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Background Liver fibrosis develops from various chronic liver diseases, and there is currently a lack of specific treatment strategies. Yiqi Rougan decoction (YQRG) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has shown durative effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis; however, the mechanism associated with YQRG-related improvements in liver fibrosis remains to be experimentally determined. This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of YQRG on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its molecular mechanism. Methods We used low-, medium-, and high-dose YQRG to treat CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, followed by assessment of liver injury and fibrosis according to liver appearance, body weight, liver mass index, histopathologic examination, and serum testing. Additionally, we performed transcriptome analysis using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology, including cluster, Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway analyses, to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and protein and gene expression were detected by immunofluorescence (IFC), western blot and real-time quantitative PCR. Results The results showed that YQRG effectively alleviated CCl4-induced liver injury and fibrosis in rats, including observations of improved liver function, decreased activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and decreased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Moreover, we identified downregulated and upregulated DEGs in the model group relative to the control and YQRG-treated groups, with GO analysis revealing their enrichment in biological processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, pathway analysis showed that YQRG treatment downregulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/AKT) signalling pathways and upregulated other signalling pathways, including those related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPAR) and AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK), with these findings subsequently verified experimentally. Conclusion These findings showed that YQRG improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis through multiple mechanisms and pathways, offering critical insight into the YQRG-related therapeutic mechanism and promoting further research into its potential application.

The current study aimed to investigate the antitumor effects and potent mechanism of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells combined with irreversible electroporation (IRE) via an in vitro function assay in an in vivo Panc02 cell–bearing mouse model. We established an in vitro culture assay for CIK cells and determined the proportions of different peripheral lymphocytes. The antitumor effect of the combination of IRE and CIK cells in a Panc02 pancreatic-cancer (PC) subcutaneous-xenograft model was investigated; tumor size and mouse survival rates were recorded. We used flow cytometry (FCM) to analyze the proportion of intratumoral lymphocytes, the expression of chemokine receptors, and the proliferative activity of CIK cells. The proportion of cells that were positive for clusters of differentiation 3 and 8 (CD3+CD8+) and the proportion of CD3+CD56+ cells were both significantly increased after 21 days of in vitro culture. Combined IRE/CIK cell treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the survival rate of Panc02 cell–bearing mice. Furthermore, infiltration of lymphocytes into tumor tissue was significantly increased by this combination therapy compared with the untreated group or monotherapy group. In addition, IRE significantly enhanced the expression of chemokine receptors elicited by, and the proliferative activity of, CIK cells. In conclusion, IRE combined with CIK cells showed superior antitumor efficacy in a PC subcutaneous-xenograft model, which we attributed to the promotion of lymphocytic infiltration, as well as to upregulation of chemokine receptor expression and of regulators of CIK cell proliferation.

In this work, we demonstrated a novel approach of corrosion protection based on the fabrication of polyelectrolyte/SiO2 nanoparticles multilayers on magnesium alloys. The original multilayers based merely on electrostatic attraction showed porous morphology and weak anti-corrosion protection for the Mg substrate. However, the heat-treatment process would change the microstructures of the multilayers through the cross-linking between the polyelectrolytes and the capping agents of the nanoparticles, and the barrier effects of the coating could be confirmed by polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Thus the heat treatment would be an applicable option for preparing the layer-by-layer assembled anti-corrosive multilayers on biomedical Mg alloys.

The microstructure and chemical compositions of the solid solution-treated Mg-3Nd-1Li-0.2Zn alloy were characterized using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion behaviour of the alloy was investigated via electrochemical polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), hydrogen evolution test and scanning Kelvin probe (SKP). The results showed that the microstructure of the as-extruded Mg-3Nd-1Li-0.2Zn alloy contained α-Mg matrix and nanometric second phase Mg41Nd5. The grain size of the alloy increased significantly with the increase in the heat-treatment duration, whereas the volume fraction of the second phase decreased after the solid solution treatment. The surface film was composed of oxides (Nd2O3, MgO, Li2O and ZnO) and carbonates (MgCO3 and Li2CO3), in addition to Nd. The as-extruded alloy exhibited the best corrosion resistance after an initial soaking of 10 min, whereas the alloy with 4h-solution-treatment possessed the lowest corrosion rate after a longer immersion (1 h). This can be attributed to the formation of Nd-containing oxide film on the alloys and a dense corrosion product layer. The dealloying corrosion of the second phase was related to the anodic Mg41Nd5 with a more negative Volta potential relative to α-Mg phase. The preferential corrosion of Mg41Nd5 is proven by in-situ observation and SEM. The solid solution treatment of Mg-3Nd-1Li-0.2Zn alloy led to a shift in corrosion type from pitting corrosion to uniform corrosion under long-term exposure.

In order to realise the biocompatibility and antibacterial activity of Ti alloy to meet the requirements of oral and orthopaedic applications, drug-loaded hydroxyapatite coatings doped with stronti...

A hydrothermal deposition method was utilized to fabricate Ca-P composite coating induced by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled polyvinylpyrrolidone/deoxyribonucleic acid (PVP/DNA)20 multilayer on AZ31 alloy. The surface morphology and compositions were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD. Besides, the corrosion resistance and degradation behavior of the coating were tested via electrochemical polarization, impedance spectroscopy and immersion measurements. Results show that the main components of Ca-P coatings are hydroxyapatite, Ca3(PO4)2 and Mg3(PO4)2·nH2O. The LbL-assembled DNA and PVP promote the adsorption of Ca-P deposits on the sample surface, and structures and functional groups of the polyelectrolyte in the outermost layer are the primary influencing factor for the induction of the Ca-P coating. Carboxyl groups have the best biomineralization effect among all related functional groups. The enhanced corrosion resistance and adhesion highlight a promising use of (PVP/DNA)20-induced Ca-P coatings in the field of biomedical magnesium alloys.

This work reports the design and preparation of novel organic (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA)-inorganic (neodymium nitrate, Nd(NO

AIM: Carotid ultrasound is a key tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of cardio disease, and the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and hemodynamic parameters is of paramount importance for the imaging method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of handheld ultrasound devices for measuring carotid parameters. METHODS: We performed a carotid ultrasound on 25 participants using a handheld ultrasound device and a conventional ultrasound machine. For each participant, max and mean CIMT of common carotid artery (CCA) and peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI) of CCA, bilateral external carotid artery (ECA), internal carotid artery (ICA) and the vertebral artery were measured. Agreement and repeatability were evaluated by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: We found a good repeatability and consistent of handheld ultrasound device in measuring mean CIMT (r = 0.68, P

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are considered as ideal biodegradable materials due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In order to improve the surface properties to allow better adaptation to the surrounding tissue of the body, surface modification has played a significant role in satisfying multiple clinical requirements such as corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and antibacterial ability. Here, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly, which can be applied for biodegradable Mg alloys due to its extensive choice of usable units, holds great promise among all the surface techniques. In this review, the mechanisms of the driving force (i.e., electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, charge transfer interaction and covalent bonding), cutting-edge advances in preparation methods (e.g., dipping, spraying, and spinning) and the functional properties (corrosion resistance, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility) that could be achieved by the LbL coatings are summarized. A reasonable trend of the potential development of LbL for bio-Mg alloys is also proposed at the end of this article.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the growing role of telemedicine in home dialysis treatments. Since the appearance of a connected automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) machine (Claria Sharesource Baxter® machine), we have systematically offered this solution to our patients treated with APD. Over the past two years, we have treated 35 patients with connected APD, of which 20 are still under the technique (aged 50 to 87) and represent 54% of the patients on peritoneal dialysis. A questionnaire on five subjects (perception of switching to the connected machine, stress, safety, everyday life, and vacations) was also given to them and showed that 80% of the patients had no stress related to the telemonitoring, while 18 out of 20 patients (90%) felt safe. In 2020, we received 74 phone calls during on-call phone duty, including 42 calls for the 20 patients on connected APD, one all for a patient on normal APD, and 32 calls for 16 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Handling errors concerned 42.85% of the calls, system errors concerned 4.76%, program validation concerned 7.14%, and connection problems concerned 9.52%. We were thus able to correct several problems remotely, such as drainage problems, weight gain, blood pressure imbalance, poor compliance, and connection problems. Thanks to the platform, we are notified daily of a possible problem. This saves the nurses time and allows them to deal with other issues. The way we educate patients and assist private nurses has not changed. Indeed, only the connection to the network as well as the entry of the weight and arterial pressure were added, and the disposables remained the same. Night or day, or in times of a health crisis, we can provide a rapid and targeted response to the patients’ questions, thanks to the platform.

Background: Emerging infectious pathogens in blood donors may be transmitted through blood components or plasma derivatives transfusion. Currently, Chinese blood centers only routinely screen HBV, HCV, HIV, and Syphilis for donors, which would lead to some emerging infectious pathogens transmitted via transfusion.Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) with bioinformatics analysis was employed in this study to investigate the microbial components with revealing theemerging infectious pathogens in blood donations from Chinese multi blood centers to enhance the blood safety. Results: A total 562 GB clean data was obtained in donation samples from 7 Chinese regions. The principal pathogens identified were Serratia sp. (5.0176%), Pseudomonas sp. (0.6637%), and Burkholderia sp. (0.5544%). Several transfusion transmitted pathogens including human parvovirus B19, Leishmania sp., Toxoplasma gondii, etc. were identified as potential threats for Chinese blood safety. Subsequently, 9 (0.08%) specimens were found positive for B19V DNA with quantitative DNA levels ranged from 5.58% × 102 to 7.24 × 104 IU/ml. Phylogenic analyses showed B19-1A subtype as the prevalent genotypes. Conclusions: Emerging infectious pathogens including human parvovirus B19, Leishmania sp., Toxoplasma gondii, etc., may pose transfusion risks in China. Therefore we strongly advise that mNGS surveillance should be wildly and continually implemented in blood centers. In addition, blood safety measures in China should take B19V risk into consideration in some endemic regions in China.

Purpose Bioelectronic retinal prostheses that stimulate the remaining inner retinal neurons, bypassing degenerated photoreceptors, have been demonstrated to restore some vision in patients blinded by retinitis pigmentosa (RP). These implants encode luminance of the visual scene into electrical stimulation, however, leaving out chromatic information. Yet color plays an important role in visual processing when it comes to recognizing objects and orienting to the environment, especially at low spatial resolution as generated by current retinal prostheses. In this study, we tested the feasibility of partially restoring color perception in blind RP patients, with the aim to provide chromatic information as an extra visual cue. Design Case series. Participants Seven subjects blinded by advanced RP and monocularly fitted with an epiretinal prosthesis. Methods Frequency-modulated electrical stimulation of retina was tested. Phosphene brightness was controlled by amplitude tuning, and color perception was acquired using the Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue (RYGB) hue and saturation scaling model. Main Outcome Measures Brightness and color of the electrically elicited visual perception reported by the subjects. Results Within the tested parameter space, 5 of 7 subjects perceived chromatic colors along or nearby the blue-yellow axis in color space. Aggregate data obtained from 20 electrodes of the 5 subjects show that an increase of the stimulation frequency from 6 to 120 Hz shifted color perception toward blue/purple despite a significant inter-subject variation in the transition frequency. The correlation between frequency and blue-yellow perception exhibited a good level of consistency over time and spatially matched multi-color perception was possible with simultaneous stimulation of paired electrodes. No obvious correlation was found between blue sensations and array placement or status of visual impairment. Conclusions These findings present a strategy for the generation and control of color perception along the blue-yellow axis in blind patients with RP by electrically stimulating the retina. It could transform the current prosthetic vision landscape by leading in a new direction beyond the efforts to improve the visual acuity. This study also offers new insights into the response of our visual system to electrical stimuli in the photoreceptor-less retina that warrant further mechanistic investigation.

In this letter, an annular anode is designed for producing arc plasmas with a large non-equilibrium region by using a counterflow cold gas through the annular anode. The coupled mass-momentum-energy exchange processes in an argon arc plasma are studied numerically and experimentally. The counter-injection of the cold argon gas from the center of the anode leads to a steep gradient of the heavy-particle temperature due to the formation of a thin stagnation layer resulting from the interaction of the high temperature plasma with the cold gas; and in particular, a large volume non-equilibrium ‘dark’ plasma region is obtained above the anode surface. The results show that, with the enhancement of the convective heat transfer process in the plasma core region, the fraction of the non-equilibrium region to the whole arc plasma region reaches 92.2% where the heavy-particle temperature can be reduced significantly, e.g. ∼2300 K, while simultaneously, the electron temperature and number density are remained at high levels greater than 8000 K and 2.4 × 1020 m−3, respectively, under the operating condition studied in this letter. This research not only deepens the understanding to the non-equilibrium synergistic transport mechanisms of arc plasmas, but also provides a method for producing a large volume non-equilibrium plasma region so as to promote various existing applications, or even creating new applications in the future.

Additional file 1: Table S1. The summary of information of RMs. Table S2. The antibiotic resistant profiles of isolates from RMs

Additional file 2: Figure S1. The gut microbiome of chronic diarrhea RMs and asymptomatic RMs. Figure S2. The functional comparison of gut microbiome. Figure S3. The gut bacterial composition of NHPs and human. Figure S4. The antibiotic resistance in gut microbiome of asymptomatic and chronic diarrhea RMs.