ABSTRACT Introduction: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Objective: To explore predictive factors and potential mechanisms of new-onset POAF in isolated off-pump CABG patients. Methods: Retrospective observational case-control study of 233 patients undergoing isolated off-pump CABG surgery between August 2018 and July 2020 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School. Associations between predictor variables and new-onset POAF were identified. The main outcome was new-onset POAF after CABG surgery. Results: A total of 75 (32.19%) patients developed new-onset POAF after CABG surgery. The new-onset POAF patients had advanced age, higher baseline systolic blood pressure, more preoperative use of diuretic drug, more transfusion of blood products, atrial dilation and postoperative positive inotropic drug treatment. Nineteen variates entered the multivariable logistic regression model with a Hosmer-Lemeshow test score of 7.565 (P=0.477). Postoperative left atrial enlargement, postoperative drainage in the first 24 hours and total length of hospital stay were statistically significant, while postoperative right atrial enlargement (OR and 95% CI, 7.797 [0.200, 304.294], P=0.272) and left atrial enlargement (3.524 [1.141, 10.886], P=0.029) assessed by echocardiography had the largest OR value. Conclusion: Atrial enlargement is strongly associated with new-onset POAF in patients with isolated off-pump CABG, thus it highlights the advantage of echocardiography as a useful tool for predicting new-onset POAF. Careful monitoring and timely intervention should be considered for these patients.

RESUMO Objetivo Estudar os efeitos do trauma contuso e do exercício exaustivo na expressão dos fatores relacionados à degradação MuRF1 e MAFbx no músculo esquelético de ratos e descrever o mecanismo de reparo da lesão muscular esquelética. Métodos Quarenta e dois ratos SD machos foram divididos aleatoriamente em 7 grupos. Os ratos de cada grupo foram mortos em diferentes momentos (0h, 24h, 48h) após exercício exaustivo (E0, E24, E48) e trauma contuso (D0, D24, D48), respectivamente, e no estado de repouso no grupo controle (C). Os músculos gastrocnêmios direitos foram ressecados e divididos em duas partes, uma para os mRNAs de MuRF1 e MAFbx por PCR em tempo real e outra para a medição de proteínas a partir do Western blot. Resultados Em comparação com o grupo controle, o mRNA de MuRF1 e a expressão proteica do músculo esquelético no grupo E0 foram acentuadamente aumentados (P <0,05) e seguidos por uma tendência descendente nos grupos E24 e E48. Por outro lado, a expressão do mRNA de MuRF1 do músculo esquelético no grupo D24 foi significativamente regulada para cima (P <0,01), depois diminuiu no grupo D48 (P <0,01). Enquanto isso, em comparação com o grupo C, a expressão gênica do mRNA de MAFbx continuou regulada para cima em D24 e D48 (P <0,05), mas diminuiu em E24 e E48 (p<0,01). Por outro lado, os teores de proteína NF-κB do músculo esquelético nos grupos D0, D24 e D48, bem como no grupo E48, foram marcadamente regulados para baixo (P <0,05), e o do grupo E48 também foi notavelmente regulado para baixo (P <0,05). Conclusão NF-κB pode regular negativamente o processo de degradação da proteína pela via NF-κB / MuRF1. Nível de evidência III; Estudos terapêuticos que investigam os resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Objective To study the effects of contusion and exhaustive exercise on the expression of degradation-related factors MuRF1 and MAFbx in the skeletal muscle of rats and describe the repair mechanism of skeletal muscle injury. Methods Forty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats in each group were killed at different time points (0h, 24h, 48h) after exhaustive exercise (E0, E24, E48) and contusion (D0, D24, D48), respectively, and in the resting state in control group (C). The right gastrocnemius muscles were resected and divided into two parts, one for the mRNAs of MuRF1 and MAFbx by real-time PCR, and the other for protein measurement by Western blotting. Results Compared with the control group, the MuRF1 mRNA and protein expression of the skeletal muscle in the E0 group was markedly increased (P <0.05) and followed by a downward trend in E24 the E48 groups. On the other hand, MuRF1 mRNA expression of the skeletal muscle in the D24 group was significantly upregulated (P <0.01), then decreased in the D48 group (P <0.01). Meanwhile, compared with the C group, MAFbx mRNA gene expression continued to be upregulated in D24 and D48 (P <0.05), but decreased in E24 and E48 (p<0.01). On the other hand, the NF-κB protein contents of the skeletal muscle in the D0, D24, and D48 groups, as well as in the E48 group, were markedly downregulated (P <0.05), and the one in E48 was also remarkably downregulated (P <0.05). Conclusion NF-κB may negatively regulate the process of protein degradation by the NF-κB / MuRF1 signal pathway. Level of evidence III; Therapeutic studies investigating the results of treatment.

RESUMEN Objetivo Estudiar los efectos de la contusión y del ejercicio exhaustivo sobre la expresión de los factores relacionados con la degradación MuRF1 y MAFbx en el músculo esquelético de ratas y describir el mecanismo de reparación de la lesión muscular esquelética. Métodos Cuarenta y dos ratas macho SD fueron divididas aleatoriamente en 7 grupos. Las ratas de cada grupo fueron sacrificadas en diferentes momentos (0h, 24h, 48h) después del ejercicio exhaustivo (E0, E24, E48) y de la contusión (D0, D24, D48), respectivamente, y en estado de reposo en el grupo de control (C). Se resecaron los músculos gastrocnemios derechos y se dividieron en dos partes, una para los ARNm de MuRF1 y MAFbx mediante PCR en tiempo real y la otra para la medición de proteínas mediante Western blot. Resultados En comparación con el grupo control, el ARNm de MuRF1 y la expresión proteica del músculo esquelético en el grupo E0 se incrementó notablemente (P <0,05) y fueron seguidos por una tendencia a la baja en los grupos E24 y E48. Por otra parte, la expresión del ARNm de MuRF1 del músculo esquelético en el grupo D24 fue significativamente regulada al alza (P <0,01), y luego disminuyó en el grupo D48 (P <0,01). Mientras tanto, en comparación con el grupo C, la expresión génica del ARNm de MAFbx permaneció regulada al alza en D24 y D48 (P <0,05), pero disminuyó en E24 y E48 (p<0,01). Por otro lado, el contenido de proteína NF-κB del músculo esquelético en los grupos D0, D24 y D48, así como en el grupo E48, se vio notablemente regulado a la baja (P <0,05), y el del grupo E48 también se vio notablemente regulado a la baja (P <0,05). Conclusión NF-κB puede regular negativamente el proceso de degradación de la proteína a través de la vía NF-κB / MuRF1. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudios terapéuticos que investigan los resultados del tratamiento.

Abstract Objective To develop a health education mode based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and to explore the influence of this mode on the postoperative lifestyle of patients with cervical cancer. Methods A total of 122 patients diagnosed from January 2019 to June 2020 were divided into control and education groups (n=61) using a random number table. Control group received traditional health education after operation, while education group was given TPB-based health education after operation. Their general data, medication compliance, dietary compliance, discharge time, incidence of complications, lifestyle, quality of life (QOL) and mental state before and after operation were compared. Results No significant differences were found in general data, preoperative lifestyle score, QOL score and mental state score between the two groups (P>0.05). In education group, the medication compliance and dietary compliance scores were significantly higher than those in control group, while the discharge time and the total incidence of complications were earlier and lower than those in control group (P<0.05). After operation, the scores of self-realization, interpersonal relationship, nutrition, physical activity, health responsibility, stress management, physical dimension, social/family dimension, emotional dimension and functional dimension significantly rose, while the distress thermometer and problem list scores declined in both groups, and education group had better improvement in scores than control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Theory of planned behavior health education mode can improve the postoperative treatment compliance, reduce postoperative complications, and ameliorate the lifestyle, quality of life and mental state of patients with cervical cancer.

Resumen Objetivo Elaborar una modalidad de educación para la salud basada en la teoría del comportamiento planeado (TCP) e investigar su influencia en el estilo de vida posoperatorio de pacientes con cáncer cervical. Métodos Un total de 122 pacientes diagnosticados de enero de 2019 a junio de 2020 fueron divididos entre los grupos Control y Educación (n=61) por medio de una planilla de número aleatorios. El grupo Control recibió educación para la salud tradicional luego de la cirugía, mientras que el grupo Educación recibió educación para la salud basada en la TCP después de la cirugía; se compararon los datos generales, la adherencia a la medicación, la adherencia a la dieta, el tiempo de alta, la incidencia de complicaciones, el estilo de vida, la calidad de vida (CV) y el estado mental antes y después de la cirugía. Resultados No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos en datos generales, puntaje de estilo de vida preoperatorio, puntaje de calidad de vida y puntaje de estado mental (P>0,05). En el grupo Educación, los puntajes de adherencia a la medicación y adherencia a la dieta fueron significativamente más altos que en el grupo Control; mientras que el tiempo de alta fue anterior y la incidencia total de complicaciones fue menor que en el grupo Control (P <0,05). Después de la cirugía, los puntajes de autorrealización, relaciones interpersonales, nutrición, actividad física, responsabilidad por la salud, gestión del estrés, dimensión física, dimensión social/familiar, dimensión emocional y dimensión funcional aumentaron significativamente; mientras que los puntajes del termómetro de sufrimiento y de la lista de problemas disminuyeron en ambos grupos y la mejora de los puntajes fue mayor en el grupo Educación que en el grupo Control (P <0,05). Conclusión La modalidad de educación para la salud basada en la TCP puede mejorar la adherencia al tratamiento posoperatorio, reducir las complicaciones posoperatorias y mejorar el estilo de vida, la calidad de vida y el estado mental de paciente con cáncer cervical.

Resumo Objetivo Desenvolver uma modalidade de educação em saúde baseado na teoria do comportamento planejado (TCP) e explorar sua influência no estilo de vida pós-operatório de pacientes com câncer cervical. Métodos Um total de 122 pacientes diagnosticados de janeiro de 2019 a junho de 2020 foram divididos nos grupos Controle e Educação (n = 61) usando uma tabela de números aleatórios. O grupo Controle recebeu educação em saúde tradicional após a cirurgia, enquanto o grupo Educação recebeu educação em saúde baseada em TCP após a cirurgia e seus dados gerais, adesão à medicação, adesão à dieta, tempo de alta, incidência de complicações, estilo de vida, qualidade de vida (QV) e estado mental antes e depois da cirurgia foram comparados. Resultados Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos dados gerais, pontuação de estilo de vida pré-operatório, pontuação de qualidade de vida e pontuação de estado mental entre os dois grupos (P>0,05). No grupo Educação, as pontuações de adesão à medicação e adesão à dieta foram significativamente maiores do que no grupo Controle, enquanto o tempo de alta e a incidência total de complicações foram mais precoces e menores do que no grupo Controle (P <0,05). Após a cirurgia, as pontuações de autorrealização, relacionamento interpessoal, nutrição, atividade física, responsabilidade pela saúde, gestão do estresse, dimensão física, dimensão social/familiar, dimensão emocional e dimensão funcional aumentaram significativamente, enquanto as pontuações do termômetro de sofrimento e da lista de problemas diminuíram em ambos os grupos, e a melhora nas pontuações foi maior no grupo Educação do que o grupo Controle (P <0,05). Conclusão A modalidade de educação em saúde baseada na TCP pode melhorar a adesão ao tratamento pós-operatório, reduzir as complicações pós-operatórias e melhorar o estilo de vida, a qualidade de vida e o estado mental de pacientes com câncer cervical.

ABSTRACT In the process of rice harvesting, the passability of the track combine harvester is often limited by the state of the soil. Meanwhile, wet and soft paddy soil is compacted under the rolling of harvesting machinery, which also affects the soil function and the ecological environment. Therefore, the relationship between the physical and mechanical properties of wet and soft paddy soil was studied in this paper. In addition, compaction from a track combine harvester on field soil with and without rice stubble was studied. The density and gradation of wet and soft paddy soil were positively correlated with cohesion and negatively correlated with the internal friction angle. In paddy soil with a moisture content of 16–36%, the soil moisture content was negatively correlated with cohesion and internal friction angle. Additionally, the plastic deformation of soil with rice stubble under compaction was greater than that without rice stubble, and the plastic deformation of the field with rice stubble mainly occurred in the second rolling stage. Increasing the speed of the track combine harvester effectively reduced the compaction risk of rice stubble soil.

Abstract To analyze the clinical value of turbidity-elimination gout soup combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine to improve pain and the volume of tophi in patients with gout. A total of 94 patients with gout were selected as the study samples. They were randomly divided into control group treated with colchicine tablets and observation group treated with turbidity-elimination gout soup combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine. Two groups of patients were compared before and after treatment in terms of pain, volume of tophi, score of TCM symptoms and laboratory indicators. There was no significant difference in NRS score, volume of tophi, redness and swelling of joints, heat and pain and other laboratory indicators between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05); NRS score, tophi, the integral of symptoms and other symptoms, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count, blood uric acid level and etc. laboratory indexes of patients in the observation group were lower than those of the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Combination will effectively reduce the pain of patients with gout, reduce the volume of tophi, correct clinical symptoms and improve the level of laboratory indicators, with clinical reference and implementation efficiency.

RESUMO Introdução: Quando os atletas estão realizando treinamento esportivo, muitos movimentos são de alta intensidade, e esse treinamento é repetitivo, resultando em desgaste de algumas partes lesionadas. Objetivo: Os atletas podem danificar partes do corpo em exercícios de alta intensidade. Durante o processamento, é necessário identificar e analisar as partes danificadas da imagem. No entanto, os métodos atuais relevantes têm baixa precisão e problemas de eficiência e qualidade diferentes. Métodos: Neste artigo, um algoritmo Fish Swarm é proposto para identificar imagens danificadas por movimento de alta intensidade. Com base na combinação de limiar adaptativo e morfologia matemática, o contorno da parte danificada da imagem é extraído. Resultados: O método acima mencionado pode melhorar a precisão da identificação das partes danificadas das imagens de lesões esportivas, encurtar o tempo de reconhecimento e tem alguma viabilidade para determinar as partes das lesões esportivas. Conclusões: este método pode ser amplamente utilizado em lesões esportivas de alta intensidade. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos- investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: When athletes are performing sports training, many movements are of high intensity, and that training is repetitive, resulting in wear and tear on some injured parts. Objective: Sports athletes can damage parts of the body in high - intensity exercise. During the processing, it is necessary to identify and analyze the damaged parts in the image. However, the current relevant methods have low accuracy and different problems of efficiency and quality. Methods: In this paper, a Fish Swarm Algorithm is proposed to identify high-intensity motion damage images. According to the combination of adaptive threshold and mathematical morphology, the contour of the damaged part of the image is extracted. Results: The above-mentioned method can improve the accuracy of identifying damaged parts of sports injury images, shorten the recognition time, and has certain feasibility in determining sports injury parts. Conclusions: This method can be widely used in high-intensity sports injuries. Level of evidence II; Therapeuticstudies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: Cuando los deportistas realizan entrenamientos deportivos, muchos movimientos son de alta intensidad, y ese entrenamiento es repetitivo, lo que genera desgaste en algunas partes lesionadas. Objetivo: Los deportistas pueden dañar partes del cuerpo en el ejercicio de alta intensidad. Durante el procesamiento, es necesario identificar y analizar las partes dañadas en la imagen. Sin embargo, los métodos relevantes actuales tienen baja precisión y diferentes problemas de eficiencia y calidad. Métodos: En este artículo, se propone un algoritmo Fish Swarm para identificar imágenes de daño por movimiento de alta intensidad. Según la combinación de umbral adaptativo y morfología matemática, se extrae el contorno de la parte dañada de la imagen. Resultados: el método mencionado anteriormente puede mejorar la precisión de la identificación de las partes dañadas de las imágenes de lesiones deportivas, acortar el tiempo de reconocimiento y tiene cierta viabilidad para determinar las partes de las lesiones deportivas. Conclusiones: este método puede ser ampliamente utilizado en lesiones deportivas de alta intensidad. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos- investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Objetivo: este artigo discute o método de monitoramento da fadiga do exercício e analisa os fatores que influenciam a fadiga do exercício. Métodos: Com base no método de extração de características do sinal da imagem da fadiga, uma série de alterações causadas pela fadiga do exercício são analisadas pela técnica de biofeedback. O algoritmo SVM e o modelo de rede neural são usados para identificar o estado de fadiga do movimento. Características do eletroencefalograma (EEG) e eletromiografia (EMG) durante a fadiga. Resultados: Quando a fadiga esportiva ocorreu, o índice composto da tecnologia de bio-feedback mostra uma diminuição no índice de VFC e aumentos nos indicadores de VFC no domínio do tempo, indicadores no domínio da frequência e valores SAa. Conclusões: Possui alto grau de sistematização. O método proposto é não invasivo e tem valor de aplicação prática. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos- investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Objective: This paper discusses the monitoring method of exercise fatigue and analyzes the influencing factors of exercise fatigue. Methods: Based on the feature extraction method of the fatigue image signal, a series of changes caused by exercise fatigue are analyzed by the biofeedback technique. SVM algorithm and neural network model are used to identify the fatigue state of motion. Characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) during fatigue. Results: When sports fatigue occurred, the composite index of bio-feedback technology shows a decrease in HRV index and increases in HRV time-domain indicators, frequency-domain indicators, and SAa values. Conclusions: It has a high degree of systematization. The proposed method is non-invasive and has practical application value. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Este artículo analiza el método de seguimiento de la fatiga por ejercicio y analiza los factores que influyen en la fatiga por ejercicio. Métodos: Basado en el método de extracción de características de la señal de la imagen de fatiga, se analizan una serie de cambios causados por la fatiga del ejercicio mediante la técnica de biorretroalimentación. El algoritmo SVM y el modelo de red neuronal se utilizan para identificar el estado de movimiento de fatiga. Características del electroencefalograma (EEG) y electromiografía (EMG) durante la fatiga. Resultados: cuando se produjo la fatiga deportiva, el índice compuesto de la tecnología de bio-retroalimentación muestra una disminución en el índice de HRV y aumentos en los indicadores de dominio de tiempo de HRV, indicadores de dominio de frecuencia y valores de SAa. Conclusiones: Tiene un alto grado de sistematización. El método propuesto no es invasivo y tiene un valor de aplicación práctica. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos- investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Objetivo: Ao estudar o efeito de reconhecimento da análise de dados de imagem biológica ultrassônica na função de movimento do grupo muscular, o valor de avaliação e a importância do algoritmo de combinação de imagem biomédica ultrassônica na função de movimento do grupo muscular são discutidos. Métodos: Um algoritmo de filtragem Gabor é proposto para suavizar a imagem original. O algoritmo MVEF é usado para aprimorar ainda mais a imagem ultrassônica e binar a imagem novamente. Usando o princípio da transformada de H ove, a espessura do músculo é automaticamente estimada. Resultados: O quadrado dos coeficientes de correlação do método de medição manual, algoritmo de filtragem Gabor e algoritmo MVEF são 91,3%, 91,3% e 87,8%, respectivamente. A diferença entre a medição manual e a estimativa baseada no algoritmo de filtragem Gabor é 1,45 ± 0,48 mm. A diferença entre os resultados da medição manual e o algoritmo MVEF é de 1,38 ± 0,56 mm. O tempo de cálculo do algoritmo MVEF e do algoritmo Gabor é de 5 segundos e 0,3 segundos, respectivamente. Conclusões: O algoritmo proposto neste estudo pode medir efetivamente a espessura muscular, de forma rápida, conveniente e precisa, e pode refletir bem a contratilidade do músculo esquelético, o que é de grande valor para o reconhecimento e avaliação da função de movimento do grupo muscular. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos- investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Objective: By studying the recognition effect of ultrasonic biological image data analysis on muscle group motion function, the evaluation value and significance of ultrasonic biomedical image combination algorithm on muscle group motion function are discussed. Methods: A Gabor filtering algorithm is proposed to smooth the original image. The MVEF algorithm is used to enhance the ultrasonic image and binary further the image again. Using the principle of the Hove transform, the thickness of the muscle is automatically estimated. Results: The square of correlation coefficients of the manual measurement method, Gabor filtering algorithm and MVEF algorithm are 91.3%, 91.3% and 87.8%, respectively. The difference between the manual measurement and the estimation based on the Gabor filtering algorithm is 1.45 ± 0.48mm. The difference between the results of manual measurement and the MVEF algorithm is 1.38 ± 0.56mm. The computation time of the MVEF algorithm and Gabor algorithm are 5 seconds and 0.3 seconds, respectively. Conclusions: The algorithm proposed in this study can effectively measure the muscle thickness, fast, convenient and accurate, and can reflect the contractility of skeletal muscle well, which is of great value for the recognition and evaluation of muscle group movement function. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Al estudiar el efecto de reconocimiento del análisis de datos de imágenes biológicas ultrasónicas sobre la función del movimiento del grupo muscular, se discuten el valor de evaluación y la importancia del algoritmo de combinación de imágenes biomédicas ultrasónicas sobre la función del movimiento del grupo muscular. Métodos: Se propone un algoritmo de filtrado de Gabor para suavizar la imagen original. El algoritmo MVEF se utiliza para mejorar aún más la imagen ultrasónica y volver a binar la imagen. Utilizando el principio de la transformada de H ove, el grosor del músculo se estima automáticamente. Resultados: El cuadrado de los coeficientes de correlación del método de medición manual, el algoritmo de filtrado de Gabor y el algoritmo MVEF son 91,3%, 91,3% y 87,8%, respectivamente. La diferencia entre la medición manual y la estimación basada en el algoritmo de filtrado de Gabor es de 1,45 ± 0,48 mm. La diferencia entre los resultados de la medición manual y el algoritmo MVEF es 1,38 ± 0,56 mm. El tiempo de cálculo del algoritmo MVEF y el algoritmo de Gabor son 5 segundos y 0,3 segundos respectivamente. Conclusiones: El algoritmo propuesto en este estudio puede medir eficazmente el grosor muscular, de forma rápida, conveniente y precisa, y puede reflejar bien la contractilidad del músculo esquelético, lo cual es de gran valor para el reconocimiento y evaluación de la función del movimiento de grupos musculares. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos- investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Abstract The present research introduces a new configuration of thin-walled nested tube structure as a possible energy absorber subjected to lateral compression. The nested-tube structures were configured in a system comprising of four tubes arranged in different ways. All the nested systems were quasi-statically compressed in the lateral direction on a universal mechanical tester to obtain their energy absorption characteristics. Two modes of deformation, asymmetric mode referred to as “overlap” and symmetric mode referred to as “side-by-side”, were identified in the four-tubes nested systems. The specific energy absorbed by the inverted four-tubes systems was larger than that of the three-tubes nested systems by 20%. The experiments were also modelled using ABAQUSv6.13. Good correlations were obtained for the deformation modes and the corresponding lateral crush force-displacement. The validated model was thereafter used in parametric study to investigate the effectiveness of the nested system under two different boundary conditions; rotation of the specimen by different angles and impact at different angles.

Hypertrophic scar (HS) formation is a common complication that develops after skin injury; however, there are few effective and specific therapeutic approaches for HS. Emodin has previously been reported to inhibit mechanical stress-induced HS inflammation. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of emodin on HS formation. First, we conducted in vitro assays that revealed that emodin inhibited M1 and M2 polarization in rat macrophages. We subsequently established a combined rat model of tail HS and dorsal subcutaneous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge-induced wounds. Rats were treated with emodin or vehicle (DMEM). Tail scar specimens were harvested at 14, 28, and 42 days post-incision and subjected to H&E staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Histopathological analyses confirmed that emodin attenuated HS formation and fibrosis. Macrophages were separated from wound cells collected from the PVA sponge at 3 and 7 days after implantation. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that emodin suppressed in vivo macrophage recruitment and polarization at the wound site. Finally, we explored the molecular mechanisms of emodin in modulating macrophage polarization by evaluating the expression levels of selected effectors of the Notch and TGF-β pathways in macrophages isolated from PVA sponges. Western blot and qPCR assays showed that Notch1, Notch4, Hes1, TGF-β, and Smad3 were downregulated in response to emodin treatment. Taken together, our findings suggested that emodin attenuated HS formation and fibrosis by suppressing macrophage polarization, which is associated with the inhibition of the Notch and TGF-β pathways in macrophages.

Abstract Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic muscular disorder with no effective treatment that is caused by the loss of dystrophin. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a promising unlimited resource for cell-based therapies of muscular dystrophy. However, their clinical applications are hindered by inefficient myogenic differentiation, and moreover, the engraftment of non-transgene hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors has not been examined in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Methods: We investigated the muscle regenerative potential of myogenic progenitors derived from hiPSCs in mdx mice. The hiPSCs were transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) vector and defined as EGFP hiPSCs. Myogenic differentiation was performed on EGFP hiPSCs with supplementary of basic fibroblast growth factor, forskolin, 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime as well as horse serum. EGFP hiPSCs-derived myogenic progenitors were engrafted into mdx mice via both intramuscular and intravenous injection. The restoration of dystrophin expression, the ratio of central nuclear myofibers, and the transplanted cells-derived satellite cells were accessed after intramuscular and systemic transplantation. Results: We report that abundant myogenic progenitors can be generated from hiPSCs after treatment with these three small molecules, with consequent terminal differentiation giving rise to mature myotubes in vitro. Upon intramuscular or systemic transplantation into mdx mice, these myogenic progenitors engrafted and contributed to human-derived myofiber regeneration in host muscles, restored dystrophin expression, ameliorated pathological lesions, and seeded the satellite cell compartment in dystrophic muscles. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the muscle regeneration potential of myogenic progenitors derived from hiPSCs using non-transgenic induction methods. Engraftment of hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors could be a potential future therapeutic strategy to treat DMD in a clinical setting.

Abstract In this study, an immunoaffinity column was prepared by covalently coupling of polyclonal antibody against danofloxacin (DAN) with chitosan microparticles and its potential application to selective extraction of DAN from food samples was also evaluated. The produced antibody exhibited high sensitivity, with an IC50 value of 4.56 ng/mL towards DAN, and good specificity, with less than 0.5% of cross-reactivity towards DAN structurally related compounds. The developed immunoaffinity column had an approximate binding capacity of 2300 ng/mL gel and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.7% among columns. The immunoaffinity columns were then challenged with DAN-fortified milk samples, recoveries of DAN were found to be in the range of 83.8% to 98.8%, indicating the prepared immunoaffinity column is suitable for use as an efficient extraction method to detect DAN residues in food products.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of 17 platelet-based prognostic scores in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE therapy. Methods: In total, 92 patients were divided into death group and survival group according to long-term follow-up results. The AUC was calculated to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting prognosis. To determine better prognostic models, platelet-based models were analyzed separately after being showed as binary according to cut-off values. Cumulative survival rates of malignant hepatic tumors were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and differences were analyzed by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify platelet-based prognostic scores associated with overall survival. Results: Univariate analysis showed that APGA, APRI, FIB-4, FibroQ, GUCI, King's score, Lok index, PAPAS, cirrhosis, number of tumors, vascular cancer embolus, AFP, ALP and APTT were significantly related to prognosis. A multivariate analysis showed that the APGA, number of tumors, ALP and APTT were independently associated with overall survival. Conclusion: This study showed that the APGA, a platelet-based prognostic score, was an independent marker of prognosis in patients with malignant hepatic tumors after TACE and was superior to the other platelet-based prognostic scores in terms of prognostic ability.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw augmented with polymethylmethacrylate in osteoporotic spinal surgery. METHODS: This study included 128 patients with osteoporosis (BMD T-score −3.2±1.9; range, −5.4 to -2.5) who underwent spinal decompression and instrumentation with a polymethylmethacrylate-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw. Postoperative Visual Analogue Scale scores and the Oswestry Disability Index were compared with preoperative values. Postoperative plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed immediately after surgery; at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and annually thereafter. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 42.4±13.4 months (range, 23 to 71 months). A total of 418 polymethylmethacrylate-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws were used. Cement extravasations were detected in 27 bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws (6.46%), mainly in cases of vertebral fracture, without any clinical sequela. The postoperative low back and lower limb Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly reduced compared with the preoperative scores (<0.01), and similar results were noted for the Oswestry Disability Index score (p<0.01). No significant screw migration was noted at the final follow-up relative to immediately after surgery (p<0.01). All cases achieved successful bone fusion, and no case required revision. No infection or blood clots occurred after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The polymethylmethacrylate-augmented bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw is safe and effective for use in osteoporotic patients who require spinal instrumentation.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the concise effects of a traditional herb pair, Curcumae rhizoma-Sparganii rhizoma (CRSR), on uterine leiomyoma (UL) by analyzing transcriptional profiling. The UL rat model was made by intramuscular injection of progesterone and gavage administration of diethylstilbestrol. From 11 weeks of the establishment of the model, rats of the UL+CRSR group were gavaged daily with CRSR (6.67 g/kg). The serum concentrations of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay, the uterine index was measured by caliper measurement, and the pathological status was observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Gene expression profiling was checked by NimbleGen Rat Gene Expression Microarrays. The results indicated that the uterine mass of UL+CRSR rats was significantly shrunk and serum P and E2 levels significantly reduced compared to UL animals and nearly to the level of normal rats. Results of microarrays displayed the extensive inhibition of CRSR upon the expression of proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, and significantly regulated a wide range of metabolism disorders. Furthermore, CRSR extensively regulated key pathways of the UL process, such as MAPK, PPAR, Notch, and TGF-β/Smad. Regulation of the crucial pathways for the UL process and ECM metabolism may be the underlying mechanisms of CRSR treatment. Further studies will provide clear clues for effectively treating UL with CRSR.