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Irregular articular cartilage injury is a common type of joint trauma, often resulting from intense impacts and other factors that lead to irregularly shaped wounds, the limited regenerative capacity of cartilage and the mismatched shape of the scaffods have contributed to unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. While injectable materials are a traditional solution to adapt to irregular cartilage defects, they have limitations, and injectable materials often lack the porous microstructures favorable for the rapid proliferation of cartilage cells. In this study, an injectable porous polyurethane scaffold named PU-BDO-Gelatin-Foam (PUBGF) was prepared. After injection into cartilage defects, PUBGF forms in situ at the site of the defect and exhibits a dynamic microstructure during the initial two weeks. This dynamic microstructure endows the scaffold with the ability to retain substances within its interior, thereby enhancing its capacity to promote chondrogenesis. Furthermore, the chondral repair efficacy of PUBGF was validated by directly injecting it into rat articular cartilage injury sites. The injectable PUBGF scaffold demonstrates a superior potential for promoting the repair of cartilage defects when compared to traditional porous polyurethane scaffolds. The substance retention ability of this injectable porous scaffold makes it a promising option for clinical applications.

Abstract Background A favorable regenerative microenvironment is essential for peripheral nerve regeneration. Neural tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) is a natural material that helps direct cell behavior and promote axon regeneration. Both bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation are effective in repairing peripheral nerve injury (PNI). However, there is no study that characterizes the in vivo microenvironmental characteristics of these two MSCs for the early repair of PNI when combined with neural tissue-derived ECM materials, i.e., acellular nerve allograft (ANA). Methods In order to investigate biological characteristics, molecular mechanisms of early stage, and effectiveness of ADSCs- or BMSCs-injected into ANA for repairing PNI in vivo, a rat 10 mm long sciatic nerve defect model was used. We isolated primary BMSCs and ADSCs from bone marrow and adipose tissue, respectively. First, to investigate the in vivo response characteristics and underlying molecular mechanisms of ANA combined with BMSCs or ADSCs, eighty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups: ANA group, ANA+BMSC group, and ANA+ADSC group. We performed flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence staining up to 4 weeks postoperatively. To further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, changes in long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were systematically investigated using whole transcriptome sequencing. We then constructed protein–protein interaction networks to find 10 top ranked hub genes among differentially expressed mRNAs. Second, in order to explore the effectiveness of BMSCs and ADSCs on neural tissue-derived ECM materials for repairing PNI, sixty-eight rats were randomized into four groups: ANA group, ANA+BMSC group, ANA+ADSC group, and AUTO group. In the ANA+BMSC and ANA+ADSC groups, ADSCs/BMSCs were equally injected along the long axis of the 10-mm ANA. Then, we performed histological and functional assessments up to 12 weeks postoperatively. Results The results of flow cytometry and RT-PCR showed that ANA combined with BMSCs exhibited more significant immunomodulatory effects, as evidenced by the up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-10, down-regulation of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression, promotion of M1-type macrophage polarization to M2-type, and a significant increase in the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs). ANA combined with ADSCs exhibited more pronounced features of pro-myelination and angiogenesis, as evidenced by the up-regulation of myelin-associated protein gene (MBP and MPZ) and angiogenesis-related factors (TGF-β, VEGF). Moreover, differentially expressed genes from whole transcriptome sequencing results further indicated that ANA loaded with BMSCs exhibited notable immunomodulatory effects and ANA loaded with ADSCs was more associated with angiogenesis, axonal growth, and myelin formation. Notably, ANA infused with BMSCs or ADSCs enhanced peripheral nerve regeneration and motor function recovery with no statistically significant differences. Conclusions This study revealed that both ANA combined with BMSCs and ADSCs enhance peripheral nerve regeneration and motor function recovery, but their biological characteristics (mainly including immunomodulatory effects, pro-vascular regenerative effects, and pro-myelin regenerative effects) and underlying molecular mechanisms in the process of repairing PNI in vivo are different, providing new insights into MSC therapy for peripheral nerve injury and its clinical translation.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of three-dimensional distribution of subchondral fracture lines on the surface of the osteonecrosis femoral head, and to discuss the underlying mechanisms that contribute to its collapse. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography (CT) images from 75 patients (comprising a total of 77 femoral heads) diagnosed with Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage IIIA or IIIB femoral head necrosis. The three-dimensional structures of both the femoral head and the subchondral fracture line were reconstructed and subsequently fitted into normal femoral head model. A heat map of fracture line was generated to visualize its spatial distribution across the femoral heads surface.to observe its distribution. In addition to that, the femoral head was partitioned into four zones, and the frequency of each fracture line traversing different zones was calculated and analysed. Results: Highest and lowest density of subchondral fracture lines was demonstrated in anterolateral and posterolateral zone respectively. and most sparse in posterolateral. Furthermore, the three-dimensional heat map of fracture lines highlighted their most frequent occurrence in the anterolateral area, particularly near the junction of the femoral head and neck. One fracture line may pass through multiple areas, passage frequencies for fracture lines was observed in zones I, II, III and IV for 66 times (85.7 %), 52 times (67.5 %), 25 times (32.5 %) and 46 times (59.7 %), respectively, with a significant difference between zone I and other zones (P

Abstract Optoelectronic neural interfaces can leverage the photovoltaic effect to convert light into electrical current, inducing charge redistribution and enabling nerve stimulation. This method offers a non-genetic and remote approach for neuromodulation. Developing biodegradable and efficient optoelectronic neural interfaces is important for achieving transdermal stimulation while minimizing infection risks associated with device retrieval, thereby maximizing therapeutic outcomes. We propose a biodegradable, flexible, and miniaturized silicon-based neural interface capable of transdermal optoelectronic stimulation for neural modulation and nerve regeneration. Enhancing the device interface with thin-film molybdenum significantly improves the efficacy of neural stimulation. Our study demonstrates successful activation of the sciatic nerve in rodents and the facial nerve in rabbits. Moreover, transdermal optoelectronic stimulation accelerates the functional recovery of injured facial nerves.

Abstract Background Nerve guide conduits are a promising strategy for reconstructing peripheral nerve defects. Improving the survival rate of seed cells in nerve conduits is still a challenge and microcarriers are an excellent three-dimensional (3D) culture scaffold. Here, we investigate the effect of the 3D culture of microcarriers on the biological characteristics of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan nerve conduits filled with microcarriers loaded with ADSCs in repairing nerve defects. Methods In vitro, we prepared porous chitosan microspheres by a modified emulsion cross-linking method for loading ADSCs and evaluated the growth status and function of ADSCs. In vivo, ADSCs-loaded microcarriers were injected into chitosan nerve conduits to repair a 12 mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. Results Compared to the conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture, the prepared microcarriers were more conducive to the proliferation, migration, and secretion of trophic factors of ADSCs. In addition, gait analysis, neuro-electrophysiology, and histological evaluation of nerves and muscles showed that the ADSC microcarrier-loaded nerve conduits were more effective in improving nerve regeneration. Conclusions The ADSCs-loaded chitosan porous microcarrier prepared in this study has a high cell engraftment rate and good potential for peripheral nerve repair. Graphical Abstract

Autologous nerve transplantation (ANT) remains the gold standard for treating nerve defects. However, its efficacy in nerve repair still requires improvement. Mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from nerve injury may be a significant factor limiting nerve function restoration. This study investigated the impact of supplementing exogenous mitochondria (EM) in ANT and explored its effect on the efficacy of ANT in nerve repair. SD rats were used to prepare a model of a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect repaired by ANT (Auto group) and a model of ANT supplemented with EM (Mito group). At 12 weeks post-operation, functional, neurophysiological, and histological evaluations of the target organ revealed that the Mito group exhibited significantly better outcomes compared with the Auto group, with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05). In vitro experiments demonstrated that EM could be endocytosed by Schwann cells (SCs) and dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGs) when co-cultured. After endocytosis by SCs, immunofluorescence staining of autophagy marker LC3II and mitochondrial marker Tomm20, as well as adenoviral fluorescence labeling of lysosomes and mitochondria, revealed that EM could promote autophagy in SCs. CCK8 and EDU assays also indicated that EM significantly promoted SCs proliferation and viability. After endocytosis by DRGs, EM could accelerate axonal growth rate. A sciatic nerve defect repair model prepared using Thy1-YFP-16 mice also revealed that EM could accelerate axonal growth in vivo , with statistically significant results ( P < 0.05). This study suggests that EM enhances autophagy in SCs, promotes SCs proliferation and viability, and increases the axonal growth rate, thereby improving the efficacy of ANT. This research provides a novel therapeutic strategy for enhancing the efficacy of ANT in nerve repair.

Although blood banks based on human blood can provide blood transfusions for the wounded timely and effectively, scientific research has never given up on finding new blood sources due to the restrictions of human blood sources. With the application of transgenic technology and the successful breeding of gene-edited pigs, gene-edited pig blood as a potential source of clinical transfusion has attracted wide attention. Now there are preclinical studies showing the feasibility of transfusing gene-edited pig red blood cells into primates. This paper discusses the related research and future development of xenogeneic transfusion of porcine red blood cells by gene editing.

The application of fertilizers and soil quality are crucial for grape fruit quality. However, the molecular data linking different fertilizer (or soil conditioner [SC]) treatments with grape fruit quality is still lacking. In this study, we investigated three soil treatments, namely inorganic fertilizer (NPK, 343.5 kg/hm2 urea [N ≥ 46%]; 166.5 kg/hm2 P2O5 [P2O5 ≥ 64%]; 318 kg/hm2 K2O [K2O ≥ 50%]), organic fertilizer (Org, 9 t/hm2 [organic matter content ≥ 35%, N + P2O5 + K2O ≥ 13%]), and SC (SC, 3 t/hm2 [humic acid ≥ 38.5%; C, 56.1%; H, 3.7%; N, 1.5%; O, 38%; S, 0.6%]), on 4-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. Compared with the NPK- and Org-treated groups, the SC significantly improved the levels of soluble solids, tannins, anthocyanins, and total phenols in the grape berries, which are important biochemical indicators that affect wine quality. Furthermore, we conducted RNA-seq analysis on the grapevine roots from each of the three treatments and used weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify five hub genes that were associated with the biochemical indicators of the grape berries. Furthermore, we validated the expression levels of three hub genes (ERF, JP, and SF3B) and five selected genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis (UFGT1, UFGT2, UFGT3, GST, and AT) by using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Compared to the NPK and Org treatment groups, the SC treatment resulted in a significant increase in the transcription levels of three hub genes as well as VvUFGT1, VvUFGT3, VvGST, and VvAT. These results suggest that the SC can improve grape fruit quality by altering gene transcription patterns in grapevine roots and further influence the biochemical indices of grape fruits, particularly anthocyanin content. This study reveals that the application of SC can serve as an important measure for enhancing vineyard SC and elevating grape quality.

Background: Osteochondral regeneration has long been recognized as a complex and challenging project in the field of tissue engineering. In particular, reconstructing the osteochondral interface is crucial for determining the effectiveness of the repair. Although several artificial layered or gradient scaffolds have been developed recently to simulate the natural interface, the functions of this unique structure have still not been fully replicated. In this paper, we utilized laser micro-patterning technology (LMPT) to modify the natural osteochondral “plugs” for use as grafts and aimed to directly apply the functional interface unit to repair osteochondral defects in a goat model. Methods: For in vitro evaluations, the optimal combination of LMPT parameters was confirmed through mechanical testing, finite element analysis, and comparing decellularization efficiency. The structural and biological properties of the laser micro-patterned osteochondral implants (LMP-OI) were verified by measuring the permeability of the interface and assessing the recellularization processes. In the goat model for osteochondral regeneration, a conical frustum-shaped defect was specifically created in the weight-bearing area of femoral condyles using a customized trephine with a variable diameter. This unreported defect shape enabled the implant to properly self-fix as expected. Results: The micro-patterning with the suitable pore density and morphology increased the permeability of the LMP-OIs, accelerated decellularization, maintained mechanical stability, and provided two relative independent microenvironments for subsequent recellularization. The LMP-OIs with goat's autologous bone marrow stromal cells in the cartilage layer have securely integrated into the osteochondral defects. At 6 and 12 months after implantation, both imaging and histological assessments showed a significant improvement in the healing of the cartilage and subchondral bone. Conclusion: With the natural interface unit and zonal recellularization, the LMP-OI is an ideal scaffold to repair osteochondral defects especially in large animals. The translational potential of this article: These findings suggest that such a modified xenogeneic osteochondral implant could potentially be explored in clinical translation for treatment of osteochondral injuries. Furthermore, trimming a conical frustum shape to the defect region, especially for large-sized defects, may be an effective way to achieve self-fixing for the implant.

The current centralized defect detection system faces challenges such as large data volume and poor real-time performance， underscoring the pressing need for distributed detection systems， with edge computing as a representative. In response， diverse module algorithms are devised based on the single-stage， lightweight detection model YOLOv8 to boost its accuracy in power scenarios. Firstly， the Mosaic data augmentation algorithm is improved， and a conflict relationship table is introduced to mitigate the damage to original image data information caused by traditional data augmentation algorithms and enhance the diversity of image data. Subsequently， the Res2Net module is employed to replace the original Bottleneck module， reinforcing the model’s multiscale perception while retaining its lightweight design. The adoption of the CIoU-NMS algorithm over the existing NMS （non-maximum suppression） algorithm improves the recall rate and precision of the detection model in the clustering and deduplication stage. Finally， experiments on fourteen defects in power scenarios consistently demonstrate the proposed model’s superior detection accuracy compared to the original model， accompanied by an accelerated detection speed in defect detection power scenarios.

Taking the point contact gear with circular-parabola configuration as the research object, based on the Adams dynamic analysis software, dynamic characteristics and the variable law of tooth surfaces are studied in this study. Firstly, according to space meshing theory, tooth surfaces equation of the point contact gear with circular-parabola configuration is derived, and three-dimensional solid models of gear pairs are established by the given design parameters. Secondly, the virtual prototype of point contact gears with circular-parabola configuration is established utilizing Adams software. Through simulation process, variation law of normal contact force, circumferential force, radial force and axial force of the gear are discussed. Change law of normal contact force under the same parameters and working conditions are analyzed between the point contact gear with circular-parabola configuration and general involute helical gears. Influences of meshing stiffness on normal contact force of the gear are also discussed. Research results show that the dynamic performance of point contact gears with circular-parabola configuration is better than that of general involute helical gears under the same parameters and working conditions. Meshing stiffness has a certain influence on the dynamic performance of tooth surfaces. For a reasonable variable range, the transmission process will be more stable with the increase of the meshing stiffness. The study can provide a basis for the design of point contact gears with circular-parabola configuration.

Purpose: Ischemia and hypoxia are the main factors limiting limb replantation and transplantation. Static cold storage (SCS), a common preservation method for tissues and organs, can only prolong limb ischemia time to 4 – 6 h. The normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is a promising method for the preservation of tissues and organs, which can extend the preservation time in vitro by providing continuous oxygen and nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in the efficacy of the 2 limb preservation methods. Methods: The 6 forelimbs from beagle dogs were divided into 2 groups. In the SCS group (n = 3), the limbs were preserved in a sterile refrigerator at 4 °C for 24 h, and in the NMP group (n = 3), the perfusate prepared with autologous blood was used for the oxygenated machine perfusion at physiological temperature for 24 h, and the solution was changed every 6 h. The effects of limb storage were evaluated by weight gain, perfusate biochemical analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histological analysis. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 9.0 one-way or two-way analysis of variance. The p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: In the NMP group, the weight gained percentage was 11.72% ± 4.06%; the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α contents showed no significant changes; the shape of muscle fibers was normal; the gap between muscle fibers slightly increased, showing the intercellular distance of (30.19 ± 2.83) μm; and the vascular α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) contents were lower than those in the normal blood vessels. The creatine kinase level in the perfusate of the NMP group increased from the beginning of perfusion, decreased after each perfusate change, and remained stable at the end of perfusion showing a peak level of 4097.6 U/L. The lactate dehydrogenase level of the NMP group increased near the end of perfusion and reached the peak level of 374.4 U/L. In the SCS group, the percentage of weight gain was 0.18% ± 0.10%, and the contents of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α increased gradually and reached the maximum level of (164.85 ± 20.75) pg/mL at the end of the experiment. The muscle fibers lost their normal shape and the gap between muscle fibers increased, showing an intercellular distance of (41.66 ± 5.38) μm. The contents of vascular α-SMA were much lower in the SCS group as compared to normal blood vessels. Conclusions: NMP caused lesser muscle damage and contained more vascular α-SMA as compared to SCS. This study demonstrated that NMP of the amputated limb with perfusate solution based on autologous blood could maintain the physiological activities of the limb for at least 24 h.

Background Xenograft kidney transplantation has been receiving increasing attention. The purpose of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to identify papers in this research field and explore their current status and development trends.Methods Using the data in the Web of Science core database from Clarivate Analytics as the object of study, we used ‘TS = Kidney OR Renal AND xenotransplantation’ as the search term to find all literature from 1980 to 2 November 2022.Results In total, 1005 articles were included. The United States has the highest number of publications and has made significant contributions in this field. Harvard University was at the forefront of this study. Professor Cooper has published 114 articles in this field. Xenotransplantation has the largest number of relevant articles. Transplantation was the most cited journal. High-frequency keywords illustrated the current state of development and future trends in xenotransplantation. The use of transgenic pigs and the development of coordinated co-stimulatory blockers have greatly facilitated progress in xenotransplantation research. We found that ‘co-stimulation blockade’, ‘xenograft survival’, ‘pluripotent stem cell’, ‘translational research’, and ‘genetic engineering’ were likely to be the focus of attention in the coming years.Conclusions This study screened global publications related to xenogeneic kidney transplantation; analyzed their literature metrology characteristics; identified the most cited articles in the research field; understood the current situation, hot spots, and trends of global research; and provided future development directions for researchers and practitioners.

Background In order to improve perioperative pain and reduce the adverse outcome of severe pain in elderly hip fractures, anterior iliopsoas muscle space block (AIMSB) can be used clinically to reduce pain. The aim of the study is to investigate the 50% effective concentration (EC50) of ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided anterior iliopsoas space block in elderly with hip fracture. Methods A total of 27 patients were enrolled with aged ≥65 years, American society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification II–III and undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). We measured the EC50 using Dixon’s up-and-down method. Ultrasound-guided AIMSB was performed preoperatively with an initial concentration of 0.2% in the first patient. After a successful or unsuccessful postoperative analgesia, the concentration of local anesthetic was decreased or increased 0.05%, respectively in the next patient. The successful block effect was defined as no sensation to pinprick in the area with femoral nerve, obturator nerve, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in 30 min. Meanwhile, the EC50 of ropivacaine was determined by using linear model, linear-logarithmic model, probit regression model, and centered isotonic regression. Results A total of 12 patients (48%) had a successful block. All patients with a successful block had a postoperative visual analog scale score of

This research examines the unique Chinese approaches to implementing the Early Childhood Curriculum (ECC) in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, drawing on School-based Curriculum Development (SBCD) studies. A total of 200 administrators and teachers were interviewed in total, and transcripts from those interviews were examined, cross-checked, and assessed using document analysis and classroom observation. Through interviews that have been conducted by administrators and teachers analyzed by document analysis and classroom observation, the influence of Chinese culture on ECC implementation is explored using the Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). An exploratory, inferential, and descriptive statistical approach evaluates the sociocultural mechanism of ECC in Chinese society. The proposed framework utilizes K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) regression analysis to illustrate how social development leads to cultural fusion and conflicts. The overall sociocultural framework promotes cultural growth and inheritance in China's early childhood education settings.

Electronic interactions of the Group 2A elements with magnesium have been studied through the dilute solid solutions in binary Mg-Ca, Mg-Sr and Mg-Ba systems. This investigation incorporated the difference in the ‘Work Function’ (ΔWF) measured via Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), as a property directly affected by interatomic bond types, i.e. the electronic structure, nanoindentation measurements, and Stacking Fault Energy values reported in the literature. It was shown that the nano-hardness of the solid-solution α-Mg phase changed in the order of Mg-Ca>Mg-Sr>Mg-Ba. Thus, it was shown, by also considering the nano-hardness levels, that SFE of a solid-solution is closely correlated with its ‘Work Function’ level. Nano-hardness measurements on the eutectics and ΔWF difference between eutectic phases enabled an assessment of the relative bond strength and the pertinent electronic structures of the eutectics in the three alloys. Correlation with ΔWF and at least qualitative verification of those computed SFE values with some experimental measurement techniques were considered important as those computational methods are based on zero Kelvin degree, relatively simple atomic models and a number of assumptions. As asserted by this investigation, if the results of measurement techniques can be qualitatively correlated with those of the computational methods, it can be possible to evaluate the electronic structures in alloys, starting from binary systems, going to ternary and then multi-elemental systems. Our investigation has shown that such a qualitative correlation is possible. After all, the SFE values are not treated as absolute values but rather become essential in comparative investigations when assessing the influences of alloying elements at a fundamental level, that is, free electron density distributions. Our study indicated that the principles of ‘electronic metallurgy’ in developing multi-elemental alloy systems can be followed via practical experimental methods, i.e. ΔWF measurements using KPFM and nanoindentation.

The rapid simulation of the dynamic performance of electromechanical devices such as solenoid valves and relays is important for product development and design. A magnetic circuit model of the non-saturated direct-acting electromechanical motion device is improved, and then coupled with the motion equation of the mechanism to realize the rapid simulation of the electromechanical motion device. In contrast to the ideal magnetic resistance in the conventional magnetic circuit model, the non-saturated total magnetic resistance is expressed by a cubic polynomial of the movement displacement of mechanism. The four undetermined coefficients of the polynomial are calibrated by the simulation values of static magnetic force and inductance at the upper and lower motion limits. The improved magnetic circuit model can more accurately predict the changes of magnetic attraction force and inductance with the motion displacement. Furthermore, coupled with the motion equation of the electromechanical motion device, the improved model establishes an improved magnetic circuit-motion coupled model and realizes fast second-level simulation of an electromagnetic brake and valve in the Simulink system, which can greatly reduce the finite element simulation time while maintaining simulation accuracy.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease characterized by the accumulation of large amounts of phospholipid protein-like surfactant material in the alveolar spaces, leading to severe hypoxemia and respiratory failure. The disease has an insidious onset and is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Its clinical manifestations primarily include progressive dyspnea and coughing. Currently, whole lung lavage (WLL) is the preferred and effective treatment for PAP, as it improves alveolar ventilation function. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is used clinically in the treatment of a variety of disease. Nebulized granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has a certain therapeutic effect on PAP. Here, we report a case of PAP treated with WLL combined with nebulized GM-CSF, which achieved good therapeutic effects during a 4-year follow-up period, to enhance understanding of the disease.

【Objective】 The ascent of groundwater into the vadose zone and its ultimate evaporation into atmosphere is an important hydrological process. This paper investigates the impact of meteorological factors and soil texture on evaporation of shallow groundwater under different depths from winter wheat in a sandy ginger black soil and a yellow tide soil. 【Method】 The study was based on data measured from 2010 to 2022 from the Wudaogou experimental station. The relationship between groundwater evaporation and seven meteorological factors was analyzed using correlation analysis and function fitting technique. A multiple regression model, along with a nonlinear fitting function, was developed to calculate the change in evaporation of shallow groundwater with its depth ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 m. 【Result】 ① In the sandy ginger black soil, the significance of the impact of meteorological factors on groundwater evaporation was ranked in the order of surface temperature > average air temperature > surface evaporation > duration of sunshine > precipitation > wind speed; in the yellow tide soil, the ranking order was surface temperature > duration of sunshine > average air temperature > surface water evaporation > precipitation > wind speed. ② The multiple regression model is accurate for estimating evaporation of shallow groundwater at different depths, with R2>0.75 for the sandy ginger black soil and R2>0.70 for the yellow tide soil. ③ The relationship between groundwater evaporation and groundwater depth for the sandy ginger black soil followed an inverse function with R2>0.95 before the greening stage and a logarithmic function after the greening stage with R2>0.85. In contrast, in the yellow tide soil, it followed a logarithmic function with R2>0.75. ④ Depending on the growing season, the critical groundwater depth for evaporation ranged from 2.0 to 3.5 m for the sandy ginger black soil, and from 4.0 to 5.1 m for the yellow tide soil. 【Conclusion】 Groundwater evaporation depends not only on meteorological factors but also on soil texture and growing season of the winter wheat. The proposed models are accurate for estimating their relationships.

Aiming at the tooth profile contact problem of internal meshing gear transmission pairs with double contact points, the generation method of tooth profiles of the internal meshing gear transmission pair with double contact points is present. Based on Hertz contact theory, the mathematical model of instantaneous contact ellipse of tooth profiles is established and the equations of contact trajectory are also derived. The contact ellipse area of tooth surfaces of the gear pair with double contact points is solved by the numerical analysis method, and the influences of the design and tooth profiles parameters on the contact ellipse are discussed. Using the finite element analysis method, the contact ellipse area and tooth surface contact stress of the internal meshing gear pair with single contact point and double contact points are compared. The research conclusions show that the contact area location and size can be effectively controlled by selecting the suitable contact angle, nominal pressure angle, normal modulus and spiral angle. Under the same parameters, the contact area with double contact points is larger than that of a single contact point, and the contact stress is smaller. The relevant research has important theoretical significance and reference values for improving the contact characteristics and mechanical properties of the new internal meshing gear transmission.

Microbial flocculants (MBFs), a class of eco-friendly and biodegradable biopolymers produced by various microorganisms, have gained increasing attention as promising alternatives to conventional chemical flocculants in wastewater treatment and pollutant removal. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of MBF research, encompassing their diverse sources (bacteria, fungi, and algae), major categories (polysaccharides, proteins, and glycoproteins), production processes, and flocculation performance and mechanisms. The wide-ranging applications of MBFs in removing suspended solids, heavy metals, dyes, and other pollutants from industrial and municipal wastewater are critically examined, highlighting their superior efficiency, selectivity, and environmental compatibility compared to traditional flocculants. Nonetheless, bioflocculants face significant challenges including high substrate costs, low production yields, and intricate purification methodologies, factors that impede their industrial scalability. Moreover, the risk of microbial contamination and the attendant health implications associated with the use of microbial flocculants (MBFs) necessitate thorough evaluation. To address the challenges of high production costs and variable product quality, strategies such as waste valorization, strain improvement, process optimization, and biosafety evaluation are discussed. Moreover, the development of multifunctional MBF-based flocculants and their synergistic use with other treatment technologies are identified as emerging trends for enhanced wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the need for in-depth mechanistic studies, advanced characterization techniques, pilot-scale demonstrations to accelerate the industrial adoption of MBF, and moreover, integration with novel wastewater treatment processes, such as partial nitrification and the anammox process. This review is intended to inspire and guide further research and development efforts aimed at unlocking the full potential of MBFs as sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective bioflocculants for addressing the escalating challenges in wastewater management and environmental conservation.

Autologous nerve grafting serves is considered the gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve defects; however, limited availability and donor area destruction restrict its widespread clinical application. Although the performance of allogeneic decellularized nerve implants has been explored, challenges such as insufficient human donors have been a major drawback to its clinical use. Tissue-engineered neural regeneration materials have been developed over the years, and researchers have explored strategies to mimic the peripheral neural microenvironment during the design of nerve catheter grafts, namely the extracellular matrix (ECM), which includes mechanical, physical, and biochemical signals that support nerve regeneration. In this study, polycaprolactone/silk fibroin (PCL/SF)-aligned electrospun material was modified with ECM derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs), and a dual-bionic nerve regeneration material was successfully fabricated. The results indicated that the developed biomimetic material had excellent biological properties, providing sufficient anchorage for Schwann cells and subsequent axon regeneration and angiogenesis processes. Moreover, the dual-bionic material exerted a similar effect to that of autologous nerve transplantation in bridging peripheral nerve defects in rats. In conclusion, this study provides a new concept for designing neural regeneration materials, and the prepared dual-bionic repair materials have excellent auxiliary regenerative ability and further preclinical testing is warranted to evaluate its clinical application potential.

【Objective】 The movement of irrigation water in soil is an important parameter in irrigation design. It is affected by many factors. This paper investigates the impact of initial soil water on infiltration of subsurface irrigation water in an aeolian sandy soil. 【Method】 The outdoor experiment was conducted in tanks repacked with the sandy soil, with the initial soil water content controlled at 5.1%, 11.5%, 16.8%. The movement of the wet zone in each treatment was monitored visually. Infiltration processed was simulated by different analytical models. 【Result】 The wet zone in all treatments was approximately elliptical, with the center located at the perfusion pipe. Increasing initial soil water content accelerated the movement of the wetting front but reduced the cumulative infiltration amount and infiltration rate. The cumulative infiltration amount increased with infiltration time in a power-law function, and the infiltration index increased with the initial water content. Comparison with measured data revealed that the R2 of the Kostiakov model, Philip model, empirical model and Horton model was 0.783, 0.785, 0.923 and 0.943, respectively. When the initial water content was 5.1%, 11.5% and 16.8%, the burial depth of the irrigation pipe should not exceed 10, 20 and 30 cm, respectively, and the associated pipe spacing not exceed 30, 60 and 90 cm, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Increasing initial soil water content in aeolian sandy soil allows the irrigation pipes to be buried deeper and spaced widely. These findings are helpful for designing subsurface irrigation in aeolian sandy soil which is common in northwestern China.

Objective: To explore the theoretical relationship between interactive availability thinking in the design of nutrition labels for prepackaged foods； To improve consumer awareness and trust, guide consumers' healthy choice behavior, and construct a design framework for prepackaged food labels based on interactive availability model. Methods: Based on the two-tier result model of interactive availability and the empirical evidence of knowledge, this paper analyzes how the design can help the nutrition labels of prepackaged food to effectively convey information and improve the labels' value and its guidance role. Results: Four interactive design strategies were proposed: enhancing the influence of unconscious interaction intention between consumers and food nutrition labels, improving the information awareness of consumers and food nutrition labels through multiple channels, constructing the unconscious public concept mechanism between consumers and food nutrition labels, and constructing the interaction mode of consumer value cognition. Conclusion: Interactive availability is helpful to explore how to improve the practical value of nutrition labeling of prepackaged foods under the interdependence of consumers and prepackaged food nutrition labels, and achieve the expectation of guiding the healthy dietary habit of consumers via nutrition labels.

As the guardian of the genome, p53 is well known for its tumor suppressor function in humans, controlling cell proliferation, senescence, DNA repair and cell death in cancer through transcriptional and non-transcriptional activities. p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, but how its mutation or depletion leads to tumorigenesis still remains poorly understood. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that p53 plays a vital role in regulating cellular metabolism as well as in metabolic adaptation to nutrient starvation. In contrast, mutant p53 proteins, especially those harboring missense mutations, have completely different functions compared to wild-type p53. In this review, we briefly summarize what is known about p53 mediating anabolic and catabolic metabolism in cancer, and in particular discuss recent findings describing how metabolites regulate p53 functions. To illustrate the variability and complexity of p53 function in metabolism, we will also review the differential regulation of metabolism by wild-type and mutant p53.

Recent studies have revealed the potency of probiotics in alleviating metabolic diseases associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction. However, an efficient model for screening probiotic strains against specific metabolic diseases has not been well developed. In the present study, a Caco-2 cell monolayer membrane model treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or alcohol was used to evaluate the effect of 139 Lactobacillus strains on intestinal barrier function in vitro. We then selected 11 Lactobacillus strains with different regulatory abilities on the gut barrier to determine their effect against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis or chronic alcoholic liver injury in vivo. Our results showed that the Pearson coefficient between the data of cell and animal models were 0.82 and −0.97 for the protection of probiotics against osteoporosis and alcoholic liver disease, respectively, suggesting the reliability of the cell model to simulate the in vivo protective effects of probiotics. This study established a potential in vitro approach based on a Caco-2 cell monolayer membrane model for the efficient screening of potential probiotics against specific metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis and chronic alcoholic liver disease.

As the growth of automated detection technology, traditional manual detection has gradually been replaced. To improve the effectiveness of defect detection, a HPLC/dual mode portable sorting device with deep learning and image processing is raised for apparent defect detection. The product image is segmented using flood filled mean shift method, and defect detection is achieved using Yolo v3 algorithm. An LME2918 chip is the main component of the communication module in the portable device. Based on experimental data, image segmentation accuracy can range from 80% to 100%, and image matching accuracy can range from 85% to 95%. Under the power line carrier mode, the average success rate of apparent defect detection in portable sorting devices can reach 85%, and the change in success rate is not significant, indicating that the detection is relatively stable; Under wireless communication mode, the average success rate can reach 83%, and the change in success rate is relatively obvious, because wireless communication is easily affected by the external environment. The experimental data shows that the defect detection effect of the HPLC/dual mode portable sorting device based on deep learning and image processing meets the design requirements.

Abstract Bone homeostasis is maintained by the balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Dysregulation of this process leads to multiple diseases, including osteoporosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we show that the global and conditional osteoblast knockout of a deubiquitinase Otub1 result in low bone mass and poor bone strength due to defects in osteogenic differentiation and mineralization. Mechanistically, the stability of FGFR2, a crucial regulator of osteogenesis, is maintained by OTUB1. OTUB1 attenuates the E3 ligase SMURF1-mediated FGFR2 ubiquitination by inhibiting SMURF1’s E2 binding. In the absence of OTUB1, FGFR2 is ubiquitinated excessively by SMURF1, followed by lysosomal degradation. Consistently, adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-delivered FGFR2 in knee joints rescued the bone mass loss in osteoblast-specific Otub1-deleted mice. Moreover, Otub1 mRNA level was significantly downregulated in bones from osteoporotic mice, and restoring OTUB1 levels through an AAV9-delivered system in ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic mice attenuated osteopenia. Taken together, our results suggest that OTUB1 positively regulates osteogenic differentiation and mineralization in bone homeostasis by controlling FGFR2 stability, which provides an optical therapeutic strategy to alleviate osteoporosis.

Extra energy consumption, inefficient nitrogen removal, and excessive sludge production are major challenges faced by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that rely on the traditional activated sludge process. Fermentation of wasted activated sludge (WAS) and novel nitrogen removal technologies based on partial nitrification (PN) have emerged as promising solutions to these issues. Recent studies have revealed an innovative strategy that integrates these two processes by supplementing fermentation liquid into activated sludge to induce PN. This review summarizes the research progress on PN establishment induced by the fermentation process. The microbiology and establishment methods of PN are briefly introduced, followed by a detailed discussion on the process, influencing factors, and product characteristics of WAS fermentation. The core section focuses on the side-stream and main-stream approaches of fermentation-induced PN, comparing their performance and application prospects. The potential mechanisms are explored, with an emphasis on the roles of free ammonia for the side-stream approach and the high tolerance of ammonium oxidizers to in-site fermentation stress for the main-stream approach. Finally, the limitations of the current research and future perspectives are discussed, highlighting the need for further investigation into microbial ecology, process optimization, and long-term stability. This review aims to provide insights into the synergistic integration of WAS fermentation and PN for sustainable and energy-efficient wastewater treatment.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of continuous hand-sewn esophagojejunostomy with barbed suture and mechanical anastomosis in total laparoscopic gastrectomy for esophagogastric junction cancer. Materials and methods The clinical data of 60 patients who underwent total laparoscopic total gastrectomy from January 2020 to October 2021 were collected retrospectively. Baseline data and short-term surgical results of patients in the hand-sewn anastomosis (n = 30) and mechanical anastomosis (n = 30) groups were analyzed. Results No significant differences were detected in the baseline data between groups. Meanwhile, the hand-sewn group had a shorter anastomosis time (21.2 ± 4.9 min vs. 27.9 ± 6.9 min, p < 0.001) and a decreased operation cost (CNY 70608.3 ± 8106.7 vs. CNY 76485.6 ± 3149.9, p = 0.001). The tumor margin distance in the hand-sewn group was longer than in the mechanical group (2.7 ± 0.4 cm vs. 2.2 ± 0.75 cm, p = 0.002). In esophagojejunostomy anastomosis, the distance between the jejunal opening and jejunal stump in the hand-sewn group was significantly shorter than that in the mechanical group (2.2 ± 0.54 cm vs. 5.7 ± 0.6 cm, p < 0.001). No significant difference was detected in the incidence of postoperative anastomotic complications. Conclusion The continuous hand-sewn anastomosis with barbed suture in total laparoscopic gastrectomy for esophagogastric junction cancer is practical, safe, and cost-effective. It is also an effective supplementary technique for mechanical anastomosis.

Compared to conventional artificial nerve guide conduits (NGCs) prepared using natural polymers or synthetic polymers, acellular nerve grafts (ACNGs) derived from natural nerves with eliminated immune components have natural bionic advantages in composition and structure that polymer materials do not have. To further optimize the repair effect of ACNGs, in this study, we used a composite technology based on supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction to process the peripheral nerve of a large mammal, the Yorkshire pig, and obtained an innovative Acellular nerve xenografts (ANXs, namely, CD + scCO2 NG). After scCO2 extraction, the fat and DNA content in CD + scCO2 NG has been removed to the greatest extent, which can better supported cell adhesion and proliferation, inducing an extremely weak inflammatory response. Interestingly, the protein in the CD + scCO2 NG was primarily involved in signaling pathways related to axon guidance. Moreover, compared with the pure chemical decellularized nerve graft (CD NG), the DRG axons grew naturally on the CD + scCO2 NG membrane and extended long distances. In vivo studies further revealed that the regenerated nerve axons had basically crossed the CD + scCO2 NG 3 weeks after surgery. 12 weeks after surgery, CD + scCO2 NG was similar to autologous nerves in improving the quality of nerve regeneration, target muscle morphology and motor function recovery and was significantly better than hollow NGCs and CD NG. Therefore, we believe that the fully decellularized and fat-free porcine ACNGs may be the most promising “bridge” for repairing human nerve defects at this stage and for some time to come.

Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a refractory disease due to its unclear pathomechanism. Therapies during the early stage of ONFH have not achieved satisfactory results. Therefore, this study aims to explore the available evidence for the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) on early-stage traumatic ONFH. Methods: Early-stage traumatic ONFH was established. The femoral heads of rats were then locally administered HUCMSCs. Four weeks and eight weeks after surgery, bone repair of the necrotic area in the femoral head was analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HUCMSCs using micro-CT, histopathological staining, immunofluorescence staining, Luminex. Results: HUCMSCs were still present in the femoral head four weeks later, and the morphological, micro-CT and histopathological outcomes in the 4-week HUCMSC-treated group were better than those in the model, NS and 8-week HUCMSC-treated groups. Local transplantation of HUCMSCs promoted bone repair and prevented bone loss in the necrotic area of the femoral head. Conclusions: HUCMSCs can survive and positively affect the femoral head through local transplantation in early-stage traumatic ONFH. The conclusions of this study can provide a treatment option for patients who have ONFH and can serve as basic research on the advanced development of this disease. The Translational potential of this article: The study indicated that the positive effect of exogenous HUCMSCs in the treatment of early-stage traumatic ONFH provides the solid basis and guidance for the clinical application of HUCMSCs.

Effective strategy of hemostasis and promoting angiogenesis are becoming increasingly urgent in modern medicine due to millions of deaths caused by tissue damage and inflammation. The tissue adhesive has been favored as an optimistic and efficient path to stop bleeding, while, current adhesive presents limitations on wound care or potential degradation safety in clinical practice. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to construct multifunctional wound adhesive to address the issues. Based on pro-angiogenic property of l-Arginine (L-Arg), in this study, the novel tissue adhesive (G-DLPUs) constructed by L-Arg-based degradable polyurethane (DLPU) and GelMA were prepared for wound care. After systematic characterization, we found that the G-DLPUs were endowed with excellent capability in shape-adaptive adhesion. Moreover, the L-Arg released and the generation of NO during degradation were verified which would enhance wound healing. Following the in vivo biocompatibility was verified, the hemostatic effect of the damaged organ was tested using a rat liver hemorrhage model, from which reveals that the G-DLPUs can reduce liver bleeding by nearly 75% and no obvious inflammatory cells observed around the tissue. Moreover, the wound care effect was confirmed in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model, showing that the hydrogel adhesive significantly improves the thickness of newly formed dermis and enhance vascularization (CD31 staining). In summary, the G-DLPUs are promising candidate to act as multifunctional wound care adhesive for both damaged organ and trauma.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a progressive disease that often necessitates hip replacement if hip preservation therapy fails. ONFH places a heavy economic burden and severe psychological pressure on patients. At present, ONFH is treated by either surgical or non‐surgical methods. In clinical practice, stem cells combined with surgery has achieved some positive results, but many problems remain to be resolved. Exosomes are small vesicles of 30–150 nm, which are rich in various nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules depending on the cells from which they are derived. A growing number of studies have found that exosomes play an important role in tissue damage repair. In comparison with stem cells, exosomes have lower immunogenicity. Also, exosomes can promote cell proliferation and inhibit tumor growth. In addition, exosomes can also be used as natural carriers of drugs. Many studies have shown that exosomes have therapeutic effects in hormone‐induced ONFH. Exosomes have the effect of promoting vascular regeneration and show good application prospects in ONFH. Here, we present a review of studies on the application of exosomes in ONFH to provide a reference for future research.

Abstract Preventing islet β‐cells death is crucial for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Currently, clinical drugs are being developed to improve the quality of T2DM care and self‐care, but drugs focused on reducing islets β‐cell death are lacking. Given that β‐cell death in T2DM is dominated ultimately by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), eliminating excessive ROS in β‐cells is a highly promising therapeutic strategy. Nevertheless, no antioxidants have been approved for T2DM therapy because most of them cannot meet the long‐term and stable elimination of ROS in β‐cells without eliciting toxic side‐effects. Here, it is proposed to restore the endogenous antioxidant capacity of β‐cells to efficiently prevent β‐cell death using selenium nanodots (SENDs), a prodrug of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1). SENDs not only scavenge ROS effectively, but also “send” selenium precisely to β‐cells with ROS response to greatly enhance the antioxidant capacity of β‐cells by increasing GPX1 expression. Therefore, SENDs greatly rescue β‐cells by restoring mitophagy and alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and demonstrate much stronger efficacy than the first‐line drug metformin for T2DM treatment. Overall, this strategy highlights the great clinical application prospects of SENDs, offering a paradigm for an antioxidant enzyme prodrug for T2DM treatment.

Abstract Background Developing biocompatible nerve conduits that accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration, lengthening and functional recovery remains a challenge. The combined application of nerve microtissues and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) provides abundant Schwann cells (SCs) and various natural growth factors and can compensate for the deficiency of SCs in the nerve bridge, as well as the limitations of applying a single type of growth factor. Multimodal ultrasound evaluation can provide additional information on the stiffness and microvascular flow perfusion of the tissue. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a novel tissue-engineered nerve graft composed of an autogenous vein, nerve microtissues and PRP in reconstructing a 12-mm tibial nerve defect and to explore the value of multimodal ultrasound techniques in evaluating the prognosis of nerve repair. Methods In vitro, nerve microtissue activity was first investigated, and the effects on SC proliferation, migration, factor secretion, and axonal regeneration of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were evaluated by coculture with nerve microtissues and PRP. In vivo, seventy-five rabbits were equally and randomly divided into Hollow, PRP, Micro-T (Microtissues), Micro-T + PRP and Autograft groups. By analysing the neurological function, electrophysiological recovery, and the comparative results of multimodal ultrasound and histological evaluation, we investigated the effect of these new nerve grafts in repairing tibial nerve defects. Results Our results showed that the combined application of nerve microtissues and PRP could significantly promote the proliferation, secretion and migration of SCs and the regeneration of axons in the early stage. The Micro-T + PRP group and Autograft groups exhibited the best nerve repair 12 weeks postoperatively. In addition, the changes in target tissue stiffness and microvascular perfusion on multimodal ultrasound (shear wave elastography; contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; Angio PlaneWave UltrasenSitive, AngioPLUS) were significantly correlated with the histological results, such as collagen area percentage and VEGF expression, respectively. Conclusion Our novel tissue-engineered nerve graft shows excellent efficacy in repairing 12-mm defects of the tibial nerve in rabbits. Moreover, multimodal ultrasound may provide a clinical reference for prognosis by quantitatively evaluating the stiffness and microvescular flow of nerve grafts and targeted muscles.

Objective: We investigated the expression of miRNA-214 in human osteoporotic bone tissue and tested the utility of adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing a miRNA-214 inhibitor in terms of preventing local osteoporosis of the femoral condyle in a rat model of osteoporosis.Methods: (1) Femoral heads of patients who underwent hip replacements at our hospital because of femoral neck fractures were collected and divided into osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis groups based on preoperative bone mineral density data. MiRNA-214 expression was detected in bone tissues exhibiting obvious bone microstructural changes in the two groups. (2) A total of 144 SD female rats were divided into four groups: the Control, Model, Negative control (Model + AAV), and Experimental (Model + anti-miRNA-214) groups. AAV-anti-miRNA-214 was injected locally into the rat femoral condyles; we explored whether this prevented or treated local osteoporosis.Results: (1) MiRNA-214 expression in the human femoral head was significantly increased in the osteoporosis group. (2) Compared to the Model and Model + AAV groups, the bone mineral density (BMD) and femoral condyle bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) ratio in the Model + anti-miRNA-214 group were significantly higher; in addition, the number (TB.N) and thickness (TB.Th) of the trabecular bones were increased (all p < 0.05). MiRNA-214 expression in the femoral condyles of the Model + anti-miRNA-214 group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. The expression levels of the osteogenesis-related genes Alp, Bglap, and Col1α1 increased, while those of the osteoclast-related genes NFATc1, Acp5, Ctsk, Mmp9, and Clcn7 decreased.Conclusion: AAV-anti-miRNA-214 promoted osteoblast activity and inhibited osteoclast activity in the femoral condyles of osteoporotic rats, improving bone metabolism and slowing osteoporosis progression.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a crippling disease which is due to a lack of effective therapeutic measures. Its natural progression is rapid, the internal bone structure of the femoral head changes dramatically, and the subsequent fractures and collapse cause severe hip pain and loss of hip function. Femoral head collapse is a critical turning point in the development of ONFH and is related to the prognosis of patients. Early prevention and intervention help to preserve the hip joint and delay femoral head collapse. However, the mechanism of collapse still needs to be further studied because it is affected by different complex factors. This review discusses the underlying causes of femoral head collapse from two aspects: structural degradation and regional changes of biomechanical properties in the necrotic femoral head.

Instant rice paste is a kind of colloidal solution with certain viscosity and consistency formed by mechanical crushing and boiling of grain. Due to its functional characteristics of instant energy supply, strong flavor and rich nutrition, it can quickly adapt to today’s fast-paced life. Water temperature and water quantity can influce water solubility index and gelatinization degree of rice paste after gelatinization. Pasting viscosity and dissolved lubrication degree of rice paste can be affected by punching particle size and modifier treatment. Suitable bubbling parameters based on pasting properties and solubility of rice paste can effectively improve the instant solubility, stability and taste of rice paste. The effects of four brewing methods (water temperature, water volume, particle size and modifier treatment) on the rheology, texture and sensory quality of cereal paste were reviewed. It is expected to provide some reference for the practical application of rice paste.

Background: /Objective: The treatment of bone defect has always been a difficult problem in orthopedic clinic. The search for alternative biodegradable implants is a hot topic. The development of biodegradable magnesium scaffolds for the treatment of bone defects has long been a goal of the public. Methods: In this study, we proposed a porous magnesium scaffold prepared by 3D gel printing and surface modification with an additional calcium phosphate coating and use of its strength, degradability and slow degradation rate in a bone graft substitute material. The porous magnesium granular scaffold was prepared by 3D gel printing technology and modified by DCPD (Dibasic Calcium Phosphate Dihydrate) coating. The biocompatibility, degradation rate, and osteogenic ability of the scaffold were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results: The biocompatibility, in vivo degradation and bone defect healing response of the implants were investigated. Porous magnesium scaffolds were successfully prepared, and the strength of sintered scaffolds reached 5.38 ​MPa. The degradation rates of scaffolds were significantly reduced after coating with DCPD. The cell compatibility evaluation showed that DCPD-coated Mg scaffold was suitable for cell proliferation. In vivo biosafety monitoring showed that scaffold implantation did not cause an increase in Mg ion concentration in vivo, and no toxic damage was detected in the liver or kidney. Micro-CT and pathological results showed that a large amount of new bone was formed at 6 weeks. At 12 weeks, approximately 52% of the scaffold volume remained. At 24 weeks, osteogenesis, which was stimulated by some residual scaffold, still can be observed. In summary, this study suggests that 3D gel-printed DCPD-coated porous magnesium scaffolds have great potential as bone graft alternatives. Conclusion: In summary, this study suggests that 3D gel-printed DCPD-coated porous magnesium scaffolds have great potential as bone graft alternatives. The Translational potential of this article: The translational potential of this article is to make use of the advantages of 3D gel printing technology with higher efficiency and lower cost compared with SLM and SLS technologies, and use pure magnesium powder as raw material to prepare degradable porous magnesium metal scaffolds, opening up a new technical route for the preparation of degradable porous magnesium scaffolds which are made for bone defect regeneration in the future.

Objective: To prepare adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)-embedded alginate-gelatinemicrospheres (Alg-Gel-ADSCs MSs) by electrospray and evaluate their feasibility for cartilage tissue engineering. To observe the efficacy of Alg-Gel-ADSCs MSs in repairing articular cartilage defects in SD rats. Methods: ADSCs were isolated and characterized by performing induced differentiation and flow cytometry assays. Alginate-gelatine microspheres with different gelatine concentrations were manufactured by electrospraying, and the appropriate alginate-gelatine concentration and ratio were determined by evaluating microsphere formation. Alg-Gel-ADSCs MSs were compared with Alg-ADSCs MSs through the induction of chondrogenic differentiation and culture. Their feasibility for cartilage tissue engineering was analysed by performing Live/Dead staining, cell proliferation analysis, toluidine blue staining and a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content analysis. Alg-Gel-ADSCs MSs were implanted in the cartilage defects of SD rats, and the cartilage repair effect was evaluated at different time points. The evaluation included gross observations and histological evaluations, fluorescence imaging tracking, immunohistochemical staining, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and a CatWalk evaluation. Results: The isolated ADSCs showed multidirectional differentiation and were used for cartilage tissue engineering. Using 1.5 w:v% alginate and 0.5 w:v% gelatine (Type B), we successfully prepared nearly spherical microspheres. Compared with alginate microspheres, alginate gel increased the viability of ADSCs and promoted the proliferation and chondrogenesis of ADSCs. In our experiments on knee cartilage defects in SD rats in vivo, the Alg-Gel-ADSCs MSs showed superior cartilage repair in cell resides, histology evaluation, micro-CT imaging and gait analysis. Conclusions: Microspheres composed of 1.5 w:v% alginate-0.5 w:v% gelatine increase the viability of ADSCs and supported their proliferation and deposition of cartilage matrix components. ADSCs embedded in 1.5 w:v% alginate-0.5 w:v% gelatine microspheres show superior repair efficacy and prospective applications in cartilage tissue repair. The translational potential of this article: In this study, injectable adipose-derived stem cells-embedded alginate-gelatin microspheres (Alg-Gel-ADSCs MSs) were prepared by the electrospray . Compared with the traditional alginate microspheres, its support ability for ADSCs is better and shows a better repair effect. This study provides a promising strategy for cartilage tissue regeneration.

To solve the problems that the existing sorting equipment cannot effectively identify and sort damaged Camellia oleifera seeds and traditional manual sorting of damaged Camellia oleifera seeds is inefficient and slow, in this paper, a damaged Camellia oleifera seeds detection method based on YOLOv5, coordinate attention, and weighted bidirectional feature pyramid network was designed. In this study, according to the actual requirements, firstly, the Coordinate Attention module (CA) was added to the YOLOv5 algorithm to improve the detection precision of damaged Camellia oleifera seeds in stacked Camellia oleifera seeds. Secondly, the network structure was optimized and the weighted bi-directional feature pyramid network (BiFPN) was added. The module integrates multi-scale features from top to bottom to reduce the missed detection of slightly damaged Camellia seeds. The final experimental results show that compared with the original YOLOv5 model, the detection precision of the improved model YOLOV5-CB is improved by 6.1%, reaching 92.4%, and the mean Average Precision (mAP) is also improved from 87.7% to 93.4%, the average detection time of a single Camellia seeds image is 6.4ms, which meet the requirements of precision and real-time in practical application.

Abstract Various immune cells and cytokines are present in the aftermath of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI), and coordination of the local inflammatory response is of great significance for the recovery of PNI. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory abilities which can accelerate tissue regeneration and attenuate inflammation, but the role of MSCs in the regulation of the local inflammatory microenvironment after PNI has not been widely studied. Here, we summarize the known interactions between MSCs, immune cells, and inflammatory cytokines following PNI with a focus on the immunosuppressive role of MSCs. We also discuss the immunomodulatory potential of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles as a new cell-free treatment for PNI.

Abstract Background Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is one of the essential causes of physical disability with a high incidence rate. The traditional tissue engineering strategy, Top-Down strategy, has some limitations. A new tissue-engineered strategy, Bottom-Up strategy (tissue-engineered microtissue strategy), has emerged and made significant research progress in recent years. However, to the best of our knowledge, microtissues are rarely used in neural tissue engineering; thus, we intended to use microtissues to repair PNI. Methods We used a low-adhesion cell culture plate to construct adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) into microtissues in vitro, explored the physicochemical properties and microtissues components, compared the expression of cytokines related to nerve regeneration between microtissues and the same amount of two-dimension (2D)-cultured cells, co-cultured directly microtissues with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) or Schwann cells (SCs) to observe the interaction between them using immunocytochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We used grafts constructed by microtissues and polycaprolactone (PCL) nerve conduit to repair sciatic nerve defects in rats. Results The present study results indicated that compared with the same number of 2D-cultured cells, microtissue could secrete more nerve regeneration related cytokines to promote SCs proliferation and axons growth. Moreover, in the direct co-culture system of microtissue and DRG or SCs, axons of DRG grown in the direction of microtissue, and there seems to be a cytoplasmic exchange between SCs and ASCs around microtissue. Furthermore, microtissues could repair sciatic nerve defects in rat models more effectively than traditional 2D-cultured ASCs. Conclusion Tissue-engineered microtissue is an effective strategy for stem cell culture and therapy in nerve tissue engineering.

Objective To investigate the influence of thoracic paravertebral block(TPVB) and serratus anterior plane block(SAPB) on postoperative analgesia and stress response in patients with breast cancer. Methods A total of 92 patients who planned to receive radical mastectomy from January 2020 to December 2021 in Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital were selected as study objects. All the patients were divided into SAPB group(SAPB + laryngeal mask general anesthesia, n=31), TPVB group(TPVB + laryngeal mask general anesthesia, n=31) and general anesthesia group(laryngeal mask general anesthesia, n=30) according to random number method. The postoperative pain and analgesic effect were compared among the three groups. The stress response indexes ［interleukin(IL)-10, IL-6 and malondialdehyde(MDA)］before and 24 hours after operation were compared among the three groups. The adverse reactions of the three groups were recorded. Results The VAS scores at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after operation were as follows: simple anesthesia group＞SAPB group＞TPVB group(P＜0.05). The dosage of sufentanil and the effective press times of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA) within 48 hours after operation were as follows: simple anesthesia group＞SAPB group＞TPVB group(P＜0.05). The levels of serum IL-10, IL-6 and MDA at 24 h after operation were as follows: simple anesthesia group＞SAPB group＞TPVB group(P＜0.05). Conclusion TPVB is superior to SAPB in postoperative analgesia for breast cancer, which can effectively relieve postoperative pain of patients, prolong the effective duration of analgesia, reduce the dose of analgesic drugs, and alleviate the stress reaction of the body.

Cell transplantation is an effective strategy to improve the repair effect of nerve guide conduits (NGCs). However, problems such as low loading efficiency and cell anoikis undermine the outcomes. Microcarriers are efficient 3D cell culture scaffolds, which can also prevent cell anoikis by providing substrate for adhesion during transplantation. Here, we demonstrate for the first time microcarrier-based cell transplantation in peripheral nerve repair. We first prepared macroporous chitosan microcarriers (CSMCs) by the emulsion-phase separation method, and then decorated the CSMCs with polylysine (pl-CSMCs) to improve cell affinity. We then loaded the pl-CSMCs with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and injected them into electrospun polycaprolactone/chitosan NGCs to repair rat sciatic nerve defects. The ADSCs-laden pl-CSMCs effectively improved nerve regeneration as demonstrated by evaluation of histology, motor function recovery, electrophysiology, and gastrocnemius recovery. With efficient cell transplantation, convenient operation, and the multiple merits of ADSCs, the ADSCs-laden pl-CSMCs hold good potential in peripheral nerve repair.

Despite intensive effort was made to regenerate injured meniscus by cell-free strategies through recruiting endogenous stem/progenitor cells, meniscus regeneration remains a great challenge in clinic. In this study, we found decellularized meniscal extracellular matrix (MECM) preserved native meniscal collagen and glycosaminoglycans which could be a good endogenous regeneration guider for stem cells. Moreover, MECM significantly promoted meniscal fibrochondrocytes viability and proliferation, increased the expression of type II collagen and proteoglycans in vitro. Meanwhile, we designed 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds which mimic the circumferential and radial collagen orientation in native meniscus. Taken these two advantages together, a micro-structure and micro-environment dually biomimetic cell-free scaffold was manipulated. This cell-free PCL-MECM scaffold displayed superior biocompatibility and yielded favorable biomechanical capacities closely to native meniscus. Strikingly, neo-menisci were regenerated within PCL-MECM scaffolds which were transplanted into knee joints underwent medial meniscectomy in rabbits and sheep models. Histological staining confirmed neo-menisci showed meniscus-like heterogeneous staining. Mankin scores showed PCL-MECM scaffold could protect articular cartilage well, and knee X-ray examination revealed same results. Knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning also showed some neo-menisci in PCL-MECM scaffold group. In conclusion, PCL-MECM scaffold appears to optimize meniscus regeneration. This could represent a promising approach worthy of further investigation in preclinical applications.

Objective To investigate three‐dimensional distribution of bone‐resorptive lesions based on the three‐pillar classification and its effect on the disease progression of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Methods A total of 194 femoral head CT images from 117 patients diagnosed with ARCO stage II and III ONFH were retrospectively reviewed from April 2014 to February 2019. Three‐dimensional structures of the femoral head and the bone‐resorptive lesions were reconstructed. Using the three‐pillar classification and coronal plane of the femoral head, we divided each femoral head into six regions to observe the location characteristics of bone‐resorption lesions, and explore the destruction of different areas of the femoral head by the bone‐resorptive lesions. Then the hips were divided into two groups based on whether they contained bone‐resorption lesions and compared the difference of stage II and stage III between the two groups. Results The regional distribution revealed 39 (27.27%), 55 (38.46%), six (4.20%), 23 (16.08%), 17 (11.89%) and three (2.10%) bone‐resorptive lesions in regions I, II, III, IV, V and VI respectively. The lateral pillar, AL (I + IV), contained 44.76% of the lesions, central pillar, C (II + V), 48.95%, and medial pillar, M (III + VI), 6.29%. Moreover, there were 81.82% bone‐resorption lesions in anterolateral pillar, AL (I + II + IV), and 18.18% in posteromedial pillar, PM (III + V + VI). In all ONFH hips, the lateral pillar of 81(88.04%) femoral heads were affected, the central pillar of 84 (91.30%) femoral heads were affected, and the medical pillar of 29 (31.52%) femoral heads were affected. The ratio of ARCO stage III in the group with bone‐resorption lesions was significantly higher than that of the group without bone‐resorption lesions (76.09% vs 30.39%, P

Background/Objective: We seek to figure out the effect of stable and powerful mechanical microenvironment provided by Ti alloy as a part of subchondral bone scaffold on long-term cartilage regeneration.Methods: we developed a bilayered osteochondral scaffold based on the assumption that a stiff subchondral bony compartment would provide stable mechanical support for cartilage regeneration and enhance subchondral bone regeneration. The subchondral bony compartment was prepared from 3D printed Ti alloy, and the cartilage compartment was created from a freeze-dried collagen sponge, which was reinforced by poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). Results: In vitro evaluations confirmed the biocompatibility of the scaffold materials, while in vivo evaluations demonstrated that the mechanical support provided by 3D printed Ti alloy layer plays an important role in the long-term regeneration of cartilage by accelerating osteochondral formation and its integration with the adjacent host tissue in osteochondral defect model at rabbit femoral trochlea after 24 weeks. Conclusion: Mechanical support provided by 3D printing Ti alloy promotes cartilage regeneration by promoting subchondral bone regeneration and providing mechanical support platform for cartilage synergistically. Translational potential statement: The raw materials used in our double-layer osteochondral scaffolds are all FDA approved materials for clinical use. 3D printed titanium alloy scaffolds can promote bone regeneration and provide mechanical support for cartilage regeneration, which is very suitable for clinical scenes of osteochondral defects. In fact, we are conducting clinical trials based on our scaffolds. We believe that in the near future, the scaffold we designed and developed can be formally applied in clinical practice.