Outer retina and choroid as potential imaging markers for evaluation of neural impairment in early type 2 diabetic patients.

Purpose: To quantify the presence of early structural alterations in the outer retinal layer and choroid among healthy subjects and diabetic patients with no or mild diabetic retinopathy, and to establish the correlation between the measured structural parameters and retinal sensitivity.

Methods: In total, 31 eyes from subjects with type 2 diabetes and 29 eyes from healthy subjects were enrolled. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure outer retina layers and choroid, while microperimetry was used to characterize the changes of visual function in a 6-mm diameter area at macula.

AIBI Modified Mesoporous Copper Sulfide Nanocomposites for Efficient Non-Oxygen Dependent Free Radicals-Assisted Photothermal Therapy in Uveal Melanoma.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an ocular cancer predominantly affecting adults, characterized by challenging diagnostic outcomes. This research endeavors to develop an innovative multifunctional nanocomposite system sensitive to near-infrared (NIR) radiation, serving as both a non-oxygen free-radical generator and a photothermal agent. The designed system combines azobis isobutyl imidazoline hydrochloride (AIBI) with mesoporous copper sulfide (MCuS) nanoparticles.

Flexible pressure sensors via engineering microstructures for wearable human-machine interaction and health monitoring applications.

Flexible pressure sensors capable of transducing pressure stimuli into electrical signals have drawn extensive attention owing to their potential applications for human-machine interaction and healthcare monitoring. To meet these application demands, engineering microstructures in the pressure sensors are an efficient way to improve key sensing performances, such as sensitivity, linear sensing range, response time, hysteresis, and durability. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in the fabrication and application of high-performance flexible pressure sensors via engineering microstructures.

Comparison of Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Between Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers in China.

Background: Vaccination is an effective strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to compare predictors of vaccination intention between healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) in China.

Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCWs and non-HCWs.

Septocutaneous perforator mapping and clinical applications of the medial arm flap.

Background: The medial arm flap has a long history but remains underused despite providing multiple advantages. We reviewed our experience with using the medial arm flap to clarify the distribution of septocutaneous perforators and its relationship with pedicled flap design.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 36 consecutive patients who underwent reconstructive surgery with a medial arm flap (42 arms).

Construction of an attenuated Tian Tan vaccinia virus strain by deletion of TA35R and TJ2R genes.

rVTT-TA35-TJ, an attenuated vaccinia virus Tian Tan strain (VTT), was constructed by knocking out two non-essential gene fragments (TA35R and TJ2R) related to virulence, immunomodulation, and host range; and by combining double marker screening with exogenous and endogenous selectable marker knock-out techniques. Here, the shuttle plasmids pSK-TA35 and pSK-TJ were constructed, containing two pairs of recombinant arms: early and late strong promoter pE/L and EGFP as an exogenous selectable marker. The recombinant vaccinia virus rVTT-TA35-TJ without exogenous selection markers was then obtained through homologous recombination technology and the Cre/loxP system.

Construction of an attenuated goatpox virus AV41 strain by deleting the TK gene and ORF8-18.

Goatpox virus (GTPV) is prevalent in goats and is associated with high mortality. This virus causes fever, skin nodules, lesions in the respiratory and lymph node enlargement. Considering the safety risks and side effects of vaccination with attenuated live GPTV vaccine strain AV41, an attenuated goatpox virus (GTPV-TK-ORF), was constructed by deleting non-essential gene fragments without affecting replication and related to the virulence and immunomodulatory functions of the goatpox virus AV41 strain (GTPV-AV41) using homologous recombination and the Cre (Cyclization Recombination Enzyme)/Loxp system.

Generation of an Attenuated Tiantan Vaccinia Virus Strain by Deletion of Multiple Genes.

An attenuated vaccinia virus-MVTT-was constructed by deletion of non-essential gene segments related to the immunomodulatory and virulence functions of the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain (VVTT). The shuttle plasmids pTC-EGFP, pTE-EGFP, pTA35-EGFP, pTB-EGFP, and pTA66-EGFP were constructed and combined with the early and late strong promoter pE/L and EGFP as an exogenous selectable marker. Then, through the homologous recombination technology and Cre/loxP system, the following gene fragments were gradually knocked out one by one: TC7L-TK2L, TE3L, TA35R, TB13R, and TA66R.

Pre-expanded Brachial Artery Perforator Flap.

The medial upper arm flap is a time-honored yet ignored technique. It may be revitalized by combining the techniques of tissue expansion and perforator flap surgery. Pre-expansion increases flap dimension, remodels flap vasculature, and reduces donor site morbidities, making the medial arm flap a more effective option for various defect reconstructions.

Repair of Fingertip Defect Using an Anterograde Pedicle Flap Based on the Dorsal Perforator.

Background: The purposes of this article are to introduce and assess the results of a long-term follow-up of using anterograde pedicle flap based on the dorsal branches of proper digital neurovascular bundles from the dorsum of the middle phalanx for the fingertip defect.

Methods: Between February 2011 and December 2012, 31 patients underwent reconstruction of fingertip defects using a homodigital flap based on the dorsal perforator in the middle phalanx. The defect size ranged from 1.

Influenza Virus Infects Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells of the Distal Lung: Impact on Fgfr2b-Driven Epithelial Repair.

Influenza Virus (IV) pneumonia is associated with severe damage of the lung epithelium and respiratory failure. Apart from efficient host defense, structural repair of the injured epithelium is crucial for survival of severe pneumonia. The molecular mechanisms underlying stem/progenitor cell mediated regenerative responses are not well characterized.

Decellularization of Rat Kidneys to Produce Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) retains three-dimensional structures for the stimulation of cell growth, with components of the ECM relatively conserved between species. Interest in the use of decellularized scaffold-based strategies for organ regeneration is increasing rapidly. Decellularized scaffolds derived from animal organs are a promising material for organ engineering, with a number of prominent advances having been reported in the past few years.

The influence of cervical spine position on the three anterior endoscopic approaches to the craniovertebral junction: an imaging study.

Background Context: Three endoscopic anterior approaches, the transnasal, transoral, and transcervical approaches, are used for ventral lesions of the craniovertebral junction and have been compared regarding surgical working distances and approach angles. However, how the position of the cervical spine influences the depths of surgical corridors and approach angles for the three approaches has not been evaluated.

Purpose: To evaluate the depths of surgical corridors and the approach angles for the three endoscopic approaches, taking the influence of cervical spine position into account.

An anatomic study of the dorsal forearm perforator flaps.

Purpose: The posterior forearm is an excellent donor site for the vascular pedicled cutaneous flaps; yet, there is surprisingly little detailed anatomical information based on clinical decision making. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomical basis of the dorsal forearm perforator flaps and to provide anatomical landmarks to facilitate flap elevation.

Methods: Thirty cadavers were available to perform this anatomical study after arterial injection.

Quantitative regression analysis of the cutaneous vascular territories in a rat model.

Background: The rat skin flap model has been widely used in experimental flap survival studies; however, most of these have been qualitative studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quantitative relationship between the diameter of a cutaneous artery and the area of skin that it supplies, and also to explore the factors that influence this relationship.

Methods: Thirty rats were injected with lead oxide and gelatin and then radiographed.

Three-dimensional angiography of the submental artery perforator flap.

Background: The submental flap, based on a large branch of the facial artery, is an excellent flap option which is most commonly used for head and neck reconstruction. The purpose of this report is to clarify aspects of the anatomy of the submental flap in order to improve the utility of this flap.

Methods: Ten cadavers were injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture.

Functional total heel reconstruction with a fibular osteomyocutaneous flap.

The fibular osteocutaneous flap is a versatile option for a range of reconstructive challenges. In this report, a novel osteocutaneous fibular flap in which a V-shaped strut of fibula was used to reconstruct the weight-bearing function of the calcaneus has been described. The case raised interesting questions about the vascularity of the fibular flap, which we addressed with an anatomic study of the lower leg.

Three-dimensional analysis of perforators of the posterior leg.

Background: Three-dimensional evaluations of cutaneous perforator vessels provide useful clinical information to aid in the design of perforator flaps. By combining three-dimensional digital imaging and angiography, the authors developed a new three-dimensional visualization technique for vascular perforators. Their purpose was to produce a digitized model of the posterior leg to determine the anatomical relationships of perforators in each zone of the posterior leg.

Three-dimensional angiography of the superior gluteal artery and lumbar artery perforator flap.

Background: Three-dimensional angiography was first proposed by Cornelius and advanced by Voigt in 1975. Since then, a variety of improvements have been made. The three-dimensional evaluation of perforator flaps is no longer a clinical curiosity but an absolute necessity.