Corneal nerve changes by anti-glaucoma medications examined by confocal microscopy.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of antiglaucoma eye drops on corneal nerves by confocal microscopy (IVCM).

Methods: This study comprised 79 patients diagnosed with glaucoma and 16 healthy control individuals. Among the glaucoma patients, 54 were treated with medication, while 25 remained untreated.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral 1,2-Bis(Boronic) Esters Featuring Acyclic, Non-Adjacent 1,3-Stereocenters.

The construction of acyclic, non-adjacent 1,3-stereogenic centers, prevalent motifs in drugs and bioactive molecules, has been a long-standing synthetic challenge due to acyclic nucleophiles being distant from the chiral environment. In this study, we successfully synthesized highly valuable 1,2-bis(boronic) esters featuring acyclic and nonadjacent 1,3-stereocenters. Notably, this reaction selectively produces migratory coupling products rather than alternative deborylative allylation or direct allylation byproducts.

Ir-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of gem-Diborylalkenes Enabled by 1,2-Boron Shift.

Asymmetric cross-couplings based on 1,2-carbon migration from B-ate complexes have been developed efficiently to access valuable organoboronates. However, enantioselective reactions triggered by 1,2-boron shift have remained to be unaddressed synthetic challenge. Here, Ir-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation enabled by 1,2-boron shift was developed.

Calculation of stresses on 3D scaffolds fabricated using extrusion-based bioprinting using a semi-analytical approach.

The scaffold is essential to tissue engineering. In particular, the mechanical property of scaffolds has a significant impact on the success rate of regeneration. While numerous techniques exist for measuring mechanical properties, Compression test, three-point bending test, and nano-indentation test are the most common.

Unicentric Castleman disease was misdiagnosed as pancreatic mass: A case report.

Background: Castleman's disease (CD) is a lymphatic proliferative disorder of unknown cause and is rarely seen clinically. It has been divided into unicentric and multicentric types. Unicentric CD (UCD) occurs as a solitary enlarged mass and mediastinal lymph nodes are the most common site.

Current Advances in 3D Bioprinting Technology and Its Applications for Tissue Engineering.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has emerged as a powerful biofabrication platform for tissue engineering because of its ability to engineer living cells and biomaterial-based 3D objects. Over the last few decades, droplet-based, extrusion-based, and laser-assisted bioprinters have been developed to fulfill certain requirements in terms of resolution, cell viability, cell density, etc. Simultaneously, various bio-inks based on natural-synthetic biomaterials have been developed and applied for successful tissue regeneration.

Fabrication of a Polycaprolactone/Alginate Bipartite Hybrid Scaffold for Osteochondral Tissue Using a Three-Dimensional Bioprinting System.

Osteochondral defects, including damage to both the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone, are challenging to repair. Although many technological advancements have been made in recent years, there are technical difficulties in the engineering of cartilage and bone layers, simultaneously. Moreover, there is a great need for a valuable in vitro platform enabling the assessment of osteochondral tissues to reduce pre-operative risk.

Extraction and biological activity of exopolysaccharide produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides SN-8.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing strain SN-8 isolated from Dajiang was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. When sucrose was used as the carbon source for fermentation, the output of EPS was 2.42 g/L.

Effects of skim milk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum WW on the constitutions of rats fed a high-fat diet.

This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum WW-fermented skim milk (FSM) on the physiques of rats fed a high-fat diet and the mechanism of lipid lowering. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal diet group (A), a high-fat diet group (B), a skim milk diet group (C), and an L. plantarum WW FSM diet group (D).

Hepatic Microwave Ablation-Induced Tumor Destruction and Animal End Point Survival Can Be Improved by Suppression of Heat Shock Protein 90.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) modulation on tumor necrosis, apoptosis, tumor growth delay, and end point survival by combining microwave ablation (MWA) with an HSP90 inhibitor in a nude mouse model.

Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Forty mice with HepG2 subcutaneous xenograft tumors (10 ± 1 mm) were randomized into 4 groups: (1) no treatment, (2) MWA only, (3) the HSP90 inhibitor ganetespib only, and (4) ganetespib combined with MWA.

Comparison of Sonazoid and SonoVue in the Diagnosis of Focal Liver Lesions: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Sonazoid and SonoVue in subjects with focal liver lesions.

Methods: The patients who had untreated focal solid liver lesions confirmed by B-mode ultrasonography were eligible for the study. The target lesion and whole liver were scanned by gray scale ultrasonography; then, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed, and the results were evaluated blindly.

Combined effect of change in humeral neck-shaft angle and retroversion on shoulder range of motion in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty - A simulation study.

Background: We studied combined effect of change in humeral neck shaft angle and retroversion on shoulder ROM in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using 3-dimensional simulations.

Methods: Using a 3D model construct based on the CT scans of 3 males and a 3-dimensional analysis program, a humeral component of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was implanted in 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°,40° retroversion and 135°, 145°, and 155° neck shaft angle. Total horizontal range of motion (sum of horizontal adduction and abduction) at 30° and 60° scaption, adduction in the scapular plane and IR behind the back were measured for various combinations of neck shaft angle and retroversion.

Effective components of and protect the myocardium by inhibiting platelet activation and improving the hypercoagulable state.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of extract of and (EPC) on platelet activation and the hypercoagulable state in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The MI model in Wistar rats was induced by coronary artery ligation. Sham surgery was performed as a control.

Shenyuan, an extract of American Ginseng and Corydalis Tuber formula, attenuates cardiomyocyte apoptosis via inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress in a porcine model of acute myocardial infarction.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The decoction of American Ginseng and Corydalis Tuber has been widely used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases due to their anti-ischemic and anti-arrhythmic effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-apoptotic effect of Shenyuan, which is composed of the bioactive components extracted from the mixture of American Ginseng and Corydalis Tuber, and to explore potential mechanisms involved in the regulation of apoptosis.

Materials And Methods: A porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Xuezhikang, extract of red yeast rice, improved abnormal hemorheology, suppressed caveolin-1 and increased eNOS expression in atherosclerotic rats.

Background: Xuezhikang is the extract of red yeast rice, which has been widely used for the management of atherosclerotic disease, but the molecular basis of its antiatherosclerotic effects has not yet been fully identified. Here we investigated the changes of eNOS in vascular endothelia and RBCs, eNOS regulatory factor Caveolin-1 in endothelia, and hemorheological parameters in atherosclerotic rats to explore the protective effects of Xuezhikang.

Methodology/principal Findings: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 12/group) group C, controls; group M, high-cholesterol diet (HCD) induced atherosclerotic models; group X, HCD+Xuezhikang; and group L, HCD +Lovastatin.