Genetic diversity, plant growth promotion potential, and antimicrobial activity of culturable endophytic actinobacteria isolated from Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux.

AIM: This study evaluated the phylogenetic diversity, plant growth promotion capacity, antifungal activity, and biocontrol potential of culturable actinobacterial endophytes isolated from the medicinal plant Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux. METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolation of actinobacteria from healthy A. carmichaelii plants was carried out on six different media. Full-length 16S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR from the genomic DNA of each strain. Indole-3-acetic acid and siderophore production were quantitatively assessed by the Salkowski and Chrome Azurol S methods, respectively. Rice seeds germination and seedling growth were employed to evaluate plant growth promotion capacities of candidate strains. Dual-culture assay and pot experiments were performed to investigate the antifungal and biocontrol potential of isolates. We obtained 129 actinobacterial isolates from A. carmichaelii, and they belonged to 49 species in 7 genera. These strains exhibited diverse plant growth promotion ability, among which one strain significantly enhanced rice seeds germination, while 31 strains significantly facilitated rice seedling growth. SWUST-123 showed strong antifungal activity against four pathogens in vitro and was most compatible with Qingchuan cultivar. SWUST-123 reduced around 40% of southern blight disease occurrence compared to blank control treatment. . CONCLUSION: Aconitum carmichaelii harbored genetically diverse actinobacterial endophytes exhibiting diverse plant growth promotion and antifungal potential, some of which can be served as good candidates for biofertilizers and biocontrol agents.

Endoclip papillaplasty (ECPP) versus limited EST plus EPLBD for a decrease in recurrent choledocholithiasis: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Limited EST plus EPLBD has been widely used for the therapy of large CBDS; however, long-term complication-relevant studies suggested that it damaged the function of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and resulted in recurrent choledocholithiasis. Thus, we designed Endoclip papillaplasty (ECPP) and previous studies have shown that it successfully restored the function of SO. In this study, we designed a prospective cohort and aimed to verify the safety and effectiveness of ECPP. METHODS: Eligible patients were divided into the ECPP group and the limited EST plus EPLBD group based on papillary morphology and the ratio of maximum size of stones to length of intramural segments of CBD. All participants in the ECPP group received endoscopy at 3 weeks to retrieve the biliary stent, perform SOM, and were divided into grade A and grade B based on the healing grade of SO. All patients were followed up every 6 months until recurrent choledocholithiasis, patient death, or at the 36-month follow-up end. The primary outcome was the incidence of recurrent choledocholithiasis. The secondary outcomes included mechanical lithotrip usage and adverse events. RESULTS: The incidences of recurrent choledocholithiasis in the ECPP group and limited EST plus EPLBD group were 13.6 and 22.1%, respectively (P = 0.204). The ECPP-A group had a lower incidence of recurrent choledocholithiasis than the limited EST plus EPLBD groups (5.1 vs. 22.1%, P = 0.020*), and certified the function of SO successfully restored in the ECPP-A group. CONCLUSION: The ECPP-A group had a decrease in recurrent choledocholithiasis, and ECPP was safe and effective for CBDS.

Accuracy of digital implant impressions using a novel structured light scanning system assisted by a planar mirror in the edentulous maxilla: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a structured light scanning system with a planar mirror to enhance the digital full-arch implant impression accuracy and to compare it with photogrammetry and intraoral scanner methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An edentulous maxillary stone cast with six scan bodies was scanned as the reference model using a laboratory scanner. Three scanning modalities were compared (n = 10): (1) self-developed structured light scanning with a mirror (SSLS); (2) intraoral scanner (IOS); and (3) photogrammetry system (PG). The scanners were stopped for 1 min after each scan. Six scan bodies were analysed within each scan model. Linear deviations between the scan bodies (1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, and 1-6) and 3D mucosal deviations were established. The overall deviation was calculated as the mean of all linear deviations. "Trueness" represented the discrepancy between the test and reference files, while "precision" denoted the consistency among the test files. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Significant overall linear discrepancies were noted among the SSLS, PG, and IOS groups (p < .001). SSLS showed the best overall trueness and precision (6.6, 5.7 µm), followed by PG (58.4, 6.8 µm) and IOS (214.6, 329.1 µm). For the 3D mucosal deviation, the trueness (p < .001) and precision (p < .001) of the SSLS group were significantly better than those of the IOS group. CONCLUSIONS: The SSLS exhibited higher accuracy in determining the implant positions than the PG and IOS. Additionally, it demonstrated better accuracy in capturing the mucosa than IOS.

Root endophytic bacterial community composition of Aconitum carmichaelii debx. from three main producing areas in China.

Aconitum carmichaelii Debx. is famous for the bioactive aconitum alkaloids as traditional Chinese medicine. Endophytic bacteria play vital roles in plant growth, health, and the production of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids. In this study, we employed 16 S rRNA amplicon high-throughput sequencing to determine the root endophytic bacterial community of A. carmichaelii Debx. collected from three main producing areas including the geo-authentic area in China, high performance liquid chromatography to measure the contents of six bioactive alkaloids and correlation analysis to explore the relationship among environmental factors, alkaloids contents, and endophytic bacterial community. The results indicated that the root core microbiota of A. carmichaelii Debx. was dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Root endophytic bacterial community in the geo-authentic area was distinct from the other two regions. Soil nitrogen contents, organic matter, and temperature were the main factors contributing to the endophytic bacterial community structure. Significant correlation was found between alkaloids contents and some bacterial genera. Particularly, the abundance of Lactobacillus was positively correlated with the contents of benzoyl-mesaconitine and benzoyl-aconine. This study provided the first insight into the root endophytic bacterial community composition of A. carmichaelii Debx., and can direct further isolation of functional bacterial strains.

Establishment and evaluation of a three-dimensional quantitative analysis method of dental plaque based on intraoral scanner technique.

AIM: Quantitative dental plaque evaluation is necessary for clinical and scientific work. This study aimed to examine the reliability of this 3D image analysis method by digitally analysing the colour 3D images obtained from an intraoral scanner, and then detecting and quantifying the plaque information and comparing it with the clinical examination results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 teeth from 5 subjects with a standard dentition were enrolled in this study, and plaque examination was performed at two different stages: after 24 hours without oral hygiene (T1) and after habitual brushing (T2). At each time point, the Quigley-Hein plaque index of each tooth surface was recorded separately, followed by colour 3D images obtained using an intraoral scanner, and image analysis and calculation using Geomagic Wrap 2021. RESULTS: It was found that the percentage of plaque staining area calculated from the 3D image analysis correlated well with the plaque index recorded during the clinical examination: the Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.9136 and 0.9061 (p<0.001) for all tooth surfaces at T1 and T2, respectively. The measurements of the three investigators were in good agreement, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.989 and 0.992 (P<0.001) for the vestibular and lingual surfaces at T1, and 0.964 and 0.983 (P<0.001) for the vestibular and lingual surfaces at T2. CONCLUSION: In this study, we initially developed a digital 3D evaluation system of dental plaque suitable for research and clinical practice and demonstrated its reliability.

Enteral extended biliary stents versus conventional plastic biliary stents for the treatment of extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction: a single-center prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The main limitation of plastic stents is the relatively short stent patency due to occlusion. We designed enteral extended biliary stents with lengths of 26 cm (EEBS-26 cm) and 30 cm (EEBS-30 cm) to prolong stent patency. This study aimed to compare patency among EEBS-26 cm, EEBS-30 cm, and conventional plastic biliary stent (CPBS). METHODS: A single-center prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Eligible patients were randomized into the EEBS-26 cm, EEBS-30 cm, and CPBS groups, respectively. All patients were followed up every 3 months until stent occlusion, patient death, or at 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome was stent patency. The secondary outcomes included stent occlusion rate, patient survival, mortality, the rate of technical success, and adverse events. RESULTS: Totally 117 patients were randomized into the three groups. There were no significant differences among the three groups in technical success rate, hospital stay, mortality, patient survival, and adverse events (P = 1.000, 0.553, 0.965, 0.302, and 0.427, respectively). Median stent patency durations in the EEBS-26 cm, EEBS-30 cm, and CPBS groups were 156.0 (95% CI 81.6-230.4) days, 81.0 (95% CI 67.9-94.1) days, and 68.0 (95% CI 20.0-116.0) days, respectively (P = 0.002). The EEBS-26 cm group had longer stent patency compared with the CPBS (P = 0.007) and EEBS-30 cm (P < 0.001) groups. The EEBS-26 cm group had lower stent occlusion rates compared with the other groups at 6 months (48.1% vs. 90.5% vs. 82.8%, P = 0.001) and 9 months (75.0% vs. 100.0% vs. 92.9%, P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: EEBS-26 cm has prolonged stent patency and is safe and effective for the alleviation of unresectable extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction.

Efficacy of oral steroid gel in preventing esophageal stricture after extensive endoscopic submucosal dissection: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Esophageal stricture is a distressing issue for patients with early esophageal cancer following extensive endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and the current steroid-based approaches are unsatisfactory for stricture prophylaxis. We evaluated the efficacy of oral hydrocortisone sodium succinate and aluminum phosphate gel (OHA) for stricture prophylaxis after extensive ESD. METHODS: Patients undergoing > 3/4 circumferential ESD were randomized to either the endoscopic loco-regional triamcinolone acetonide injection (ETI) plus oral prednisone group or the OHA group. The primary endpoint was incidence of esophageal stricture, and the secondary endpoints included adverse events (AEs) and endoscopic balloon dilations (EBDs). RESULTS: The incidence of esophageal stricture in OHA group (per-protocol analysis, 9.4%, 3/32; intention-to-treat analysis, 12.1%, 4/33) was significantly less than that of control group (per-protocol analysis, 35.5%, 11/31, P = 0.013; intention-to-treat analysis, 39.4%, 13/33, P = 0.011). Two sessions of EBD were necessary to release all strictures in the OHA group, while the similar EBDs (median 2, range 1-4) for 11 of the control. Operation-related AEs included infection (control vs. OHA group = 9.7% vs. 31.3%, P = 0.034), operation-related hypokalemia (19.4% vs. 31.3%, P = 0.278), perforation (3.2% vs. 3.1%), post-ESD hemorrhage (6.5% vs. 0%), and cardiac arrhythmia (0% vs. 6.3%). Steroid-related AEs included steroid-related hypokalemia (16.1% vs. 25%) and bone fracture (3.2% vs. 0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that OHA was an independent protective factor for stricture (OR 0.079; 95%CI 0.011, 0.544; P = 0.01) and mucosal defect > 11/12 circumference was an independent risk factor (OR 49.91; 95%CI 6.7, 371.83; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: OHA showed significantly better efficacy in preventing esophageal stricture after > 3/4 circumferential ESD compared to ETI plus oral prednisone.

Endoscopic endoclip papilloplasty preserves sphincter of oddi function.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can destroy sphincter of Oddi (SO) structure and function. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of endoscopic endoclip papilloplasty (EEPP) in restoring SO function after EST. METHODS: Seven 26-week-old domestic pigs were divided into control and EEPP groups. Necropsy and haematoxylin-eosin staining plus anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining of papilla and sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) were conducted in animals at three independent time points. RESULTS: EST and EEPP were safely performed in all 7 pigs without serious adverse events. For primary outcome, compared to the controls, EEPP generated smaller dilation and less inflammation. Fibrous repair of the papilla was observed at 24 weeks after EEPP. For secondary outcome, in the control group, SO basal pressure (17.25 ± 18.14 to 5.50 ± 0.71 mmHg), SO contraction amplitude (46.00 ± 19.20 to 34.50 ± 48.79 mmHg), peak (4.50 ± 4.04 to 1.50 ± 2.12) and frequency (3.05 ± 3.29 to 1.41 ± 2.19/min) were reduced after EST. Further reductions to almost 0 of these SOM parameters were observed 3 weeks later, including common bile duct pressure and SO contraction period. In contrast, in the EEPP group, these manometric data were recovered to pre-EST levels, including CBD pressure (11.5 ± 7.31 vs 11 ± 2.16 mmHg), SO pressure (17.50 ± 17.75 vs 18.20 ± 21.39 mmHg) and SO contraction amplitude (53.67 ± 21.54 vs 60.00 ± 36.08 mmHg). However, no significant differences were observed between control and EEPP groups by Student t test. CONCLUSIONS: In this porcine study, EEPP accelerated and improved papillary healing after EST, further preserved SO function.

3D printed hydrogels with oxidized cellulose nanofibers and silk fibroin for the proliferation of lung epithelial stem cells.

A novel biomaterial ink consisting of regenerated silk fibroin (SF) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized bacterial cellulose (OBC) nanofibrils was developed for 3D printing lung tissue scaffold. Silk fibroin backbones were cross-linked using horseradish peroxide/H2O2 to form printed hydrogel scaffolds. OBC with a concentration of 7wt% increased the viscosity of inks during the printing process and further improved the shape fidelity of the scaffolds. Rheological measurements and image analyses were performed to evaluate inks printability and print shape fidelity. Three-dimensional construct with ten layers could be printed with ink of 1SF-2OBC (SF/OBC = 1/2, w/w). The composite hydrogel of 1SF-1OBC (SF/OBC = 1/1, w/w) printed at 25 °C exhibited a significantly improved compressive strength of 267 ± 13 kPa and a compressive stiffness of 325 ± 14 kPa at 30% strain, respectively. The optimized printing parameters for 1SF-1OBC were 0.3 bar of printing pressure, 45 mm/s of printing speed and 410 µm of nozzle diameter. Furthermore, OBC nanofibrils could be induced to align along the print lines over 60% degree of orientation, which were analyzed by SEM and X-ray diffraction. The orientation of OBC nanofibrils along print lines provided physical cues for guiding the orientation of lung epithelial stem cells, which maintained the ability to proliferate and kept epithelial phenotype after 7 days' culture. The 3D printed SF-OBC scaffolds are promising for applications in lung tissue engineering.

Endoclip papillaplasty restores sphincter of Oddi function: Pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) damaged the sphincter of Oddi (SO) function. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of endoclip papillaplasty in restoring SO function. METHODS: This prospective pilot study included consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis (stone size ≥10 mm) who underwent large-EST for stone removal, followed by endoclip papillaplasty, between May 2018 and March 2019. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled in this trail. Overall, 80% of the patients had a SO basal pressure of >10 mmHg after endoclip papillaplasty. Manometric parameters, including SO basal pressure, phasic wave contraction amplitude, phasic waves per minute, recovered after endoclip papillaplasty (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the manometric parameters of SO between healing grades A and B. Six patients developed mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis, including three that had pancreatic stenting. Bile duct stone recurrence developed in 3.3% of the patients (1/30) during an 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoclip papillaplasty might restore SO function and possibly prevented biliary stone and cholangitis recurrence.

High-Frequency Synchronization Improves Firing Rate Contrast and Information Transmission Efficiency in E/I Neuronal Networks.

High-frequency synchronization has been found in many real neural systems and is confirmed by excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) network models. However, the functional role played by it remains elusive. In this paper, it is found that high-frequency synchronization in E/I neuronal networks could improve the firing rate contrast of the whole network, no matter if the network is fully connected or randomly connected, with noise or without noise. It is also found that the global firing rate contrast enhancement can prevent the number of spikes of the neurons measured within the limited time window from being confused by noise, thereby enhancing the information encoding efficiency (quantified by entropy theory here) of the neuronal system. The mechanism of firing rate contrast enhancement is also investigated. Our work implies a possible functional role in information transmission of high-frequency synchronization in neuronal systems.

Capsule endoscopy as a diagnostic test for Meckel's diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE: We described a case series of patients diagnosed with Meckel's diverticulum using capsule endoscopy (CE), reviewed the literature, and aimed to reveal the common CE characteristics of Meckel's diverticulum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a case series of Meckel's diverticulum in the Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affliated to the Capital Medical University. In each case, primary upper endoscopy and colonoscopy failed to reveal a reason to explain the complaints (hematochezia in three cases and abdominal pain in one). CE (Pillcam SB2, Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel) was chosen as the next diagnostic test of choice and Meckel's diverticulum was detected by CE. Then, endoscopic characteristics and follow-up of Meckel's diverticulum were analyzed. RESULTS: 4 patients were enrolled. CE revealed Meckel's diverticulum in patients with different features. In case 1, CE revealed a typically double lumen sign and diaphragm sign, with visible blood. In case 2 and case 3, CE revealed a protruding lesion with/without erosion. In case 4, CE revealed multiple caved lesions, double lumen sign and capsule retention in an abnormal blind end for over 2 hours. CONCLUSION: Except double lumen sign, partial disappearance of normal mucosa and capsule retention, other CE findings could be used for the diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum, such as protruding lesion, caved lesion, solitary polyp and stenosing lesion.

Temperature and depth evaluation of the in vitro effects of femtosecond laser on oral soft tissue, with or without air-cooling.

Femtosecond laser is an effective and safe tool in many surgeries, but the studies of its effect on oral soft tissue ablation are insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the effect of soft tissue ablation with a 1030-nm femtosecond laser on temperature and depth. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rat tongue specimens were obtained and flat-mounted. The 1030-nm femtosecond laser was controlled by a computer system, with a set distance of 4.7 mm between the laser aperture and soft tissue surfaces. Ten specimens were ablated for > 1 min with or without air-cooling for temperature measurement, while the other 10 specimens were ablated for depth measurements, using the following parameters: (i) 3 W, 2000 mm/s; (ii) 3 W, 4000 mm/s; (iii) 5 W, 2000 mm/s; (iv) 5 W, 4000 mm/s; (v) 8 W, 2000 mm/s; (vi) 8 W, 4000 mm/s. Temperature changes were measured using a type-K thermocouple. The depth attained using different power and scanning speed settings was measured by a three-dimensional morphology measurement laser microscope. Laser power, scanning speed, and air-cooling effects were determined. Higher energy and lower speed induced higher temperatures (p < 0.05), which were significantly decreased by air-cooling (p < 0.05). The lowest ablation depth was obtained at 3 W and 4000 mm/s (72.63 ± 6.47 µm) (p < 0.05). The greatest incision depth was achieved at 8 W and 2000 mm/s (696.19 ± 35.37 µm), or 4000 mm/s (681.16 ± 55.65 µm) (p < 0.05). The 1030-nm femtosecond laser application demonstrates clinically acceptable ablation efficiency, without marked temperature damage, in a controlled manner.

Tissue-engineered buccal mucosa using silk fibroin matrices for urethral reconstruction in a canine model.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the feasibility of urethral reconstruction using tissue-engineered buccal mucosa (TEBM) with silk fibroin (SF) matrices in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Autologous oral keratinocytes and autologous fibroblasts were isolated, expanded, and seeded onto SF matrices to obtain TEBM. The TEBM was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy. A 5-cm urethral mucosal defect was created in 10 female canines. Urethroplasty was performed using TEBM in five canines in the experimental group and with SF matrices without cells in the five canines in the comparison group. Retrograde urethrography was performed after 6 mo of grafting. The urethral grafts were analyzed grossly and histologically. RESULTS: The oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts exhibited good biocompatibility with the SF matrices. TEBM could be constructed using SF matrices. The canines implanted with the tissue-engineered mucosa voided without difficulty. The retrograde urethrography revealed no sign of stricture. The histologic staining showed that epithelial cells developed gradually and exhibited stratified epithelial layers at 6 mo. In the comparison group, the canines had difficulty voiding, and the retrograde urethrography showed urethra stricture. The histologic staining showed that one to two layers of epithelial cells developed. CONCLUSIONS: The TEBM using SF matrices could be a potential material for urethra reconstruction.

[The clinical significance of typical reflux symptoms in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical significance of typical reflux symptoms in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: Consecutive patients older than 16 years, who initially visited department of gastroenterology at clinic of Peking University Third Hospital from May 9, 2012 to Dec 31, 2012, were required to complete a self-reported GERD questionnaire. Upper endoscopy was performed in some selected patients. RESULTS: A total of 18 987 patients were enrolled with a response rate of 91.5%. The prevalence of symptom-defined GERD was 13.6% (2 579/18 987). A total of 4 357 (22.9%) patients underwent the upper endoscopy, and the diagnostic rates of reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, peptic ulcer disease, and upper gastrointestinal malignancy were 13.1% (572/4 357), 1.8% (78/4 357), 10.5% (456/4 357), and 1.7% (75/4 357), respectively. The incidence of reflux esophagitis was 22.7% (216/951) in patients with reflux symptoms and 10.5% (356/3 406) (P < 0.001) in patients without reflux symptoms, 2.7% (26/951) and 1.5% (52/3 406), respectively (P = 0.013) for Barrett's esophagus; 6.8% (65/951) and 11.5% (391/3 406), respectively (P < 0.001) for peptic ulcer disease; 1.7% (16/951) and 1.7% (59/3 406), respectively (P = 0.917) for upper gastrointestinal malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: GERD is one of the major diseases at gastroenterology clinic. Typical reflux symptoms suggest a diagnosis of GERD. But some patients with peptic ulcer disease or upper gastrointestinal malignancy can also present typical reflux symptoms. Upper endoscopy is valuable to avoid the misdiagnosis of other disorders.

[Diagnostic value of selective small bowel enteroclysis in imageology of intestinal obstruction: clinical analysis of 98 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the diagnosticability of selective enteroclysis in the area of intestinal obstruction, by reviewing the cases of selective intestinal enteroclysis through a naso-intestinal decompression tube, and evaluating its diagnostic concordance level and the influence factors. METHODS: The selective enteroclysis was different from traditional enteroclysis; it utilized a naso-intestinal decompression long tube to perform local intestinal opacification. In the four years between Apr. 2008 and Apr. 2012, 98 cases of selective intestinal enteroclysis were analyzed retrospectively, and diagnostic concordance value was made between the radiologic diagnosis and the final clinical diagnosis recorded in the medical history according to an evaluating criterion. Five scores were used in the evaluating system: 0 meant that the enteroclysis had no valuable information to provide; 0.25 meant that the enteroclysis could prompt the occurring of obstruction, but could not provide the information of location and cause; 0.50 meant that the enteroclysis could find the location of obstruction, but could not determine the cause; 0.75 meant that the enteroclysis could provide some valuable analysis of the causes of the obstruction, and very close to the final clinical diagnosis; 1.00 meant that the complete concordance between the enteroclysis diagnosis and the final clinical diagnosis. The influence factors would also be considered to improve the competence of the selective enteroclysis in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. RESULTS: In the 98 cases, 53.1% had definite abdominal operative history. The most common cause of obstruction was conglutination between intestinal loops when discharged from hospital, almost occupying 50%. In this group of cases, the most common types were ileum obstruction (47.6%), multiple location obstruction (41.7%) and incomplete obstruction (59.5%). Conglutination and stricture of the intestinal was the common radiologic appearance (61.9%). There were 50 cases with higher concordance scoring 0.75 or 1.00, in comparison, there were 25 cases with lower concordance scoring 0 or 0.25. The difference between the two groups had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: As a combination of traditional enteroclysis and naso-intestinal decompression tube, selective intestinal enteroclysis could exert higher diagnostic ability than that of traditional enteroclysis and also could break through the limitations of traditional enteroclysis in the condition of intestinal obstruction. This method has higher diagnostic concordance and could provide valuable information in obstruction location, extent, severity and possible causes. The main factor influencing the effectiveness of the examination is the location of the decompression tube and dynamic observation would be very helpful and important.

3D Printing Silk Fibroin/Polyacrylamide Triple-Network Composite Hydrogels with Stretchability, Conductivity, and Strain-Sensing Ability as Bionic Electronic Skins.

Electronic skins have received increasing attention due to their great application potential in wearable electronics. Meanwhile, tremendous efforts are still needed for the fabrication of multifunctional composite hydrogels with complex structures for electronic skins via simple methods. In this work, a novel three-dimensional (3D) printing composite hydrogel with stretchability, conductivity, and strain-sensing ability is produced using a one-step photocuring method to achieve a dual-signal response of the electronic skin. The composite hydrogel exhibits a triple-network structure composed of silk microfibers (SMF), regenerated silk fibroin (RSF), and polyacrylamide (PAM). The establishment of triple networks is based on the electrostatic interaction between SMF and RSF, as well as the chemically cross-linked RSF and PAM. Thanks to its specific structure and components, the composite hydrogel possesses enhanced mechanical properties (elastic modulus of 140 kPa, compressive stress of 21 MPa, and compression modulus of 600 kPa) and 3D printability while retaining stretchability and flexibility. The interaction between negatively charged SMF and cations in phosphate-buffered saline endows the composite hydrogel with good conductivity and strain-sensing ability after immersion in a low-concentration (10 mM) salt solution. Moreover, the 3D printing composite hydrogel scaffold successfully realizes real-time monitoring. Therefore, the proposed hydrogel-based ionic sensor is promising for skin tissue engineering, real-time monitoring, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces.

Meta-analysis identifying gut microbial biomarkers of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau populations and the functionality of microbiota-derived butyrate in high-altitude adaptation.

The extreme environmental conditions of a plateau seriously threaten human health. The relationship between gut microbiota and human health at high altitudes has been extensively investigated. However, no universal gut microbiota biomarkers have been identified in the plateau population, limiting research into gut microbiota and high-altitude adaptation. 668 16s rRNA samples were analyzed using meta-analysis to reduce batch effects and uncover microbiota biomarkers in the plateau population. Furthermore, the robustness of these biomarkers was validated. Mendelian randomization (MR) results indicated that Tibetan gut microbiota may mediate a reduced erythropoietic response. Functional analysis and qPCR revealed that butyrate may be a functional metabolite in high-altitude adaptation. A high-altitude rat model showed that butyrate reduced intestinal damage caused by high altitudes. According to cell experiments, butyrate may downregulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression and blunt cellular responses to hypoxic stress. Our research found universally applicable biomarkers and investigated their potential roles in promoting human health at high altitudes.

Evaluation of stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrices seeded with urothelial cells for urethra reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the feasibility of urethral reconstruction using stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel electrospun silk fibroin matrix was prepared. The structure of the material was assessed by scanning electron microscopy and a porosity test. Canine urothelial cells were isolated, expanded, and seeded onto the material for 1 wk to obtain a tissue-engineered graft. The tissue-engineered graft was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy. A dorsal urethral mucosal defect was created in nine female beagle dogs. In the experimental group, tissue-engineered mucosa was used to repair urethra mucosa defects in six dogs. No substitute was used in the three dogs of the control group. Retrograde urethrography was performed at 1, 2, and 6 mo after grafting. The urethral grafts were analyzed grossly and histologically. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscope and a porosity test revealed that the material had a three-dimensional porous structure. Urothelial cells grew on the material and showed good biocompatibility with the stretched silk fibroin matrices. Canines implanted with tissue-engineered mucosa voided without difficulty. Retrograde urethrography revealed no signs of stricture. Histologic staining showed gradual epithelial cell development and stratified epithelial layers at 1, 2, and 6 mo. The canines in the control group showed difficulty in voiding. Retrograde urethrography showed urethra stricture. Histologic staining showed that no or only one layer of epithelial cells developed. A severe inflammatory reaction was also observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrices have good biocompatibility with urothelial cells, which could prove to be a potential material for use in urethra reconstruction.

Fiber diameters and parallel patterns: proliferation and osteogenesis of stem cells.

Due to the innate extracellular matrix mimicking features, fibrous materials exhibited great application potential in biomedicine. In developing excellent fibrous biomaterial, it is essential to reveal the corresponding inherent fiber features' effects on cell behaviors. Due to the inevitable 'interference' cell adhesions to the background or between adjacent fibers, it is difficult to precisely reveal the inherent fiber diameter effect on cell behaviors by using a traditional fiber mat. A single-layer and parallel-arranged polycaprolactone fiber pattern platform with an excellent non-fouling background is designed and constructed herein. In this unique material platform, the 'interference' cell adhesions through interspace between fibers to the environment could be effectively ruled out by the non-fouling background. The 'interference' cell adhesions between adjacent fibers could also be excluded from the sparsely arranged (SA) fiber patterns. The influence of fiber diameter on stem cell behaviors is precisely and comprehensively investigated based on eliminating the undesired 'interference' cell adhesions in a controllable way. On the SA fiber patterns, small diameter fiber (SA-D1, D1 means 1 µm in diameter) may seriously restrict cell proliferation and osteogenesis when compared to the middle (SA-D8) and large (SA-D56) ones and SA-D8 shows the optimal osteogenesis enhancement effect. At the same time, the cells present similar proliferation ability and even the highest osteogenic ability on the densely arranged (DA) fiber patterns with small diameter fiber (DA-D1) when compared to the middle (DA-D8) and large (DA-D56) ones. The 'interference' cell adhesion between adjacent fibers under dense fiber arrangement may be the main reason for inducing these different cell behavior trends along with fiber diameters. Related results and comparisons have illustrated the effects of fiber diameter on stem cell behaviors more precisely and objectively, thus providing valuable reference and guidance for developing effective fibrous biomaterials.