Berberine alleviates chronic pain-induced anxiety-like behaviors by inhibiting the activation of VLT-projecting cACC (Cg2) neurons.

Chronic pain is often accompanied by anxiety, and gradually increasing anxiety makes the pain itself more protracted. Berberine has been found to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier to treat psychiatric disorders, but its neurocirculatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that neurons in cingulate area 2 (Cg2) of the caudal anterior cingulate cortex (cACC), but not in Cg1 of the cACC, projected to the ventral lateral thalamus (VLT).

Correlation Analysis of Digital Mammography, Ultrasonography, and Pathologic Features in Pure Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma of the Breast (PIMPC).

Purpose: This study determined the digital mammography and ultrasonography imaging features of pure invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast (PIMPC) and the correlation with pathologic features.

Patients Methods: Nineteen patients diagnosed with PIMPC at Yantaishan Hospital from October 2015 to February 2022 were included in the study group. Forty patients with breast masses diagnosed as nonspecific invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (NIDC) from July to December 2021 were included in the control group.

expression-based prognostic model for uveal melanoma.

FOXD1, a new member of the transcription factor family, serves as a mediator and biomarker for cell reprogramming. But its contribution to prognosis of uveal melanoma (UVM) is unclear. This study demonstrated that might promote tumor growth and invasion, because expression was negatively correlated with overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-specific survival in UVM patients.

Engineered muscle from micro-channeled PEG scaffold with magnetic FeO fixation towards accelerating esophageal muscle repair.

Engineered scaffolds are used for repairing damaged esophagus to allow the precise alignment and movement of smooth muscle for peristalsis. However, most of these scaffolds focus solely on inducing cell alignment through directional apparatus, often overlooking the promotion of muscle tissue formation and causing reduced esophageal muscle repair effectiveness. To address this issue, we first introduced aligned nano-ferroferric oxide (FeO) assemblies on a micropatterned poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel to form micro-/nano-stripes.

The value of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the diagnosis of urinary calculi: a systematic review and meta-analysis of retrospective studies.

Objective: Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) imaging technology opens a new idea and method for analyzing stone composition, which can obtain several quantitative parameters reflecting tissue-related information and energy images different from traditional images. However, the application of DECT in diagnosing urinary calculi remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the value of DECT in diagnosing urinary calculi by meta-analysis.

Stem-loop RT-qPCR system for multiplex miRNA profiling and its application in wound healing-specific biomarker identification.

MiRNAs are biomarkers widely used in research but their clinical application is still challenging due to their low expression levels. Current methods for miRNA detection involve separate transcription and quantification for each target, which is costly and unsuitable for large sample sizes. This study provides a strategy for designing and screening miRNA-specific stem-loop reverse transcription (RT) primers, which enable the simultaneous transcription of three miRNAs and U6, and the concurrent detection of miRNA and U6 in the same transcript using TaqMan probes labeled with different dyes.

Application of CECT, CEMRI, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the evaluation of renal cystic lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of retrospective studies.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the role and effect of CECT, CEMRI and CEUS in the detection of renal cystic lesions, and to provide evidence-based basis for clinical examination and treatment. The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PUBMED databases were searched from January 2012 to December 2022 for article retrieval. The articles on the treatment of cystic renal disease were searched.

Hyperthermia-sensitive Liposomes Containing Brucea Javanica Oil for Synergistic Photothermal-/Chemo-Therapy in Breast Cancer Treatment.

Introduction: High mortality and limited therapeutic efficacy of clinical treatment make breast cancer a stubborn disease in women. The hypovascular issue is the main challenge needed to be overcome in breast cancer treatment.

Methods: For this purpose, hyperthermia-sensitive liposomes containing indocyanine green (ICG) and brucea javanica oil (BJO) (LP(BJO/ICG)) were constructed for near-infrared (NIR) laser-induced photothermal- /chemo-antitumor therapy.

Various administration forms of decellularized amniotic membrane extract towards improving corneal repair.

Amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation is often used as a treatment for corneal repair, but AM is prone to dissolving and shedding after surgery; multiple transplants will cause pain and financial burden. In this work, human amniotic membrane was firstly decellularized to obtain an AM extracellular matrix (dAM). This dAM was homogenized and extracted to obtain the dAM extract (simplified as dAME).

Phylogenetic significance of the characteristics of simple sequence repeats at the genus level based on the complete chloroplast genome sequences of Cyatheaceae.

The simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of plant chloroplasts show considerable genetic variation and have been widely used in species identification and phylogenetic relationship determination. Whether chloroplast genome SSRs can be used to classify Cyatheaceae species has not yet been studied. Therefore, the chloroplast genomes of eight Cyatheaceae species were sequenced, and their SSR characteristics were compared and statistically analyzed.

[Effect of 's abdominal acupuncture as adjunctive therapy on rheumatoid arthritis and ESR, RF and CRP levels].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis treated with 's abdominal acupuncture for "guiding to the source" plus "opening four gates on the abdomen" and the relevant effect mechanism.

Methods: A total of 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomized into and an observation group (52 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (52 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the control group, methotrexate tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 5 mg each time, once a week.

The complete chloroplast genome of L. (Ophioglossaceae) and phylogenetic analysis.

is a rare and ancient fern. In this study, the chloroplast (cp) genome of was completely sequenced. The genome size is 138,562 bp, which contains a large single-copy (LSC) region with 99,351 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region with 19,661 bp, and two inverted repeats (IR) regions of 9,775 bp each.

Development of Poloxamer Hydrogels Containing Antibacterial Guanidine-Based Polymers for Healing of Full-Thickness Skin Wound.

A series of hydrogels containing guanidine-based polymers using a poloxamer as the matrix were prepared to provide novel wound dressings with antibacterial and repairing-promotion properties for skin wounds. Herein, we developed a series of antibacterial hydrogels, the cationic guanidine-based polymer polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) with poloxamer aqueous solution (12%, w/w) simplified as PHMGP, chitosan (CS)-cross-linked PHMG (referred to as PHMC) with poloxamer aqueous solution simplified as PHMCP, and hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified PHMG (referred to as PHMH) with poloxamer aqueous solution simplified as PHMHP, for enhancing full-thickness skin wound healing. The characterizations, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, and in vivo full-thickness wound-healing capability of these hydrogels were analyzed and evaluated.

Acupuncture inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin, promotes autophagy and attenuates neurological deficits in a rat model of hemorrhagic stroke.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for approximately 15% of all stroke cases. Previous studies suggested that acupuncture may improve ICH-induced neurological deficits. Therefore, we investigated the effects of acupuncture on neurological deficits in an animal model of ICH.

Molecular evolution and SSRs analysis based on the chloroplast genome of .

Chloroplast genome sequences have been used to understand evolutionary events and to infer efficiently phylogenetic relationships. (Cupressaceae) is an endemic species in China. Its phylogenetic position is controversial due to morphological characters similar to those of , and .

Chitosan-Based Functional Materials for Skin Wound Repair: Mechanisms and Applications.

Skin wounds not only cause physical pain for patients but also are an economic burden for society. It is necessary to seek out an efficient approach to promote skin repair. Hydrogels are considered effective wound dressings.

Complete chloroplast genome of (Cyatheaceae).

Illumina sequencing was employed to determine the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of (), which is a relict fern. The cp genome of is indeed a circular DNA molecule with 156,659 bp. It includes an inverted repeats (IRs) pair with 24,011 bp each and two single-copy regions with 86,196 bp and 22,441 bp, respectively.

The Mechanisms and the Applications of Antibacterial Polymers in Surface Modification on Medical Devices.

Medical device contamination caused by microbial pathogens such as bacteria and fungi has posed a severe threat to the patients' health in hospitals. Due to the increasing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics, the efficacy of traditional antibiotics treatment is gradually decreasing for the infection treatment. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new antibacterial drugs to meet clinical or civilian needs.

Pranoprofen Nanoparticles With (L-)-b-()-(L-) as the Matrix Toward Improving Ocular Anti-inflammation.

Nanotechnology using biodegradable polymer carriers with good biocompatibility and bioabsorbability has been studied and applied extensively in drug delivery systems and biomedical engineering. In this work, the triblocked oligomer poly(L-lactide)--poly(ethylene glycol)--poly(L-lactide) (PLEL) with the molecular weight of 2.08 KDa was first synthesized.

[Effect of acupuncture on NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7) on NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and to explore the action mechanism of acupuncture on promoting the recovery of neural function in rats with ICH.

Methods: Forty SPF six-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. The rats in the model group, non-acupoint group and acupuncture group were intervened with autologous blood injection to prepare ICH model, while the rats in the sham operation group were only intervened with operation but not injection with autologous blood.

Electroacupuncture Improved Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior and Memory Impairments in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Downregulating the ACE/Ang II/AT1R Axis and Upregulating the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR Axis.

Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively alleviate anxiety disorders and memory impairments caused by various neurodegenerative diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects are unclear. Previous studies have shown that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) comprises of two axes with mutual antagonism: the classical angiotensin converting enzyme/angiotensin II/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (ACE/Ang II/AT1R) axis and the protective angiotensin converting enzyme 2/angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR) axis. In this study, we observed that chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) mediated anxiety-like behavior and memory impairments in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) via upregulation of the hippocampal classical axis (ACE/Ang II/AT1R) and the partial hippocampal protective axis (ACE2/Ang-(1-7)).

[Penetrative needling improves neurological function by up-regulating expression of autophagy related protein LC3 in rats with hemorrhagic stroke].

Objective: To observe the effect of penetrative needling from "Baihui" (GV20) to "Qubin" (GB7) on neurological function and expression of autophagy related protein microtubule-associated protein, light chain 3 (LC3) in rats with hemorrhagic stroke, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods: A total of 120 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model, non-acupoint, acupuncture and medication (Rapamycin) groups which were further divided into two time-point subgroups (3, 7 days after modeling, =12/subgroup). The intracerebral hemorrhage model was established by injection of the rat's auto-blood (50 μL) into the putaman region.

Biological properties of a bionic scaffold for esophageal tissue engineering research.

Polyurethane is a good matrix material with wide application prospects in tissue engineering because of its adjustable and mechanical properties. A novel biodegradable crosslinked poly(ester urethane) (CPU) with flexible poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) components has been synthesized using a ferric iron catalyst in our laboratory. In the present study, to promote the interaction between the CPU material and cells, the material was superficially modified by silk fibroin (SF) grafting using an aminolysis and glutaraldehyde crosslinking method to achieve a biocompatible material, CPU-SF.