Enhanced breast cancer therapy using multifunctional lipid-coated nanoparticles combining curcumin chemotherapy and nitric oxide gas delivery.

The limitations associated with conventional cancer treatment modalities, particularly for breast cancer, underscore the imperative for developing safer and more productive drug delivery systems. A promising strategy that has emerged is the combination of chemotherapy with gas therapy. We synthesized curcumin-loaded amorphous calcium carbonate nanoparticles (Cur-CaCO3) via a gas diffusion reaction in the present study. Subsequently, a "one-step" ethanol injection method was employed to fabricate lipid-coated calcium carbonate nanoparticles (Cur-CaCO3@LA-Lip) loaded with L-arginine, aimed at harnessing the synergistic effects of chemotherapy and nitric oxide to enhance antitumor efficacy. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that Cur-CaCO3@LA-Lip nanoparticles were subspherical with a distinct lipid layer encapsulating the periphery. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed the successful synthesis of Cur-CaCO3@LA-Lip. The nanoparticles exhibited significant drug loading capacities of 8.89% for curcumin and 3.1% for L-arginine. In vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrated that Cur-CaCO3@LA-Lip nanoparticles facilitated sustained release of curcumin and exhibited high cellular uptake, substantial tumor accumulation, and excellent biocompatibility. Additionally, the nanoparticles showed robust cytotoxicity and potent antitumor efficacy, suggesting their potential as a formidable candidate for breast cancer therapy.

Vascularized Omentum Lymphatic Transplantation as a Treatment for Chronic Inguinal Ulceration and Lymphedema.

Background: After tumor resection, lymphadenectomy, and radiotherapy, recurrent lymphatic fluid leakage and infection can occur in the inguinal region, contributing to severe localized tissue fibrosis. When wounds form in this region, they tend to heal slowly over extended periods, and no optimal approach for treating these complex wounds has yet been established. Methods: Groin wound debridement and dissection of the vessels in the wound recipient site were performed by the burn surgeon. A general surgeon performed the laparoscopic partial omentum excision. One portion of the omentum was used to fill the large inguinal space, whereas the other portion was laid flat on the wound sites in the groin and anterior perineum to facilitate the restoration of appropriate lymphatic fluid reflux. The vessels of the omentum were microsurgically anastomosed with the vessels in the recipient site. Thin split-thickness slices of skin were then taken from this donor site based on the size of the wound. Results: After the successful establishment of revascularization between the flap and recipient sites, lymphatic fluid leakage was not observed in this patient. No inguinal wounding or lymphatic exudate were evident in the patient during follow-up, and significant improvements in lymphedema of the lower extremities were evident. Conclusions: In this article, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of vascularized omentum lymphatic transplantation. Overall, this procedure represents a promising new approach for the treatment of refractory wounds caused by lymphatic fistulas.

Robust fatigue markers obtained from muscle synergy analysis.

This study aimed to utilize the nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF) algorithm for muscle synergy analysis, extracting synergy structures and muscle weightings and mining biomarkers reflecting changes in muscle fatigue from these synergy structures. A leg press exercise to induce fatigue was performed by 11 participants. Surface electromyography (sEMG) data from seven muscles, electrocardiography (ECG) data, Borg CR-10 scale scores, and the z-axis acceleration of the weight block were simultaneously collected. Three indices were derived from the synergy structures: activation phase difference, coactivation area, and coactivation time. The indicators were further validated for single-leg landing. Differences in heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were observed across different fatigue levels, with varying degrees of disparity. The median frequency (MDF) exhibited a consistent decline in the primary working muscle groups. Significant differences were noted in activation phase difference, coactivation area, and coactivation time before and after fatigue onset. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the activation phase difference and the coactivation area with fatigue intensity. The further application of single-leg landing demonstrated the effectiveness of the coactivation area. These indices can serve as biomarkers reflecting simultaneous alterations in the central nervous system and muscle activity post-exertion.

Application of radioactive iodine-125 microparticles in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein embolus.

BACKGROUND: Radioactive iodine-125 (125I) microparticle therapy is a new type of internal radiation therapy that has shown unique advantages in the treatment of malignant tumors, especially hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma frequently experience portal vein embolism, which exacerbates the difficulty and complexity of treatment. 125I particles, used in local radiotherapy, can directly act on tumor tissue and reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Through retrospective analysis, this study discussed the efficacy and safety of radioactive 125I particles in portal vein embolization patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in order to provide more powerful evidence supporting clinical treatment. AIM: To investigate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with portal vein 125I particle implantation in the treatment of primary liver cancer patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and its influence on liver function. METHODS: The clinical data of 96 patients with primary liver cancer combined with portal vein tumor thrombus admitted to our hospital between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-two patients received treatment with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and implantation of 125I particles in the portal vein (combination group), while 44 patients received treatment with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone (control group). The therapeutic effects on tumor lesions, primary liver cancer, and portal vein tumor embolisms were compared between the two groups. Changes in relevant laboratory indexes before and after treatment were evaluated. The t test was used to compare the measurement data between the two groups, and the χ 2 test was used to compare the counting data between groups. RESULTS: The tumor lesion response rate in the combination group (59.62% vs 38.64%) and the response rate of patients with primary liver cancer complicated with portal vein tumor thrombus (80.77% vs 59.09%) were significantly greater than those in the control group (χ 2 = 4.196, 5.421; P = 0.041, 0.020). At 8 wk after surgery, the serum alpha-fetoprotein, portal vein main diameter, and platelet of the combined group were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin were significantly greater than those of the control group (t = 3.891, 3.291, 2.330, 3.729, 3.582, 4.126; P < 0.05). The serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels of the two groups were significantly greater than those of the same group 8 wk after surgery (P < 0.05), and the peripheral blood platelet, alpha-fetoprotein, and main portal vein diameter were significantly less than those of the same group before surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with primary liver cancer and a thrombus in the portal vein, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus portal vein 125I implantation is more effective than transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone. However, during treatment it is crucial to pay attention to liver function injury caused by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Ginsenosides ameliorates high altitude-induced hypoxia injury in lung and kidney tissues by regulating PHD2/HIF-1α/EPO signaling pathway.

Background: The primary constituent of ginseng, known as ginsenosides (GS), has been scientifically demonstrated to possess anti-fatigue, anti-hypoxia, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the effect and mechanisms of GS on tissue injury induced by high-altitude hypoxia still remain unclear. Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the protective effect of GS on a high-altitude hypoxia model and explore its mechanism. Materials and methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in a high-altitude simulation chamber for 48 h (equivalent to an altitude of 6,000 m) to establish a high-altitude hypoxia model. We assessed the anti-hypoxic efficacy of GS through blood gas analysis, complete blood count, and hemorheology analysis. We used H&E and hypoxia probe assays to evaluate the protective effect of GS on organ ischemia-induced injury. Further, we used ELISA and qPCR analysis to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were performed to determinate protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), erythropoietin (EPO), and prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2). Results: In the survival experiment of anoxic mice, 100 mg/kg of GS had the best anti-anoxic effect. GS slowed down the weight loss rate of rats in hypoxic environment. In the fluorescence detection of hypoxia, GS reduced the fluorescence signal value of lung and kidney tissue and alleviated the hypoxia state of tissue. Meanwhile GS improved blood biochemical and hematological parameters. We also observed that GS treatment significantly decreased oxidative stress damage in lung and kidney tissues. Further, the levels of inflammatory factors, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced by GS. Finally, GS regulated the PHD2/HIF-1α/EPO signaling pathway to improve blood viscosity and tissue hyperemia damage. Conclusion: GS could alleviate high-altitude induced lung and kidney damage by reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, improving blood circulation through the PHD2/HIF-1α/EPO pathway.

[Effect of different initial processing treatments on commercial characters and chemical components of Fritillaria taipaiensis].

To investigate the effects of different initial processing methods on the quality of Fritillaria taipaiensis, this study explored the effects of anti-browning treatment, drying methods, and drying temperatures on the commercial characters, chromaticity values, and alkaloid and nucleoside components of Fritillariae Taipaiensis Bulbus. The results were comprehensively evaluated through correlation analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA). Compared with those of the direct drying group(WD60), the chromaticity values(ΔE*) of the groups with scraped outer skin( FHB1) and mixed lime powder treatments(FHB2) were significantly reduced, indicating the inhibition of the browning process. The total alkaloid content of the group with mixed raw soil treatment(FHB3) and the FHB2 group showed no significant change, whereas that of the group with 5%Na Cl O solution rinse treatment(FHB4) was the lowest. Compared with air-blast dried(WD50) samples, the ΔE* values of freezedried(FS6) and vacuum-dried(FS5) samples were significantly decreased, with an increase in total alkaloid contents. Conversely,the ΔE* values of shade-dried(FS1) and sun-dried(FS2) samples were significantly increased, with severe browning and low total alkaloid contents. The total alkaloid contents of heat-pump-dried(FS4) samples showed no significant change, and their ΔE* value was significantly decreased, with a light degree of browning and favorable commercial characters. The total alkaloid content of air-blast dried samples initially increased and then decreased within the range of 40-80 ℃, and the highest content was recorded at 70 ℃. The ΔE* values of high-temperature air-blast dried samples(70-80 ℃) were smaller with a light degree of browning, whereas their texture was compact and lacked powder. CA revealed a significant relationship between the uracil content and chromaticity value of the samples(P< 0. 05). The clustering relationships among samples subjected to different treatments were visualized via PCA and HCA. The results showed that FHB2 and air-blast drying(50-60 ℃) were more suitable for large-scale production, and heat pump drying could be a promising direction for future development. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing the initial processing methods of Fritillaria taipaiensis.

FeNi-LDH COATED WITH ORANGE-PEEL CARBON AEROGEL FOR OXYGEN EVOLUTION REACTION.

In this work, the waste orange-peel was used as carbon source, and the orange-peel derived carbon material can be obtained through simple pyrolysis. Then, we designed the structure of orange-peel carbon aerogel grown on iron-nickel layered double hydroxides in situ to achieve the effect of carbon coating (FeNi-LDH/CA). The oxygen evolution reaction catalytic performance of FeNi-LDH/CA is excellent, far exceeding that of commercial RuO2. In 1 M KOH, the overpotential of FeNi-LDH/CA is only 250 mV (10 mA cm-2), obviously better than that of commercial RuO2 (295 mV). FeNi-LDH/CA shows good cycling stability, and after long-term i-t testing, the performance only decays by 3% after running at 100 mA cm-2 for 100 h. When used as an anode, the voltage of water-splitting is only 1.48 V at 10 mA cm-2. The rechargeable liquid zinc-air battery based on Pt/C-FeNi-LDH/CA catalyst has higher open-circuit voltage (1.543 V) and galvanostatic discharge capacity at 1.23 V (830 min, 10 mA cm-2). Moreover, the zinc-air battery based on Pt/C-FeNi-LDH/CA has a small charge-discharge voltage gap (0.65 V) at 10 mA cm-2, after 200 consecutive cycles (66 h), the charge-discharge voltage gap only increased by about 30 mV, indicating good cycling stability.

Ct-based diagnosis of sarcopenia as a prognostic factor for postoperative mortality after elective open-heart surgery in older patients: a cohort-based systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac open-heart surgery, which usually involves thoracotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, is associated with a high incidence of postoperative mortality and adverse events. In recent years, sarcopenia, as a common condition in older patients, has been associated with an increased incidence of adverse prognosis. Methods: We conducted a search of databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, with the search date up to January 1, 2024, to identify all studies related to elective cardiac open-heart surgery in older patients. We used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: A total of 12 cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis for analysis. This meta-analysis revealed that patients with sarcopenia had a higher risk of postoperative mortality. Furthermore, the total length of hospital stay and ICU stay were longer after surgery. Moreover, there was a higher number of patients requiring further healthcare after discharge. Regarding postoperative complications, sarcopenia patients had an increased risk of developing renal failure and stroke. Conclusion: Sarcopenia served as a tool to identify high-risk older patients undergoing elective cardiac open-heart surgery. By identifying this risk factor early on, healthcare professionals took targeted steps to improve perioperative function and made informed clinical decisions.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023426026.

Targeting mitochondria for ovarian aging: new insights into mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Ovarian aging is a complex process characterized by a decline in oocyte quantity and quality, directly impacting fertility and overall well-being. Recent researches have identified mitochondria as pivotal players in the aging of ovaries, influencing various hallmarks and pathways governing this intricate process. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted role of mitochondria in determining ovarian fate, and outline the pivotal mechanisms through which mitochondria contribute to ovarian aging. Specifically, we emphasize the potential of targeting mitochondrial dysfunction through innovative therapeutic approaches, including antioxidants, metabolic improvement, biogenesis promotion, mitophagy enhancement, mitochondrial transfer, and traditional Chinese medicine. These strategies hold promise as effective means to mitigate age-related fertility decline and preserve ovarian health. Drawing insights from advanced researches in the field, this review provides a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between mitochondrial function and ovarian aging, offering valuable perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving fertility and enhancing overall reproductive health.

Efficacy, safety, and serum cytokine modulation by olopatadine hydrochloride and desloratadine citrate disodium combination therapy in urticaria.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on serum cytokines of olopatadine hydrochloride (OLP) combined with desloratadine citrate disodium (DES) in treating urticaria. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 114 urticaria patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Xinyang Vocational and Technical College from March 2020 to March 2023. The control group (55 patients) received DES, while the research group (59 patients) received OLP+DES combination therapy. We compared efficacy, safety (including epigastric pain, dry mouth, lethargy, dizziness, and fatigue), changes in serum cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, and interferon [IFN]-γ), symptom resolution (wheal number, wheal size, and itching degree), and 3-month recurrence rates. A univariate analysis was also conducted to identify factors influencing urticaria recurrence. RESULTS: The research group exhibited a significantly higher overall efficacy rate, lower incidence of adverse events, and reduced recurrence rates at 3 months (all P<0.05) compared to the control group. Post-treatment, the research group showed significant increases in IL-2 and IFN-γ levels and reductions in IL-4 levels, wheal number, wheal size, and itching degree (all P<0.05). Factors such as history of drinking/smoking, IL-2 levels, and treatment method were associated with urticaria recurrence (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of OLP and DES is an effective and safe treatment option for urticaria, significantly improving serum cytokine profiles, alleviating symptoms, and reducing recurrence risk.

Interpretation of the effects of rumen acidosis on the gut microbiota and serum metabolites in calves based on 16S rDNA sequencing and non-target metabolomics.

Introduction: Rumen acidosis is one of the most common diseases in beef cattle. It severely affects the normal development of calves and poses a significant threat to the farming industry. However, the influence of rumen acidosis on the gut microbiota and serum metabolites of calves is currently unclear. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the gut microbiota and serum metabolites in calves after rumen acidosis and analyse the correlation. Methods: Eight calves were selected as the rumen acidosis group, and eight health calves were selected as the healthy group. The faecal gut microbiota and serum metabolites of calves were detected respectively using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and non-target metabolomics. The correlation between gut microbiota and serum metabolites was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results: Differential analysis of the diversity and composition of gut microbiota between eight male healthy (Health) and eight male rumen acidosis (Disease) calves revealed that rumen acidosis increased the abundance of the gut microbiota in calves. At the phylum level, compared to the Healthy group, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the Disease group significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the relative abundance of Desulfobacterota significantly increased in the Disease group (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared to the Disease group, the relative abundance of Alloprevotella, Muribaculaceae, Succinivibrio, Prevotella, Agathobacter and Parabacteroides significantly increased in the Healthy group (P<0.05), while the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7 and Monoglobus significantly decreased in the Healthy group (P<0.05). Differential analysis results showed the Healthy group had 23 genera with higher abundance, while the Disease group had 47 genera with higher abundance. Serum metabolomics results revealed the differential metabolites associated with rumen acidosis, including nicotinamide, niacin, L-glutamic acid and carnosine, were mainly enriched in the nicotinate and nicotinamide pathway and the histidine pathway. Conclusion: The occurrence of rumen acidosis can induce changes in the gut microbiota of calves, with a significant increase of the Christensenellaceae_R-7 genus and a significant decrease of Prevotella and Succinivibrio genera. In addition, the occurrence of rumen acidosis can also induce changes in serum metabolites including niacin, niacinamide, L-glutamine, and carnosine, which may serve as the diagnostic biomarkers of rumen acidosis of calves.

Parvimonas micra-induced prosthetic valve endocarditis: a challenging case report and literature review.

Parvimonas micra, a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium, has garnered increased attention due to its role in infective endocarditis. We present a challenging prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Parvimonas micra in a patient with a complex cardiac history involving multiple surgeries. The case highlights the difficulties in diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques, including metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Additionally, it underscores the need for heightened vigilance regarding oral symptoms and the potential risk of bacteremia in post-valvular surgery patients. This report contributes to a better understanding of Parvimonas micra-associated endocarditis and its unique characteristics.

Pulsatilla decoction alleviates DSS-induced UC by activating FXR-ASBT pathways to ameliorate disordered bile acids homeostasis.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pulsatilla decoction (PD) is a classical prescription for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Previous studies have demonstrated that the therapeutic efficacy of PD is closely associated with the activation of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The activity of FXR is regulated by apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), and the FXR-ASBT cascade reaction, centered around bile acid receptor FXR, plays a pivotal role in maintaining bile acid metabolic homeostasis to prevent the occurrence and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim of the study: To elucidate the underlying mechanism by which PD exerts its proteactive effects against Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis, focusing on the modulation of FXR and ASBT. Materials and methods: To establish a model of acute ulcerative colitis, BALB/C mice were administered 3.5% DSS in their drinking water for consecutive 7 days. The disease activity index (DAI) was employed to evaluate the clinical symptoms exhibited by each group of mice. Goblet cell expression in colon tissue was assessed using glycogen schiff periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue staining techniques. Inflammatory cytokine expression in serum and colonic tissues was examined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A PCR Array chip was utilized to screen 88 differential genes associated with the FXR-ASBT pathway in UC treatment with PD. Western blotting (WB) analysis was performed to detect protein expression levels of differentially expressed genes in mouse colon tissue. Results: The PD treatment effectively reduced the Disease Activity Index (DAI) score and mitigated colon histopathological damage, while also restoring weight and colon length. Furthermore, it significantly alleviated the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC), regulated inflammation, modulated goblet cell numbers, and restored bile acid balance. Additionally, a PCR Array analysis identified 21 differentially expressed genes involved in the FXR-ASBT pathway. Western blot results demonstrated significant restoration of FXR, GPBAR1, CYP7A1, and FGF15 protein expression levels following PD treatment; moreover, there was an observed tendency towards increased expression levels of ABCB11 and RXRα. Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of PD in UC mice is notable, potentially attributed to its modulation of bile acid homeostasis, enhancement of gut barrier function, and attenuation of intestinal inflammation.

Pleckstrin-2 Mediates the Activation of AKT in Prostate Cancer and Is Repressed by Androgen Receptor.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT and androgen receptor (AR) pathways are commonly activated in prostate cancers. Their reciprocal regulation makes advanced prostate cancers difficult to treat. The current study shows that pleckstrin-2 (PLEK-2, a proto-oncoprotein involved in the activation and stabilization of AKT, connects these two pathways. Genetic evidence is provided that suggests that Plek2 deficiency largely reverted tumorigenesis in Pten prostate-specific knockout mice and that overexpression of PLEK2 promoted the proliferation and colony formation of prostate cancer cells in vitro. In addition, it was found that PLEK2 was negatively regulated by AR, that AR transcriptionally repressed PLEK2 through binding to the PLEK2 promoter region, and that overexpression of AR reduced PLEK2 expression, which inactivated AKT. Conversely, knockdown of AR in prostate cancer cells increased PLEK2 expression and activated the AKT pathway. This reciprocal inhibitory loop can be pharmacologically targeted using the PLEK2 inhibitor. It is shown that the PLEK2 inhibitor dose-dependently inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation with the inactivation of AKT. Overall, the current study uncovers the crucial role of PLEK2 in prostate cancer proliferation and provides the rationale for targeting PLEK2 to treat prostate cancers.

Investigation of canopy interception characteristics in slope protection grasses: A laboratory experiment.

Canopy interception significantly affects hydrological processes such as infiltration, runoff and evapotranspiration. Research on grass canopy interception remains limited, and the experimental methods employed differ substantially. To thoroughly investigate the canopy interception characteristics of grass and clarify the methodological differences, five commonly utilized slope protection grass species in temperate regions were cultivated in a laboratory setting, and their canopy interception characteristics were experimentally investigated using the water-balance method (WBM), the water-wiping method (WWM) and the water-immersion method (WIM), respectively. The results showed that the WBM is more accurate for measuring canopy interception in grass, whereas both the WWM and the WIM underestimate grass canopy interception capacity. The canopy interception capacity measured by the WBM was 1.61-2.09 times higher than that of the WWM and 1.93-3.47 times higher than that of the WIM. Grey correlation analysis of the eight evaluated factors indicated that leaf area is the most influential factor affecting canopy interception in grass, followed by rainfall amount, dry mass, rainfall intensity, canopy projection area, leaf contact angle, fresh weight, and average height. There is a negative power function relationship between the interception ratio and the rainfall amount. With increasing rainfall intensity, the canopy interception capacity initially increases and then decreases, peaking at rainfall intensities of 15 to 20 mm/h. Leaf contact angle is a key quantifiable parameter that explains the differences in canopy interception among different grass species, and the canopy interception per unit leaf area decreases as the leaf contact angle increases. This study demonstrates that the WBM provides the most accurate measurements of grass canopy interception compared to the WWM and WIM, and highlights the leaf contact angle as a key factor in explaining interspecies differences. These findings could enhance the understanding of grass canopy interception and guide the selection of experimental methods.

Early changes in corneal densitometry after FS-LASIK combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking for correction of high myopia.

AIM: To observe the effects of femtosecond laser-assisted excimer laser in situ keratomileusis combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking (FS-LASIK Xtra) on corneal densitometry after correcting for high myopia. METHODS: In this prospectively study, 130 patients underwent FS-LASIK or FS-LASIK Xtra for high myopia. Their right eyes were selected for inclusion in the study, of which 65 cases of 65 eyes in the FS-LASIK group, 65 patients with 65 eyes in the FS-LASIK Xtra group. Patients were evaluated for corneal densitometry at 1, 3, and 6mo postoperatively using Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging. RESULTS: Preoperative differences in corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK and FS-LASIK Xtra groups in different ranges were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Layer-by-layer analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the anterior (120 µm), central, and total layer corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK and FS-LASIK Xtra groups at 1 and 3mo postoperatively (all P<0.05), the FS-LASIK Xtra group is higher than that of the FS-LASIK group. Analysis of different diameter ranges showed statistically significant differences between the FS-LASIK group and the FS-LASIK Xtra group at 1mo postoperatively in the ranges of 0-2, 2-6, and 6-10 mm (both P<0.05); At 3mo postoperatively, the FS-LASIK Xtra group is higher than that of the FS-LASIK group in the ranges of 0-2 and 2-6 mm (P<0.05). At 6mo postoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences in corneal densitometry between the FS-LASIK group and the FS-LASIK Xtra group in different diameter ranges (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: There is an increase in internal corneal densitometry during the early postoperative period after FS-LASIK Xtra for correction of high myopia. However, the densitometry values decreased to the level of conventional FS-LASIK at 6mo after surgery, with the most significant changes observed in the superficial central zone.

Comparing collagenase and silver sulfadiazine in deep second-degree burn treatment.

The indications for collagenase ointment (CO) and its efficacy are not clearly established in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds. To evaluate the efficacy of CO versus silver sulfadiazine ointment (SSD) in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds. A total of 170 eligible patients with deep second-degree burns, aged 18-65 years, with injuries occurring within 48-96 h, and having a total wound area of less than 30% of the total body surface area were included from 5 centers in China. The primary outcome was the wound healing time, and the secondary outcomes were the clearance time of wound necrotic tissues, wound healing rate, and wound inflammation. The study included 85 patients in SSD group and 84 in CO group in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. The median time of wound healing was comparable in both groups (10 days vs. 10.5 days P = 0.16). The time for wound necrotic tissue removal was significantly shortened by CO compared with SSD (5 vs. 10 days P < 0.01). Wound inflammation, pain, wound healing rate, and scar were compared with SSD (all P-values > 0.05). No adverse events, such as infection or allergic reactions to the drugs and materials used, were reported. Both CO and SSD could heal the burn wounds at 10 days of treatment. However, CO significantly shortened the time of wound necrotic tissue removal by 5 days. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2100046971.

Differences in regional brain structure in toddlers with autism are related to future language outcomes.

Language and social symptoms improve with age in some autistic toddlers, but not in others, and such outcome differences are not clearly predictable from clinical scores alone. Here we aim to identify early-age brain alterations in autism that are prognostic of future language ability. Leveraging 372 longitudinal structural MRI scans from 166 autistic toddlers and 109 typical toddlers and controlling for brain size, we find that, compared to typical toddlers, autistic toddlers show differentially larger or thicker temporal and fusiform regions; smaller or thinner inferior frontal lobe and midline structures; larger callosal subregion volume; and smaller cerebellum. Most differences are replicated in an independent cohort of 75 toddlers. These brain alterations improve accuracy for predicting language outcome at 6-month follow-up beyond intake clinical and demographic variables. Temporal, fusiform, and inferior frontal alterations are related to autism symptom severity and cognitive impairments at early intake ages. Among autistic toddlers, brain alterations in social, language and face processing areas enhance the prediction of the child's future language ability.

p38 Signaling Mediates Naringin-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Porcine Metanephric Mesenchymal Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential of metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) for osteogenesis and naringin's ability to enhance this process and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: Porcine MMCs at 70 days of gestation were used as tool cells, cultured in osteogenic induction medium, identified by immunocytochemistry staining. Osteogenic potential of porcine MMCs and naringin's ability to enhance this process was tested by detecting changes in cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN), and the formation of mineralized nodules, and the application of the p38 signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580 vitiated the osteogenesis-promoting effect of naringin. RESULTS: Immunocytochemical staining showed that the cells were Vimentin and Six2(+), E-cadherin and CK-18(-). Naringin can activate the p38 signaling pathway to enhance the osteogenesis of porcine MMCs by increasing cell viability, ALP activity, the expressions of Runx2, OPN and OCN, and the formation of mineralized nodules (P<0.05). The application of p38 signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580 vitiated the osteogenesis-promoting effect of naringin, manifested by decreased ALP activity, the expressions of Runx2, OPN and OCN, and the formation of mineralized nodules (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Naringin, the active ingredient of Chinese herbal medicine Rhizoma Drynariae for nourishing Shen (Kidney) and strengthening bone, enhances the osteogenic differentiation of renal MMCs through the p38 signaling pathway.