Knockdown of DJ-1 Exacerbates Neuron Apoptosis Induced by TgCtwh3 through the NF-κB Pathway.

Mutations or loss of function of DJ-1 and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, which are often caused by oxidative stress. However, the relationship between DJ-1 and T. gondii infection is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the expression of DJ-1 in the hippocampus tissue of mice or in HT22 infected with T. gondii Chinese 1 genotype Wh3 strain (TgCtwh3) and the effect of DJ-1 knockdown on neuronal apoptosis induced by TgCtwh3 tachyzoite, as well as the underlying mechanism at the cellular and molecular level. Firstly, we detected DJ-1 protein expression and cell apoptosis in the hippocampal tissue of mice infected by TgCtwh3. Then, we examined DJ-1 expression and apoptosis in HT22 challenged with TgCtwh3. Finally, we evaluated the apoptosis in HT22 with DJ-1 knockdown which was infected with TgCtwh3 and assayed the expression of NF-κBp65 and p-NF-κBp65. Our results showed that DJ-1 expression was reduced and neurons underwent apoptosis in the hippocampus of mice infected with TgCtwh3 tachyzoites. Additionally, the knockdown of DJ-1 followed by infection with TgCtwh3 tachyzoites led to increased apoptosis in HT22 cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, this study suggests that DJ-1 is an important target for preventing apoptosis caused by T. gondii TgCtwh3.

Significance of NKX2-1 as a biomarker for clinical prognosis, immune infiltration, and drug therapy in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: This study was performed to determine the biological processes in which NKX2-1 is involved and thus its role in the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) toward improving the prognosis and treatment of LUSC. Methods: Raw RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of LUSC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used in bioinformatics analysis to characterize NKX2-1 expression levels in tumor and normal tissues. Survival analysis of Kaplan-Meier curve, the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and a nomogram were used to analyze the prognosis value of NKX2-1 for LUSC in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to clarify the biological mechanisms potentially involved in the development of LUSC. Moreover, the correlation between the NKX2-1 expression level and tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor microenvironment (TME), and immune cell infiltration revealed that NKX2-1 participates in the development of LUSC. Finally, we studied the effects of NKX2-1 on drug therapy. To validate the protein and gene expression levels of NKX2-1 in LUSC, we employed immunohistochemistry(IHC) datasets, The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and qRT-PCR analysis. Results: NKX2-1 expression levels were significantly lower in LUSC than in normal lung tissue. It significantly differed in gender, stage and N classification. The survival analysis revealed that high expression of NKX2-1 had shorter OS and PFS in LUSC. The multivariate Cox regression hazard model showed the NKX2-1 expression as an independent prognostic factor. Then, the nomogram predicted LUSC prognosis. There are 51 upregulated DEGs and 49 downregulated DEGs in the NKX2-1 high-level groups. GO, KEGG and GSEA analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in cell cycle and DNA replication.The TME results show that NKX2-1 expression was positively associated with mast cells resting, neutrophils, monocytes, T cells CD4 memory resting, and M2 macrophages but negatively associated with M1 macrophages. The TMB correlated negatively with NKX2-1 expression. The pharmacotherapy had great sensitivity in the NKX2-1 low-level group, the immunotherapy is no significant difference in the NKX2-1 low-level and high-level groups. The analysis of GEO data demonstrated concurrence with TCGA results. IHC revealed NKX2-1 protein expression in tumor tissues of both LUAD and LUSC. Meanwhile qRT-PCR analysis indicated a significantly lower NKX2-1 expression level in LUSC compared to LUAD. These qRT-PCR findings were consistent with co-expression analysis of NKX2-1. Conclusion: We conclude that NKX2-1 is a potential biomarker for prognosis and treatment LUSC. A new insights of NKX2-1 in LUSC is still needed further research.

Effects of virtual reality-based rehabilitation on cognitive function and mood in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling neurological disease that causes cognitive impairment and mental problems that occur in all MS phenotypes but are most common in patients with secondary progressive MS. Various degrees of cognitive impairment and mental health concerns are common among patients with MS (PwMS). Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation is an innovative approach aimed at enhancing cognitive function and mood in PwMS. This study aims to perform a meta-analysis to assess the effects of VR-based rehabilitation on cognitive function and mood in PwMS. METHODS: Using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), a thorough database search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of VR on PwMS. Trials published until October 31, 2023, that satisfied our predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Data were extracted, literature was examined, and the methodological quality of the included trials was assessed. StataSE version 16 was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included 461 patients from 10 RCTs. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (weighted mean difference [WMD]=1.93, 95 % confidence interval [CI]=0.51-3.36, P = 0.008, I² = 75.4 %) the Spatial Recall Test (SPART) (WMD=3.57, 95 % CI=1.65-5.50, P < 0.001, I² = 0 %), immediate recall (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.37, 95 % CI=0.10-0.64, P = 0.007, I² = 0 %) and delayed recall ([SMD]=0.30, 95 % CI=0.06-0.54, P = 0.013, I² = 35.4 %) showed improvements in comparison to the control group in terms of global cognitive function immediate recall, delayed recall, and visuospatial abilities. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Compared to the control group, anxiety improved (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.36, 95 % CI=0.10-0.62, P = 0.007, I² = 43.1 %). However, there were no significant differences in processing speed, attention, working memory or depression. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides valuable evidence for improving cognitive function and mood in PwMS through VR-based rehabilitation. In the future, VR-based rehabilitation may be a potential method to treat cognitive function and emotional symptoms of MS. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO; identifier: CRD42023474467.

Multi-omics data-based analysis characterizes molecular alterations of the vesicle genes in human colorectal cancer.

The role of vesicular genes in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial. Analyzing alterations in these genes at multi-omics can aid in understanding the molecular pathways behind colorectal carcinogenesis and identifying potential treatment targets. However, studies on the overall alteration of vesicular genes in CRC are still lacking. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between vesicle genetic alterations and CRC progression. To achieve this, we analyzed molecular alterations in CRC vesicle genes at eight levels, including mRNA, protein, and epigenetic levels. Additionally, we examined CRC overall survival-related genes that were obtained from a public database. Our analysis of chromatin structural variants, DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and proteins (including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and malonylation), along with RNA-seq data from the TCGA database, revealed multiple levels of alterations in CRC vesicle genes in the collected tissue samples. We progressively examined the alterations of vesicle genes in mRNA and protein levels in CRC and discovered the hub genes. Further investigation identified the probable essential transcription factors. This study contributes to a thorough knowledge of the connection between vesicle gene alterations at multiple levels and the development of CRC and offers a theoretical framework for the identification of novel treatment targets.

Eriocitrin prevents Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury through anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation via modulating Nrf2/DRP1/OPA1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Severe inflammation and oxidative stress are characteristics of sepsis-associated kidney injury with high morbidity and mortality. Eriocitrin (ERI) has shown promise in suppressing sepsis-associated kidney injury and LPS-induced periodontal disease, however, its efficacy in alleviating SAKI remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of ERI on SAKI through in vivo and in vitro experiments, elucidating its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The therapeutic effects of ERI against SAKI were evaluated by survival rate, changes of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and statistic of renal histological score in a Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mice. Impactions about anti-coagulation, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress and improvement of mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial morphology were further assayed. In vitro, HUVECs upon stimulation of LPS with or without different dosage of ERI, followed by evaluating changes in inflammation, mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium and signaling pathways. RESULTS: ERI demonstrated ameliorative effects on SAKI by attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress and coagulation evidenced by the improved survival rate, alleviated kidney histological injury, declined BUN and Scr in serum and diminished levels of inflammation cytokines, and coagulation factors. Mechanistically, ERI suppressed DRP1-regulated mitochondrial fission and promoted OPA1-modulated mitochondrial fusion by activating Nrf2 in septic mice and LPS-stimulated HUVECs, which maintained mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium, improved mitochondrial morphology, assured integrity of mitochondrial function, decreased oxidative stress, impeded overwhelming inflammation, and thus, played a pivotal role in ERI's protection against SAKI. CONCLUSION: Our data confirmed the therapeutic potential of ERI in mitigating SAKI，suggesting its viability as a pharmacological agent in clinic settings.

Corrigendum to "Emulsifying Lipiodol with pH-Sensitive DOX@HmA nanoparticles for hepatocellular carcinoma TACE treatment eliminate metastasis" Mater. Today Bio, 23, 2023, 100873, ISSN 2590-0064.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100873.].

Cryogel wound dressings based on natural polysaccharides perfectly adhere to irregular wounds for rapid haemostasis and easy disassembly.

Skin injuries can have unexpected surfaces, leading to uneven wound surfaces and inadequate dressing contact with these irregular surfaces. This can decrease the dressing's haemostatic action and increase the healing period. This study recommends the use of sticky and flexible cryogel coverings to promote faster haemostasis and efficiently handle uneven skin wounds. Alginate cryogels have a fast haemostatic effect and shape flexibility due to their macroporous structure. The material demonstrates potent antibacterial characteristics and enhances skin adherence by adding grafted chitosan with gallic acid. In irregular defect wound models, cryogels can cling closely to uneven damage surfaces due to their amorphous nature. Furthermore, their macroporous structure allows for quick haemostasis by quickly absorbing blood and wound exudate. After giving the dressing a thorough rinse, its adhesive strength reduces and it is simple to remove without causing any damage to the wound. Cryogel demonstrated faster haemostasis than gauze in a wound model on a rat tail, indicating that it has considerable potential for use as a wound dressing in the biomedical area.

Mi-BMSCs alleviate inflammation and fibrosis in CCl4-and TAA-induced liver cirrhosis by inhibiting TGF-ß/Smad signaling.

Cirrhosis is an aggressive disease, and over 80 % of liver cancer patients are complicated by cirrhosis, which lacks effective therapies. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising option for treating liver cirrhosis. However, this therapeutic approach is often challenged by the low homing ability and short survival time of transplanted MSCs in vivo. Therefore, a novel and efficient cell delivery system for MSCs is urgently required. This new system can effectively extend the persistence and duration of MSCs in vivo. In this study, we present novel porous microspheres with microfluidic electrospray technology for the encapsulation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Porous microspheres loaded with BMSCs (Mi-BMSCs) exhibit good biocompatibility and demonstrate better anti-inflammatory properties than BMSCs alone. Mi-BMSCs significantly increase the duration of BMSCs and exert potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects against CCl4 and TAA-induced liver cirrhosis by targeting the TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway to ameliorate cirrhosis, which highlight the potential of Mi-BMSCs as a promising therapeutic approach for early liver cirrhosis.

Potential mechanisms of exercise for relieving inflammatory pain: a literature review of animal studies.

Inflammatory pain (IP) is one of the most prevalent and intractable human conditions, and it leads to progressive dysfunction and reduced quality of life. Additionally, IP is incredibly challenging to treat successfully with drugs or surgery. The development of IP is complex and multifactorial, and peripheral and central sensitization may influence chronicity and treatment resistance in IP. Understanding the mechanisms underlying IP is vital for developing novel therapies. Strong evidence suggests that exercise can be a first-line relief for patients with IP during rehabilitation. However, the mechanisms through which exercise improves IP remain unclear. Here, we reviewed the current animal experimental evidence for an exercise intervention in IP and proposed biological mechanisms for the effects of synaptic plasticity in the anterior cingulate cortex, endocannabinoids, spinal dorsal horn excitability balance, immune cell polarization balance, cytokines, and glial cells. This information will contribute to basic science and strengthen the scientific basis for exercise therapy prescriptions for IP in clinical practice.

DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNAL-EXTERNAL VALIDATION OF THE ACCI-SOFA MODEL FOR PREDICTING IN-HOSPITAL MORTALITY OF PATIENTS WITH SEPSIS-3 IN THE ICU: A MULTICENTER RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To achieve a better prediction of in-hospital mortality, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score needs to be adjusted and combined with comorbidities. This study aims to enhance the prediction of SOFA score for in-hospital mortality in patients with Sepsis-3. Methods: This study adjusted the maximum SOFA score within the first 3 days (Max Day3 SOFA) in relation to in-hospital mortality using logistic regression and incorporated the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (aCCI) as a continuous variable to build the age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (aCCI-SOFA) model. The outcome was in-hospital mortality. We developed, internally validated, and externally validated the aCCI-SOFA model using cohorts of Sepsis-3 patients from the MIMIC-IV, MIMIC-III (CareVue), and the FAHWMU cohort. The predictive performance of the model was assessed through discrimination and calibration, which was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves, respectively. The overall predictive effect was evaluated using the Brier score. Measurements and main results: Compared with the Max Day3 SOFA, the aCCI-SOFA model showed significant improvement in area under the receiver operating characteristic with all cohorts: development cohort (0.81 vs 0.75, P < 0.001), internal validation cohort (0.81 vs 0.76, P < 0.001), MIMIC-III (CareVue) cohort (0.75 vs 0.68, P < 0.001), and FAHWMU cohort (0.72 vs 0.67, P = 0.001). In sensitivity analysis, it was suggested that the application of aCCI-SOFA in early nonseptic shock patients had greater clinical value, with significant differences compared with the original SOFA scores in all cohorts ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: For septic patients in intensive care unit, the aCCI-SOFA model exhibited superior predictive performance. The application of aCCI-SOFA in early nonseptic shock patients had greater clinical value.

A meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Kaixinsan decoction for depression.

BACKGROUND: Kaixinsan (KXS) decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation commonly used to treat depression. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of KXS, which is widely used, alone and in combination with other therapies, for the treatment of depression. The main objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of KXS in the treatment of depression as a single agent or in combination with other methods. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of KXS in the treatment of depression were systematically searched from several Chinese and English databases with no language restriction. Patients in these studies met the relevant diagnostic criteria for depression. Data on HAMD, SDS, practical situations, and occurrence of side effects in the studies were extracted. Finally, the methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed using the Jadad scale and Cochrane bias evaluation tool. RESULTS: Twelve studies with 1034 patients were included after screening. The Jadad scale and Cochrane bias evaluation tool indicated that the quality of the studies ranged from fair to good, with 41.7% categorized as good and 58.3% as poor. Egger test and funnel plots showed that the publication bias remain low. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the frequency of side effects in the control group was higher than that in the treatment group, and there was a statistically significant difference. KXS was comparable or superior to antidepressants in treating depression and has fewer side effects. The data analysis showed that effectiveness and other indicators differed significantly by geographic area and dosage form, which has implications for future clinical work.

Electroacupuncture for acute transverse myelitis following viral infection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) has a positive effect on neurological repair and functional recovery following spinal cord disease. However, evidence of its effectiveness in acute transverse myelitis (ATM) cases is limited. PATIENT PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old woman experienced headache and fever for 5 days, followed by a sudden onset of back pain, lower limb paralysis, and urinary and bowel dysfunction. The patient received intravenous medications. However, she did not experience improvement in clinical symptoms. She subsequently underwent acupuncture treatment. She regained walking ability and experienced improved bladder function and bowel control after 36 sessions of EA treatment. METHODS: CARE guidelines informed the case study report. The MRC and ICIQ-UI-SF scores were used to verify changes in lower-extremity muscle strength and urination after EA treatment. Qualitative information was collected using feedback tables. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological treatment for ATM lacks clear advantages because of its complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Hence, EA could be recommended as a promising treatment modality for ATM.

Emulsifying Lipiodol with pH-sensitive DOX@HmA nanoparticles for hepatocellular carcinoma TACE treatment eliminate metastasis.

Lipiodol-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is currently the predominant and first-line treatment option recommended by the global standard for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the unstable emulsion of Lipiodol causes a substantial proportion of chemotherapy drugs to enter the circulation system, leading to poor accumulation in cancer tissues and unexpected side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Herein, we emulsified Lipiodol with a pH-sensitive drug delivery system assembled from hexahistidine and zinc ions (HmA) with a super-high loading capacity of doxorubicin (DOX) and a promising ability to penetrate bio-barriers for the effective treatment of HCC by TACE. In vitro tests showed that DOX@HmA was comparable to free DOX in killing HCC cells. Impressively, during the in vivo TACE treatment, the anti-tumor efficacy of DOX@HmA was significantly greater than that of free DOX, indicating that DOX@HmA increased the accumulation of DOX in tumor. Emulsifying Lipiodol with pH-sensitive DOX@HmA significantly inhibited cell regeneration and tumor angiogenesis and decreased the systemic side effects of chemotherapy, especially by suppressing pulmonary metastasis in liver VX2 tumors in rabbits by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Emulsifying tumor microenvironment-responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs) with Lipiodol could be a new strategy for clinical TACE chemotherapy with potentially enhanced HCC treatment.

A novel approach to the immediate effects of electroacupuncture on dry eye: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Dry eye disease (DED) is an inflammatory disorder that shares several features with autoimmune diseases. Research suggests that electroacupuncture (EA) is a promising alternative treatment option for this disorder; however, evidence of its immediate efficacy is limited. CASE PRESENTATION: Three patients were diagnosed with DED, and used artificial tears or anti-inflammatory drugs for long-term relief of eye symptoms. However, the cure rates were low, and the side effects were high. To improve ocular symptoms, quality of life, and physical and mental health, the patients sought alternative complementary therapies and received electroacupuncture therapy. All patients showed significant improvements in fatigue and dryness of the ocular surface after 3-4 days of treatment, and follow-up after 4 weeks showed no tendency for recurrence. No adverse reactions or unexpected events were observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: We propose an innovative electroacupuncture treatment aimed at fewer acupuncture points, shorter periods, and faster healing that improves the symptoms of patients with DED in the short term. Continuous current stimulation by anatomically positioned needles on both sides of the lacrimal gland and the creation of an electric field may improve the endogenous mechanisms of DED.

Age-Related Alterations in Immune Function and Inflammation: Focus on Ischemic Stroke.

The aging of the global population poses significant scientific challenges. Moreover, the biological process of aging is the most significant risk factor for most chronic illnesses; therefore, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these aging-related challenges is crucial for extending the healthy lifespan of older individuals. Preventing brain aging remains a priority public health goal, and integrative and comprehensive aging analyses have revealed that immunosenescence is a potential cause of age-related brain damage and disease (e.g., stroke). Importantly, the neuroinflammatory and immune systems present two-way contact and thus can affect each other. Emerging evidence supports the numerous effects of immunosenescence- and inflammation-mediated immunity in neurologically injured brains. In this study, we briefly outline how aging alters the pathophysiology and transcriptional amplitude in patients who experienced stroke and then discuss how the immune system and its cellular components and molecular mechanisms are affected by age after stroke. Finally, we highlight emerging interventions with the potential to slow down or reduce aging and prevent stroke onset.

JAG1 enhances angiogenesis in triple-negative breast cancer through promoting the secretion of exosomal lncRNA MALAT1.

Despite significant improvements in five-year survival rates due to early diagnosis and combination therapy, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment remains a major challenge. Finding new and effective targets for diagnosis and drug therapy is urgent for TNBC patients. Jagged-1 (JAG1), one of the canonical ligands of the Notch signaling pathway, is involved in vascular budding and is a poor prognostic factor of TNBC. In this study, combined with quantitative real-time PCR, database analysis, animal experiments, and other means, JAG1 was confirmed to be related to the poor prognosis of TNBC patients. JAG1 was highly expressed in MDA-MB-231 Bone (231B) cells, with stronger invasion and metastasis ability than MDA-MB-231 (231) cells. Treatment of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) with TNBC conditioned medium showed that TNBC JAG1 promoted the angiogenesis of HUVEC. Next, we detected the exosomes extracted from TNBC conditioned medium and found that JAG1 promoted the exosome secretion from 231 cells via ALIX-RAB11A/RAB35. In addition, we also found that the exosomes from JAG1 overexpressed TNBC cells contained more long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1, and MALAT1 promoted angiogenesis of HUVEC by targeting miR-140-5p. Finally, the angiogenesis-promoting effect of JAG1 in TNBC was further investigated by matrix gel assay. In conclusion, we reveal that JAG1 has a pro-invasion effect on TNBC and is involved in microenvironment angiogenesis by promoting exosome secretion and the MALAT1-miR-140-5p-JAG1/VEGFA pathway.

Immediate effects of electroacupuncture in oculomotor nerve palsy following brainstem infarction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Research has demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of paralyzed muscles significantly improves nerve regeneration and functional recovery. DESCRIPTION: An 81-year-old man with no history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension presented with a history of brainstem infarction. Initially, the patient had medial rectus palsy in the left eye and diplopia to the right in both eyes, which almost returned to normal after six sessions of EA. METHODS: The CARE guidelines informed the case study report. The patient was diagnosed with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) and photographed to document ONP recovery after treatment. The selected acupuncture points and surgical methods are listed in the table. DISCUSSION: Pharmacological treatment of oculomotor palsy is not ideal, and its long-term use has side effects. Although acupuncture is a promising treatment for ONP, existing treatments involve many acupuncture points and long cycles, resulting in poor patient compliance. We chose an innovative modality, electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles, which may be an effective and safe complementary alternative therapy for ONP.

Multifunctional zwitterionic microneedle dressings for accelerated healing of chronic infected wounds in diabetic rat models.

Diabetic infected wounds are one of the major threats to public health but traditional wound dressings always have poor therapeutic efficacy influenced by the single treatment principle and limited penetration depth. Herein, we developed a novel kind of multifunctional degradable and removable zwitterionic microneedle dressings that could achieve multi-effective treatment of diabetic chronic wounds with a single dressing application. The substrates of microneedle dressings are composed of zwitterionic polymer polysulfobetaine methacrylate (PSBMA) and photothermal hair particles (HMPs), which can absorb wound exudate, form a barrier to the bacterial environment for the wound and exhibit an excellent photothermal bactericidal effect to promote wound healing. By loading zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and asiaticoside in needle tips, drugs could diffuse in the wound area as the tips degrade to achieve highly effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and promote deep wound healing and tissue regeneration. The microneedles (MNs) were applied in diabetic rats with Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds to demonstrate that the combination of drug and photothermal multi-treatment has accelerated tissue regeneration and collagen deposition and significantly promoted wound healing.

Preparation and Preliminary Application of Epitope Peptide-Based Antibody against Toxoplasma gondii GRA3.

Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein GRA3 has been shown to promote Toxoplasma gondii transmission and proliferation by interacting with the host cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through calcium-regulated cyclophilin ligands (CAMLG). Although many studies have focused on the interaction between the host cell endoplasmic reticulum and GRA3, no polyclonal antibodies (PcAbs) against GRA3 have been reported to date. According to the antigenicity prediction and exposure site analysis, three antigen peptide sequences were selected to prepare polyclonal antibodies targeting GRA3. Peptide scans revealed that the major antigenic epitope sequences were 125ELYDRTDRPGLK136, 202FFRRRPKDGGAG213, and 68NEAGESYSSATSG80, respectively. The GRA3 PcAb specifically recognized the GRA3 of T. gondii type Ⅱ ME49. The development of PcAbs against GRA3 is expected to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which GRA3 regulates host cell function and contribute to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for toxoplasmosis.