A Baicalin-Based Functional Polymer in Dynamic Reversible Networks Alleviates Osteoarthritis by Cellular Interactions.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly recognized as a whole-organ disease predominantly affecting the elderly, characterized by typical alterations in subchondral bone and cartilage, along with recurrent synovial inflammation. Despite the availability of various therapeutics and medications, a complete resolution of OA remains elusive. In this study, novel functional hydrogels are developed by integrating natural bioactive molecules for OA treatment.

Efficacy of Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant for Scalp Nerve Blocks to Prolong Analgesia: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Scalp nerve blocks (SNB) may significantly reduce post-craniotomy pain (PCP) but only for a short period of time. Dexamethasone, as an adjuvant to local anesthetics, was reported to prolong the analgesia duration of never block; however, the addition of dexamethasone to SNB is rare. We therefore tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in SNB is positive after craniotomy.

Cystoscope-free ureteral stent removal: a safe and effective method during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ureteral stent must be removed within a certain period, usually performed under the cystoscope. However, cystoscopic operations procedures carry risks such as urethral injury, hemorrhage, and infection. This study aimed to implement a cystoscope-free method for ureteral stent removal during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the complications associated with cystoscopy, reduce the risk of cross-infection, and conserve medical resources and time.

Sanming Model of Medical Service Integration: Impact on Medical Expenditures, Service Provision, and Resource Allocation in China.

Background: Fragmentation of healthcare services has been a central issue, contributing to escalating medical expenditures and service provision, thereby exacerbating the waste of limited medical resources. In response, China has introduced the Sanming Mode, a medical service integration model designed to address these challenges. This study evaluates the model's impact on medical expenditures, service provision, and resource allocation.

Establishment of a Low-Cost and Efficient In Vitro Model for Cultivating Intestinal Microbiota.

The Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) has hindered widespread adoption due to its high cost. This study founded biomimetic multilink fermentation equipment (BMLFE), priced at half or even lower than SHIME. It was improved based on multilink fermentation equipment (MLFE) by modifying materials, peristaltic pumps, fermentation time, and dietary habits while calculating transfer time and volumes and conducted anaerobic fermentation for 15 days followed by monitoring changes in intestinal microbial composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

[Progress of varicella prevalence and immunization strategies in adolescents and adults].

Varicella, often referred to as chickenpox, is a widespread acute infectious condition triggered by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It manifests with systemic symptoms and distinct skin and mucosal eruptions, including macules, papules, and vesicles. Although it mainly affects children, the disease is typically more severe in teenagers and adults.

Improved positioning in robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using the EDGE MP1000 surgical robot.

This study investigated the impact of an improved body positioning on the effectiveness of EDGE MP1000 robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. We compared clinical data from 39 patients who underwent the procedure at Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University between November 2023 and May 2024. The control group (18 patients) received conventional positioning, while the experimental group (21 patients) received precise positioning, which included patient assessments, optimized positioning techniques, and enhanced nursing measures.

Effect of metformin on the clinical outcomes of stroke in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Stroke is a major cause of death and disability globally, especially among diabetic patients. In this study, we aim to scrutinise the effects of metformin on the clinical outcomes of stroke in diabetic patients.

Design: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Comparing residual kidney function equations based on β2-microglobulin in Chinese patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the predictive capability of equations for residual kidney function (RKF) in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Moreover, the applicability of each equation remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the performances of the estimated RKF (eRKF) equations of Shafi, Steubl, and Jaques in Chinese patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Customized Design of Covalent Organic Framework with Asymmetric Dual-Function Hybrid Linkages for Promoting HO Photosynthesis in Air and Water.

Efficient sacrificial-agent-free photosynthesis of HO from air and water represents the greenest, lowest-cost, most real-time avenue for HO production but remains a challenging issue. Here, we show a general and effective approach through a structural design on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with asymmetric dual-function hybrid linkages for boosting the HO photosynthesis of the COFs. Through such design we can equip a COF with not only a catalytic active center but also a special function for isolating the D-A motif, which consequently endows the COF (CI-COF) built on asymmetric dual-function hybrid linkages with a significantly enhanced efficiency in the generation, transmission, and separation of photogenerated carriers, relative to the COF (II-COF and CC-COF) built on symmetric single-function single linkages.

Ultrasound-activated erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged Pt (II) layered double hydroxide enhances PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer through cGAS-STING pathway-mediated immunogenic cell death.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) offers a promising avenue for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, optimizing immune responses remains a formidable challenge. This study presents the design of RBCm@Pt-CoNi layered double hydroxide (RmPLH), an innovative sonosensitizer for sonodynamic therapy (SDT), aimed at enhancing the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors by inducing robust ICD responses.

Self-assembled palmitic acid-modified thymopentin functions as a delivery system of nanovaccine for cancer immunotherapy.

In clinical practice, thymopentin (TP-5) is a commonly utilized immunomodulatory peptide drug. The relatively short half-life of TP-5, however, significantly limits its applicability in immunotherapy. Inspired by the structure of the TLR2 ligand lipopeptide Pam3CSK4, fatty acid-modified TP-5 peptides were designed and synthesized in this study.

Association of iron deficiency with kidney outcome and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease patients without anemia.

Background: Iron deficiency is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), even in those without anemia. However, the effects of iron deficiency on CKD progression and all-cause mortality in non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients without anemia remain incompletely understood.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective nationwide cohort study included adult patients with non-anemia NDD-CKD from 24 hospitals across China.

[Heart failure: innovative understanding from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and treatment with classic TCM formulas].

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in China has shown a rising trend. With the patient number of about 8.9 million, heart failure has brought a heavy burden to public health and wellness.

Associations between oral behaviors, temporomandibular disorder subtypes and psychological distress in adult women: a retrospective case-control study.

Oral behaviors and psychological distress are known to be related to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). However, the relationship between various oral behaviors and specific TMD subgroups in adult women experiencing psychological distress is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between various oral behaviors and different TMD subgroups with different psychological distress states.

Bioinspired Smart Triboelectric Soft Pneumatic Actuator-Enabled Hand Rehabilitation Robot.

Quantitative assessment for post-stroke spasticity remains a significant challenge due to the encountered variable resistance during passive stretching, which can lead to the widely used modified Ashworth scale (MAS) for spasticity assessment depending heavily on rehabilitation physicians. To address these challenges, a high-force-output triboelectric soft pneumatic actuator (TENG-SPA) inspired by a lobster tail is developed. The bioinspired TENG-SPA can generate approximately 20 N at 0.

A first-in-human phase 1/2 dose-escalation study of MAK683 (EED inhibitor) in patients with advanced malignancies.

Purpose: MAK683, a first-in-class and highly selective allosteric inhibitor of the embryonic ectoderm development subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2, has shown sustained antitumor activity in tumor xenograft models. This first-in-human phase 1/2 study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and clinical activity of single-agent MAK683 in advanced malignancies.

Methods: MAK683 was administered fasted once daily or twice daily continuously in 28-day treatment cycles.

Hantaan virus glycoprotein Gc induces NEDD4-dependent PTEN ubiquitination and degradation to escape the restriction of autophagosomes and facilitate viral propagation.

Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection causes severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans and the infectious process can be regulated by autophagy. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein has antiviral effects and plays a critical role in the autophagy pathway. However, the relationship between PTEN and HTNV infection is not clear and whether PTEN-regulated autophagy involves in HTNV replication is unknown.

Near-infrared fluorescent probe for visualization of nitroxyl in the plant response to stress.

Background: Nitroxyl (HNO) is an emerging signaling molecule that plays a significant regulatory role in various aspects of plant biology, including stress responses and developmental processes. However, understanding the precise actions of HNO in plants has been challenging due to the absence of highly sensitive and real-time in situ monitoring tools. Consequently, it is crucial to develop effective and accurate detection methods for HNO.

Gold nanoparticle-modified single-walled carbon nanotube terahertz metasurface for ultrasensitive sensing of trace proteins.

Research on metasurface sensors with high sensitivity, strong specificity, good biocompatibility and strong integration is the key to promote the application of terahertz waves in the field of biomedical detection. However, traditional metallic terahertz metasurfaces have shortcomings such as poor biocompatibility and large ohmic loss in the terahertz frequency band, impeding their further application and integration in the field of biosensing detection. Here, we overcome this challenge by proposing a high-performance terahertz metasurface based on gold nanoparticles and single-walled carbon nanotubes composite film.

Acute kidney injury is associated with liver-related outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus infection: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The effects of acute kidney injury (AKI) on liver-related outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remain unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the association between AKI with liver-related mortality and complications in patients with HBV infection.

Methods: The multicenter, retrospective cohort study included Chinese adults with HBV infection from 24 regional central hospitals between January 2000 and December 2022.

In Situ Growth of Metal-Organic Layer on Polyoxometalate-etching CuO to Boost CO Reduction with High Stability.

Low-cost CuO with a suitable band gap holds great potential for solar utilization. However severe photocorrosion and weak CO capture capability have significantly hindered their application in artificial photosynthesis. Herein, polyoxometalate (POM)-etching and in situ growth of metal-organic framework (MOF) can simultaneously incorporate electron-sponge and HKUST protective layer into CuO.

Research Progress in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm(BPDCN)is an extremely rare invasive tumor with poor prognosis.The common clinical manifestations of BPDCN include skin injury,bone marrow involvement,and tumor cell spread.BPDCN is often misdiagnosed as other diseases and its diagnosis often requires a combination of clinical manifestations,imaging,histology,and immunophenotyping.

Fabrication of Polyurethane-Polyacrylate Hybrid Latexes with High Organosilicon Content via Phase Inversion Emulsion Polymerization.

Waterborne polyurethane, with a mechanical strength comparable to solvent-based types, is eco-friendly and safe, using water as a dispersion medium. Polyacrylate excels in film formation and weather resistance but suffers from "hot stickiness and cold brittleness". Merging polyurethane and polyacrylate creates advanced hybrids, while organosilicon enhances properties but is restricted due to hydrolytic crosslinking.