OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of combined platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and arterial supercharging technique on the survival rate and functional restoration of cross-body region skin flaps in rabbits. METHODS: Twelve healthy 6-month-old New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups ( n=3): sham group, PRP group, anastomosis group, and combined treatment group. An axial skin flap with an area of 12 cm×6 cm on the inner side of the hind limbs of all animals were prepared, with the saphenous artery as the main blood supply. Following the ligation of both the proximal and distal ends of the saphenous artery across all groups, the sham group received no further intervention, the PRP group was subjected to PRP injection, the anastomosis group underwent in situ end-to-end anastomosis of the distal saphenous artery, and the combined treatment group received both in situ distal saphenous artery anastomosis and PRP administration. Flap survival was evaluated and recorded on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, with survival rates calculated accordingly. On day 7, flap tissue samples were harvested for HE staining to assess basal tissue morphology. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD31 in the flap tissues. RESULTS: At postoperative day 1, no significant difference in flap survival rates were observed among the 4 groups ( P>0.05). At day 3, the PRP group showed no significant difference compared to the sham group ( P>0.05); however, both the anastomosis and combined treatment groups exhibited significantly higher survival rates than the sham group ( P<0.05), the combined treatment group further demonstrated superior survival rates compared to both the PRP and anastomosis groups ( P<0.05). At day 7, the combined treatment group maintained significantly higher survival rates than all other groups ( P<0.05), while both the PRP and anastomosis groups exceeded the sham group ( P<0.05). HE staining at day 7 revealed persistent inflammatory cell infiltration, sheet-like erythrocyte deposition, and disordered collagen fibers in the sham group. The PRP group showed nascent microvessel formation and early collagen reorganization, whereas the anastomosis group displayed mature microvasculature with resolved interstitial edema. The combined treatment group exhibited differentiated microvessels with densely packed collagen bundles. Immunohistochemical analysis at day 7 demonstrated significantly larger relative area percentages of α-SMA, VEGF, and CD31 positive cells in the combined treatment group compared to all other groups ( P<0.05). Both the PRP and anastomosis groups also showed significantly higher values than the sham group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of PRP and arterial supercharging techniques significantly enhances flap healing, potentially through mechanisms involving augmented angiogenesis and improved blood supply.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Graft Survival ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Ischemia/surgery* ; Arteries/surgery* ; Skin/blood supply* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Male ; Skin Transplantation/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antioxidant and osteogenic induction capabilities of calcium phosphate nanoflowers (hereinafter referred to as nanoflowers) in vitro at different concentrations. METHODS: Nanoflowers were prepared using gelatin, tripolyphosphate, and calcium chloride. Their morphology, microstructure, elemental composition and distribution, diameter, and molecular constitution were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Femurs and tibias were harvested from twelve 4-week-old Sprague Dawley rats, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated and cultured using the whole bone marrow adherent method, followed by passaging. The third passage cells were identified as stem cells by flow cytometry and then co-cultured with nanoflowers at concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.2, and 3.6 mg/mL. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to screen for the optimal concentration that demonstrated the best cell viability, which was subsequently used as the experimental concentration for further studies. After co-culturing BMSCs with the screened concentration of nanoflowers, the biocompatibility of the nanoflowers was verified through live/dead cell staining, scratch assay, and cytoskeleton staining. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by using reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence staining. The in vitro osteoinductive ability was evaluated via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, and immunofluorescence staining of osteocalcin (OCN) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). All the above indicators were compared with the control group of normally cultured BMSCs without the addition of nanoflowers. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the prepared nanoflowers exhibited a flower-like structure; transmission electron microscopy scans discovered that the nanoflowers possessed a multi-layered structure, and high-magnification images displayed continuous atomic arrangements, with the nanoflower diameter measuring (2.00±0.25) μm; energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicated that the nanoflowers contained elements such as C, N, O, P, and Ca, which were uniformly distributed across the flower region; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyzed the absorption peaks of each component, demonstrating the successful preparation of the nanoflowers. Through CCK-8 screening, the concentrations of 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mg/mL were selected for subsequent experiments. The live/dead cell staining showed that nanoflowers at different concentrations exhibited good cell compatibility, with the 1.2 mg/mL concentration being the best (P<0.05). The scratch assay results indicated that the cell migration ability in the 1.2 mg/mL group was superior to the other groups (P<0.05). The cytoskeleton staining revealed that the cell morphology was well-extended in all concentration groups, with no significant difference compared to the control group. The ROS fluorescence staining demonstrated that the ROS fluorescence in all concentration groups decreased compared to the control group after lipopolysaccharide induction (P<0.05), with the 1.2 mg/mL group showing the weakest fluorescence. The ALP staining showed blue-purple nodular deposits around the cells in all groups, with the 1.2 mg/mL group being significantly more prominent. The alizarin red staining displayed orange-red mineralized nodules around the cells in all groups, with the 1.2 mg/mL group having more and denser nodules. The immunofluorescence staining revealed that the expressions of RUNX2 and OCN proteins in all concentration groups increased compared to the control group, with the 1.2 mg/mL group showing the strongest protein expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The study successfully prepares nanoflowers, among which the 1.2 mg/mL nanoflowers exhibits excellent cell compatibility, antioxidant properties, and osteogenic induction capability, demonstrating their potential as an artificial bone substitute material.
Animals ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Calcium Phosphates/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Antioxidants/chemistry* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Nanostructures/chemistry* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology* ; Coculture Techniques ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Male ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Cell Survival ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and its composite materials have garnered widespread attention in the field of dental implantology due to their good biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. The low elastic modulus of PEEK, comparable to that of human jawbone, helps to reduce the stress shielding effect around the implant, thereby enhancing the rate of bone integration. This article reviews the latest research progress of PEEK and its composite materials in the field of dental implantation, including the synthesis of materials, surface modification techniques, and applications in implant-abutment-crown complexes and full-arch denture bridges.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of allele frequencies for 9 red blood cell (RBC) blood group systems in the Hui ethnic voluntary blood donor population of Suzhou using real-time fluorescence PCR technology, so as to provide technical support for establishing a RBC blood group genetic database. Methods: PCR-TaqMan technology was employed to perform genotyping detection for 9 RBC blood group systems using 144 samples from Hui voluntary blood donors in Suzhou, collected between October 2023 and August 2024. Results: Blood group allele frequencies among Suzhou Hui voluntary blood donors were distributed as follows: MNS system (M=0.566 0, N=0.434 0; S=0.079 9, s=0.920 1); Lutheran system (Lu =0.003 5, Lu =0.996 5; Au =0.895 8, Au =0.104 2); Kell system (K=0.000 0, k=1.000 0; Kp =0.003 5, Kp =0.996 5; JS =0.000 0, JS =1.000 0); Duffy system (Fy =0.899 3, Fy =0.100 7); Kidd system (JK =0.451 4, JK =0.548 6); Diego system (Di =0.041 7, Di =0.958 3); Yt system (Yt =0.996 5, Yt =0.003 5); Dombrock system (Do =0.128 5, Do =0.871 5); Colton system (Co =1.000 0, Co =0.000 0). The PCR-TaqMan-based RBC blood group genotyping technology successfully completed testing for all samples. Conclusion: The MNS, Lutheran, Duffy, Kidd, Diego, and Dombrock blood group systems in the Suzhou Hui population exhibited polymorphic distribution patterns, whereas the Colton system was monomorphic. Standardized application of PCR-TaqMan technology facilitates the establishment of an RBC blood group genetic database.

Objective:To investigate the differences in hippocampal subfield volumes and structural covariance network between participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and healthy individuals, and to analyze the correlations of the volumes of the different subfields and altered covariance brain regions with memory function.Methods:A total of 57 SCD individuals(SCD group) and 44 normal controls(NC group) participants were assessed for memory function using composite scores from the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) and the Wechsler memory scale visual reproduction (VR) test from June 2022 to October 2023.T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from all participants, and hippocampal subfields, cortical regions, and subcortical nuclei were segmented using FreeSurfer to measure the gray matter volume of each structure. A structural covariance network was constructed based on the correlation of gray matter volumes across regions. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.3.1 software. Inter-group differences in hippocampal subfield volumes were compared using multivariate analysis of covariance. Differences in structural covariance connectivity between groups were assessed using Z-test, while network topology differences were compared through permutation testing. Finally, partial correlation analysis was used to examine correlation of the volumes of the differential hippocampal subfields and covariance brain regions with memory function. Results:The SCD group exhibited significantly lower years of education, AVLT-immediate score, AVLT-delayed score, VR-immediate score, VR-delayed score, and memory function Z-score compared to the NC group ( t=2.064, 3.888, 2.622, 3.222, 4.761, 5.184, all P<0.05). The volumes of the right subiculum((387.75±55.20)mm 3, (352.70±70.25)mm 3), left presubiculum((263.12±38.52)mm 3, (239.79±46.02)mm 3), left subiculum((388.12±49.34)mm 3, (351.74±67.30)mm 3) and left CA1((571.01±80.01)mm 3, (526.51±98.80)mm 3) in the SCD group were smaller than the corresponding volumes in NC group ( F=9.139, 8.039, 11.207, 7.266, all P<0.05, FDR correction). Differences in structural covariance connectivity were found between the SCD and NC groups in the following pairs: right CA1-right subiculum, right CA1-left subiculum, right CA3-left parasubiculum and right hippocampus-amygdala transition area-left subiculum ( Z=-3.848, -3.896, -3.597, -3.895, all P<0.05, FDR correction).Partial correlation analysis revealed that in the SCD group, the volume of the left subiculum ( r=0.359, P=0.007), left CA1 ( r=0.430, P=0.001), right entorhinal cortex ( r=0.296, P=0.029), right middle temporal gyrus ( r=0.361, P=0.007), right parahippocampal gyrus ( r=0.313, P=0.021)were positively correlated with the total memory function score. Conclusion:Hippocampal subfields atrophy, as well as alterations in structural covariance network, have been found in SCD individuals. Furthermore, the decline in memory function may be closely associated with atrophy in hippocampal subfields and structurally covariant regions.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and its composite materials have garnered widespread attention in the field of dental implantology due to their good biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. The low elastic modulus of PEEK, comparable to that of human jawbone, helps to reduce the stress shielding effect around the implant, thereby enhancing the rate of bone integration. This article reviews the latest research progress of PEEK and its composite materials in the field of dental implantation, including the synthesis of materials, surface modification techniques, and applications in implant-abutment-crown complexes and full-arch denture bridges.

Objective:To investigate the differences in hippocampal subfield volumes and structural covariance network between participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and healthy individuals, and to analyze the correlations of the volumes of the different subfields and altered covariance brain regions with memory function.Methods:A total of 57 SCD individuals(SCD group) and 44 normal controls(NC group) participants were assessed for memory function using composite scores from the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) and the Wechsler memory scale visual reproduction (VR) test from June 2022 to October 2023.T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from all participants, and hippocampal subfields, cortical regions, and subcortical nuclei were segmented using FreeSurfer to measure the gray matter volume of each structure. A structural covariance network was constructed based on the correlation of gray matter volumes across regions. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.3.1 software. Inter-group differences in hippocampal subfield volumes were compared using multivariate analysis of covariance. Differences in structural covariance connectivity between groups were assessed using Z-test, while network topology differences were compared through permutation testing. Finally, partial correlation analysis was used to examine correlation of the volumes of the differential hippocampal subfields and covariance brain regions with memory function. Results:The SCD group exhibited significantly lower years of education, AVLT-immediate score, AVLT-delayed score, VR-immediate score, VR-delayed score, and memory function Z-score compared to the NC group ( t=2.064, 3.888, 2.622, 3.222, 4.761, 5.184, all P<0.05). The volumes of the right subiculum((387.75±55.20)mm 3, (352.70±70.25)mm 3), left presubiculum((263.12±38.52)mm 3, (239.79±46.02)mm 3), left subiculum((388.12±49.34)mm 3, (351.74±67.30)mm 3) and left CA1((571.01±80.01)mm 3, (526.51±98.80)mm 3) in the SCD group were smaller than the corresponding volumes in NC group ( F=9.139, 8.039, 11.207, 7.266, all P<0.05, FDR correction). Differences in structural covariance connectivity were found between the SCD and NC groups in the following pairs: right CA1-right subiculum, right CA1-left subiculum, right CA3-left parasubiculum and right hippocampus-amygdala transition area-left subiculum ( Z=-3.848, -3.896, -3.597, -3.895, all P<0.05, FDR correction).Partial correlation analysis revealed that in the SCD group, the volume of the left subiculum ( r=0.359, P=0.007), left CA1 ( r=0.430, P=0.001), right entorhinal cortex ( r=0.296, P=0.029), right middle temporal gyrus ( r=0.361, P=0.007), right parahippocampal gyrus ( r=0.313, P=0.021)were positively correlated with the total memory function score. Conclusion:Hippocampal subfields atrophy, as well as alterations in structural covariance network, have been found in SCD individuals. Furthermore, the decline in memory function may be closely associated with atrophy in hippocampal subfields and structurally covariant regions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of curcumin-chitosan microspheres on the inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis (UC) mice via the Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway.Methods:BALB/c mice were induced to establish a UC model by drinking 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) aqueous solution. According to the random number table method, the mice were randomly divided into model group, empty chitosan microsphere group, curcumin group, curcumin-chitosan microsphere group and curcumin-chitosan microsphere+lipopolysaccharide group, with 12 mice in each group. 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose solution, 19 mg/ml empty chitosan microsphere solution, 12 mg/ml curcumin solution, 19 mg/ml curcumin-chitosan microsphere solution by gavage, 19 mg/ml curcumin-chitosan microsphere solution by gavage+3 mg/ml lipopolysaccharide solution by intraperitoneal injection were administered at an administration volume of 5 ml/kg. Another 12 BALB/c mice drank purified water were taken as the control group. The disease activity index (DAI) score and colon length of mice in each group were determined. The permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier of mice in each group was evaluated by detecting the level of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled dextran. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the pathological morphology of the colon tissue in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of proinflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-18] in serum and colon tissue of mice in each group. The expression levels of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway related proteins in colon tissues of mice in each group were detected by Western blotting.Results:The DAI score [(0.42±0.49) points] of the curcumin-chitosan microsphere group was lower than that of the model, curcumin, empty chitosan microsphere, and curcumin-chitosan microsphere+lipopolysaccharide groups [(3.50±0.26), (2.33±0.41), (2.83±0.35), and (3.33±0.25) points], and the length of colon [(6.17±0.38) cm] was greater than that of the model, curcumin, empty chitosan microsphere, and curcumin-chitosan microsphere+lipopolysaccharide groups [(3.89±0.23), (5.13±0.34), (4.78±0.31), and (4.01±0.27) cm], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The FITC-labelled dextran level in the curcumin-chitosan microsphere group [(2.51±0.70) μg/ml] was lower than that in the model, curcumin, empty chitosan microsphere, and curcumin-chitosan microsphere+lipopolysaccharide groups [(10.13±0.71), (5.47±0.63), (4.52±0.60), (9.63±0.58) μg/ml], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The villus height [(160.47±11.34) μm] of the curcumin-chitosan microsphere group was higher than that of the model, curcumin, empty chitosan microsphere, and curcumin-chitosan microsphere+ lipopolysaccharide groups [(102.13±7.65), (134.26±9.42), (124.85±8.36), and (106.94±7.81) μm], the mucosal thickness [(253.89±18.38) μm] was higher than that of the model, curcumin, empty chitosan microsphere, and curcumin-chitosan microsphere+lipopolysaccharide groups [(171.86±12.51), (218.34±13.12), (204.75±14.36), and (175.23±12.74) μm], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the curcumin-chitosan microspheres group were (25.58±5.43), (49.37±7.82), (69.85±15.74), and (43.01±7.69) ng/L, respectively, which were lower than those of the model group [(130.69±10.24), (172.14±11.76), (214.54±25.72), and (165.85±18.74) ng/L], the curcumin group [(56.87±6.82), (98.76±10.65), (125.43±18.67), and (94.64±16.85) ng/L], the empty chitosan microspheres group [(68.24±8.67), (113.53±12.13), (149.76±20.35), and (117.93±15.63) ng/L], the curcumin-chitosan microspheres+lipopolysaccharide group [(121.75±9.89), (163.85±10.86), (203.12±24.86), and (154.12±18.54) ng/L], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 in colon tissue of mice in the curcumin-chitosan microsphere group were (16.94±4.02), (31.12±4.25), (39.13±6.73), and (41.23±7.50) ng/g respectively, which were lower than those of the model group [(92.63±7.21), (114.32±8.24), (142.37±13.41), and (165.85±18.74) ng/g], the curcumin group [(46.86±6.25), (67.95±6.84), (75.20±8.64), and (84.93±11.84) ng/g], and the empty chitosan microsphere group [(57.12±6.73), (79.31±7.76), (89.76±10.52), and (98.74±13.62) ng/g], the curcumin-chitosan microspheres+lipopolysaccharide group [(86.53±7.46), (105.43±7.93), (133.81±12.95), and (154.90±18.39) ng/g], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The relative expression levels of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65)/NF-κB p65 (0.32±0.07, 0.38±0.09, and 0.09±0.03) in the colon tissue of curcumin-chitosan microspheres group were lower than those of the model group (1.34±0.13, 1.40±0.16, and 0.89±0.09), the curcumin group (0.73±0.09, 0.79±0.11, and 0.39±0.05), the empty chitosan microsphere group (0.82±0.11, 0.89±0.13, and 0.47±0.08), the curcumin-chitosan microsphere+ lipopolysaccharide group (1.31±0.12, 1.36±0.14, and 0.87±0.08), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Curcumin-chitosan microspheres can alleviate inflammation, reduce colon tissue damage, and restore intestinal mucosal barrier function in UC mice, which may be achieved by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling activation.

Objective To explore the efficacy of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation(rPMS)in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH).Methods From March 2023 to March 2024,60 LDH patients were recruited in the inpatient or outpatient department of the rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital.All patients were randomly assigned to the rPMS group or the conventional group,30 cases in each group.Both groups received routine physical therapy,and the rPMS group was treated with rPMS on this basis.VAS,JOA,and neurophysiological tests were performed before intervention and 2 weeks after intervention.Results The VAS and JOA scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the conventional group,the VAS and JOA scores of the rPMS group were significantly lower(P<0.05).Compared before and after treat-ment,the neuroelectrophysiological examination of the rPMS group was significantly improved(P<0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,the tibial nerve motor conduction velocity,H reflex latency and IP peak in the conventional group were significantly faster than those before treatment(P<0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,compared with the conventional group,there were significant differences in tibial nerve motor conduction velocity,peroneal nerve motor conduction velocity,superficial peroneal nerve sensory conduction velocity,sural nerve sensory conduction velocity,H reflex latency and IP peak(P<0.05).Conclusion rPMS can significantly improve and restore pain and nerve injury in patients with LDH.rPMS can be used as an effective adjuvant therapy.

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).