Notoginsenoside R1 Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity by Inducing Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression and Suppressing Oxidative Stress.

Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity occurs in approximately half of patients treated with cisplatin, and pediatric patients are more likely to be affected than adults. The oxidative stress elicited by cisplatin is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of ototoxicity. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), the main bioactive compound of saponins, has antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects.

Hierarchical Fusion of Infrared and Visible Images Based on Channel Attention Mechanism and Generative Adversarial Networks.

In order to solve the problem that existing visible and infrared image fusion methods rely only on the original local or global information representation, which has the problem of edge blurring and non-protrusion of salient targets, this paper proposes a layered fusion method based on channel attention mechanism and improved Generative Adversarial Network (HFCA_GAN). Firstly, the infrared image and visible image are decomposed into a base layer and fine layer, respectively, by a guiding filter. Secondly, the visible light base layer is fused with the infrared image base layer by histogram mapping enhancement to improve the contour effect.

Towards the Development of the Clinical Decision Support System for the Identification of Respiration Diseases via Lung Sound Classification Using 1D-CNN.

Respiratory disorders are commonly regarded as complex disorders to diagnose due to their multi-factorial nature, encompassing the interplay between hereditary variables, comorbidities, environmental exposures, and therapies, among other contributing factors. This study presents a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for the early detection of respiratory disorders using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) model. The ICBHI 2017 Breathing Sound Database, which contains samples of different breathing sounds, was used in this research.

The Influence of Iron Content on the Porosity of AlSi9 Alloy Intended for Alfining Piston Ring Inserts.

Due to its tendency to increase the power of engines, improving their reliability and operational efficiency, the compression ring in combustion engine pistons is embedded in a cast iron insert, which is subjected to the process of "alfining". This involves covering the insert with an Al-Si alloy, which increases the iron content. Research has shown that the β-AlFeSi phases crystallizing in the area of the insert-piston connection are the main cause of an unstable connection between the silumin casting of the piston and the ring insert.

Enhanced Experimental Setup and Methodology for the Investigation of Corrosion Fatigue in Metallic Biodegradable Implant Materials.

Biodegradable implants as bone fixations may present a safe alternative to traditional permanent implants, reducing the risk of infections, promoting bone healing, and eliminating the need for removal surgeries. Structural integrity is an important consideration when choosing an implant material. As a biodegradable implant is being resorbed, until the natural bone has regrown, the implant material needs to provide mechanical stability.

Different stimulation targets of rTMS modulate specific triple-network and hippocampal-cortex functional connectivity.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is widely applied to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). Various treatment targets are currently being explored in clinical research. However, target diversity can result in considerable heterogeneity.

Implantation of MSC spheroid-derived 3D decellularized ECM enriched with the MSC secretome ameliorates traumatic brain injury and promotes brain repair.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents substantial clinical challenges, as existing treatments are unable to reverse damage or effectively promote brain tissue regeneration. Although implantable biomaterials have been proposed to support tissue repair by mitigating the adverse microenvironment in injured brains, many fail to replicate the complex composition and architecture of the native extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in only limited therapeutic outcomes. This study introduces an innovative approach by developing a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) spheroid-derived three-dimensional (3D) decellularized ECM (dECM) that is enriched with the MSC-derived matrisome and secretome, offering a promising solution for TBI treatment and brain tissue regeneration.

Development and evaluation of a soft pneumatic muscle for elbow joint rehabilitation.

Elbow joint rehabilitation presents a formidable challenge, underscored by the joint's complex biomechanics and high vulnerability to injuries and degenerative conditions. Despite the advancements in rehabilitative technology, current solutions such as rigid exoskeletons often fall short in providing the precision, flexibility, and customization needed for effective treatment. Although traditional robotic aids, such as rigid exoskeletons, help recover, they lack in providing sufficient flexibility, comfort, and easy customization with no need for complicated calculation and complex design considerations.

ECM Proteins Nidogen-1 and Decorin Restore Functionality of Human Islets of Langerhans upon Hypoxic Conditions.

Transplantation of donor islets of Langerhans is a potential therapeutic approach for patients with diabetes mellitus; however, its success is limited by islet death and dysfunction during the initial hypoxic conditions at the transplantation site. This highlights the need to support the donor islets in the days post-transplantation until the site is vascularized. It was previously demonstrated that the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins nidogen-1 (NID1) and decorin (DCN) improve the functionality and survival of the β-cell line, EndoC-βH3, and the viability of human islets post-isolation.

Engineered manganese-BODIPY coordinated nanoadjuvants for enhanced NIR-II photo-metalloimmunotherapy.

Immunotherapy, a pivotal and promising approach for tumor treatment, has demonstrated prominent clinical efficacy. However, its effectiveness is often impeded by insufficient antitumor immune responses attributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The combination of immune activation through the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and phototherapy holds great potential for surmounting this challenge in advanced tumor immunotherapy.

Simultaneous quantitative analysis of multiple metabolites using label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and explainable deep learning.

Metabolites serve as vital biomarkers, reflecting physiological and pathological states and offering insights into disease progression and early detection. This study introduces an advanced analytical technique integrating label-free Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) with deep learning, and leverages SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) to provide a visual interpretative analysis of the predictive rationale of the deep learning model, facilitating simultaneous detection and quantitative analysis of multiple metabolites. Monolayer silver nanoparticle SERS substrates were fabricated via a triple-phase interfacial self-assembly method, which captured complex spectral information of target metabolites in mixed solutions.

A temperature-ultrasound sensitive nanoparticle delivery system for exploring central neuroinflammation mechanism in stroke-heart syndrome.

Background: Cardiovascular events secondary to stroke-collectively classified as stroke-heart syndrome-greatly impair the patient's prognosis, however its underlying mechanism has yet to be determined. To investigate the mechanism of central neuroinflammation and its effects on stroke-heart syndrome, a temperature-ultrasound responsive brain-targeted drug delivery system, DATS/MION-LPE, was synthesized to specifically study neuroinflammation in the mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model.

Results: The specific polymer of DATS/MION-LPE can close the nanoparticle pores at 37 °C, restricting drug release in the circulation.

Urinary interferon-γ-induced protein-10/creatinine ratio as a predictor of severe paediatric infections: A prospective pilot study.

Aim: This prospective pilot study evaluated urinary interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10)/creatinine and tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/creatinine ratios as non-invasive biomarkers for distinguishing bacterial from viral infections and assessing disease severity in febrile children.

Methods: The study involved 85 febrile children and 29 healthy controls, measuring urinary IP-10/creatinine and TRAIL/creatinine ratios to determine their diagnostic utility.

Results: Both ratios were significantly elevated in infected patients compared to controls.

Controlled release of mesenchymal stem cell-derived nanovesicles through glucose- and reactive oxygen species-responsive hydrogels accelerates diabetic wound healing.

Wound healing is often impaired in patients with diabetes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSCs-derived nanovesicles (MNVs) hold promise as therapeutic agents for managing diabetic wounds. However, efficient delivery and controlled release of MNVs within these wounds are essential for maximizing therapeutic effectiveness.

Enhancing intrinsic TGF-β signaling via heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan regulation to promote mesenchymal stem cell capabilities and chondrogenesis for cartilage repair.

Osteoarthritis burdens patients due to the limited regenerative capacity of chondrocytes. Traditional cartilage repair often falls short, necessitating innovative approaches. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for regeneration.

Secondary thalamic dysfunction underlies abnormal large-scale neural dynamics in chronic stroke.

Stroke causes pronounced and widespread slowing of neural activity. Despite decades of work exploring these abnormal neural dynamics and their associated functional impairments, their causes remain largely unclear. To close this gap in understanding, we applied a neurophysiological corticothalamic circuit model to simulate magnetoencephalography (MEG) power spectra recorded from chronic stroke patients.

An environmental scan of limb loss rehabilitation centers across Canada.

Background: The clinical landscape of limb loss rehabilitation across Canada is poorly delineated, lacks standard rehabilitation guidelines, and is without a shared clinical database.

Objective: To address these gaps, the objective of the present study was to undertake an environmental scan of the rehabilitation centers across Canada that provide inpatient and/or outpatient services to the limb loss community.

Study Design: An environmental scan was conducted to describe the rehabilitation service structure, program services, and outcome measures of sites across Canada.

Evaluation of lower-body gait kinematics on outdoor surfaces using wearable sensors.

The effects of outdoor surfaces on gait are unclear due to difficulties associated with motion tracking outside laboratories. Today, inertial measurement unit (IMU) systems can be deployed to understand the biomechanical adaptations required to navigate real-world environments successfully. This study used IMUs devices to identify lower-limb kinematic adaptations while walking on outdoor surfaces.

Biomimetic Chlorosomes: Oxygen-Independent Photocatalytic Nanoreactors for Efficient Combination Photoimmunotherapy.

Photocatalytic therapy for hypoxic tumors often suffers from inefficiencies due to its dependence on oxygen and the risk of uncontrolled activation. Inspired by the oxygen-independent and precisely regulated photocatalytic functions of natural light-harvesting chlorosomes, chlorosome-mimetic nanoreactors, termed Ru-Chlos, are engineered by confining the aggregation of photosensitive ruthenium-polypyridyl-silane monomers. These Ru-Chlos exhibit markedly enhanced photocatalytic performance compared to their monomeric counterparts under acidic conditions, while notably bypassing the consumption of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide.

A multi-center big-data approach for precise PICC-RVT prognosis and identification of major risk factors in clinical practice.

Background: The Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) is a widely used technique for delivering intravenous fluids and medications, especially in critical care units. PICC may induce venous thrombosis (PICC-RVT), which is a frequent and serious complication. In clinical practice, Color Doppler Flow Imaging (CDFI) is regarded as the gold standard for diagnosing PICC-RVT.

CMC/Gel/GO 3D-printed cardiac patches: GO and CMC improve flexibility and promote H9C2 cell proliferation, while EDC/NHS enhances stability.

In this research, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/gelatin (Gel)/graphene oxide (GO)-based scaffolds were produced by using extrusion-based 3D printing for cardiac tissue regeneration. Rheological studies were conducted to evaluate the printability of CMC/Gel/GO inks, which revealed that CMC increased viscosity and enhanced printability. The 3D-printed cardiac patches were crosslinked with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-n'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) (100:20 mM, 50:10 mM, 25:5 mM) and then characterized by mechanical analysis, electrical conductivity testing, contact angle measurements and degradation studies.