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The development of nanosystems, which can photooxygenate amyloid-β (Aβ), detect the Tau protein, and inhibit effectively the Tau aggregation, is increasingly important in the diagnosis and therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, UCNPs-LMB/VQIVYK (UCNPs: upconversion nanoparticles, LMB: Leucomethylene blue, and VQIVYK: Biocompatible peptide) is designed as a HOCl-controlled released nanosystem for AD synergistic treatment. Under exposure to high levels of HOCl, the released MB from UCNPs-LMB/VQIVYK will produce singlet oxygen (1O2) under red light to depolymerize Aβ aggregation and reduce cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, UCNPs-LMB/VQIVYK can act as an inhibitor to decrease Tau-induced neurotoxicity. Besides, UCNPs-LMB/VQIVYK can be used for upconversion luminescence (UCL) due to its unexceptionable luminescence properties. This HOCl-responsive nanosystem offers a new therapy for AD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, and Dupilumab, all these biologics inhibited the functions of type 2 cytokines, then prevented the process of local type 2 inflammation, thus reducing the risk of asthma exacerbation and worsening nasal polyps. Keywords: adverse event; biologics; chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis; meta-analysis EN adverse event biologics chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis meta-analysis 1 3 3 06/29/22 20220601 NES 220601 Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a common and complex inflammatory disorder in the upper airway. Outcome measures included headache, asthma exacerbation, nasopharyngitis, epistaxis, worsening nasal polyps, injection-site reaction, and the common cold. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives Allergic rhinitis (AR), a common chronic inflammatory disease in the upper airways. The prevalence of AR in children seems to be increasing recently, and the most significant causes of the increase are thought to be changes in environmental factors, especially air pollution. However, we could not find any meta-analysis on the risk of air pollution exposure on the prevalence of AR in childhood. The aim of this research was to carry out a meta-analysis on the results of recent studies (21 s t century) to present valid information about exposure to air pollution and risk of prevalence of childhood AR. Methods PubMed, Science, Google Scholar, Elsevier and MDPI web database were searched up to January 1, 2000 to February 28, 2018. Including of air pollution and AR in childhood related to the observation of literature. Meta-analysis, study quality assessment, heterogeneity analysis and publication bias test were using Stata-MP 14.1 and Review Manager version 5.3 software. Results 13 studies will be included in the meta-analysis (8 cross-sectional studies, 5 cohort studies). Exposure to NO 2 (OR Europe  = 1.031, 95%CI [1.002,1.060], P = 0.033; OR Asia  = 1.236, 95%CI [1.099,1.390], P = 0.000; OR overall  = 1.138, 95%CI [1.052,1.231], P = 0.001); Exposure to SO 2 (OR Europe  = 1.148, 95%CI [1.030,1.279], P = 0.012; OR Asia  = 1.044, 95%CI [0.954,1.142], P = 0.352; OR overall  = 1.085, 95%CI [1.013,1.163], P = 0.020); Exposure to PM 10 (OR Europe  = 1.190, 95%CI [1.092,1.297], P = 0.000; OR Asia  = 1.075, 95%CI [0.995,1.161], P = 0.066; OR overall  = 1.125, 95%CI [1.062,1.191], P = 0.000); Exposure to PM 2.5 (OR Europe  = 1.195, 95%CI [1.050,1.360], P = 0.007; OR Asia  = 1.163, 95%CI [1.074,1.260], P = 0.000; OR overall  = 1.172, 95%CI [1.095,1.254], P = 0.000). Conclusions Exposed to air pollution probable is a risk of prevalence of childhood AR. And the prevalence of AR will be increase when exposed to NO 2 , SO 2 , PM 10 and PM 2.5 , but maybe the relationship between SO 2 /PM 10 and prevalence of AR are not closely in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chylous ascites is the pathologic leakage of triglycerides-rich lymphatic fluid into the peritoneal cavity. Chylous ascites is a rare complication in abdominal surgery. This study aimed to find a relatively better method for nutrition support in the treatment of chylous ascites after abdominal surgery.Methods: This study was a retrospective study. This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent abdominal surgery and developed chylous ascites, from the year 2010 to 2014, at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University and the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College. Fifty-eight patients who developed chylous ascites after abdominal surgery were included in the study. The clinical effect of somatostatin was evaluated. The differences in the curative efficacy among a daily diet, a low-fat diet supplemented with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were also analyzed in this study.Results: Complete clinical success was reached earlier in patients treated with somatostatin (P<0.001). The tube removal time, the time to resumption of an oral diet, and the length of hospital stay after chylous leakage were significantly different between patients treated with and without somatostatin. The curative efficacies of the enteral nutrition (EN) + MCT plan and the TPN plan were quite similar, with no significant difference, however, were significantly different from the MCT regime, which was the worst. However, using the EN + MCT plan was more cost-effective (P=0.038).Conclusion: In treating chylous ascites, EN + MCT instead of TPN was the best nutrition support. Moreover, somatostatin or its analog octreotide should be used immediately. The treatment with somatostatin in combination with EN + MCT is recommended in the conservative treatment of postoperative chylous ascites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies investigating the effectiveness of conventional corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) and transepithelial CXL in keratoconus treatment have reported conflicting outcomes. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of these treatments. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with no restrictions. We included visual acuity (corrected distance visual acuity, uncorrected distance visual acuity) and corneal keratometry (K) as primary outcome parameters, and spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness (CCT), and endothelial cell density, as secondary parameters. We finally included seven reports (including six RCTs involving 305 participants and 344 eyes). Our analysis revealed significant postoperative differences in average K and CCT values between conventional and transepithelial CXL-treated patients [K: weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04–1.53, p = 0.04; CCT: WMD = 4.53, 95% CI = 0.42–8.64, p = 0.03]. In contrast, we did not find any significant differences in visual acuity, flattest K value, steepest K value, cylinder K value, apex K value, spherical equivalent, or endothelial cell density between groups. In conclusion, transepithelial CXL has a more protective influence on corneal thickness than conventional CXL, and results in lesser postoperative corneal flattening. Further investigation of the clinical outcomes of transepithelial CXL is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cochinchina Momordica Seed, which is the dried ripe seed of Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng, has been used as a mainly anticancer ingredient for many years in China. This study aims at investigating the roles of an ethanol-soluble extract of Cochinchina Momordica Seed (ECMS) in suppressing the proliferation and metastasis of human lung cancer cells, and further elucidating underlying molecular mechanisms. Our researches suggest that ECMS dose-dependently decreased the survival rates of A549 and H1299 cells, and inhibited the migration and invasion in A549 cells. ECMS-induced apoptosis was accompanied by up-regulation of p53, Bax and the down-regulation of Bcl-2, PI-3K/Akt signal pathway, and resulted in the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and sequentially activated caspase-3 cascade. Pre-treated with specific inhibitors, LY294002 (PI-3K inhibitor) and BAY11-7082 (NF-κB inhibitor) could enhance the anti-proliferation effects of ECMS on A549 cells. Furthermore, ECMS could increase the level of E-cadherin and decrease of the level of STAT-3 and MMP-2, and scarcely affected the expression of VEGF, and resulted in the inhibition of migration and invasion. Pre-treated with specific inhibitors, WP1066 (STAT-3 inhibitor) and TIMP-2 (MMP-2 inhibitor) could enhance the inhibitory effects of ECMS on migration. In conclusion, the current data demonstrated ECMS inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells by inducing apoptosis, at least partly through the activation of p53 and inactivation of PI-3K/Akt signaling. STAT-3 and MMP-2 pathways may be partly involved in anti-metastasis activities of ECMS. Hence, ECMS might be a promising candidate for the therapy of the non-small cell lung cancer by regulating multiple molecular targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective study was performed on 3 patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) who were characterized with thalamic lesions in MRI examination. Among 3 CVST cases, one were male, and 2 was female, aged from 17 to 68. All cases had risk factors of CVST such as acute dehydration and puerperium. The main clinical symptoms included headache, nausea and vomiting, hypomnesis, hemiplegia and coma. MRI examination showed one case with unilateral thalamic lesions and 2 cases with bilateral thalamic lesions. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) and DSA revealed straight sinus lesions in 3 cases, inferior sagittal sinus lesions in 2 cases, superior sagittal sinus lesion in one case, and transverse sinus lesion in one case, respectively. The patients with unilateral or bilateral thalamic lesions, especially those who had risk factors of CVST, should be diagnosed correctly and timely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (pd)-associated mycobacterium peritonitis is an important clinical entity in patients with end stage renal disease. They present a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians because clinical findings and laboratory investigations can not be differentiated from symptoms caused by non-tuberculous mycobacterium (ntm), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tb) or other bacteria. The aim of the present article is to know the differences between the clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations, the appropriate diagnosis, treatment strategies and prognosis for tb and ntm disease in patients with pd-associated mycobacterial infections. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted over a period of 25 years. Out of 1737 patients, only 7 were diagnosed with mycobacterial peritonitis. Result: Evaluable data showed that there were three patients diagnosed with ntm peritonitis and four patients with tuberculous peritonitis. The mean age of the patients was 53.9 ± 11.8 years. Although all patients developed abdominal pain and cloudy dialysate, only four patients (57.1%) had fever. Two patients (28.6%) suffered severe sepsis and septic shock. Therefore, the patient survival rates for ntm and tuberculous peritonitis were 100.0% and 75.0%, respectively. Two patients were shifted to long-term hemodialysis; therefore, the technical survival rates for ntm and tuberculous peritonitis were 66.7% and 50.0%, respectively. Notably, recurrence of mycobacterial infection was found in one patient with both pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous peritonitis. Conclusion: The diagnosis of mycobacterial peritonitis remains a challenge to medical staffs because of its insidious nature, the variability of its presentation and the limitations of available diagnostic test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dominant source of thromboembolism in heart comes from the left atrial appendage (LAA). An occluder can close LAA and significantly reduce the risk of strokes, particularly for those patients with atrial fibrillation. However, it is technically challenging to fabricate an LAA occluder that is appropriate for percutaneous implantation and can be rapidly endothelialized to accomplish complete closure and avoid severe complication. Hypothesizing that a fast migration rate of endothelial cells on the implant surface would lead to rapid endothelialization, we fabricated an LAA occlusion device for interventional treatment with a well-designed 3D architecture and a nanoscale 2D coating. Through screening of biomaterials surfaces with cellular studies in vitro including cell observations, qPCR, RNA sequencing, and implantation studies in vivo, we revealed that a titanium–nitrogen nanocoating on a NiTi alloy promoted high migration rate of endothelial cells on the surface. The effectiveness of this first nanocoating LAA occluder was validated in animal experiments and a patient case, both of which exhibited successful implantation, fast sealing and long-term safety of the device. The mechanistic insights gained in this study will be useful for the design of medical devices with appropriate surface modification, not necessarily for improved cell adhesion but sometimes for enhanced cell migration. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A predominant Th17 population and impaired Treg function is the marker of nasal polyposis (NP) in Chinese patients. TGF-β1, a multifunction cytokine, is a vital factor involved in inducing or restricting specific Th cell development. However, its role in NP has still not been well understood. Methods: In a double-blind trial, 30 subjects were randomized into 2 groups (15 steroid-treated NP, 15 untreated NP), and 15 normal subjects were allocated as control group. We analyzed the expression of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, p-STAT3, Smad7, SOCS3, IL-10, IL-17A, Foxp3, and RORc in the NP tissue of Chinese patients using mRNA and protein detection methods. Results: TGF-β1, p-Smad2, IL-10, SOCS3, and Foxp3 expression was higher in steroid-treated NP patients than in untreated NP patients. Conversely, expression of p-STAT3, Smad7, IL-17A, and RORc was higher in untreated NP patients than in steroid-treated NP patients, demonstrating that TGF-β1 was more likely to contribute to Treg commitment in Chinese NP patients after intranasal steroid treatment. Conclusions: TGF-β1 may be a signature Treg cytokine, which is valuable for obtaining a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of NP. Moreover, intranasal steroid treatment attenuated the chronic inflammatory response in these patients by promoting Smad-dependent Treg functions and reducing STAT3-mediated Th17 reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lithium is a popular medication for bipolar disorder, but very little work has been done to study Asian patients with lithium poisoning. Methods: A total of 21 out of 7140 poisoned patients were referred for management of lithium poisoning between 2000 and 2009. Patients were stratified according to blood lithium level, that is mild-to-moderate (<2.5 mEq/L) or severe (≥2.5 mEq/L) poisoning. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained for analysis. Mortality rates were also analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences between both groups for the baseline variables such as poisoning patterns, age, sex, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, or medical history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension (p > 0.05). Patients with severe poisoning had a greater distribution of severe neurological symptoms (mild/moderate/ severe: 11.1%/44.4%/44.4% versus 58.35%/16.65%/8.3%, p < 0.05), cardiovascular symptoms (66.6% versus 16.6%, p < 0.05), and renal impairment (urea nitrogen/creatinine: 27.1 ± 17.8/ 1.9 ± 1.3 mg/dL versus 14.1 ± 7.1/ 1.3 ± 0.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05) than patients with mild-to-moderate poisoning. Most patients were treated with saline diuresis (9 patients [100%] with severe poisoning versus 9 patients [75.0%] with mild-to-moderate poisoning, p > 0.05). Hemodialysis was initiated in 2 (22.2%) of 9 and 1 (8.3%) of 12 patients with severe and mild-to-moderate poisoning, respectively (p > 0.05). The treatment was successful and all patients recovered without chronic sequelae. Thus, these favorable outcomes were comparable to the data from other international Poison Centers. Conclusions: Given the excellent outcomes of detoxification protocols, patients undergoing lithium therapy must be closely monitored for its toxicity and treated immediately in case of poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 51-year-old woman with restless legs syndrome (RLS), sensorimotor disorder, with marked hyperkinesias, involuntary contraction of the eyelid muscles, and impulsive-compulsive behaviors. Topics mentioned include the RLS diagnosis, the effectiveness of clonazepam drug for RLS treatment, and the adverse effect of dopaminergic treatment.

Background: Conventional corneal cross-linking is effective for retarding the progression of keratoconus. However the long-term efficacy and safety of accelerated (45 mW/cm2) transepithelial corneal cross-linking (ATE-CXL) on progressive keratoconus (KC) treatment is not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the 2-year changes in corneal topographic parameters and densitometry values after ATE-CXL for KC.Methods: Twenty-five progressive eyes of 25 KC patients (KC group) and 25 eyes of 25 myopes without KC (control group) were enrolled. Corneal topography and densitometry values were evaluated pre-operatively and at 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively in the KC group.Results: The mean values of flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), mean keratometry (Km), corneal astigmatism (CA), maximum keratometry (Kmax), central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), anterior corneal elevation (ACE) and posterior corneal elevation (PCE) all remained unchanged over time (all P values > 0.05). The densitometry values of the anterior, central, posterior and total layers over the annular diameters 0 mm to 2 mm (Φ0-2 mm) and Φ2-6 mm all decreased significantly (all P values < 0.05). At post-operative month 24, except for the densitometry value of the posterior layer (Φ0-2 mm), which was significantly lower than that of the control group (post hoc P = 0.010), all densitometry values obtained from the remaining locations of the KC eyes were equal to those of the control group (All post hoc P values > 0.05). Subgroups with Km ≥ 50.30D or ACE ≥35.3 μm progressed significantly when compared with those with Km < 50.30D (F = 8.167, P = 0.004) or ACE< 35.3 μm (F = 5.207, P = 0.022).Conclusions: K1, K2, Km, CA, Kmax, CCT, TCT, ACE, and PCE values may remain stable but severer KC patients tend to have poorer long-term outcomes. The densitometry values of the full corneal thickness (total layer over Φ0-2 mm and Φ2-6 mm) may decrease to normal levels at 2 years after ATE-CXL for KC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Keratoconus typically presents in the teenage years and is more advanced in younger patients when compared with adults. In the present study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of accelerated transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking (ATE-CXL) in children with progressive keratoconus.Methods: In this retrospective consecutive study, 18 eyes were enrolled from 17 pediatric patients (15 boys and 2 girls) with a mean age of 14.44 ± 1.98 years. Manifest refraction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), steepest meridian keratometry (K1), flattest meridian keratometry (K2), maximum keratometry (Kmax), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), posterior central elevation (PCE), and posterior mean elevation (PME) were measured before and after ATE-CXL. The patients were followed-up at 1, 6, and 12 months. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: There were no complications in any case during or after ATE-CXL. BCVA improved from 0.64 ± 0.32 preoperatively to 0.69 ± 0.32 at 1-year postoperatively. The Kmax value was 56.67 ± 9.60 D before the treatment and 56.19 ± 8.55 D, 56.08 ± 8.85 D, and 55.94 ± 8.46 D at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. No statistically significant differences were present in K1, K2, Kmax, PCE, and TCT before and after ATE-CXL during the 12-month follow-up (P > 0.05).Conclusions: ATE-CXL is a safe and effective treatment in pediatric progressive keratoconus patients. The long-term effects need further observation.Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered. Registration number: ChiCTR-OIC-16008181 . Registered 29 March 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decrease in endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was reported to participate in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study is aimed at exploring the relationship between the abnormalities in H2S metabolism, hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and the activation of intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Cultured renal mesangial cells (MCs) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were used for the studies. The expressions of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II) type I receptor (AT1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and collagen IV were measured by real time PCR and Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by fluorescent probe assays. Cell proliferation was analyzed by 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. Ang II concentration was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. AGT, ACE and AT1 receptor mRNA levels and Ang II concentration were increased in high glucose (HG) -treated MCs, the cell proliferation rate and the production of TGF-β1 and of collagen IV productions were also increased. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylenechloride iodonium (DPI) was able to reverse the HG-induced RAS activation and the changes in cell proliferation and collagen synthesis. Supplementation of H2S attenuated HG-induced elevations in ROS and RAS activation. Blockade on H2S biosynthesis from cystathione-γ-lyase (CSE) by DL-propargylglycine (PPG) resulted in effects similar to that of HG treatment. In STZ-induced diabetic rats, the changes in RAS were also reversed by H2S supplementation without affecting blood glucose concentration. These data suggested that the decrease in H2S under hyperglycemic condition leads to an imbalance between oxidative and reductive species. The increased oxidative species results in intrarenal RAS activation, which, in turn, contributes to the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Current treatment for hepatitis C is barely satisfactory, there is an urgent need to develop novel agents for combating hepatitis C virus infection. This study discovered a new class of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives as HCV inhibitors. First, a hit compound characterized by a thienopyridine core was identified in a cell-based screening of our privileged small molecule library. And then, structure activity relationship study of the hit compound led to the discovery of several potent compounds without obvious cytotoxicity in vitro (12c, EC50 =3.3μM, SI >30.3, 12b, EC50 =3.5μM, SI >28.6, 10l, EC50 =3.9μM, SI >25.6, 12o, EC50 =4.5μM, SI >22.2, respectively). Although the mechanism of them had not been clearly elucidated, our preliminary optimization of this class of compounds had provided us a start point to develop new anti-HCV agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tiopronin-conjugated gold nanoparticles (TPN@GNPs), with glutathione (GSH)-responsive drug release property, were developed for acute liver injury therapy. The TPN@GNPs were prepared using a one-pot synthesis method and characterized by UV–vis and transmission electronic microscopy methods. The TPN@GNPs displayed typical surface plasmon resonance of nanogold with a narrow size distribution (ca. 2nm). The in vitro drug release profiles of the conjugates indicated that TPN@GNPs were able to release TPN in a sustained fashion for 4h at a simulated intracellular level of GSH. pH values or ionic strengths of the release media had no obvious influence on TPN release from the surface of nanoparticles. The pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed that the TPN@GNPs had longer MRT (7.71h) than TPN (3.96h), indicating sustained release pattern of TPN@GNPs in vivo. The sustained release of TPN at the relative high GSH concentration could ameliorate the instability of TPN and enable the drug release in the target cells. Although the IC50 value of TPN@GNPs with TPN/AuCl4 − of 3:1 (mol/mol) showed slight increase in comparison with that of the free TPN in HepG2 cells (1.26±1.07 vs. 1.73±1.16mg/mL), the TPN@GNPs displayed better effects over TPN in the treatment of acute liver injury in vivo. In a liver injury mice model induced by CCl4, the histological analysis showed both the TPN@GNPs and free TPN group could repair the liver injury. In addition, the biochemical parameters showed TPN@GNPs could reduced the aminotransferase to a lower level compared with TPN, which might be due to the sustained drug release and passive liver targeting properties of TPN@GNPs. It demonstrated that gold nanoparticle-based drug delivery system allowed smart functions and superior properties by taking advantages of the unique small size effects and surface chemical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fabry disease, due to the deficiency of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal), causes lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in multiple tissues and prominently in the vascular endothelium. Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) by injection of recombinant α-Gal improves the disease outcome, the effects on the vasculopathy associated with life-threatening cerebrovascular, cardiac and renal complications are still limited. We designed a strategy to enhance the delivery of α-Gal to organs and endothelial cells (ECs). We targeted α-Gal to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), a protein expressed on ECs throughout the vasculature, by loading this enzyme on nanocarriers coated with anti-ICAM (anti-ICAM/α-Gal NCs). In vitro radioisotope tracing showed efficient loading of α-Gal on anti-ICAM NCs, stability of this formulation under storage and in model physiological fluids, and enzyme release in response to lysosome environmental conditions. In mice, the delivery of 125I-α-Gal was markedly enhanced by anti-ICAM/125I-α-Gal NCs in brain, kidney, heart, liver, lung, and spleen, and transmission electron microscopy showed anti-ICAM/α-Gal NCs attached to and internalized into the vascular endothelium. Fluorescence microscopy proved targeting, endocytosis and lysosomal transport of anti-ICAM/α-Gal NCs in macro- and micro-vascular ECs and a marked enhancement of Gb3 degradation. Therefore, this ICAM-1-targeting strategy may help improve the efficacy of therapeutic enzymes for Fabry disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The next-generation closure device for interventional treatment of congenital heart disease is regarded to be biodegradable, yet the corresponding biomaterial technique is still challenging. Herein, we report the first fully biodegradable atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder finally coming into clinical use, which is made of biodegradable poly(l -lactic acid) (PLLA). We characterized the physico-chemical properties of PLLA fibers as well as the raw polymer and the operability of the as-fabricated occluders. Cell behaviors on material were observed, and in vivo fiber degradation and inflammatory responses were examined. ASD models in piglets were created, and 44 PLLA ASD occluders were implanted via catheter successfully. After 36 months, the PLLA ASD occluders almost degraded without any complications. The mechanical properties and thickness between newborn and normal atrial septum showed no significant difference. We further accomplished the first clinical implantation of the PLLA ASD occluder in a four-year boy, and the two-year follow-up up to date preliminarily indicated safety and feasibility of such new-generation fully biodegradable occluder made of synthetic polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 53-year-old man with a 2-month history of episodic painless gross hematuria, frequent urination and dysuria. The patient has been underwent a laboratory examination which showed its hepatitis B, hypertension and anemia and histopathological resulting to a pink acellular amorphous deposits. The hospital also conducted a transurethral resection on the patient's bladder tumors followed by laser ablation of tumors.