Clinical-imaging metrics for the diagnosis of prostate cancer in PI-RADS 3 lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and efficacy of clinical-imaging metrics in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) category 3 lesions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on lesions diagnosed as PI-RADS 3. They were categorized into benign, non-csPCa and csPCa groups. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T2-weighted imaging signal intensity (T2WISI), coefficient of variation of ADC and T2WISI, prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), ADC density (ADCD), prostate-specific antigen lesion volume density (PSAVD) and ADC lesion volume density (ADCVD) were measured and calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with PCa and csPCa. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and decision curves were utilized to assess the efficacy and net benefit of independent risk factors. RESULTS: Among 202 patients, 133 had benign prostate disease, 25 non-csPCa and 44 csPCa. Age, PSA and lesion location showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the groups. T2WISI and coefficient of variation of ADC (ADCcv) were independent risk factors for PCa in PI-RADS 3 lesions, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.68. ADC was an independent risk factor for csPCa in PI-RADS 3 lesions, yielding an AUC of 0.65. Decision curve analysis showed net benefit for patients at certain probability thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: T2WISI and ADCcv, along with ADC, respectively showed considerable promise in enhancing the diagnosis of PCa and csPCa in PI-RADS 3 lesions.

Association between sarcopenia and sleep disorders: a cross-sectional population based study.

Objective: Sleep disorders is a worldwide public health problem. We sought to examine the association between sarcopenia, a decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, and sleep disorders within the adult demographic of the United States during the period spanning 2011 to 2018. Methods: Diagnosis of sarcopenia and sleep disorders was ascertained through appropriate calculations and a structured questionnaire. The primary correlation analysis was conducted using a weighted multivariate logistic regression model. Furthermore, to confirm the presence of a potential non-linear association between sarcopenia and sleep disorders, additional analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression with dose-response curve analysis. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to explore the influence of relevant socio-demographic factors and other covariates. Results: The final analysis encompassed 5,616 participants. Model 4, inclusive of all pertinent covariates, revealed a positive correlation between sarcopenia and sleep disorders, yielding an odds ratio (OR) of 1.732 (95% CI: 1.182-2.547; P = 0.002). Further analysis, utilizing the restricted cubic spline model, indicated a decreasing trend in sleep disorders as sarcopenia indices rose. Stratified analyses across diverse variables underscored the significant impact of sarcopenia on sleep disorders prevalence in several subgroups. Specifically, males, individuals aged 40 and above, non-Hispanic whites, those with high school education or equivalent, unmarried individuals, obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30), alcohol drinkers, former smokers, diabetics, and those engaging in less rigorous recreational activities exhibited a more pronounced association between sarcopenia and sleep disorders. The incidence of sleep disorders exhibited an upward trend as the incidence of sarcopenia declined among study participants. Conclusions: In summary, our study provides evidence of an association between sarcopenia and the prevalence of sleep disorders, with a negative correlation observed between the sarcopenia index and the odds ratio of sleep disorders. These findings suggest that maintaining optimal muscle mass may have a beneficial impact on sleep-related issues. In terms of exploring the mechanisms underlying the relationship between sarcopenia and sleep disorders, more in-depth research is warranted to ascertain the definitive causal relationship.

Breaking Down the Barriers of Drug Resistance and Corneal Permeability with Chitosan-Poly(ethylene glycol)-LK13 Peptide Conjugate to Combat Fungal Keratitis.

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a leading cause of preventable blindness and eye loss. The poor antifungal activity, increased drug resistance, limited corneal permeability, and unsatisfactory biosafety of conventional antifungal eye drops are among the majority of the challenges that need to be addressed for currently available antifungal drugs. Herein, this study proposes an effective strategy that employs chitosan-poly(ethylene glycol)-LK13 peptide conjugate (CPL) in the treatment of FK. Nanoassembly CPL can permeate the lipophilic corneal epithelium in the transcellular route, and its hydrophilicity surface is a feature to drive its permeability through hydrophilic stroma. When encountering fungal cell membrane, CPL dissembles and exposes the antimicrobial peptide (LK13) to destroy fungal cell membranes, the minimum inhibitory concentration values of CPL against Fusarium solani (F. solani) are always not to exceed 8 µg peptide/mL before and after drug resistance induction. In a rat model of Fusarium keratitis, CPL demonstrates superior therapeutic efficacy than commercially available natamycin ophthalmic suspension. This study provides more theoretical and experimental supports for the application of CPL in the treatment of FK.

Corrosion-Induced Cracking Model of Concrete Considering a Transverse Constraint.

The performance of corrosion-induced cracking of reinforced concrete members under transverse constraints was studied. Based on the theory of elastic-plastic mechanics and the hypothesis of uniform corrosion of a steel bar, a three-layer hollow cylinder model was established to predict the critical corrosion of the steel bar at the time of the cracking of the concrete cover. Taking the constraint of stirrups on surrounding concrete into consideration, it can be used to predict the corrosion rate of members with stirrups at the time of the cracking of the concrete cover, which further expands the application range of the corrosion-induced cracking models of concrete. On this basis, the critical corrosion rate of concrete under different stirrup ratios at the time of cracking was measured. The calculated results of the model are in accordance with experimental data. For corner steel bars, when the stirrup spacing is less than 100 mm, the existence of stirrups can effectively delay the occurrence of rust expansion cracks and enhance the durability of the structure. On the basis of this study, the problem of corrosion expansion and cracking of the concrete cover caused by non-uniform corrosion of steel bars along longitudinal and radial directions needs to be further studied in the future.

Molecularly specific detection towards trace nitrogen dioxide by utilizing Schottky-junction-based Gas Sensor.

Trace NO2 detection is essential for the production and life, where the sensing strategy is appropriate for rapid detection but lacks molecular specificity. This investigation proposes a sensing mechanism dominated by surface-scattering to achieve the molecularly-specific detection. Two-dimensional Bi2O2Se is firstly fabricated into a Schottky-junction-based gas-sensor. Applied with an alternating excitation, the sensor simultaneously outputs multiple response signals (i.e., resistance, reactance, and the impedance angle). Their response times are shorter than 200 s at room temperature. In NO2 sensing, these responses present the detection limit in ppt range and the sensitivity is up to 16.8 %·ppb-1. This NO2 sensitivity presents orders of magnitude higher than those of the common gases within the exhaled breath. The impedance angle is involved in the principle component analysis together with the other two sensing signals. Twelve kinds of typical gases containing NO2 are acquired with molecular characteristics. The change in dipole moment of the target molecule adsorbed is demonstrated to correlate with the impedance angle via surface scattering. The proposed mechanism is confirmed to output ultra-sensitive sensing responses with the molecular characteristic.

Resilience mechanisms of Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriinae) under global extreme cooling: insights into parasitic response and physiological adaptation.

Global climate warming and frequent extreme low-temperature events have made it essential to investigate the impact of low temperatures on parasitic wasps to protect and strengthen farmland biodiversity, which in turn enhances the biological control potential of natural enemies such as parasitic wasps. We systematically examined how low-temperature stress affects the parasitic functional response of Trichopria drosophilae to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) pupae. Our findings indicate that the parasitic behavior of T. drosophilae towards D. suzukii pupae aligns with the Holling II functional response model following exposure to different temperatures. Within the temperature range of 8 °C to -8 °C, lower temperatures correlated decreased instantaneous attack rate of T. drosophilae and an increase in processing time. The search constant Q initially increased and then decreased with declining temperatures. Short-term low-temperature stress negatively impacted the parasitic and searching abilities of T. drosophilae but did not alter its parasitic functional response model. Notably, short-term low-temperature stress had minimal effects on the water content, protein content, and total sugar content of male and female T. drosophilae adults. However, as temperatures decreased, the activities of key enzymes, including GAPDH, SOD, T-AOC, and malondialdehyde (MDA), exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease. Conversely, the activities of LDH and HOAD decreased, while the activities of CAT and POD increased. Further study on the effect of short-term low temperature on T. drosophilae can provide a research basis for the large-scale production and low-temperature refrigeration technology of T. drosophilae, and provide a scientific basis for its efficient use in the field.

Temporary alleviation of MAPK by arbutin alleviates oxidative damage in the retina and ARPE-19 cells.

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main diseases that causes blindness in humans, and the number of cases is increasing yearly. However, effective treatments are unavailable, and arbutin (ARB) has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects in other age-related diseases. However, whether ARB can be used to treat dry AMD remains unknown. To explore the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanism of arbutin in the treatment of dry AMD. MTT assays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production assays, flow cytometry assays, qPCR and western blotting were used to assess the impact of ARB on human RPECs induced by H2O2. A transcriptome sequencing assay was used to further explore how ARB acts on human RPECs treated with H2O2. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) assays were used to observe the impact of ARB on mouse retina induced by sodium iodate. ARB counteracted the H2O2-induced reduction in human RPECs viability, ARB reversed H2O2-induced cellular ROS production by increasing the expression of antioxidant-related genes and proteins, ARB also reversed H2O2-induced cell apoptosis by altering the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. Transcriptome sequencing and western blotting showed that ARB reduced ERK1/2 and P-38 phosphorylation to prevent H2O2-induced oxidation damage. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that ARB protected against retinal morphology injury in mice, increased serum T-AOC levels and increased antioxidant oxidase gene expression levels in the mouse retina induced by sodium iodate. We concluded that ARB reversed the H2O2-induced decrease in human RPECs viability through the inhibition of ROS production and apoptosis. The ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK signaling pathways may mediate this process. ARB maintained retinal morphology, increased serum T-AOC level and improved the expression of antioxidant oxidase genes in mice.

Recent Developments and Challenges in Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes.

Solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) have the advantages of easy miniaturization, even chip integration, easy carrying, strong stability, and more favorable detection in complex environments. They have been widely used in conjunction with portable, wearable, and intelligent detection devices, as well as in on-site analysis and timely monitoring in the fields of environment, industry, and medicine. This article provides a comprehensive review of the composition of sensors based on redox capacitive and double-layer capacitive SC-ISEs, as well as the ion-electron transduction mechanisms in the solid-contact (SC) layer, particularly focusing on strategies proposed in the past three years (since 2021) for optimizing the performance of SC-ISEs. These strategies include the construction of ion-selective membranes, SC layer, and conductive substrates. Finally, the future research direction and possibilities in this field are discussed and prospected.

MicroRNA-204-5p Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Inflammation by Targeting TXNIP in Diabetic Cataract.

Diabetic cataract (DC) is a major cause of blindness in diabetic patients and it is characterized by early onset and rapid progression. MiR-204-5p was previously identified as one of the top five down-regulated miRNAs in human DC lens tissues. We aimed to determine the expression of miR-204-5p in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and explore its effects and mechanisms in regulating the progression of DC. The expression of miR-204-5p in the anterior capsules of DC patients and HLECs was examined by RT-qPCR. Bioinformatics tools were then used to identify the potential target of miR-204-5p. The relationship between miR-204-5p and the target gene was confirmed through a dual luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, the regulatory mechanism of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in DC was investigated by overexpressing miR-204-5p using miR-204-5p agomir. The expression of miR-204-5p was downregulated in the anterior capsules of DC patients and HLECs. Overexpression of miR-204-5p reduced ROS levels, pro-apoptosis genes (Bid, Bax, caspase-3), and IL-1ß production in HG-treated HLECs. TXNIP was the direct target of miR-204-5p by dual luciferase reporter assay. Therefore, this study demonstrated that miR-204-5p effectively reduced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and inflammation in HLECs under HG conditions by targeting TXNIP. Targeting miR-204-5p could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the potential treatment of DC.

The Radiological Characteristics of Degenerative Cervical Kyphosis with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Introduction: In this study, we aim to describe the radiological characteristics of degenerative cervical kyphosis (DCK) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and discuss the relationship between DCK and the pathogenesis of spinal cord dysfunction. Methods: In total, 90 patients with CSM hospitalized in our center from September 2017 to August 2022 were retrospectively examined in this study; they were then divided into the kyphosis group and the nonkyphosis group. The patients' demographics, clinical features, and radiological data were obtained, including gender, age, duration of illness, cervical Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical lordosis (CL), height of intervertebral space, degree of wedging vertebral body, degree of osteophyte formation, degree of disc herniation, degree of spinal cord compression, and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal cord. In the kyphosis group, kyphotic segments, apex of kyphosis, and segmental kyphosis angle were recorded. Radiological characteristics between the two groups were also compared. Correlation analysis was performed for different spinal cord compression types. Results: As per our findings, the patients in the kyphosis group showed more remarkable wedging of the vertebral body, more severe anterior compression of the spinal cord, and a higher degree of disc herniation, while the posterior compression of the spinal cord was relatively mild when compared with the nonkyphosis group. CL was related to the type of spinal cord compression, as cervical kyphosis is an independent risk factor for anterior spinal cord compression. Conclusions: DCK might play a vital role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord dysfunction. In patients with DCK, it was determined that the anterior column is less supported, and more severe anterior spinal cord compression is present. The anterior approach is supposed to be preferred for CSM patients with DCK.

Probing structural superlubricity of two-dimensional water transport with atomic resolution.

Low-dimensional water transport can be drastically enhanced under atomic-scale confinement. However, its microscopic origin is still under debate. In this work, we directly imaged the atomic structure and transport of two-dimensional water islands on graphene and hexagonal boron nitride surfaces using qPlus-based atomic force microscopy. The lattice of the water island was incommensurate with the graphene surface but commensurate with the boron nitride surface owing to different surface electrostatics. The area-normalized static friction on the graphene diminished as the island area was increased by a power of ~-0.58, suggesting superlubricity behavior. By contrast, the friction on the boron nitride appeared insensitive to the area. Molecular dynamic simulations further showed that the friction coefficient of the water islands on the graphene could reduce to <0.01.

CD147-K148me2-Driven Tumor Cell-Macrophage Crosstalk Provokes NSCLC Immunosuppression via the CCL5/CCR5 Axis.

Immunosuppression is a major hallmark of tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), an important pro-tumorigenic factor, is closely linked to NSCLC immunosuppression. However, the role of CD147 di-methylation in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. Here, di-methylation of CD147 at Lys148 (CD147-K148me2) is identified as a common post-translational modification (PTM) in NSCLC that is significantly associated with unsatisfying survival outcomes among NSCLC sufferers, especially those in the advanced stages of the disease. The methyltransferase NSD2 catalyzes CD147 to generate CD147-K148me2. Further analysis demonstrates that CD147-K148me2 reestablishes the immunosuppressive TME and promotes NSCLC progression. Mechanistically, this modification promotes the interaction between cyclophilin A (CyPA) and CD147, and in turn, increases CCL5 gene transcription by activating p38-ZBTB32 signaling, leading to increased NSCLC cell-derived CCL5 secretion. Subsequently, CD147-K148me2-mediated CCL5 upregulation facilitates M2-like tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) infiltration in NSCLC tissues via CCL5/CCR5 axis-dependent intercellular crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages, which is inhibited by blocking CD147-K148me2 with the targeted antibody 12C8. Overall, this study reveals the role of CD147-K148me2-driven intercellular crosstalk in the development of NSCLC immunosuppression, and provides a potential interventional strategy for PTM-targeted NSCLC therapy.

Risk factors for ventricular arrhythmias after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for ventricular arrhythmia after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 201 elderly AMI patients who underwent PCI in the emergency department of No. 215 Hospital of Shaanxi Nuclear Industry from April 2020 to January 2023 was analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n=134) for model development and a test set (n=67) for model validation. The training set was divided into a ventricular arrhythmia group (n=51) and a non-ventricular arrhythmia group (n=83), based on the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia post-PCI. The factors affecting ventricular arrhythmias were analyzed by logistic regression and Lasso regression models. RESULTS: Lasso regression screened 12 characteristic factors at λ=0.1 se. In the training set, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the Lasso model for predicting ventricular arrhythmia was 0.954, which was significantly higher than 0.826 for the Logistic model (P < 0.001). In the test set, the AUC of the Lasso model was 0.962, which was also significantly higher than 0.825 for the Logistic model (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Compared to the logistic regression model, the Lasso regression model can more accurately predict the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia after PCI in elderly AMI patients. The Lasso regression model constructed in this study can provide a reference for the clinical identification of high-risk elderly AMI patients and the development of targeted monitoring and treatment.

Investigation into the genotoxic impurity, 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine, in rifampicin.

This study assessed the presence of the genotoxic impurity 1-methyl-4-nitrosopiperazine (MNP) in 27 batches of rifampicin capsules obtained from 11 manufacturers in China. While they were below the temporary limit of 5 ppm set by the US Food and Drug Administration, the observed levels (0.33-2.36 ppm) exceeded the acceptable threshold of 0.16 ppm. Building upon preliminary findings and degradation experiments, we concluded that MNP is a by-product of the oxidative degradation of rifampicin or is introduced via oxidation or nitrosation during the synthesis process involving 1-methyl-4-aminopiperazine. The pathways of MNP formation were confirmed in this study. Furthermore, we observed that the addition of antioxidants, sealed storage, and selection of dominant crystal forms can aid in controlling MNP levels.

Long-term soil warming changes the profile of primary metabolites in fine roots of Norway spruce in a temperate montane forest.

Climate warming poses major threats to temperate forests, but the response of tree root metabolism has largely remained unclear. We examined the impact of long-term soil warming (>14 years, +4°C) on the fine root metabolome across three seasons for 2 years in an old spruce forest, using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry platform for primary metabolite analysis. A total of 44 primary metabolites were identified in roots (19 amino acids, 12 organic acids and 13 sugars). Warming increased the concentration of total amino acids and of total sugars by 15% and 21%, respectively, but not organic acids. We found that soil warming and sampling date, along with their interaction, directly influenced the primary metabolite profiles. Specifically, in warming plots, concentrations of arginine, glycine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, mannose, ribose, fructose, glucose and oxaloacetic acid increased by 51.4%, 19.9%, 21.5%, 19.3%, 22.1%, 23.0%, 38.0%, 40.7%, 19.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Rather than being driven by single compounds, changes in metabolite profiles reflected a general up- or downregulation of most metabolic pathway network. This emphasises the importance of metabolomics approaches in investigating root metabolic pathways and understanding the effects of climate change on tree root metabolism.

Electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the superior septal left ventricle.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Electrophysiological characteristics and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the superior septal left ventricle (SSLV) have not yet been fully characterized. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 247 patients who underwent RFCA for PVCs arising from the ventricular outflow tract between February 2020 and August 2022. The successful ablation site was on the SSLV in 37 of the 247 patients. In 12 (32.4%) of those 37 patients, a low amplitude and high frequency spiky potential (SP) was recognized. Five patients showed a narrow QRS duration (86.8 ± 4.6 ms), with a discrete SP observed in PVCs and sinus rhythm, which showed an isoelectric line with the ventricular electrogram at the earliest activation site. Seven patients showed a wide QRS duration (131.6 ± 4.5 ms), with SP observed in PVCs without an isoelectric line with the ventricular electrogram. RFCA was successful at the site of the earliest SP in all 12 patients. The time from SP onset at the successful ablation site to the QRS onset (local activation time) was 30 ± 12 ms, which differed significantly from that for the remaining 25 patients withoutSP(22.1 ± 7.1 ms, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SPs were recorded in 12 (32.4%) of the 37 patients with PVCs originating from the SSLV. The morphology of the PVCs may show a narrow or wide QRS duration and the target site for successful ablation should be identified by the earliest SP.

Mechanistic understanding of the improved drying characteristics and quality attributes of lily (Lilium lancifolium Thunb.) by modified microstructure after pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment.

The effects of the non-thermal (pulsed electric field, PEF) and thermal pretreatment (vacuum steam pulsed blanching, VSPB) on the drying kinetics, quality attributes, and multi-dimensional microstructure of lily scales were investigated. The results indicate that both PEF and VSPB pretreatments improved the drying rate compared to untreated lily scales. Specifically, PEF pretreatment reduced the drying time by 29.58 % - 43.60 %, while VSPB achieved a 46.91 % reduction in drying time. PEF treatment facilitated the enhanced leaching of phenols and flavonoids compared to VSPB treated samples, thereby increasing antioxidant activity. The rehydration ratio of the dried lilies was improved with PEF and VSPB treatment, which closely related to the microstructure. Weibull distribution and Page model demonstrated excellent fit for the drying and rehydration kinetics of lily scales, respectively (R2 > 0.993). The analysis of multi-dimensional microstructure and ultrastructure confirmed the variations in moisture migration and phytochemical contents among different treatments. Consequently, this study offers insights into the technological support for the potential of non-thermal pretreatment in fruits and vegetables.

Durability and Mechanical Properties of Nano-SiO2 and Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites Subjected to Saline Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

To investigate the effects of nano-SiO2 (NS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers on the durability and mechanical properties of cementitious composites subjected to saline freeze-thaw cycling, a series of PVA fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (PFRCC) specimens were prepared using various fiber contents, and a series of NS and PVA fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (NPFRCC) specimens were prepared using various combinations of NS and fiber contents. Durability and fracture toughness tests were subsequently conducted on the specimens after different numbers of saline freeze-thaw cycles. The results indicate that the degradation of material properties can be divided into slow and accelerated damage stages before/after 50 freeze-thaw cycles. The durability and fracture toughness of the specimen series tended to increase, then decrease with increasing NS and PVA contents, suggesting optimum levels. When the PVA fiber content was 0.5%, PFRCC specimens had the best durability after saline freeze-thaw cycles; when the NS and PVA fiber contents were 1.0% and 0.5%, respectively, NPFRCC specimens had the best durability and fracture properties, and the initiation toughness, destabilization toughness, and fracture energy after 100 saline freeze-thaw cycles were 120.69%, 160.02%, and 451.31%, respectively. The results of this study may guide future exploration of the durability and mechanical properties of concrete subjected to freeze-thaw action.

Polyvinylamine and Its Derivative as Effective Carrier for Targeted Delivery of Small RNAs.

Polymeric delivery systems could enable the fast- and low-side-effect transport of various RNA classes. Previously, we demonstrated that polyvinylamine (PVAm), a cationic polymer, transfects many kinds of RNAs with high efficiency and low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. The modification of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) with cartilage-targeting peptide (CAP) enhances its stiffness and tissue-specific delivery of RNA to overcome the avascular nature of articular cartilage. Here we describe the protocol to use PVAm as an RNA carrier, and further, by modifying PVAm with PLGA and CAP, the corresponding co-polymer could be applied for functional RNA delivery for osteoarthritis treatment.