Oxygen-controllable injectable hydrogel alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by balancing extracellular matrix metabolism.

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, situated at the core of intervertebral discs, have acclimated to a hypoxic environment, orchestrating the equilibrium of extracellular matrix metabolism (ECM) under the regulatory influence of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Neovascularization and increased oxygen content pose a threat, triggering ECM degradation and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). To address this, our study devised an oxygen-controllable strategy, introducing laccase into an injectable and ultrasound-responsive gelatin/agarose hydrogel.

Reprogramming the future: Capitalizing on embryo culture by advancing stem cell technologies in the fight against rare genetic disorders.

Capitalizing on breakthroughs in reproductive genetics, the utilization of embryo culture and stem cell technologies heralds a transformative era in addressing global challenges posed by rare genetic diseases. These cutting-edge practices illuminate the intricacies of early human development, elucidate the mechanisms behind rare diseases, and guide the development of potential therapies. Balancing this remarkable innovation with necessary ethical considerations, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize the trajectory of rare genetic disorders, transforming the landscape of diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling while offering renewed hope for affected individuals and families worldwide.

Whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitor increases the risk of precancerous lesions in the stomach: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: To evaluate through meta-analysis whether long-term use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) increases the risk of precancerous lesions in the stomach.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials that compared the occurrence and progression of precancerous lesions in patients receiving PPI treatment versus non-PPI treatment were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, CBM, Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (from database inception to May 1, 2023). The Revman 5.

Effect of hydrocolloid dressings in the management of different grades of pressure wound ulcers in critically ill adult subjects: A meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis was implemented to appraise the effect of hydrocolloid dressings (HCDs) in the management of different grades of pressure wound ulcers (PWUs) in critically ill adult subjects (CIUSs). Inclusive literature research until April 2023 was done, and 969 interconnected researches were revised. The 8 picked researches, enclosed 679 critically ill adult persons at the utilized researchers' starting point; 355 of them were utilizing HCDs, and 324 were controls.

Effect of adjunctive prophylactic macrolides used at the caesarean section on endometritis and surgical site wound infection: A meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis investigation was executed to measure the outcome of adjunctive prophylactic macrolides (APM) used at caesarean section (CS) on endometritis and surgical site wound infection (SSWI). A comprehensive literature inspection till February 2023 was applied and 1023 interrelated investigations were reviewed. The 10 chosen investigations enclosed 22 676 females with CS were in the chosen investigations' starting point, 14 034 of them were utilising APM, and 8642 were utilising control.

Effects of proxy solicitation and director ownership on directors' career consequences.

This study investigates how proxy solicitation and director ownership jointly affect directors' career consequences in Taiwan. We report that assent votes partly arising from proxies without shareholder voice increase the likelihood of departure for directors with higher ownership in firms soliciting proxies, especially for busy directors. Since proxy votes do not build extra reputation, this generates no spillover effect for both non-busy and busy directors.

Precise manipulation of circadian clock using MnO nanocapsules to amplify photodynamic therapy for osteosarcoma.

Circadian rhythm (CR) disruption contributes to tumor initiation and progression, however the pharmacological targeting of circadian regulators reversely inhibits tumor growth. Precisely controlling CR in tumor cells is urgently required to investigate the exact role of CR interruption in tumor therapy. Herein, based on KL001, a small molecule that specifically interacts with the clock gene cryptochrome (CRY) functioning at disruption of CR, we fabricated a hollow MnO nanocapsule carrying KL001 and photosensitizer BODIPY with the modification of alendronate (ALD) on the surface (H-MnSiO/K&B-ALD) for osteosarcoma (OS) targeting.

Effect of Bushen Antai recipe on pyroptosis mechanism of subclinical hypothyroidism decidual cells in early pregnancy.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is common during pregnancy. It is not clear whether decidual cells in SH undergo pyroptosis during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the possible mechanism of Bushen Antai recipe (BAR) in the treatment of SH in early pregnancy and the relationship between SH during pregnancy and decidual cell pyroptosis through a rat model.

Piezoresistive MXene/Silk fibroin nanocomposite hydrogel for accelerating bone regeneration by Re-establishing electrical microenvironment.

The electrical microenvironment plays an important role in bone repair. However, the underlying mechanism by which electrical stimulation (ES) promotes bone regeneration remains unclear, limiting the design of bone microenvironment-specific electroactive materials. Herein, by simple co-incubation in aqueous suspensions at physiological temperatures, biocompatible regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) is found to assemble into nanofibrils with a β-sheet structure on MXene nanosheets, which has been reported to inhibit the restacking and oxidation of MXene.

TJZYF Improves Endometrial Receptivity through Regulating VEGF and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

The endometrium receptivity was impaired by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), which would then lead to fertility issues and increased abortion clinically. In the present study, to explore the effectiveness of Tiaojing Zhuyun Formula (TJZYF) in improving endometrial receptivity of COH rats and the possible active ingredients and mechanisms, an approach of network pharmacology was performed and a COH animal model was established. As analyzed, stigmasterol and quercetin may be the active ingredients of TJZYF on improving endometrial receptivity and positive regulation of ion transport, the cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, and endocrine process, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling pathway may be involved.

Ultra-early endovascular treatment improves prognosis in High grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A single-center retrospective study.

Background: The long-term survival prognosis of patients with high-grade (Hunt-Hess grade IV-V or World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade IV-V) aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is generally poor, and the association between endovascular treatment timing and the prognosis of high-grade aSAH has not been explored in depth. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine whether endovascular treatment within 24 h of high-grade aSAH is associated with a better prognosis.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with high-grade aSAH who were admitted to our institution between January 2018 and January 2021.

Precisely Targeted Nano-Controller of PD-L1 Level for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Spinal Metastasis Immunotherapy.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely applied to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a significant proportion of patients, especially those with spinal metastasis (NSCLC-SM), are insensitive to anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) ICIs. A drug delivery nano-controller of PD-L1 that targets NSCLC-SM can solve this problem, however, none have been developed to date. In this study, it is shown that integrin β3 (β3-int) is strongly upregulated in NSCLC-SM.

Siglec15 Checkpoint Blockade for Simultaneous Immunochemotherapy and Osteolysis Inhibition in Lung Adenocarcinoma Spinal Metastasis via a Hollow Nanoplatform.

Low responsiveness to anti-programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) for solid tumors indicates the presence of other immunosuppressive pathways. Siglec15, a newly discovered immune checkpoint, has been reported to repress immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulate osteoclast differentiation. However, the role of Siglec15 in the treatment for bone metastasis remains unclear.

Mechanically and electrically biocompatible hydrogel ionotronic fibers for fabricating structurally stable implants and enabling noncontact physioelectrical modulation.

Narrowing the mechanical and electrical mismatch between tissue and implantable microelectronics is essential for reducing immune responses and modulating physioelectrical signals. Nevertheless, the design of such implantable microelectronics remains a challenge due to the limited availability of suitable materials. Here, the fabrication of an electrically and mechanically biocompatible alginate hydrogel ionotronic fiber (AHIF) is reported, which is constructed by combing ionic chelation-assisted wet-spinning and mechanical training.

Electroacupuncture improves endometrial receptivity through miRNA-223-3p-mediated regulation of leukemia inhibitory factor / signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway.

Ovulation-inducing drugs such as endogenous steroids could reduce endometrial receptivity during the implantation window, resulting in lower clinical pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates. The present study employed electroacupuncture therapy along with different frequencies on elevating impaired endometrial receptivity to elucidate the mechanism therein. The rats were split up into seven groups of normal, model, low-frequency electroacupuncture (LF-EA), high-frequency electroacupuncture (HF-EA), LF-EA+anti-miRNA, HF-EA+anti-miRNA, and anti-miRNA.

Siglec15 facilitates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer and is correlated with spinal metastasis.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) frequently metastasizes to bone, leading to poor prognosis. Siglec15 has been identified as a newly discovered immune checkpoint and exists in a variety of tumors. However, the expression and function of Siglec15 in NSCLC and bone metastasis remains largely unclear.

Enhancement of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for osteosarcoma using an intelligent autophagy-controlling metal organic framework.

Poor immunogenicity and compromised T cell infiltration impede the application of immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy for osteosarcoma (OS). Although autophagy is involved in enhancing the immune response, the synergistic role of autophagy in ICB immunotherapy and the accurate control of autophagy levels in OS remain elusive and challenging. Here, we designed a pH-sensitive autophagy-controlling nanocarrier, CUR-BMS1166@ZIF-8@PEG-FA (CBZP), loading a natural derivative, curcumin (CUR), to boost the immunotherapeutic response of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade by activating immunogenic cell death (ICD) via autophagic cell death, and BMS1166 to inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction simultaneously, enhancing the tumor immunogenicity and sensitizing the antitumor T cell immunity.

Dual enzyme-mimic nanozyme based on single-atom construction strategy for photothermal-augmented nanocatalytic therapy in the second near-infrared biowindow.

Nanozyme-based catalytic therapy, an emerging therapeutic pattern, has significantly incorporated in the advancement of tumor therapy by generating lethal reactive oxygen species. Nevertheless, most of the nanozymes have mono catalytic performances with HO in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which lowers their therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we design a newly-developed single-atom Fe dispersed N-doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres (SAFe-NMCNs) nanozyme with high HO affinity for photothermal-augmented nanocatalytic therapy.

Shu-Di-Huang and Gan-Cao Herb Pair Restored the Differentiation Potentials of Mesenchymal Stem Progenitors in Treating Osteoporosis via Downregulation of NF-B Signaling Pathway.

Background: Shu-Di-Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, RR) and Gan-Cao (liquorice, L) are frequently used traditional Chinese herb pair in treating osteoporosis (OP). However, the exact mechanism of the RR and L herb pair (RR-L) remains unclear. To explore the efficacy and possible mechanisms of RR-L in treating OP, in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments were conducted in the current study.

Excessive mechanical strain accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration by disrupting intrinsic circadian rhythm.

Night shift workers with disordered rhythmic mechanical loading are more prone to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Our results showed that circadian rhythm (CR) was dampened in degenerated and aged NP cells. Long-term environmental CR disruption promoted IDD in rats.

High-frequency electroacupuncture improves endometrial receptivity via regulating cell adhesion molecules and leukemia inhibitory factor / signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) impairs the endometrium receptivity during the implantation window, resulting in a lower clinical pregnancy rate and a higher abortion rate. Our study explored the effect of electroacupuncture on the endometrial receptivity of COH rats. Female rats were randomly divided into normal treatment (Normal), model treatment (Model), low-frequency electroacupuncture treatment (LF-EA) and high-frequency electroacupuncture treatment (HF-EA).

TNF-α-stimulated nucleus pulposus cells induce cell apoptosis through the release of exosomal miR-16 targeting IGF-1 and IGF-1R in rats.

Background: Exosomes may contain excess cellular components released by cells in response to harmful external stimuli to maintain cellular homeostasis. Inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), can induce cell apoptosis, alter cellular component expression levels, and stimulate exosome release. In this study, we examined whether exosomes released from nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) under inflammatory conditions could induce normal NP cell apoptosis in rats and its underlining mechanism.

Autophagy-activated nucleus pulposus cells deliver exosomal miR-27a to prevent extracellular matrix degradation by targeting MMP-13.

Although autophagy may be beneficial for maintaining the metabolic balance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and its vitality under inflammation, the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. A previous study found that autophagy activation stimulated the release of exosomes in normal chondrocytes, which are located in a similar avascular environment and share many common features with those of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). This study explored the protective effect on matrix degradation in the NP by exosomes derived from autophagy-activated NPCs and exosomal microRNAs.

Decorin inhibits nucleus pulposus apoptosis by matrix-induced autophagy via the mTOR pathway.

Decorin (Dcn) is a member of the class I small leucine-rich proteoglycans, whose expression in the nucleus pulposus (NP) of intervertebral discs (IVDs) has been shown to increase with aging in humans and sheep. Dcn induces autophagy in endothelial cells; however, its precise role in NP and IVD degeneration during aging is not well understood. We addressed this question in the present study by treating rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) with different concentrations of Dcn.