Effect of Thymosin β4 on Deep Second-Degree Scald Wound Healing in Rats via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

<sec> <title>Objective:</title> The purpose of this research is to explore the influences of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in deepsecond-degree scald wound healing of rat skin and its relationship with Wnt/β-catenin pathway. </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> Deep second-degree scalded model rats were prepared and divided into normal saline (NS) treatment group, Tβ4 treatment group and FH535 inhibitor group. Then, the concentrations of inflammatory factors in the rats were monitored via adopting the correlated TNF-α and IL-1β ELISA kits. In the meantime, the wound healing rate was analyzed via photography. Subsequently, the qRTPCR procedure was wielded to determine Wnt1 and β-catenin expression in wound tissues, and the degree of wound tissue injury was examined via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Finally, Western blotting (WB) was adopted to assess Wnt/β-catenin pathway-associated protein levels. </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> Releasing amount of TNF-α and IL-1β were conspicuously up-regulated after scalding (p <0.01), and Wnt1 and β-catenin expression at molecular transcription level was also significantly raised (p < 0.01). Besides, treatment with 18 μg of Tβ4 significantly increased the wound healing rate of scalded rats (p < 0.01). In addition, Tβ4 treatment significantly promoted wound healing (p < 0.01) and increased the Wnt1 and β-catenin expression levels (p < 0.01). Moreover, FH535 significantly restrained the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-correlated protein levels (p < 0.01) and wound healing. </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusion:</title> Tβ4 can promote scald wound healing in rats and may play a role via evoking Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. </sec>

The Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) on Brain Injury Repair and Synapse Regeneration in Mice Under Different Conditions of Intrauterine Ischemia and Hypoxia Through Wnt Pathway

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can be differentiated into a variety of cells and repair damaged cells. We explore whether BMSCs can repair brain damage and synapses regeneration in mice under intrauterine ischemia and hypoxia. Twenty-five pregnant mice were assigned into control group, 6% hypoxic injury group, 8% hypoxic injury group, 6% treatment group, 8% treatment group followed by analysis of the expression of MBP, MAG, CSPGs, IGF-1, NCAN, COLIV, SynD1G1, GFAP, GSK-3β, and β-actin by RT-PCR and Western blot. Our results showed that the expression of MBP, MAG, COL IV, SynD1G1, IGF-1 in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in hypoxic injury group with significant differences between the 8% treatment group and 6% treatment group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMSCs can repair brain damage and synapse regeneration in mice under different intrauterine ischemia and hypoxia conditions which might be through Wnt signaling pathway.

The Effect of Steamed Tempeh on Hemoglobin Levels and Body Weight in Pregnant Women at the Kalar - Kalar Health Center, Aru Islands District

Background: Nutrition of pregnant women is very influential on fetal growth, one of which is iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency increases in pregnant women with increasing age in pregnancy. Significantly low intake of nutrients will make pregnant women experience Chronic Energy Deficiency. The nutritional content of tempeh can be used to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of giving steamed tempeh to the increase in hemoglobin and Body Weight levels in pregnant women at the Kalar-kalar Health Center, Aru Islands Regency. Method: This type of research is a quasi-experimental with a pre-posttest control group design. The intervention was given to the respondents as many as 24 people with 12 people in the control group and 12 people in the treatment group. Sampling purposive sampling. Subjects were taken from two villages in the working area of ​​the Kalar-Kalar Public Health Center which have relatively the same geography and socioeconomic status and only pregnant women with Hb <11 G/dL were selected. The form of treatment was giving 100 G of steamed tempeh 2 times a week for 30 days while the control group was given biscuits for pregnant women 2 times per week 100 G. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate analysis with paired T test and Mann Whitney. Results: Mann Whitney test results of the effect of steamed tempeh on weight gain in the treatment group obtained a p-value of 0.050 (p=0.05). Differences in hemoglobin levels in anemic pregnant women with a p-value of 0.018 (<0.05) with a mean difference of 0.42 G/dL in the pre-posttest treatment group and the control group with a p-value of 0.217 (<0.05) with a mean difference of 0.21 G/d dL. Conclusion: There is an effect of giving steamed tempeh to increase hemoglobin and body weight in pregnant women. Keywords: Anemia, Pregnant women, Hemoglobin, Body Weight, Tempeh.

Resin Cement–Zirconia Bond Strengthening by Exposure to Low-Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Multi-Gas Plasma

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gas species used for low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment, using various gas species and different treatment times, on zirconia surface state and the bond strength between zirconia and dental resin cement. Three groups of zirconia specimens with different surface treatments were prepared as follows: untreated group, alumina sandblasting treatment group, and plasma treatment group. Nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), argon (Ar), and air were employed for plasma irradiation. The bond strength between each zirconia specimen and resin cement was compared using a tension test. The effect of the gas species for plasma irradiation on the zirconia surface was investigated using a contact angle meter, an optical interferometer, an X-ray diffractometer, and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy. Plasma irradiation increased the wettability and decreased the carbon contamination on the zirconia surface, whereas it did not affect the surface topography and crystalline phase. The bond strength varied depending on the gas species and irradiation time. Plasma treatment with N2 gas significantly increased bond strength compared to the untreated group and showed a high bond strength equivalent to that of the sandblasting treatment group. The removal of carbon contamination from the zirconia surface and an increase in the percentage of Zr-O2 on the zirconia surface by plasma irradiation might increase bond strength.

Novel Renal Autologous Cell Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Chronic Diabetic Kidney Disease: Clinical Trial Design

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Cell therapies explore unmet clinical needs of patients with chronic kidney disease with the potential to alter the pathway toward end-stage kidney disease. We describe the design and baseline patient characteristics of a phase II multicenter clinical trial utilizing the novel renal autologous cell therapy (REACT), by direct kidney parenchymal injection via the percutaneous approach in adults with type 2 diabetic kidney disease (T2DKD), to delay or potentially avoid renal replacement therapy. <b><i>Design:</i></b> The study conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized control, open-label, phase II clinical trial between an active treatment group (ATG) receiving REACT from the beginning of the trial and a contemporaneous deferred treatment group (DTG) receiving standard of care for 12 months before crossing over to receive REACT. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The objective of this study was to establish the safety and efficacy of 2 REACT injections with computed tomography guidance, into the renal cortex of patients with T2DKD administered 6 months apart, and to compare the longitudinal change in renal function between the ATG and the DTG. <b><i>Setting:</i></b> This was a multicenter study conducted in major US hospitals. <b><i>Patients:</i></b> We enrolled eighty-three adult patients with T2DKD, who have estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) between 20 and 50 mL/min/1.73 m². <b><i>Methods:</i></b> All patients undergo an image-guided percutaneous kidney biopsy to obtain epithelial phenotype selective renal cells isolated from the kidney tissue that is then expanded ex vivo over 4–6 weeks, resulting in the REACT biologic product. Patients are randomized 1:1 into the ATG or the DTG. Primary efficacy endpoints for both study groups include eGFR measurements at baseline and at 3-month intervals, through 24 months after the last REACT injection. Safety analyses include biopsy-related complications, REACT injection, and cellular-related adverse events. The study utilizes Good Clinical and Manufacturing Practices and a Data and Safety Monitoring Board. The sample size confers a statistical power of 80% to detect an eGFR change in the ATG compared to the DTG at 24 months with an α = 0.05. <b><i>Limitations:</i></b> Blinding cannot occur due to the intent to treat procedure, biopsy in both groups, and open trial design. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This multicenter phase II randomized clinical trial is designed to determine the efficacy and safety of REACT in improving or stabilizing renal function among patients with T2DKD stages 3a–4.

Fooled by facts: quantifying anchoring bias through a large-scale experiment

Through a large-scale online field experiment, we provide new empirical evidence for the presence of the anchoring bias in people’s judgement due to irrational reliance on a piece of information that they are initially given. The comparison of the anchoring stimuli and respective responses across different tasks reveals a positive, yet complex relationship between the anchors and the bias in participants’ predictions of the outcomes of events in the future. Participants in the treatment group were equally susceptible to the anchors regardless of their level of engagement, previous performance, or gender. Given the strong and ubiquitous influence of anchors quantified here, we should take great care to closely monitor and regulate the distribution of information online to facilitate less biased decision making.

Effects of Acetamiprid at Low and Median Lethal Concentrations on the Development and Reproduction of the Soybean Aphid Aphis glycines

The soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major pest of soybean and poses a serious threat to soybean production. Studies on the effect of acetamiprid on the life table parameters of A. glycines, provide important information for the effective management of this pest. We found that exposure to acetamiprid at LC50 significantly extended the mean generation time, adult pre-reproductive period, and total pre-reproduction period compared with the control, whereas exposure to acetamiprid at LC30 significantly shortened these periods. Exposure to acetamiprid at both LC30 and LC50 significantly decreased the fecundity of the female adult, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase compared with the control. The probability of attaining the adult stage was 0.51, 0.38, and 0.86 for a newly born nymph from the LC30 acetamiprid treatment group, LC50 acetamiprid treatment group, and control group, respectively. Acetamiprid at both LC50 and LC30 exerted stress effects on A. glycines, with the LC50 treatment significantly decreased the growth rate compared with the LC30 treatment. The present study provides reference data that could facilitate the exploration of the effects of acetamiprid on A. glycines in the field.

Allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors local injection in treatment of tennis elbow: a prospective randomized controlled study

Purpose The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors in treatment of patients with tennis elbow. Patients and methods This study included 120 tennis elbow patients randomly divided into two groups. The patients were locally injected with allogeneic growth factors (treatment group) or with normal saline (control group). The outcomes were assessed using Patient-Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (qDASH) scales. The clinical outcomes were accordingly classified as excellent, good and poor. The patient’s satisfaction and adverse effects were also recorded. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the age, gender, dominant arm or the pre-injection scores. At three month follow-up, the reductions in the mean PRTEE and qDASH scores were 88.7% and 70.6% in the treatment group versus 21.8% and 14.9% in the control group, respectively. At the last follow-up, the outcomes in the treatment group were excellent in 85% of patients and good in 15%, versus 8% and 32% in the control group. Overall, 95% were satisfied in the treatment group compared to 25% in control group. Forty patients in the treatment group experienced mild transient post-injection pain. Conclusion This study strongly suggests that local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors could be a promising safe treatment option for tennis elbow with significant pain relief, functional improvement and patient’s satisfaction. Yet, additional larger studies are needed to assess the durability of these outcomes.

Effects of Modified Wenjing Decoction Combined with Online Publicity and Education on the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea of Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis

Objective. To explore the effects of modified Wenjing decoction combined with online publicity and education on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea of cold coagulation and blood stasis. Methods. The materials of 111 patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold coagulation and blood stasis in the outpatient department (January 2019–June 2021) were collected to conduct the retrospective study. The 111 patients were randomized into treatment group (n = 59) and control group (n = 52). The control group received online publicity and education and conventional treatment, and the treatment group received online publicity and education and modified Wenjing decoction. The patients in the two groups were continuously treated for three menstrual cycles. The treatment effects, the dosage of analgesics, the scores of associated symptoms before and after treatment, and other indexes were compared between the two groups. Results. The differences in the efficacy on abdominal pain were statistically significant between the two groups P < 0.05 . Compared with the control group, the treatment group had lower scores of associated symptoms after treatment p < 0.5 . After the treatment of three menstrual cycles, 54 patients in the treatment group stopped taking ibuprofen, and the average ibuprofen dosage of the other 5 patients was (0.24 ± 0.16)g. The 52 patients in the control group still needed to take ibuprofen, and the mean dosage was (0.51 ± 0.05)g. The differences in the ibuprofen dosage between the two groups had remarkable difference P < 0.001 . Conclusion. Modified Wenjing decoction combined with online publicity and education can obviously improve the clinical symptoms of the patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold coagulation and blood stasis and reduce the dosage of analgesics. It is worth promoting and applying in practice.