Microenvironment-Programmed siRNA-Based Hydrogel for Spatiotemporal Gene Silencing in Wound Healing.

Excessive inflammation and overexpressed matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are significant factors in the prolonged healing of chronic diabetic wounds. Here, a precise gene therapy strategy is proposed utilizing siRNA and employing intelligent responsive materials for controlled release to mechanistically intervene in the pathological process of chronic non-healing wounds. The system employs a cationic hyperbranched aminoglycoside with disulfide bonds (SS-HPT) as its core delivery mechanism.

A New Design Strategy of Schiff-Base Cage Structure for Exceptional Strength-Toughness Waterborne Polyurethanes Toward Application in Infrared Stealth.

To address the escalating industrial demands for high-performance polymers with both superior strength and toughness, a unique boronic acid imine cage (BIC) compound containing a Schiff-base structure is innovatively synthesized and covalently incorporated into the molecular chains of waterborne polyurethanes to obtain the elastomers (DWPU-BIC-x) with outstanding strength, toughness, tear resistance, and fatigue resistance. In-depth mechanism analysis reveals that BIC functions as a "structural hub", leveraging its rigid cage-like geometry and high-density interaction sites (aromatic rings for π-π stacking and nitrogen atoms for hydrogen bonding) to modulate molecular chain movement and intermolecular forces, thereby facilitating efficient energy dissipation under mechanical stress. The optimized material achieves an outstanding strength (53.

Electro-Acupuncture for Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Protocol for a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is characterized by a reduced response to ovarian stimulation and a decline in fertility potential among women of reproductive age. Although previous research has suggested potential benefits of acupuncture for DOR, the evidence remains inconclusive. This study evaluates the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture in patients with DOR by examining changes in ovarian reserve indicators and reproductive outcomes.

Prevalence and patterns of subnormal visual acuity and refractive errors among preschool children in Sucheng district: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the visual acuity and refractive status of preschool children in the Sucheng District of Suqian city and analyze the incidence and distribution patterns of visual and refractive abnormalities in this district METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024 and involved 27,062 children from 61 kindergartens in the district. Standard logarithmic visual acuity charts and the Spot VS100 binocular refractive screener were used to assess visual acuity and noncycloplegic refractive status. Chi-square tests and trend tests were employed to analyze differences in visual acuity and refractive status across age groups.

FK506 reverses neuropathology and cognitive impairment in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease, is the most common cause of dementia. An important pathological basis for AD lesions is the excessive generation and deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) caused by increased expression of the β-secretase, known as the β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). Effective suppression of the BACE1 overexpression has become a key AD treatment.

Surface-Engineered Orthopedic Implant to Break the Antimicrobial-Osteogenic Paradox at Biointerfaces in the "Race for the Surface".

Implant-associated infections and compromised osseointegration pose a dual threat to bone implants due to the biological conflict between microbial invasion and host cell colonization. However, conventional contact-killing antimicrobial coatings may negatively affect the viability of mammalian cells, limiting their further application. Here, a surface modification strategy is proposed to help mammalian cells to win the "race for the surface" on the material-tissue interfaces.

Near-field electrospun 3D anisotropic fiber-hydrogel scaffold integrated with photothermal effect for skin wound healing.

Wound healing remains a critical clinical challenge due to inflammatory responses, oxidative stress in the wound microenvironment, and impaired tissue remodeling. In this study, an anisotropic scaffold was developed by integrating photothermal stimulation with topographical cues to modulate wound healing. The scaffold consisted of gelatin methacryloyl (GM) hydrogel and radially aligned poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers integrated with polydopamine (PDA).

Alteration in gut microbiota accompanied by increased intestinal permeability and Tfh/Tfr imbalance in patients with active SLE.

Background: Increased intestinal permeability and altered intestinal microbiota may influence cytokine regulatory immunity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between intestinal flora alters and follicular helper T cells (Tfh), regulatory T cells (Treg) cells, and cytokines in SLE.

Methods: In total, 23 patients with active SLE (SLE-A group), 18 patients with stable SLE (SLE-nA group), and 24 healthy controls (HC group) were enrolled.

Psychometric properties of screening tools for mild cognitive impairment in older adults based on COSMIN guidelines: a systematic review.

Background: The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in older adults is understood to be as high as 40%, and early screening for MCI may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. However, no systematic review has summarized the psychometric properties of instruments.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to assess the psychometric properties of existing scales for screening older adults for mild cognitive impairment and to provide an evidence-based basis for selecting the most appropriate assessment tool for older adults.

Dumbbell-shaped 3-APF@SiO Janus particles constructed by oil-water interface growth for acidic/basic dual pH-responsive stabilizer of Pickering emulsions.

Dumbbell-shaped Janus particles with asymmetric morphology, completely separated hydrophilic and lipophilic regions, and acidic/basic dual pH-responsive functional groups (DHL-ABR JPs) are in high demand because they can endow Pickering emulsions with excellent stability and flexible switching ability between emulsification and demulsification by simply changing pH value of the system. Herein, we propose a novel "oil-water interface growth" strategy to directly access 3-aminophenol-co-formaldehyde@SiO (3-APF@SiO) DHL-ABR JPs with average particle size of ∼250 nm and size distribution index of 0.012.

Bioinspired Amine-Guided Polyphenol Coatings for Selective Bacterial Disruption and Osseointegration on Orthopedic Implants.

Implant-related infections and inadequate osseointegration pose significant challenges in orthopedic surgery. However, current surface modification strategies are generally complex or necessitate harsh synthesis conditions, thereby limiting their versatility. We developed a facile, one-step method to fabricate a stable polyphenol-based coating on titanium using amine-directed self-polymerization.

Au@Pt Nanoparticles Enhance Maturation and Contraction of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells-Derived and Neonatal Mouse Cardiomyocytes.

Background: Cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold great promise in heart damage repair in vivo and drug screening in vitro. However, PSC-derived cardiomyocytes exhibit immature structural and functional properties, which hinder their widespread application. To address this challenge, we designed bimetallic gold-platinum nanoparticles (Au@Pt NPs) endowed with intrinsic oxidase-like, peroxidase-like, and catalase-like activities and high electrical conductivity for promoting cardiomyocyte maturation.

The association between testosterone deficiency and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men in Korea: a comparative analytical cross-sectional study.

Background: The number of elderly patients with metabolic syndrome is on the rise in Korea. A prevalent indication of aging in males is a decrease in testosterone levels. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study to analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome due to testosterone deficiency in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Nanofibrous Guidance Conduits with Multiple Gradient Cues for Spinal Cord Repair.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that leads to severe disabilities and imposes significant economic and social burdens. Current therapeutic strategies primarily focus on symptom management, with limited success in promoting full neurological recovery. In response to this challenge, the design of novel guidance conduits incorporating multiple gradient cues, inspired is reported by biological processes, to enhance spinal cord repair.

Elevated serum IL-17 levels and intraoperative hypothermia are risk factors for early postoperative anastomotic leakage in rectal cancer: a prospective observational study.

Objective: In this prospective observational cohort study, we aim to investigate the risk factors for early postoperative anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients undergoing rectal cancer resection.

Methods: This study included 459 patients with rectal cancer who underwent treatment at our hospital from January 2021 to October 2022. All patients were hospitalized for 1 week postoperatively and observed for the occurrence of AL.

Engineering Protocell Networks for Prototissue Development.

The assembly of protocells into prototissues represents a significant step forward in mimicking the hierarchical structure and complex functions of biological tissues. This review explores the construction of various protocell models, including lipid vesicles, polymer vesicles, proteinosomes, membraneless coacervates, and emulsion droplets. It examines the range of chemical and physical methods employed to spatially organize these protocells into structured, functional prototissues.

Epidemiology of causes and management of severe spinal injuries in elite male wrestlers.

Spinal injuries are common in wrestlers. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and post-injury management practices of severe spinal injuries among elite male wrestlers, with a comparative analysis between Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling styles. A total of 110 elite male wrestlers (55 Greco-Roman and 55 freestyle athletes) were participated in the study, interviews were conducted severe spinal injuries and their post-injury management practices.

In Situ Anchoring Functional Molecules to Polymer Chains Through Supramolecular Interactions for a Robust and Self-Healing Multifunctional Waterborne Polyurethane.

Nowadays, much attention is paid to the development of high-performance and multifunctional materials, but it is still a great challenge to obtain polymer materials with high mechanical properties, high self-healing properties, and multifunctionality in one. Herein, an innovative strategy is proposed to obtain a satisfactory waterborne polyurethane (PMWPU-Bx) by in situ anchoring 3-aminophenylboronic acid (3-APBA) in a pyrene-capped waterborne polyurethane (PMWPU) via supramolecular interactions. The multiple functional sites inherent in 3-APBA can produce supramolecular interactions with groups on PMWPU, promoting the aggregation of hard domains in the polymer network, which confers the PMWPU-Bx strength (7.

Relationship between morphological and genetic diversity of Phelipanche aegyptiaca in Xinjiang China.

Background: Phelipanche aegyptiaca is one of the most noxious parasitic weedy broomrapes in Xinjiang, China. Understanding its morphological polymorphism and genetic diversity can support effective control strategies. This study investigated the morphological and genetic diversity among and within populations from different geographical regions and host species across Xinjiang to characterize their relationships.

Astragalus polysaccharide/carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate based electroconductive hydrogels for diabetic wound healing and muscle function assessment.

Natural polysaccharides with excellent biocompatibility are considered ideal materials for repairing diabetic foot ulcer. However, diabetic foot ulcer is often accompanied by decreased muscle function, even resulting in muscle atrophy. During wound repair, monitoring muscle function at the wound site in real time can identify the decreased muscle strength timely, which is crucial for precise wound rehabilitation.

Potent Amphiphilic Poly(Amino Acid) Nanoadjuvant Delivers Biomineralized Ovalbumin for Photothermal-Augmented Immunotherapy.

Cancer nanovaccines have emerged as an indispensable weapon for tumor treatment. However, insufficient immunogenicity and immunosuppression hamper the therapeutic effects of nanovaccines. Here, biodegradable nanovaccines (OMPP) composed of ovalbumin (OVA)-manganese oxide nanoparticles, amphiphilic poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA), and ε-polylysine (PL) are constructed to realize enhanced cancer immunotherapy.

Biomimetic Electrodynamic Metal-Organic Framework Nanosponges for Augmented Treatment of Biofilm Infections.

Electrodynamic therapy (EDT) is a promising alternative approach for antibacterial therapy, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced efficiently in response to an electric field without relying on endogenous HO and O. However, the inherent toxicity of metallic catalysts and numerous bacterial toxins during the therapeutic process still hinder its development. Herein, biomimetic metal-organic (MOF@EV) nanosponges composed of ginger-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), and electrodynamic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are developed for the eradication of bacterial infections and the absorption of toxins.

Associations between dietary intake and sarcopenia: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: sarcopenia, typified by the progressive diminution of skeletal muscle mass and functionality, represents a substantial public health challenge, particularly among the geriatric population. Dietary intake, as a modifiable determinant, has elicited considerable interest due to its prospective role in preventing and alleviating sarcopenia. Methods: this investigation employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, a robust statistical method, to investigate the causal associations between dietary consumption and sarcopenia-associated phenotypes, including appendicular lean mass (ALM), hand grip strength, and walking pace.

NIR-II-Responsive Hybrid System Achieves Cascade-Augmented Antitumor Immunity via Genetic Engineering of Both Bacteria and Tumor Cells.

The combination of nanoparticles and tumor-targeting bacteria for cancer immunotherapy can overcome the shortcomings of poor nanoparticle accumulation, limited penetration, and restricted distribution. However, it remains a great challenge for the hybrid system to improve therapeutic efficacy through the simultaneous and controllable regulation of immune cells and tumor cells. Herein, a hybrid therapeutic platform is rationally designed to achieve immune cascade-augmented cancer immunotherapy.