Effect of use of NSAIDs or steroids during the acute phase of pain on the incidence of chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: This study is the first to summarize the evidence on how the use of anti-inflammatory drugs during acute pain has an impact on the development of chronic pain. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials retrieved from nine databases included anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs or steroids) versus non-anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with acute pain and reported the incidence of chronic pain. No specified date, age, sex, or language restrictions. Subgroup analyses were performed according to pain classification, follow-up time, and medication. The GRADE method was used to evaluate quality of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 29 trials (5220 patients) were included. Steroids or NSAIDs did not reduce the incidence of chronic nociceptive pain. Steroid use in acute phase significantly reduced the incidence of chronic neuropathic pain. In subgroup analysis, benefits were observed for methylprednisolone and dexamethasone, with some adverse effects. Steroids or NSAIDs were statistically significant in reducing pain intensity over 1 year, but the effect size was too small, and whether the long-term effect is clinically relevant needs to be further studied. CONCLUSION: Quality of the evidence was low to moderate. No drug can be recommended to prevent chronic nociceptive pain. Injections of steroids (methylprednisolone or dexamethasone) during the acute phase reduce the incidence of chronic neuropathic pain, but most included studies also used local anesthetics. The results are indirect and need to be interpreted with caution. The pooled data effect sizes for pain intensity were small, so the clinical relevance was unclear. Study registration PROSPERO (CRD42022367030).

Study on the molecular mechanism of Guizhi Jia Shaoyao decoction for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis by utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Guizhi Jia Shaoyao decoction (GSD) is widely used in the clinical treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore functional mechanisms of GSD in treating KOA by utilizing network pharmacology-based approaches. METHODS: Candidate components and targets of GSD were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. NCBI, Genecards, Drugbank, and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD) were used to establish a target database for KOA. Then, an interactive network diagram of "drugs-active components-targets" was plotted with Cytoscape open source bioinformatics software. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed and related protein interaction relationships were analyzed based on the STRING database. Gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway-enrichment analysis were conducted based on intersected targets. Molecular docking provided an assessment tool for verifying binding of components and targets. It was performed by AutoDock molecular modeling simulation software. RESULTS: In all, 103 active components were successfully identified, and corresponding 133 targets were searched for treating KOA. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that GSD exerts its pharmacological effect in treating KOA by regulating multiple pathways, such as PI3K-Akt, tumor necrosis factor, Toll-like receptor (TLR), and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways. Molecular docking analysis depicted that representative components bound firmly to key targets. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the synergistic effects of multiple components, targets, and pathways of GSD for treating KOA. This would enhance the understanding of potential molecular mechanisms of GSD for treating KOA and lay a foundation for further experimental research.

Near-Infrared Light-Enhanced Generation of Hydroxyl Radical for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Hydroxyl radical (• OH) as a highly oxidizing reactive oxygen species can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer treatment. However, high-efficiency cancer immunotherapy is still a huge challenge due to the low • OH generation efficiency in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in insufficient immunogenicity and the poor immune response. Here, a near-infrared (NIR) light-enhanced • OH generation strategy is developed for cancer immunotherapy by using a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-DBC) nanoplatform. With this strategy, the generation efficiency of • OH under NIR irradiation is increased 7.34 times than that without NIR irradiation, which induces robust ICD and immune response, thus leading to primary tumor elimination and the inhibition of distant tumor growth and tumor lung metastasis. Experimental results show that Cu-DBC can induce • OH boosting through photothermal (PT)-enhanced Cu-catalytic Fenton-like reaction and photocatalytic electron transfer under NIR light irradiation to amplify tumor ICD for immunotherapy.

Revealing Performance Enhancement Mechanism for Lithium-Sulfur Battery Using In Situ Electrochemical-Fluorescence Technology.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) as a next-generation promising energy storage device have a great potential commercial application due to their high specific capacity and energy density. However, it is still a challenge to real-time monitor the evolution process of polysulfides during the LSBs discharge process. Herein, an in situ electrochemical-fluorescence technology is developed to measure the fluorescence intensity change of cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) during the LSBs discharge process in real-time, which could monitor the evolution process of polysulfides. First, the real-time fluorescent spectrum and confocal fluorescence imaging of discharge processes for LSBs with CdS QDs are integrally illustrated. Furthermore, the fluorescence spectra and imaging results show that CdS QDs could immobilize polysulfides through bonding with polysulfides to improve the LSB device performance. This in situ electrochemical-fluorescence technology provides a new in situ and real-time-monitor method for better understanding the working mechanism of LSBs.

Early-stage effect of HIBD on neuro-motor function and organic composition of neurovascular units in neonatal rats.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) on early-stage neuro-motor function, cerebral blood flow, and the neurovascular unit. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley newborn rats aged 7 days were obtained and randomly assigned to either the sham or the model group using a random number table. The HIBD model was established using the Rice-Vannucci method. After the induction of HIBD, the body weight of the rats was measured and their neuro-motor function was assessed. Further, cerebral blood flow perfusion was evaluated using laser speckle flow imaging, and immunofluorescent staining techniques were employed for examining the activation of specific markers and their morphological changes in different cell populations, which included vascular endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and microglia within the motor cortex. Results: After HIBD, the model group exhibited impaired neuro-motor function and growth. Cerebral blood flow perfusion decreased in both the hemispheres on day 1 and in the ipsilateral brain on day 4. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups on day 7. Moreover, the CD31 and NeuN showed a sharp decline on day 1, which was followed by a gradual increase in the expression levels. The activated microglia and astrocytes formed clusters in the injured cortex. Notably, the regions with positive staining for Arg-1, Iba-1, CD68, and GFAP consistently displayed higher values in the model group as compared to that in the sham group. The total number of branch endpoints and microglia branches was higher in the model group than in the sham group. Immunofluorescent co-localization analysis revealed no co-staining between Iba-1 and Arg-1; however, the Pearson's R-value for the co-localization of Iba-1 and CD68 was higher in the model group, which indicated an increasing trend of co-staining in the model group. Conclusion: Early-stage neuro-motor function, cerebral blood flow, microvasculature, and neurons in neonatal rats exhibited a trend of gradual recovery over time. The activation and upregulation of neuroglial cells continued persistently after HIBD. Furthermore, the impact of HIBD on early-stage neuro-motor function in newborn rats did not synchronize with the activation of neuroglial cells. The recovery of neuro-motor function, microvasculature, and neurons occurred earlier than that of neuroglial cells.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor effects on neurological and motor function in animals with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological injury for which no effective treatment exists. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to treat autologous bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), etc. Recent research has revealed the potential application of G-CSF on neuroprotective effectiveness. In central nervous system diseases, G-CSF can be used to alleviate neuronal injury. Objective: To investigate the effects of G-CSF on Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale score, inclined plane test, electrophysiologic exam, quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive cells, and quantitative analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining images in animal models of SCI. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for all articles on G-CSF intervention with animal models of SCI reported before November 2022. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Results revealed that G-CSF intervention could improve the BBB scale score in both groups at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 35 days [at 35 days, weighted mean differences (WMD) = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.92-2.87, p < 0.00001, I2 = 69%]; inclined plane test score; electrophysiologic exam; quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive cell numbers; quantitative analysis of GFAP immunostaining images in animal models of SCI. Subgroup analysis revealed that treatment with normal saline, phosphate-buffered saline, and no treatment resulted in significantly different neurological function effectiveness compared to the G-CSF therapy. SD rats and Wistar rats with SCI resulted in significant neurological function effectiveness. C57BL/6 mice showed no difference in the final effect. The T9-T10 or T10 segment injury model and the T8-T9 or T9 segment injury model resulted in significant neurological function effectiveness. The BBB score data showed no clear funnel plot asymmetry. We found no bias in the analysis result (Egger's test, p = 0.42). In our network meta-analysis, the SUCRA ranking showed that 15 mg/kg-20 mg/kg was an optimal dose for long-term efficacy. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggests that G-CSF therapy may enhance the recovery of motor activity and have a specific neuroprotective effect in SCI animal models.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42023388315.

Aqueous synthesis of 1-H-2-substituted benzimidazoles via transition-metal-free intramolecular amination of aryl iodides.

A straightforward method has been developed for the synthesis of the benzimidazole ring system through a carbon-nitrogen cross-coupling reaction. In the presence of 2.0 equiv. of K(2)CO(3) in water at 100 °C for 30 h, the intramolecular cyclization of N-(2-iodoaryl)benzamidine provides benzimidazole derivatives in moderate to high yields. Remarkably, the procedure occurs exclusively in water and doesn’t require the use of any additional reagent/catalyst, rendering the methodology highly valuable from both environmental and economical points of view.

Organic small molecule semiconductor materials for OFET-based biosensors.

Biosensors is an advanced detection and monitoring device for the development of biotechnology, and is also a rapid and microanalytical device at the molecular level. Demands for high sensitivity, high flexibility, good biocompatibility, easy chemical modification and low cost offer incentive for exploring new materials to develop the next-generation biosensors. With the vigorous development of organic electronics, the performances of organic devices have been effectively improved, leading to organic semiconductor materials with low cost, good flexibility, easy chemical modification and good biocompatibility for biosensors. Biosensors based on organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have become one of the most advanced biosensor platforms because of their inherent ability to amplify received signals. Furthermore, OFET-based biosensors have been widely used in the detection of DNA, protein, cell, glucose and other biological substances due to its high sensitivity, fast analysis speed, label-free detection, small size and simple operation. This mini review briefly discusses the organic small molecule semiconductor materials, device configurations, basic principles and application fields of OFETs-based biosensors.

Organic Single Crystals with High Photoluminescence Quantum Yields Close to 100% and High Mobility for Optoelectronic Devices.

Organic single crystals with excellent optical and electrical properties are critical for the development of organic optoelectronics. Herein, two compounds 9,10-bis([N,N-diphenyl]-4'-phenylethynyl)anthracene (TPA-An) and 9,10-bis([1',3'-diphenyl]-5'-phenylethynyl)anthracene (TBA-An) are synthesized by introducing two different luminescent groups, triphenylamine and 1,3-diphenylbenzene, at the 9,10 positions of anthracene via triple bond connection. Single crystals based on TPA-An and TBA-An with a ribbon morphology obtained through the slow solvent-evaporation method exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of 98% and 99% at room temperature, and remarkable hole mobilities of 0.45 and 0.15 cm2 V-1 s-1 in single-crystal organic field-effect transistors (SC-OFETs). Furthermore, UV phototransistors based on the two single crystals obtain photosensitivities of 1.03 × 103 and 3.45 × 104 , ultrahigh photoresponsivities of 7.19 × 105 and 1.50 × 105 A W-1 , and the detectivities exceeding 1.40 × 1016 and 1.60 × 1017 Jones.

Organic UV-Sensitive Phototransistors Based on Distriphenylamineethynylpyrene Derivatives with Ultra-High Detectivity Approaching 1018.

Organic photodetectors with UV-sensitivity are of great potential for various optoelectronic applications. Integration of high charge carrier mobility, long exciton diffusion length as well as unique UV-sensitivity for active materials is crucial for construction of UV-sensitive devices with high performance, however, very few organic semiconductors can integrate these properties simultaneously. Herein, two novel organic semiconductors containing large steric hindrance triphenylamine groups, 1,6-distriphenylamineethynylpyrene (1,6-DTEP) and 2,7-distriphenylamineethynylpyrene (2,7-DTEP) are designed and synthesized. It demonstrates that the single crystals of both 1,6-DTEP and 2,7-DTEP exhibit superior integrated optoelectronic properties of high charge carrier mobility, unique UV absorption, high photoluminescence quantum yields as well as small exciton binding energies. Organic phototransistors constructed using 1,6-DTEP and 2,7-DTEP single crystals show ultrasensitive performance with ultra-high photoresponsivity of 2.86 × 106 and 1.04 × 105 A W-1 , detectivity (D*) of above 1.49 × 1018 and 5.28 × 1016 Jones under 370 nm light illumination, respectively. It indicates the great potential of 1,6-DTEP and 2,7-DTEP-based phototransistors for organic UV-photodetector applications and also provides a new design strategy to develop series of better performance UV photoelectric organic materials for related research in organic optoelectronics.

Needle knife therapy plus sodium hyaluronate injection for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a worldwide disease and more and more people are suffered from it. With the increasing number of patients, it brings a huge burden on social economy and security system. There are varieties of methods to cure KOA, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and surgery. Needle knife therapy plus Sodium hyaluronate Injection is one of the prevalent treatments for KOA. Therefore, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence for the treatment of needle knife therapy plus sodium hyaluronate Injection. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials will be used to compare the effect of needle knife therapy plus sodium hyaluronate injection with needle knife alone for KOA patients. Six studies will be included in this meta-analysis, and the relative risk and weight mean difference with 95% CI for the Lysholm knee score, visual analogue scale, and effective rate will be evaluated by using RevMan 5.3 software. Besides, the bias assessment of the included studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment Development, and Evaluation system will be applied to assess the overall quality of the evidence. RESULTS: From the study we will assess the effectiveness, safety of needle knife therapy plus sodium hyaluronate injection on joint pain relief and functional improvement in patients with KOA. CONCLUSION: The study will provide a new evidence to confirm the effect of needle knife therapy plus sodium hyaluronate injection on KOA, which can further guide the selection of therapy. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020169602.

Acupuncture for the treatment of ankle sprain: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in our daily life, which may lead to chronic ankle instability, reducing the quality of patients' life and imposing a heavy burden on social medical security system. There are many kinds of methods treating ankle sprain, which can be divided into the conservative treatments and surgical intervention. Acupuncture is one of the conservative treatments for ankle sprain, especially in China. Therefore, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence for acupuncture's effectiveness, safety and cost benefits for the treatment. METHODS: For the acquisition of required data of eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), literature search will be undertaken from the following database: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, and Wanfang database. Quality assessment of the included studies will be independently performed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool by 2 investigators and the level of evidence for results will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. Statistical analysis will be conducted with Revman 5.3. RESULTS: From the study we will assess the effectiveness, safety and cost benefit of acupuncture on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with ankle sprain. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to ensure the effectiveness, safety and cost benefits of acupuncture on ankle sprain, which can further guide the selection of appropriate interventions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018116829.

Cu-Thienoquinone Charge-Transfer Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in Organic Transistors.

A facile and unusual reaction between thienoquinone compound QDTBDT2C and copper is reported. The formation of Cu-QDTBDT2C complex is proved by absorption spectra, IR spectra, Raman spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. This complex can serve as a doping layer at the interface of Cu/QDTBDT2C and greatly improve the performance of organic transistors in which the copper electrode is source/drain electrodes and QDTBDT2C is an active layer. The transistors display an electron mobility of 0.95 cm2 V-1 s-1, to our knowledge, the highest electron mobility reported for copper electrode-based n-type transistors and nearly two times higher than that of the Au electrode-based devices. These results demonstrate the potential applications of Cu-QDTBDT2C complex in organic electronics, and the unique properties of QDTBDT2C (spontaneously reacting with copper) provide a new insight into the design of n-type organic semiconductors for copper electrode-based organic transistors.

Diacenaphthylene-fused benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophenes: polycyclic heteroacenes containing full-carbon five-membered aromatic rings.

We herein report on an efficient synthesis of diacenaphthylene-fused benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophenes and demonstrate that their packing structure in the solid state depends on the substituent groups. These compounds form dimers with their radical cations in high concentration solution and exhibit good field-effect mobility.

A Furan-Thiophene-Based Quinoidal Compound: A New Class of Solution-Processable High-Performance n-Type Organic Semiconductor.

The furan-thiophene-based quinoidal organic semiconductor, TFT-CN, is designed and synthesized. TFT-CN displays a high electron mobility of 7.7 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) , two orders of magnitude higher than the corresponding thiophene-based derivative.