DVT (AUC 0.972). CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic DVT patients had changed levels and composition of circulating EVs compared to non-DVT patients and healthy controls. Circulating EVs may acquire pathological protein signatures and become potential biomarkers for identifying subjects' post-traumatic DVT.

Visual interpretable MRI fine grading of meniscus injury for intelligent assisted diagnosis and treatment.

Meniscal injury represents a common type of knee injury, accounting for over 50% of all knee injuries. The clinical diagnosis and treatment of meniscal injury heavily rely on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, accurately diagnosing the meniscus from a comprehensive knee MRI is challenging due to its limited and weak signal, significantly impeding the precise grading of meniscal injuries. In this study, a visual interpretable fine grading (VIFG) diagnosis model has been developed to facilitate intelligent and quantified grading of meniscal injuries. Leveraging a multilevel transfer learning framework, it extracts comprehensive features and incorporates an attributional attention module to precisely locate the injured positions. Moreover, the attention-enhancing feedback module effectively concentrates on and distinguishes regions with similar grades of injury. The proposed method underwent validation on FastMRI_Knee and Xijing_Knee dataset, achieving mean grading accuracies of 0.8631 and 0.8502, surpassing the state-of-the-art grading methods notably in error-prone Grade 1 and Grade 2 cases. Additionally, the visually interpretable heatmaps generated by VIFG provide accurate depictions of actual or potential meniscus injury areas beyond human visual capability. Building upon this, a novel fine grading criterion was introduced for subtypes of meniscal injury, further classifying Grade 2 into 2a, 2b, and 2c, aligning with the anatomical knowledge of meniscal blood supply. It can provide enhanced injury-specific details, facilitating the development of more precise surgical strategies. The efficacy of this subtype classification was evidenced in 20 arthroscopic cases, underscoring the potential enhancement brought by intelligent-assisted diagnosis and treatment for meniscal injuries.

The therapeutic effects of ADSCs on photoaging of skin induced by UVB irradiation.

Skin photoaging affects appearance and is associated with a variety of skin diseases, even skin cancer. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of skin photoaging is very important. However, there is a lack of effective evaluation methods, so it is an urgent problem to explore a comprehensive, non-invasive and in vivo evaluation method. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are widely used to improve skin conditions as easier to obtain and positive effects. Recently, as the development of ultrasound technology, skin ultrasound has been widely used. Changes in skin layer and structure can be observed by high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS). In addition, Shear wave elastography (SWE) technology can be used to monitor the change of skin hardness. However, it is necessary to further explore the ultrasound parameters in interpreting histological changes. We simulate the progression and treatment process of human skin photoaging by using UVB-induced nude mice skin photoaging model and ADSCs injection. The analysis of the degree and therapeutic effect of skin photoaging was conducted by HFUS, SWE and to verify with histopathology. Our study aims to clarify the value of HFUS combined SWE techniques in evaluating the degree and therapeutic efficacy of skin photoaging, which provides theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment evaluation systems.

Therapeutic Effects of a Novel Aptamer on Coronaviral Infection-Induced Lung Injury and Systemic Inflammatory Responses.

BACKGROUND: Coronaviral infection-induced acute lung injury has become a major threat to public health, especially through the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. Apta-1 is a newly discovered Aptamer that has anti-inflammatory effects on systemic septic responses. The therapeutic effects of Apta-1 on coronaviral infection-induced acute lung injury and systemic responses were evaluated in the present study. METHODS: Female A/J mice (at 12-14 weeks of age) were challenged with murine hepatitis virus 1 (MHV-1), a coronavirus, at 5000 PFU intranasally, followed by Apta-1 intravenously administered (100 mg/kg, twice) 1.5 h or 2 days after viral delivery. Animals were sacrificed at Day 2 or Day 4. Lung tissues were examined with H&E, immunohistochemistry staining, and western blotting. RT-qPCR was used for cytokine gene expression. Serum and plasma were collected for laboratory assessments. RESULTS: Apta-1 treatment reduced viral titers, prevented MHV-1-induced reduction of circulating blood volume and hemolysis, reduced alveolar space hemorrhage, and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) cleavage. Apta-1 treatment also significantly reduced chemokine (MKC, MCP-1, and RANTES) levels, as well as AST, ALT, total bilirubin, and reduced unconjugated bilirubin levels in the serum. CONCLUSION: Apta-1 showed therapeutic benefits in coronaviral infection-induced hemorrhage and PAR-1 cleavage in the lung. It also has anti-inflammatory effects systemically.