Search

[Objective] To evaluate the clinical efficacy of elevation combined with suspension technique in the treatment of boxcar acne scars. [Methods] This split-face self-controlled study included 7 patients with boxcar acne scars who were treated at the Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University between January and May 2024. One side of patients′ face received only elevation treatment (the elevation group), while the other side received elevation surgery followed by suspension surgery (the combined group). The extent of improvement in scar was compared between the two groups one month after the treatment. [Results] At baseline, neither patient self-assessment scores of VAS nor physician assessment scores differed significantly between the two groups (VAS: 8.54±0.76 vs. 8.36±0.57, t=-0.52, P=0.614; physician assessment scores: 8.39±0.99 vs. 7.96±0.54, t=-1.00, P=0.336). One month after the treatment, more significant reductions in both patient self-assessment scores of VAS and physician assessment scores were observed in the group of combination therapy than in that of elevation alone (VAS: 6.21±1.01 vs. 3.40±0.69, t=5.97, P=0.001; physician assessment scores: 5.96±1.16 vs. 3.40±0.96, t=4.69, P=0.003). Moreover, both patient self-assessed efficacy and physician-evaluated efficacy were higher in the combination group than in the elevation group (both P

ObjectiveTo investigate the late detection of HIV/AIDS cases in the elderly in Jilin Province and analyze its influencing factors， to provide theoretical basis for improving their life quality.MethodsThe first CD4 values of HIV/AIDS patients aged 50 years and above living in Jilin Province were used to estimate late detection， and the influencing factors of late detection in elderly cases were analyzed.ResultsThe average CD4 cell count of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 and above in Jilin Province from 1996 to 2021 was （230.55±191.97）， the low value group accounted for the largest proportion （50.8%）， and the late detection rate was 59.3% （1397/2325）. The late detection cases were mainly from sexual transmission （46.8% for same-sex and 48.2% for heterosexual contact）. From the perspective of sample sources， most of the late detection patients were diagnosed while testing for other illnesses， followed by testing and consulting. In terms of contact history， the late detection of cases of men who have sex with men was higher. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that gender， marriage， sample source and report year were the factors affecting the late detection of AIDS. The late detection rate of males was higher， and cases of married couples were more likely to be late detection. With the increase of report year， the late detection rate decreased， and testing and counseling could effectively reduce the late detection rate of AIDS.ConclusionThe CD4 cell count in the first detection of HIV/AIDS in the elderly in Jilin Province is low， and the late detection rate of male cases is high. In recent years， the expansion of voluntary counseling and testing in Jilin Province has effectively reduced the late detection rate of HIV/AIDS. At the same time， sex education should be strengthened for the elderly， healthy marital relationships should be advocated and more attention should be paid to the mental health of the elderly.

Background: Serum Cystatin S (CST4), a secretory protein that inhibits cellular matrix degradation, significantly influences the tumor microenvironment and tumor progression. However, the prognostic value of serum CST4 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. This study aims to explore serum CST4's utility in GC prognostic assessment. Methods: A cohort of 334 patients with GC who underwent radical gastrectomy was assessed. Preoperative serum CST4 levels were measured alongside traditional tumor markers, correlating with clinical data and patient outcomes. The cohort was divided into training and test sets at a ratio of 3:1 for Cox regression analyses, which identified CST4 as an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). A prognostic model was developed, validated with calibration curves, and its predictive value was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In addition, CST4 expression was correlated with immune cell infiltration using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Patients were stratified by median CST4 levels, and Kaplan-Meier curves for OS and DFS were plotted. Results: Cystatin S was confirmed as an independent risk factor for OS and DFS. Integrating CST4 with traditional markers and TNM pathological staging significantly enhanced the predictive value for prognosis. Cystatin S's impact on tumor progression is likely mediated through modulation of the immune microenvironment, including immune suppression and evasion. Conclusion: Cystatin S is an effective biomarker for GC prognostic assessment, assisting in the evaluation of prognosis and the selection of treatment strategies for patients with GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosome (MSCs‐exo) was identified to reduce photoaging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of microRNA (miR)‐29b‐3p derived from bone marrow MSCs‐exo (BMSCs‐exo) in photoaging. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from BMSCs and verified by Western blot. A photoaging cell model was constructed by UVB irradiation of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA levels of miR‐29b‐3p, collagen type I and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). CCK‐8, Transwell and flow cytometry were applicated to examine cell viability, migration and apoptosis. Commercial kits are used to measure levels of oxidative stress indicators. Finally, a dual‐luciferase reporter assay was applied to validate the target of miR‐29b‐3p. Results: Extracted exosomes were positive for HSP70 and CD9. Survival of HDFs increased in an exosome concentration‐dependent manner. UVB irradiation inhibited miR‐29b‐3p levels compared with controls, but BMSCs‐exo treatment restored miR‐29b‐3p levels (p <.05). Additionally, BMSCs‐exo‐miR‐29b‐3p reversed the inhibition of HDFs migration and oxidative stress by UVB irradiation, as well as the promotion of apoptosis. However, this reversal was attenuated by the suppression of miR‐29b‐3p (p <.05). Furthermore, BMSCs‐exo‐miR‐29b‐3p also inhibited the degradation of collagen type I and the production of MMPs in photoaging, and they were also eliminated by the reduced miR‐29b‐3p. Finally, MMP‐2 was the target gene of miR‐29b‐3p. Conclusion: Our study presented a novel role for BMSCs‐exo‐miR‐29b‐3p in improving skin photoaging function, and these findings may provide new insights into the targeted treatment of skin photoaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research links gut microbiota to postoperative delirium (POD) through the gut-brain axis. However, changes in gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in POD patients during the perioperative period and their association with POD are unclear., Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study among patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, focusing on POD as the main outcome. POD patients were matched 1:1 with non-POD patients based on sociodemographic characteristics, health, and diet. Fecal samples were collected pre- and post-surgery to assess gut microbiota and SCFA changes. Postoperative fecal samples were transplanted into antibiotic-treated mice to evaluate delirium-like behavior and neuroinflammation., Results: Out of 120 patients, 60 were matched. Before surgery, gut microbiota in both groups was similar. After surgery, POD patients had lower alpha diversity and distinct microbiota compared to non-POD patients. LEfSe analysis showed POD was linked to increased opportunistic pathogens (Enterococcus) and decreased SCFA producers (Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, etc.). SCFAs were significantly reduced in POD patients and negatively correlated with delirium severity and plasma inflammation. Mice receiving fecal transplants from POD patients exhibited delirium-like behavior and neuroinflammation., Conclusions: Postoperative delirium is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, marked by an increase in opportunistic pathogens and a decrease in SCFA-producing genera., Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300070477., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.