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Combinational therapy such as taking tranexamic acid while using laser treatment has been proved potential efficacy by many experiments. However, there is few research which contains large samples and consistent observations.We evaluated clinical efficacy and safety of a new systemic treatment of drug-laser-photon therapy.Retrospective and randomized investigator-blinded study of 75 patients with mixed type melasma was analyzed. At each visit, standardized photographs were taken using VISIA. Modified melasma area and severity index (mMASI) scores were marked using photographs by two dermatologists.The mMASI score decreased significantly from 6.92 to 3.84 after the treatment. The VISIA analyze right cheek data shows: Spots (from 49.67 ± 3.43 to 56.09 ± 3.31), UV spots (from 41.39 ± 24.45 to 44.56 ± 25.86), and Brown spots (from 23.97 ± 17.89 to 28.16 ± 21.28) are statistically increased (p = 0.035, p = 0.018, p = 0.07). All patients feel varying degrees of improvement, about 10.17% felt very much improved, 30.51% felt much improved (51%-75%), 45.76% felt moderately improved (26%-50%), and 13.56% felt little improved (1%-25%).This study was no control group.The efficacy and safety profile of the combination of drug-laser-photon therapy systemic treatment in melasma patients has been proved. It has potential possibility to become a new, reliable, widely suitable therapy strategy.

For most organisms, molecular oxygen is indispensable for normal physiological metabolism; in humans, prolonged hypoxia in tissues can induce many diseases, exemplified by cardiovascular disease, chronic wounds, and tissue necrosis. Therefore, the oxygen in our environment is vital for life. As a main source of oxygen in the natural world that transforms light energy into chemical energy and oxygen, photosynthesis has been widely studied in scientific research and used in production of food, fuel, and medicine. In recent years, photosynthesis has become more closely involved in biomedicine and has been widely used in photodynamic therapy, tissue regeneration, transplantation, and in treatment of specific diseases. This review summarizes innovative applications of photosynthesis in biomedical research and highlights the theory and implications of clinical treatment for specific diseases.

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of paraffin block age on biomarker levels in archival breast cancer samples. Tissue blocks from five different block age groups were assessed using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The difference in Q scores for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression levels between original tests and repeated tests were significant for core needle biopsies prepared 10 years ago. The signal intensities of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and the centromere of chromosome 17 decreased with the age of the paraffin block. Moreover, 6 samples exhibited a negative shift in progesterone receptor Q scores for core needle biopsy samples with a Q score of 2. In conclusion, the age of paraffin blocks had significant effects on the expression levels of estrogen and progesterone receptors in core needle biopsies prepared 10 years ago. The results showed that samples with an age >7 years were not suitable for fluorescence in situ hybridization and interpretation of progesterone receptor levels for repeated core needle biopsy samples with a Q score of 2 requires caution.

Background and objectives Traditional surgical excision for a sebaceous cyst can completely eradicate the cyst, but the surgical processes are relatively complicated and may cause obvious scarring. Some patients are reluctant to choose this method because of the inconvenient procedures and the risk of conspicuous scarring, especially in esthetically important areas. We present a simple treatment method to prevent formation of a conspicuous scar. Study design/materials and methods First, the cyst wall was pre-separated from the surrounding tissues by injecting a large volume of anesthetic around the cyst. Then, the cyst contents were removed through a small hole created by using a CO2 laser on the skin surface, which adhered closely to the cyst. Finally, the cyst wall was removed using a hemostat that clamps it at the base. Between August 2017 and July 2019, 32 patients with 33 sebaceous cysts (12 infected and 21 uninfected) were treated by this method to remove the cyst contents and cyst wall. Mean operative time, complications, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results All patients were satisfied with the good esthetic outcome and the simplicity of the surgical procedure. Only two of the 33 cysts (6.0%) recurred 2 and 3 months postoperatively, including 0 of 21 uninfected cysts (0.0%) and 2 of 12 infected cysts (16.7%). No complications were found during the follow-up period. The mean operation time was 13 ± 2.1 minutes. Conclusions CO2 laser punch-assisted surgery was associated with minimal scarring and high patient satisfaction. With acceptable recurrence rates, it is a convenient, effective and minimally-invasive treatment option for sebaceous cysts. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising biomedical tool for application to wound healing. However, there is limited scientific evidence that confirms its efficacy to inhibit scar formation. This study aims to investigate the role of non-thermal plasma in scar formation. Two full-thickness dorsal cutaneous wounds of rats were treated with either a non-thermal helium plasma jet or helium. It was determined that the non-thermal plasma jet accelerated the wound healing process from 5 days after surgery (day 5: 41.27% ± 2.351 vs 54.7% ± 5.314, p

Wound management, especially for chronic wounds, has emerged as a major healthcare challenge, which brings great pain and other negative impacts to patients, and accounts for significant portions of health care budgets. The common practice of covering wounds with dressings, owing to the lack of information about wound healing underneath, cannot provide insights into the status of the wound. Changing the dressings to inspect wounds not only disturbs normal healing process of wounds, but also causes pain to affected individuals. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on parameters in the wound microenvironment such as temperature, pH, moisture level, and etc., by continuously monitoring, to indicate the wound status and healing stages. Moreover, intelligent on-demand treatment systems also can be integrated into the smart dressing, called new-type skin bioelectronic systems to be applicated in wound repair. Besides monitoring, these kinds of skin bioelectronic systems can offer effective treatments automatedly when the wound deteriorates. It makes timely treatment possible and avoids delayed treatment and uncovering the dressing to give medicine. In this review, wound healing-related indexes in the wound microenvironment are discussed, applications of various smart dressings with functions of monitoring or/and treatment are summarized.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), an important part of the renin-angiotensin system, is implicated in stimulating the fibrotic processes in the heart, lung, liver and kidney, while an ACE inhibitor (ACEI) promotes physiological tissue repair in these organs. The mechanism is closely related to TGF-β1 pathways. However, the reported effects of applying ACEIs during scar formation are unclear. Hence, we explored the anti-fibrotic effects of an ACEI and the molecular mechanisms involved in a mouse scar model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH After a full-thickness skin wound operation, ACE wild-type mice were randomly assigned to receive either ramipril, losartan or hydralazine p.o. ACE knockout (KO) mice and negative control mice only received vehicle (water). Wound/scar widths during wound healing and histological examinations were recorded at the final day. The ability of ACEI to reduce fibrosis via TGF-β1 signalling was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. KEY RESULTS ACE KO mice and mice that received ramipril showed narrower wound/scar width, reduced fibroblast proliferation, decreased collagen and TGF-β1 expression. ACEI attenuated the phosphorylation of small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad2/3) and TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) both in vitro and in vivo. The expression of ACE-related peptides varied in murine models with different drug treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS ACEI showed anti-fibrotic properties in scar formation by mediating downstream peptides to suppress TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/TAK1 pathways. These findings suggest that dual inhibition of Smad and TAK1 signalling by ACEI is a useful strategy for the development of new anti-fibrotic agents.

Objective To investigate if co-transfection of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2, BMP2) and human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2, FGF2) via chitosan nanoparticles promotes osteogenesis in human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro. Materials and Methods Recombinant BMP2 and/or FGF2 expression vectors were constructed and packaged into chitosan nanoparticles. The chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by atomic force microscopy. Gene and protein expression levels of BMP-2 and FGF2 in ADSCs in vitro were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene expression were also evaluated by real-time PCR to assess osteogenesis. Results The prepared chitosan nanoparticles were spherical with a relatively homogenous size distribution. The BMP2 and FGF2 vectors were successfully transfected into ADSCs. BMP-2 and FGF2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly up-regulated in the co-transfection group compared with the control group. OCN and BSP mRNA levels were also significantly increased in the co-transfection group compared with cells transfected with BMP2 or FGF2 alone, suggesting that co-transfection significantly enhanced osteogenesis. Conclusions Co-transfection of human ADSCs with BMP2/FGF2 via chitosan nanoparticles efficiently promotes the osteogenic properties of ADSCs in vitro.

The present study was designed to fabricate a new chitosan-collagen sponge (CCS) for potential wound dressing applications. CCS was fabricated by a 3.0% chitosan mixture with a 1.0% type I collagen (7:3(w/w)) through freeze-drying. Then the dressing was prepared to evaluate its properties through a series of tests. The new-made dressing demonstrated its safety toward NIH3T3 cells. Furthermore, the CCS showed the significant surround inhibition zone than empty controls inoculated by E. coli and S. aureus. Moreover, the moisture rates of CCS were increased more rapidly than the collagen and blank sponge groups. The results revealed that the CCS had the characteristics of nontoxicity, biocompatibility, good antibacterial activity, and water retention. We used a full-thickness excisional wound healing model to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of the new dressing. The results showed remarkable healing at 14th day post-operation compared with injuries treated with collagen only as a negative control in addition to chitosan only. Our results suggest that the chitosan-collagen wound dressing were identified as a new promising candidate for further wound application.

Fractional CO2 laser is a good option for treating acne scars. However, the clinical efficacy of this treatment modality requires further evidence. To perform a meta-analysis to assess clinical improvements in acne scars with fractional CO2 laser and non-CO2 laser therapies. Databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) were searched using the search strategy to identify eligible studies. All statistical analyses were performed using the Review Manager 5.0, and a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of fractional CO2 laser used as a treatment for acne scars. Eight studies were included for further analysis. There was no significant difference between fractional CO2 laser and non-CO2 laser therapies in terms of clinical improvement, observer assessment (P = .19), patient assessment (P = .91), and incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (P = .69). The subgroup analyses showed that the duration of follow-up had little effect on the evaluation of treatment effect. The efficacy of fractional CO2 laser therapy in acne scars appeared to be equal to that of non-CO2 laser therapies. More well designed randomized controlled trials and more credible and standard evaluation criteria are needed, and the efficiency of combination therapy requires further analysis.

Aberrant scar formation, which includes keloid and hypertrophic scars, is associated with a pathological disorganized wound healing process with chronic inflammation. The TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway is the most canonical pathway through which the formation of collagen in the fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is regulated. Sustained activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway results in the long-term overactivation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which is necessary for the excessive collagen formation in aberrant scars. There are two categories of therapeutic strategies that aim to target the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts to interfere with their cellular functions and reduce cell proliferation. The first therapeutic strategy includes medications, and the second strategy is composed of genetic and cellular therapeutics. Therefore, the focus of this review is to critically evaluate these two main therapeutic strategies that target the TGF-β/Smad pathway to attenuate abnormal skin scar formation.

Fractional CO

The healing process of diabetic wounds is typically disordered and prolonged and requires both angiogenesis and epithelialization. Disruptions of the endogenous electric fields (EFs) may lead to disordered cell migration. Electrical stimulation (ES) that mimics endogenous EFs is a promising method in treating diabetic wounds; however, a microenvironment that facilitates cell migration and a convenient means that can be used to apply ES are also required. Chitosan-Vaseline® gauze (CVG) has been identified to facilitate wound healing; it also promotes moisture retention and immune regulation and has antibacterial activity. For this study, we created a wound dressing using CVG together with a flexible ES device and further evaluated its potential as a treatment for diabetic wounds. We found that high voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC) promoted healing of diabetic wounds in vivo. In studies carried out in vitro, we found that HVMPC promoted the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by activating PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling. Overall, we determined that the flexible ES-chitosan dressing may promoted healing of diabetic wounds by accelerating angiogenesis, enhancing epithelialization, and inhibiting scar formation. These findings provide support for the ongoing development of this multidisciplinary product for the care and treatment of diabetic wounds., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • High voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC) is the relatively optimal parameter to improve diabetic wounds healing. • HVMPC promotes the proliferation and migration capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). • Chitosan-Vaseline® gauze (CVG) promotes the healing of diabetic wounds for providing a good microenvironment. • The flexible electrical stimulation (ES) chitosan dressing is a therapeutic method for diabetic wound treatments.

Studies on the effectiveness and mechanisms of reducing scar formation by interfering with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) have been demonstrated in animals, but not in humans due to the lack of clinical support. Our aim was to investigate whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) could inhibit scar formation in humans. Thus, an observational and hypothesis-generating study using a designed questionnaire was carried out. A total of 347 patients with postoperative scars secondary to thyroid tumours were enrolled. They were divided into four groups: ACEI group, ARB group, other antihypertensive drugs control group and blank control group according to the administration of antihypertensive drugs. The width of scar was measured, and the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR) Scale was filled out. Results showed that patients of ACEI group (mean scar width 1.60 mm) and ARB group (mean scar width 1.57 mm) formed smaller scars than those of other antihypertensive drugs control group (mean scar width 2.09 mm) and blank control group (mean scar width 2.0 mm). Oral administration of ACEI and ARB may be associated with better post-surgical scar formation in humans. These two kinds of antihypertensive drugs may be active components of anti-scar medicine.

Background: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LUADT1 is a known oncogenic lncRNA in lung cancer. This study aimed to explore the roles of LUADT1 in melanoma. Materials and Methods: Sixty pairs of melanom...

Wound dressings are always needed after skin injury; however, most of the dressings still leave room for improvement. Here, we would like to develop an effective dressing with the ability to improve wound healing. A chitosan-Vaseline gauze (CVG) dressing was developed by coating the chitosan mixture and Vaseline on sterile gauze with subsequent drying. Infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy were used to investigate the miscibility and structure of the dressing. The cytotoxicity and antibacterial nature were evaluated in vitro. The studies of water retention rate, wound healing, and tissue compatibility were carried out over a period of 14 days on full-thickness skin wounds of male Sprague-Dawley rats. It was observed that the CVG dressing demonstrated functional structure by miscibility, non-cytotoxicity, and good antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The water retention rate incresased up to 25% after applying CVG for 3 hours. Besides, CVG treatment increased angiogenesis and improved microvascular density in wounds. The wounds treated with CVG showed size deduction with new collagen aggregations similar to those in the normal dermis. All the aforementioned results suggest that CVG dressing could be a promising candidate for wound treatment.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in scar formation. We have previously shown that oral administration of ramipril and losartan could inhibit scarring. For easier application, here we developed a series of topical ramipril and losartan creams in different concentrations and formulations to explore the effect on scar formation in a C57BL/6 mouse scar model. The harvested scar tissues were analyzed with H&E staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemical staining. We found the group treated with 0.2% losartan urea cream (Prep. 1) or 0.1% ramipril cream (Prep. 2) had significantly smaller scars compared to the negative control, while the proliferation of fibroblasts was less active and the collagen fibers were more regular; both groups showed similar efficacy with the positive control (triamcinolone acetonide urea). We also found that drug transdermalness couldn’t directly determine the efficacy. Our findings indicate that local application of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blocker drugs (ARBs) can reduce scarring by reducing the expression of collagen I, collagen III, phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (p-Smad3) and transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1). This may provide new insight on scar treatment in clinic.

Background AlloDerm-RTU is a new member of human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) which was launched in 2012. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether AlloDerm-RTU was superior compared with previous HADMs. Methods All available databases were searched for retrospective or prospective studies regarding breast reconstruction with AlloDerm-RTU compared with other HADMs. The primary outcome was the incidence of complications among different HADMs. Results Two prospective and seven retrospective studies with a total of 1406 patients were enrolled. There was no significant difference in any of the complications, including the incidence of hematoma (RR 0.78, 95%CI 0.19 to 3.19; P = 0.73), seroma (RR 0.98, 95%CI 0.43 to 2.26; P = 0.97), cellulitis (RR 0.82, 95%CI 0.32 to 2.11; P = 0.68), necrosis (RR 0.69, 95%CI 0.44 to 1.10; P = 0.12), infection (RR 0.68, 95%CI 0.37 to 1.25; P = 0.22), explantation (RR 0.61, 95%CI 0.35 to 1.06; P = 0.08), and total complications (RR 0.91, 95%CI 0.55 to 1.52; P = 0.73). Subgroup analysis showed that AlloDerm-RTU demonstrated no superiority compared with FD AlloDerm, AlloMax, or DermACELL. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the outcomes were stabilized. No publication bias existed in the present meta-analysis. Conclusion Four HADM products, AlloDerm-RTU, FD AlloDerm, AlloMax, and DermACELL, showed similar risks of complications. However since most of the included studies had a low level of evidence, further random trials with large numbers of patients are needed.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of computed tomography–assisted auricular cartilage grafting for treating alar base depression secondary to unilateral cleft lip. Design and Setting: For patients with obvious depression of the alar base, the difference in heights of the alar base and the piriform margin between the cleft side and the noncleft side were measured with computed tomography. If both were >3.0 mm, the cartilage was harvested postauricularly and subdivided into 2 to 4 pieces. A multiple layer graft was inserted under the depressed alar base. The procedure was performed from 2006 to 2013, and the follow-up period was 3 to 15 months. Participants: Chinese patients with alar base depression secondary to unilateral cleft lip were selected. Intervention: Suture and cartilage graft techniques. Main Outcomes Measures: Differences in bilateral alar base heights and piriform apertures. Results: There was no wound dehiscence, exposure of bone, or donor site morbidity. The difference in heights in the bilateral alar bases and piriform apertures decreased. There were no obvious scars in any of the cases. Conclusions: This technique has several advantages including ease of operation, minimal trauma, satisfactory outcomes, and useful references for operation provided by computed tomography. It is a superior alternative for reconstruction of secondary alar depression.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) can improve the fibrotic processes in many internal organs. Recent studies have shown a relationship between ACEI with cutaneous scar formation, although it has not been confirmed, and the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we cultured mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts with different concentrations of ACEI. We measured cell proliferation with a Cell Counting Kit-8 and collagen expression with a Sirius Red Collagen Detection Kit. Flow cytometry and western blotting were used to detect transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling. We also confirmed the potential antifibrotic activity of ACEI in a rat scar model. ACEI reduced fibroblast proliferation, suppressed collagen and TGF-β1 expression, and downregulated the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and TAK1, both in vitro and in vivo. A microscopic examination showed that rat scars treated with ramipril or losartan were not only narrower than in the controls, but also displayed enhanced re-epithelialization and neovascularization, and the formation of organized granulation tissue. These data indicate that ACEI inhibits scar formation by suppressing both TGF-β1/SMAD2/3 and TGF-β1/TAK1 pathways, and may have clinical utility in the future.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been considered as a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, however, the mechanism of its action is still elusive. We have previously reported that 50 Hz 0.6 mT PEMFs stimulate osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization in a primary cilium- dependent manner, but did not know the reason. In the current study, we found that the PEMFs promoted osteogenic differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs) by activating bone morphogenetic protein BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling on the condition that primary cilia were normal. Further studies revealed that BMPRII, the primary binding receptor of BMP ligand, was readily and strongly upregulated by PEMF treatment and localized at the bases of primary cilia. Abrogation of primary cilia with small interfering RNA sequence targeting IFT88 abolished the PEMF-induced upregulation of BMPRII and its ciliary localization. Knockdown of BMPRII expression level with RNA interference had no effects on primary cilia but significantly decreased the promoting effect of PEMFs on osteoblastic differentiation and maturation. These results indicated that PEMFs stimulate osteogenic differentiation and maturation of osteoblast by primary cilium-mediated upregulation of BMPRII expression and subsequently activation of BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling, and that BMPRII is the key component linking primary cilium and BMP-Smad1/5/8 pathway. This study has thus revealed the molecular mechanism for the osteogenic effect of PEMFs. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

To summarize the drug sensitivity and its trends ofThere were 73 toxigenic isolates collected from fecal sample of diarrheal patients in West China Hospital of Sichuan University during two periods. One was from August to December in 2015 (44 strains) , and another was from July 2016 to July 2017 (29 strains) . Enhanced nosocomial infection control measures were implemented during the second sample collection period. The toxin gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced for identification. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of metronidazole, vancomycin, clindamycin, moxifloxacin, rifaximin, fidaxomicin and linezolid were determined using agar double dilution method. We analyzed the drug resistance characteristics ofAll 73 strains tested were sensitive to metronidazole and vancomycin. Resistance rate to clindamycin, moxifloxacin, tetracycline and rifaximin were 79.5%, 26.0%, 27.4%, and 9.5%, respectively. Fidaxomicin and nitazoxanide were highly susceptible

The application of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis has long been an area of interest. However, the clinical application of PEMFs remains limited because of the poor understanding of the PEMF action mechanism. Here, we report that PEMFs promote bone formation by activating soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways. First, it was found that 50 Hz 0.6 millitesla (mT) PEMFs promoted osteogenic differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs), and that PEMFs activated cAMP–PKA–CREB signaling by increasing intracellular cAMP levels, facilitating phosphorylation of PKA and CREB, and inducing nuclear translocation of phosphorylated (p)-CREB. Blocking the signaling by adenylate cyclase (AC) and PKA inhibitors both abolished the osteogenic effect of PEMFs. Second, expression of sAC isoform was found to be increased significantly by PEMF treatment. Blocking sAC using sAC-specific inhibitor KH7 dramatically inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of ROBs. Finally, the peak bone mass of growing rats was significantly increased after 2 months of PEMF treatment with 90 min/day. The serum cAMP content, p-PKA, and p-CREB as well as the sAC protein expression levels were all increased significantly in femurs of treated rats. The current study indicated that PEMFs promote bone formation in vitro and in vivo by activating sAC–cAMP–PKA–CREB signaling pathway of osteoblasts directly or indirectly. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Objective To investigate if co-transfection of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2, BMP2) and human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2, FGF2) via chitosan nanoparticles promotes osteogenesis in human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro. Materials and Methods Recombinant BMP2 and/or FGF2 expression vectors were constructed and packaged into chitosan nanoparticles. The chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by atomic force microscopy. Gene and protein expression levels of BMP-2 and FGF2 in ADSCs in vitro were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene expression were also evaluated by real-time PCR to assess osteogenesis. Results The prepared chitosan nanoparticles were spherical with a relatively homogenous size distribution. The BMP2 and FGF2 vectors were successfully transfected into ADSCs. BMP-2 and FGF2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly up-regulated in the co-transfection group compared with the control group. OCN and BSP mRNA levels were also significantly increased in the co-transfection group compared with cells transfected with BMP2 or FGF2 alone, suggesting that co-transfection significantly enhanced osteogenesis. Conclusions Co-transfection of human ADSCs with BMP2/FGF2 via chitosan nanoparticles efficiently promotes the osteogenic properties of ADSCs in vitro.

To compare clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes between HIV and non-HIV patients withA total of 73 patients with CNM (30 patients without HIV and 43 with HIV) were admitted from January 2012 to January 2017. The clinical manifestations,biochemical and microbiological characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected and analyzed.The patients in the two group displayed non-specific symptoms such as headache,fever,nausea and vomiting. Non-HIV CNM patients had more serious inflammatory reaction with higher karyocytes and protein level (Immunity status should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of CNM,since it is difficult to diagnose with long treatment period and poor prognosis.

Background Although there are numerous skin closure methods, there is no special method for suturing triangular skin wounds. The authors have summarized and modified their experience with a 3-dimensional (3D) continuous suturing technique for triangular wounds. Methods From December 2015 to September 2017, the 3D continuous suturing technique for triangular wounds has been used in 32 cleft lip repairs (48 surgical triangular incisions) and 11 cases of facial trauma (15 traumatic triangular wounds). The patients, 3 months to 39 years of age, had triangular flaps designed for esthetic purposes or triangular defects secondary to accidents. To evaluate the effectiveness of this technique, the mean follow-up was 7 months (range, 1-15 months). Results The 3D continuous suturing technique for triangular wounds can shorten the suturing time, decrease the number of thread knots, and shorten the time of surgery. All patients healed well and the stitches were removed 7 days postoperatively. The wound on both sides of the triangle was well arranged, with a good appearance and no scar hyperplasia. Conclusions Our experience showed that the 3D continuous suturing technique for triangular wounds is a time-saving and convenient method and can make the wounds closed tighter, more stable, and reliable. The technique can be applied to any type of triangular wounds or incisions and is not limited to the clinical scenarios described in this article.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been found in the pathogenesis of various fibrosis diseases, and ACE inhibitor (ACEI) may affect wound healing and cutaneous fibrosis. However, there is no scientific evidence as to where the ACE is produced during scar formation. Whether it is from the cutaneous tissue or the bone marrow, or both remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the source of ACE using bone marrow transplantation in genetically modified mice, analyzed the inflammatory milieu and some growth factors in the middle of the wound healing period (4 d after the wound was induced). After having deleted the ACE from bone marrow or skin tissue, the wound/scar width in the low-ACE groups were narrower than those in wild-type (WT) controls. Loosely arranged collagen deposition and reduced vessel density were also detected in ACE-deficient mice. Lower ACE levels during scar formation were also accompanied by lower levels of TGF-β1. In the middle of the wound healing period, ACE levels affected the inflammatory cells significantly. In the mice with a deficiency in ACE, the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α decreased, but not that of IL-4. Our findings indicate that both bone marrow and skin tissue release ACE during scar formation. Deleting either of them can affect the inflammatory cells and growth factors and reduce the expression of TGF-β1, resulting in a decreased level of scarring.-Fang, Q.-Q., Wang, X.-F., Zhao, W.-Y., Chen, C.-Y., Zhang, M.-X., Shi, B.-H., Zhang, L.-Y., Tan, W.-Q. The source of ACE during scar formation is from both bone marrow and skin tissue.

Background.Madelung’s disease is a rare lipid metabolic disorder characterized by diffuse, uncapsulated lipomas in the neck, shoulder, and other areas. It mainly affects middle-aged men and is related to alcohol abuse, and the cause is not clear. Surgical treatments include lipectomy and liposuction.Methods.This systematic review analyzed the treatment of Madelung’s disease described in 52 articles including complete patient details, published between 2000 and 2015, and retrieved from the Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and Embase.Results.Lipectomy was performed in most cases and achieved more complete removal and better control of iatrogenic lesions of nearby structures than liposuction. Liposuction achieved good cosmetic results and is simpler and less invasive than lipectomy, but clinical experience is limited.Conclusions.Both lipectomy and liposuction have advantages and drawbacks. Surgeons should base the choice of optimal treatment on patient characteristics. Novel surgical techniques and etiologically targeted treatments hold promise as future therapies.

Background. Skin grafts and pedicled flaps are the traditional methods of reconstructing injuries; both have some disadvantages. Here, we introduce a new clinical application of split-thickness skin with pedicle for repairing finger wounds. Methods. We present the new method of split-thickness skin with pedicle used on 12 patients (18 fingers) between 2012 and 2016. The graft was sketched on the abdomen at random according to the shape of the wounds on a skin area of 1.0 × 1.0 cm–8.0 × 1.5 cm. The pedicle was divided at 7–22 days. Results. During the follow-up time of 13–20 months, there were no reported cases of skin necrosis; 17 fingers obtained primary healing except 1, which required a dressing change. Conclusion. The split-thickness skin with pedicle proved to be valuable in the treatment of finger wounds and has the advantages of both pedicled flaps and free skin grafting.

Objective. Melasma is a highly prevalent, chronic, and pigmentary disorder. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TA) for the treatment of adults with melasma. Methods. We independently searched 3 databases from beginning to 26 April, 2018. The study included 21 eligible trials. Two writers extracted data at the same time independently. Study outcomes were calculated by standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager Version 5.3 and STATA Version 15.1. Results. The combined results showed that the use of TA was associated with reduced Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) and Melanin Index (MI). No significant difference in Erythema Index (EI) was observed with TA treatment. Side effects were minor, with a few cases reporting mild gastrointestinal reaction, oligomenorrhoea, hypopigmentation, urticarial rash, and skin irritation xerosis. Conclusion. The meta-analysis suggested that TA treatment appeared to be a promising therapeutic approach for melasma.

The optical and electric transport properties of the Al:ZnO(AZO) and (Cu, Al):ZnO (CAZO) films deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) were investigated in this paper. The experiment found the optical band gap (OBG) of AZO films at room temperature increased from 3.378eV of ZnO to 3.446eV of ZnO:Al (2min) sample, but decreased as continue add Al to ZnO:Al (4min), which were attributes to the Burstein-Moss (B-M) effect. For CAZO films, there is obvious change about hall mobility,ν, and resistivity,ρ, after doped Cu. It can be found that theνdecreased from to and theρincreased from to for AZO and CAZO, respectively, which is due to the scattering increasing between donor carriers and grain boundary as Cu2+ions increase, meanwhile, it was also found the decrease of OBG, which are very help to further understand the electric transport properties and the OBG effect of AZO-based films as well as its devices potential application.

This article aims to explore the key issues about the construction of the Business English major according to the guideline of the National Standards for Teaching Quality of Business English Major in College. The key issues include the background of setting the national standard, the definition and content of the major, the goals of cultivating talents of the major, the knowledge and ability talents have, construction of the curriculum systems, construction of the teaching staff in the application-oriented college. By using the method of literature and theoretical analysis, the article comes to a conclusion, that is the complete curriculum system, the mode of cultivating talents and good quality of the teaching staff can assure the sustainable development of Business English Major in application-oriented college.

Sm2Co17:Cu,Crfilms growing on Cr buffer layer and Cu seed layer were prepared by pulsed laser deposition(PLD) methodbased on Si(100) substrate. The results showed that Cu and Cr co-doped in SmCo films made the refinement of crystal grain and the increase of coercivity of SmCo. Beside, the experiments found that the incorporation of Cu and Cr in SmCo films resulted in a positive effect of the exchange bias for SmCo-CuCr system. We suggested that the mechanism of the exchange bias origins from the interaction of ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic state (FM-AFM, SmCo-CuCr). Meanwhile, the magnetic measurment of added magnetic field and zero-field-cooled (FC-ZFC) at temperature range of 10K~300K has further confirmed the critical value of FM-AFM tansform is about 80K, which is suggested that it was attributed to the coupling competition of FM phase and AFM phase.

To study whether low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields promotes the differentiation of cultured rat osteoblasts through the cAMP/PKA signal pathway.Rat calvarial osteoblasts isolated by enzyme digestion were exposed to 50 Hz 0.6 mT low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field for varying lengths of time, and the concentration of cAMP and levels of phosphorylated PKA in the cells were assayed. In cells treated with DDA to inhibit the activity of adenylate cyclase, the changes of ALP activity and transcription of osteogenic gene were detected after exposure to low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field. The changes of osteogenic gene transcription and protein expression were tested in the osteoblasts pretreated with KT5720 in response to low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field exposure.The intracellular cAMP concentration in the cells increased significantly at 20 min during exposure to low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field, began to decrease at 40 min during the exposure, and increased again after a 2-h exposure; the same pattern of variation was also observed in p-PKA level. Application of DDA and KT5720 pretreatment both suppressed the increase in ALP activity and osteogenic gene transcription induced by electromagnetic field exposure.Low- frequency pulsed electromagnetic field exposure improves the differentiation of cultured rat osteoblasts by activating cAMP/PKA signal pathway.