Hydroxychloroquine is effective in oral lichen planus: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to evaluate the safety and benefit of short-term application of hydroxychloroquine in the management of atrophic/erosive/ulcerative oral lichen planus (OLP). METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded, prospective clinical trial was performed from October 1, 2019, to September 1, 2022. A total of 99 patients were randomized to receive systemic use of hydroxychloroquine (n = 50), or topical use of 0.05% dexamethasone (n = 49) for 4 weeks. The response to both treatment modalities was evaluated according to reticulation, hyperemic, and ulceration (RHU) score and visual analog scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of medication, both groups showed substantial reduction in RHU and VAS score (p < 0.05). In hydroxychloroquine group, the average of RHU score was reduced from 10.60 to 7.68 (dropped 27.49%), and the average of VAS score was reduced from 3.74 to 2.47 (dropped 34.09%). There were no differences between the two groups in reduction of RHU score and VAS score (p > 0.05). Single factor analysis found hyperemic area (p = 0.019) and erosive/ulcerative area (p = 0.024) had impacts on drug efficacy of hydroxychloroquine, and logistic regression revealed that no factors (p > 0.05) influenced its efficacy. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate hydroxychloroquine is a safe and effective agent in treating atrophic/erosive/ulcerative OLP.

Advent of severe mitral regurgitation in surgical ventricular restoration and ventricular septal rupture repair.

BACKGROUND: Per-procedural severe mitral regurgitation is a rare complication in concomitant surgical ventricular restoration and postinfarction ventricular septal rupture repair. It is challenging to discover the underlying etiology and adopt an appropriate strategy, in particular, in a high-risk patient. CASE PRESENTATION: Semi-emergent surgical ventricular restoration combined with ventricular septal rupture closure and coronary artery bypassing was performed in a 67-year-old male patient. Severe mitral regurgitation was detected after the weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass. Two key questions arose in the management of this condition: did the regurgitation exist previously and was dissimulated by significant left-to-right shunt, or it occurred secondarily to the Dor procedure? Which was the better management strategy, chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement or mitral plasty? We believed that severe mitral regurgitation was under-estimated pre-operatively and we performed an downsizing annuloplasty to treat mitral regurgitation. The outcomes were promising and the patient did well in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our case brought out an open discussion on the etiology and therapeutic strategies of this complicated condition.

Status of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in 25 neonatal intensive care units of tertiary hospitals in China / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34+0 weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.

Fifteen-Year Outcomes After Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Remodelling or Exclusion of the Non-Coronary Sinus: When to Preserve the Sinuses of Valsalva?

BACKGROUND: Isolated exclusion of the non-coronary sinus (NCS) is an attractive strategy in valve-sparing aortic root surgery, which avoids the mobilisation and re-implantation of coronary ostia. However, the long-term durability of aortic valve repair and the fate of remnant sinuses of Valsalva remain unclear. METHOD: From January 2006 to December 2013, 29 patients underwent replacement of the ascending aorta extending to the NCS (group NCS) and 56 patients underwent a modified Yacoub procedure (group MY) in our centre by a single surgeon. Significant difference of preoperative parameters was observed between two groups in the presence of bicuspid aortic valve (41.4% vs 12.5%, p=0.002) and the diameter of the sinus of Valsalva (47.3±4.7 mm vs 51.5±4.9 mm, p=0.01). RESULTS: The group NCS, as compared to the group MY, was associated with significantly shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time (106.6±40.5 min vs 138.4±37.5 min, p=0.001) and aortic cross clamping time (69.0±21.8 min vs 105.4±27.8 min, p<0.01). The mean follow-up was 11.5±2.8 years. No surgical re-intervention was performed for aortopathies of the aortic root; the neo-sinus were not dilated in either groups (38.2±4.2 mm vs 34.0±4.0 mm, p<0.01). The 10-year freedom from aortic valve-related re-operation was estimated to be 96.6±3.4% and 94.5±3.1% (p=0.58), and the cumulative 10-year survival rates were 95.2±4.6% and 85.6±4.7% (p=0.61) in the group NCS and the group MY, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve-sparing isolated NCS replacement can be safely performed in selected patients; its early outcomes, overall survival and long-term freedom from aortic valve-related or aortopathy-related re-intervention were comparable to those obtained with the Yacoub procedure.

Increased complications of COVID-19 in people with cardiovascular disease: Role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation.

The rapid spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has had a dramatic negative impact on public health and economies worldwide. Recent studies on COVID-19 complications and mortality rates suggest that there is a higher prevalence in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) patients. Past investigations on the associations between pre-existing CVDs and susceptibility to coronavirus infections including SARS-CoV and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have demonstrated similar results. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This has impeded adequate risk stratification and treatment strategies for CVD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Generally, dysregulation of the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the counter regulator, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a hallmark of cardiovascular risk and CVD. ACE2 is the main host receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Although further studies are required, dysfunction of ACE2 after virus binding and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) signaling may worsen the outcomes of people affected by COVID-19 and with preexisting CVD. Here, we review the current knowledge and outline the gaps related to the relationship between CVD and COVID-19 with a focus on the RAAS. Improved understanding of the mechanisms regulating viral entry and the role of RAAS may direct future research with the potential to improve the prevention and management of COVID-19.

Fifteen-Year Outcomes Following Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) techniques have several advantages such as preservation of physiological haemodynamics of the native aortic valve and avoidance of prosthetic valve-related complications. However, VSRR procedures are generally performed in young patients and the long-term results in elderly patients (≥65 years) are scarce. METHODS: Fifty-six (56) consecutive patients underwent VSRR surgery by a single surgeon at the current centre between January 2006 and December 2013; a modified "remodelling technique" was typically performed. The mean age was 58.86±12.5 years; Marfan syndrome and bicuspid aortic valve were both present in six patients (10.7%); 38 patients (67.8%) presented with greater than moderate aortic regurgitation; and 17 patients (30.4%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III before surgery. They were divided into two groups according to their ages receiving VSRR surgery: Group E (elderly patients aged ≥65 years, n=24) and Group Y (young patients aged <65 years, n=32). The primary outcomes were aortic valve-related reoperation, cardiovascular reoperation, all-cause mortality, and functional status. RESULTS: One (1) patient in Group E was converted to aortic valve replacement as a result of a failed aortic valve repair. No perioperative mortality was observed. The mean follow-up was 11.5±2.9 years. Aortic valve-related reoperation was noted in two patients of each group (one with endocarditis, one with severe aortic regurgitation). Cardiovascular reoperations were observed in three and six patients, and all-cause deaths in seven and two patients in Group E and Group Y, respectively. The 10-year freedom from aortic valve-related reoperation was estimated to be 91.7±5.6% and 92.7±5.0% (p=0.594), the 10-year freedom from cardiovascular reoperation was 86.4±7.3% and 81.1±7.7% (p=0.781), and the cumulative 10-year survival rates were 74.0±9.2% and 93.8±4.3% (p=0.018) in Group E and Group Y, respectively. During follow-up, 6.7% of patients were in NYHA class III and 6.4% of patients developed moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation. Cox regression analysis failed to identify predictors for primary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Valve-sparing aortic root replacement can safely be performed in elderly patients with low early mortality and satisfactory long-term freedom from aortic valve-related and cardiovascular re-intervention.

Transverse isotropic modelling of left-ventricle passive filling: Mechanical characterization for epicardial biomaterial manufacturing.

Biomaterials applied to the epicardium have been studied intensively in recent years for different therapeutic purposes. Their mechanical influence on the heart, however, has not been clearly identified. Most biomaterials for epicardial applications are manufactured as membranes or cardiac patches that have isotropic geometry, which is not well suited to myocardial wall motion. Myocardial wall motion during systole and diastole produces a complex force in different directions. Membrane or cardiac patches that cannot adapt to these specific directions will exert an inappropriate force on the heart, at the risk of overly restricting or dilating it. Accurately characterizing the mechanical properties of the myocardial wall is thus essential, through analysis of muscle orientation and elasticity. In this study, we investigated the Hertz contact theory for characterizing cardiac tissue, using nanoindentation measurements to distinguish different patterns in the local myocardium. We then evaluated the predictive accuracy of this model using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to mimic the diastolic phase of the heart. Our results, extracted from instrumented nanoindentation experiments in a liquid environment using five pig hearts, revealed variations in elasticity according to the local orientation of the myocardial tissue. In addition, applying the Finite Element Method (FEM) in our model based on transverse isotropy and local tissue orientation proved able to accurately simulate the passive filling of a left ventricle (LV) in a representative 3D geometry. Our model enables improved understanding of the underlying mechanical properties of the LV wall and can serve as a guide for designing and manufacturing biomedical material better adapted to the local epicardial tissue.

Stem cell-based approaches in cardiac tissue engineering: controlling the microenvironment for autologous cells.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Cardiac tissue engineering strategies focusing on biomaterial scaffolds incorporating cells and growth factors are emerging as highly promising for cardiac repair and regeneration. The use of stem cells within cardiac microengineered tissue constructs present an inherent ability to differentiate into cell types of the human heart. Stem cells derived from various tissues including bone marrow, dental pulp, adipose tissue and umbilical cord can be used for this purpose. Approaches ranging from stem cell injections, stem cell spheroids, cell encapsulation in a suitable hydrogel, use of prefabricated scaffold and bioprinting technology are at the forefront in the field of cardiac tissue engineering. The stem cell microenvironment plays a key role in the maintenance of stemness and/or differentiation into cardiac specific lineages. This review provides a detailed overview of the recent advances in microengineering of autologous stem cell-based tissue engineering platforms for the repair of damaged cardiac tissue. A particular emphasis is given to the roles played by the extracellular matrix (ECM) in regulating the physiological response of stem cells within cardiac tissue engineering platforms.

Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2: challenge for diagnosis and medical management in patients with left ventricular assist device: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposes vulnerable patients to high risk of mortality. Patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) usually have symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath because of their cardiac condition and comorbidity, therefore these related symptoms challenge the correct diagnosis in time within the COVID-19 pandemic. CASE SUMMARY: We report two case studies of patients with LVAD in whom COVID-19 related symptoms were overlapped by their cardiac status and comorbidities. In the first case, the patient was admitted for suspicion of COVID-19 due to cough and shortness of breath for 1 month. The blood test evocated a high index of suspicion of COVID-19. The nasopharyngeal test for COVID-19 performed on admission and at Day 2 was inconclusive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the test obtained on Day 3 of admission was positive, whereas computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of COVID-19. This patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and nasal epistaxis within 48 h during hospitalization. The ARDS was treated by non-invasive ventilation and probabilistic antibiotics for 3 days and resulted significant improvement. The nasal epistaxis due to international normalized ratio increase was treated by nasal packing and vitamin K antagonist was switched to parenteral heparin infusion. The patient was kept hospitalized for 1 month for further supportive treatment. In the second case, the patient was admitted for recurrent anaemia due to melaena, the patient was tested for COVID-19 because of new-onset symptoms of cough and rhinorrhoea. The first nasopharyngeal test was positive, and sudden increase of anticoagulation status was noted in the setting of gastrointestinal bleeding. The anticoagulation status was controlled by parenteral heparin infusion, and the melaena was disappeared at Day 3. The moderate dyspnoea of the patient was quickly improved with nasal oxygen delivery for 4 days. The patient was discharged at Day 5. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 specific symptoms are challenging to distinguish in patients with LVADs, although radiological evidence can be beneficial in the COVID-19 diagnosis. We also observed the need for precise anticoagulation control to avoid bleeding or thrombotic events in these patients.

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease based on three-dimensional convolutional neural networks ensemble model combined with genetic algorithm / 生物医学工程学杂志

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a common neurodegenerative disease, is still unknown. It is difficult to determine the atrophy areas, especially for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at different stages of AD, which results in a low diagnostic rate. Therefore, an early diagnosis model of AD based on 3-dimensional convolutional neural network (3DCNN) and genetic algorithm (GA) was proposed. Firstly, the 3DCNN was used to train a base classifier for each region of interest (ROI). And then, the optimal combination of the base classifiers was determined with the GA. Finally, the ensemble consisting of the chosen base classifiers was employed to make a diagnosis for a patient and the brain regions with significant classification capability were decided. The experimental results showed that the classification accuracy was 88.6% for AD

Targeting immunometabolism by active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicines for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis / 中草药·英文版

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common inflammatory arthropathy word wild, is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the synovium of joints with a high disability rate. Metabolic mis-regulation has emerged as a fundamental pathogenesis of RA linked to immune cell dysfunction, while targeting immunometabolism provides a new and effective approach to regulate the immune responses and thus alleviate the symptom of RA. Recently, natural active compounds from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have potential therapeutic effects on RA and regulating immunometabolism. In this review, in addition to updating the connection between cellular metabolism and cell function in immune cells of RA, we summarized that the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the potential natural compounds from TCM by targeting metabolic reprogramming of immune cells, and discusses them as a rich resource for providing the new potential paradigm for the treatment of RA.

Isolated tricuspid valve surgery after congenital versus left heart-disease surgery: mid-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Left heart involvement might be a differential factor in the physiopathology and prognosis of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following cardiac surgery. We aimed to compare the outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve surgery (ITVS) after congenital versus left heart-disease surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively studied and followed up 58 patients who underwent ITVS for TR following cardiac surgery in our center from January 2012 to December 2017. According to the different etiologies of TR, the participants were divided into one group of TR following surgery for congenital heart diseases (CHD) (pCHD group, n=24), and another group of TR following surgery for left heart disease (pVHD group, n=34). RESULTS: Compared to the pCHD group, the pVHD group presented with a more advanced age (P<0.001), higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score calculation (P=0.04), and higher EuroSCORE II calculation (P=0.01). In the post-operative course, the pVHD group showed a longer mechanical ventilation time (P<0.001) and longer intensive care unit stay (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in in-hospital mortality (8.8% vs. 0, P=0.26), or the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (20.6% vs. 12.5%, P=0.47) at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Severe TR following surgery for left heart disease is associated with higher surgical risks and a remarkable frailty as compared to that following surgery for CHDs; however, with the development of surgical techniques and peri-operative management, ITVS can be safely performed in both conditions with promising contemporary mid-term outcomes.

Addition and Subtraction Therapy of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang and Lizhongtang for Stable Angina and Effect on Inflammatory Factors and Endothelial Function / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To discuss the efficacy of addition and subtraction therapy of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang and Lizhongtang for stable angina (SAP) with syndrome of Yin-cold stagnation and investigate its effects on inflammatory factors and endothelial function. Method:One hundred and thirty- eight patients were randomly divided into control group (69 cases) and observation group (69 cases) by random number table. During the study period, there were 3 drop-out cases, 3 excluded cases, and 63 completed cases in the control group. There were 3 drop-out cases, 1 excluded case, and 65 completed cases in the observation group. Basic therapy was given in both groups. Patients in both groups got metoprolol tartrate tablets, 50 mg/time, 2 times/days. Aspirin enteric-coated tablets, 100 mg/time, 1 time/day. Trimetazidine dihydrochloride tablets, 1 tablet/time, 3 times/days In case of angina pectoris attacks, nitroglycerin tablets under the tongue, 0.25-0.5 mg, for every 5 minutes until the angina is relieved. And they also got treatment to control blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure. Based on the above treatment, the patients in control group additionally received Guanxin Suhe pills, chewed for administration, 1 pill/time, twice a day. The patients in observation group additionally received addition and subtraction therapy of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang and Lizhongtang, 1 dose/day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks in both groups. One week before treatment and one week after treatment, the number of times and duration of anginal attacks and dosage of nitroglycerin were recorded. Before treatment and after treatment, electrocardiogram was checked, and scores of Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) and syndrome of Yin-cold stagnation were graded; levels of serum phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), homocysteine (Hcy), D-dimer (D-D), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET-1) were detected. Result:The number of times of angina attacks and Nitroglycerin consumption in observation group were less than those in control group (P<0.01), and the duration of angina attacks was shorter than that in control group (P<0.01). Score of syndrome of Yin-cold stagnation in observation group was lower than that in control group (P<0.01), and score of SAQ was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). Levels of Lp-PLA2, D-D, Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α and ET-1 in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.01), and level of NO was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). The efficacy shown in electrocardiogram was also better than that in control group (Z=2.043, P<0.05； Z=2.003, P<0.05). Conclusion:On the basis of routine treatment of western medicine, addition and subtraction therapy of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhitang and Lizhongtang can further alleviate symptoms, reduce ischemic attack, improve the quality of life in patients with SAP and syndrome of Yin-cold stagnation. It has anti-inflammatory effect and can improve the function of blood vessels and stabilize plaque, showing better clinical effects and electrocardiographic results than Western medicine alone.

Research progress on paraspinal muscles' changes in lumbar disorders and after posterior lumbar surgery / 中国医师杂志

There are many reasons which can lead to lumbar disorders, such as intervetebral disc, vertebral body, facet joint, nerve, tendon, paraspinal muscle and so on. However there are many studies focus on the structures of intervertebral disc and vertebral body, while researches on paraspinal muscle are relatively few. In fact, the paraspinal muscle plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the lumbar spine. In recent years, the paraspinal muscle have been examined from morphology, electrophysiology, physical experiment, biopsy and so on, hoping to find out some myogenic factors of lumbar disorders, and to provide reference for improving the prognosis of lumbar posterior surgery. This article reviews the research progress on paraspinal muscles' changes in lumbar disorders and after posterior lumbar surgery.

Chitosan ascorbate hydrogel improves water uptake capacity and cell adhesion of electrospun poly(epsilon-caprolactone) membranes.

The most important prerequisites for wound coverage matrices are biocompatibility, adequate porosity, degradability and exudate uptake capacity. A moderate hydrophilicity and exudate uptake capacity can often favour cell adhesion and wound healing potential, however, most of the synthetic polymers like polycaprolactone (PCL) are hydrophobic. Hydrogels based on natural polymers can improve the hydrophilicity and exudate uptake capacity of synthetic dressings and improve healing. In this work, we report the development of chitosan ascorbate-infiltrated electrospun PCL membranes. Our study demonstrated that chitosan ascorbate infiltration improves the hydrophilicity as well as water uptake capacity of the membranes and highly favoured the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stem cells on the membranes.

Whether Fire-needle Therapy Benefits Plaque Psoriasis: A Multicenter, Randomized, and Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of fire-needle therapy, an external approach of Chinese medicine in treating plaque psoriasis.@*METHODS@#This study was a two-parallel-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 151 participants with plaque psoriasis were randomly assigned to the fire-needle therapy group (treatment group, 76 cases) or the control group (75 cases) at a 1:1 allocation ratio using SAS software. All participants received Oral Huoxue Jiedu Decoction (, HXJDD) and applied externally vaseline cream twice a day. Participants in the treatment group received fire-needle therapy once weekly for 4 weeks plus HXJDD and vaseline cream applied the same as the control group. The primary outcome measure was Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, and the secondary outcomes were Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQL), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), as well as Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome score and photos of target lesions. The indices were evaluated before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Sixty-eight patients in each group completed the study. The treatment group has not yet achieved significant improvement in PASI score (P>0.05) compared to the control group. However, significant differences were found between the two groups in relieving CM syndrome (P<0.05) and improving quality of life (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Fire-needle appears to be safe and may have benefit for psoriasis, the short-term treatment and small sample size limit the conclusions of this study. Further rigorous randomized controlled trials with longer treatment are recommended.

Early prognosis of Alzheimer's disease based on convolutional neural networks and ensemble learning / 生物医学工程学杂志

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a typical neurodegenerative disease, which is clinically manifested as amnesia, loss of language ability and self-care ability, and so on. So far, the cause of the disease has still been unclear and the course of the disease is irreversible, and there has been no cure for the disease yet. Hence, early prognosis of AD is important for the development of new drugs and measures to slow the progression of the disease. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a state between AD and healthy controls (HC). Studies have shown that patients with MCI are more likely to develop AD than those without MCI. Therefore, accurate screening of MCI patients has become one of the research hotspots of early prognosis of AD. With the rapid development of neuroimaging techniques and deep learning, more and more researchers employ deep learning methods to analyze brain neuroimaging images, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for early prognosis of AD. Hence, in this paper, a three-dimensional multi-slice classifiers ensemble based on convolutional neural network (CNN) and ensemble learning for early prognosis of AD has been proposed. Compared with the CNN classification model based on a single slice, the proposed classifiers ensemble based on multiple two-dimensional slices from three dimensions could use more effective information contained in MRI to improve classification accuracy and stability in a parallel computing mode.

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on chitosan/2D layered double hydroxide composite for the determination of H2O2.

The composites (LDH-CMC) composed of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and 2D ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) were successfully prepared using the one-step urea method; these composites were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, SEM, BJH/BET, TG-DTG and pHzpc analyses, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The use of CMC could impact the textural and surface chemical properties of the LDH-CMC composites, where the composites still maintained the 2D layered structure. Incorporating a moderate amount of CMC could increase both the surface area and the permanent charge density of the composites, leading to improved electrochemical performances. The LDH-CMC composite was used as a support matrix for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on the glass carbon (GC) electrode to construct a biosensor that provides a biocompatible microenvironment for HRP and a pathway for H2O2 diffusion via the high surface area. The HRP biosensor displayed a satisfactory sensitivity and fast response (<3 s) toward H2O2 over a wide linear range of 0.02-6.0 mmol·L-1 with a low detection limit of 12.4 µmol·L-1, good anti-interference ability and long-term storage stability. The proposed HRP biosensor was found to be a sensitive, rapid, and disposable sensor with low cost, easy preparation and high selectivity; thus, the proposed biosensor can be used for the real-time detection of trace H2O2 in the biological, clinical and environmental fields.

Nanoceria Can Act as the Cues for Angiogenesis in Tissue-Engineering Scaffolds: Toward Next-Generation in Situ Tissue Engineering.

Next-generation tissue engineering exploits the body's own regenerative capacity by providing an optimal niche via a scaffold for the migration and subsequent proliferation of endogenous cells to the site of injury, enhancing regeneration and healing and bypassing laborious in vitro cell-culturing procedures. Such systems are also required to have a sufficient angiogenic capacity for the subsequent patency of implanted scaffolds. The exploitation of redox properties of nanodimensional ceria (nCeO2) in in situ tissue engineering to promote cell adhesion and angiogenesis is poorly investigated. As a novel strategy, electrospun polycaprolactone based tissue-engineering scaffolds loaded with nCeO2 were developed and evaluated for morphological and physicomechanical features. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to show the ability of nCeO2-containing scaffolds to enhance cell adhesion and angiogenesis. These studies confirmed that nCeO2-containing scaffolds supported cell adhesion and angiogenesis better than bare scaffolds. Gene-expression studies had shown that angiogenesis-related factors such as HIF1α and VEGF were up-regulated. Overall results show that incorporation of nCeO2 plays a key role in scaffolds for the enhancement of angiogenesis, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation and can produce a successful outcome in in situ tissue engineering.