Preliminary study of low-dose photodynamic therapy on the oxidative stress response of Cutibacterium acnes.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of photodynamic therapy (PDT) employing different, lower 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dosages on the proliferative activity of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). METHODS: In this in vitro bacterial experiment, we examined the effects of PDT using different doses of ALA (0.05 mmol/L; 0.1 mmol/L; 0.5 mmol/L; 1.0 mmol/L; 2.5 mmol/L). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we assessed colony-forming units (CFUs), bacterial staining for live/dead, antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression of oxidative stress markers following treatment with different doses of ALA-PDT. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrate that CFU, bacterial staining for live/dead, as well as the activity and gene expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), all exhibited significant increases when the ALA concentration was 0.1/0.5 mmol/L. However, both CFU and cell growth of C. acnes decreased when the ALA concentration reached 1.0 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: Lower concentration of ALA-PDT (0.1/0.5 mmol/L) appears to promote the growth of C.acnes while higher doses (1.0 /2.5 mmol/L) are associated with eradication. The procedure is possibly mediated by the activation of antioxidant-related genes and enzyme expression in cells.

Metabolic syndrome in women with and without interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with and without interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). METHODS: This case-control study evaluated the indicators of MetS in 287 females with IC/BPS and in 287 females without IC/BPS in West China Hospital between January 2010 and January 2020. Then, the number of voids per day, frequency of night urination, O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom/Problem Index, and visual analog scale were examined in the two groups. RESULTS: Based on both the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III recommendations and the International Diabetes Federation criteria, the distribution of MetS was statistically higher in patients with IC/BPS than in the control group, with 34.8% vs 17.8% (P < 0.0001) and 34.2% vs 20.9% (P = 0.0005), respectively. Regarding symptom scores, the IC/BPS group demonstrated significantly higher scores than the control group in all aspects (P < 0.0001). More patients with anxiety (P < 0.0001), insomnia (P < 0.0001), hypertension (P = 0.0001), and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.017) were observed in the IC/BPS group. Moreover, the findings indicated that patients with IC/BPS had a higher BMI (P = 0.0001) and larger waist circumference (P = 0.0001). Blood tests presented a significantly higher level of fasting glycemia, serum cystatin-C, and triglycerides in patients with IC/BPS. Furthermore, higher ORs for the occurrence of MetS among cases were observed, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: MetS frequency was relatively high in patients with IC/BPS. Further research is needed to understand the common pathophysiologic mechanism of IC/BPS and MetS.

Is absorbable suture superior to permanent suture for uterosacral ligament suspension?

AIMS: The aims of this study were to compare surgical results and suture-related complications after uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) with absorbable suture (AS) vs permanent suture (PS). METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, clinicalTrial.gov, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials for articles that compared AS with PS for USLS. The primary outcomes were surgical success rate and suture-related complications (suture exposure/erosion and suture removal). Review Manager 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK) was applied to conduct all analyses. RESULTS: Four articles involving 647 patients were eventually included. Our findings demonstrated that AS had a similar surgical success rates in comparison with PS (RR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.94-1.06) and that no significant differences in anatomic failure rates were noted between two groups (RR = 1.10; 95% CI, 0.65-1.86). Subgroup analyses in anatomic failure revealed no statistical differences in apical prolapse ≥1/2 TVL (RR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.48-1.75), recurrent prolapse beyond the hymen (RR = 1.18; 95% CI, 0.68-2.04), as well as in recurrent anterior, posterior or apical prolapse (P = .14, P = .08, P = .09, respectively). However, AS group indicated a lower risk in suture exposure/erosion (RR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.63) and lower suture removal rate (RR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Due to similar surgical results, less suture exposure/erosion and less suture removal, the current data supported that AS is as effective as PS, but with a better safety profile.

Research Progress of Raman Spectroscopy in Drug Analysis.

Raman spectroscopy is a spectroscopic analysis technique that enables rapid qualitative and quantitative detection based on inelastic collision and Raman scattering intensity. This review detailed the generation principle, instrument composition, influencing factors, and common classifications of Raman spectrum. Furthermore, it summarized and forecast the research progress of Raman spectroscopy in the field of drug analysis simultaneously over the past decade, including the identification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), qualitative and quantitative studies of pharmaceutical preparations, detection of illicit drugs, the identification of Chinese herbal medicines, and the combination with other technologies. The development of Raman spectroscopy in other fields is additionally summarized.