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In the present study, a novel polysaccharide, APS2-1, was isolated and purified from Astragalus membranaceus using DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The effect of APS2-1 on the promotion of wound healing was evaluated and its preliminary mechanism was investigated. In vitro experiments showed that APS2-1 was able to promote human skin fibroblast (HSF) propagation and accelerate cell cycle progression. For further examination, a scalded mice model was used to verify the effect of APS2-1 and investigate its mechanism of action. The analysis of biochemical parameters, including cyclin D1, inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα (IκBα), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) showed that APS2-1 inhibited the increase in cyclin D1 and IκBα, and promoted the expression of TGF-β1, bFGF and EGF, which was further confirmed by histopathological observation. These results suggested that APS2-1 possessed high potential in wound healing and its mechanism was associated with inhibiting inflammation, accelerating cell cycle and promoting the secretion of repair factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractory diabetic wounds are associated with high incidence, mortality, and recurrence rates and are a devastating and rapidly growing clinical problem. However, treating these wounds is difficult owing to uncontrolled inflammatory microenvironments and defective angiogenesis in the affected areas, with no established effective treatment to the best of our knowledge. Herein, we optimized a dual functional therapeutic agent based on the assembly of LL-37 peptides and diblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene sulfide) (PEG-PPS). The incorporation of PEG-PPS enabled responsive or controlled LL-37 peptide release in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). LL-37@PEG-PPS nanomicelles not only scavenged excessive ROS to improve the microenvironment for angiogenesis but also released LL-37 peptides and protected them from degradation, thereby robustly increasing angiogenesis. Diabetic wounds treated with LL-37@PEG-PPS exhibited accelerated and high-quality wound healing in vivo. This study shows that LL-37@PEG-PPS can restore beneficial angiogenesis in the wound microenvironment by continuously providing angiogenesis-promoting signals. Thus, it may be a promising drug for improving chronic refractory wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognostic factors of facial paralysis complicated by middle ear cholesteatoma (MEC) are largely unknown due to limited reports and smaller sample size. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze prognostic factors of postoperative outcomes of facial paralysis complicated by MEC. Material and methods: Clinical data of 48 patients (48 ears) with facial paralysis complicated by MEC were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The outcomes of facial paralysis were compared between different groups. Results: All the eight cases (100%) with intact fallopian canal had complete recovery of facial paralysis after surgery, while only 52.5% cases (21/40 cases) with fallopian canal damage achieved good recovery, with significant difference (p < .05). For subgroup analysis of the 40 cases with damaged fallopian canal, the good recovery rate of facial paralysis in shorter duration group (2 months) was higher compared to longer duration group (>2 months) (81.0% versus 21.1%; p < .05). Moreover, the good recovery rate of facial paralysis in moderate facial paralysis group (grade II–IV) was higher compared to severe facial paralysis group (grade V–VI) (82.4% versus 30.4%; p < .05). Conclusions and significance: The outcomes of facial paralysis complicated by MEC were associated with fallopian canal integrity, duration and severity of facial paralysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]