BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent and intractable ocular disease induced by a variety of causes. Elevated sphingomyelin (SM) levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected on the ocular surface of DED patients, particularly in the meibomian glands. Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), one of the proteins involved in SM synthesis, would light a novel way of developing a DED therapy strategy. Herein, we report the design and optimization of a series of novel thiophene carboxamide derivatives to afford 14l with an improved highly potent inhibitory activity on SM synthesis (IC_{50, SMS2} = 28 nmol/L). Moreover, 14l exhibited a notable protective effect of anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) under TNF-α-hyperosmotic stress conditions in vitro, with an acceptable ocular specific distribution (corneas and meibomian glands) and pharmacokinetics (PK) profiles (t _{1/2, cornea} = 1.11 h; t _{1/2, meibomian glands} = 4.32 h) in rats. Furthermore, 14l alleviated the dry eye symptoms including corneal fluorescein staining scores and tear secretion in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Mechanically, 14l reduced the mRNA expression of Tnf-α, Il-1β and Mmp-9 in corneas, as well as the proportion of very long chain SM in meibomian glands. Our findings provide a new strategy for DED therapy based on selective SMS2 inhibitors.

Abstract Alzheimer′s disease(AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. It has been found that AD is related to various pathogenic factors such as genetics, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, and excessive phosphorylation of tau protein. However, no definitive conclusions on its pathogenesis have been reached. In this paper, the research progress on the pathogenesis of AD inC.elegansmodel and the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine extracts on AD are reviewed, providing a basis for further research on the alleviating effects of Chinese medicine extracts on AD.

Objective To explore the differences in stress distribution and stability of the planta pedis in the patients with unilateral and bilateral plantar fasciitis(PF)through plantar stress and center of pressure(COP)analysis.Methods A total of 100 patients with PF visiting in this hospital were enrolled,among them 50 cases were unilateral heel pain(unilateral heel pain group)and 50 cases were bilateral heel pain(bilateral heel pain).Meanwhile,50 healthy subjects were included(healthy group).In the health group and bilateral heel pain groups,the average stress value of both planta pedis surfaces of each subject was taken and named as the J0 group and H2 group,respectively.In the unilateral heel pain group,the plantar stress in 50 healthy feet and 50 affected feet were named as the J1 group and H1 group,respectively.The plantar pedis was divided into 10 regions for analysis and comparison[the first foot toe(T1),T2-5,the first-fifth metatarsal bones(M1-M5),the mid foot(MF),heel medial side(MH),heel lateral side(LH)].The subjects in 3 groups conducted the static and dynamic tests respectively,and the differences in plantar stress distribution and COP parameters among the J1,H1,H2 and J0 groups were compared respectively.Results In the static tests,the maximum pressure of the LH regions in the group J1 was increased when compared with the group J0,the contact area of LH regions in the group H1 was reduced when compared with the group J0,the maximum pressure of the M2 and M3 regions in the H1 group was increased when compared with the group J0,the contact areas of the MH and LH regions in the H2 group were decreased when compared with the group J0,the maximum pressure of the M1 region was increased when compared with the group J0,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).In the dynamic tests,the maximum pressure of the T2-5 regions in the J1 group was increased when compared with the J0 group,the maximum pressure of the M3 region in the group H1 was increased when compared with the group J0,the maximum pressure of the M3 and M4 region in the group H2 was in-creased when compared with the group J0,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The COP 95%confidence ellipse area in the health group was the smallest,followed by the bilateral heel pain group,and finally the unilateral heel pain group,and the differences among 3 groups were statistically signifi-cant(P<0.05),there was also statistically significant difference between pairwise comparisons in 3 groups(P<0.05).Conclusion In the static condition,the pressure of the healthy heel and affected forefoot in the patients with PF is increased;while in the dynamic condition,the pressure of the toes of the healthy foot and forefoot of the affected foot in the patients with PF is also increased.The distribution of plantar stress in the patients with PF has larger difference compared with the healthy population,and the stability is poor.Meas-ures can be taken to improve the abnormal force on the foot,reduce pain and reduce the risk of falling.

Diabetic foot ulcers(DFU)are the primary manifestations of diabetic foot,and the diabetic foot is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus.DFU present the characteristics of high morbidity,high disability rate and high recurrence rate.Clinically,DFU can be classified into the category of finger-toe gangrene in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).In the view of Professor Huang Shuling,DFU develop from diabetes after a long time,and are caused by insufficiency of kidney yin together with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collaterals,which results in the internal retention of damp-heat and toxins under the conditions of insufficiency of healthy qi and attack of external pathogens.According to the progression of DFU,DFU can be differentiated as five syndromes,namely heat-toxin and blood stasis accumulation syndrome,heat retention impairing yin syndrome,spleen deficiency and phlegm-stasis syndrome,qi and blood deficiency complicated by blood-stasis obstructing collaterals syndrome,and liver-kidney yin deficiency complicated by blood-stasis obstruction syndrome.Following the therapeutic principle of supporting healthy qi to eliminate pathogens,Professor Huang formulated the therapies for DFU,i.e.,clearing heat and removing toxins and activating blood,clearing heat and nourishing yin and activating blood,invigorating spleen and resolving phlegm and unblocking collaterals,tonifying qi-blood and removing blood stasis,and nourishing liver-kidney and unblocking blood stasis.Moreover,three-level prevention and treatment strategies for DFU were put forward by Professor Huang.The strategies include early diagnosis and early treatment of high-risk diabetic foot,delaying the progression of peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease of diabetes mellitus and treating tinea pedis positively,and effectively treating DFU to reduce amputation rate.The preventive and therapeutic strategies for DFU cover the therapies of integrated Chinese and western medicine,and therapies of simultaneous internal and external treatment.In treating DFU with TCM therapy,Professor Huang addressed the importance of combined use of Zizhuye Lotion for wet compressing on the wound continuously based on oral administration of Chinese medicine,which achieves a stronger therapeutic effect.

Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.