Modified intratympanic steroid therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss via tympanic tube and gelfoam as a salvage treatment.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a prevalent emergency in ear, nose, and throat practice. Previous studies have demonstrated that intratympanic steroid therapy (IST) can serve as a salvage treatment for SSNHL after the failure of systemic steroid therapy (SST). Objective: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of modified IST involving the insertion of a tympanic tube and gelfoam as a salvage treatment for patients with SSNHL, and to explore its associated factors. Methods: Totally, 74 patients who were aged 22-81 years with SSNHL were enrolled and allocated to either the control group (n = 25) or the treatment group (n = 49) based on their treatment modalities. All patients received SST lasting for at least 7 days. Subsequently, patients in the treatment group, after SST failure, underwent IST twice a week for 2-6 weeks, while the control group did not. Efficacy was assessed by the improvement in pure tone average at the affected frequency at the beginning and end of IST. Results: Hearing improvement in all patients after IST in the treatment group was 9.71 ± 14.84 dB, with significant improvement at affected frequencies (250-8000 Hz) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The findings indicated the duration from the onset of SSNHL to the beginning of IST as an independent factor for pure tone average improvement after treatment (P = 0.002), whereas age, duration of SST, and time of IST were not (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The modified IST was demonstrated to be a safe and effective method as a salvage treatment for SSNHL. This study explored the efficacy of a modified IST approach, incorporating the utilization of tympanic tubes and gelfoam as key components. The findings underscore the advantages of gelfoam as a strategic drug carrier placed in the round window niche. By minimizing drug loss, extending action time, and increasing perilymph concentration, gelfoam enhances the therapeutic impact of IST, contributing to improved hearing outcomes in patients with SSNHL.

Fabrication of Hierarchical Assemblies through Temperature-Triggered Liquid Crystallization Driven Self-Assembly.

Functional hierarchy is prevalent in biological systems owing to natural evolution. Efforts to replicate these structures in artificial materials have gained traction in materials science. Although artificial hierarchical structures are fabricated at different scales based on site-specific interactions using ABC-type block copolymers (BCPs), the fabrication of such hierarchical structures using AB-type BCPs via a simple and efficient method remains challenging. Herein, a class of amphiphilic BCPs (PDenm -b-PACholn ) is reported comprising dendronized oligoethylene glycol (Den) and cholesterol (AChol) as hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties, respectively. By employing the collapse of PDenm blocks at a specific temperature, the fabrication of bundled fibers and multilayer vesicles is achieved with an obvious hierarchy. Different from common reversible aggregation-disaggregation processes of thermal-responsive polymers, the ordering of the core-forming block with liquid crystalline (LC) properties provides robustly physical cross-linking, coupled with epitaxial growth and the lateral fusion of LC blocks, guiding the formation of stable hierarchical micellar structures. It is highlighted that the combination of temperature-sensitive properties and LC ordering alignment offers a novel approach for constructing hierarchical structures using AB-type BCPs via an efficient one-step assembly method.

Synergetic Self-Assembly of Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymer with Amphiphiles for Fabrication of Hierarchical Assemblies.

Novel functions and advanced structure, where each single component could not be produced individually, can exhibit from the collective and synergistic behavior of component systems. This synergetic strategy has been successfully demonstrated for co-assembly of polymer-polymer to construct hierarchical nanomaterials. However, differences in the natures of polymer and small molecules impose challenges in the construction of sophisticated co-assemblies with geometrical and compositional control. Herein, a synergetic self-assembly strategy is proposed to prepare organic-organic hybrid colloidal mesostructures by blending a liquid crystalline block copolymer (LC-BCP) with small molecular amphiphiles. Through a classic solvent-exchange process, amphiphiles embedded with LC-BCP realize multi-component nucleation and hierarchical assembly driven by anisotropic interaction from the LC ordering alignment of the core-forming block. 1D nanofibers with a periodic striped structure are formed by further LC component fusion and refinement. In addition, LC ordering effect of LC-BCP can be regulated by selecting appropriate solvents and leads to the formation of vesicular co-micelles. By means of the thermal-responsive behavior of amphiphiles, hexagonal pore arrays are finally generated on the surface of those vesicles.

1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-Propanol-Promoted Friedel-Crafts Reaction: Metal-Free Synthesis of C3-Difluoromethyl Carbinol-Containing Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines at Room Temperature.

A facile and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of C3-difluoromethyl carbinol-containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines at room temperature via the HFIP-promoted Friedel-Crafts reaction of difluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. This strategy could be applied to the direct C(sp2)-H hydroxydifluoromethylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and afford a series of novel difluoromethylated carbinols in good to satisfactory yields with 29 examples. Furthermore, gram-scale and synthetic transformation experiments have also been achieved, demonstrating its potential applicable value in organic synthesis. This green protocol has several advantages, including being transition metal- and oxidant-free, being carried out at room temperature, having high efficiency, and having a wide substrate scope.

Phage SPO1 Protein Gp49 Is a Novel RNA Binding Protein That Is Involved in Host Iron Metabolism.

Bacillus subtilis is a model organism for studying Gram-positive bacteria and serves as a cell factory in the industry for enzyme and chemical production. Additionally, it functions as a probiotic in the gastrointestinal tract, modulating the gut microbiota. Its lytic phage SPO1 is also the most studied phage among the genus Okubovrius, including Bacillus phage SPO1 and Camphawk. One of the notable features of SPO1 is the existence of a "host-takeover module", a cluster of 24 genes which occupies most of the terminal redundancy. Some of the gene products from the module have been characterized, revealing their ability to disrupt host metabolism by inhibiting DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division, and glycolysis. However, many of the gene products which share limited similarity to known proteins remain under researched. In this study, we highlight the involvement of Gp49, a gene product from the module, in host RNA binding and heme metabolism-no observation has been reported in other phages. Gp49 folds into a structure that does not resemble any protein in the database and has a new putative RNA binding motif. The transcriptome study reveals that Gp49 primarily upregulates host heme synthesis which captures cytosolic iron to facilitate phage development.

Metabolite Alterations and Interactions with Microbiota in Helicobacter pylori-Associated Gastric Lesions.

Metabolites and their interactions with microbiota may be involved in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric lesion development. This study aimed to explore metabolite alterations upon H. pylori eradication and possible roles of microbiota-metabolite interactions in progression of precancerous lesions. Targeted metabolomics assays and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were conducted to investigate metabolic and microbial alterations of paired gastric biopsy specimens in 58 subjects with successful and 57 subjects with failed anti-H. pylori treatment. Integrative analyses were performed by combining the metabolomics and microbiome profiles from the same intervention participants. A total of 81 metabolites were significantly altered after successful eradication compared to failed treatment, including acylcarnitines, ceramides, triacylglycerol, cholesterol esters, fatty acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, and glycosylceramides, with P values of <0.05 for all. The differential metabolites showed significant correlations with microbiota in baseline biopsy specimens, such as negative correlations between Helicobacter and glycerophospholipids, glycosylceramide, and triacylglycerol (P < 0.05 for all), which were altered by eradication. The characteristic negative correlations between glycosylceramides and Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, and Gemella in H. pylori-positive baseline biopsy specimens were further noticed in active gastritis and intestinal metaplasia (P < 0.05 for all). A panel including differential metabolites, genera, and their interactions may help to discriminate high-risk subjects who progressed from mild to advanced precancerous lesions in short-term and long-term follow-up periods with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.914 and 0.801, respectively. Therefore, our findings provide new insights into the metabolites and microbiota interactions in H. pylori-associated gastric lesion progression. IMPORTANCE In this study, a panel was established including differential metabolites, genera, and their interactions, which may help to discriminate high-risk subjects for progression from mild lesions to advanced precancerous lesions in short-term and long-term follow-up.

Using transfixion irrigation with negative pressure drainage (TINPD) minimally invasive to manage infratemporal fossa (ITF) abscess.

RATIONALE: The treatment of abscess in the infratemporal space is still controversial and bedside and operative intraoral drainage is often used to resolve the abscess. However, it can be difficult to control the infection quickly.[1] In this report, the authors present a new technique of using transfixion irrigation with negative pressure drainage for minimally invasive management of infratemporal fossa abscess. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 45-year-old man with type 2 diabetes complained of painful swelling and trismus in the right lower facial region for 10 days. The patient was weak, with mild anxiety, and gradually aggravated. DIAGNOSES: The patient was misdiagnosed and received dental pulp treatment for the right mandibular first molar and was given oral cefradine capsules (500 mg 3 times per day). Computed tomography scan and puncture revealed an abscess in the infratemporal fossa. INTERVENTION: The authors used transfixion irrigation with negative pressure drainage from different directions to reach the abscess cavity. Saline solution was infused through 1 tube and allowed to flow out through the other tube to flush out the pus and debris from the abscess. OUTCOME: On day 9, the drainage tube was removed and the patient was discharged. One week later, the patient was followed up in the outpatient clinic and the impacted mandibular third molar was removed. This technique is less invasive and leads to faster recovery times and fewer complications. LESSONS SUBSECTIONS: The report highlights the importance of proper preoperative evaluation, using a thoracic drainage tube as soon as possible, and continuous flushing. A double-lumen drainage tube with a suitable diameter and combined flushing should be designed for future reference. Moreover, the use of drugs can effectively eliminate emboli formation, allowing for faster and more minimally invasive control and removal of the infection.[2].

Efficacy of acupoint application in patients with overactive bladder: A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional treatments for alleviating the symptoms of Overactive bladder (OAB) have been reported to have limited efficacy and a high rate of side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in Asia countries because of its low side effects and being easy to operate. To confirm the efficacy of acupoint application treatment for alleviating OAB symptoms, a randomized and placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted in this study. METHODS: All participants were randomly allocated into a treatment group or control group, receiving either a "Dinggui" acupoint application or placebo treatment for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were OAB symptom scores (OABSS), OAB questionnaire (OAB-q) scores, and TCM syndrome scores. Urine nerve growth factor (NGF) level, NGF normalized to urine creatinine (NGF/Cr), and maximum flow rate (Qmax) were also measured to evaluate the OAB symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 69 participants were included with 34 in the treatment group and 35 in the placebo-treated group. Treatment with "Dinggui" acupoint application showed a statistically significant decrease in OABSS scores (8.10±1.54 to 3.67±1.77), OAB-q scores (61.43±13.93 to 38.13±15.42), and TCM syndrome scores (15.60±5.98 to 9.20±4.82). The NGF and NGF/Cr were also observed meaningful changes in a decrease from 379.68 to 136.17 pg/ml and from 0.30 to 0.16 pg/mg, respectively. The Qmax value showed a significant increase from 14.40 to 24.05 ml/s. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with "Dinggui" acupoint application could be considered an effective and alternative therapy for OAB management. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer treatment periods are needed to investigate.

Analysis of cognitive function and its related factors after treatment in Meniere's disease.

A growing body of research recently suggested the association between vestibular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Meniere's disease (MD), a common clinical vestibular disorder, is usually accompanied by hearing loss and emotional stress, both of which may mediate the relationship between vestibule dysfunction and cognition. It is currently unknown whether the cognitive decline in MD patients could improve through treatment and how it relates to multiple clinical characteristics, particularly the severity of vertigo. Therefore, in the present study, the MD patients were followed up for 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, and the cognitive functions, vertigo symptoms, and related physical, functional, and emotional effects of the patients were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), aiming to explore the change in cognition before and after therapy and the correlation with various clinical features. It was found that cognitive decline in MD patients compared to healthy controls before therapy. Importantly, this cognitive impairment could improve after effective therapy, which was related to the severity of vertigo, especially in functional and physical impacts. Our results support the view that vestibular dysfunction is a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline.

Development of an LC/MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Detection of 11 Polyphenols in Rat Plasma and Its Pharmacokinetic Application after Oral Administration of Coreopsis tinctoria Extract.

Eleven polyphenols, classified as flavonoid glycosides, flavonoid aglycones, and phenolic acids, are important bioactive components in the capitula of Coreopsis tinctoria (CCT). Nevertheless, their full pharmacokinetic profiles have not been demonstrated simultaneously. Therefore, a liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed in the present work and used it to study the pharmacokinetics of these 11 compounds. We performed LC/MS/MS with a gradient mobile phase composed of water containing 0.1 % formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.1 % formic acid on a Proshell 120 SB C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.7 µm). We achieved a good chromatographic peak shape, resolution, and mass signal response, and multiple reaction monitoring facilitated the simultaneous detection of 11 analytes. In addition, we validated the selectivity, correlation coefficient, precision, extraction recovery, matrix effects, and stability of the LC/MS/MS method to be acceptable for 11 analytes in rat plasma. Subsequently, rats were orally administered with 50 % ethanol eluent of CCT (ECCT). Nine of 11 polyphenols were absorbed quickly (except for QCD and TCA), and their plasma levels peaked within 40 min. The exposure and Cmax values of flavonoid glycosides and phenolic acids were lower than those of flavonoid aglycones. This is the first report to demonstrate the pharmacokinetics of 11 polyphenols in ECCT, which may play an important role in future studies of the bioactive components of ECCT and their bioactive mechanisms.

Rapid identification of stigmastane-type steroid saponins from Vernonia amygdalina leaf based on α-glucosidase inhibiting activity and molecular networking.

Steroid saponins are secondary metabolites with multiple medicinal values that are found in large quantities in natural medicines, especially Vernonia amygdalina, a famous nature medicine for the treatment of tonsillitis, diabetes, pneumonia. The current study was designed to combine molecular networking (MN) with diagnostic ions for rapid identification of Δ7,9(11) stigmastane-type saponins which were the α-glucosidase inhibitory active substances in V. amygdalina. First, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of five Δ7,9(11) stigmastane-type steroid saponins that were previously isolated were screened, which indicated that the Δ7,9(11) stigmastane-type steroid saponin was one of the active constituents responsible for ameliorating diabetes. Furthermore, a strategy was proposed to identify stigmastane-type steroid saponins and verify the plausibility of derived fragmentation pathways by applying MN, MolNetEnhancer and unsupervised substructure annotation (MS2LDA). Based on this strategy, other seven Δ7,9(11) stigmastane-type steroid saponins were identified from this plant. Our research provide scientific evidence for the antidiabetic potential of the steroid saponin-rich extract of V. amygdalina leaf.

Performance of circulating methylated Septin9 gene DNA in diagnosis and recurrence monitoring of colorectal cancer in Western China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Methylated Septin9 (mSEPT9) has been suggested for CRC detection. To assess the performance of mSEPT9 in Western China, we compared its diagnostic and recurrence monitoring values with fecal occult blood test (FOBT), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall 300 subjects including 209 CRC patients and 91 healthy subjects, who have performed mSEPT9, FOBT, CEA and CA19-9 tests, were involved. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the efficacy of each method. RESULTS: Plasma mSEPT9 demonstrated an AUC of 0.860, and a sensitivity of 76.4 % for CRC detection. The sensitivity of mSEPT9 was higher than FOBT, CEA and CA 19-9. Though mSEPT9 presented a larger or equal sensitivity for stage Ⅱ-IV CRCs, FOBT showed a better sensitivity for stage I CRCs. Logistical analysis showed the ones with positive mSEPT9, FOBT and CEA were more likely to have CRC (all P < 0.01). Then, the three biomarkers built the nomogram predicting the probability of having CRC. The sensitivity of mSEPT9 was also much higher than CEA for CRC recurrence monitoring. CONCLUSION: The mSEPT9 test performed better than traditional tests for CRC detection, and should be recommended for FOBT-positive ones or individuals who refuse FOBT.

An Improved Method for Quick Quantification of Unsaturated Transferrin.

Blood iron levels play a vital role in oxygen metabolism and energy generation whilst transporter protein, transferrin, binds and delivers iron to the transferrin receptor of endosomal compartments of cells. Consequently, the iron-binding capacity of transferrin is an important indicator for many diseases, and its measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of anaemias. Various assays, including Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC) and Transferrin Saturation (TS), were developed to assess the iron-binding capacity of transferrin. Clinically, UIBC is measured in serum by a multi-step liquid ferrozine method and subjected to interference from conditions such as haemolysis and lipemia. Here, we report a quick method that directly measures the concentration of apotransferrin in EDTA-treated plasma, theoretically equivalent to UIBC. Importantly, this supramolecular assembly-based method is more time-efficient, cost-effective and insensitive to serum cation fluctuations. With additional colorimetric property, this method also provides a visual indicator for abnormal health conditions with extreme transferrin statuses such as those found in cancers. Its minimal requirement for equipment would be particularly useful for diagnosis in remote and under-developed regions.

Highly sensitive determination of paracetamol, uric acid, dopamine, and catechol based on flexible plastic electrochemical sensors.

Flexible sensing is an alternative to traditional sensing and possesses good flexibility and wearability. Intrinsically conductive polymers, particularly poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have received significant attention due to their high mechanical flexibility and good biocompatibility. Here, we report the design of highly conductive and electrochemically active PEDOT:PSS-coated plastic substrate electrodes by combining N-doped graphene (NG) or S-doped graphene (SG) with methanesulfonic acid-treated PEDOT:PSS (denoted as NG-f-MSA-PEDOT:PSS/PET and SG-f-MSA-PEDOT:PSS/PET) by a simple drop-coating method. At room temperature, the NG-f-MSA-PEDOT:PSS/PET electrode demonstrated the lowest detection limits of 17.09, 33.84, 28.30, and 44.96 nM for paracetamol, uric acid, dopamine, and catechol (S/N = 3), respectively. The NG-f-MSA-PEDOT:PSS/PET electrode had good anti-interference ability and reproducibility without employing expensive noble metals and requiring much effort to polish the surface of traditional glass carbon electrodes. Most importantly, this film electrode could maintain a stable electrochemical response under different bending and crease states and had excellent mechanical stability and flexibility.

Middle Ear Surgeries for Chronic Otitis Media Improve Cognitive Functions and Quality of Life of Age-Related Hearing Loss Patients.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) may limit communication, which is closely associated with cognitive decline of the elderly and negatively affects their quality of life. In ARHL patients who suffer chronic otitis media (COM), hearing impairment may worsen and negatively affect the cognition and quality of life. It is currently unknown whether restoration of the conductive hearing in the mixed hearing loss through middle ear surgeries can improve both the cognitive function and quality of life of the ARHL patients. Therefore, in the present study, the ARHL patients were followed up for 6 months after middle ear surgeries for COM, and both the cognitive functions and quality of life of the patients were assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Glasgow Benefit Inventory. It was found that both the cognitive functions and quality of life were improved 6 months after middle ear surgeries. In conclusion, hearing recovery after middle ear surgeries could improve cognitive functions and quality of life of ARHL patients with COM, and surgical intervention is, hence, recommended for COM.

Molecular mechanisms and roles of inflammatory responses on low-frequency residual hearing after cochlear implantation.

Preservation of low-frequency residual hearing is very important for combined electro-acoustic stimulation after cochlear implantation. However, in clinical practice, loss of low-frequency residual hearing often occurs after cochlear implantation and its mechanisms remain unclear. Factors affecting low-frequency residual hearing after cochlear implantation are one of the hot spots in current research. Inflammation induced by injury associated with cochlear implantation is deemed to be significant, as it may give rise to low-frequency residual hearing loss by interfering with the blood labyrinth barrier and neural synapses. Pathological changes along the pathway for low-frequency auditory signals transmission may include latent factors such as damage to neuroepithelial structures, synapses, stria vascularis and other ultrastructures. In this review, current research on mechanisms of low-frequency residual hearing loss after cochlear implantation and possible roles of inflammatory responses are summarized.

The anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the TRAF6/MAPKs pathway of trishizukaol a from Sarcandra glabra.

BACKGROUND: Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Makino (Chloranthaceae) is abundant and shows important clinical effects. Traditionally, S.glabra is used to treat diseases involving inflammation, such as bone fracture and joint swelling. Lindenane-type sesquiterpenoids and dimers are the major anti-inflammatory components in S. glabra. Trishizukaol A (TSA), is an abundant lindenane sesquiterpenoid trimer in S.glabra, but its anti-inflammatory activities and mechanisms are poorly understood. PURPOSE: The study was undertaken to unveil the inhibition of inflammation and mechanism of TSA in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Griess reagent and ELISA were utilized to measure nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammatory cytokines, respectively. Signal proteins such as JNK, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) were quantitatively evaluated in western blot experiments. Flow cytometry was used to determine the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). More importantly, Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS) assay and molecular docking were conducted to investigate the potential targets of TSA. RESULTS: TSA effectively reduced the NO production (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 12.53 ± 0.31 µM). In addition, TSA restrained the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and it could up-regulate the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10). TSA also decreased ROS levels by enhancing the levels of Nrf2 protein and its related target genes. Meanwhile, TSA regulated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by suppressing the MAPKs signaling pathway. Importantly, TSA may suppress the inflammation through the TRAF6/MAPKs pathway. CONCLUSION: TSA suppressed the inflammatory mechanism mediated by the TRAF6/MAPKs pathway. Our research first revealed the anti-inflammatory effect of a lindenane sesquiterpenoid trimer, providing a therapeutic drug candidate for inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, the lindenane-type sesquiterpenoid trimers may be among the main anti-inflammatory components in S. glabra.

Integrated molecular networking strategy enhance the accuracy and visualization of components identification: A case study of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract.

Molecular networking (MN) is an efficient tool for natural product research. However, single MN might lead to false annotation due to the limited information, and the importance of combining MN with chromatogram is always ignored. In this study, we proposed a comprehensive MN strategy combining feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) and dual ionization mode MS/MS to improve the annotation accuracy and to achieve structural feature visualization in a chemotaxonomic chromatogram. Three steps were taken: (1) employing FBMN and dual ionization mode MS/MS to distinguish isomers and improve components' identification accuracy. (2) Using a 3-level initiative supported by in-house database to evaluate the annotation confidence. As a result, 95 compounds were successfully identified from Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) and Ginkgo biloba leaf (GBL), and 70 compounds mainly consisting of flavonoid glycosides, ginkgolides, and lignan glycosides were assigned as high-confidence molecules. (3) Building color-dependent chemotaxonomic chromatograms, to achieve component visualization by connecting FBMN with chromatogram in which the peaks of the same color indicated the compounds with similar structural features. Our research provided a new and efficient strategy for component identification and visualization of herbal medicine.

Design, synthesis and mechanistic studies of a TICT based fluorogenic probe for lighting up protein HSA.

Human serum albumin (HSA) in blood serves as an important biomarker for clinical diagnosis, and fluorescence sensing method has attracted extensive attention. In this work, a small organic molecule probe, YS8, involving twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) characteristic, was designed and investigated to detect HSA. YS8 kept silent state in fluorescence under physiological conditions, but the encapsulation of YS8 in the hydrophobic subdomain IB region of HSA inhibited the TICT state and produced a clear light-up fluorescent signal. Especially, YS8 was demonstrated to be an efficient fluorogenic probe to discriminate HSA from other proteins including the bovine serum albumin (BSA). Moreover, YS8/HSA complex could be applied in fluorescence imaging in living cells and is also useful in the study of artificial fluorescent protein (AFP).

Design and Implementation of a Heating Treatment System for Vitiligo Skin Disease Based on Medical Ultrasound.

Vitiligo is relatively common clinically. It is an acquired and persistent skin and mucosal pigment depigmentation disease. As a noninvasive and nonradioactive treatment, high-energy ultrasound has been applied to skin diseases of vitiligo. Treatment achieved good clinical results. This article analyzes the structure of the original medical ultrasound system for vitiligo and finds the deficiencies and missing components of the system. On the basis of the original design scheme, a new structural scheme was designed, which solved the shortcomings of the original system and added missing parts. Subsequently, according to actual application requirements and specific component performance, the schematic design, including audio and video input, output and storage, DDR3, Ethernet, and the design of key circuits, such as power supply modules, are specifically introduced. Later, in the PCB design, the contents including stacking, layout, routing, and simulation of key signals were introduced in detail. The design includes a probe excitation signal generation module, excitation signal parameter control module, high voltage and temperature monitoring module, and corresponding power conversion module. This paper is mainly to develop a vitiligo skin disease heating treatment array system based on the principle of both cost and performance. This paper is based on the nonrigid registration algorithm of the FFD model and HPV interpolation and the nonrigid registration algorithm combining shape information and SIFT method. In the focused ultrasound treatment system, the image-guided positioning and monitoring functions are realized. Studies have shown that when the peak voltage of the transmitter circuit is 55 V, the sound power is 0.28 W. It can be seen that the transmitting circuit system designed in this article is a relatively stable and reliable system, which is suitable for the ultrasound treatment of vitiligo skin diseases.