Generation of iPSC-derived human venous endothelial cells for the modeling of vascular malformations and drug discovery.

Venous malformations (VMs) represent prevalent vascular anomalies typically attributed to non-inherited somatic mutations within venous endothelial cells (VECs). The lack of robust disease models for VMs impedes drug discovery. Here, we devise a robust protocol for the generation of human induced VECs (iVECs) through manipulation of cell-cycle dynamics via the retinoic signaling pathway.

Effectiveness and Safety of a Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Chin Augmentation and Correction of Chin Retrusion: A Multi-center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The chin significantly influences facial aesthetics, contributing to the overall balance and harmony of the face. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the hyaluronic acid filler Hyamax® Volumizer for chin augmentation and correction of chin retrusion compared to a no-treatment control.

Methods: Participants aged 18-55 years with mild to moderate chin retrusion were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to receive either the treatment group (n = 150) or control group (n = 50).

Experimental study of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the evaluation of random-pattern flap blood supply in the early postoperative stage in rats.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be used to reveal the status of blood supply of the superficial flap of rat model in the early postoperative stage.

Methods: One viable and one ischemic random-pattern flap were prepared on the left and right back of the same rat respectively with a number of 40. CEUS examinations were applied within 12 h and 7 days postoperatively, and the quantitative measurements of microvascular blood volume (BV) of the base and the end of both flaps were expressed using acoustic intensity as a ratio to that of the healthy skin.

Effect of thermal treatment of illite on the bioavailability of copper and zinc in the aerobic composting of pig manure with corn straw.

The large amount of various types of heavy metals in animal manure applied to agricultural field has caused severe threat to the ecosystems of soil environments. In this study, the effect of thermal treatment of illite on the bioavailability of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the aerobic composting of pig manure with corn straw biochar was investigated. The objectives of this study were to characterize the variations in the bioavailability of Cu and Zn in the aerobic composting of pig manure added with illite treated with high temperatures and to identify the relatively dominant microbes involved in the formation of humus and passivation of heavy metals in pig manure composting based on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing analysis.

Enhanced humification via lignocellulosic pretreatment in remediation of agricultural solid waste.

Stover and manure are the main solid waste in agricultural industry. The generation of stover and manure could lead to serious environmental pollution if not handled properly. Composting is the potential greener solution to remediate and reduce agricultural solid waste, through which stover and manure could be remediated and converted into organic fertilizer, but the long composting period and low efficiency of humic substance production are the key constraints in such remediation approach.

Application of magnetic resonance imaging with intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound in the treatment of patients with polyacrylamide hydrogel injected for breast augmentation: a retrospective study of 204 cases for 12 years.

Purpose: Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG), which had been used widely for breast augmentation, has been banned for more than 15 years. Patients who had been injected PAHG for breast augmentation need evacuation surgery to remove as much as possible. To provide a series of diagnosis and treatment process MRI and intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound are combined for maximal removal of PAHG.

Application of epinephrine mixed with local anaesthetics in injection sclerotherapy of early-stage arteriovenous malformation.

Purpose: To explore the effect of epinephrine mixed with local anaesthetic injection on blood flow control in early stage arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and explore suitable cases.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with early stage (Schobinger clinical stage I/II) AVM were selected between September 2019 and March 2022. Local anaesthetics containing epinephrine were injected around the nourishing artery and into lesions under the guidance of ultrasound, and the blood flow distribution grade in the lesions as well as the changes in diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV), and resistance index (RI) of the nourishing arteries and vessels in the lesions were observed to determine the type of AVM suitable for epinephrine injection.

Evaluation of facial artery course variations, diameters, and depth by Doppler ultrasonography.

Background: The facial artery (FA) is the main blood vessel supplying blood to the face. It is essential to understand the anatomy of FA around the nasolabial fold (NLF). This study aimed to provide the detailed anatomy and relative positioning of FA to help avoid unexpected complications in plastic surgery.

PI3K/AKT pathway promotes keloid fibroblasts proliferation by enhancing glycolysis under hypoxia.

Our previous study demonstrated altered glucose metabolism and enhanced phosphorylation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in keloid fibroblasts (KFb) under hypoxic conditions. However, whether the PI3K/AKT pathway influences KFb cell function by regulating glucose metabolism under hypoxic conditions remains unclear. Here, we show that when PI3K/AKT pathway was inactivated with LY294002, the protein expression of glycolytic enzymes decreased, while the amount of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane potential increased.

Evaluation of Supratrochlear, Supraorbital and Angular Artery Course Variations and Depth by Doppler Ultrasound.

Background: Supratrochlear (STA), supraorbital (SOA), and dorsal nasal artery (DNA) branches from the ophthalmic artery and angular artery (AA) from the facial artery are the primary suppliers of blood to the upper face. Filler injection without precise knowledge of its vascular topography poses a risk of severe complications.

Methods: Seventy-four hemifaces from 37 subjects with a median age of 25.

Sirolimus as a promising drug therapy for blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: Two-case report.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a very rare systemic vascular malformation frequently affecting the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, and the standard treatment does not exist. This study reports two blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome cases, of which the second patient received the gene mutations detection and got a low-dose sirolimus therapy, compared with the first patient who was not treated with sirolimus.

Latissimus dorsi muscle flap transfer through endoscopic approach combined with the implant after tissue expansion for breast reconstruction of mastectomy patients.

Background: Implant-based breast reconstruction is easy to be performed but has flaws that an unnatural appearance might be presented when no sufficient coverage existing. While autologous tissue reconstruction also has disadvantages like donor site scar and skin patch effect. There is a demand for a new method to obtain natural and aesthetic appearance while surmounting drawbacks of conventional breast reconstruction surgery.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Asphalt Mixtures Using Composite Admixtures of Lignin and Glass Fibers.

Lignin and glass fiber were used as additives to improve the quality of road pavements and minimize moisture damage and cracking at low temperatures on asphalt pavement, according to a previous laboratory study. The aim of this paper is to make a significant contribution to the environmental assessment of the construction of road pavements using four types of asphalt mixtures based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology according to the requirements of ISO 14040, considering the impact of raw material extraction, asphalt mixture manufacturing, transportation, and wearing surface construction. The results of the environmental assessment showed that all studied asphalt mixtures do not offer any improvement in all impact categories, and three modified asphalt mixtures have a slight negative effect in all impact categories.

Associations of IRAK1 Gene Polymorphisms and mRNA Expression With NMOSD Risk in the Northern Chinese Han Population.

Interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) is a very important immunomodulatory gene for autoimmune diseases located on the X chromosome. However, there was little study about the correlation of IRAK1 functional single nucleotide polymorphisms with mRNA expression in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the plausible association of IRAK1 polymorphism, IRAK1 mRNA expression, and NMOSD risk in the northern Chinese Han population.

Effects of miR-330-3p on Invasion, Migration and EMT of Gastric Cancer Cells by Targeting PRRX1-Mediated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Background: miRNA, as a biological marker, had more and more attention in recent years due to the important role it plays in cancer. Currently, there are extensive studies on miRNAs, among which miR-330-3p is reported to be implicated in the pathophysiological processes of various cancers. However, little progress has been made in the mechanism of miR-330-3p in gastric cancer.

Efficacy and safety of topical nitroglycerin in the prevention of mastectomy flap necrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Flap necrosis is a common complication after mastectomy, and nitroglycerin (NTG) ointment has been used successfully to treat it. However, it is not clear whether topical NTG can completely prevent the occurrence of flap necrosis after breast cancer surgery, and it is also unclear whether this treatment may cause side effects. Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two retrospective cohort studies (RCSs) were included in our investigation.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of the Sandwich Composite Structure Reinforced by Basalt Fiber and Nomex Honeycomb.

The new sandwich composite structure formed by basalt fiber resin-based sheets and Nomex honeycomb has the advantages of being lightweight and environmentally friendly, as well as having excellent electromagnetic performance. It has very important application prospects in traditional and emerging fields. In this paper, the mechanical properties of this new sandwich composite structure are studied.

Vertical enlargement of the palpebral aperture by surgical modification of the lower eyelid: A new cosmetic option for Chinese patients.

Background: The distinctive features of Oriental eyes are narrow palpebral aperture and upslanting lower eyelid margin, which are not in accordance with modern appreciation of beauty. Although many ophthalmic plastic procedures have been designed to change the characteristic appearance, the methods to enlarge the palpebral aperture by lowering the lower eyelid are limited.

Methods: A total of 63 Chinese patients received the lowering the lower eyelid procedure from April 2014 to August 2018.

Unilateral Tissue Expander/Implant Two-Stage Breast Reconstruction with the Assistance of Three-Dimensional Surface Imaging.

Background: In China, traditional preoperative planning of unilateral breast reconstruction mainly depends on anthropometric measurement and visual assessment. Thus, the lack of objective assessment of breast volume and shape would likely result in suboptimal reconstruction outcomes. Three-dimensional surface imaging (3D-SI), which could provide objective measurement data of the breast, may be a promising solution to this problem.

Cosmetic and structural outcomes of two different techniques of medial epicanthoplasty according to epicanthal fold classification and severity: A cohort study.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the cosmetic and structural outcomes of two techniques for medial epicanthoplasty of the epicanthal fold, which varied in classification and severity.

Methods: Medical records and photographs of 106 patients (212 eyes) who underwent medial epicanthoplasty by the modified Z-plasty or modified redraping techniques were reviewed retrospectively. They underwent surgery from January 2009 to June 2017 and completed a follow-up of 6 months.

Effect of 810 nm Near-Infrared Laser on Revascularization of Ischemic Flaps in Rats.

Objective: To investigate the effect of 810 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser on the revascularization of ischemic flaps.

Background: It has long been proved that photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) improves the blood supply of flaps. NIR laser improves the treatment of hypodermis-located lesions and of flap survival, but basic research on the use of 810 nm NIR laser for ischemic flap revascularization is still lacking.

Metabolic reprogramming in keloid fibroblasts: Aerobic glycolysis and a novel therapeutic strategy.

Keloids, tumor-like fibroproliferative cutaneous lesions, were reported in metabolic disturbance. However, the metabolic character remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine if glycolytic reprogramming is important for the pathogenesis of keloids and to assess the inhibition potential of glycolysis in keloid treatment.

In-Fiber Optic Salinity Sensing: A Potential Application for Offshore Concrete Structure Protection.

The protection of concrete structures against corrosion in marine environments has always been a challenge due to the presence of a saline solution-A natural corrosive agent to the concrete paste and steel reinforcements. The concentration of salt is a key parameter influencing the rate of corrosion. In this paper, we propose an optical fiber-based salinity sensor based on bundled multimode plastic optical fiber (POF) as a sensor probe and a concave mirror as a reflector in conjunction with an intensity modulation technique.

Tapered Polymer Fiber Sensors for Reinforced Concrete Beam Vibration Detection.

In this study, tapered polymer fiber sensors (TPFSs) have been employed to detect the vibration of a reinforced concrete beam (RC beam). The sensing principle was based on transmission modes theory. The natural frequency of an RC beam was theoretically analyzed.

The application of second-order approximation of Taylor series in thickness shear vibration analysis of quartz crystal microbalances.

The inertia force caused by an additional mass layer is usually adopted to simulate the effective mechanical boundary condition in a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), which may yield incorrect results when the upper layer becomes relative thicker. Thus, a detail analysis of the thickness shear vibration in a QCM for detecting the characteristics of the upper isotropic layer is proceeded based on a second-order approximation of Taylor series. The result calculated by this method has a higher accuracy than that of inertial-force approximation.