Hypertrophic scar is a fibrous hyperplastic disorder that arises from skin injuries. The current therapeutic modalities are constrained by the dense and rigid scar tissue which impedes effective drug delivery. Additionally, insufficient autophagic activity in fibroblasts hinders their apoptosis, leading to excessive matrix deposition. Here, we developed an active microneedle (MN) system to overcome these challenges by integrating micromotor-driven drug delivery with autophagy regulation to remodel the scar microenvironment. Specifically, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid were introduced into the MNs as a built-in engine to generate CO₂ bubbles, thereby enabling enhanced lateral and vertical drug diffusion into dense scar tissue. The system concurrently encapsulated curcumin (Cur), an autophagy activator, and triamcinolone acetonide (TA), synergistically inducing fibroblast apoptosis by upregulating autophagic activity. In vitro studies demonstrated that active MNs achieved efficient drug penetration within isolated scar tissue. The rabbit hypertrophic scar model revealed that TA-Cur MNs significantly reduced the scar elevation index, suppressed collagen I and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression, and elevated LC3 protein levels. These findings highlight the potential of the active MN system as an efficacious platform for autonomous augmented drug delivery and autophagy-targeted therapy in fibrotic disorder treatments.

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With the continuous development of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, mRNA-based drugs have shown broad application prospects in recent years. Since mRNA is easy to be degraded and difficult to enter cells directly, the mRNA delivery vectors have always been one of the focuses in the development of mRNA-based drugs. Although lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been widely used for the delivery of mRNA, they tend to accumulate in the liver, and repeated administration can easily induce inflammatory response which leads to tissue damage. Compared with LNPs, virus-like particles (VLPs) have the advantages of high biocompatibility and safety, being expected to offer new solutions for mRNA delivery. Based on the practical application requirements, this review summarized the research progress in VLPs according to the mRNA delivery steps: particle assembly, delivery into cells, and intracellular release. We hope to provide a basis and design ideas for the development of new VLPs as delivery vectors, promote the application of VLPs in mRNA delivery, and provide new possibilities for the research and application of mRNA-based therapeutics.
RNA, Messenger/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Genetic Vectors ; Lipids/chemistry* ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Virion ; Animals ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Liposomes

Objective:The aim is to understand the current situation of death literacy among Chinese residents in the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area and explore educational approaches to enhance the death literacy of the social public.Method:The Death Literacy Index was conducted among 2,002 residents in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,which included 29 items from four dimensions namely practice,experience,fact,and community.Results:The average score of death literacy among the respondents was moderate(6.70),with scores for practical and experiential knowledge(7.32,7.50)higher than those for factual and community knowledge(6.20,6.10).The weakest content included discussing bereavement with people who have just lost loved ones(5.07),laws and regulations related to death at home(5.35),and providing support for the terminal person and their families in the community.Conclusion:The death literacy of the Chinese residents in the Greater Bay Area was moderate,in which community knowledge was the weakest with a lack of concern and support for the terminal person and the caregivers.Therefore,community health promotion strategies were proposed to strengthen death education for the public and promote the death literacy of the residents.

Objective:To investigate the genetic and evolutionary characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza B/Victoria (BV) virus in Xi′an city from 2019 to 2023.Methods:Twenty-five BV strains isolated from the Xi′an influenza surveillance network laboratory between 2019 and 2023 were collected. The HA and NA genes were sequenced using MiniSeq high-throughput sequencing platform. An evolutionary tree was constructed using bioinformatics software to analyze homology and mutation sites, and to predict N-glycosylation sites online. The antigenicity of the strains was analyzed through hemagglutination inhibition tests.Results:The BV influenza in Xi′an exhibited a distinct seasonal transmission pattern from 2019 to 2023, with peak prevalence occurring during the winter and spring seasons. The evolutionary analysis of the HA genes shows that the strains from Xi′an in 2019 belong to the V1A.3 branch, and the strains from 2021 to 2023 belong to the V1A.3a.2 branch. Analysis of antigenic sites showed that there were variations in 6 sites of 3 antigenic determinants in the HA proteins of the BV strains from 2021-2022 compared to 2019, and 2 sites of 1 antigenic determinant changed in the HA proteins in 2023 compared to 2021-2022. The evolutionary analysis of the NA genes indicates that the BV strains from Xi′an in 2019 belong to the A. 1.1 branch. By 2021 and 2022, it had evolved into the A. 1.2 clade, and by 2023, it had further evolved into the B clade and its derivatives, with no strains showing mutations associated with resistance to NA inhibitors. Antigenic analysis indicated that the majority of BV strains in Xi′an were similar to the strains included in the vaccine composition. Furthermore, glycosylation analysis showed that the potential N-glycosylation sites in the HA proteins of BV strains from 2021-2023 were reduced by one compared to those from 2019, and only a few strains from 2023 displayed alterations in the potential N-glycosylation sites of the NA proteins.Conclusions:The HA and NA genes of the BV strains from 2019 to 2023 are continuously mutating and evolving into new branches. Since 2021, V1A.3a.2 has become the dominant evolutionary branch of the HA genes, while the evolutionary branches of the NA genes from 2019 to 2023 have been continuously changing.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral double-balloon enteroscopy for small intestinal bezoars with obstruction, the clinical, endoscopic, imaging, pathological and surgical data of patients with small intestinal bezoars and obstruction treated in Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from December 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 5 patients, all female, aged 52-83 years, were included. The clinical manifestation was mainly digestive tract obstruction. The diameter of bezoars was 30-50 mm. Three were located in the jejunum, one in the proximal ileum, and one at the jejuno-ileal junction. Three cases were diagnosed as having small intestinal bezoars by imaging examination before operation. All 5 patients achieved technical success. Four patients achieved clinical success, the symptoms of obstruction were completely relieved, and 1 patient was partially relieved due to malignant obstruction. No obvious complication occurred in 5 patients after operation. The follow-up time was 15-790 days, and there was no recurrence. The results showed that oral double-balloon enteroscopy for small intestinal bezoars was safe and effective, providing a new treatment for patients with small intestinal bezoars except for surgery.

Objective To use metabolomics method to study the metabolic profiles of amino acids and lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC)in the serum of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),to identify biomarkers for NAFLD,and to speculate on the possible mechanism responsible for its occurrence.Methods NAFLD rats were prepared by feeding a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride.Levels of 15 LPCs and 18 amino acids in the serum were determined in control and NAFLD rats by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Changes in serum LPC and amino acid metabolic profiles in NAFLD rats were analyzed by principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis.Correlations between biomarkers and NAFLD were analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis.Results The metabolic profiles of serum LPC and amino acids differed significantly between the NAFLD group and the control group and were completely distinct.LPC(20∶1),arginine,and glutamic acid had significant contributions to NAFLD and were identified as biomarkers.Furthermore,LPC(20∶1)and arginine were significantly correlated with serum biochemical indicators such as aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase,low-density lipoprotein,and total bilirubin.Conclusions The metabolic profiles of serum LPC and amino acids may be closely related to NALFD.

Objective:To study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of brucellosis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Methods:A retrospective analysis method was used to collect medical records of 581 patients with brucellosis who visited the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional People's Hospital from January 2009 to December 2019. Demographic and epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms and signs, and laboratory test results of the patients were analyzed.Results:Among 581 patients with brucellosis, the male to female ratio was 2.8 ∶ 1.0 (428 ∶ 153). The age was (44.41 ± 16.25) years old, ranging from 1 - 83 years old, and mainly concentrated in 35 - 60 years old, accounting for 70.91% (412/581). The ethnic distribution was dominated by Uyghur, accounting for 50.60% (294/581). The occupational distribution was mainly farmers, accounting for 43.20% (251/581). A total of 186 patients had a clear history of contact with cattle and sheep, accounting for 32.01% (186/581). The clinical stage was dominated by patients in the acute stage, accounting for 55.25% (321/581). There were 48 cases of complications, accounting for 8.26%(48/581). The main clinical symptom of brucellosis patients was pain and fever, accounting for 73.67% (428/581) and 66.61% (387/581), respectively. Laboratory tests were dominated by increased blood sedimentation and C-reactive protein, accounting for 29.09% (169/581) and 23.06% (134/581), respectively. The positive rate of Brucella culture was low, accounting for 4.48% (26/581). Conclusions:The majority of brucellosis patients in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are young and middle-aged males, with the main occupation being farmers. The clinical symptoms are mostly pain and fever. The positive rate of Brucella culture in patients is relatively low. It is recommended to combine epidemiological and clinical features for diagnosis to reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and detect and treat it early.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of changes in interleukin(IL)-33 and regulatory T(Treg)cells in brucellosis,to verify the regulatory effect of IL-33 on Treg cells,so as to clarify the immune mechanism of IL-33 on Treg cells in brucellosis.Methods The peripheral blood of 39 patients with brucellosis treated in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January to December 2021(the brucellosis group)and 42 healthy controls(the healthy control group)who underwent physical examination during the same period were collected.The serum IL-33 level was detected by AimPlex kit,and the proportion of Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry.Peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC)was extracted and cultured in vitro to observe the proportion and mRNA expression levels of forkhead box protein P3(Foxp3)after stimulation and blocking of IL-33.Results Compared with the healthy control group,the level of IL-33 and the proportion of Treg cells in brucellosis group were significantly increased,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).In vitro tests showed that the Foxp3 proportion and mRNA expression level of PBMC in the two groups were significantly increased after IL-33 stimulation,and significantly decreased after IL-33 blocking,with statistical significance(P＜0.001).Conclusion IL-33 and Treg cells increased significantly in brucellosis patients,and IL-33 promoted the immune function of Treg cells.Blocking IL-33 is expected to be a potential target for immunotherapy of brucellosis.

Objective To explore the possible mechanisms of myocardial injury induced by simulated weightlessness in space flight and the recovery of myocardium in rats by aerobic exercise intervention.Methods The body weight of rats was weighed using an electronic balance;the cardiac function indexes of rats in each group were detected using echocardiography and isolated cardiac perfusion;and the expression of proteins related to the AMPK/ULK1/Beclin1 pathway in the myocardial tissues of rats in each group was detected using Western Blot.Results(1)When compared with the C1 group,the T1 group not statistically significant in body weight(P?>?0.05),and the wet weight of the flounder muscle,the wet weight-to-weight ratio of the flounder muscle,and the heart weight were all significantly decreased(P??0.05).After 4 weeks of aerobic exercise,when compared to group C2,group R showed a significant rise in the expression of AMPK and ULK1(P??0.05),and a rise in the expression of Beclin1,but not statistically significant(P?>?0.05);and group A showed a slight increase in the expression of AMPK,ULK1 and Beclin1 expression decreased slightly but not statistically significant(P?>?0.05),p-AMPK expression decreased significantly(P??0.05),and a significant decrease in the expression of ULK1(P??0.05);the expression of p-ULK1 decreased significantly(P?