Global trends in publications regarding macrophages-related diabetic foot ulcers in the last two decades.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are one of the most severe and popular complications of diabetes. The persistent non-healing of DFUs is the leading cause of ampu-tation, which causes significant mental and financial stress to patients and their families. Macrophages are critical cells in wound healing and perform essential roles in all phases of wound healing. However, no studies have been carried out to systematically illustrate this area from a scientometric point of view. Although there have been some bibliometric studies on diabetes, reports focusing on the investigation of macrophages in DFUs are lacking. AIM: To perform a bibliometric analysis to systematically assess the current state of research on macrophage-related DFUs. METHODS: The publications of macrophage-related DFUs from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2023, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on January 9, 2024. Four different analytical tools: VOSviewer (v1.6.19), CiteSpace (v6.2.R4), HistCite (v12.03.07), and Excel 2021 were used for the scientometric research. RESULTS: A total of 330 articles on macrophage-related DFUs were retrieved. The most published countries, institutions, journals, and authors in this field were China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University of China, Wound Repair and Regeneration, and Aristidis Veves. Through the analysis of keyword co-occurrence networks, historical direct citation networks, thematic maps, and trend topics maps, we synthesized the prevailing research hotspots and emerging trends in this field. CONCLUSION: Our bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of macrophage-related DFUs research and insights into promising upcoming research.

Analysis of PANoptosis-related ceRNA network reveals lncRNA MIR17HG involved in osteogenic differentiation inhibition impaired by tumor necrosis factor-α.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin 1ß(IL1ß), IL6,Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) can inhibit osteoblast differentiation and induce osteoblast apoptosis. PANoptosis, a newly identified type of programmed cell death (PCD), may be influenced by long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) which play important roles in regulating inflammation. However, the potential role of lncRNAs in inflammation and PANoptosis during osteogenic differentiation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of lncRNAs in inflammation and apoptosis during osteogenic differentiation. METHODS AND RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes involved in osteoblast differentiation under inflammatory conditions. Two lncRNAs associated with inflammation and PANoptosis during osteogenic differentiation were identified from sequencing data and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Their functionalities were analyzed using diverse bioinformatics methodologies, resulting in the construction of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. Among these, lncRNA (MIR17HG) showed a high correlation with PANoptosis. Bibliometric methods were employed to collect literature data on PANoptosis, and its components were inferred. PCR and Western Blotting experiments confirmed that lncRNA MIR17HG is related to PANoptosis in osteoblasts during inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that TNF-α-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation and PANoptosis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts is associated with MIR17HG. These findings highlight the critical role of MIR17HG in the interplay between inflammation, PANoptosis, and osteogenic differentiation, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for conditions involving impaired bone formation and inflammatory responses.

Enhancement of gemcitabine sensitivity in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through Saikosaponin-a mediated modulation of the p-AKT/BCL-6/ABCA1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy, especially due to its resistance to established treatments like Gemcitabine, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. METHODS: This study utilized Gemcitabine-resistant cell lines, patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (PDOTs), and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) to evaluate the effects of Saikosaponin-a (SSA) on ICC cellular proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and its potential synergistic interaction with Gemcitabine. Techniques such as transcriptome sequencing, Luciferase reporter assays, and molecular docking were employed to unravel the molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: SSA exhibited antitumor effects in both in vitro and PDX models, indicating its considerable potential for ICC treatment. SSA markedly inhibited ICC progression by reducing cellular proliferation, enhancing apoptosis, and decreasing migration and invasion. Crucially, it augmented Gemcitabine's efficacy by targeting the p-AKT/BCL6/ABCA1 signaling pathway. This modulation led to the downregulation of p-AKT and suppression of BCL6 transcriptional activity, ultimately reducing ABCA1 expression and enhancing chemosensitivity to Gemcitabine. Additionally, ABCA1 was validated as a predictive biomarker for drug resistance, with a direct correlation between ABCA1 expression levels and the IC50 values of various small molecule drugs in ICC gene profiles. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the synergistic potential of SSA combined with Gemcitabine in enhancing therapeutic efficacy against ICC and identifies ABCA1 as a key biomarker for drug responsiveness. Furthermore, the introduction of the novel PDOTs microfluidic model provides enhanced insights into ICC research. This combination strategy may provide a novel approach to overcoming treatment challenges in ICC.

Effects of starch filling on physicochemical properties, functional activities, and release characteristics of PBAT-based biodegradable active films loaded with tea polyphenols.

In this work, the modification of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) was combined with the development of active packaging films. PBAT, starch, plasticizer, and tea polyphenols (TP) were compounded and extrusion-blown into thermoplastic starch (TPS)/PBAT-TP active films. Effects of TPS contents on physicochemical properties, functional activities, biodegradability, and release kinetics of PBAT-based active films were explored. Starch interacted strongly with TP through hydrogen bonding and induced the formation of heterogeneous structures in the films. With the increase in TPS contents, surface hydrophilicity and water vapor permeability of the films increased, while mechanical properties decreased. Blending starch with PBAT greatly accelerated degradation behavior of the films, and the T30P70-TP film achieved complete degradation after 180 days. As TPS contents increased, swelling degree of the films increased and TP release were improved accordingly, resulting in significantly enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This work demonstrated that filling starch into PBAT-based active films could achieve different antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the films by regulating film swelling and release behavior.

Medcheck: a novel software for automated de-formulation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Image 1.

Microbiological profile of diabetic foot infections in China and worldwide: a 20-year systematic review.

Introduction: Pathogens causing diabetic foot infections (DFIs) vary by region globally; however, knowledge of the causative organism is essential for effective empirical treatment. We aimed to determine the incidence and antibiotic susceptibility of DFI pathogens worldwide, focusing on Asia and China. Methods: Through a comprehensive literature search, we identified published studies on organisms isolated from DFI wounds from January 2000 to December 2020. Results: Based on our inclusion criteria, we analyzed 245 studies that cumulatively reported 38,744 patients and 41,427 isolated microorganisms. DFI pathogens varied according to time and region. Over time, the incidence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria have decreased and increased, respectively. America and Asia have the highest (62.74%) and lowest (44.82%) incidence of Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Africa has the highest incidence (26.90%) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Asia has the highest incidence (49.36%) of Gram-negative aerobic bacteria with species infection rates as follows: Escherichia coli, 10.77%; Enterobacter spp., 3.95%; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 11.08%, with higher local rates in China and Southeast Asia. Linezolid, vancomycin, and teicoplanin were the most active agents against Gram-positive aerobes, while imipenem and cefoperazone-sulbactam were the most active agents against Gram-negative aerobes. Discussion: This systematic review showed that over 20 years, the pathogens causing DFIs varied considerably over time and region. This data may inform local clinical guidelines on empirical antibiotic therapy for DFI in China and globally. Regular large-scale epidemiological studies are necessary to identify trends in DFI pathogenic bacteria. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023447645.

Simultaneous de novo calling and phasing of genetic variants at chromosome-scale using NanoStrand-seq.

The successful accomplishment of the first telomere-to-telomere human genome assembly, T2T-CHM13, marked a milestone in achieving completeness of the human reference genome. The upcoming era of genome study will focus on fully phased diploid genome assembly, with an emphasis on genetic differences between individual haplotypes. Most existing sequencing approaches only achieved localized haplotype phasing and relied on additional pedigree information for further whole-chromosome scale phasing. The short-read-based Strand-seq method is able to directly phase single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at whole-chromosome scale but falls short when it comes to phasing structural variations (SVs). To shed light on this issue, we developed a Nanopore sequencing platform-based Strand-seq approach, which we named NanoStrand-seq. This method allowed for de novo SNP calling with high precision (99.52%) and acheived a superior phasing accuracy (0.02% Hamming error rate) at whole-chromosome scale, a level of performance comparable to Strand-seq for haplotype phasing of the GM12878 genome. Importantly, we demonstrated that NanoStrand-seq can efficiently resolve the MHC locus, a highly polymorphic genomic region. Moreover, NanoStrand-seq enabled independent direct calling and phasing of deletions and insertions at whole-chromosome level; when applied to long genomic regions of SNP homozygosity, it outperformed the strategy that combined Strand-seq with bulk long-read sequencing. Finally, we showed that, like Strand-seq, NanoStrand-seq was also applicable to primary cultured cells. Together, here we provided a novel methodology that enabled interrogation of a full spectrum of haplotype-resolved SNPs and SVs at whole-chromosome scale, with broad applications for species with diploid or even potentially polypoid genomes.

The effect of stretching exercises before orthotic treatment on the immediate in-orthosis correction of the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Stretching exercise is generally used for improving flexibility. However, its application to promote orthotic treatment for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study was to explore the effect of pre-orthosis stretching exercises on spinal flexibility and initial in-orthosis correction for the patients with AIS. STUDY DESIGN: A pilot-controlled study. METHODS: An experimental group (EG) of 13 subjects (10 girls and 3 boys) with AIS allocating to self-stretching exercises and a control group (CG) of 19 AIS subjects (14 girls and 5 boys) with no stretching before orthosis fitting were recruited. The spinal flexibility of the EG was evaluated with an ultrasound imaging system and physical measurements. The initial in-orthosis correction rates between the 2 groups were compared with the independent t test, and the correlation analysis between the spinal flexibility measured from ultrasound images and physical measurement was performed with the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: The initial Cobb angle of EG and CG were 25.70° ± 7.30° and 28.09° ± 5.58°, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the initial in-orthosis Cobb angle of EG (11.13° ± 6.80°) and CG (15.65° ± 9.10°) (p = 0.06). However, the spinal flexibility after stretching exercises was improved (p < 0.001), and the spinal flexibility changes measured with ultrasound and physical forward-bending method were significantly correlated (r = 0.57, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Stretching exercises before orthotic treatment could improve the spinal flexibility but did not cause a better in-orthosis correction. A study with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period should be conducted to investigate the long-term effect of stretching exercises.

[Research advances in trait-based approaches in soil animal community ecology]. / åŸºäºŽåŠŸèƒ½æ€§çŠ¶çš„åœŸå£¤åŠ¨ç‰©ç¾¤è½ç”Ÿæ€å­¦ç ”ç©¶è¿›å±•.

Functional traits are indicators of the responses and adaptation of organisms to environmental changes and cascade to a series of ecosystem functions. The functional traits of soil animals are sensitive to environmental factors and may characterize and predict the changes of ecosystem functions. Multiple dimensions of biodiversity that combing species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity improves the understanding of distribution patterns, community assembly mechanisms and ecosystem functions of soil animals. In this review, we listed the categories of soil animal functional traits and their ecological significance, and summarized current researches on the responses of soil animal communities to environmental changes and the community assembly processes based on trait-based approaches. We proposed to strengthen the study on the impacts of eco-evolution processes of biotic interactions to soil animal functional traits, establish the database of soil animal functional traits, and apply trait-based approaches in the ecological restoration in the future, which would benefit soil biodiversity conservation and sustainability of soil ecosystems.

[Risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in twin preterm infants: a multicenter study]. / åŒèƒŽæ—©äº§å„¿æ”¯æ°”ç®¡è‚ºå‘è‚²ä¸è‰¯å±é™©å› ç´ åˆ†æžï¼šä¸€é¡¹å¤šä¸­å¿ƒç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks, and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020. According to their conditions, they were divided into group A (both twins had BPD), group B (only one twin had BPD), and group C (neither twin had BPD). The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed. Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins. RESULTS: A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of <34 weeks were included in this study. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C, birth weight discordance of >25% between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins (OR=3.370, 95%CI: 1.500-7.568, P<0.05), and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD (P<0.05). The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins (OR=5.017, 95%CI: 1.040-24.190, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age, birth weight discordance between the twins, and SGA birth.

A Comparatively Low Cost, Easy-To-Fabricate, and Environmentally Friendly PVDF/Garnet Composite Solid Electrolyte for Use in Lithium Metal Cells Paired with Lithium Iron Phosphate and Silicon.

Solid electrolytes may be the answer to overcome many obstacles in developing the next generation of renewable batteries. A novel composite solid electrolyte (CSE) composed of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) base with an active nanofiber filler of aluminum-doped garnet Li ceramic, Li salt lithium bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), Li fluoride (LiF) stabilizing additive, and plasticizer sulfolane was fabricated. In a Li|CSE|LFP cell with this CSE, a high capacity of 168 mAh g-1 with a retention of 98% after 200 cycles was obtained, representing the best performance to date of a solid electrolyte with a PVDF base and a garnet inorganic filler. In a Li metal cell with Si and Li, it yielded a discharge capacity of 2867 mAh g-1 and was cycled 60 times at a current density of 100 mAh g-1, a significant step forward in utilizing a solid electrolyte of any kind with the desirable Si anode. In producing this CSE, the components and fabrication process were chosen to have a lower cost and improved safety and environmental impact compared with the current state-of-the-art Li-ion battery.

A rabbit osteochondral defect (OCD) model for evaluation of tissue engineered implants on their biosafety and efficacy in osteochondral repair.

Osteochondral defect (OCD) is a common but challenging condition in orthopaedics that imposes huge socioeconomic burdens in our aging society. It is imperative to accelerate the R&D of regenerative scaffolds using osteochondral tissue engineering concepts. Yet, all innovative implant-based treatments require animal testing models to verify their feasibility, biosafety, and efficacy before proceeding to human trials. Rabbit models offer a more clinically relevant platform for studying OCD repair than smaller rodents, while being more cost-effective than large animal models. The core-decompression drilling technique to produce full-thickness distal medial femoral condyle defects in rabbits can mimic one of the trauma-relevant OCD models. This model is commonly used to evaluate the implant's biosafety and efficacy of osteochondral dual-lineage regeneration. In this article, we initially indicate the methodology and describe a minimally-invasive surgical protocol in a step-wise manner to generate a standard and reproducible rabbit OCD for scaffold implantation. Besides, we provide a detailed procedure for sample collection, processing, and evaluation by a series of subsequent standardized biochemical, radiological, biomechanical, and histological assessments. In conclusion, the well-established, easy-handling, reproducible, and reliable rabbit OCD model will play a pivotal role in translational research of osteochondral tissue engineering.

Vanadium Single Atoms Embedded in MoS2 Enabled Gut-Brain Axis Neurotransmitter Detection at pM Levels.

The detection of monoamine neurotransmitters is of paramount importance as the neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers regulating the gut-brain axis (GBA). It requires real-time, ultrasensitive, and selective sensing of the neurotransmitters in the gastric/intestinal fluid. However, multi-components present in the gastric/intestinal fluid make sensing challenging to achieve in terms of ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity. Herein, an approach is introduced to utilize vanadium single atom catalytic (SAC) centers in van der Waals MoS2 (V-MoS2) to selectively detect real-time serotonin (5-HT) in artificial gastric/intestinal fluid. The synergetic effect of V-SACs and the surface S-bonds on the MoS2 surface, enables an extremely wide range of 5-HT detection (from 1 pM to 100 µM), with optimum selectivity and interference resistance. By combining density functional theory calculations and scanning transmission electron microscopy, it is concluded that the V-SACs embedded in the MoS2 network create active sites that greatly facilitate the charge exchange between the material and the 5-HT molecules. This result allows the 5-HT detection in GBA studies to be more reliable, and the material tunability provides a general platform to achieve real-time and multi-component detection of other monoamine neurotransmitters in GBA such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

Relationship Between Square Dancing and Meaning in Life Among Older Adults: Examining an Age-Based Moderation Model.

PURPOSE: Square dancing may help older adults experience meaning in life (MIL). However, it remains unclear how square dancing facilitates MIL. To address this question, we examined whether participation frequency, transcendent experiences, and social support correlated positively with MIL, and whether age moderated the correlation between transcendent experiences and MIL. METHOD: We studied 268 older adults using in-person surveys to collect data on age, participation frequency, transcendent experiences, social support, and MIL. We analyzed data using hierarchical regression. RESULTS: High frequency of participation and high levels of transcendent experiences and social support simultaneously predicted high levels of MIL, and age decreased the positive relationship between transcendent experiences and MIL. CONCLUSION: Based on the hierarchical regression results, we recommend strategies to increase older adults' MIL by providing square dancing opportunities; working with them to improve square dancing skills that facilitate transcendent experiences; and guiding them in seeking sources of social support. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(3), 141-147.].

Advancing skeletal health and disease research with single-cell RNA sequencing.

Orthopedic conditions have emerged as global health concerns, impacting approximately 1.7 billion individuals worldwide. However, the limited understanding of the underlying pathological processes at the cellular and molecular level has hindered the development of comprehensive treatment options for these disorders. The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has revolutionized biomedical research by enabling detailed examination of cellular and molecular diversity. Nevertheless, investigating mechanisms at the single-cell level in highly mineralized skeletal tissue poses technical challenges. In this comprehensive review, we present a streamlined approach to obtaining high-quality single cells from skeletal tissue and provide an overview of existing scRNA-seq technologies employed in skeletal studies along with practical bioinformatic analysis pipelines. By utilizing these methodologies, crucial insights into the developmental dynamics, maintenance of homeostasis, and pathological processes involved in spine, joint, bone, muscle, and tendon disorders have been uncovered. Specifically focusing on the joint diseases of degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis using scRNA-seq has provided novel insights and a more nuanced comprehension. These findings have paved the way for discovering novel therapeutic targets that offer potential benefits to patients suffering from diverse skeletal disorders.

Unusual coexistence: branchial cleft cyst harboring papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymph node metastasis - a rare case report and clinical insights.

Background: The simultaneous occurrence of Branchial Cleft Cyst (BCC) and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) represents an unusual malignant tumor, with cases featuring associated lymph node metastasis being particularly rare. This combination underscores an increased potential for metastasis, and the assessment of neck masses, particularly on the lateral aspect, may inadvertently overlook the scrutiny of the thyroid. Therefore, healthcare providers should exercise vigilance, especially in patients over the age of 40, regarding the potential for neck masses to signify metastasis from thyroid malignancies. Currently, surgical intervention stands as the primary effective curative method, while the postoperative administration of radioactive iodine therapy remains a topic of ongoing debate. Case report: In the presented case, a 48-year-old male patient with a right neck mass underwent surgical intervention. The procedure included the excision of the right neck mass, unilateral thyroidectomy with isthmus resection, and functional neck lymph node dissection under tracheal intubation and general anesthesia. Postoperative pathology findings revealed the coexistence of a BCC with metastatic PTC in the right neck mass, as well as papillary carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe. Lymph node metastasis was observed in the central and levels III of the right neck. Conclusion: The rare amalgamation of a BCC with PTC and concurrent lymph node metastasis underscores the invasive nature of this malignancy. Healthcare professionals should be well-acquainted with its clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, and diagnostic criteria. A multidisciplinary approach is strongly recommended to enhance patient outcomes.

Diverse impacts of female chromosomal polymorphisms on assisted reproduction outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The effects of female chromosomal polymorphisms (FCPs) on various aspects of reproductive health have been investigated, yet the findings are frequently inconsistent. This study aims to clarify the role of FCPs on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study comprised 951 couples with FCPs and 10,788 couples with normal karyotypes who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment at Peking University Third Hospital between 2015 and 2021. The exposure was FCPs. The embryological outcomes and clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The FCPs, as a whole, compromised the oocyte maturation rate (76.0% vs. 78.8%, P = 0.008), while they did not adversely affect other IVF/ICSI outcomes. Further detailed analyses showed that every type of FCPs contributed to the lower oocyte maturation rate, particularly the rare FCPs (69.0% vs. 78.8%, P = 0.008). The female qh + was associated with a higher normal fertilization rate (63.0% vs. 59.2%, adjusted P = 0.022), a higher clinical pregnancy rate (37.0% vs. 30.7%, adjusted P = 0.048), and a higher live birth rate (27.0% vs.19.0%, adjusted P = 0.003) in couples undergoing IVF. Conversely, in couples undergoing ICSI, female qh + was found to be related to a lower normal fertilization rate (58.8% vs. 63.8%, P = 0.032), a comparable clinical pregnancy rate (25.7% vs. 30.9%, P = 0.289), and a comparable live birth rate (19.8% vs. 19.2%, P = 0.880) compared to the control group. Additionally, an increased risk of preterm birth was observed in women undergoing IVF with multiple polymorphisms (62.5% vs. 16.9%, adjusted P <  0.001) and in women undergoing ICSI with pstk+ (36.4% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Our research unravels the diverse impacts of various FCPs on IVF/ICSI outcomes, highlighting the detrimental effects of FCPs on oocyte maturation and the risk of preterm birth.

Diabetes and osteoporosis: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: The effects on bone mineral density (BMD)/fracture between type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the causal relationship between the two types of diabetes and BMD/fracture using a Mendelian randomization (MR) design. METHODS: A two-sample MR study was conducted to examine the causal relationship between diabetes and BMD/fracture, with three phenotypes (T1D, T2D, and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) of diabetes as exposures and five phenotypes (femoral neck BMD [FN-BMD], lumbar spine BMD [LS-BMD], heel-BMD, total body BMD [TB-BMD], and fracture) as outcomes, combining MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and inverse variance weighted (IVW) sensitivity assessments. Additionally, horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated and corrected using the residual sum and outlier approaches. RESULTS: The IVW method showed that genetically predicted T1D was negatively associated with TB-BMD (ß = -0.018, 95% CI: -0.030, -0.006), while T2D was positively associated with FN-BMD (ß = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.062), heel-BMD (ß = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.031), and TB-BMD (ß = 0.050, 95% CI: 0.022, 0.079). Further, HbA1c was not associated with the five outcomes (ß ranged from - 0.012 to 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that T1D and T2D have different effects on BMD at the genetic level. BMD decreased in patients with T1D and increased in those with T2D. These findings highlight the complex interplay between diabetes and bone health, suggesting potential age-specific effects and genetic influences. To better understand the mechanisms of bone metabolism in patients with diabetes, further longitudinal studies are required to explain BMD changes in different types of diabetes.

Development of a zinc chloride-based chemo-mechanical system for potential minimally invasive dental caries removal system.

Background/purpose: The chemo-mechanical caries-removal technique is known to offer advantages of selective dentin caries treatment while leaving healthy dental tissues intact. However, current sodium hypochlorite based reagents usually excessively damage dentin collagen. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a novel chemo-mechanical caries-removal system to preserve the collagen network for subsequent prosthetic restorations. Materials and methods: The calfskin-derived collagen was chosen as a model system to investigate the dissolution behavior of collagen under different operating conditions of chemical-ultrasonic treatment systems. The molecular weight, triple-helix structure, the morphology, and functional group of collagen after treatment were investigated. Results: Various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite or zinc chloride together with ultrasonic machinery were chosen to investigate. The outcomes of circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrated stability of the triple-helix structure after treatment of a zinc chloride solution. In addition, two apparent bands at molecular weights (MWs) of 130 and 121 kDa evidenced the stability of collagen network. The positive 222 nm and 195 nm negative CD absorption band indicated the existence of a triple-helix structure for type I collagen. The preservation of the morphology and functional group of the collagen network on the etched dentin surface were investigated by in vitro dentin decalcification model. Conclusion: Unlike NaOCl, the 5 wt% zinc chloride solution combined with ultra-sonication showed dissolution rather than denature as well as degradation of the dentin collagen network. Additional in vivo evaluations are needed to verify its usefulness in clinical applications.

Impacts of male chromosomal polymorphisms on semen quality and IVF/ICSI outcomes: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to elucidate the impacts of different types of male chromosomal polymorphisms (MCPs) on various outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 1442 couples with normal karyotypes, 1442 couples with MCPs, 42 couples with male chromosomal rearrangements (MCRs), and 42 couples with MCRs combined with MCPs who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment at Peking University Third Hospital from 2015 to 2021. The semen quality, embryological outcomes, and clinical outcomes of different groups stratified by karyotypes were compared. RESULTS: For couples undergoing IVF, male inv(9) was associated with a significantly lower sperm viability rate (29.41% vs 34.49%, P = 0.030), a lower progressive motility rate (25.13% vs 30.50%, P = 0.013), and a lower normal fertilization rate (52.41% vs 59.84%, P = 0.014). Male 9qh + was related to a lower sperm viability rate (27.56% vs 34.49%, P = 0.028). No MCPs were observed to compromise clinical outcomes in couples undergoing IVF. For couples undergoing ICSI, no MCPs exhibited an association with poorer semen quality and embryological outcomes. However, Yqh + and DGpstk+ were found to be significantly correlated with an increased likelihood of preterm birth (23.3% vs 9.2%, P = 0.003; 20.0% vs 9.2%, P = 0.041, respectively). In couples with MCRs, the presence of MCPs significantly reduced the sperm viability rate (19.99% vs 30.97%, P = 0.017) and progressive motility rate (8.07% vs 27.85%, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Our study provides detailed evidence for the impacts of various MCPs on IVF/ICSI outcomes, reveals the complexity and heterogeneity of these impacts, and highlights the adverse effects of male inv(9).