Detection of novel drug-adverse drug reaction signals in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: analysis of Korean real-world biologics registry data.

This study aimed to detect signals of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and targeted therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Utilizing the KOrean College of Rheumatology BIOlogics & Targeted Therapy Registry (KOBIO) data, we calculated relative risks, excluded previously reported drug-ADR pairs, and externally validated remaining pairs using US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and single centre's electronic health records (EHR) data. Analyzing data from 2279 RA and 1940 AS patients, we identified 35 significant drug-ADR pairs in RA and 26 in AS, previously unreported in drug labels. Among the novel drug-ADR pairs from KOBIO, 15 were also significant in the FAERS data. Additionally, 2 significant drug-laboratory abnormality pairs were found in RA using CDM MetaLAB analysis. Our findings contribute to the identification of 14 novel drug-ADR signals, expanding our understanding of potential adverse effects related to biological DMARDs and targeted therapies in RA and AS. These results emphasize the importance of ongoing pharmacovigilance for patient safety and optimal therapeutic interventions.

[Construction of a diagnostic model for fatty liver using human body composition analysis].

Objective: To construct a diagnostic model for fatty liver using body composition analysis and further evaluate the diagnostic effect of the model on fatty liver. Methods: 726 cases with chronic liver disease who visited Tianjin Second People's Hospital from April 2019 to June 2022 and had body composition analysis tests were retrospectively enrolled and were divided into a fatty liver group (551 cases with fatty liver) and a control group (175 cases without fatty liver) according to the measured values of abdominal ultrasound and controlled attenuation parameter. An independent sample t-test and a non-parametric rank sum test were used for statistical processing. Logistic regression was used to construct a diagnostic model. Hosmer-Lemeshow was used to validate the fit of model. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to confirm the diagnostic efficiency of the model. In addition, 341 cases of chronic liver disease who visited Tianjin Second People's Hospital were included to further verify the application effect of the model between July 2022 and February 2023. Results: Compared with the control group, the differences in various indicators of body composition analysis in the fatty liver group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Basal metabolic rate (X1), visceral fat area (X2), and body fat (X3) were eventually included in the diagnostic model for BCA-FL (body composition analysis-fatty liver)= -7.771+0.002X1-0.035X2+0.456X3 with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P=0.059). The measured area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity, and the specificity were 0.888, 0.889, and 0.726, respectively, when the diagnostic threshold value was 0.615 with the Youden index and the receiver operating characteristic curve. In the validated model group, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.875, 0.624, 0.799, and 0.825, respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic model BCA-FL for fatty liver constructed using human body composition analysis has good diagnostic efficacy and is suitable for screening fatty liver in different basic liver disease populations.

The clinical warning index of severe COVID-19: discussion based on the clinical features and outcomes of 4 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide. The onset of severe COVID-19 could lead to multiple organ damage and even death. It is worth paying attention to the warning index of the onset for severe COVID-19 so that patients can be identified and monitored carefully. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The report is a retrospective study that describes and analyzes the clinical features during the treatment of COVID-19. Four patients with COVID-19 were involved in this study, who were father-and-son pairs from two families. All patients were treated with the same combination of anti-microbial and anti-viral agents for 10-14 days, adjusting for the disease status. The primary outcome measure was SARS-CoV-2 detection using RT-qPCR with oropharyngeal swabs. Chest CT imaging served as a secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: One of the four patients progressed to severe disease, while the remaining patients recovered with the same treatment. A persistent decrease in the lymphocyte ratio and increase in the C-reactive protein (CRP) level were observed in the severe patient, along with other typical symptoms of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The cases we described indicate that blood cell and CRP tests could be useful risk warnings of severe onset of COVID-19.

Determining the Degree of Dopaminergic Denervation Based on the Loss of Nigral Hyperintensity on SMWI in Parkinsonism.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nigrostriatal dopaminergic function in patients with Parkinson disease can be assessed using 123I-2ß-carbomethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-nortropan dopamine transporter (123I-FP-CIT) SPECT, and a good correlation has been demonstrated between nigral status on SWI and dopaminergic denervation on 123I-FP-CIT SPECT. Here, we aim to correlate quantified dopamine transporter attenuation on 123I-FP-CIT SPECT with nigrosome-1 status using susceptibility map-weighted imaging (SMWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2017 and January 2018, consecutive patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease (n = 109) and control participants (n = 29) who underwent 123I-FP-CIT SPECT with concurrent 3T SWI were included. SMWI was generated from SWI. Two neuroradiologists evaluated nigral hyperintensity from nigrosome-1 on each side of the substantia nigra. Using consensus reading, we compared the 123I-FP-CIT-specific binding ratio according to nigral hyperintensity status and the 123I-FP-CIT specific binding ratio threshold to confirm the loss of nigral hyperintensity was determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: The concordance rate between SMWI and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT was 65.9%. The 123I-FP-CIT-specific binding ratios in the striatum, caudate nucleus, and putamen were significantly lower when nigral hyperintensity in the ipsilateral substantia nigra was absent than when present (all, P < .001). The 123I-FP-CIT-specific binding ratio threshold values for the determination of nigral hyperintensity loss were 2.56 in the striatum (area under the curve, 0.890), 3.07 in the caudate nucleus (0.830), and 2.36 in the putamen (0.887). CONCLUSIONS: Nigral hyperintensity on SMWI showed high positive predictive value and low negative predictive value with dopaminergic degeneration on 123I-FP-CIT SPECT. In patients with Parkinson disease, the loss of nigral hyperintensity is prominent in patients with lower striatal specific binding ratios.

Anesthetic effect and safety of sevoflurane combined with propofol in removing tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the anesthetic effect and safety of sevoflurane combined with propofol in removing tracheal foreign bodies in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, China Biomedicine Database, China National Knowledge Internet, WanFang Data, and VIP databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of sevoflurane combined with propofol for anesthesia during tracheal foreign body extraction in children were collected. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to April 10, 2019. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis after two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk bias included in the study. RESULTS: Seven RCTs involving 473 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the time of loss of consciousness significantly reduced (MD=-38.27, 95% CI (-41.77, -34.77), p < 0.00001) and the recovery time significantly reduced (MD=-12.29, 95% CI (-2.77, -1.80), p < 0.00001) in the sevoflurane combined with propofol group compared with the control group. In terms of safety, the heart rate was slower [MD=-11.00, 95% CI (-21.64, -0.36), p=0.04 < 0.05] and the incidence of cough and breath holding was lower [MD=0.38, 95% CI (0.19, 0.78), p=0.008] in the sevoflurane combined with propofol group than in the control group. However, no significant difference in respiratory rate and SPO 2 < 90% was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane combined with propofol is worth popularizing because of its high anesthetic effect and safety in the removal of tracheal foreign bodies in children. However, given the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by high-quality studies.

Progress in research on the detection of the novel coronavirus in human samples of different groups.

OBJECTIVE: Among the illnesses that may develop from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is pneumonia, a severe acute respiratory infectious disease. SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread worldwide and has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths thus far and has disrupted the world economy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This review summarized the reported distributions of SARS-CoV-2 in 13 biological samples of the human body, including nose, feces, sperm, tears, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, organs, sputum, cell lines, bronchial brush, blood, throat, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, this review briefly describes the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human body samples of five other coronaviruses. CONCLUSIONS: This review offers several recommendations for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 control, specifically, sample collection from suspected cases from foreign countries and risk assessment of imported special goods (biological materials).

Clinical features of 17 patients with 2019-nCoV.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to discuss the unique clinical features of patients with 2019-nCoV in Zhengzhou City to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with 2019-nCoV in Zhengzhou People's Hospital from February to March 2020 were collected. Their epidemiology, clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, and chest CT images were reviewed. All 17 patients were aged between 12-83 years, with an average age of 47 years, and consisted of 10 males (58.8%) and 7 females (41.2%). Two patients had histories of living or traveling in Wuhan, and 9 patients were attacked locally. The 6 remaining patients were unknown about incidence reasons. RESULTS: The average incubation period was 10 days, and the average time of the course of the disease was 9 days. Among the participants, 12 patients had fever as the first symptoms and 5 patients had normal body temperature. One patient was symptom-free carrier, and one patient had serious symptoms. One patient developed from mild symptoms to severe symptoms, and 14 patients had mild symptoms. Moreover, 7 patients had complications of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and hypertension, 1 patient was in the advanced stage of squamous cell lung carcinoma, and 1 patient had diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and late-stage uremia. According to novel coronavirus nucleic acid test, 8 patients were positive, accounting for 47.1%. All patients were negative in the novel coronavirus IgM antibody test and negative in other common respiratory pathogen detection. All 17 patients had ground glass-like high-density shadow or stripped high-density shadow on lung CT images, accompanied with many affected lesions on two lungs. The average stay in hospital was 10 days, and the average time of the course of the disease was 9 days. After hospitalization, 15 patients were discharged from the hospital upon recovery, 1 patient was transferred to superior hospital for continuous treatment, and 1 patient died. Patients with 2019-nCoV in Zhengzhou People's Hospital were mainly attacked in local areas, and most of them had mild symptoms. The positive rate of the nucleic acid test was 47.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The main clinical characteristics are increased neutrophil granulocytes, increased C-reactive proteins, decreased lymphocytes, ground glass-like or stripped lesions on lung CT image, common complications of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and favorable prognosis.

Positive-Parity Linear-Chain Molecular Band in

An inelastic excitation and cluster-decay experiment ^{2}H(^{16}C,^{4}He+^{12}Be or ^{6}He+^{10}Be)^{2}H was carried out to investigate the linear-chain clustering structure in neutron-rich ^{16}C. For the first time, decay paths from the ^{16}C resonances to various states of the final nuclei were determined, thanks to the well-resolved Q-value spectra obtained from the threefold coincident measurement. The close-threshold resonance at 16.5 MeV is assigned as the J^{π}=0^{+} band head of the predicted positive-parity linear-chain molecular band with (3/2_{π}^{-})^{2}(1/2_{σ}^{-})^{2} configuration, according to the associated angular correlation and decay analysis. Other members of this band were found at 17.3, 19.4, and 21.6 MeV based on their selective decay properties, being consistent with the theoretical predictions. Another intriguing high-lying state was observed at 27.2 MeV which decays almost exclusively to ^{6}He+^{10}Be(∼6 MeV) final channel, corresponding well to another predicted linear-chain structure with the pure σ-bond configuration.

[Experience of revision cochlear implantation].

Objective:To analyse the characteristics of the revision cochlear implantation （RCI）patients，the cause of the cochlear malfunction，and the choice of RCI operative approach. Method:A total of 39 patients with RCI were enrolled in this study. The cochlear use time, cause of failure and reoperation procedure are recorded and analyzed retrospectively. Result:There were 39 patients accepted cochlear reoperation，the ages ranges from 1 to 28，average age was 7.8 years, median age was 5 years old. The cochlear use time ranges from 1 month to 7 years，average was 2.2 years, median time was 1 year. Thirty-seven patients underwent RCI,30 cases right side and 7 cases left side. The reason of RCI contains device failure (28 cases)，infection (5 cases)，incorrect electrode implantation (3 cases)，facial nerve stimulation (2 cases)，and electrode prolapse (1 case).The choice of RCI procedure was dependent on the first operation procedure,contains facial nerve recess approach (35 cases) and mastoid approach (2 cases).Contralateral implantation was performed in 5 cases, the rest were ipsilateral. Conclusion:RCI has a variety causes and the common reason is trauma and device failure，the RCI should be completed as early as possible to avoid the ossified cochlear and hearing or speech stagnation，the electrode implantation through previous approach is the best method.

[Study of cone-beam CT in evaluating the electrode array of cochlear implantation postoperatively].

Objective:To explore ways of evaluating morphological information of cochlea electrode in post cochlear implantation patients, and so as to make sure its value of clinical usage.Method:A series of 52 patients who were diagnosed as severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and received cochlear implantation were admitted. All the patients had cone-beam CT scanning of the operated side 1 or 2 days after operation. The software of NNT Viewer was used to proceed original DICOM data of CBCT scanning in order to evaluate the morphological information. A comparative study in recognizing the numbers of anatomic structures was carried out between CBCT and X-ray.Result:All the 52 patients successfully received cochlear implantation as well as CBCT scanning.The cochlear implantation was implanted bilaterally at the same time in 3 patients, left side implantation in 13 patients and 36 cases in right side. There are four ways of evaluating the morphological information of electrode in cochlea post-operatively, including mode of Panorex, mode of MPR, mode of 3D-Ceph and 3D-Bone. A comprehensive evaluation can be achieved by the using of these four methods. The numbers of anatomic structures distinguished by CBCT is far more than X-ray.Conclusion:The evaluating methods of CBCT scanning is flexible and diverse, the CBCT scanning have unique values in clinical usage.

[Cochlear implant for elder patients over 75 years old].

Objective: To evaluate the operation safety, hearing as well as speech results of cochlear implantation that were applied in patients over 75 years old. Method: A series of patients who were diagnosed as severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and received cochlear implantation were admitted. The clinical data and rehabilitation effects of the patients who were over 75 years old were summarized. Result: During this period, in which 7(1.31%) patients aged over 75 at implantation. The age ranged from 75 to 88, with an average of 80 years old. All of the 7 patients received a safe operation under general anesthesia. No major or minor complications happened related to surgery and anesthesia. Only one 84 years old male patient suffered from a transient mild balance problem. Follow up were carried out regularly, ranging from 4-40 months. The average of categories of auditory performance and speech intelligibility rating is 4 and 5 respectively. Conclusion: The cochlear implant surgery and general anesthesia are safe for patients over 75 years old, and these patients can benefit from cochlear implantation.

Cannulation of Occluded Inferior Petrosal Sinuses for the Transvenous Embolization of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Usefulness of a Frontier-Wire Probing Technique.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pursuing an alternative access route for transvenous embolization of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas can be challenging in patients with an occluded inferior petrosal sinus. We found that cannulation of even a completely occluded inferior petrosal sinus is feasible, especially when using a standard hydrophilic-polymer-jacketed 0.035-inch guidewire as a frontier-wire for probing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 to 2017, the frontier-wire technique was tried in 52 patients with occluded inferior petrosal sinuses for transvenous embolization of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas at our center. Technical success was defined as access into the affected cavernous sinus compartment with a microcatheter through the occluded inferior petrosal sinus and deployment of at least 1 coil. The complications and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The frontier-wire technique was applied in 52 patients with 57 occluded inferior petrosal sinuses (52 ipsilateral and 5 contralateral inferior petrosal sinuses). Technical success rates were 80.8% (42/52) of patients and 73.7% (42/57) of inferior petrosal sinuses. Alternative transvenous routes were used in 3 patients, and transarterial access was used in 7 patients. Complete embolization of fistulas was achieved in 82.2% (37/45) of patients in the transvenous embolization group and in 14.3% (1/7) of patients in the transarterial group. No procedure-related morbidity or mortality was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Transvenous embolization of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas, even through a completely occluded inferior petrosal sinus, is feasible. The difficulty of passing the microcatheter can be minimized by prior probing of the occluded inferior petrosal sinus using a standard 0.035-inch guidewire; the trace of the guidewire on the roadmap image serves as a guide for microcatheter navigation through the inferior petrosal sinus on fluoroscopy.

Transport paths and vertical exchange characteristics of haze pollution in Southern China.

Transport paths and vertical exchange characteristics are important factors for understanding the long-term transport, dispersion capability for haze prediction. Many previous studies revealed that the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, one of the major polluted areas in China, is largely affected by the long-range pollution transport. However, mostly of these studies focused on the source apportionment or horizontal transport path of pollutants by using short-term data, and the vertical exchange characteristics had been rarely analyzed. In this study, using HYSPLIT model, the transport paths and the vertical exchange characteristics of haze episodes over four sub-region of Guangdong (GD) Province in southern China of dry season and wet season were analyzed by using 10years data from 2005 to 2014. Three major transport paths can be statistically summarized based on the long-term data. The haze episodes in PRD and North-GD were distinguished by the characteristics of high frequency and long duration, while the West-GD and East-GD are relatively clean. The haze over North-GD and PRD were mainly influenced by the airflows from northern path, which could bring the pollution from Jiangxi, Anhui, and also influenced by the airflows from coastal path, which could bring the pollution of eastern coastal from Zhejiang and Fujian to Guangdong, while regional transport contributions from Guangdong province and adjacent areas can also be clearly observed. The haze pollution from the identified two major transport paths were mainly transported within the mixing layer (>80% trajectories, <500m), whereas the probability of haze trajectories across mixing layer was relatively low and generally associated with much longer transport distance and higher terrain height over Western China. Combing the vertical exchange analysis, results also show that Wuyi Mountains and Nanling Mountains played a role as barrier to obstruct the haze airflows from other regions of China to the Guangdong province.

[Comparative study of cone-beam CT and spiral CT in measuring the length of styloid process].

Objective: To compare the difference of measuring the length of styloid process between spiral CT with high resolution and cone-beam CT(CBCT). Methods: Five specimens (including 5 pairs of styloid processes) were selected randomly from the Anatomy Laboratory of Otolaryngology Department, all the specimens underwent spiral CT with high resolution and cone-beam CT retrospectively.With the original DICOM data, the styloid processes were shown in one plate by multiple plate reconstruction technique, and later the length of styloid processes of each specimen were measured separately by software NNT Viewer (to CBCT) or Osrix (to spiral CT with high resolution). Results: The length of styloid processes measured by CBCT and spiral CT was (26.8±5.5) mm and (27.1±5.4) mm respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: In respect of measuring the length of styloid process, the CBCT has the same value in clinical practice comparing to spiral CT with high resolution.

Efficacy, Immunogenicity, and Safety of a 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Subgroup Analysis of Participants From Asian Countries.

Background: A 9-valent human papillomavirus-6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 (9vHPV) vaccine extends coverage to 5 next most common oncogenic types (31/33/45/52/58) in cervical cancer versus quadrivalent HPV (qHPV) vaccine. We describe efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety in Asian participants (India, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand) from 2 international studies: a randomized, double-blinded, qHPV vaccine-controlled efficacy study (young women aged 16-26 years; NCT00543543; Study 001); and an immunogenicity study (girls and boys aged 9-15 years; NCT00943722; Study 002). Methods: Participants (N = 2519) were vaccinated at day 1 and months 2 and 6. Gynecological samples (Study 001 only) and serum were collected for HPV DNA and antibody assessments, respectively. Injection-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Data were analyzed by country and vaccination group. Results: 9vHPV vaccine prevented HPV-31/33/45/52/58-related persistent infection with 90.4%-100% efficacy across included countries. At month 7, ≥97.9% of participants seroconverted for each HPV type. Injection-site AEs occurred in 77.7%-83.1% and 81.9%-87.5% of qHPV and 9vHPV vaccine recipients in Study 001, respectively, and 62.4%-85.7% of girls/boys in Study 002; most were mild to moderate. Conclusions: The 9vHPV vaccine is efficacious, immunogenic, and well tolerated in Asian participants. Data support 9vHPV vaccination programs in Asia. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT00543543; NCT00943722.

Factors affecting peri-implant fracture following locking plate for osteoporotic distal femur fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes and to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of peri-implant fracture after treatment of osteoporotic distal femoral fractures using a locking plate. HYPOTHESIS: Risk factors affecting peri-implant fracture exist after locking plate fixation in osteoporotic distal femur fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine cases (88 patients) with osteoporotic distal femoral fractures were evaluated between January 2006 and January 2014. The cohort included 13 men and 76 women with a mean age of 70.4 (50-91). Mean duration of follow-up was 47.9 months (12 to 106). All patients with distal femoral fracture were treated with a locking compression plate. Bone mineralized densitometry measurement was obtained from all patients. Risk factors including sex, age, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), taking of bisphosphonate, primary or periprosthetic fracture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), open or closed fracture, types of the most proximal screw (locking/cortical), and number of proximal screws were analyzed. Complication, union, time to union, and range of motion of knee were also evaluated. RESULTS: All patients had osteoporosis with the mean BMD of -3.16 (-2.5∼-5.4). The mean range of motion of knee was 126 degrees (90-145). Eighty-four cases (94.4%) showed union, the mean time to union was 14 weeks (10-42). Peri-implant fractures occurred in four patients (4.5%) after bone union at mean 37.5 months (14-62) postoperatively. Eight patients had angular deformities of over 5 degrees. Nonunion was observed in 5 cases and superficial wound infection in 2 cases. There were eight patients with RA, two of whom had suffered a peri-implant fracture. In statistical analysis, rheumatoid arthritis or periprosthetic fracture in TKA patients was a risk factor for peri-implant fracture (P=0.039, 0.019, respectively), and other factors showed no statistical differences. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment using a locking plate showed favorable outcomes in osteoporotic distal femoral fractures. However, peri-implant fracture could occur in patients with RA or periprosthetic fracture after TKA. Therefore, cautious consideration is required for management of osteoporotic distal femur fracture in patients with RA or periprosthetic fracture after TKA. Analysis of more cases will be needed in order to achieve conclusive results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV (retrospective study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Skin renewal activity of non-thermal plasma through the activation of ß-catenin in keratinocytes.

For recent years, devices that generate non-thermal plasma (NTP) have been introduced into the field of dermatology. Since NTP has demonstrated strong anti-pathogenic activity with safety of use, NTP was first applied to sterilize the skin surface to aid in the healing of various kinds of skin diseases. However, the effect of NTP on skin regeneration has not yet been fully explored. In this study, the effect of NTP on the growth of keratinocytes was tested using the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line and HRM2 hairless mice. Treatment with NTP allowed confluent keratinocytes to escape from G1 cell cycle arrest and increased the proportion of cells in S and G2 phases. In particular, NTP treatment immediately dispersed E-cadherin-mediated cell-to-cell interactions, resulting in the translocation of ß-catenin to the nucleus and leading to the enhanced transcription of target genes including c-MYC and cyclin D1. Moreover, repeated treatment of the mice with NTP also stimulated epidermal expansion by activating ß-catenin in the epidermal cells. The symptoms of cellular DNA damage were not detected after NTP treatment. Taken together, these results demonstrate that NTP may be employed as a new type of skin regenerating device.

Tunable optofluidic birefringent lens.

An optofluidic birefringent lens is demonstrated using hydrodynamic liquid-liquid (L(2)) interfaces in a microchannel. The L(2) lens comprises a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) phase and an optically isotropic phase for the main stream and the surrounding sub-stream, respectively. When the optofluidic device is subjected to a sufficiently strong electric field perpendicular to the flow direction, NLCs are allowed to orient along the external field rather than the flow direction overcoming fluidic viscous stress. The characteristics of the optofluidic birefringence lens are investigated by experimental and numerical analyses. The difference between the refractive indices of the main stream and the sub-stream changes according to the polarization direction of incident light, which determines the optical behaviour of the lens. The incidence of s-polarized light leads to a short focal point, while p-polarized light has a relatively long focal distance from the same L(2) interface. The curvatures and focal lengths of the lens are successfully evaluated by a hydrodynamic theory of NLCs and a simple ray-tracing model.

Mesenchymal stem cell-based gene therapy for erectile dysfunction.

Despite the overwhelming success of PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5I), the demand for novel pharmacotherapeutic and surgical options for ED continues to rise owing to the increased proportion of elderly individuals in the population, in addition to the growing percentage of ED patients who do not respond to PDE5I. Surgical treatment of ED is associated with many complications, thus warranting the need for nonsurgical therapies. Moreover, none of the above-mentioned treatments essentially corrects, cures or prevents ED. Although gene therapy is a promising option, many challenges and obstacles such as local inflammatory response and random transgene expression, in addition to other safety issues, limit its use at the clinical level. The use of stem cell therapy alone also has many shortcomings. To overcome these inadequacies, many scientists and clinicians are investigating new gene and stem cell therapies.

Comparison between a new electronic bidet and conventional sitz baths: a manometric evaluation of the anal resting pressure in normal healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: A bidet has been proposed as a replacement for the sitz bath. Like a sitz bath, it brings water into contact with the perineum. However, the high force of water from commercially used electronic bidets may harm the anus. We developed a new electronic bidet and evaluated its effects on anal resting pressure compared with a warm sitz bath. METHODS: Forty volunteers used the electronic bidet and sitz bath on separate days. The electronic bidet was newly designed with warm (38 °C) water and very low force (10 mN) with a fountain type of flow. Anal resting pressure at the high-pressure zone was measured before (control) and after the electronic bidet and sitz bath. Pressure changes after bidet or sitz bath were expressed as percentages compared with control. Water temperatures and rectal temperatures were also recorded. RESULTS: The anal resting pressures before the electronic bidet and sitz bath were 90.2 ± 24.6 and 88.1 ± 16.8 mmHg, respectively. At 3 min after the electronic bidet and sitz bath, the anal resting pressures were 71.3 ± 23.4 and 69.6 ± 19.8 mmHg, respectively. The pressure changes compared with the control were 78.2 ± 12.9 and 78.1 ± 12.5%, respectively, which were not significantly different. The maximal increase and minimal decrease were not significantly different. The rectal temperature was not elevated, and the water temperature decreased significantly with the sitz bath (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our new electronic bidet may reduce the anal resting pressure much like a warm sitz bath does.