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Abstract Natural plant extracts (NPEs) may offer an effective alternative to minimize the consequences caused by antibiotic resistance in the marine industry. In this study, the anti‐Vibrio parahaemolyticus activities of several antibiotics and NPEs alone and in combinations were evaluated. The results indicated that the best combination was the 1/4 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) oxytetracycline +1/4 MIC hawthorn extract with fractional inhibitory concentration of 0.50. As a result, the survival rate of Exopalaemon carinicauda challenged by V. parahaemolyticus was improved to 53.3 ± 4.7% (as compared to 23.3 ± 2.3% in control) because of exposure to the combination of oxytetracycline +1/4 MIC hawthorn extract. Furthermore, the combination of upregulated digestive enzyme activities (cellulose, lipase, and pepsin), Toll receptor expressions, and immune parameters (alkaline phosphatase, and lysozyme) improved tolerance of E. carinicauda to V. parahaemolyticus infection. The synergistic anti‐V. parahaemolyticus functions may be associated with improved digestibility and immunity of E. carinicauda. Therefore, as a supplementary therapy to inhibit V. parahaemolyticus, the combinations of NPEs + antibiotics will hold better application potential for reducing antibiotic dosage and resistance.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical efficiency and safety of moxibustion for the treatment of poststroke insomnia (PSI). Methods: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service platform (Wanfang Data), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and clinical rial for trandomized controlled trials on moxibustion as a treatment for PSI, including results from the creation of all databases until December 12, 2020. The functional languages used were Chinese and English. Two reviewers independently performed the literature search, data extraction, and quality evaluation. The primary and secondary outcome measures were the effective rate and adverse events, respectively. The meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan5.4 software and Stata15. Results: Of the 11 trials, 996 patients in mainland China were included. Compared to the control group, the combination of single moxibustion therapy or moxibustion combined with acupuncture in the treatment of DN could reduce the sleep quality score (SQS) (mean difference [MD] = −0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] [ − 0.89, −0.11], Z = 2.51, P = 0.01), time to falling asleep score (MD = −0.39, 95% CI [−0.49, −0.29], Z = 7.79, P < 0.00001), sleep time score (MD = −0.34, 95% CI [−0.59, −0.09], Z = 2.64, P = 0.008), sleep efficiency score (MD = −0.30, 95% CI [−0.52, −0.08], Z = 2.69, P = 0.007), sleep disorder score (MD = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.49, −0.09], Z = 2.85, P = 0.004), daily function disturbance score (MD = −0.54, 95% CI [−0.82, −0.26], Z = 3.78, P = 0.0002), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index aggregate score (MD = −2.30, 95% CI [−2.97, −1.63], Z = 6.71, P < 0.00001), SPIEGEL aggregate score (MD = −7.62, 95% CI [−8.12, −7.12], Z = 29.75, P < 0.00001), and stroke-specific quality of life aggregate score (MD = 12.68, 95% CI [0.92, 24.44], Z = 2.11, P = 0.03). Conclusion: This study indicates that moxibustion contributes to the treatment of PSI. Nevertheless, more extensive trials are required to validate the results due to the small sample sizes, few reports on adverse effects, and high risk of bias in the included studies.

Abstract Background Our previous studies demonstrated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) have immunomodulatory effects that prolong allograft survival in a rodent hind-limb allotransplant model. In this study, we investigated whether the effects of immunomodulation by ASCs on allograft survival are correlated with B cell regulation. Methods B cells isolated from splenocytes were cocultured with ASCs harvested from adipose tissue from rodent groin areas for in vitro experiments. In an in vivo study, hind-limb allotransplantation from Brown-Norway to Lewis rats was performed, and rats were treated with ASCs combined with short-term treatment with anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS)/cyclosporine (CsA) as immunosuppressants. Peripheral blood and transplanted tissue were collected for further analysis. Result An in vitro study revealed that ASCs significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide-activated B cell proliferation and increased the percentage of Bregs. The levels of immunoregulatory cytokines, such as TGF-β1 and IL-10, were significantly increased in supernatants of stimulated B cells cocultured with ASCs. The in vivo study showed that treatment with ASCs combined with short-term ALS/CsA significantly reduced the B cell population in alloskin tissue, increased the proportion of circulating CD45Ra+/Foxp3+ B cells, and decreased C4d expression in alloskin. Conclusion ASCs combined with short-term immunosuppressant treatment prolong allograft survival and are correlated with B cell regulation, C4d expression and the modulation of immunoregulatory cytokines.

Large bone fractures with segmental defects are a vital phase to accelerate bone integration. The present study examined the role of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) decellularized bone matrix (scDBM) seeded with allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) as bio-scaffold for bone regeneration. Bio-scaffold produced by seeding ADSC to scDBM was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rat segmental femoral defect model was used as a non-union model to investigate the callus formation in vivo. Histological analysis and osteotomy gap closure in the defect area were analyzed at 12 and 24 weeks post-surgery. Immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, BMP-2 and osteocalcin was evaluated to assess the ability of new bone formation scDBM. ADSC was found to attach firmly to scDBM bioscaffold as evidenced from SEM images in a dose-dependent manner. Callus formation was observed using X-ray bone imaging in the group with scDBM seeded with 2 × 106 and 5 × 106 ASCs group at the same time-periods. H&E staining revealed ASCs accelerated bone formation. IHC staining depicted the expression of Ki-67, BMP-2, and osteocalcin was elevated in scDBM seeded with 5 × 106 ASCs group at 12 weeks after surgery, relative to other experimental groups. To conclude, scDBM is an excellent scaffold that enhanced the attachment and recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells. scDBM seeded with ASCs accelerated new bone formation.

Abstract Background Glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) is a rare disorder characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis caused by mutations in the SLC37A4 gene. It is a severe inherited metabolic disease associated with hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, lactic acidosis, hepatomegaly, and neutropenia. Traditional treatment consists of feeding raw cornstarch which can help to adjust energy metabolism but has no positive effect on neutropenia, which is fatal for these patients. Recently, the pathophysiologic mechanism of the neutrophil dysfunction and neutropenia in GSD Ib has been found, and the treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor empaglifozin is now well established. In 2020, SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin started to be used as a promising efficient remover of 1,5AG6P in neutrophil of GSD Ib patients worldwide. However, it is necessary to consider long-term utility and safety of a novel treatment. Results In this study, we retrospectively examined the clinical manifestations, biochemical examination results, genotypes, long-term outcomes and follow-up of thirty-five GSD Ib children who visited our department since 2009. Fourteen patients among them underwent empagliflozin treatment since 2020. This study is the largest cohort of pediatric GSD Ib patients in China as well as the largest cohort of pediatric GSD Ib patients treated with empagliflozin in a single center to date. The study also discussed the experience of long-term management on pediatric GSD Ib patients. Conclusion Empagliflozin treatment for pediatric GSD Ib patients is efficient and safe. Increase of urine glucose is a signal for pharmaceutical effect, however attention to urinary infection and hypoglycemia is suggested.

Vertically aligned ZnO: Ga nanotowers can be directly synthesized on a glass substrate with a ZnO seed film via the chemical bath method. A novel heterostructure of ZnO: Ga@ITO@Ag nanotowers was subsequently deposited in the ITO layer and Ag nanoparticles via the facile two-step ion-sputtering processes on the ZnO: Ga nanotowers. The appropriate ion-sputtering times of the ITO layer and Ag nanoparticles can benefit the fabrication of ZnO: Ga@ITO@Ag nanotowers with higher surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement in detecting rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules. Compared with ZnO: Ga@Ag nanotowers, ZnO: Ga@ITO@Ag nanotowers exhibited a high SERS enhancement factor of 2.25 × 108 and a lower detection limit (10−14 M) for detecting R6G molecules. In addition, the ITO layer used as an intermediate layer between ZnO: Ga nanotowers and Ag nanoparticles can improve SERS enhancement, sensitivity, uniformity, reusability, detection limit, and stability for detecting amoxicillin molecules. This phenomenon shall be ascribed to the ITO layer exhibiting a synergistic Raman enhancement effect through interfacial charge transfer for enhancing SERS activity. As a result, ZnO: Ga@ITO@Ag nanotowers can construct a three-dimensional SERS substrate for potential applications in environmentally friendly and cost-effective chemical or drug detection.

Due to the growing elderly population in many developed countries like Japan, assistive devices are increasingly needed to overcome the difficulties of their activities of daily living (ADL). The motion of standing up places a particular burden on the ankle and knee joints and connects static motions (e.g., sitting and lying) and kinetic motions (e.g., walking and climbing up/down the stairs). In our previous research, two types of standing-up assistance apparatuses were introduced according to the suitable standing-up motions. However, these devices are bulky and cannot be widely used in practical settings such as bus terminals. Regarding the suitable standing-up motions of the elderly in the previous literature, a standing-up apparatus with a pantograph mechanism is introduced to diminish the size of the mechanism based on three design principles: (1) the trajectory of the user's COG is an arc; (2) the trajectory of the user's hip joint while standing up is a straight line at an angle of 45 [deg] from the horizon; and (3) the user is supported until the knee angle reaches 60 [deg]. Simulations showed that the load on knee and ankle joint is decreased, and user may stand up easily with our proposed apparatus. A prototype of the apparatus that may be installed on various chairs in public was fabricated. Considering that the apparatus may be used in places without electric power supply, the apparatus is made simply with links and a gas spring instead of electric actuators. Experimental measurements of the trajectories of the center of gravity (COG) and hip joints show that the proposed apparatus may help users to stand in a way that minimizes stress on their lower-body joints.