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Introduction A variety of hypoglycaemic drugs are used to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), but their efficacy remains insufficient. Glucokinase activators (GKAs) are a unique class of hypoglycaemic medications with emerging potential, notably in significantly reducing insulin resistance (IR). Nevertheless, the efficacy of GKAs in treating PCOS, particularly in the absence or presence of IR, remains uncertain. The meta-analysis protocol aims to address this knowledge gap, furnish evidence-based data to support potential revisions in PCOS treatment guidelines and promote the utilisation of GKAs in clinical settings.Methods and analysis A comprehensive search will be conducted across the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Scopus, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases to identify randomised controlled trials investigating the use of GKAs in the treatment of PCOS, irrespective of the presence of IR. The search will encompass all available studies without language restrictions and cover the period from the inception of each database to 10 April 2024. Disputes will be resolved by talking with a third expert following the screening of articles and data extraction by two reviewers. The primary outcomes of interest encompass changes in anthropometric parameters, menstrual frequency, sex hormone levels, and glucose metabolism, while secondary objectives include lipid metabolism and adverse events. The methodological quality of each study will be assessed using Version 2 of the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0), and the Grade of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) technique will be used to assess the quality of evidence and degree of recommendation. The study duration of this study will be from 5 April 2024 to 10 April 2025.Ethics and dissemination Since this study just analyses data that are readily available to the public and does not directly involve patient participation, ethical approval is not necessary. The findings will be made public by being published in a medical journal that is subject to peer review.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024535633.

In this paper a dynamical system model is proposed for solving the split convex feasibility problem. Under mild conditions, it is shown that the proposed dynamical system globally converges to a solution of the split convex feasibility problem. An exponential convergence is obtained provided that the bounded linear regularity property is satisfied. The validity and transient behavior of the dynamical system is demonstrated by several numerical examples. The method proposed in this paper can be regarded as not only a continuous version but also an interior version of the known CQ-method for solving the split convex feasibility problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of surfactant or surfactant-assisted media to grow polyoxometalate (POM)-based MOFs (POMOFs) is extremely scarce. In this work, for the first time, we use water-polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 mixed media to synthesize two new crystalline POM-pillared three-dimensional porous arrays, [Co7(Trz)12(H2O)8][HPX12O40(VO)2]·12H2O (X = Mo for Co-PMo and X = W for Co-PW, Trz = 1,2,4-triazole). By employing a simple sonication-driven functionalization strategy, Co-PMo/CNTs (PCNT-n) nanocomposites with increased effective sites, enhanced specific surface area and excellent conductivity are fabricated. The resulting PCNT-2 nanocomposite shows an excellent reversible capacity of 820 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles and outstanding rate capability as an anode for lithium batteries. After the initial decay, the PCNT-2 electrode can bear a current density of 2000 mA g−1 over 450 cycles without obvious capacity loss. Meanwhile, the mechanism of lithium storage in PCNT-2 is discussed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, the PCNT-2 nanocomposite exhibits the hybrid behavior of battery and supercapacitor according to the electrochemical kinetic analyses. This might open new avenues for the design of crystalline POM-based materials or their nanocomposites to achieve high-performance energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a novel formulation of oleanolic acid (OA) solid dispersion (SD), using leucine (Leu) as the carrier to improve OA oral bioavailability. Methods: The OA‐Leu SD was prepared by solvent evaporation and was evaluated in vitro using differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, flowability, hygroscopicity and dissolution test. The stability of the SD was evaluated using accelerated testing. In vivo pharmacokinetic tests were performed in male Sprague Dawley rats using a liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry bioanalytical method. Key findings: OA‐Leu SD was successfully prepared, and OA was mostly in an amorphous state. More than 80% of OA could dissolve in OA‐Leu SD in 20 min, while only 13.4% of free OA dissolved. The powder flow of OA‐Leu SD was clearly improved compared with free OA and its moisture absorption was 3.4%. The accelerated testing further demonstrated that SD could maintain OA in an amorphous state at 40 °C for 6 months. OA‐Leu SD showed higher relative oral bioavailability (189.7%) than free OA in rats. Conclusions: Using Leu as a carrier produced a SD with good flowability, low hygroscopicity and high bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The launched hepatitis B vaccine could induce powerful antibodies, whereas it failed to improve potent cellular immune responses due to that the Th2-type response-induced aluminum adjuvant was adopted. Here, to target antigen-presenting cells under the epidermis and induce potent cellular and humoral immune responses, mannose-modified poly d,l-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was synthesized and nanoparticle (MNP)-loaded hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) protein was prepared. HBsAg could be slowly released and highly presented to lymphocytes which facilitated to produce long-lasting immunity based on characters of PLGA. In vitro uptake test results showed that MNPs could enhance internalization in bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and RAW 264.7 cells. Subcutaneous delivery of MNPs into mice kept humoral immune and strengthened cellular immune responses. Experimental results indicated that MNPs showed significantly modified properties compared with parental PLGA nanoparticles. Thus, the obtained MNPs could be a promising vehicle for hepatitis B vaccine delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adiponectin (ADP) polymorphisms associated with diabetes mellitus in several populations. However, no previous studies have investigated its association with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Our study examined the association between ADP-linked SNPs and DPN susceptibility. Methods: We randomly recruited 160 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and 80 healthy individuals. Results: The C allele of rs3821799 increased DPN susceptibility. In normal individuals, GG of rs3774261 carriers had 7.1 times higher DPN susceptibility than AA carriers. The haplotype analyzes indicated CGG might increase DPN susceptibility. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that ADP gene polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to DPN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To search for mutations in the Frizzled-4 gene (FZD4) in Chinese patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and to delineate the mutation- associated clinical features. Methods: Forty-eight Chinese patients with FEVR and 100 unrelated control subjects were recruited and had complete ophthalmic examinations performed. The coding regions of FZD4 were screened for mutations by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Multiple sequence alignment was conducted to evaluate the conservation of residues among different FZD4 homologs and the human Frizzled family. Genotype-phenotype correlations were also analyzed. Results: Twelve putative disease-causing mutations were identified in total, 9 of which were novel: 1 deletion (P14fsX57), 1 nonsense mutation (S491X), and 7 missense mutations (G22E, E180K, T237R, R253C, F328S, A339T, and D470N). Three reported FZD4 mutations were also detected: H69Y, M105V, and W496X. Remarkably, 2 patients who harbored compound heterozygous mutations (H69Y with E180K orW496X) had amore severe ocular phenotype than carriers of a single H69Y mutation. Conclusions: FZD4 mutations were responsible for FEVR in 15 of 48 Chinese patients (31.3%) in this study, similar to other ethnic groups. This study supports the highly polymorphic nature of FZD4 with a differential mutation profile in the Chinese population. Clinical Relevance: The profile of the mutations obtained in FZD4 further illustrates the complexity of FEVR and provides a better understanding of the genotypephenotype correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antigen-adjuvant combination could induce a protective and long-lasting anti-tumor immune response. However, exploiting system which could co-deliver melanoma antigen peptide Trp2 (Tyrosinase-related protein 2) and Toll-like-receptor-7 (TLR7) agonists imiquimod (R837) both are poor aqueous solubility is still challenging. Our new nanocomplex was explored for specific delivery of Trp2 and R837 into antigen-presenting cells (APCs). R837 was loaded into mannosylated-β-cyclodextrin (Man-CD) to target dendritic cells (DCs) by binding mannose receptors (MR) on DCs. A fusion peptide (WT) was constructed by incorporating the amino acid region of TAT (cell-penetrating peptide) into Trp2 to improve the TAT-mediated intracellular efficiency. Negatively charged sodium alginate (SA), a biocompatible polymer, which can induce adjuvant responses by affecting the functions of DCs, was complexed with Man-CD/R837 and WT via physical adsorption. The optimized nanocomplex promoted the cellular uptake and showed remarkable efficacy to enhance the secreting of Th1-cytokines. This multi-functional nanocomplex system may allow effective targeting-codelivery of multi-hydrophobic drugs and be a promising subunit vaccine candidate as a potential prevention action of tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the position of implantable collamer lens (ICL) haptic after ICL V4C implantation using standardized panoramic ultrasound bimicroscopy (UBM), to analyze its characteristics, associated factors, and the relationship with the clinical vault quantitatively., Setting: Hankou Aier Eye Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: 167 subjects (323 eyes) implanted with ICL V4C who had a 3-month follow-up with UBM examination were included in this study. The relative position of ICL to the adjacent structure and ICL haptic-related parameters (the final tip point of ICL haptic [ftICL haptic], measured from the scleral spur to the final tip of the ICL haptic, the posterior of the ICL to ICL haptic [ICL arc], measured from the posterior surface of the ICL to the ICL haptic plane, and the height of the crystalline lens from the ICL haptic (lens arc), measured from the anterior surface of the crystalline lens to the ICL haptic plane and other parameters), were estimated on the UBM image. Eyes were divided into 3 subgroups according to the ftICL haptic (Group 1: ≤0.5 mm; Group 2: 0.5 to 1.0 mm; and Group 3:≥1.0 mm, respectively), and the factors associated with the ICL haptic-related parameters and their impact on the clinical vault were evaluated., Results: The haptics could be imaged in the ciliary sulcus, on the ciliary body, and under the ciliary body in 629 (48.7%), 525 (40.6%), and 138 (10.7%) eyes, respectively. The ftICL haptic and the summation of ICL arc and lens arc showed a correlation with the clinical vault ( r = -0.34, P = .00; r = 0.87, P = .00). When the ftICL haptic results were divided into 3 groups, the percentage of eyes that exhibited clinical vault >750 μm were lowest in Group 3. Multivariate regression analysis showed spherical equivalent, white-to-white (WTW), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and iris-ciliary angle (ICA); the difference between the implanted ICL size and horizontal sulcus-to-sulcus (ICL size-STS) were associated with the ftICL haptic. The IOP, WTW, ACV, and the ICL size-STS were significantly associated with ICL arc, while the ICA and lens rise were associated with lens arc., Conclusions: The position of ICL haptic was associated with the clinical vault. Its quantitative evaluation may provide valuable information to help clinicians to select the best ICL size before surgery and understand the formation of clinical vault after surgery., (Copyright © 2023 Published by Wolters Kluwer on behalf of ASCRS and ESCRS.)

Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy (REP) is an extremely rare type of ectopic pregnancy. Currently, surgery is the most widely used treatment method although it involves a high likelihood of intraoperative hemorrhage. In this case report, we describe a safe and effective alternative method for managing epigastric REP. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 2 patients with REP in the epigastrium who were treated at our hospital using our nonsurgical method. The treatment involved conservative management by computed tomographic-guided methotrexate injection in the gestational sac. We also present a literature review of 26 case reports and discuss the clinical features and various methods for treating REP. Our experience with the successful treatment of 2 patients suggests that the novel approach of computed tomographic-guided methotrexate injection in the gestational sac may be a safe and effective approach to manage REP. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)