A novel fluffy PLGA/HA composite scaffold for bone defect repair.

Treatment of bone defects remains crucial challenge for successful bone healing, which arouses great interests in designing and fabricating ideal biomaterials. In this regard, the present study focuses on developing a novel fluffy scaffold of poly Lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) composites with hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold used in bone defect repair in rabbits. This fluffy PLGA/HA composite scaffold was fabricated by using multi-electro-spinning combined with biomineralization technology. In vitro analysis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seeded onto fluffy PLGA/HA composite scaffold showed their ability to adhere, proliferate and cell viability. Transplant of fluffy PLGA/HA composite scaffold in a rabbit model showed a significant increase in mineralized tissue production compared to conventional and fluffy PLGA/HA composite scaffold. These findings are promising for fluffy PLGA/HA composite scaffolds used in bone defects.

Nano in nano: Biosynthesized gold and iron nanoclusters cargo neoplastic exosomes for cancer status biomarking.

Timely detection is crucial for successful treatment of cancer. The current study describes a new approach that involves utilization of the tumor cell environment for bioimaging with in-situ biosynthesized nanoscale gold and iron probes and subsequent dissemination of Au-Fe nanoclusters from cargo exosomes within the circulatory system. We have isolated the Au-Fe cargo exosomes from the blood of the treated murine models after in situ biosyntheses from their respective pre-ionic solutions (HAuCl4, FeCl2), whereas Na2SeO3 supplementation added into Au lethal effect. The microarray data of various differentially expressed genes revealed the up-regulated tumor ablation and metal binding genes in SGC-7901 cell lines after treatment with Au-Fe-Se triplet ionic solution. The isolation of Au-Fe nanoclusters cargo exosomes (nano in nano) after secretion from deeply seated tumors may help in early diagnosis and reveal the tumor ablation status during and after the relevant treatment like radio-chemo therapies et al.

American export control, technology spillover and innovation of Chinese pharmaceutical Industry.

This paper was aimed to analyze whether the U.S. strict export control to China affects the technological innovation of Chinese pharmaceutical industry. This paper selected the data of technological innovation and the expenditure of high and new technology adoption in China's pharmaceutical industry from 1995 to 2014, created panel regression model to study the impact of export controls on technology spillovers and the impact of technology spillovers on innovation capacity. The results show that US export control has a significant impact on technology spillovers, but foreign technology spillovers have no significant impact on the innovation of Chinese pharmaceutical industry. Although the US export control prevented foreign technology spillovers to China, but indirectly stimulated the domestic technology spillovers to pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in China. Statistical analysis show that the correlation coefficient between innovation capacity and expenditure for high technology adoption is not significant, but the expenditure of purchasing domestic technical is essential to pharmaceutical innovation. This study shows that US export control indirectly, not directly, affected the technological innovation of China's pharmaceutical industry, affected the allocation of innovative resources, but failed to prevent the technological progress and competitiveness improvement of Chinese pharmaceutical industry.

Panax notoginseng saponins ameliorates experimental hepatic fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell proliferation by inhibiting the Jak2/ Stat3 pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on liver fibrosis and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were used. The effect of PNS on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis was studied with histochemical and biochemical analysis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I mRNA expression were determined by reverse transcripwhile, the protein expression levels of α-SMA, collagen I, phosphorylation-Janus activated kinase signal transducer (p-Jak2)/Jak2, and phosphorylation-activator of transcription (p-Stat)3/Stat3 were determined by immunohistochemistry and/or immunoblotting. RESULTS: PNS treatment significantly improved the liver function of rats as indicated by decreased serum enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Histopathological results indicated that PNS alleviated liver damage and reduced the formation of fibrous septa. Moreover, PNS significantly decreased liver hydroxyproline and significantly attenuated expressions of collagen I, α-SMA, TGF-ß1, p-Jak2 / Jak2, and p-Stat3/Stat3 in the rat liver fibrosis model and HSCs. CONCLUSION: PNS can relieve liver fibrosis by modulating Jak2/Stat3 signaling transduction pathway, which may be one of its mechanisms to suppress hepatic fibrosis.

Genetic diversity analysis reveals that geographical environment plays a more important role than rice cultivar in Villosiclava virens population selection.

Rice false smut caused by Villosiclava virens is an economically important disease of grains worldwide. The genetic diversity of 153 isolates from six fields located in Wuhan (WH), Yichang Wangjia (YCW), Yichang Yaohe (YCY), Huanggang (HG), Yangxin (YX), and Jingzhou (JZ) in Hubei province of China were phylogenetically analyzed to evaluate the influence of environments and rice cultivars on the V. virens populations. Isolates (43) from Wuhan were from two rice cultivars, Wanxian 98 and Huajing 952, while most of the other isolates from fields YCW, YCY, HG, YX, and JZ originated from different rice cultivars with different genetic backgrounds. Genetic diversity of isolates was analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The isolates from the same cultivars in Wuhan tended to group together, indicating that the cultivars had an important impact on the fungal population. The 110 isolates from individual fields tended to cluster according to geographical origin. The values of Nei's gene diversity (H) and Shannon's information index (I) showed that the genetic diversity among isolates was higher between than within geographical populations. Furthermore, mean genetic distance between groups (0.006) was higher than mean genetic distance within groups (0.0048) according to MEGA 5.2. The pairwise population fixation index (FST) values also showed significant genetic differentiation between most populations. Higher genetic similarity of isolates from individual fields but different rice cultivars suggested that the geographical factor played a more important role in the selection of V. virens isolates than rice cultivars. This information could be used to improve the management strategy for rice false smut by adjusting the cultivation measures, such as controlling fertilizer, water, and planting density, in the rice field to change the microenvironment.

Vestibular function in cases of posterior semicircular canal canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis.

Objective: To analyze and compare the vestibular function of posterior canal cupulolithiasis and canalolithiasis. Methods: The results of posterior cupulolithiasis in 45 cases, posterior canalolithiasis in 122 cases and 19 healthy controls were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The abnormal rates of vHIT in the canalolithiasis group and the cupulolithiasis group were 42.6 and 37.8%, respectively, both higher than those in the control group (both p < 0.05); there was no statistically significant difference between two BPPV groups (p = 0.573). The abnormal vHIT in 76.9% of the canalolithiasis cases and 82.4% of the cupulolithiasis cases showed normal gain with saccades, with no difference between the groups (p = 0.859). The lesion location of vHIT in the two groups did not show a correlation with the affected side of BPPV (both p > 0.05). 84.4% of canalolithiasis and 65.0% of cupulolithiasis had abnormal VEMP results, with no significant differences in abnormality rates or sides (both p > 0.05). Abnormal results of VEMPs did not show any correlation with side (p > 0.05). The results of pc-ca and pc-cu were both abnormal in 14 cases and 7 cases, and there was no correlation between the site and side of the injury (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of vHIT and VEMP in pc-cu and pc-ca were partially abnormal, but they did not show any correlation with side of BPPV. It can be considered that there are scattered vestibular peripheral organ damage in both groups.

COVID-19 Omicron variant infection has minimal impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes: A cross-sectional cohort study.

AIM: To explore the impact of the Omicron variant on maternal and neonatal outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study of women giving live birth in a single hospital in Shanghai in December 2022. METHODS: Demographic characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcomes and laboratory testing results were retrieved from medical records. Propensity score matching was used to match COVID-19-positive and -negative women. Differential analysis was used to assess associations between COVID-19 and in-hospital maternal and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1508 women were included, comprising 729 natural births, 741 caesarean sections and 38 forceps deliveries. After 1:1 matching, 310 clients were included for analysis with each 155 in COVID-19-positive and -negative groups. Higher maternal fever was found in all modes of delivery, and higher preterm birth and lower pH value of blood gas of the umbilical artery in the vaginal delivery subgroup (p < 0.05). Other maternal and neonatal outcomes showed no significant difference between COVID-19-positive and -negative clients.

Abnormal performance of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): a case misdiagnosed as achalasia of cardia.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoachalasia is a rare disease that behaves similarly to achalasia (AC), making it sometimes difficult to differentiate. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of 49-year-old male with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction misdiagnosed as achalasia. No obvious abnormalities were found in his initial examinations including upper digestive endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal imaging and chest computed tomography (CT). During the subsequent introduced-peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), it was found that the mucosal layer and the muscular layer had severe adhesion, which did not receive much attention, delayed the clear diagnosis and effect treatment, and ultimately led to a poor prognosis for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that when patients with AC found mucosal and muscular adhesions during POEM surgery, the possibility should be considered that the lesion may be caused by a malignant lesion.

Dynamic assessment of lung injury by ultrasound in a case with H7N9 influenza.

H7N9 influenza is a new emerging infection and has high mortality. Both chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) had some limitations in assessing such patients. We performed daily lung ultrasound in a patient with H7N9 influenza. Lung ultrasound and lung ultrasound score showed high consistency with CT and the progression of pneumonia. Ultrasound can be adjutant to chest radiography and CT in caring for patients with H7N9 influenza.

Family-paid caregivers in hospital health care in China.

AIM: The aims of this study were to identify the attitudes and perceptions of nurses towards family-paid caregivers, to examine the roles of caregivers in hospital bedside nursing care and to describe the supervision of family-paid caregivers by nurses. BACKGROUND: The inadequacy of nurse staffing and the Chinese tradition emphasising family responsibility have established family-paid caregivers as an important workforce for inpatient bedside nursing care in China. DESIGN: This was a descriptive study combining qualitative interviews with a quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire survey. METHODS: Six nurses were interviewed and 209 family-paid caregivers were surveyed. RESULTS: According to the respondents, patients relied on the caregivers to receive assistance and care during hospitalization and family-paid caregivers were involved in most of the bedside nursing care. CONCLUSIONS: The heavy workload of nurses and staffing inadequacy have led to a severe need for caregivers to provide bedside nursing care within hospitals in China. The roles of family-paid caregivers need to be defined and closely monitored. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Proper management of the caregivers should be strengthened and the hospital nursing workforce encouraged to take over bedside nursing care as essential strategies for improving nursing care quality and the patients' satisfaction with the hospitals.

[Integration sites and their characteristic analysis of piggyBac transposon in cattle genome].

As a useful tool for genetic engineering, piggyBac (PB) transposons have been widely used in more than one species of transgenosis or generating mutation studies. At present, the studies about PB transposons in cattle were few. In order to get the PB transposon integration sites and summarize its characteristics in bovine genome, donor plasmid of PB[CMV-EGFP] and helper-dependent plasmid of pcDNA-PBase were constructed and transferred into bovine fibroblasts by Amaxa basic nucleofector kit for primary mammalian fibroblasts. Cell clones stably transfected were obtained after screening by G-418. Genomic DNA of transgenic cells was extracted and the integration sites of PB transposon were detected by genome walking technology. Eight integration sites were obtained in bovine genome, although only 5 sites were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2, 11, and X chromosome. We found that PB transposon was inserted into the "TTAA" location and integrated into the intergenic non-regulatory sites between two genes. Analysis of the composition of the five bases, which was close to the side of the PB integration sites "TTAA", showed that PB 5' tended to be inserted into region rich in GC (62.5%). From the study, we got that transposition occurred in cattle genome by PB transposons and the integration site information acquired from the research will provide theoretical references for bovine study by PB transposon.

Identification of Candidate Genes and Functional Pathways Associated with Body Size Traits in Chinese Holstein Cattle Based on GWAS Analysis.

Body size is one of the most economically important traits of dairy cattle, as it is significantly associated with cow longevity, production, health, fertility, and environmental adaptation. The identification and application of genetic variants using a novel genetic approach, such as genome-wide association studies (GWASs), may give more insights into the genetic architecture of complex traits. The identification of genes, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and pathways associated with the body size traits may offer a contribution to genomic selection and long-term planning for selection in dairy cows. In this study, we performed GWAS analysis to identify the genetic markers and genes associated with four body size traits (body height, body depth, chest width, and angularity) in 1000 Chinese Holstein cows. We performed SNPs genotyping in 1000 individuals, based on the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler Bovine 100 K. In total, we identified 11 significant SNPs in association with body size traits at the threshold of Bonferroni correction (5.90 × 10-7) using the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) model. Several genes within 200 kb distances (upstream or downstream) of the significant SNPs were identified as candidate genes, including MYH15, KHDRBS3, AIP, DCC, SQOR, and UBAP1L. Moreover, genes within 200 kb of the identified SNPs were significantly enriched (p ≤ 0.05) in 25 Gene Ontology terms and five Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. We anticipate that these results provide a foundation for understanding the genetic architecture of body size traits. They will also contribute to breeding programs and genomic selection work on Chinese Holstein cattle.

Short-term outcome of totally minimally invasive versus hybrid minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.

OBJECTIVES: For resectable esophageal cancer, the choice of total minimally invasive esophagectomy (TMIE) or hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy (HMIE) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of TMIE and HMIE under the Ivor-Lewis procedure. METHODS: The data of 145 patients diagnosed with middle or lower esophageal cancer who underwent radical Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The short-term outcomes such as complications during surgery or within 30 days after surgery and postoperative pain were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients were divided into TMIE group (75 patients) and HMIE group (70 patients). No significant difference was observed in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. TMIE was associated with less blood loss than the HMIE group (p < 0.05). A total of 54 (37.2%) patients had postoperative complications. Although the two groups were statistically similar in the incidence of major complications, patients in the HMIE group were more likely to have pneumonia compared with those in the TMIE group. The numeric rating scale for pain was significantly higher in the HMIE group (p = 0.002) and more patients required an additional opioid analgesia after esophagectomy (p = 0.282). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, according to perioperative outcomes, TMIE can benefit patients better than HMIE.

Clinical recommendations on penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery: a consensus statement from the Asia-Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine.

Introduction: Penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery remains a highly specialized field where potential complications can be devastating, and unrealistic patient expectations can often be difficult to manage. Furthermore, surgical practice can vary depending on locoregional expertise and sociocultural factors. Methods: The Asia Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine (APSSM) panel of experts reviewed contemporary evidence regarding penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery with an emphasis on key issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific (AP) region and developed a consensus statement and set of clinical practice recommendations on behalf of the APSSM. The Medline and EMBASE databases were searched using the following terms: "penile prosthesis implant," "Peyronie's disease," "penile lengthening," "penile augmentation," "penile enlargement," "buried penis," "penile disorders," "penile trauma," "transgender," and "penile reconstruction" between January 2001 and June 2022. A modified Delphi method was undertaken, and the panel evaluated, agreed, and provided consensus statements on clinically relevant penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery, namely (1) penile prosthesis implantation, (2) Peyronie's disease, (3) penile trauma, (4) gender-affirming (phalloplasty) surgery, and (5) penile esthetic (length and/or girth enlargement) surgery. Main outcome measures: Outcomes were specific statements and clinical recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, and if clinical evidence is lacking, a consensus agreement is adopted. The panel provided statements on clinical aspects of surgical management in penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery. Results: There is a variation in surgical algorithms in patients based on sociocultural characteristics and the availability of local resources. Performing preoperative counseling and obtaining adequate informed consent are paramount and should be conducted to discuss various treatment options, including the pros and cons of each surgical intervention. Patients should be provided with information regarding potential complications related to surgery, and strict adherence to safe surgical principles, preoperative optimization of medical comorbidities and stringent postoperative care are important to improve patient satisfaction rates. For complex patients, surgical intervention should ideally be referred and performed by expert high-volume surgeons to maximize clinical outcomes. Clinical implications: Due to the uneven distribution of surgical access and expertise across the AP region, development of relevant comprehensive surgical protocols and regular training programs is desirable. Strengths and Limitations: This consensus statement covers comprehensive penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery topics and is endorsed by the APSSM. The variations in surgical algorithms and lack of sufficient high-level evidence in these areas could be stated as a limitation. Conclusion: This APSSM consensus statement provides clinical recommendations on the surgical management of various penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgeries. The APSSM advocates for surgeons in AP to individualize surgical options based on patient condition(s) and needs, surgeon expertise, and local resources.

Management of Male Infertility with Coexisting Sexual Dysfunction: A Consensus Statement and Clinical Recommendations from the Asia-Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine (APSSM) and the Asian Society of Men's Health and Aging (ASMHA).

Male infertility (MI) and male sexual dysfunction (MSD) can often coexist together due to various interplay factors such as psychosexual, sociocultural and relationship dynamics. The presence of each form of MSD can adversely impact male reproduction and treatment strategies will need to be individualized based on patients' factors, local expertise, and geographical socioeconomic status. The Asia Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine (APSSM) and the Asian Society of Men's Health and Aging (ASMHA) aim to provide a consensus statement and practical set of clinical recommendations based on current evidence to guide clinicians in the management of MI and MSD within the Asia-Pacific (AP) region. A comprehensive, narrative review of the literature was performed to identify the various forms of MSD and their association with MI. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for the following English language articles under the following terms: "low libido", "erectile dysfunction", "ejaculatory dysfunction", "premature ejaculation", "retrograde ejaculation", "delayed ejaculation", "anejaculation", and "orgasmic dysfunction" between January 2001 to June 2022 with emphasis on published guidelines endorsed by various organizations. This APSSM consensus committee panel evaluated and provided evidence-based recommendations on MI and clinically relevant MSD areas using a modified Delphi method by the panel and specific emphasis on locoregional socio-economic-cultural issues relevant to the AP region. While variations exist in treatment strategies for managing MI and MSD due to geographical expertise, locoregional resources, and sociocultural factors, the panel agreed that comprehensive fertility evaluation with a multidisciplinary management approach to each MSD domain is recommended. It is important to address individual MI issues with an emphasis on improving spermatogenesis and facilitating reproductive avenues while at the same time, managing various MSD conditions with evidence-based treatments. All therapeutic options should be discussed and implemented based on the patient's individual needs, beliefs and preferences while incorporating locoregional expertise and available resources.

A 1.1 Mb duplication CNV on chromosome 17 contributes to skeletal muscle development in Boer goats.

The Boer goat is one of the top meat breeds in modern animal husbandry and has attracted widespread attention for its unique growth performance. However, the genetic basis of muscle development in the Boer goat remains obscure. In this study, we identified specific structural variants in the Boer goat based on genome-wide selection signals and analyzed the basis of the molecular heredity of related candidate genes in muscle development. A total of 9 959 autosomal copy number variations (CNVs) were identified through selection signal analysis in 127 goat genomes. Specifically, we confirmed that the highest signal CNV (HSV) was a chromosomal arrangement containing an approximately 1.11 Mb (CHIR17: 60062304-61171840 bp) duplicated fragment inserted in reverse orientation and a 5 362 bp deleted region (CHIR17:60145940-60151302 bp) with overlapping genes (e.g., ARHGAP10, NR3C2, EDNRA, PRMT9, and TMEM184C). The homozygous duplicated HSV genotype (+/+) was found in 96% of Boer goats but was not detected in Eurasian goats and was only detected in 4% of indigenous African goats. The expression network of three candidate genes ( ARHGAP10, NR3C2, and EDNRA) regulating dose transcription was constructed by RNA sequencing. Results indicated that these genes were involved in the proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) and their overexpression significantly increased the expression of SAA3. The HSV of the Boer goat contributed to superior skeletal muscle growth via the dose effects of overlapping genes.

Characterization by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization of Transcripts That Are Differentially Expressed in Leaves of Anthracnose-Resistant Ramie Cultivar.

For the purpose of screening putative anthracnose resistance-related genes of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud), a cDNA library was constructed by suppression subtractive hybridization using anthracnose-resistant cultivar Huazhu no. 4. The cDNAs from Huazhu no. 4, which were infected with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, were used as the tester and cDNAs from uninfected Huazhu no. 4 as the driver. Sequencing analysis and homology searching showed that these clones represented 132 single genes, which were assigned to functional categories, including 14 putative cellular functions, according to categories established for Arabidopsis. These 132 genes included 35 disease resistance and stress tolerance-related genes including putative heat-shock protein 90, metallothionein, PR-1.2 protein, catalase gene, WRKY family genes, and proteinase inhibitor-like protein. Partial disease-related genes were further analyzed by reverse transcription PCR and RNA gel blot. These expressed sequence tags are the first anthracnose resistance-related expressed sequence tags reported in ramie.

[Artificial selection for cattle based on high-density SNP markers].

With the implementation of genetic improvement in recent years, artificial selection has greatly improved beef cattle production performance and its genetic basis has been dramatically changed. In this study, based on the Illumina BovineSNP50 (54K) and BovineHD (770K) BeadChip and the FST value, we analyzed the genetic differentiation of cattle and screened the imprints of selection in bovine genome. Finally, we found 47104 OUTLIER SNP loci and 3064 candidate genes, for example, CLIC5, TG, CACNA2D1, and FSHR etc. The biological processes and molecular functions of genes were analyzed through gene annotation.The results of this study established a genome-wide map of selection footprints in beef cattle genome and a clue for in-depth study of artificial selection and understanding of biological evolution.Our results indicate that artificial selection has played an important role in cattle breed genetic improvement.

A Recurrence Predictive Model for Node-negative Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Upfront Esophagectomy.

The prognosis for pathologically node-negative (pN0) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with surgery alone remains poor. We aimed to develop a model for a more precise prediction of recurrence, which will allow personalized management for pN0 ESCC after upfront complete resection. Clinical and pathological records of patients with completely resected pT1-3N0M0 ESCC were retrospectively analyzed between January 2014 and December 2019. A nomogram for the prediction of recurrence was established based on the Cox regression analysis and evaluated by C-index, AUC, and calibration curves. The model was further validated using bootstrap resampling and k-fold cross-validation and compared with the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system using Td-ROC, NRI, IDI, and DCA. Two-hundred-and seventy cases were included in this study. The median follow-up was 45 months. Distant and/or loco-regional recurrences were noted in 89 (33.0%) patients. The predictive model revealed pT-category, differentiation, perineural invasion, examined lymph nodes (ELN), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) as independent risk factors for recurrence, with a c-index of 0.725 in the bootstrapping cohort. Td-ROC, NRI, and IDI showed a better predictive ability than the AJCC 8th TNM staging system. Based on this model, patients in the low-risk group had a significantly lower recurrence incidence than those in the high-risk group (p < .001). The predictive model developed in this study may facilitate the precise prediction of recurrences for pN0 ESCC after upfront surgery. Stratifying management of those patients might bring significantly better survival benefits.