Efficacy of partial toe and iliac bone transfer for reconstruction of grade I-III fingers' defects.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of using dorsal toe fibula composite flaps and iliac bone in sequential transplantation for the comprehensive reconstruction of fingers with grade I to III defects.

Methods: Between December 2020 and March 2024, data were collected from 36 patients who received complete finger reconstruction for grade I to III defects using dorsal toe fibula composite flaps and iliac bone in sequential transplantation. Postoperative evaluations included Carroll's hand function test scores, hand mobility disability assessments, and overall postoperative conditions.

Efficacy of acupuncture in treating chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, with a high incidence that significantly impacts treatment adherence and quality of life. Currently, there is no definitive and effective treatment for CRCI. Research indicates that acupuncture may serve as a promising intervention for CRCI.

Cadmium induces spontaneous abortion by impairing endometrial stromal cell decidualization.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with a high propensity to accumulate within the body, and Cd accumulation has been shown to cause organ damage. However, it is unclear whether Cd accumulation is a cause of impaired decidualization, which induces to spontaneous abortion (SA). In this study, we found that the decidual Cd concentration was increased in patients with SA and positively correlated with the occurrence of SA.

HMGB1 induces unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion by mediating decidual macrophage autophagy.

Background: The overexpression of HMGB1 at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) is recognized as a significant factor in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (URSA). This study aimed to investigate autophagy in the decidual tissues of URSA patients and to explore the relationship between HMGB1 and macrophage autophagy at the MFI in URSA.

Methods: Human decidual tissues were collected from 40 patients diagnosed with URSA and from 60 women undergoing active termination of pregnancy.

An Efficient Biosynthetic System for Developing Functional Silk Fibroin-Based Biomaterials.

Long historical evolution and domestication endow silkworms with the super ability to synthesize and secrete massive silk proteins using silk glands. The major component of this secretion consists of silk fibroin, considered a promising biomaterial for tissue repairs and engineering. To further expand the utility of this unique protein, there is a continuing need for silk fibroin functionalization.

Fabrication of a transforming growth factor β1 functionalized silk sericin hydrogel through genetical engineering to repair alveolar bone defects in rabbit.

Cleft palate is one of the most prevalent congenital craniofacial birth defects in human congenital facial anomaly. Severe cleft palate is usually accompanied by alveolar bone defects (ABDs). Growth factors (GFs) are considered as desirable opportunity to promote the craniofacial healing post the surgery.

Advanced glycation end products and reactive oxygen species: uncovering the potential role of ferroptosis in diabetic complications.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a diverse range of compounds that are formed when free amino groups of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are carbonylated by reactive carbonyl species or glycosylated by reducing sugars. Hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes can cause an overabundance of AGEs. Excess AGEs are generally acknowledged as major contributing factors to the development of diabetic complications because of their ability to break down the extracellular matrix directly and initiate intracellular signaling pathways by binding to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE).

The association of composite dietary antioxidant index with periodontitis in NHANES 2009-2014.

Background: To date, evidence is rare regarding whether and how dietary antioxidants are associated with the risk of periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the association of composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) with periodontitis and tooth loss, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2014).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 10,067 adults aged ≥30 years who underwent assessments of periodontal health and the 1 day dietary recall.

Evolution of the network structure and voltage loss of anode electrode with the polymeric dispersion in PEM water electrolyzer.

Exploring the intrinsic relationship between the network structure and the performance of catalyst layer (CL) by rational design its structure is of paramount importance for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. This study reveals the relative effect of polymeric dispersion evolution on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance and cell voltage loss and linked to CL network structure. The results show that although the dispersed particle size of the ionomer and ink increases with increasing the solubility parameter (δ) difference between the mixed solvent and the ionomer, MeOH-cat (ink from MeOH aqueous solution) has the largest ionomer and ink particle size resulting in the poorest stability, but has comparable OER overpotential to that of IPA-cat (249 mV@10 mA cm), which has the smallest dispersed size.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Nanomaterials for Regulation of the Osteogenic Microenvironment.

As the global population ages, bone diseases have become increasingly prevalent in clinical settings. These conditions often involve detrimental factors such as infection, inflammation, and oxidative stress that disrupt bone homeostasis. Addressing these disorders requires exogenous strategies to regulate the osteogenic microenvironment (OME).

Phosphonate poly(vinylbenzyl chloride)-Modified Sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) for Blend Proton Exchange Membranes: Enhanced Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties.

Blend proton exchange membranes (BPEMs) were prepared by blending sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) (SPAEN) with phosphorylated poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PPVBC) and named as SPM-x%, where x refers to the proportion of PPVBC to the weight of SPAEN. The chemical complexation interaction between the phosphoric acid and sulfonic acid groups in the PPVBC-SPAEN system resulted in BPEMs with reduced water uptake and enhanced mechanical properties compared to SPAEN proton exchange membranes. Furthermore, the flame retardancy of the PPVBC improved the thermal stability of the BPEMs.

Modification of sulfonated poly(arylene ether nitrile) proton exchange membranes by poly(ethylene--vinyl alcohol).

The modification of the physicochemical properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether nitrile) (SPAEN) proton exchange membranes was demonstrated by poly(ethylene--vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) doping (named SPAEN-%). By controlling the temperature during membrane preparation, the side reactions of the sulfonic acid groups to form sulfonic acid esters were effectively prevented, greatly reducing the proton conductivity of the membranes. Due to the flexible chain of EVOH, SPAEN-8% showed a relatively high elongation of 30.

Magnetic Field-Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution on a Mixed-Valent Cobalt-Modulated LaCoO Catalyst.

Extensive efforts to enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalytic performance of transition metal oxides mainly concentrate on the extrinsic morphology tailoring, lattice doping, and electrode interface optimizing. Nevertheless, little room is left for performance improvement using these methods and an obvious gap still exists compared to the precious metal catalysts. In this work, a novel "mixed-valent cobalt modulation" strategy is presented to enhance the electrocatalytic OER of perovskite LaCoO (LCO) oxide.

Transition Metal Nitrides for Electrocatalytic Application: Progress and Rational Design.

The energy crisis and environmental issues are becoming more severe due to the long-term consumption of fossil fuels. Therefore, novel energy-conversion devices with high energy density and environmental friendliness are expected to provide reliable alternatives to traditional fossil-based energy systems. However, because of the inevitable use of costly precious metals as the electrode catalysts for such devices, their popularization is seriously hindered.

Recent Advances Regarding Precious Metal-Based Electrocatalysts for Acidic Water Splitting.

Electrochemical water splitting has wide applicability in preparing high-density green energy. The Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis system is a promising technique for the generation of hydrogen due to its high electrolytic efficiency, safety and reliability, compactness, and quick response to renewable energy sources. However, the instability of catalysts for electrochemical water splitting under operating conditions limits their practical applications.

Closing the loop of DBS using the beta oscillations in cortex.

Cortical information has great importance to reflect the deep brain stimulation (DBS) effects for Parkinson's disease patients. Using cortical activities to feedback is an available closed-loop idea for DBS. Previous studies have demonstrated the pathological beta (12-35 Hz) cortical oscillations can be suppressed by appropriate DBS settings.

Intensity-Varied Closed-Loop Noise Stimulation for Oscillation Suppression in the Parkinsonian State.

This work explores the effectiveness of the intensity-varied closed-loop noise stimulation on the oscillation suppression in the Parkinsonian state. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the standard therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), but its effects need to be improved. The noise stimulation has compelling results in alleviating the PD state.

Functional metal-organic framework-based nanocarriers for accurate magnetic resonance imaging and effective eradication of breast tumor and lung metastasis.

The use of nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as drug delivery vehicles has attracted considerable attention in tumor therapy. In this study, novel biocompatible MOF-based nanocarriers were used as part of a facile and reproducible strategy for precision cancer theranostics. Both diagnostic (Mn) and therapeutic compounds (doxorubicin, DOX) were incorporated into the multifunctional MOF-based nanocarriers, which exhibited high colloidal stability and promoted T-weighted proton relaxivity and low-pH-activated drug release.

Detection of Interfacial Structures in Inclined Liquid-Liquid Flows Using Parallel-Wire Array Probe and Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Methods.

Flows of two immiscible liquids through inclined pipes are often encountered in industrial processes. The interfacial characteristics in inclined pipes are of significance for understanding the mechanism of flow pattern transition and modeling the flow parameters. This paper developed a novel experimental technique to access the interface characteristics of liquid-liquid flows, during which optical and electrical methods were successfully combined by matching the refractive index and conductivity of the flows.

Preparation of Iron- and Nitrogen-Codoped Carbon Nanotubes from Waste Plastics Pyrolysis for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

A novel method for the preparation of iron- and nitrogen-codoped carbon nanotubes (Fe-N-CNTs) is proposed, based on the catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics. First, carbon nanotubes are produced from pyrolysis of plastic waste over Fe-Al O ; then, Fe-CNTs and melamine are heated together in an inert atmosphere. Different co-pyrolysis temperatures are tested to optimize the electrocatalyst production.

Albumin nanocomposites with MnO/GdO motifs for precise MR imaging of acute myocardial infarction in rabbit models.

The severe mortality and morbidity of myocardial infarction requests appropriate and accurate detection. Considering pathological profile of the acidic myocardial infarction microenvironments, herein, the low pH-sensitive albumin nanocomposites with MnO motifs (MnO@BSA) have been engineered for T-weighted MR imaging of myocardial infarction, while using non-pH-responsive GdO@BSA nanocomposites as control. The nanocomposites were 20-30 nm in diameter with spheroid morphology.

Water-Dispersed Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthamide) Boosting Nano-AlO-Coated Polyethylene Separator with Enhanced Thermal Stability and Ion Diffusion for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Polyethylene (PE) membranes coated with nano-AlO have been improved with water-dispersed poly(p-phenylene terephthamide) (PPTA). From the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, it can be seen that a layer with a honeycombed porous structure is formed on the membrane. The thus-formed composite separator imbibed with the electrolyte solution has an ionic conductivity of 0.

Hierarchical Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Hierarchical nanostructured materials, which possess the porous structure of multiscale porosities on different pore diameters from micro-, meso- to macropores based on International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, are much desired to present the synergistic attractive advantages of each scale of hierarchical pores in the development of catalysis, adsorption, separation, energy, and biochemistry. The use of hierarchical nanostructured materials as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is advanced to increase specific surface area for active sites dispersion and exposure as well as enhance reactants/products transfer. However, complex and costly templateincorporated methods and relatively uncontrollable template-free methods motive us to develop novel and efficient preparation methods.