ROCK1 inhibition improves wound healing in diabetes via RIPK4/AMPK pathway.

Refractory wounds are a severe complication of diabetes mellitus that often leads to amputation because of the lack of effective treatments and therapeutic targets. The pathogenesis of refractory wounds is complex, involving many types of cells. Rho-associated protein kinase-1 (ROCK1) phosphorylates a series of substrates that trigger downstream signaling pathways, affecting multiple cellular processes, including cell migration, communication, and proliferation. The present study investigated the role of ROCK1 in diabetic wound healing and molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that ROCK1 expression significantly increased in wound granulation tissues in diabetic patients, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, and db/db diabetic mice. Wound healing and blood perfusion were dose-dependently improved by the ROCK1 inhibitor fasudil in diabetic mice. In endothelial cells, fasudil and ROCK1 siRNA significantly elevated the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase at Thr172 (pThr172-AMPKα), the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and suppressed the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and nitrotyrosine formation. Experiments using integrated bioinformatics analysis and coimmunoprecipitation established that ROCK1 inhibited pThr172-AMPKα by binding to receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase 4 (RIPK4). These results suggest that fasudil accelerated wound repair and improved angiogenesis at least partially through the ROCK1/RIPK4/AMPK pathway. Fasudil may be a potential treatment for refractory wounds in diabetic patients.

Observation on the Efficacy of a Combined Treatment for Moderate and Severe Androgenetic Alopecia Incorporating Electric Microneedles.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a combined treatment for moderate and severe androgenetic alopecia (AGA) involving the use of electric microneedles. Methods: A total of 83 patients with moderate to severe AGA in the Department of Dermatology at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were included in this study. The male patients were administered finasteride orally and 5% minoxidil for external use, while the female patients were given spironolactone orally or Diane-35 and 2% minoxidil for external use. All the patients were then treated via electric microneedle therapy alongside the YUFA ®medical care package (Foshan, China) once a week for 1-28 weeks. The seven-point method and root hair measurement using a hair mirror were adopted to evaluate the efficacy and any adverse reactions of the combined treatment. Results: Eleven patients were treated for 1-3 weeks, 60 for 4-12 weeks, and 12 for more than 12 weeks. The efficacy evaluation using the seven-point method for 12 weeks of treatment indicated a 100% response rate, specifically, a 42.1% mild improvement rate, a 38.6% moderate improvement rate, and a 19.3% marked improvement rate. Besides, the efficacy assessment was also completed with root hair count method and the number of hair roots measured at fixed points were 148.67±11.15, 158.13±5.11 and 169.75±2.06 after treatment time at 16, 20 and 24 weeks, respectively. Of note, a statistical difference in the number of hair roots could be observed during the period of week 20-week 24 (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The combined treatment of moderate to severe AGA using the electric microneedle technique has a clear effect and can effectively increase the hair density. With a simple operation and mild side effects, the technique has wide application prospects.

Clinical Study of a Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser with Different Parameters in the Treatment of Chloasma: A Randomized-Controlled Trial.

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of a Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with different parameters in the treatment of chloasma. Methods: In this study, 30 patients with chloasma, symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the face and who were treated with a Fayton Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, were recruited. The patients were randomly selected for the treatment of facial lesions on the left and right sides of the face using a spot diameter of 9 mm and an energy density of 0.8 J/cm2 on one side, and, on the opposite side, a spot diameter of 6 mm with an energy density of 1.2 J/cm2. The laser frequency was 5 Hz and treatment was conducted once every 7-10 days and repeated eight times as a course of treatment. At the end of the course of treatment, as well as 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, front-facing images and 45° left- and right-side images were taken, respectively. The curative effect of the treatment was evaluated using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) score. Results: The results of this study showed that the total effective rate of a Fayton Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of chloasma was 60%. Conclusions: Using a Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser represents a safe and effective approach for the treatment of chloasma. The therapeutic effects of the parameter sets, that is, a spot diameter of 9 mm and an energy density of 0.8 J/cm2, and a spot diameter of 6 mm with an energy density of 1.2 J/cm2, were similar. The treatment time and average effective times of the latter were relatively shortened. Clinical Trial Registration number researchregistry6799.

Minimally invasive maxillary sinus augmentation with simultaneous implantation on an elderly patient: A case report.

BACKGROUND: In this case study, a minimally invasive transalveolar approach using platelet-rich fibrin and bone substitute with simultaneous implantation was carried out in an elderly patient. We analyzed the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings to evaluate bone regeneration. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old female with no contraindications for dental implants and loss of maxillary bilateral molars is described. Examination by CBCT showed the available vertical bone height in the bilateral posterior maxilla was 0.5-6.8 mm in the left and 2.8-6.5 mm in the right. The patient underwent a transalveolar approach using platelet-rich fibrin and bone substitute with simulataneous placement of an implant 10 mm in length. Six months post-surgery, the implant showed excellent osseointegration with the bone graft. Thereafter, full-ceramic crowns were fitted. Follow-up at 2 years demonstrated satisfactory prognosis. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin and bone substitute can be used to augment the maxillary sinus with a vertical bone height less than 4 mm.

Ferret badger rabies in Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Taiwan, China.

Ferret badger (FB, Melogale moschata) rabies is an increasing public health threat to humans, with FBs being a major reservoir and vector of rabies in China. Based on 152 published nucleotide sequences of the FB rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein, phylogenetic analysis revealed them to be clustered into six FB-related lineages, FB-I to FB-VI. The genetic features of members of lineage FB-VI suggest that cross-species transmission occurs between FBs and dogs. Here, we describe the phylogenetic relationships between FB-RABVs, their geographic segregation, and their evolutionary dynamics in epizootic regions.

Novel calicivirus from a ferret badger (Melogale moschata) in China.

We describe the isolation and complete genome sequence of a new calicivirus, FBCV-JX12, isolated from a ferret badger (Melogale moschata). Comparison of FBCV-JX12 with other vesiviruses revealed that it shared the highest amino acid sequence identities of 71.6, 60.5, and 59.3% in the nonstructural protein, VP1, and VP2, respectively, with MCV-DL2007 (mink calicivirus). Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genomic sequence showed that it clustered most closely with MCV-DL2007 of the genus Vesivirus, but with low nucleotide similarity in the three open reading frames (62.1-68.5%).

[The effect of platelet-rich fibrin on biologic characteristics of osteoblasts].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin on biologic characteristics of osteoblasts. METHODS: Osteoblasts were cultured with or without a PRF membrane. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) stain and the positive expression of collagen type I, osteoprotegerin and RANKL were measured. The data was statistically analyzed with SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS: PRF promoted cell proliferation and increased expression of ALP, collagen typeI and OPG significantly, but there was no significant impact on expression of RANKL. CONCLUSIONS: PRF promotes osteoblasts proliferation, differentiation and OPG expression. PRF is involved in bone remodeling via regulating expression of OPG and RANKL.

[A novel approach of using fouling index to evaluate NOM fouling behavior during low pressure ultrafiltration process].

In this study, fouling index (FI) was introduced as a novel approach to investigate NOM fouling behavior during low pressure membrane ultrafiltration process. Three kinds of typical NOMs, humic acid (HA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and sodium alginate (NaAlg), were used in the experiments. The results indicated that the fouling caused by NOM can be considered as two steps with different FI values. One is the fast fouling phase, and the other is the slow phase. Apparently, the total fouling index of the fast phase (TFI(F)) was much greater than that of the slow phase (TFI(S)), which means the initial interaction between NOM and membrane would play a significant role in the whole fouling process. A higher TFI(F) could lead to a faster fouling and the flux would decline more rapidly. After hydraulic washing, the flux was recovered and the resistance was reduced, indicating that physical cleaning could remove a part of foulants. Additionally, the results also represented that the sequences of NOM causing irreversible fouling and chemical clean irreversible fouling were BSA > HA > NaAlg and NaAlg > BSA > HA, respectively. Humic acid and protein tended to cause irreversible fouling and were easily removed by alkaline cleaning, while irreversible fouling caused by polysaccharide was difficult to remove by alkaline. The main cause of membrane fouling may be the interaction between foulants and membrane, which needs further research. Generally speaking, FI with a simple expression would play a significant role to describe the membrane fouling.

[A retrospective study of infection after onlay graft].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment and prevention of infection after alveolar crest onlay bone graft. METHODS: From January 2006 to May 2010, 11 infection cases after onlay graft on alveolar crest were reviewed to evaluate the infection time, clinical situation, treatment measure, and therapeutic effect. RESULTS: The infection of all 11 cases occurred about 15 days after bone graft, which showed either soft tissue fistulae or bone graft exposure in the oral cavity. Three cases failed because of persistent infection. The infection of the other 8 cases was controlled after a series of comprehensive therapy, and most of the bone graft was reserved and implant restoration finally completed. CONCLUSIONS: After the effective and comprehensive therapy, infected bone graft can be reserved. But to ensure the survival rate of bone graft, the most important thing is to prevent infection in perioperative period.

Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants from water using seeding type immobilized microorganisms.

OBJECTIVE: To study the possibility of removing nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants using seeding type immobilized microorganisms. METHODS: Lakes P and M in Wuhan were chosen as the objects to study the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants with the seeding type immobilized microorganisms. Correlations between the quantity of heterotrophic bacteria and the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total organic carbon (TOC) in the two lakes were studied. The dominant bacteria were detected, inoculated to the sludge and acclimated by increasing nitrogen, phosphorus and decreasing carbon source in an intermittent, time-controlled and fixed-quantity way. The bacteria were then used to prepare the seeding type immobilized microorganisms, selecting diatomite as the adsorbent carrier. The ability and influence factors of removing nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutant from water samples by the seeding type immobilized microorganisms were studied. RESULTS: The coefficients of the heterotrophic bacterial quantity correlated with TOC, TP, and TN were 0.9143, 0.8229, 0.7954 in Lake P and 0.9168, 0.7187, 0.6022 in Lake M. Ten strains of dominant heterotrophic bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas, Coccus, Aeromonas, Bacillus, and Enterobateriaceae, separately, were isolated. The appropriate conditions for the seeding type immobilized microorgansims in purifying the water sample were exposure time=24 h, pH=7.0-8.0, and quantity of the immobilized microorganisms=0.75-1 g/50 mL. The removal rates of TOC, TP, and TN under the above conditions were 80.2%, 81.6%, and 86.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The amount of heterotrophic bacteria in the two lakes was correlated with TOC, TP, and TN. These bacteria could be acclimatized and prepared for the immobilized microorganisms which could effectively remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and mixed organic pollutants in the water sample.

[Finite element analysis of the effects of implant thread locations on stress distribution].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different implant thread locations on stress distribution in implant and bone under concentrated load, and discuss the best design of location of implant thread. METHODS: The stress in implant-bone interface of implants with different thread locations (model A, B, C, D), which were loaded in axial and oblique 450 to axle, were analyzed by Solidworks 2005 plus and Cosmos/works 7.0 software. RESULTS: The stresses in cervical cortical bone of implant with model C were lower than others. But under oblique load, the stresses of implant and cancellous bone in model C were higher than model A. The stresses distribution of model B was obviously concentrated, and under axial load, all kinds of stresses in this model were higher than others. The stress distribution in model A and D were more even, the stress concentrated more on implant neck, upper part of cortical bone and the lowest thread on implant. The stresses in interface under oblique load were much higher than those under axial load. CONCLUSION: The location of thread has effect on stress distribution in implant-bone interface. More attention should be paid to it when we design implants, and we should try to avoid oblique load in implant prosthodontics.

[Mechanism of alopecia in patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the levels of antidesmoglein (DSG) 1, 3 antibodies in the sera of patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and alopecia. METHODS: Sera from PNP patients, bullous pemphigoid patients, and normal healthy subjects were collected and 2 tissue samples from 2 healthy scalps were resected. Anti-DSG 1, 3 antibodies in the sera of PNP patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Indirect immunofluorescent assay was used to detect whether the antibodies in the sera of PNP patients binds with the follicular epithelium of normal healthy scalp. RESULTS: Anti-DSG3 autoantibody was strongly positive and anti-DSG1 weakly positive in one patient, while both two antibodies were negative in the other patient. Their sera could bind to keratinocytes and follicular epithelium in human scalp. Immunofluorescent signals were found on the intercellular epidermal cell surface and outer root sheath of the follicular epithelium. However, the immunofluorescent signals in the section incubating with serum of bullous pemphigoid were only found on basal membrane zone. No signals were found in the section incubating with normal healthy serum. CONCLUSION: Alopecia in PNP patients are correlated with the anti-DSG3.