OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical application of recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) on the healing of chronic cutaneous wounds.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with thirty-three chronic cutaneous wounds resulting from trauma, diabetes mellitus, pressure sore and radiation injuries were enrolled in this prospective, open-label crossover trial. Prior to treatment with rbFGF, all wounds failed to heal with conventional therapies within 4 weeks. All wounds were locally treated with rbFGF at a dose of 150 AU/cm(2). Healing time and the quality of wounds were used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment.

RESULTSHealing of all chronic wounds was expedited. During the study, eighteen wounds completely healed within 2 weeks, four healed within 3 weeks, and another eight completely healed within 4 weeks. Only three wounds failed to heal within 4 weeks, but healed at 30, 40 and 42 days after treatment with rbFGF. Thus, compared with conventional therapies, the effective rate of rbFGF treatment within 4 weeks was 90.9%. Histological assessment showed more abundant capillary sprouts or tubes and that fibroblasts were differentiated in wounds treated with rbFGF. No adverse side effects related to basic fibroblast growth factor were observed.

CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that rbFGF could be used to accelerate healing in chronic wounds. It is our belief that this may be a more effective method of chronic wound management.

Administration, Topical ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin Ulcer ; drug therapy ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

AIM: To investigate the effect and mechanism of ursolic acid on high glucose and high-fat injury of human aortic endothelial cells. METHODS: MTT method was used to select the appropriate injury concentration of high glucose and sodium palmitate and UA pre incubation concentration. The levels of NO and ROS, the release rate of lactate dehydrogenase and the activities of antioxidant enzymes including total superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were detected by kit. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blot. The protective effect of UA on HAEC was observed. Hoechst33342 combined with PI fluorescence staining was used to detect the whole state of cell membrane to explore the occurrence of pyroptosis. RESULTS: Pre-incubation with UA (1 and 5 μmol/L) could reduce the damage of HAEC caused by high glucose and high fat (30 mmol/L Glu + 0.1 mmol/L SPA), enhance HAEC activity, increase NO release and eNOS protein expression, alleviate oxidative stress injury, reduce the protein expression of adhesion molecules and reduce the occurrence of pyroptosis. CONCLUSION: UA may reduce the damage of endothelial cells by inhibiting the oxidative stress response and the occurrence of pyroptosis induced by high glucose and high fat.

The human brain deteriorates as we age, and the rate and the trajectories of these changes significantly vary among brain regions and among individuals. Because neuroimaging data are potentially important indicators of individual's brain health, they are commonly used in brain age prediction. In this review, we summarize brain age prediction model from neuroimaging-based studies in the last ten years. The studies are categorized based on their image modalities and feature types. The results indicate that the prediction frameworks based on neuroimaging holds promise toward individualized brain age prediction. Finally, we addressed the challenges in brain age prediction and suggested some future research directions.
Aging ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Humans ; Neuroimaging