Nano-enzyme functionalized hydrogels promote diabetic wound healing through immune microenvironment modulation.

Non-healing diabetic wounds often culminate in amputation and mortality. The main pathophysiological features in diabetic wounds involve the accumulation of M1-type macrophages and excessive oxidative stress. In this study, we engineered a nano-enzyme functionalized hydrogel by incorporating a magnesium ion-doped molybdenum-based polymetallic oxide (Mg-POM), a novel bioactive nano-enzyme, into a GelMA hydrogel, to obtain the GelMA@Mg-POM system to enhance diabetic wound healing. GelMA@Mg-POM was crosslinked using UV light, yielding a hydrogel with a uniformly porous three-dimensional mesh structure. In vitro experiments showed that GelMA@Mg-POM extraction significantly enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, scavenged ROS, improved the inflammatory microenvironment, induced macrophage reprogramming towards M2, and promoted HUVEC regeneration of CD31 and fibroblast regeneration of type I collagen. In in vivo experiments, diabetic rat wounds treated with GelMA@Mg-POM displayed enhanced granulation tissue genesis and collagen production, as evidenced by HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the ability of GelMA@Mg-POM to mitigate macrophage-associated inflammatory responses and promote angiogenesis. Overall, these findings suggest that GelMA@Mg-POM holds significant promise as a biomaterial for treating diabetic wounds.

ß-Ecdysterone Enhanced Bone Regeneration Through the BMP-2/SMAD/RUNX2/Osterix Signaling Pathway.

Bone defects are a global public health problem. However, the available methods for inducing bone regeneration are limited. The application of traditional Chinese herbs for bone regeneration has gained popularity in recent years. ß-ecdysterone is a plant sterol similar to estrogen, that promotes protein synthesis in cells; however, its function in bone regeneration remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of ß-ecdysterone on osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo. MC3T3-E1 cells were used to test the function of ß-ecdysterone on osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration in vitro. The results of the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay suggested that the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was promoted by ß-ecdysterone. Furthermore, ß-ecdysterone influenced the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, and the bone regeneration capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test, and the alizarin red test. ß-ecdysterone could upregulate the expression of osteoblastic-related genes, and promoted ALP activity and the formation of calcium nodules. We also determined that ß-ecdysterone increased the mRNA and protein levels of components of the BMP-2/Smad/Runx2/Osterix pathway. DNA sequencing further confirmed these target effects. ß-ecdysterone promoted bone formation by enhancing gene expression of the BMP-2/Smad/Runx2/Osterix signaling pathway and by enrichment biological processes. For in vivo experiments, a femoral condyle defect model was constructed by drilling a bone defect measuring 3 mm in diameter and 4 mm in depth in the femoral condyle of 8-week-old Sprague Dawley male rats. This model was used to further assess the bone regenerative functions of ß-ecdysterone. The results of micro-computed tomography showed that ß-ecdysterone could accelerate bone regeneration, exhibiting higher bone volume, bone surface, and bone mineral density at each observation time point. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the ß-ecdysterone also increased the expression of collagen, osteocalcin, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 in the experiment group at 4 and 8 weeks. In conclusion, ß-ecdysterone is a new bone regeneration regulator that can stimulate MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and induce bone regeneration through the BMP-2/Smad/Runx2/Osterix pathway. This newly discovered function of ß-ecdysterone has revealed a new direction of osteogenic differentiation and has provided novel therapeutic strategies for treating bone defects.

Applications of Functionalized Hydrogels in the Regeneration of the Intervertebral Disc.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is caused by genetics, aging, and environmental factors and is one of the leading causes of low back pain. The treatment of IDD presents many challenges. Hydrogels are biomaterials that possess properties similar to those of the natural extracellular matrix and have significant potential in the field of regenerative medicine. Hydrogels with various functional qualities have recently been used to repair and regenerate diseased intervertebral discs. Here, we review the mechanisms of intervertebral disc homeostasis and degeneration and then discuss the applications of hydrogel-mediated repair and intervertebral disc regeneration. The classification of artificial hydrogels and natural hydrogels is then briefly introduced, followed by an update on the development of functional hydrogels, which include noncellular therapeutic hydrogels, cellular therapeutic hydrogel scaffolds, responsive hydrogels, and multifunctional hydrogels. The challenges faced and future developments of the hydrogels used in IDD are discussed as they further promote their clinical translation.

18F-FDG PET/CT is an ideal imaging modality for the early diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that may affect multiple cartilage throughout the body. CASE REPORT: We report on a middle-aged man presented with cough, chest tightness, and fever of unknown origin, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) was performed. And the imaging shows multiple increased FDG accumulation in tracheobronchial tree and all intercostal cartilages, as well as in nasal, right auricule, laryngeal cartilage. Based on the findings, the diagnosis of RP was made. CONCLUSION: Our case demonstrates that FDG PET/CT is an useful diagnostic tool to accurately determine the extent of inflammation throughout the body and to guiding the selection of a biopsy site.

Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis With Pitting Edema: Appearance on FDG PET/CT.

Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) is a rare condition in the elderly and can appear as a first presentation of various types of rheumatic and malignant diseases. We presented a 62-year-old man with the diagnosis of RS3PE based on the clinical sign and laboratory data. Because of the possibility of associated malignancies in RS3PE, FDG PET/CT was performed to exclude occult tumors. The images showed multiple, symmetrically, diffusely increased F-FDG uptake in the soft tissue around joints and bones in the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.

Association between Pax8-PPARandgamma;1 Rearrangement and Follicular Thyroid Cancer: a Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pax8 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 gene (Pax8-PPARγ1) are important factors in tumors. Several studies have suggested that follicular thyroid cancer may arise from Pax8- PPArγ1 rearrangement. In order to have a better understanding of the association between Pax8-PPARγ1 rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer, we conducted the presenmt meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information was extracted from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Statistic analysis was performed with Stata12.0 software. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. We also performed heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. RESULTS: Nine studies including 198 follicular thyroid cancer patients and 268 controls were considered eligible. The frequency of Pax8-PPARγ1 rearrangement was significantly higher in the follicular thyroid cancer group than in the control group, with a pooled OR of 6.63 (95%CI=3.50-12.7). In addition, through subgroup analysis, the OR between Pax8-PPARγ1 rearrangement and follicular thyroid cancer was 6.04 (95%CI = 3.18-11.5) when using benign tumor tissues as controls. The OR for the method subgroup was 9.99 (95% CI =4.86-20.5) in the RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The final results demonstrated that Pax8-PPARγ1 rearrangement has significant association with follicular thyroid cancer.