Advanced enhancement technique for infrared images of wind turbine blades utilizing adaptive difference multi-scale top-hat transformation.

Enhancing infrared images is essential for detecting wind turbine blades using infrared technology. This paper introduces an Infrared Image Enhancement Method based on Adaptive Iterative Cutoff Threshold Difference Multi-Scale Top-Hat Transformation (AICT-DMTH) to address the challenge of low image clarity in infrared detection. The method involves performing a black-white difference top-hat transformation by utilizing structural elements of varying scales for dilation and erosion. Additionally, an iterative threshold method is applied to extract more detailed image features, followed by setting a cutoff constant to determine the final scale of the structural element. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively, with infrared images from laboratory and wind farm settings enhanced and compared against existing methods. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method significantly improves the clarity of infrared images, demonstrating robustness in enhancing images from various environments.

Enhanced Feature Extraction Network Based on Acoustic Signal Feature Learning for Bearing Fault Diagnosis.

The method of acoustic radiation signal detection not only enables contactless measurement but also provides comprehensive state information during equipment operation. This paper proposes an enhanced feature extraction network (EFEN) for fault diagnosis of rolling bearings based on acoustic signal feature learning. The EFEN network comprises four main components: the data preprocessing module, the information feature selection module (IFSM), the channel attention mechanism module (CAMM), and the convolutional neural network module (CNNM). Firstly, the one-dimensional acoustic signal is transformed into a two-dimensional grayscale image. Then, IFSM utilizes three different-sized convolution filters to process input image data and fuse and assign weights to feature information that can attenuate noise while highlighting effective fault information. Next, a channel attention mechanism module is introduced to assign weights to each channel. Finally, the convolutional neural network (CNN) fault diagnosis module is employed for accurate classification of rolling bearing faults. Experimental results demonstrate that the EFEN network achieves high accuracy in fault diagnosis and effectively detects rolling bearing faults based on acoustic signals. The proposed method achieves an accuracy of 98.52%, surpassing other methods in terms of performance. In comparative analysis of antinoise experiments, the average accuracy remains remarkably high at 96.62%, accompanied by a significantly reduced average iteration time of only 0.25 s. Furthermore, comparative analysis confirms that the proposed algorithm exhibits excellent accuracy and resistance against noise.

Comparing the prognostic value of the old and new sarcopenia criteria from the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia in older adults with type 2 diabetes: Which set is more appropriate?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia according to the old and new Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS) operational criteria and explore the effects of sarcopenia on adverse outcomes in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: A total of 386 patients with T2D aged ≥ 60 years were recruited in retrospective cohort study. Sarcopenia was assessed with different versions of the AWGS consensus, including the AWGS2014, AWGS2019H (muscle mass adjusted for height), and AWGS2019B (muscle mass adjusted for body mass index). The median follow-up period was 47 months. The composite primary endpoint was the first occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), fragility fracture, and all-cause mortality and the secondary outcomes included the three separate components of the primary outcome. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of sarcopenia under different criteria was significantly different, with AWGS2019H having the highest prevalence of 31.3%. The agreement among sarcopenia criteria was unsatisfactory. By Cox regression analysis, all three AWGS definitions of sarcopenia were associated with the composite outcome of all-cause mortality, fracture and CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.69 vs. HR, 2.63; vs. HR, 2.23; model 3). Further exploratory analysis, sarcopenia defined by the AWGS2019H criteria was an independent risk factor for death, incident CVD, and fractures. While AWGS2014 criteria was an increased risk factor of death and CVD. The AWGS2019B criteria were only associated with incident fractures. CONCLUSION: All three AWGS definitions of sarcopenia were associated the composite primary endpoint. Additionally, the AWGS2019H criteria may be a better independent risk factor for negative health outcomes.

Immune Responses to HBV Vaccine in People Living with HIV (PLWHs) Who Achieved Successful Treatment: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding immune responses after HBV vaccination is important to prevent HBV infection in PLWH and to achieve successful treatment. METHODS: Thirty-two PLWHs with CD4+ cell count > 350 cells/µL and HIV RNA < 200 copies/mL were vaccinated with 20 µg of HBV vaccine at weeks 0, 4, and 24 in this prospective study. We measured total HIV DNA levels, HBsAb titers and HBsAg-specific T-cell responses during follow-up time. RESULTS: All patients achieved protective HBsAb titer after immunization. The magnitude of the IFN-r and TNF-a response to HBsAg was 22.0 (IQR: 6.5-65.0) and 106.50 (IQR: 58.5-203.0) spot-forming cells (SFC)/105 PBMC, respectively at week 0. The level of IFN-r secreted at weeks 12 and weeks 36 to 48 was comparable with that at week 0. However, IFN-r response was higher at weeks 12 than that at weeks 36 to 48 (p = 0.02). The level of TNF-a secreted at weeks 12 was higher than that at week 0 (p < 0.001). Total HIV DNA levels were 2.76 (IQR: 2.47-3.07), 2.77 (IQR: 2.50-3.09), 2.77 (IQR: 2.41-2.89) log10 copies/106 PBMCs at weeks 0, 12, 36 to 48, respectively. No correlation was observed between IFN-r and TNF-a levels and HBsAb titer as well as total HIV DNA levels after immunization. CONCLUSION: Humoral immunity was satisfactory, but cellular immunity and decline in HIV reservoir were not optimal after HBV vaccine immunization in these patients.

Sarcopenic obesity predicts negative health outcomes among older patients with type 2 diabetes: The Ageing and Body Composition of Diabetes (ABCD) cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The definition of and diagnostic criteria for sarcopenic obesity (SO) remain unclear, hindering the assessment of its prevalence as well as its clinical relevance to negative health outcomes, especially in diabetic patients, who are more prone to body composition changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SO and its impact on negative health outcomes among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) from the Ageing and Body Composition of Diabetes (ABCD) cohort. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 386 elderly patients with T2DM (177 males and 209 females, mean age of 67.91 ± 6.10 years). SO was defined as the coexistence of sarcopenia defined by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia up-to-date consensus and obesity identified by five alternative measurements as follows: body mass index (BMI)≥28 kg/m2 (BMI28), BMI≥25 kg/m2 (BMI25), body fat percentage (BF%)≥25% for men or 35% for women, visceral fat area (VFA)≥100 cm2, or android fat mass (AF) higher than the sex-specific median. The primary endpoint was all-cause death or fragility fracture, and the secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the association between SO and negative health outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of SO was 0.2% (BMI28), 2.5% (BMI25), 9.8% (AF), and 18.7% (BF% or VFA) among elderly patients with T2DM, according to the different obesity surrogate markers. During a mean follow-up period of 3.46 ± 1.15 years, 50 patients reached the primary endpoint, and 33 patients had incident CVD. SO classified using BF% was significantly associated with the primary endpoint [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.25-6.92] and incident CVD (HR = 6.02, 95% CI = 1.56-23.15), even after comprehensive adjustment for bone-, comorbidity-, and diabetes-specific confounding variables. When SO was classified using BMI25, VFA and AF, similar results were found for adverse outcomes. However, SO classified using BMI25 resulted in misclassification of SO for 61 participants, 19 of whom experienced adverse events during follow-up, and SO classified using VFA or AF was not significantly associated with incident CVD. CONCLUSIONS: SO is not uncommon in geriatric patients with T2DM, and its prevalence varies widely depending on the diverse surrogate indices of body fat excess. Furthermore, SO may be a better independent risk factor for negative health outcomes when classified using BF%.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction, fatty acids identification of the seeds oil and isolation of chemical constituent from oil residue of Belamcanda chinensis.

Belamcanda chinensis is a common garden herb. The extraction technology of B. chinensis seed oil (BSO) was optimized by ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) method, the composition, relative content of main fatty acids and physicochemical properties of BSO were determined, and the isolation, identification and determination of chemical constituent in BSO residue (BSOR) were also investigated. The optimum process conditions of BSO by UAE were optimized as ultrasound time 14 min, extraction temperature 42℃, the ultrasound power 413 W and the liquid-solid ratio 27:1 mL/g. Under this condition, the extraction yield was 22.32 % with the high contents of linoleic acid and oleic acid in BSO. Ten compounds were isolated and identified from BSOR, and belamcandaoid P (9) was a new compound. The contents of the determined compounds were all at high level in B. chinensis seed. The study provided a certain scientific reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of B. chinensis seeds.

Determinants of suboptimal immune recovery among a Chinese Yi ethnicity population with sustained HIV suppression.

OBJECTIVES: Despite sustained viral suppression with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected patients with suboptimal immune recovery are still at high risk of both non-AIDS-related and AIDS-related events. The aim of this study was to investigate determinants potentially associated with suboptimal CD4 + T cell count recovery during free ART with sustained viral suppression among an HIV-infected Yi ethnicity population in Liangshan Prefecture, an area in China with high HIV prevalence. METHODS: This retrospective study included HIV-infected Yi adults (≥ 18 years and baseline CD4 + T cell count less than 500 cells/µL) for whom ART supported by National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program was initiated between January 2015 and December 2018 in Zhaojue County, Liangshan Prefecture. Virological suppression (viral load < 50 copies/mL) was achieved within 12 months after ART initiation, and sustained virological suppression was maintained. Multivariate log-binomial regression analysis was used to assess determinants of suboptimal immune recovery. RESULTS: There were 140 female and 137 male patients in this study, with a mean age of 36.57 ± 7.63 years. Most of the Yi patients were infected through IDU (48.7%) or heterosexual contact (49.8%), and the anti-HCV antibody prevalence was high (43.7%, 121/277). Of the 277 patients with a mean ART duration of 3.77 ± 1.21 years, complete immune recovery occurred in only 32.9%. The baseline CD4 + T cell count in patients with suboptimal and intermediate immune recovery was 248.64 ± 108.10 and 288.59 ± 108.86 cells/µL, respectively, which was much lower than the baseline 320.02 ± 123.65 cells/µL in patients who achieved complete immune recovery (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that low pre-ART CD4 + cell count and coinfection with HCV were associated with immune recovery of the HIV patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that for HIV-infected Yi patients in Liangshan Prefecture, prompt ART initiation after diagnosis of HIV infection should be applied, and curative HCV treatment should be given to patients with HCV/HIV coinfection to improve the immunological effectiveness of ART. Trial registration None.

Identification of Hypoxia-Related Molecular Classification and Associated Gene Signature in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The high heterogeneity of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the main obstacle for individualized treatment. Recognizing the characteristics of different subtypes and investigating the promising strategies for each subclass are of great significance in precise treatment. In this study, we systematically evaluated hypoxia-mediated patterns together with immune characteristics of 309 OSCC patients in the TCGA training set and 97 patients in the GSE41613 testing set. We further identified two different hypoxia subtypes with distinct immune microenvironment traits and provided treatment programs for the two subclasses. In order to assess hypoxia level individually, we finally constructed a hypoxia-related risk score, which could predict the clinical outcome and immunotherapy response of OSCC patients. In summary, the recognition of different hypoxia patterns and the establishment of hypoxia-related risk score might enhance our understanding of the tumor microenvironment of OSCC and provide more personalized treatment strategies in the future.

Effectiveness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remain uncertain. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to draw a firmer conclusion. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, and China Biology Medicine disc to identify relevant RCTs performed before January 2020. Risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a random effects model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RRs (95% CI) for 1-, 2-, and 3-month survival rates. SAMPLE SIZE: Six RCTs, including three open-label studies. RESULTS: The six studies included 246 subjects (121 in a G-CSF group and 125 in a control group). G-CSF administration significantly improved the 1-, 2-, and 3-month survival rates in patients with ACLF. The pooled RRs (95% CI, P) were 0.43 (0.27-0.69, P=.0004), 0.44 (0.32-0.62, P<.00001), and 0.39 (0.22-0.68, P=.0009), respectively. CONCLUSION: G-CSF may be beneficial and effective in the treatment of ACLF, but further studies are needed to verify this conclusion. LIMITATIONS: The sample size was small, and studies were restricted to countries in Asia. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021225681 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Sofosbuvir plus Ribavirin is effective for HCV elimination in people living with HIV from rural area of China.

People living with HIV (PLWH) bear higher prevalence of HCV coinfection. An accessible directly acting antivirals regimen with less drug-drug interaction with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is urgently needed in source limited regions. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SOF + RBV for 24 weeks regimen in HIV-HCV coinfected patients in Liangshan Prefecture, China. PLWH under ART from China's national free antiretroviral treatment project (CNFATP) and diagnosed with treatment-naïve HCV infection were enrolled. SOF + RBV was administrated for 24 weeks and patients were followed for ≥ 12 weeks. The efficacy and safety were analyzed and related factors were explored. 58 patients completed 24 weeks of SOF + RBV and had all tests done. Genotype prevalence in this population was G3 44.8% (n = 26), G6 31.0% (n = 18) and G1 17.2% (n = 10) respectively. 52/58 (89.7%) patients achieved SVR12 while 10.3% experienced therapeutic failure. However, SVR12 was neither significantly different between groups of different gender, age, transmission routines, CD4+ cell count, HIV infection duration, ART duration and HBsAg prevalence nor influenced by HCV viral load, genotypes and hepatic stiffness. The regimen was well-tolerated without any serious AEs or AEs leading to treatment adjustment or discontinuation reported. PLWH in Liangshan showed a high prevalence of HCV coinfection with GT3 and GT6 as the most frequent genotypes. SOF + RBV for 24 weeks could achieve good SVR12 in this population and was well-tolerated. It has great potential to be generalized in coinfected population in source-limited regions.

HIV-1 Infection and Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming of T Cells: Another Approach Toward Functional Cure and Reservoir Eradication.

With the emerging of highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 infection has transferred from a fatal threat to a chronic disease that could be managed. Nevertheless, inextricable systemic immune activation and chronic inflammation despite viral suppression render patients still at higher risk of HIV-1-associated non-AIDS complications. Immunometabolism has nowadays raised more and more attention for that targeting metabolism may become a promising approach to modulate immune system and play a role in treating cancer, HIV-1 infection and autoimmune diseases. HIV-1 mainly infects CD4+ T cells and accumulating evidence has brought to light the association between T cell metabolism reprogramming and HIV-1 pathogenesis. Here, we will focus on the interplay of glycometabolism reprogramming of T cells and HIV-1 infection, making an effort to delineate the possibility of utilizing immunometabolism as a new target towards HIV-1 management and even sterilizing cure through eliminating viral reservoir.

Recent advances in the biotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles: Impacts on plants, animals and microorganisms.

The contact between metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and human is more and more close with their wide applications. The inputs of metal oxide NPs to the environment are also growing every year, which causes potential environmental and human health risks. They are toxic to animals, microorganisms and plants at high concentrations, and they show different mechanisms of toxicity to different species. In addition, under complex environmental conditions, their toxic effects are often unpredictable. We have integrated the recent studies on the biotoxicity of metal oxide NPs from 2015-present, and clarified their toxic mechanism, as well as the toxic harm. It lays a foundation for further studying the toxicity and ecological risk of metal oxide NPs.

Behavior, remediation effect and toxicity of nanomaterials in water environments.

In recent years, nanotechnology has been developing continuously. Due to their advantageous huge specific surface areas, microinterface characteristics, remediation ability and potential environmental risks, nanomaterials have become a hot topic in the field of environmental research. With the mass production and use of nanomaterials, they will inevitably be discharged or leaked into the water environment. In this paper, we will describe some typical nanomaterials, such as nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI), graphene nanomaterials (GNMs), TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), ZnO NPs, Fe3O4 NPs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Ag NPs, and other nanomaterials in water environments, focusing on the positive and negative effects of some nanomaterials in water environments. The remediation function and the impact of nanomaterials in water environments, including behavior of nanomaterials and their toxicity to aquatic organisms will be discussed. This will be of great significance for our subsequent research on nanomaterials.

New Alkylitaconic Acid Derivatives from Nodulisporium sp. A21 and Their Auxin Herbicidal Activities on Weed Seeds.

Five alkylitaconic acid (AA) derivatives, including two novel compounds, epideoxysporothric acid (2) and sporochartine F (5), and three known compounds, deoxysporothric acid (1), deoxyisosporothric acid (3), and 1-undecen-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (4), were obtained from the fermentation culture of the endophytic fungus Nodulisporium sp. A21. The auxin herbicidal activities of compounds 1-4 against weed seeds were investigated under laboratory conditions. In general, the tested compounds displayed radicle growth promoting activity at low doses and inhibitory activity at higher doses. Compounds 1 and 2 could significantly inhibit the radicle growth of dicotyledon weeds, Eclipta prostrata and Veronica persica, at a concentration range from 50 to 200 µg mL-1, while 3 notably stimulated radicle growth at the same concentration range. The results suggested that these AA derivatives have the potential to be used as the lead scaffold for novel auxin herbicide development. In addition, the biosynthetic pathways of 1-4 were deduced based on 13C labeling experiment.

Preparation and characterization of ß-elemene-loaded microemulsion.

Intravenously injectable emulsion of ß-elemene was studied in detail. Both blank and ß-elemene-loaded microemulsions were prepared using a simple water titration method. The pseudoternary phase diagram was constructed for the optimization of microemulsion. The loading capacity test, dilutability test, and especially the influence of antioxidants were conducted for further optimization of ß-elemene-loaded microemulsion. Transmission electron microscope showed intact and spherical microemulsion droplets. Conductivity and viscosity measurements were used to study the phase behaviors of ß-elemene-loaded microemulsions, providing convincing explanation. In vitro release study showed that ß-elemene was steadily released until 12 h, which most fitted the first order.

The anti-nociceptive effect and the possible mechanism of acupoint stimulation caused by chemical irritants in the bee venom pain model.

Many studies have demonstrated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of injecting bee venom (BV) into the Zusanli (ZSL) acupoint in rats. The present study was designed to determine whether the injection of other chemical irritants, such as formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), into the ZSL acupoint can produce anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in the BV pain model and to determine the possible mechanisms underlying these effects. First, the effects of injecting BV, formalin, CFA, or saline into the ZSL acupoint on intraplantar BV-induced persistent spontaneous pain, mechanical hyperalgesia, and inflammatory swelling of the injected paw were observed. BV, formalin, CFA, and saline injection into the ZSL acupoint significantly inhibited intraplantar BV-induced persistent spontaneous nociception (PSN) and mechanical hyperalgesia but had no effect on intraplantar BV-induced inflammatory swelling. Next, the effects of pretreatment with naloxone (5mg/kg, ip) or injection of 0.15% capsaicin into the ZSL acupoint on the anti-nociceptive effect of BV acupuncture (BVA) were observed. Pretreatment with naloxone had no effect on the BVA-induced anti-nociceptive effect, intraplantar BV-induced PSN, and mechanical hyperalgesia. Pretreatment with capsaicin produced partial blockage of the BVA-induced anti-nociceptive effect on PSN, but it had no effect on BVA-induced anti-nociception of mechanical hyperalgesia. These results suggest that (1) chemical irritant acupuncture produces the anti-nociceptive effect but not the anti-inflammatory effect in the BV pain model, and (2) chemical irritant acupuncture-induced analgesia is a common mechanism that is not specific to BV acupuncture. Our results also suggest that the BVA-induced anti-nociceptive mechanism is partially mediated by capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers but not by endogenous mu opioid receptors in the BV pain model.

Differential roles of peripheral metabotropic glutamate receptors in bee venom-induced nociception and inflammation in conscious rats.

UNLABELLED: Intraplantar injection of bee venom (BV) produces persistent spontaneous nociception (PSN), hyperalgesia, and inflammatory swelling of the injected paw. The present study was designed to determine the roles of peripheral metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in BV-induced nociception and inflammation. We determined the effects of the group I mGluR antagonist AIDA, the group II mGluR agonist ADPC, and the group III mGluR agonist L-AP4 on BV-induced PSN, mechanical hyperalgesia, and inflammatory swelling. Pretreatment with intraplantar injections of AIDA, ADPC or L-AP4 at different doses significantly inhibited BV-induced PSN over the 1-hour observational period. The inhibitory effects of ADPC and L-AP4 were completely abolished by pretreatment with the group II mGluR antagonist LY341495 and the group III mGluR antagonist MSOP, respectively. Pretreatment with ADPC prevented the BV-induced decrease in paw-withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) in a dose-dependent manner, while pretreatment with AIDA or L-AP4 had no effect. The antihyperalgesic effect of ADPC was completely abolished by pretreatment with LY341495. Pretreatment with AIDA, ADPC or L-AP4 at different doses had no effect on the BV-induced increase in the paw volume (PV), a measurement of inflammatory swelling. All contralateral drug treatments at the highest doses had no effect on BV-induced PSN, decreases in PWMT or increases in PV, eliminating the possibility of drug-induced systemic effects. These data suggest that the activation of mGluRs in the periphery may play a differential role in BV-induced nociception and inflammation. PERSPECTIVE: The present study demonstrated that the intraplantar injection of antagonists or agonists of different mGluRs produced differential effects on bee venom-induced persistent spontaneous nociception and mechanical hyperalgesia. However, no effects on inflammation were observed, suggesting that mGluRs in the periphery have differential roles. Thus, therapies specifically targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors may improve the treatment of patients with persistent spontaneous nociception and hyperalgesia.

Differential roles of peripheral mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways in bee venom-induced nociception and inflammation in conscious rats.

UNLABELLED: Intraplantar injection of bee venom (BV) produces persistent spontaneous nociception (PSN) and hyperalgesia, as well as obvious inflammatory swelling, in the paws of injected rats. The present study was designed to determine the peripheral roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways in BV-induced nociception and inflammation. We examined the effect of intraplantar injection of an ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059, and a p38 inhibitor, SB202190, on BV-induced PSN, mechanical hyperalgesia, and inflammatory swelling. We found that (1) pretreatment with SB202190 (0.1 to 10 microg) had no effect on BV-induced PSN, whereas pretreatment with PD98059 (0.1 to 100 microg) produced a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of BV-induced PSN; (2) pretreatment with PD98059 (0.1 to 100 microg) had no effect on BV-induced decreases in paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT), while pretreatment with SB202190 (0.1 to 10 microg) produced an obvious prevention of the BV-induced decrease in PWMT; and (3) pretreatment with PD98059 (0.1 to 100 microg) had no effect on BV-induced increase in paw volume (PV), whereas pretreatment with SB202190 (0.1 to 10 microg) produced a dose-related inhibition of BV-induced increases in PV. No contralateral drug treatments, even at the highest dose, had any effect on BV-induced PSN, PWMT or PV, ruling out the systemic effect of these drugs. These results suggest that peripheral MAPK signal transduction pathways may play differential roles in bee venom-induced nociception and inflammation. Targeting specific peripheral MAPKs might prove effective in the treatment of persistent pain and inflammation. PERSPECTIVE: The present article showed that intraplantar injection of different MAPK inhibitors produced differential effects on bee venom-induced nociception and inflammation, suggesting that the peripheral MAPK signal transduction pathways have differential roles. Targeting specific peripheral MAPKs might prove effective in the treatment of persistent pain and inflammation.