Herbal Medicine-Derived Exosome-Like Nanovesicles: A Rising Star in Cancer Therapy.

Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PDNVs) are small nanoscale vesicles containing lipids, RNAs, proteins and some plant natural products secreted by plant cells. Over the last decade, PDNVs have garnered significant interest due to its exceptional therapeutic benefits in the treatment of various diseases. Herbal medicine, as a medicinal plant, plays an important role in the treatment of diseases including cancer.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the gene family in soybean () reveal their potential roles in response to abiotic stress.

Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are fatty acids with chain lengths of 20 or more carbon atoms, which are the building blocks of various lipids that regulate developmental processes and plant stress responses. 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase encoded by the gene is the key rate-limiting enzyme in VLCFA biosynthesis, but the gene family in soybean () has not been adequately studied thus far. In this study, 31 genes (namely - ) were identified in the soybean genome, which are unevenly distributed on 14 chromosomes.

A Method to Evaluate the Reduction Difficulty of Atlantoaxial Dislocation Based on Computed Tomography Quantitative Analysis.

Background: To evaluate the difficulty of reduction of congenital atlantoaxial dislocation with or without os odontoideum or basilar invagination based on computed tomography (CT) quantitative analysis.

Methods: From March 2018 to December 2022, the CT features of 108 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation with or without os odontoideum or basilar invagination were analyzed. Quantitative scores were defined according to imaging features, including sloping of the lateral mass; osteophyte between the lateral mass joint; ball-and-socket deformity of the lateral mass joint; vertical interlocking of the lateral mass joint; callus between the lateral mass joint; and atlanto-odontoid joint hyperplasia, blocking, or fusion.

Could extended laminectomy effectively prevent spinal cord injury due to spinal shortening after 3-column osteotomy?

Objective: To explore whether the laminectomy extension can effectively prevent spinal cord injury (SCI) due to spinal shortening after 3-column osteotomy in goat models.

Methods: A total of twenty healthy goats were included and done with 3-column osteotomy of T13 and L1 under the somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring. The samples were divided into two groups.

Silk fibroin fibers-based shape memory membrane with Janus wettability for multitiered wearable protection.

Unlabelled: Realizing breathable shape memory fiber-based material with antibacterial and waterproof performances is important for multitiered wearable protection to address the increasing concerns of air pollution. Herein, using an alternating electrospinning-electrospraying technology, we develop a fiber-based membrane with Janus wettability based on a silk fibroin nanofibers-substrate (SFNFs), a polyurethane nanospheres-top layer (PUNSs), and a middle layer of PU nanofibers-mat with in-situ grown silver nanoparticles (PUNFs-AgNPs), which serves separately for skin contact, a self-cleaning physical barrier to resist external aerosol/bacteria (PM2.5 filtration efficiency ~ 98.

Silk Fabric Decorated with Thermo-Sensitive Hydrogel for Sustained Release of Paracetamol.

Paracetamol is a safe and widely used antipyretic and analgesic drug, however, with the drawbacks of gastrointestinal first-pass effect and short intervals of administration. Transdermal drug delivery system can effectively avoid the liver metabolism caused by excess oral ingestion of paracetamol. Herein, a silk fabric-based medical dressing decorated by a thermo-responsive hydrogel for sustained release of paracetamol is proposed.

Tamsulosin alters the pharmacokinetics of metformin via inhibition of renal multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 and organic cation transporter 2 in rats.

Among the endocrine and metabolic disorders, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common progressive diseases related to aging. Metformin and tamsulosin as the first-choice drug for patients with T2DM and BPH, respectively, are often co-administered to male patients with T2DM and BPH. However, whether concomitantly administering metformin and tamsulosin leads to drug-drug interactions (DDIs) remains unclear.

Anterior reduction and C1-ring osteosynthesis with Jefferson-fracture reduction plate (JeRP) via transoral approach for unstable atlas fractures.

Background: To introduce a novel transoral instrumentation in the treatment of unstable fractures of the atlas.

Methods: From January 2008 to May 2018, 22 patients with unstable C1 fractures who received Jefferson-fracture reduction plate (JeRP) via transoral approach were retrospectively analyzed. The case history and the radiographs before and after surgery were noted.

A Chemistry and Microstructure Perspective on Ion-Conducting Membranes for Redox Flow Batteries.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are among the most promising grid-scale energy storage technologies. However, the development of RFBs with high round-trip efficiency, high rate capability, and long cycle life for practical applications is highly restricted by the lack of appropriate ion-conducting membranes. Promising RFB membranes should separate positive and negative species completely and conduct balancing ions smoothly.

Outcome of Thoracic Column Antedisplacement and Fusion in Treatment of Thoracic Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Case Series Study.

Background: Up to date, surgical outcome of multilevel thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) with high canal occupation ratio is less satisfactory.

Objective: To explore the result of thoracic column antedisplacement and fusion (TCAF) in treatment of multilevel T-OPLL with high canal occupation ratio.

Methods: A total of 5 patients who underwent TCAF procedure for T-OPLL were retrospectively reviewed.

Surgical treatment for basilar invagination with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation: transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate fixation vs occipitocervical fixation.

Background: Transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP) fixation or occipitocervical fixation (OF) is an effective treatment for basilar invagination (BI) with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD). But, all current clinical studies involved a single surgical procedure. The clinical effects of TARP and OF operation for BI with IAAD have yet to be compared.

Transoral intraarticular cage distraction and C-JAWS fixation for revision of basilar invagination with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.

Background: The revision surgery of basilar invagination (BI) with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD) after a previous occipitocervical fusion (OCF) is challenging. Transoral revision surgery has more advantages than a combined anterior and posterior approach in addressing this pathology. The C-JAWS is a cervical compressive staple that has been used in the lower cervical spine with many advantages.

Motion-preserving treatment of unstable atlas fracture: transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis using a laminoplasty plate.

Background: C1-ring osteosynthesis is a valid alternative to posterior C1-C2 or C0-C2 fusion to preserve important C1-C2 motion in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures. Nevertheless, the fixation instruments used in current studies for transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis were not suitable for anterior anatomy of the atlas or did not have reduction mechanism. We therefore present this report to investigate preliminary clinical effects of transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis using a laminoplasty plate in unstable atlas fractures.

[Progress in treatment of unstable atlas fracture].

Objective: To summarize the progress in treatment of unstable atlas fracture, the existing problems, and the research direction.

Methods: Related literature at home and abroad was reviewed. The stability evaluation of atlas fracture and treatment methods were introduced, and the selection of surgical approach and fixation instruments in treatment of unstable atlas fracture were summarized and analyzed.

Relationship between the laminectomy extension and spinal cord injury caused by acute spinal shortening: goat in vivo experiment.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between different types of laminectomy extension and spinal cord injury subsequent to acute spinal shorting after 3-column osteotomy in living goat model.

Methods: A total of 18 healthy goats were selected, and a procedure of bivertebral column resections and total laminectomy of T13 and L1 was completed followed by different laminectomy extensions under the somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring. The samples were divided into three groups according to types of subsequent laminectomy extension.

Anterior Transoral Débridement Combined with Posterior Fixation and Fusion for Atlantoaxial Tuberculosis.

Background: Atlantoaxial tuberculosis (TB) is rare in clinical practice, accounting for only about 0.3%-1% of spinal TB. An anterior-only surgical approach cannot provide strong fixation, whereas a posterior approach cannot achieve complete removal of lesions.

Safe Limit of Shortening of the Spinal Cord in Thoracolumbar Bivertebral Column Resections: An Experimental Study in Goats.

Objective: To clarify the safe limit of shortening of the spinal cord in thoracolumbar bivertebral column resection in a goat model.

Methods: Ten healthy goats were selected for the experiment. Radiographs were taken before surgery to measure the height of T13, L1, and the initial osteotomy segment (distance from the lower end plate of T12 to the upper end plate of L2).

One-Step Synthesis of Ag@TiO₂ Nanoparticles for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance.

Polyamide network polymers (PNP) modified TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated with Ag NPs in hydrothermal gel method, forming one-step synthesized photocatalysts, Ag@TiO₂ NPs. The effect of PNP and the amount of Ag NPs added were investigated in this work. PNP acted as a nanocage to prevent TiO₂ aggregation and capture Ag accurately, which could effectively control product sizes and improve dispersibility in solvents.

Synthesis of TiO@Au Composite Catalyst for Methylene Blue Removal.

In this article, HBP-NH₂-modified titania nanowire (TiO)-decorated Au nanoparticles (TiO@Au) were synthesized by one-step method. The role of HBP-NH₂ concentration in the formation of TiO was investigated. The fineness and uniformity of pure TiO were enhanced by absorbed amino groups from amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP-NH₂).

Cellulose/polymer/silica composite cotton fiber based on a hyperbranch-mesostructure system as versatile adsorbent for water treatment.

The present study describes the preparation of a hybrid cellulose-based adsorbent (HM-cotton) containing a dot-plane composite adsorption system. The dot-plane adsorption structure is formed by the plane of hyperbranched polymer (HBP) layer distributed by the functional mesoporous nanoparticle (CA-MSN) dots, fabricating hyperbranch-mesostructure system via self-assembly. The resultant adsorbent HM-cotton was characterized, and the adsorption mechanism for dyes and metal ions was also discussed in detail.

Sodium alginate/graphene oxide aerogel with enhanced strength-toughness and its heavy metal adsorption study.

Ordered porous sodium alginate/graphene oxide (SAGO) aerogel was fabricated by in situ crosslinking and freeze-drying method. GO, as reinforcing filler, can be easily incorporated with SA matrix by self-assembly via hydrogen bonding interaction. Compared with pure SA aerogel, the as-prepared SAGO exhibited excellent mechanical strength and elasticity, and the compression strength of SAGO can reach up to 324 kPa and remain 249 kPa after five compression cycles when 4 wt% GO was added, which were considered significant improvements.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles and antibacterial property of silk fabrics treated by silver nanoparticles.

A silver nanoparticle solution was prepared in one step by mixing AgNO3 and a multi-amino compound (RSD-NH2) solution under ambient condition. RSD-NH2 was in-house synthesized by methacrylate and polyethylene polyamine in methanol, which has abundant amino and imino groups. However, the characterization of silver nanoparticles indicated that these nanoparticles are easy to agglomerate in solution.

Role of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in reverting neuronal nuclear and soma size alterations in NSC-34 cells exposed to cerebrospinal fluid from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

Purpose: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease is an adult-onset progressive neurodegenerative disorder. ALS-CSF has been shown to produce toxic effects on motor neuron cells like aberrant neurofilament phosphorylation and morphological alterations of nuclear and soma size. Our current study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective role of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in reverting the adverse effects produced by ALS-CSF.

Antibacterial cotton fabric grafted with silver nanoparticles and its excellent laundering durability.

In order to fabricate antibacterial cotton fabric with excellent antibacterial property and laundering durability, amino functional silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared by one-step reaction with amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP-NH(2)) and grafted on the oxidized cotton fabric subsequently. The synthesized amino functional Ag NPs and Ag NPs grafted oxidized cotton fabric (Ag-GOCF) were characterized which indicated that the average size of Ag NPs was 10.8 nm with narrow size distribution and the Ag NPs have been grafted on the cotton fabric.