Preanchoring Enabled Directional Modification of Atomically Thin Membrane for High-Performance Osmotic Energy Generation.

Salinity gradient energy is an environmentally friendly energy source that possesses potential to meet the growing global energy demand. Although covalently modified nanoporous graphene membranes are prospective candidates to break the trade-off between ion selectivity and permeability, the random reaction sites and inevitable defects during modification reduce the reaction efficiency and energy conversion performance. Here, we developed a preanchoring method to achieve directional modification near the graphene nanopores periphery. Numerical simulation revealed that the improved surface charge density around nanopores results in exceptional K+/Cl- selectivity and osmotic energy conversion performance, which agreed well with experimental results. Ionic transport measurements showed that the directionally modified graphene membranes achieved an outstanding power density of 81.6 W m-2 with an energy conversion efficiency of 35.4% under a 100-fold salinity gradient, outperforming state-of-the-art graphene-based nanoporous membranes. This work provided a facile approach for precise modification of nanoporous graphene membranes and opened up new ways for osmotic power harvesting.

Emerging Advances around Nanofluidic Transport and Mass Separation under Confinement in Atomically Thin Nanoporous Graphene.

Membrane separation stands as an environmentally friendly, high permeance and selectivity, low energy demand process that deserves scientific investigation and industrialization. To address intensive demand, seeking appropriate membrane materials to surpass trade-off between permeability and selectivity and improve stability is on the schedule. 2D materials offer transformational opportunities and a revolutionary platform for researching membrane separation process. Especially, the atomically thin graphene with controllable porosity and structure, as well as unique properties, is widely considered as a candidate for membrane materials aiming to provide extreme stability, exponentially large selectivity combined with high permeability. Currently, it has shown promising opportunities to develop separation membranes to tackle bottlenecks of traditional membranes, and it has been of great interest for tremendously versatile applications such as separation, energy harvesting, and sensing. In this review, starting from transport mechanisms of separation, the material selection bank is narrowed down to nanoporous graphene. The study presents an enlightening overview of very recent developments in the preparation of atomically thin nanoporous graphene and correlates surface properties of such 2D nanoporous materials to their performance in critical separation applications. Finally, challenges related to modulation and manufacturing as well as potential avenues for performance improvements are also pointed out.

Altered static and dynamic functional network connectivity in individuals with subthreshold depression: a large-scale resting-state fMRI study.

Dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) is an expansion of static FNC (sFNC) that reflects connectivity variations among brain networks. This study aimed to investigate changes in sFNC and dFNC strength and temporal properties in individuals with subthreshold depression (StD). Forty-two individuals with subthreshold depression and 38 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Group independent component analysis (GICA) was used to determine target resting-state networks, namely, executive control network (ECN), default mode network (DMN), sensorimotor network (SMN) and dorsal attentional network (DAN). Sliding window and k-means clustering analyses were used to identify dFNC patterns and temporal properties in each subject. We compared sFNC and dFNC differences between the StD and HCs groups. Relationships between changes in FNC strength, temporal properties, and neurophysiological score were evaluated by Spearman's correlation analysis. The sFNC analysis revealed decreased FNC strength in StD individuals, including the DMN-CEN, DMN-SMN, SMN-CEN, and SMN-DAN. In the dFNC analysis, 4 reoccurring FNC patterns were identified. Compared to HCs, individuals with StD had increased mean dwell time and fraction time in a weakly connected state (state 4), which is associated with self-focused thinking status. In addition, the StD group demonstrated decreased dFNC strength between the DMN-DAN in state 2. sFNC strength (DMN-ECN) and temporal properties were correlated with HAMD-17 score in StD individuals (all p < 0.01). Our study provides new evidence on aberrant time-varying brain activity and large-scale network interaction disruptions in StD individuals, which may provide novel insight to better understand the underlying neuropathological mechanisms.

New application of traditional S retractor in collecting wound flushing fluid after skin tumour resection.

After Skin tumour resection, there may be residual tumour cells on the wound surface, washing the wound surface with sterilized water can mediate tumour cell lysis and improve patient prognosis. We observed that when the patient is lying behind the operating table, both the limbs and trunk will form an inclined plane with a high centre and a low periphery. Fit the hook of the traditional S retractor onto the low end of the inclined surface, and apply appropriate pressure to make the fitting tight. This way, the flushing fluid will converge at the low end of the fitting surface and will not leak out. Combined with a negative pressure aspirator, it can reduce the splashing of flushing fluid. The traditional S retractor is common in the operating room, which is easy to operate and do not increase medical costs. The method of using a traditional S retractor to collect flushing fluid is worth further promotion.

Wider indications and more efficient drug delivery: A bibliometric analysis and visualization of photodynamic therapy in skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely accepted in keratocyte carcinoma and an increasing number of literatures concerning PDT in skin cancer is published. But a detailed examination of publication patterns of PDT in skin cancer has not yet been carried out. METHODS: Bibliographies were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection restricted the publication date from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 2021. The search terms were photodynamic therapy and skin cancer. Visualization analysis and statistical analysis were performed by VOSviewer (Version 1.6.13), R software (Version 4.1.2) and Scimago Graphica (Version 1.0.15). RESULTS: 3248 documents were selected for analysis. The results showed that the number of annual publications related to PDT in skin cancer was gradually increased and would continue to increase in the future. The results illustrated that "melanoma", "nanoparticles", "drug-delivery", "mechanism", "delivery" and "in-vitro" are newly occurred topics. The most prolific country was the United States and the most productive institution was the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. German researcher Szeimies RM published the most papers related to PDT in skin cancer. British Journal of Dermatology was the most popular journal in this field. CONCLUSION: The topic that PDT in skin cancer is a heated issue. Our study revealed the bibliometric result of the field, which might provide the prospects for further research. We recommend future investigations focusing on PDT in treating melanoma, innovation of photosensitizer, improvement of drug delivery and the mechanism of PDT in skin cancer.

Differentiating tumour progression from pseudoprogression in glioblastoma patients: a monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched-exponential model-based DWI study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the diagnostic performance of parameters derived from monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched-exponential diffusion-weighted imaging models in differentiating tumour progression from pseudoprogression in glioblastoma patients. METHODS: Forty patients with pathologically confirmed glioblastoma exhibiting enhancing lesions after completion of chemoradiation therapy were enrolled in the study, which were then classified as tumour progression and pseudoprogression. All patients underwent conventional and multi-b diffusion-weighted MRI. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from a monoexponential model, the true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f) from a biexponential model, and the distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and intravoxel heterogeneity index (α) from a stretched-exponential model were compared between tumour progression and pseudoprogression groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis was used to investigate the diagnostic performance of different DWI parameters. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the consistency of measurements. RESULTS: The values of ADC, D, DDC, and α values were lower in tumour progression patients than that in pseudoprogression patients (p < 0.05). The values of D* and f were higher in tumour progression patients than that in pseudoprogression patients (p < 0.05). Diagnostic accuracy for differentiating tumour progression from pseudoprogression was highest for α(AUC = 0.94) than that for ADC (AUC = 0.91), D (AUC = 0.92), D* (AUC = 0.81), f (AUC = 0.75), and DDC (AUC = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Multi-b DWI is a promising method for differentiating tumour progression from pseudoprogression with high diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the α derived from stretched-exponential model is the most promising DWI parameter for the prediction of tumour progression in glioblastoma patients.

The application of lateral-rectus approach on toddlers' unstable pelvic fractures.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic fractures are rare in toddlers but are often associated with other injuries that make treatment difficult. Conservative treatment has been used with moderate success, but it is unclear if surgical correction could confer additional benefits and improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to report authors' experience using the lateral-rectus approach (LRA) for surgical correction of unstable pelvic fractures in two toddlers. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of two toddlers with unstable pelvic fractures who underwent surgery through the LRA between April 2016 and October 2018. Patients' characteristics, fracture type, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), operative time, intra-operative blood loss, and post-operative complications were assessed. Pelvic asymmetry, degree of deformity, Cole scoring criteria and modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to evaluate radiographic and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Successful surgical treatment was performed using the LRA, external fixation, and sacroiliac screw fixation. Surgery duration was 180 min on average, with an average intra-operative bleeding of 250 ml. There were no iatrogenic nerve injuries or infections. Pelvic asymmetry a week after surgery was 0.5 cm on average and dropped to 0.3 cm on average at the end of the follow-up period. The deformity index of the pelvis dropped from an average of 0.035 a week after surgery to 0.02 at the end of the follow-up period. The mean MBI was 100 in the last follow-up, and Cole scoring criteria categorized both patients as being in excellent condition. All patients achieved radiological bone union without discrepancy in length of the lower limbs. Neither patient had loss of reduction nor evidence of low back pain during the mean follow-up period of 22 months. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic fracture in toddlers is rare, and surgical treatment requires careful consideration. The lateral-rectus approach was proven as a viable alternative for managing unstable pelvic fractures in toddlers, with minimal blood loss and risk of nerve injury. Furthermore, anterior external fixation and posterior sacroiliac screw fixation would be adequate for this population, with excellent final outcome.

Three-dimensional printing of patient-specific plates for the treatment of acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral plate disruption.

BACKGROUND: Complicated acetabular fractures comprise the most challenging field for orthopedists. The purpose of this study was to develop three-dimensional printed patient-specific (3DPPS) Ti-6Al-4 V plates to treat complicated acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral plate (QLP) disruption and to evaluate their efficacy. METHODS: Fifty patients with acetabular fractures involving QLP disruption were selected between January 2016 and June 2017. Patients were divided into a control group (Group A, 35 patients) and an experimental group (Group B, 15 patients), and were treated by the conventional method of shaping reconstruction plates or with 3DPPS Ti-6AL-4 V plates, respectively. The efficacy of Ti-6AL-4 V plates was evaluated by blood loss, operative time, reduction quality, postoperative residual displacement, and complications. RESULTS: The operative time and blood loss in Group B were reduced compared to Group A, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in reduction quality between the two groups (P > 0.05). Reduction quality in Group B was anatomic in 10 (66.7%), satisfactory in four (26.7%), and poor in one (6.7%). In Group A, they were anatomic in 18 (51.4%), satisfactory in 13 (37.1%), and poor in four (11.4%). Residual displacement in Group B was less than that in Group A, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In Group B, one case exhibited loosening of the pubic screw postoperatively. In Group A, there was one case of wound infection, one of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the ipsilateral lower limb, one case of traumatic arthritis and two obturator nerve injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The 3DPPS Ti-6AL-4 V plate is a feasible, accurate and effective implant for acetabular fracture treatment.

Effects of chitosan guanidine on blood glucose regulation and gut microbiota in T2DM.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents approximately 90 % of all DM cases and is primarily caused by an imbalance in blood glucose homeostasis due to inadequate insulin secretion or insulin resistance. This study explores the potential therapeutic effects of chitosan guanidine (CSG) on a T2DM mouse model. The findings reveal that CSG significantly enhances oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity (ITT), reduces fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, and suppresses the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in T2DM mice. These changes improve insulin resistance and diminish inflammation. Additionally, CSG markedly ameliorates lipid metabolism disorders, lowers total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and inhibits hepatic fat accumulation. 16S rRNA and Spearman correlation analyses indicate that CSG promotes the relative abundance of probiotic genera such as Bacteroidota, Patescibacteria, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria. These bacteria are positively correlated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels. Conversely, CSG reduces the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, including Proteobacteria and Ralstonia, leading to an improved intestinal microbial community composition in T2DM mice and alleviating T2DM symptoms. These results suggest that CSG holds significant potential as a non-insulin therapeutic agent for diabetes management.

Triptycene-like naphthopleiadene as a readily accessible scaffold for supramolecular and materials chemistry.

Triptycene derivatives are used extensively in supramolecular and materials chemistry, however, most are prepared using a multi-step synthesis involving the generation of a benzyne intermediate, which hinders production on a large scale. Inspired by the ease of the synthesis of resorcinarenes, we report the rapid and efficient preparation of triptycene-like 1,6,2',7'-tetrahydroxynaphthopleiadene directly from 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene and phthalaldehyde. Structural characterisation confirms the novel bridged bicyclic framework, within which the planes of the single benzene ring and two naphthalene units are fixed at an angle of ∼120° relative to each other. Other combinations of aromatic 1,2-dialdehydes and 2,7-disubstituted naphthalenes also provided similar triptycene-like products. The low cost of the precursors and undemanding reaction conditions allow for rapid multigram synthesis of 1,6,2',7'-tetrahydroxynaphthopleiadene, which is shown to be a useful precursor for making the parent naphthopleiadene hydrocarbon. The great potential for the use of the naphthopleiadene scaffold in supramolecular and polymer chemistry is demonstrated by the preparation of a rigid novel cavitand, a microporous network polymer, and a solution-processable polymer of intrinsic microporosity.

High-frequency ultrasound-assisted Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a superficial sarcoma characterized by infiltrative growth with tentacle-like borders. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the preferred treatment option for DFSP. However, the imprecise boundary localization in MMS leads to an increased number of Mohs layers required and a longer surgery time. High-frequency ultrasound has excellent tissue recognition capability for DFSP, allowing for precise boundary marking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 14 cases of DFSP treated with MMS using preoperative ultrasound localization and three-dimensional reconstruction at Xiangya Hospital over the past 5 years. We also reviewed previous studies on MMS for DFSP treatment. RESULTS: It was found that the average number of Mohs layers for patients after preoperative ultrasound localization was 1.57, ranging from 1 to 3, which was less than the previously reported 1.86 layers, ranging from 1 to 12. This effectively reduced the number of Mohs layers required. CONCLUSIONS: By utilizing preoperative high-frequency ultrasound to determine the boundaries and depth of DFSP, the number of Mohs layers can be effectively reduced, leading to less workload for pathological examination, shorter operation time, and reduced surgical risks for patients. Ultrasound imaging data can be used for three-dimensional reconstruction, enabling less experienced Mohs surgeons to have a visual understanding of the morphology and extent of infiltration of the lesions. This aids in developing optimal surgical plans, smoothing the learning curve, and promoting the wider adoption of MMS.

Whether the watch-and-wait strategy has application value for rectal cancer with clinical complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy? A network meta-analysis.

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety between the watch-and-wait strategy (WW), radical surgery (RS), and local excision (LE) for rectal cancer with clinical complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy (nCRT). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and clinical trials to compare WW with RS and LE for patients with cCR until March 2023 and collected the following data: local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM), cancer-related death (CRD), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). In total, 2240 patients from 21 studies were included. Pairwise meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the three groups in terms of CRD and 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS (P < 0.05). The RS group was significantly better than the WW group in terms of the LR rate (odds ratio [OR] = 0.12, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.06-0.21, P < 0.001, I2 = 0 %], 3-year DFS (OR = 1.56, 95 % CI: 1.10-2.21, P = 0.01, I2 = 38 %), and 5-year DFS (OR = 2.30, 95 % CI: 1.53-3.46, P < 0.001, I2 = 34 %). The results of network meta-analysis were also similar. After sensitivity analysis, the 5-year OS of the RS group was significantly better than that of the WW group (OR = 2.77, 95 % CI: 1.28-6.00, P = 0.009, I2 = 33 %). Nevertheless, neither regression analysis nor subgroup analysis provided meaningful results. However, the cumulative meta-analysis of LR, DM, and 3- and 5-year DFS revealed significant turning points (P < 0.05). Our meta-analysis recommends using the WW strategy for patients with cCR having poor underlying conditions and high surgical risk; however, there is a risk of higher LR and worse survival after 3 years.

Covalently Functionalized Nanopores for Highly Selective Separation of Monovalent Ions.

Biological ion channels possess prominent ion transport performances attributed to their critical chemical groups across the continuous nanoscale filters. However, it is still a challenge to imitate these sophisticated performances in artificial nanoscale systems. Herein, this work develops the strategy to fabricate functionalized graphene nanopores in pioneer based on the synergistic regulation of the pore size and chemical properties of atomically thin confined structure through decoupling etching combined with in situ covalent modification. The modified graphene nanopores possess asymmetric ion transport behaviors and efficient monovalent metal ions sieving (K+ /Li+ selectivity ≈48.6). Meanwhile, it also allows preferential transport for cations, the resulting membranes exhibit a K+ /Cl- selectivity of 76 and a H+ /Cl- selectivity of 59.3. The synergistic effects of steric hindrance and electrostatic interactions imposing a higher energy barrier for Cl- or Li+ across nanopores lead to ultra-selective H+ or K+ transport. Further, the functionalized graphene nanopores generate a power density of 25.3 W m-2 and a conversion efficiency of 33.9%, showing potential application prospects in energy conversion. The theoretical studies quantitatively match well with the experimental results. The feasible preparation of functionalized graphene nanopores paves the way toward direct investigation on ion transport mechanism and advanced design in devices.

Multispectral imaging in medicine: A bibliometric study.

Multispectral Imaging has been used in many fields. In the medical field, Multispectral Imaging is still in its infancy. However, due to its excellent potential, it will also become one of the most important medical imaging in the future. This paper is the first bibliometric study in this field. The study comprehensively searched all relevant documents in Web of Science Core Collection from Jan 1, 1999 to Dec 31, 2022, systematically sorted out the author, journal, country and institution in this field, and analyzed the keywords. Based on this, the study suggests that researchers and healthcare workers should strengthen cooperation to apply Multispectral Imaging to more medical fields while further developing related technologies. At the same time, in the future, this field should focus on non-ex vivo tissue detection and the combination of Multispectral Imaging and artificial intelligence.

Corrigendum: The utility of high-frequency 18 MHz ultrasonography for preoperative evaluation of acral melanoma thickness in Chinese patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1185389.].

A real-time augmented reality system integrated with artificial intelligence for skin tumor surgery: experimental study and case series.

BACKGROUND: Skin tumors affect many people worldwide, and surgery is the first treatment choice. Achieving precise preoperative planning and navigation of intraoperative sampling remains a problem and is excessively reliant on the experience of surgeons, especially for Mohs surgery for malignant tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To achieve precise preoperative planning and navigation of intraoperative sampling, we developed a real-time augmented reality (AR) surgical system integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance three functions: AI-assisted tumor boundary segmentation, surgical margin design, and navigation in intraoperative tissue sampling. Non-randomized controlled trials were conducted on manikin, tumor-simulated rabbits, and human volunteers in Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease Laboratory to evaluate the surgical system. RESULTS: The results showed that the accuracy of the benign and malignant tumor segmentation was 0.9556 and 0.9548, respectively, and the average AR navigation mapping error was 0.644 mm. The proposed surgical system was applied in 106 skin tumor surgeries, including intraoperative navigation of sampling in 16 Mohs surgery cases. Surgeons who have used this system highly recognize it. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical system highlighted the potential to achieve accurate treatment of skin tumors and to fill the gap in global research on skin tumor surgery systems.

Investigating the gut microbiota's influence on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis risk: a Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Numerous investigations have revealed the interplay between gut microbiota (GM) and psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, the causal relationship between them remains unknown. Methods: We curated a collection of genetic variants (P < 1 × 10-5) associated with GM (n = 18 340) derived from the MiBioGen study. To explore the intricate relationship between GM and Ps as well as PsA, we harnessed the comprehensive resources of the FinnGen database, encompassing a vast cohort of individuals, including 4510 Ps cases and 212 242 controls and 1637 PsA cases and 212 242 controls. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used, including an inverse variance weighting method, followed by a sensitivity analysis to verify the robustness of the results. Results: For Ps, some bacterial taxa, including Lactococcus, Ruminiclostridium 5, and Eubacterium fissicatena, were identified as risk factors; but Odoribacter demonstrated a protective effect against Ps. In the case of PsA, Lactococcus, Verrucomicrobiales, Akkermansia, Coprococcus 1, and Verrucomicrobiaceae were identified as risk factors; Odoribacter and Rikenellaceae exhibited a protective effect against the development of PsA. Conclusion: Our study establishes a causal link between the GM and Ps and PsA. These findings provide insights into the underlying mechanisms and suggest potential therapeutic targets.

Multivariate Mendelian randomization provides no evidence for causal associations among both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and skin cancer.

Background: Some retrospective studies reported that psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may have been associated with an elevated risk of skin cancer. The causal associations among them remain unclear. Objectives: To evaluate the causal association of among both PsO and PsA, and skin cancer. Methods: We performed large-scale two-sample and Multivariate Mendelian randomization analyses to examine whether there is a causal relationship between PsO and PsA, and skin cancer, encompassing basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and cutaneous melanoma (CM). Results: Genetically predicted PsO, per log-odds ratio increase, showed no significant association with the risk of BCC, cSCC, and CM. The odds ratios (with corresponding 95% confidence intervals) for BCC, cSCC, and CM were 1.00 (0.99,1.01) (PIvw = 0.990), 0.94(0.89, 1.00) (PIvw = 0.065), and 0.99 (0.98, 1.01) (PIvw = 0.239), respectively. PsA showed a significant association with a decreased risk of BCC, with odds ratios (with corresponding 95% confidence intervals) of 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) (PIvw = 0.214) and 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) (PIvw = 0.477), respectively. Univariate analysis of the FinnGen database demonstrated PsA did exhibit a significant association with the decrease risk of BCC, with an odds ratio of 0.94(0.90,0.99) (PIvw = 0.016). However, this association disappeared after other risk factors were adjusted. Conclusions: Our findings suggest no causal association between PsO and PsA and the genetic risk of skin cancer. Further observational studies are required to elucidate the relationship among PsO, PsA, and skin cancer.

Study on correlation between TBM tailings gradation and granitic gneiss surrounding rock stability.

In the process of double-shield TBM excavation, it is difficult to directly observe and test the characteristics of the surrounding rock. In this paper, the screening test of the different type tailings in the wet state was carried out to obtain the gradation curve and curve evaluation index. Combining with the excavation parameters and the surrounding rock characteristics of the tailings, a comprehensive analysis was carried out to establish the evaluation system among with the tailings gradation characteristics, lithology characteristics and excavation parameters. The results showed that: Sparsely fissured rock: the tailings are extensional fractures, the tailings gradation curve is inverse "S" type and gentle, and the evaluation index value: (1.50 > lg(Cu) > 1.35), (1.90 > Cc > 1.10). Broken surrounding rock: the curve is "L" type and steep, the content of coarse particles is much more than that of fine particles and (1.10 > lg(Cu) > 1.00), (2.60 > Cc > 2.40). Fractured rock: the curve is "Step" type, the tailings particles lack the middle particle size, the minerals are mostly weathered, (2.15 > lg(Cu )> 1.95), (0.09 > Cc > 0.07). The research results have good applicability to the surrounding rock stability evaluation of the example tunnel, which verifies the feasibility of the method.

Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Hydrogel with Anti-Biofilm Activity for the Treatment of Infected Wounds.

The formation of a bacterial biofilm on an infected wound can impede drug penetration and greatly thwart the healing process. Thus, it is essential to develop a wound dressing that can inhibit the growth of and remove biofilms, facilitating the healing of infected wounds. In this study, optimized eucalyptus essential oil nanoemulsions (EEO NEs) were prepared from eucalyptus essential oil, Tween 80, anhydrous ethanol, and water. Afterward, they were combined with a hydrogel matrix physically cross-linked with Carbomer 940 (CBM) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) to prepare eucalyptus essential oil nanoemulsion hydrogels (CBM/CMC/EEO NE). The physical-chemical properties, in vitro bacterial inhibition, and biocompatibility of EEO NE and CBM/CMC/EEO NE were extensively investigated and the infected wound models were proposed to validate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of CBM/CMC/EEO NE. The results showed that the average particle size of EEO NE was 15.34 ± 3.77 nm with PDI ˂ 0.2, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EEO NE was 15 mg/mL, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against S. aureus was 25 mg/mL. The inhibition and clearance of EEO NE against S. aureus biofilm at 2×MIC concentrations were 77.530 ± 7.292% and 60.700 ± 3.341%, respectively, demonstrating high anti-biofilm activity in vitro. CBM/CMC/EEO NE exhibited good rheology, water retention, porosity, water vapor permeability, and biocompatibility, meeting the requirements for trauma dressings. In vivo experiments revealed that CBM/CMC/EEO NE effectively promoted wound healing, reduced the bacterial load of wounds, and accelerated the recovery of epidermal and dermal tissue cells. Moreover, CBM/CMC/EEO NE significantly down-regulated the expression of two inflammatory factors, IL-6 and TNF-α, and up-regulated three growth-promoting factors, TGF-ß1, VEGF, and EGF. Thus, the CBM/CMC/EEO NE hydrogel effectively treated wounds infected with S. aureus, enhancing the healing process. It is expected to be a new clinical alternative for healing infected wounds in the future.