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BACKGROUND: Overweight or obesity is the most significant risk factors for knee osteoarthritis. Time-restricted diet shows an effective effect in preventing overweight or obesity. Whether infrapatellar fat pad, an important component of the knee joint, is affected by time-restricted diet and thus influences knee osteoarthritis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To employ a high-fat diet-induced rat model to investigate the effect of weight loss by time-restricted diet on infrapatellar fat pad, thereby providing evidence for early prevention and treatment of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=5 per group). Rats in the control group were allowed to eat at will for 24 hours and were fed the defined control diet (12% fat); rats in the high-fat diet group were allowed to eat at will for 24 hours and were fed the high-fat diet (45% fat); and rats in the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group were fed the high-fat diet only from 9:00 (2 hours after the light) to 17:00 (2 hours before the dark). After 8 weeks of feeding, mDixon-Quant sequence was used to assess proton density fat fraction in the infrapatellar fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue in the right inguinal region. ELISA was used to quantify differences adipokine. Sirius red staining was used to evaluate changes in fibrosis of the infrapatellar fat pad. The expressions of uncoupling protein-1 in the infrapatellar fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue in the right inguinal region as well as leptin, adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α in the infrapatellar fat pad were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After 8 weeks of feeding, compared with the high-fat diet group, the body mass of rats in the control group (P=0.036) and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group (P=0.003) was significantly reduced. The proton density fat fraction in the infrapatellar fat pad in the high-fat diet group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001) and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group (P=0.004), while there was no significant difference in the proton density fat fraction of the subcutaneous adipose tissue among the three groups. The serum leptin levels of rats in the highfat diet group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P=0.030) and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group (P=0.018). Compared with the high-fat diet group, the infrapatellar fat pad fibrosis characterized by Sirius red staining in the control group (P < 0.001) and the time-restricted diet group (P=0.003) was significantly decreased. The expression of leptin in IFP of the high-fat diet group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001) and the high-fat diet with time-restricted diet group (P < 0.001). The expression of adiponectin in the infrapatellar fat pad of the high-fat diet group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.004) and the high-fat diet with time-restricted feeding group (P=0.048). However, there was no positive expression of uncoupling protein-1 in the infrapatellar fat pad and subcutaneous adipose tissue of all the three groups, and no positive expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the infrapatellar fat pad. To conclude, time-restricted diet could retard the fibrosis of the infrapatellar fat pad, reduce the proton density fat fraction of the infrapatellar fat pad, and affect the level of adipokine in serum and infrapatellar fat pad. Time-restricted diet may become a simple and effective option for the treatment and prevention of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous scaffolds, whose mechanical and biological properties are greatly affected by structure, are new treatments for bone defects. Since bone repair is related to biomechanics, analyzing the osteogenesis in scaffolds based on mechanical stimulation may become a more effective method than traditional biological experiments. A tissue regeneration algorithm based on mechanical regulation theory was implemented in this study to evaluate the osteogenesis of classical scaffolds (Gyroid, I-WP, and Diamond). In vivo experiments were used to verify and supplement the simulation results. Different approaches to describing osteogenesis were discussed. Bone formation was more obvious inside the Gyroid scaffold and outside the I-WP scaffold, while the new bone was more sufficient and evenly distributed in the Diamond scaffold. The osteogenesis pattern of the bone scaffold in the simulation analysis was consistent with the results of animal experiments, and the bone volume calculated by the tissue fraction threshold method and the elastic modulus threshold method was very similar to the in vivo experiment. The mechanical responses mediated by structure affect the osteogenesis of bone scaffolds. This study provided and confirmed a simulation analysis method based on mechanical regulation theory, which is more efficient and economical for analyzing tissue healing in bioengineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the early impact of plaque accumulation in a buccal dehiscence defect on peri‐implant marginal bone resorption. Materials and Methods: In six male Mongrel dogs, four dental implants were placed in the posterior maxilla on both sides (two implants per side). Based on the group allocation, each implant was randomly assigned to one of the following four groups to decide whether buccal dehiscence defect was prepared and whether silk ligation was applied at 8 weeks post‐implant placement for peri‐implantitis induction: UC (no defect without ligation); UD (defect without ligation); LC (no defect with ligation); and LD (defect with ligation) groups. Eight weeks after disease induction, the outcomes from radiographic and histologic analyses were statistically analyzed (p <.05). Results: Based on radiographs, the exposed area of implant threads was smallest in group UC (p <.0083). Based on histology, both the distances from the implant platform to the first bone‐to‐implant contact point and to the bone crest were significantly longer in the LD group (p <.0083). In the UD group, some spontaneous bone fill occurred from the base of the defect at 8 weeks after implant placement. The apical extension of inflammatory cell infiltrate was significantly more prominent in the LD and LC groups compared to the UC group (p <.0083). Conclusion: Plaque accumulated on the exposed implant surface had a negative impact on maintaining the peri‐implant marginal bone level, especially when there was a dehiscence defect around the implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Sunflower receptacles are the main by-product of the processing of Helianthus annuus L. Methods: In this study, several extraction methods of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from sunflower receptacles were evaluated, and then, the physicochemical structure and functional properties of these SDFs were examined. Finally, a mouse constipation model was established to explore its therapeutic potential for constipation. Results: The results showed that the SDF yield of citric acid extraction and enzyme extraction was better than that of hot-water extraction. Structural characterization showed that the three SDF functional groups were similar and amorphous, while the surface distribution of the SDF obtained by the citric acid extraction method (ASDF) had more fine pores. Physicochemical analysis showed that ASDF had the best water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and expansion force. Animal experiments showed that the first black stool defecation time of the model group changed significantly (p < 0.001), indicating that the model was successful. Compared with the model group, the middle- and high-dose groups reduced the first black stool defecation time (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) and increased the fecal water content (p < 0.05). The high-dose group significantly promoted the intestinal peristalsis of mice (p < 0.05). From hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining, it can be seen that the three dose groups of ASDF can improve the damage of mouse colon tissue induced by loperamide hydrochloride to a certain extent. Conclusions: Our results show that ASDF has good physical and chemical properties and laxative properties and has broad development space in the field of health food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jia-Ning Zhang,1,2,&ast; Lin-Wei Li,1,2,&ast; Man-Qing Cao,1,2,&ast; Xin Liu,1,2 Zi-Lu Yi,1,2 Sha-Sha Liu,1,2 Hong Liu1,2 1The Second Surgical Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China; 2Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hong Liu, Email liuhong_submit@tjmuch.comPurpose: Cell division cycle protein 45 (CDC45) plays a crucial role in DNA replication. This study investigates its role in breast cancer (BC) and its impact on tumor progression.Methods: We utilized the GEO database to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and conducted enrichment analysis on these genes. We established a Nomogram model based on CDC45 and other clinical indicators. Additionally, we performed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, drug sensitivity analysis, and immune correlation analysis of CDC45. The function of CDC45 was further verified through cell and animal experiments.Results: CDC45 is highly expressed in most tumors, including BC. The expression level of CDC45 was significantly associated with age, sex, race, cancer stage, and molecular subtypes (all p < 0.05). CDC45 was incorporated into a Nomogram model, which showed moderate accuracy in predicting patient prognosis. We also analyzed the co-expression genes of CDC45, including TOPBP1, GINS2, MCM5, GINS1, GINS4, POLE2, MCM2, MCM6, MCM4, and MCM7. Furthermore, CDC45 expression was closely linked to immune infiltration levels, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and the therapeutic response to small molecule drugs. Finally, both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the cancer-promoting effect of CDC45 in BC.Conclusion: The expression level of CDC45 is linked to the prognosis, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity of BC. In vitro and in vivo experiments have confirmed that CDC45 acts as a cancer-promoting protein in breast cancer.Keywords: breast cancer, CDC45, prognosis, immunity, animal experiment

BACKGROUND: Iron overload refers to excessive accumulation of iron in the body, which can cause pathological changes in various tissues. At present, the molecular mechanism and potential gene targets related to iron overload in osteoarthritis still need to be further studied and explored. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the key genes of iron overload in osteoarthritis by means of bioinformatics and verify them in animal experiments, so as to provide a new idea for preventing and treating osteoarthritis from the perspective of iron overload. METHODS: GEO database and GeneCards database were used to screen out genes associated with osteoarthritis and genes associated with iron overload. Then, the intersection of the two was taken to obtain a collection of genes commonly associated with osteoarthritis and iron overload. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were used to screen the functions and pathways of these genes. To further investigate the interactions between these genes, a proteinprotein interaction network was constructed and five computational methods of Cytoscape software were utilized to identify the Hub genes for iron overload in osteoarthritis. Finally, 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into osteoarthritis group and normal group, with 6 rats in each group. A knee osteoarthritis model was established by the modified Hulth method in the osteoarthritis group. The expression of Hub genes in the knee joint of rats in each group was detected by PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A total of 51 genes associated with iron overload were identified in osteoarthritis. GO enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in cytokine receptor binding, chemokine receptor binding, cytokine activity, growth factor receptor binding and oligosaccharide binding. (2) KEGG enrichment analysis showed that genes associated with iron overload in osteoarthritis was mainly involved in tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway and lipid and atherosclerosis signaling pathway. (3) The protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and five Hub genes of iron overload, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11, myelocytomatosis oncogene, janus kinase 2, and interleukin 6, were obtained by further analysis. Animal experiments verified that there were significant differences in the expression of the above Hub genes in the rat knee joint between the control group and the experimental group (P < 0.05). (4) All these findings show that intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11, myelocytomatosis oncogene, janus kinase 2, and interleukin 6 can be used as the Hub genes of iron overload in osteoarthritis, which are expected to become new targets for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel has good mechanical property, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, and can be used as an isolated protective material in tumor radiation therapy to protect endangered organs from damage caused by excess radiation dose. OBJECTIVE : To investigate the safety and efficacy of crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel in reducing the dose of radiation to dangerous organs during brachytherapy. METHODS: A total of 16 specific pathogen-free Kunming mice of the same age and similar body weight were selected as experimental subjects and divided into experimental group and control group by the random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. 125I seeds were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice in the experimental group, and then crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel was injected around the radioactive particles. Only 125I seeds were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice in the control group. After injection, the distance between the radioactive particles and the epidermis was measured by spiral CT scan, and the surface radiation dose was measured by radiation dosimeter. Within 10 weeks after injection, the growth state, survival rate, skin radiation damage, and gel retention of mice were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Spiral CT scan showed that the implanted gel was relatively concentrated and created an effective distance between the radioactive seeds and the epidermis. The body surface radiation dose of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). (2) During the experimental observation period, mice in both groups survived; mice in the control group showed obvious irritability and other unstable behavior in the late experimental period, and some mice in the experimental group showed similar behavior. The daily food intake of mice in the two groups had no significant change, and the body mass showed the same increasing trend. After implantation of radioactive seeds, the two groups of mice showed different degrees of radioactive skin injury. From day 23 after injection to the end of the experiment, the skin radiation injury score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). At week 10 after implantation, 6 mice in the experimental group had no obvious gel residue under their skin, and 2 mice had a very small amount of scattered gel-like samples under their skin. (3) Therefore, the crosslinked sodium hyaluronate injection technique can increase the space between the radioactive target area of 125I seeds and the organ at risk outside the target through physical space occupying, which can effectively reduce the dose of the organ at risk, and play a role in the isolation and protection of the organ at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) at frequencies of approximately 15 Hz is associated with optimal CO2 excretion. Higher frequencies using a nitrogen–oxygen gas mixture worsen CO2 excretion. An in vitro experiment using HFOV and a helium–oxygen gas mixture showed a significant increase in CO2 transport, which increased with increases in ventilation frequency. We hypothesised that in HFOV, the change in the arterial partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) would be greater at frequencies above 15 Hz when combined with helium–oxygen gas mixture administration. We tested this hypothesis in a hypoventilated healthy rabbit model by administering a helium–oxygen gas mixture at 15, 25, 35, and 45 Hz frequencies. One-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant decrease in PaCO2 among the four ventilation frequency groups. Post-hoc analysis showed significant differences between 15 and 35 Hz frequencies and between 15 and 45 Hz frequencies. The mean (standard error) decrease of PaCO2 was 10.8 (2.2), 14.1 (2.3), 21.3 (3.3), and 23.1 (2.5) mmHg at 15, 25, 35, and 45 Hz, respectively. Combination therapy of helium–oxygen gas mixture and high-frequency oscillation using ultra/very high frequencies (35–45 Hz) was associated with a greater PaCO2 decrease than that using the standard frequency (15 Hz).

Abstract Anastomotic-leakage incidence has been reported to be reduced on using polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets as reinforcing materials; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding the reinforcement mechanism. Therefore, we investigated effects of PGA sheets on gastrointestinal anastomoses in rats. In the first approach, five rats underwent laparotomy; the PGA sheet was pasted onto the normal cecal wall. After five days, the cecum was removed and histologically evaluated. In the second approach, ten rats were randomly divided into two groups of five animals each. The rats underwent laparotomy; the cecal wall was sutured after a full-thickness incision. In the PGA group, a PGA sheet was used to cover the suture area. After 5 days, the cecum was removed, and the physical pressure resistance was evaluated. We confirmed the growth of a fibrous capsule measuring 855 (648–1048) µm outside the cecal serosa in the first approach. The median pressure resistance in the second approach was 57.0 (45.0–90.0) and 90.0 (82.5–94.5) mmHg in Control and PGA groups, respectively. The pressure resistance was significantly higher in the PGA group (p = 0.046). In summary, the PGA sheet may form a barrier of fibrosis on the intestinal wall and provide reinforcement to prevent anastomotic leakage.

Anastomotic-leakage incidence has been reported to be reduced on using polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets as reinforcing materials; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding the reinforcement mechanism. Therefore, we investigated effects of PGA sheets on gastrointestinal anastomoses in rats. In the first approach, five rats underwent laparotomy; the PGA sheet was pasted onto the normal cecal wall. After five days, the cecum was removed and histologically evaluated. In the second approach, ten rats were randomly divided into two groups of five animals each. The rats underwent laparotomy; the cecal wall was sutured after a full-thickness incision. In the PGA group, a PGA sheet was used to cover the suture area. After 5 days, the cecum was removed, and the physical pressure resistance was evaluated. We confirmed the growth of a fibrous capsule measuring 855 (648–1048) µm outside the cecal serosa in the first approach. The median pressure resistance in the second approach was 57.0 (45.0–90.0) and 90.0 (82.5–94.5) mmHg in Control and PGA groups, respectively. The pressure resistance was significantly higher in the PGA group (p = 0.046). In summary, the PGA sheet may form a barrier of fibrosis on the intestinal wall and provide reinforcement to prevent anastomotic leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Materials and Methods Results Conclusion The objective of this study was to compare open versus closed healing of soft and hard tissue following alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures in damaged extraction sockets.ARP was performed in five mongrel dogs using collagenated deproteinized bovine bone mineral (cDBBM) and a resorbable non‐cross‐linked collagen membrane (NCCM) in damaged extraction sockets, with each socket entrance left either open (open group) or closed (closed group). Clinical wound epithelization at the socket entrance and the dimensions of keratinized tissue were evaluated over time. Additionally, the augmented ridge dimensions and new bone formation were assessed radiographically and histologically at 8 weeks after surgery.The dimensions of the socket entrance gradually decreased in the open group, and wound epithelization was almost complete within 4 weeks. The mucogingival junction was maintained more apically in the open group than in the closed group (0.14 ± 0.40 mm vs. −0.86 ± 0.71 mm [mean ± SD], p < 0.05). The augmented ridge dimensions did not differ significantly between the open and closed groups (93.1% ± 5.4% vs. 88.3% ± 11.2%, p > 0.05). Histological analyses revealed no significant differences in the amount of newly formed bone. However, membrane resorption in the crestal region was more pronounced in the open group.Open and closed healing approaches for ARP in extraction sockets with damaged buccal wall resulted in similar ridge dimensions and new bone formation. However, there was less reduction of the buccal bone crest and wider keratinized tissue width after open healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Youhua Kuijie prescription (YHKJ) is a hospital preparation that is composed of nine kinds of herbs. Sulfasalazine (SASP) is widely used as a first-line clinical treatment for UC. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own advantages in the treatment of UC, and the mechanism of YHKJ combined with SASP in the treatment of UC needs to be investigated. Methods: In this study, the therapeutic mechanism of YHKJ combined with SASP in the treatment of UC was predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking. The chemical components and related targets of YHKJ were obtained from the TCMSP database. The chemical structure of SASP was obtained from the PubChem server, and related targets of SASP molecules were identified using the PharmMapper database. UC-related targets were obtained from the DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, DrugBank and PharmGkb databases. Results: In total, 197 shared targets were identified by constructing a Venn diagram. PPI network data obtained from the STRING database were imported into Cytoscape to visualize the "drug-disease" target network, and STAT3 was selected as the core target by topological analysis. Gene Ontology revealed the biological functions of target genes, and KEGG analysis revealed that the core target STAT3 was differentially expressed in Th17 cells and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Thus, the core target STAT3 was subjected to molecular docking with the top 10 components, including nine YHKJ components (quercetin, luteolin, ursolic acid, daidzein, kaempferol, wogonin, myricetin, formononetin, indirubin) and SASP (C18H14N4O5S). The molecular docking results showed that STAT3 had favorable binding with the nine YHKJ components and SASP; STAT3 had the strongest binding with ursolic acid (-10.26 kcal/mol), followed by SASP (-8.54 kcal/mol). Qualitative analysis of the chemical constituents of YHKJ by HPLC revealed that sitosterol, ursolic acid, myricetin, daidzein, quercetin, kaempferol and formononetin were the main components. Additional experiments verified that YHKJ combined with SASP inhibited activation of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway and alleviated inflammation in UC model rats. Discussion: Our results showed that seven chemical components in YHKJ cooperate with SASP to interfere with activation of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thus playing a role in the treatment of UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecal incontinence (FI) referred to the inability to control the leakage of solid, liquid, or gaseous feces, the artificial anal sphincter (AAS) was the last resort for patients with FI except enterostomy. In order to the clinical application value of AAS was improved, the detection and analysis of intestinal pressure information was very necessary. Biaxial actuated artificial anal sphincter (BAAS) was a new type of AAS, which not only had a stable, long-term and safe energy supply, but also could provide real-time feedback of intestinal pressure information. In this paper, the BAAS was implanted into piglets for a long-term animal experiment. Piglets’ life habits, defecation habits and intestinal pressure were analyzed. The analysis results showed that the BAAS system had good feces control effect, when the actuator of the BAAS system was closed, there was basically no fecal leakage of piglets, and when the actuator of the BAAS system was opened, the piglets could defecate normally. Under the normal condition of the piglets’ health state and the BAAS’s operating state, the accuracy of the defecation perception reached to 65.79%. This study realized the in-depth study of the mechanism of piglets’ defecation, and provided guidance for the development of a new generation of AAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Our objective was to explore the safety and efficacy of a graphene oxide-loaded rapamycin-coated self-expandable metallic airway stent (GO@RAPA-SEMS) in a rabbit model. METHODS The dip coating method was used to develop a GO@RAPA-SEMS and a poly(lactic-co-glycolic)-acid loaded rapamycin-coated self-expandable metallic airway stent (PLGA@RAPA-SEMS). The surface structure was evaluated using a scanning electronic microscope. The in vitro drug-release profiles of the 2 stents were explored and compared. In the animal study, a total of 45 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups and underwent 3 kinds of stent placements. Computed tomography was performed to evaluate the degree of stenosis at 1, 2 and 3 months after the stent operation. Five rabbits in each group were sacrificed after the computed tomography scan. The stented trachea and blood were collected for further pathological analysis and laboratory testing. RESULTS The in vitro drug-release study revealed that GO@RAPA-SEMS exhibited a sudden release on the first day and maintained a certain release rate on the 14th day. The PLGA@RAPA-SEMS exhibited a longer sustained release time. All 45 rabbits underwent successful stent placement. Pathological results indicated that the granulation tissue thickness in the GO@RAPA-SEMS group was less than that in the PLGA@RAPA-SEMS group. The TUNEL and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α staining results support the fact that the granulation inhibition effect in the GO@RAPA-SEMS group was greater than that in the PLGA@RAPA-SEMS group. CONCLUSIONS GO@RAPA-SEMS effectively inhibited stent-related granulation tissue hyperplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics cause diverse conditions, such as hydrocephalus, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Methods to study CSF dynamics in small animals have not been established due to the lack of an evaluation system. Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to establish the time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) MRI technique for the evaluation of CSF dynamics in mice. Methods: We performed the Time-SLIP technique on 10 wild-type mice and 20 Tiptoe-walking Yoshimura (TWY) mice, a mouse model of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). We defined the stir distance as the distance of CSF stirring and calculated the mean ± standard deviation. The intraclass correlation coefficient of intraobserver reliability was also calculated. Furthermore, in TWY mice, the correlation coefficient between stir distance and canal stenosis ratio (CSR) was calculated. Results: The stir distance was significantly lower in TWY mice at 12 weeks and 17 weeks of age (1.20 ± 0.16, 1.21 ± 0.06, and 1.21 ± 0.15 mm at 12 weeks and 1.32 ± 0.21, 1.28 ± 0.23, and 1.38 ± 0.31 mm at 17 weeks for examiners A, B, and C). The intrarater reliability of the three examiners was excellent (>0.90) and there was a strongly negative correlation between stir distance and CSR in TWY mice (>−0.80). Conclusions: In this study, we established the Time-SLIP technique in experimental mice. This technique allows for a better understanding of CSF dynamics in small laboratory animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of dermal substitutes is to mimic the basic properties of the extracellular matrix of human skin. The application of dermal substitutes to the defect reduces the formation of hypertrophic scars and improves the scar quality. This study aims to develop an original dermal substitute enriched with stable fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2-STAB®) and test it in an animal model. Dermal substitutes based on collagen/chitosan scaffolds or collagen/chitosan scaffolds with nanofibrous layer were prepared and enriched with FGF2-STAB® at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 µg ‧ cm-2. The performance of these dermal substitutes was tested in vivo on artificially formed skin defects in female swine. The outcomes were evaluated using cutometry at 3 and 6 months. In addition, visual appearance was assessed based on photos of the scars at 1-month, 3-month and 6-month follow-ups using Yeong scale and Visual Analog Scale. The dermal substitute was fully integrated into all defects and all wounds healed successfully. FGF2-STAB®-enriched matrices yielded better results in cutometry compared to scaffolds without FGF2. Visual evaluation at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-ups detected no significant differences among groups. The FGF2-STAB® effectiveness in improving the elasticity of scar tissues was confirmed in the swine model. This effect was independently observed in the scaffolds with nanofibres as well as in the scaffolds without nanofibres. The formation of scars with the best elasticity was exhibited by addition 1.0 µg ‧ cm-2of FGF2-STAB® into the scaffolds, although it had no significant effect on visual appearance at longer follow-ups. This study creates the basis for further translational studies of the developed product and its progression into the clinical phase of the research. • The purpose of dermal substitutes is to mimic the basic properties of the extracellular matrix of human skin. • Dermal substitutes based on collagen/chitosan scaffolds. • Collagen-based scaffolds represent great potential for tissue engineering applications, where they serve as carriers for newly formed cells. • Fibroblast growth factor 2 plays an important role during regeneration and reparation of a variety of tissues. • FGF2-STAB® is a 9-point mutant of human FGF2 exhibiting enhanced resistance to elevated temperature and an extended half-life of up to 20 days at 37 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rapid and sensitive diagnostic measures are a pre-requisite for the control of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. Dogs detect SARS-CoV-2-infected human individuals with high speed due to their extraordinary olfactory acuity. In the post-pandemic phase of SARS-CoV-2 it is difficult to obtain samples from infected humans for scent dog training. Established animal models for COVID-19 include hamsters and ferrets, which could overcome this shortcoming and have the advantage that samples are generated under controlled conditions. Respiratory samples from humans, hamsters and ferrets infected with SARS-CoV-2 and from ferrets infected with an H7-Influenza A virus were inactivated with β-propiolactone and presented via a device called “Detection Dog Training System” (DDTS). DDTS allows a fast, blinded, randomized, and automated sample presentation without trainer interference. Scent dogs generally showed a similar diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and specificity (Dsp) for four tested scenarios (S1-4) and as reported previously for respiratory samples from humans. (S1) Human with COVID-19: DSe 88.1 [74.0–100.0% CI95%] and DSp 89.6 [80.6–98.5% CI95%]. (S2) Hamster with COVID-19: DSe 82.4 [74.1–90.7% CI95%] and DSp 96.7 [93.7–99.7% CI95%]. (S3) Ferret with COVID-19: DSe 86.2 [69.8–100.0% CI95%] and DSp 95.1 [89.5–100.0% CI95%]. (S4) Ferrets infected with an H7 Influenza A-virus (IAV) as a distractor: DSe 96.9 [57.2–100.0% CI95%] and DSp 89.86 [40.3–100.0% CI95%]. We provide evidence that scent dogs detect samples from SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters and ferrets with a similar accuracy as reported for humans. The study highlights that volatile organic compound odor patterns are similar in humans, hamsters, and ferrets after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but distinct after IAV-infection.

Copyright of Chinese Medical Equipment Journal is the property of Chinese Medical Equipment Journal Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel aortic arch fenestrated membrane-covered stent graft implanted in situ in large animals after long-term maintenance. Methods Three healthy male Large White pigs (named PD01, PD05, PZ02 respectively), weighing 86-150 kg and aged 12-14 months, were selected. Under general anesthesia and intubation, thoracotomy was performed through the fourth intercostal space on the left side of the pigs to establish extracorporeal circulation. The aortic arch fenestrated covered stent was implanted by incising the aorta. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 6 months, with safety and efficacy analyzed through routine blood tests, biochemical indices, ultrasonography, angiography, dissection, and pathology. Results In all three animals, postoperative levels of red blood cells, plasma hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets remained stable. The ALT of three animals elevated immediately after operation, the AST only elevated in PZ02. The albumin of three animals decreased and the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increased immediately after operation. All the indexes returned to normal along with time. Cardiac ultrasound results after the implantation of the aortic arch fenestrated covered stent showed no significant clinical signs of aortic valve stenosis in terms of transvalvular pressure gradient and blood flow velocity until the endpoint. Digital subtraction angiography revealed that the positioning of the fenestrated covered stents was satisfactory, with no instances of displacement or other adverse phenomena. No obvious thrombosis, perforation, or infection occurred in the experimental animals. Conclusion The novel aortic arch fenestrated covered stent system meets the basic requirements for artificial vascular substitutes. It can simplify surgical procedures, shorten operation time, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. Additionally, this stent system exhibits good tissue compatibility and safety.

Abstract Despite the record speed of developing vaccines and therapeutics against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is not a given that such success can be secured in future pandemics. In addition, COVID-19 vaccination and application of therapeutics remain low in developing countries. Rapid and low cost mass production of antiviral IgY antibodies could be an attractive alternative or complementary option for vaccine and therapeutic development. In this article, we rapidly produced SARS-CoV-2 antigens, immunized hens and purified IgY antibodies in 2 months after the SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence became public. We further demonstrated that the IgY antibodies competitively block RBD binding to ACE2, neutralize authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus and effectively protect hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 challenge by preventing weight loss and lung pathology, representing the first comprehensive study with IgY antibodies. The process of mass production can be easily implemented in most developing countries and hence could become a new vital option in our toolbox for combating viral pandemics. This study could stimulate further studies, optimization and potential applications of IgY antibodies as therapeutics and prophylactics for human and animals.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent stromal cells isolated from a variety of tissues, which can differentiate into osteoblasts under certain conditions. Photobiomodulation, as an external stimulus, can promote osteogenic differentiation combined with other inducers or alone, providing new ideas for solving a series of bone diseases. OBJECTIVE: To review the relevant literature and mechanisms of photobiomodulation-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, which will lay a theoretical foundation for bone tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells as seed cells and may offer some suggestions for future studies. METHODS: Relevant articles were searched on CNKI, PubMed and Wed of Science databases with Chinese search terms of “photobiomodulation, low power laser, low level laser, light-emitting diode, mesenchymal stem cells, osteogenic differentiation, biomaterials” and English search terms of “photobiomodulation, low level laser (light), light-emitting diode (LED), mesenchymal stem cell, osteogenic differentiation, biomaterials”. Finally, 88 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Photobiomodulation represented by low level laser and diode laser has a positive effect on promoting the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. (2) Photobiomodulation can induce osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, whose feasibility has been verified in cell and animal experiments. On one hand, photobiomodulation can promote the expansion and differentiation of stem cells in vitro by activating related signaling pathways and up-regulating the expression of osteogenic molecules. On the other hand, photobiomodulation can improve the survival rate of stem cells in vivo, promote homing effect and shorten the healing time of bone defects after stem cells are injected into the body. However, photobiomodulation has a biphasic dose effect, whose laser parameters, experimental environment, cell type and other factors in various studies are different, making the research results lack consistency and difficult to apply in the clinic. (3) Combined with biological materials, other physical factors and drugs, photobiomodulation can also accelerate osteogenic differentiation. (4) In conclusion, photobiomodulation has been used increasingly widely in the medical field with its advantages of non-invasive, efficient and less-side reactions, and its role in bone tissue engineering has gradually become prominent, which provides a new method for the treatment of bone defects and related diseases. Further exploration should be focused on the standardized treatment parameters of photobiomodulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) is one of the most common Salmonella serotypes in epidemiological surveys of poultry farms in recent years. It causes growth retardation, mortality, and significant economic losses. The extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) in Salmonella, which has become a significant global problem and long-term challenge. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and features of S. typhimurium strains in duck embryos and cloacal swabs from large-scale duck farms in Shandong, China, including drug resistance and virulence genes and the pathogenicity of an S. typhimurium strain by animal experiment. The results demonstrated that a total of 8 S. typhimurium strains were isolated from 13,621 samples. The drug resistance results showed that three of the eight S. typhimurium strains were MDR with the dominant resistance profile of CTX-DX-CTR-TE-AMX-AMP-CAZ. In particular, the virulence genes invA, hilA, pefA, rck, and sefA showed high positive rates. Based on the analysis of the biological characteristics of bacterial biofilm formation and mobility, a strain of S. typhimurium with the strongest biofilm formation ability, designated 22SD07, was selected for animal infection experiments with broiler ducklings. The results of animal experiments demonstrated that infection with 22SD07 reduced body weight and bursa index but increased heart and liver indexes compared to the control group. Histological examination revealed desquamation of the intestinal villous epithelium, the presence of large aggregates of lymphocytes, and a decrease in goblet cells following infection. Furthermore, the expression of IL-10 was significantly increased in the liver at 3 dpi, while TNF-α was significantly increased in the spleen at 7 dpi. The above results indicate that S. typhimurium may pose a potential threat to human health through the food chain. This helps us to understand the frequency and characteristics of S. typhimurium in duck farms and emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen and implement effective continuous monitoring to control its infection and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic efficiency of a novel drink termed "Ferment" in cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and its influence on the gut microbiota. Method: In this study, we developed a complex of mixed fruit juice and lactic acid bacteria referred to as Ferment. Ferment was fed to mice for 35 days, before inducing UC with Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt. We subsequently investigated the gut microbiome composition using 16S rRNA sequencing. Result: After Ferment treatment, mouse body weight increased, and animals displayed less diarrhea, reduced frequency of bloody stools, and reduced inflammation in the colon. Beneficial bacteria belonging to Ileibacterium, Akkermansia, and Prevotellacea were enriched in the gut after Ferment treatment, while detrimental organisms including Erysipelatoclostridium, Dubosiella, and Alistipes were reduced. Conclusion: These data place Ferment as a promising dietary candidate for enhancing immunity and protecting against UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a significant burden. Traditional herbal medicines have shown cardioprotective effects in treating HFrEF. However, the implications of herbal formulation considering the dynamic immunohistological changes in the myocardium following acute ischemic injury have been insufficiently discussed. This review investigated the efficacy and mechanisms reported in studies using rat or mouse models of HFrEF induced by left descending coronary artery ligation. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases. Information was extracted regarding study characteristics, disease model induction protocols, intervention characteristics, treatment protocols, outcomes, and suggested mechanisms. Hierarchical cluster analysis of test drugs was performed based on constituent herb similarities. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation RoB tool. Results: Overall, 26 studies met the eligibility criteria. HF model induction periods after LADCA ligation ranged from 1 day to 12 weeks. Most studies administered the test drug for four weeks. Commonly used herbs included Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Carthamus tinctorius, and Lepidium apetalum, which demonstrated anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects through various signaling pathways. The overall RoB was relatively high. No significant association was found between model induction periods and herbal formulations or examined mechanisms. Conclusions: Future research should consider the time-dependent immunohistological features of the myocardium during HF treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monochromatic excitation X-ray fluorescence (ME-XRF) spectrometry is a novel technique for trace element analysis, characterized by its simplicity, rapidity, and low cost. The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ME-XRF technique for the measurement of thallium in biological samples. Acute and subacute thallium poisoning experiments were conducted to simulate various scenarios, with blood, urine, and 10 distinct organs collected. Detection was initially performed using ME-XRF technique, followed by validation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Excellent agreement between ME-XRF and ICP-MS values was demonstrated by means of paired sample t-tests and intraclass correlation coefficients. Subsequently, the practical implementation of the proposed technique was demonstrated through an actual case study. In conclusion, this study validates ME-XRF as a suitable alternative to ICP-MS for the measurement of trace heavy metals in biological samples. These efforts promote the development of simpler and faster techniques for heavy metal detection, thereby presenting novel avenues for the prevention and diagnosis of heavy metal poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Despite the record speed of developing vaccines and therapeutics against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is not a given that such success can be secured in future pandemics. In addition, COVID-19 vaccination and application of therapeutics remain low in developing countries. Rapid and low cost mass production of antiviral IgY antibodies could be an attractive alternative or complementary option for vaccine and therapeutic development. In this article, we rapidly produced SARS-CoV-2 antigens, immunized hens and purified IgY antibodies in 2 months after the SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence became public. We further demonstrated that the IgY antibodies competitively block RBD binding to ACE2, neutralize authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus and effectively protect hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 challenge by preventing weight loss and lung pathology, representing the first comprehensive study with IgY antibodies. The process of mass production can be easily implemented in most developing countries and hence could become a new vital option in our toolbox for combating viral pandemics. This study could stimulate further studies, optimization and potential applications of IgY antibodies as therapeutics and prophylactics for human and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and animal experiment. Methods: TCMSP and other databases were used to predict active components and targets of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction. Targets of PSD were retrieved from PharmGKB and other databases, and "component-intersection target-disease" network was constructed by Cytoscape (v3.9.l) software. PPI network was constructed by String (v11.5) database, and GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis of intersection targets were performed by DAVID6.8 database. AutoDock vina (v1.1.2) software was used for molecular docking. Pymol (v 2.5) and other softwares were used to visualize optimal docking results. Animal experiments were setup in control group, model group, fluoxetine group, TCM group and TCM+fluoxetine group, neurobehavioral scores and expressions of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors in brain tissues were detected. mRNA and protein expressions of key genes PPARG, MAPK3, AKT1, PIK3CA were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results: A total of 225 kinds of active ingredients of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction were obtained, which acted on 119 targets of PSD, among which key targets included MAPK3, AKT1, PIK3CA and PPARG, key pathways including MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and etc. Compared with model group, MAPK3 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased, AKT1, PIK3CA, PPARG mRNA and protein expressions were increased in TCM group and TCM+fluoxetine group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of PSD may be related to inhibition of MAPK3 expression, promotion of AKT1, PIK3CA, PPARG expressions, alleviation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress in brain tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) in animal models of the disease, and to explore the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in AR. Methods: Related literature was retrieved from multiple databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang databases, SinoMed databases, VIP database, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, up to September 2023. The inclusion criteria were focused on animal experiments that investigated the effect of acupuncture therapy on animal models of AR. Studies combining acupuncture with other Chinese medicine therapies were excluded. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using standardized forms. A total of 75 studies were finally included. The risk of bias in individual studies was evaluated using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool, and the quality of reporting was evaluated according to Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines. Meta-analyses and plotting were conducted using STATA 17.0 and RevMan 5.4. When heterogeneity was present, a random effects model was applied. Subgroup, meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results: The SYRCLE scores ranged from 3 to 7, and the ARRIVE scores ranged from 6.5 to 11 points. Meta-analysis results demonstrated that acupuncture could significantly down-regulate EOS counts in both blood and nasal mucosa, and reduce the serum levels of IL-5, compared to the AR model group. The results of the qualitative analysis showed that acupuncture could reduce the behavior scores of AR, down-regulate serum levels of IL-4, IgE and sIgE, as well as up-regulate IFN-γ levels. Subgroup analysis results suggested that the different interventions might contribute to the observed heterogeneity. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that acupuncture effectively alleviates the nasal allergic symptoms in animal models, inhibits immune and inflammatory signaling transduction, and reduces the release of inflammatory mediators. This study highlights the potential of acupuncture as a promising therapeutic option for AR, however, further studies are required to fully understand its mechanisms of action.

Abstract Background To date, the extended Morrow procedure is considered the gold standard treatment for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who experience severe symptoms and are unresponsive to medication treatment. We therefore aimed to perform transapical intramyocardial septal microwave ablation to reduce the thickness of the interventricular septum myocardium in a minimally invasive method. Methods Fourteen swine were divided to form either a microwave ablation group (n = 7) or a sham group (n = 7). In the microwave ablation group, a transapical microwave antenna was inserted into the septum to ablate each myocardial segment at 40 W for 1 min, while in the sham group, the same operation was performed but without power output. We used echocardiography, electrocardiogram, during the operation. And added computerized tomography, cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance during follow-up. Results Segment hypokinesis was observed in all swine immediately following ablation. Compared with the sham group, the thickness of ablated segments in the ablation group decreased significantly 1 month post-operation (ablation group, 5.53 ± 1.00 mm vs. 8.03 ± 1.15 mm, respectively, P

To understand biosafety's current situation in laboratory animal research and risk factors affecting occupational health. Compliance surveys were conducted by questionnaire via Questionnaire Star (an application app on the Internet) in Chinese. Thirty-nine anonymous questionnaires were collected. The surveyed institution has established 24 types of ABSL (Animal Biosafety Laboratory) and biosafety management organizations and systems equipped with safety equipment. Our study also suggests that the principal of the laboratory establishment fails to perform supervision and inspection responsibilities, the inappropriate design of the animal biosafety laboratory, non-standardized personnel training and health management, non-strict waste management, and insufficient emergency management. The administrative department and work units should address certain safety and occupational health risks in laboratory animal research. The author proposes control strategies based on organizational guarantee, personnel management, emergency management, etc., to help prevent risks and ensure occupational health. Due to regional limitations and small sample size, the results may not be generalisable to all parts of the world. However, some of the key common issues may also be present in other regions, so we believe that this research still has some relevance.

Improving the reproducibility of biomedical research results is a major challenge. Transparent and accurate reporting of the research process enables readers to evaluate the reliability of the research results and further explore the experiment by repeating it or building upon its findings. The ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines, released in 2019 by the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), provide a checklist that is applicable to any in vivo animal research report. These guidelines aim to improve the standardization of experimental design, implementation, and reporting, as well as enhance the reliability, repeatability, and clinical translation of animal experimental results. The use of the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines not only enriches the details of animal experimental research reports, ensuring that information on animal experimental results is fully evaluated and utilized, but also enables readers to understand the content expressed by the author accurately and clearly, promoting the transparency and completeness of the fundamental research review process. At present, the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines have been widely adopted by international biomedical journals. This article is based on the best practices following the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines in international journals, and it interprets, explains, and elaborates in Chinese the fifth part of the comprehensive version of the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines published in PLoS Biology in 2020 (the original text can be found at https://arriveguidelines.org). This section includes the items 6-11 of Recommended 11 section, covering "Animal Care and Monitoring", "Interpretation/Scientific Implications", "Generalisability/Translation", "Protocol Registration", "Data Access" and "Declaration of Interests". Its aim is to promote a comprehensive understanding and use of the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines among domestic researchers, to enhance the standardization of experimental animal research and reporting, and to promote high-quality development of experimental animal sciences and comparative medicine research in China.

Porous scaffolds, whose mechanical and biological properties are greatly affected by structure, are new treatments for bone defects. Since bone repair is related to biomechanics, analyzing the osteogenesis in scaffolds based on mechanical stimulation may become a more effective method than traditional biological experiments. A tissue regeneration algorithm based on mechanical regulation theory was implemented in this study to evaluate the osteogenesis of classical scaffolds (Gyroid, I-WP, and Diamond). In vivo experiments were used to verify and supplement the simulation results. Different approaches to describing osteogenesis were discussed. Bone formation was more obvious inside the Gyroid scaffold and outside the I-WP scaffold, while the new bone was more sufficient and evenly distributed in the Diamond scaffold. The osteogenesis pattern of the bone scaffold in the simulation analysis was consistent with the results of animal experiments, and the bone volume calculated by the tissue fraction threshold method and the elastic modulus threshold method was very similar to the in vivo experiment. The mechanical responses mediated by structure affect the osteogenesis of bone scaffolds. This study provided and confirmed a simulation analysis method based on mechanical regulation theory, which is more efficient and economical for analyzing tissue healing in bioengineering.

Simple Summary: Glioblastomas are the most aggressive brain tumors, and affected patients still only have an extremely poor prognosis with today's therapeutic options. Further developments are still necessary, particularly in therapeutic approaches. Orlistat can act as an antitumor agent as it inhibits fatty acid synthase, decreases tumor cell proliferation, and stimulates tumor cell apoptosis. Investigations conducted on breast, pancreatic, hepatic, and colorectal tumors showed that FASN—fatty acid synthase, a protein that catalyzes the de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids—is strongly upregulated. Using an animal model, we tested whether the drug's effects could be demonstrated visually, quantitatively, and by texture analysis based on MR studies. Histology and immunochemistry were used as references. The key results of the present study are as follows: Firstly, a significant difference was found between orlistat-treated and untreated tumors in MRI studies based on morphology and texture analyses. Secondly, the expression of FASN was reduced in the orlistat group, which, however, did not result in a higher apoptosis rate in the treatment group. Our findings suggest that some effects of orlistat on tumor cell proliferation must have taken place during therapy. Further studies should investigate the effects of FASN inhibition when combined with targeted therapies. Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of tetrahydrolipstatin (orlistat) on heterotopic glioblastoma in mice by applying MRI and correlating the results with histopathology and immunochemistry. Methods: Human glioblastoma cells were injected subcutaneously into the groins of immunodeficient mice. After tumor growth of >150 mm3, the animals were assigned into a treatment group (n = 6), which received daily intraperitoneal injections of orlistat, and a control group (n = 7). MRI was performed at the time of randomization and before euthanizing the animals. Tumor volumes were calculated, and signal intensities were analyzed. The internal tumor structure was evaluated visually and with texture analysis. Western blotting and protein expression analysis were performed. Results: At histology, all tumors showed high mitotic and proliferative activity (Ki67 ≥ 10%). Reduced fatty acid synthetase expression was measured in the orlistat group (p < 0.05). Based on the results of morphologic MRI-based analysis, tumor growth remained concentric in the control group and changed to eccentric in the treatment group (p < 0.05). The largest area under the receiver operating curve of the predictors derived from the texture analysis of T2w images was for wavelet transform parameters WavEnHL_s3 and WavEnLH_s4 at 0.96 and 1.00, respectively. Conclusions: Orlistat showed effects on heterotopically implanted glioblastoma multiforme in MRI studies of mice based on morphologic and texture analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explore the differences in behavioral and pathological manifestations of rat models of cerebral palsy made by different methods and discuss what types of studies these models are suitable for. Behavioral evaluation and pathological section observation were used to observe and evaluate the model. Conclusion: except for the absence of data of bilateral common carotid artery ligation rats, the other three methods could all achieve a successful cerebral palsy disease model for both behavioral and pathological. For researchers, the selection of intraperitoneal infection model in pregnant rats or unilateral ischemia and hypoxia model in infant rats is sufficient to meet the experimental needs, whereas the selection of the combined method for modeling does not show enough advantages, which not only causes the waste of financial and human resources but also increases the possibility of experimental error made by intervention factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To observe the improvement effect of intragastric administration of ursolic acid (UA) on cog⁃ nitive function in rats during the process of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by aluminium trichloride (AlCl3) and to ex⁃ plore its mechanism. Methods Twentyfour male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group (n=6), UA group (n=6), AlCl3 group (n=6) and AlCl3+UA group (n=6), respectively. The rats in the blank group were given normal saline, the rats in the UA group were intragastrically administered AlCl3 to establish the AD models, and the rats in the Al⁃ Cl3+UA group were intragastrically given UA during the process of AD induced by AlCl3. After stopping intragastric admin⁃ istration for 5 d, the cognitive function of rats in each group was observed by Morris water maze test. The rats in each group were killed by decapitation after anesthesia, and the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were taken. The aluminum content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was determined by spectrophotometry, and the activity of acetylcholinase (AChE) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was detected by colorimetry. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was measured, and the activity of thiobarbituric acid re⁃ actants (TBARS) was calculated. The relative expression levels of inflammatory factors TNFα, IL6, NFκB and COX2 mRNA in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were detected by realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results Com⁃ pared with the blank group and the UA group, the escape latency was longer and the stay time in the original platform quad⁃ rant was shorter in the AlCl3 group (both P<0. 05) . Compared with the AlCl3 group, the escape latency was shorter and the stay time in the original platform quadrant was longer in the AlCl3+UA group (both P<0. 05) . The content of aluminum in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the AlCl3 group was higher than that in the other groups (P<0. 05) . The activity of AChE in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the AlCl3 group was higher than that in the other groups (P<0. 05) . The activ⁃ ity of TBARS in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AlCl3 group was higher than that of the other groups, while the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH was lower than that of the other groups (all P<0. 05) . The relative expression levels of inflammato⁃ ry cytokines TNFα, IL6, NFκB and COX2 mRNA in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in the AlCl3 group were higher than those in the other groups (all P<0. 05) . Conclusion UA can improve the cognitive function of AlCl3induced AD model rats, and its mechanism may be related to the decrease of aluminum content, AChE activity, oxidative stress level and the expression of inflammatory factors in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the modified Tsuge suture method can be used to repair chicken tendon injuries. However, the lack of postrepair functional exercise leads to obvious tendon adhesions. Therefore, a functional exercise after tendon repair is very important. OBJECTIVE: To explore a scheme for passive functional exercise against tendon adhesion in a chicken model of flexor toe tendon rupture following repair using the modified Tsuge suture method. METHODS: A total of 100 Sanhuang chickens, 10 months of age, were taken to make animal models of deep flexor tendon II rupture of the third toe of the right foot. Animal models were randomized into five groups (n=20 per group): groups A, B, C and D were given plaster immobilization for 3 weeks after surgery, and were simultaneously given passive functional exercise 1, 2, 3, and 0 times a day for 3 weeks, respectively; group E had neither plaster immobilization nor passive functional exercise after surgery. The gross morphology of the chicken claw, the morphology of the tendon anastomosis end and the degree of peritendinous adhesion were observed. The slipping distance of the deep flexor tendon of the third toe, the flexion angles of all joints, the pathological morphology of the tendon at the anastomotic end and the hydroxyproline content were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The tendon of group E was completely ruptured around 6 day after surgery and was removed from the experiment. The chicken claws in groups B and C had better grasping morphology, group D had almost no grasping morphology, and group A had worse grasping morphology than groups B and C. In groups B and C, the tendon anastomosis end was not obviously expanded, with the texture similar to that of normal tendon tissue. Compared with group C, tendon adhesion was relatively mild in group B. In group D, the tendon anastomosis end was obviously expanded, with the hard texture, obvious peritendinous scar and serious adhesion. Expansion at the tendon anastomosis end was more obvious than groups B and C but less severe than group D. The slipping distance and the related flexion angles of the deep flexor tendon of the third toe were better in groups B and C than groups A and D (P < 0.05). The content of hydroxyproline in the tendon of chickens in group B was higher than those in groups A, C and D (P < 0.05). Findings from hematoxylineosin and Sirius red staining showed that collagen fibers of the tendon in groups A, C and B were gradually arranged in a directional manner, where the number of bright red and thick type I collagen fibers was gradually increased and the number of tiny green type III collagen fibers was gradually decreased. In group E, collagen fibers of the tendon were poorly arranged in a directional manner and type I and type III collagen fibers were cross-distributed. To conclude, adequate passive functional exercises twice a day following repair with the modified Tsuge suture method could effectively alleviate tendon adhesion and reduce tendon rupture in the chicken model of deep flexor tendon rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Hainan Medical University is the property of Journal of Hainan Medical College Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

African swine fever (ASF) is a fatal contagious disease affecting swine. The first Korean ASF virus (ASFV) isolate (Korea/Pig/Paju1/2019) was used to compare the disease course of ASFV in pigs inoculated via the four routes. In the challenge experiment, domestic pigs were infected via the intraoral (IO) and intranasal (IN) routes with a 106 50% hemadsorbing dose (HAD50) and an intramuscular (IM) injection of 103 HAD50. In the direct contact (DC) group, five naïve pigs were brought into direct contact with two IM-ASFV-infected pigs. IO-, IN-, and IM-inoculated pigs showed similar disease courses, whereas DC pigs had comparable ASF syndrome after a 7-day latent period. The disease course in the DC route, one of the most common routes of infection, was not significantly different from that in the IO and IN routes. IM and DC groups differed in terms of the severity of fever and hemorrhagic lesions in the lymph nodes and spleen, indicating that the IM route, suitable for early vaccine development trials, is not appropriate for studying the ASFV infection mechanism, including early stage of infection, and IO and IN challenges with a designated dose can be alternatives in trials for assessing ASFV pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate whether transmucosal healing is as effective as submerged healing in terms of buccal bone regeneration when guided bone regeneration (GBR) is performed simultaneously with implant placement. Materials and Methods: In six dogs, buccal dehiscence defects were created in the edentulous mandibular ridge, sized 5 × 5 × 3 mm (length × height × depth). In each defect, a bone‐level implant was placed, and four experimental groups were randomly assigned as follows: (i) transmucosal healing with GBR (T‐GBR), (ii) transmucosal healing without GBR (T‐control), (iii) submerged healing with GBR (S‐GBR) and (iv) submerged healing without GBR (S‐control). Data analyses were based on histological slides 5 months after implant placement. Results: The T‐GBR group showed significant differences compared to the control groups regarding defect height resolution, buccal bone thickness and mineralized tissue area (p <.05), but showed no significant differences when compared with the S‐GBR group (p >.05). Conclusions: The mode of healing (transmucosal vs. submerged) does not influence bone regeneration at implant sites. The clinician may therefore choose the approach based on further clinical and patient‐specific parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current commercially available prosthetic valves suffer from limited size, high requirements for implantation technique, subvalvular structural destruction, and valve dysfunction due to proliferation of fibrous endothelial tissue. This study aims to perform the preclinical large animal experiments for surgically implanting a chimney-shaped artificial mechanical heart valve with zero left ventricular occupancy, which fully accommodates the movement of the valve leaflets in the valve frame and realizes completely supra-annular surgical implantation. A total of 7 sheep underwent the replacement of artificial valve, and 5 sheep survived normally until anatomical examination. The mechanical properties of these artificial mitral valves remain functionally normal. There was no obvious thromboembolism around the artificial valve and in the important organs. The tissue layer of suture ring was completely organized and endothelialized, and the thickness of tissue layer was about 0.6–1.0 mm. The follow-up of echocardiography showed that the left ventricular ejection fraction was normal (60–70%) before and 6 months after operation. The results of transvalvular pressure gradient and blood flow velocity of artificial valve were normal. Left ventricular retrograde angiography showed that the artificial valve was completely located in the left atrium with good position and normal opening and closing. There was no obvious perivalvular leakage and other abnormalities. At 3 and 6 months, there were no obvious abnormalities in blood routine test, liver and kidney function, and other indexes. The new chimney-shaped artificial mechanical valve implanted completely above the mitral annulus had good wear resistance, histocompatibility, and antithrombotic and hemodynamic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-Gide® is a collagen membrane routinely used in guided bone regeneration. Recent studies have shown that this collagen membrane has osteoconductive properties, meaning that it can support the growth of new bone. However, it has also been observed that the collagen membrane has areas of mineralized fibers which can occur spontaneously and independently of osteoblasts. To better understand how this works, we established a model using minced collagen membranes to reduce the active mineralization of intact collagen membranes in favor of passive mineralization. We thus compared the original intact membrane with a minced collagen membrane in a 5 mm calvarial defect model in Sprague Dawley rats. After three weeks of healing, histology and microcomputed tomography (μCT) were performed. Histological analysis confirmed the osteoconductive properties, with new bone growing inside the intact collagen membrane. However, in minced collagen membranes, the osteoconductive properties were restricted to the defect margins. Interestingly, histology revealed large mineralized areas indicating passive mineralization with no signs of bone formation. In the μCT analysis, the intact collagen membranes caused a higher median mineralized volume (1.5 mm3) compared with the minced group (0.4 mm3), but this lacked significance (p = 0.09). The μCT analysis needs to be interpreted carefully, particularly in defects filled with minced membranes, considering that the mineralized tissue may not necessarily be bone but also the result of passive mineralization. Taken together, the findings suggest that Bio-Gide® collagen membranes support bone formation while also exhibiting potential for passive mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]