Developing and validating a nomogram for penile cancer survival: A comprehensive study based on SEER and Chinese data.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to create a nomogram for predicting survival outcomes in penile cancer patients, utilizing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and a Chinese organization. METHODS: Our study involved a cohort of 5744 patients diagnosed with penile cancer from the SEER database, spanning from 2004 to 2019. In addition, 103 patients with penile cancer from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included during the same period. Based on the results of regression analysis, a nomogram is constructed and validated internally and externally. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by concordance index (c-index), area under the curve, decision curve analysis, and calibration curve, in internal and external datasets. Finally, the prediction efficiency is compared with the TNM staging model. RESULTS: A total of 3154 penile patients were randomly divided into the training group and the internal validation group at a ratio of 2:1. Nine independent risk factors were identified, including age, race, marital status, tumor grade, histology, TNM stage, and the surgical approach. Based on these factors, a nomogram was constructed to predict OS. The nomogram demonstrated relatively better consistency, predictive accuracy, and clinical relevance, with a c-index over 0.73 (in the training cohort, the validation cohort, and externally validation cohort.) These evaluation indexes are far better than the TNM staging system. CONCLUSION: Penile cancer, often overlooked in research, has lacked detailed investigative focus and guidelines. This study stands as the first to validate penile cancer prognosis using extensive data from the SEER database, supplemented by data from our own institution. Our findings equip surgeons with an essential tool to predict the prognosis of penile cancer better suited than TNM, thereby enhancing clinical decision-making processes.

Characteristics, predictors and outcomes of new-onset QT prolongation in sepsis: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis-induced myocardial injury is a serious complication of sepsis. QT prolongation is a proarrhythmic state which reflects myocardial injury in a group of heterogeneous disorders. However, the study on the clinical value of QT prolongation in sepsis is limited. METHODS: We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of new-onset QT prolongation in sepsis and its impact on the outcome in a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Electrocardiographic and clinical data were collected from patients with sepsis from the wards and intensive care units of four centers after exclusion of QT-influencing medications and electrolyte abnormalities. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without QT prolongation (QTc > 450 ms). Multivariate analysis was performed to ascertain whether QT prolongation was an independent predictor for 30-day mortality. The factors predicting QT prolongation in sepsis were also analyzed. RESULTS: New-onset QT prolongation occurred in 235/1024 (22.9%) patients. The majority demonstrated similar pattern as type 1 long QT syndrome. Patients with QT prolongation had a higher 30-day in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001), which was also associated with increased tachyarrhythmias including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or tachycardia (P < 0.001) and ventricular arrhythmia (P < 0.001) during hospitalization. QT prolongation independently predicted 30-day mortality (P = 0.044) after multivariate analysis. History of coronary artery disease (P = 0.001), septic shock (P = 0.008), acute respiratory (P < 0.001), heart (P = 0.021) and renal dysfunction (P = 0.013) were independent predictors of QT prolongation in sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: New-onset QT prolongation in sepsis was associated with increased mortality as well as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, which was predicted by disease severity and organ dysfunction.

The predictive significance of chromobox family members in prostate cancer in humans.

PURPOSE: The Chromobox (CBX) family proteins are crucial elements of the epigenetic regulatory machinery and play a significant role in the development and advancement of cancer. Nevertheless, there is limited understanding regarding the role of CBXs in development or progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Our objective is to develop a unique prognostic model associated with CBXs to improve the accuracy of predicting outcomes of patients with PCa. METHODS: Data from TCGA and GEO databases were analyzed to assess differential expression, prognostic value, gene pathway enrichment, and immune cell infiltration. COX regression analysis was utilized to identify the independent prognostic factors that impact disease-free survival (DFS). The expression of CBX2 and FOXP3+ cells infiltration was verified by immunohistochemical staining of clinical tissue sections. In vitro proliferation, migration and invasion assay were conducted to examine the function of CBX2. RNA-seq was employed to examine the CBX2 related pathway enrichment. RESULTS: CBX2, CBX3, CBX4, and CBX8 were upregulated, while CBX6 and CBX7 were downregulated in PCa tissues. CBXs expression varied by stage and grade. Elevated expression of CBX1, CBX2, CBX3, CBX4 and CBX8 is correlated with poor outcome. CBX2 expression, T stage, and Gleason score were independent prognostic factors. The expression level of CBX2 in PCa tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. More Treg infiltration was observed in the group with high CBX2 expression. CBX2 expression affected PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: CBX2 is involved in the development and advancement of PCa, suggesting its potential as a reliable prognostic indicator for PCa patients.

Establishment of a prognostic risk prediction model incorporating disulfidptosis-related lncRNA for patients with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major tumor diseases that threaten men's health globally, and biochemical recurrence significantly impacts its prognosis. Disulfidptosis, a recently discovered cell death mechanism triggered by intracellular disulfide accumulation leading to membrane rupture, is a new area of research in the context of PCa. Currently, its impact on PCa remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the correlation between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with disulfidptosis and the prognosis of PCa, seeking potential connections between the two. METHODS: Transcriptomic data for a PCa cohort were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs (DDRLs) were identified through differential expression and Pearson correlation analysis. DDRLs associated with biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) were precisely identified using univariate Cox and LASSO regression, resulting in the development of a risk score model. Clinical factors linked to BRFS were determined through both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. A prognostic nomogram combined the risk score with key clinical variables. Model performance was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, Decision Curve Analysis (DCA), and calibration curves. The functional impact of a critical DDRL was substantiated through assays involving CCK8, invasion, migration, and cell cloning. Additionally, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the disulfidptosis-related protein SLC7A11 was conducted. RESULTS: The prognostic signature included AC026401.3, SNHG4, SNHG25, and U73166.1 as key components. The derived risk score from these signatures stood as one of the independent prognostic factor for PCa patients, correlating with poorer BRFS in the high-risk group. By combining the risk score with clinical variables, a practical nomogram was created, accurately predicting BRFS of PCa patients. Notably, silencing AC026401.3 significantly hindered PCa cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation. IHC staining revealed elevated expression of the dithiosulfatide-related protein SLC7A11 in tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS: A novel prognostic signature for PCa DDRLs, possessing commendable predictive power, has been constructed, simultaneously providing potential therapeutic targets associated with disulfidptosis, among which AC026401.3 has been validated in vitro and demonstrated inhibition of PCa tumorigenesis after its silencing.

Predicting survival in patients with buccal cancer: A study based on SEER database and external validation in China.

OBJECTIVE: Buccal mucosa cancer (BMC) is one of the most common oral cancers and has poor prognosis. The study aimed to develop and validate nomograms for predicting the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of BMC patients. METHODS: We collected and reviewed information on BMC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2019 from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. Two nomograms were developed and validated to predict the OS and CSS based on predictors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. An extra external validation was further performed using data from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (SYSMH). RESULTS: A total of 3154 BMC patients included in this study were randomly assigned to training and validation groups in a 2:1 ratio. Independent prognostic predictors were identified, confirmed, and fitted into nomograms for OS and CSS, respectively. The C-indices are 0.767 (Training group OS), 0.801 (Training group CSS), 0.763 (Validation group OS), and 0.781 (Validation group OS), respectively. Moreover, the nomograms exhibited remarkable precision in forecasting and significant clinical significance, as evidenced by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses (DCA). The final validation using our data from SYSMH also showed high accuracy and substantial clinical benefits within the nomograms. The C-indices are 0.849 (SYSMH group OS) and 0.916 (SYSMH group CSS). These indexes are better than tumor, node, and metastasis stage based on prediction results. CONCLUSIONS: The nomograms developed with great performance predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and CSS of BMC patients. Use of the nomograms in clinical practices shall bring significant benefits to BMC patients.

A calculation approach for current density distribution evolution of secondary electrons using differential algebra method.

In this study, the concept of the current density distribution (CDD) evolution of secondary electron (SE) beam is presented, and a novel approach using the differential algebra (DA) method is proposed to calculate the CDD evolution of the SE beam. Firstly, the emitted SE beam is divided into some beamlets in polar and azimuth angle directions. For each beamlet only one reference trajectory is traced using DA method. As a result, the transfer properties for this beamlet are obtained. Using the transfer properties, the current density function at arbitrary plane for the beamlet can be derived, in which the initial angle distribution, energy distribution and emission source size are considered. And then, the current density function is integrated, resulting in the CDD of this beamlet at arbitrary plane. Finally, the CDD evolution of the whole SE beam is obtained by superposing the CDDs of all beamlets. As an example, a SE detection system for a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is calculated using the proposed approach and therefore the SE CDD evolution is obtained and analyzed. Furthermore, experiments for observing the SE image of detector are performed, and the calculated SE CDD and the corresponding simulation images well explained the experimental results, validating the proposed calculation method. The proposed approach can be potentially applied for optimizing the SE detection system and therefore improving the collection efficiency of SE.

Single-cell analysis extracted CAFs-related genes to established online app to predict clinical outcome and radiotherapy prognosis of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a significant role in regulating the clinical outcome and radiotherapy prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study is to identify CAFs-related genes (CAFsRGs) using single-cell analysis and evaluate their potential for predicting the prognosis and radiotherapy prognosis in PCa. METHODS: We acquire transcriptome and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) results of PCa and normal adjacent tissues from The GEO and TCGA databases. The "MCPcounter" and "EPIC" R packages were used to assess the infiltration level of CAFs and examine their correlation with PCa prognosis. ScRNA-seq and differential gene expression analyses were used to extract CAFsRGs. We also applied COX and LASSO analysis to further construct a risk score (CAFsRS) to assess biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) and radiotherapy prognosis of PCa. The predictive efficacy of CAFsRS was evaluated by ROC curves and subgroup analysis. Finally, we integrated the CAFsRS gene signature with relevant clinical features to develop a nomogram, enhancing the predictive accuracy. RESULTS: The abundance of CAFs is associated with a poor prognosis of PCa patients. ScRNA-seq and differential gene expression analysis revealed 323 CAFsRGs. After COX and LASSO analysis, we obtained seven CAFsRGs with prognostic significance (PTGS2, FKBP10, ENG, CDH11, COL5A1, COL5A2, and SRD5A2). Additionally, we established a risk score model based on the training set (n = 257). The ROC curve was used to confirm the performance of CAFsRS (The AUC values for 1, 3 and 5-year survival were determined to be 0.732, 0.773, and 0.775, respectively.). The testing set (n = 129), GSE70770 set (n = 199) and GSE116918 set (n = 248) revealed that the model exhibited exceptional predictive performance. This was also confirmed by clinical subgroup analysis. The violin plot demonstrated a statistically significant disparity in the CAFs infiltrations between the high-risk and low-risk groups of CAFsRS. Further analysis confirmed that both CAFsRS and T stage were independent prognostic factors for PCa. The nomogram was then established and its excellent predictive performance was demonstrated through calibration and ROC curves. Finally, we developed an online prognostic prediction app ( https://sysu-symh-cafsnomogram.streamlit.app/ ) to facilitate the practical application of the nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic prediction risk score model we constructed could accurately predict BRFS and radiotherapy prognosis PCa, which can provide new ideas for clinicians to develop personalized PCa treatment and follow-up programs.

Efficacy and safety of intratonsillar immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A lower adherence rate existed in patients receiving allergen-specific immunotherapy due to its lengthy period and adverse effects even though it is the only curative treatment for IgE-mediated allergies. Therefore, exploring innovative allergen-specific immunotherapy routes is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of the intratonsillar injection of house dust mite (HDM) extract in patients with HDM-induced allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 80 patients with HDM-induced AR were randomized to receive 6 intratonsillar injections with HDM extract or placebo in 3 months. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS), visual analogue scale of nasal symptoms, combined symptom and medication score, mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, and serum allergen-specific IgG4 to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were all monitored at baseline and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the treatment was finished. The intent-to-treat and per-protocol set (PPS) are both analyzed. RESULTS: The primary end points TNSS and ΔTNSS were improved significantly at 3 months after the patients with AR finished a 3-month 6-injection intratonsillar immunotherapy compared with those in the placebo treatment in both intent-to-treat and PPS. Results of visual analogue scale, combined symptom and medication score, and mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire were also improved significantly at 3 months after the treatment in PPS. However, the improvement effect of intratonsillar immunotherapy at 6 and 12 months was limited and uncertain based on the data. The increase of serum Der p IgG4 in the active group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group at 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment was finished. Adverse events were monitored, and no systemic adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: The clinical trial revealed that intratonsillar injection with HDM extract was safe and effective in patients with AR. Optimizing the protocol and allergen formulations is expected to increase and maintain the efficacy of this novel approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html, identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-13003600.

Association between urinary glyphosate exposure and bone mineral density in adults.

There is very limited evidence linking glyphosate exposure to bone mineral density in adults aged 20 to 59 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between urinary glyphosate concentrations and total bone mineral density (BMD) in adults aged 20 to 59 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2013 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included 594 men (mean age 39.1 years) and 610 women (mean age 40.0 years). In our study, we utilized a weighted multiple regression equation model to investigate the potential correlation between urinary glyphosate concentration and total BMD. Additionally, we conducted a stratified analysis to differentiate between various special populations. Our findings revealed a significant negative association between urinary glyphosate concentration and total BMD across 3 different regression models (Model 1, ß [95% CI]: -0.0160 [-0.0200, -0.0120]; Model 2, ß [95% CI]: -0.0135 [-0.0172, -0.0098]; Model 3, ß [95% CI]: -0.0141 [-0.0178, -0.0104]). However, after stratifying by gender, age, and race, we observed varying conclusions. This study found that urinary glyphosate concentration was negatively associated with total BMD in both men and women when stratified by sex. Additionally, when stratified by age, the negative association was more significant in the 20 to 29 and 50 to 59 year age groups. When stratified by race, a significant negative association was found in races other than Hispanic. Therefore, the impact of glyphosate exposure on BMD should attract more people's attention.

Identifying Optimal Candidates for Trimodality Therapy among Nonmetastatic Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients.

(1) Background: This research aims to identify candidates for trimodality therapy (TMT) or radical cystectomy (RC) by using a predictive model. (2) Methods: Patients with nonmetastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were enrolled. The clinical data of 2174 eligible patients were extracted and separated into RC and TMT groups. To control for confounding bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was carried out. A nomogram was established via multivariable logistic regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves were used to assess the nomogram's prediction capacity. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was carried out to determine the nomogram's clinical applicability. (3) Results: After being processed with PSM, the OS of the RC group was significantly longer compared with the TMT group (p < 0.001). This remarkable capacity for discrimination was exhibited in the training (AUC: 0.717) and validation (AUC: 0.774) sets. The calibration curves suggested acceptable uniformity. Excellent clinical utility was shown in the DCA curve. The RC and RC-Beneficial group survived significantly longer than the RC and TMT-Beneficial group (p < 0.001) or the TMT group (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the RC and TMT-Beneficial group and the TMT group (p = 0.321). (4) Conclusions: A predictive model with excellent discrimination and clinical application value was established to identify the optimal patients for TMT among nonmetastatic MIBC patients.

Protein modified cellulose nanocrystals on reinforcement and self-driven biodegradation of aliphatic polyester.

Due to the highly environment-dependent biodegradation and uncontrolled degradation period, the long-run feasibility and effectiveness of biodegradable polymers are extensively questioned to solve plastics waste accumulation and pollution problems. This work physically incorporated lipase PS from Burkholderia cepacian on cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and embedded it in polycaprolactone (PCL) to construct stable and controllable interfacial microenvironment between CNC and PCL for the reinforcement and controllable self-driven biodegradation. The physical adsorption of lipase PS on CNC was studied by monitoring the surface charge and particle size. FT-IR spectra confirmed the successful incorporation of lipase PS and CNC. Compared with CNC, protein-modified CNC had a higher maximum thermal decomposition temperature of 345 °C and lower interfacial tension of 11 mN/m with PCL which provided PCL composites with higher nucleation efficiency and tensile elongation of 1086 % at break. In addition, only 0.67 % embedded lipase PS completely hydrolyzed PCL membranes in <140 h. The post-compression molding at 80-100 °C had negligible influence on the lipase activity, which indicated that CNC could protect the lipase from inactivation in polymer extrusion and compression. This work also highlighted protein-modified CNC as a new technology for polymer reinforcement.

Association between the ratio of serum creatinine to cystatin C and bone mineral density in middle-aged and older adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES database.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between creatinine to cystatin C ratio (CCR) and bone mineral density (BMD) in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated participants aged 50-85, using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2002. The correlation between CCR and total BMD was assessed by multivariate linear regression models, using stratified analysis by age, sex and race (Mexican American, other Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and other race) to distinguish various special populations. RESULTS: Among 2992 patients, multiple regression models revealed a significant positive correlation between CCR and total BMD: model 1, 0.030 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.029, 0.031); model 2, 0.009 (95% CI 0.008, 0.010); model 3, 0.010 (95% CI 0.009, 0.013). After controlling for all covariates, a positive correlation was observed between CCR and total BMD in both men and women, and was further strengthened in older age groups. When stratifying by race, the positive correlation was most significant among 'other Hispanic' participants; there was no significant correlation among those of 'other race'. CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation was demonstrated between CCR and total BMD in middle-aged and older adults aged 50-85 years, with the most significant positive correlation in the older 'other Hispanic' population. No significant correlation was observed among participants of 'other race'.

Mechanism of prognostic marker SPOCK3 affecting malignant progression of prostate cancer and construction of prognostic model.

BACKGROUND: SPOCK3 is a secreted extracellular matrix proteoglycan. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SPOCK3 on the malignant progression of prostate cancer and to construct a prognostic model to predict DFS of patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Clinical and transcriptome sequencing data for prostate cancer were download from the TCGA and GEO databases. The survival curve showed that SPOCK3 has prognostic significance. GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analysis were used to investigate how SPOCK3 affects the malignant progression of prostate cancer. Based on ESTIMATE and ssGSEA, the relationship between SPOCK3 and immune cell infiltration in prostate cancer tissue was clarified. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors of prostate cancer OS and to construct a nomogram. The calibration curve and ROC curves were drawn to assess the nomogram's predictive power. RESULTS: The survival curve revealed that patients in the low-expression group of SPOCK3 had a poor prognosis. According to enrichment analysis, SOPCK3-related genes were enriched in collagen-containing extracellular matrix, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathway. ESTIMATE analysis revealed that SPOCK3 expression was positively correlated with the interstitial score, immune score, and ESTIMATE score. The results of ssGSEA analysis revealed that the infiltration levels of Mast cells, NK cells, and B cells were higher in the SPOCK3 high expression group. Cox regression analysis showed that SPOCK3 expression level, T and Gleason score were independent risk factors of patient prognosis, and a nomogram was constructed. The ROC curve showed the AUCs of DFS at 2, 3, and 5 years. CONCLUSION: SPOCK3 is a protective factor for DFS in prostate cancer patients. SPOCK3 is significantly associated with immune cell infiltration. The prognostic model constructed based on SPOCK3 has excellent predictive performance.

Association between creatine phosphokinase level within normal range and bone mineral density in adolescents.

Currently, it is unclear whether creatine phosphokinase (CPK) affects bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents. We sought to clarify the relationship between CPK and total BMD in adolescents aged 12 to 19 years within normal values by conducting this study. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2011 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey data to examine 1188 males (average age, 15.2 years) and 1629 females (average age, 15.4 years). In this study, CPK was the independent variable and total BMD was the outcome variable. In addition to using multivariate linear regression models, subgroup analyses were also conducted in order to examine the relationship between CPK levels and total BMD within normal ranges. Significant positive association was observed between the CPK levels and total BMD in adolescents (model 1: 0.0003 [0.0002, 0.0004], model 2: 0.0004 [0.0003, 0.0005] and model 3: 0.0004 [0.0003, 0.0004]). After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, dietary protein intake, dietary protein intake, dietary fiber intake, poverty to income ratio, physical activities, total cholesterol, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus, and serum calcium, CPK levels remained significantly associated with BMD (regression coefficients for quartiles 2 to 4 vs quartile1 were 0.0002, 0.0072, and 0.0154, respectively; P for trend <.001). The association was positive even when stratified by age, gender, and race. Further, adolescents aged 16 to 19 years were more likely to report positive relationships than adolescents aged 12 to 15 years. And the phase relationship between total BMD and CPK was further enhanced in boys. The results of our study show that CPK levels within the normal range are positively associated with total BMD in adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Additionally, CPK may be a potential biomarker of bone health among adolescents.

Serum lipidomics-based study of electroacupuncture for skin wound repair in rats.

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in the repair of skin wounds. Studies have shown that acupuncture is very effective in skin wound repair. However, there is little knowledge about the mechanism of electroacupuncture. Thirty-six SD rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated group, model group and electroacupuncture group, with six rats in each group. After the intervention, orbital venous blood was collected for lipid metabolomics analysis, wound perfusion was detected and finally the effect of electroacupuncture on skin wound repair was comprehensively evaluated by combining wound healing rate and histology. Lipid metabolomics analysis revealed 11 differential metabolites in the model versus sham-operated group. There were 115 differential metabolites in the model versus electro-acupuncture group. 117 differential metabolites in the electro-acupuncture versus sham-operated group. There were two differential metabolites common to all three groups. Mainly cholesteryl esters and sphingolipids were elevated after electroacupuncture and triglycerides were largely decreased after electroacupuncture. The electroacupuncture group recovered faster than the model group in terms of blood perfusion and wound healing (p < 0.05). Electroacupuncture may promote rat skin wound repair by improving lipid metabolism and improving local perfusion.

Experimental study on remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil by combination of freeze-thaw and electro-osmosis.

Electro-osmosis has been well recognized as a technique for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil, however seasonally freezing and thawing adds the complexity of petroleum mobility in cold regions. To investigate the influence of freeze-thaw on the electroosmotic removal of petroleum and explore the enhancement of freeze-thaw on the electroosmotic remediation efficiency in remediating the petroleum-contaminated soils, a set of laboratory tests were performed in three types of treatment modes, freeze-thaw (FT), electro-osmosis (EO) and freeze-thaw combined electro-osmosis (FE). The petroleum redistributions as well as the moisture content changes after the treatments were evaluated and compared. The petroleum removal rates of the three treatments were analyzed, and the underlying mechanisms were elaborated. The results indicated that the overall efficiency of the treatment mode regarding petroleum removal from soil followed the order of FE > EO > FT, corresponding to 54%, 36% and 21% in maximum, respectively. A considerable amount of water solution with surfactant was driven into contaminated soil during FT process, but the petroleum mobilization primarily occurred inside of the specimen. A higher remediation efficiency was yield in EO mode, but the induced dehydration and cracks leaded to the dramatical depression in the efficiency in further process. It is proposed that the petroleum removal is closely related to the flow of water solution with surfactant that is favorable to the solubility and mobilization of the petroleum in soil. Thus, the water migration induced by freeze-thaw cycles substantially improved the efficiency of the electroosmotic remediation in FE mode that gave the best performance for the remediation of the petroleum-contaminated soil.

Electroacupuncture promotes skin wound repair by improving lipid metabolism and inhibiting ferroptosis.

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in the repair of skin wounds. Studies have shown that acupuncture is very effective in skin wound repair. However, there is little knowledge about the mechanism of electroacupuncture. Thirty-six SD rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated group, model group and electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. After the intervention, local skin tissues were collected for lipid metabolomics analysis, wound perfusion and ferroptosis-related indexes were detected and finally the effect of electroacupuncture on skin wound repair was comprehensively evaluated by combining wound healing rate and histology. Lipid metabolomics analysis revealed 37 differential metabolites shared by the three groups, mainly phospholipids, lysophospholipids, glycerides, acylcarnitine, sphingolipids and fatty acids, and they could be back-regulated after electroacupuncture. The recovery of blood perfusion and wound healing was faster in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (p < 0.05). The levels of GPX4, FTH1, SOD and GSH-PX, which are related to ferroptosis, were higher in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (p < 0.05). The levels of ACSL4 and MDA were lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (p < 0.05). Electroacupuncture may promote skin wound repair by improving lipid metabolism and inhibiting ferroptosis in local tissues.

Feasibility of repairing skin defects by VEGF165 gene-modified iPS-HFSCs seeded on a 3D printed scaffold containing astragalus polysaccharide.

The preparation of biodegradable scaffolds loaded with cells and cytokine is a feature of tissue-engineered skin. IPSCs-based tissue-engineered skin treatment for wound repair is worth exploring. Healthy human skin fibroblasts were collected and reprogrammed into iPSCs. After gene modification and induction, CK19+ /Integrinß1+ /CD200+ VEGF165 gene-modified iPS-HFSCsGFP were obtained and identified by a combination of immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. Astragalus polysaccharide-containing 3D printed degradable scaffolds were prepared and co-cultured with VEGF165 gene-modified iPS-HFSCsGFP , and the biocompatibility and spatial structure of the tissue-engineered skin was analysed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the tissue-engineered skin was transplanted onto the dorsal trauma of nude mice, and the effect of tissue-engineered skin on the regenerative repair of total skin defects was evaluated by a combination of histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and in vivo three-dimensional reconstruction under two-photon microscopy. CK19+ /Integrinß1+ /CD200+ VEGF165 gene-modified iPS-HFSCsGFP , close to the morphology and phenotype of human-derived hair follicle stem cells, were obtained. The surface of the prepared 3D printed degradable scaffold containing 200 µg/mL astragalus polysaccharide was enriched with honeycomb-like meshwork, which was more conducive to the proliferation of the resulting cells. After tissue-engineered skin transplantation, combined assays showed that it promoted early vascularization, collagen and hair follicle regeneration and accelerated wound repair. VEGF165 gene-modified iPS-HFSCsGFP compounded with 3D printed degradable scaffolds containing 200 µg/mL astragalus polysaccharide can directly and indirectly participate in vascular, collagen, and hair follicle regeneration in the skin, achieving more complete structural and functional skin regenerative repair.

Association between fibrinogen and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: There is very limited of evidence linking fibrinogen and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Therefore, this study intended to examine the relationship between fibrinogen and total BMD in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis included 2043 postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older from the 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The independent variable was fibrinogen and the outcome variable was total BMD. The association between fibrinogen and total BMD in postmenopausal women was examined using multivariate linear regression models, with subgroup analyses stratified by race. Smoothing curve fitting and generalized additive models further analyzed the sample data. RESULTS: In multiple regression models adjusted for potential confounders, fibrinogen was negatively associated with total BMD (model 1: - 0.0002 [- 0.0002, - 0.0001], model 2: - 0.0000 [- 0.0001, - 0.0000], model 3: - 0.0001 [- 0.0001, - 0.0001]). In subgroup analysis stratified by race, fibrinogen levels were negatively associated with total BMD in postmenopausal women, Non-Hispanic Whites, and Mexican Americans. However, in Non-Hispanic Blacks, the correlation between fibrinogen levels and total BMD was not significant. For individuals that identify as Other Races, fibrinogen levels were positively correlated with total BMD. CONCLUSION: Our findings show a negative association between fibrinogen levels and total BMD in most postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older, however, is variable by race. In postmenopausal women, Non-Hispanic Whites and Mexican Americans, relatively high fibrinogen levels may be adverse to bone health.

Protective effect of ulinastatin on myocardial injuries in children with severe pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ulinastatin on myocardial protection in children with severe pneumonia. METHODS: In this retrospective study, children with severe pneumonia were divided into two groups based on their treatment methods. The control group (n=39) received anti-infection therapy, while the experimental group (n=43) received anti-infection therapy combined with ulinastatin. The clinical treatment efficacy, levels of peripheral inflammatory factors, T lymphocyte subsets, QT dispersion and adverse reactions of the two groups were observed and compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The clinical efficacy was improved after intervention (P<0.05), and the total response rate was 88.4% (38/43) in the experimental group and 64.1% in the control group. The post-treatment levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the peripheral blood were lower than those before treatment, with significant differences (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, whereas the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and hscRP in the peripheral blood were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group, with significant differences (P<0.05). The QT dispersion indexes, such as QTmax, QTmin, QTd, QTcmax, QTcd and QTcmin in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ulinastatin has significant therapeutic efficacy and safety in the clinical treatment of children with severe pneumonia, which may be related to inhibition of the release of inflammatory factors, shortened QT dispersion and the improvement of immune function of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets.