Altered ALFF in the RRMS patients.

<p>Note: ALFF: amplitude of low frequency fluctuation, L: left, LH: left hemisphere, R: right, RH: right hemisphere; RRMS = relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The color bars indicate the display window for t-values.</p

Spatiotemporal Control of Supramolecular Self-Assembly and Function

The enzyme-triggered self-assembly of peptides has flourished in controlling the self-assembly kinetics and producing nanostructures that are typically inaccessible by conventional self-assembly pathways. However, the diffusion and nanoscale chemical gradient of self-assembling peptides generated by the enzyme also significantly affect the outcome of self-assembly, which has not been reported yet. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time a spatiotemporal control of enzyme-triggered peptide self-assembly. By simply adjusting the temperature, we could change both the catalytic activity of the enzyme of phosphatase and their aggregation states. The strategy kinetically controls the production rate of self-assembling peptides and spatially controls their distribution in the system, leading to the formation of nanoparticles at 37 °C and nanofibers at 4 °C. The nanofibers showed ∼10 times higher cellular uptake by 3T3 cells than the nanoparticles, thanks to their higher stability and more ordered structures. Using such spatiotemporal control, we could prepare optimized nanoprobes with low background fluorescence, rapid and high cellular uptake, and high sensitivity. We postulate that this strategy would be very useful in general for preparing self-assembled nanomaterials with controllable morphology and function

Additional file 2: of Buyang Huanwu decoction facilitates neurorehabilitation through an improvement of synaptic plasticity in cerebral ischemic rats

Modified neurobehavioral assessment score. (PDF 15 kb

Supramolecular “Trojan Horse” for Nuclear Delivery of Dual Anticancer Drugs

Nuclear delivery and accumulation are very important for many anticancer drugs that interact with DNA or its associated enzymes in the nucleus. However, it is very difficult for neutrally and negatively charged anticancer drugs such as 10-hydroxy­campto­thecine (HCPT). Here we report a simple strategy to construct supramolecular nanomedicines for nuclear delivery of dual synergistic anticancer drugs. Our strategy utilizes the coassembly of a negatively charged HCPT-peptide amphiphile and the positively charged cisplatin. The resulting nanomaterials behave as the “Trojan Horse” that transported soldiers (anticancer drugs) across the walls of the castle (cell and nucleus membranes). Therefore, they show improved inhibition capacity to cancer cells including the drug resistant cancer cell and promote the synergistic tumor suppression property in vivo. We envision that our strategy of constructing nanomaterials by metal chelation would offer new opportunities to develop nanomedicines for combination chemotherapy

Data_Sheet_1_Decision tree model based prediction of the efficacy of acupuncture in methadone maintenance treatment.pdf

BackgroundPatients with MMT often face difficulties such as sleep disturbance, headaches, and difficulty in complete abstinence from drugs. Research has shown that acupuncture can mitigate side effects while attenuating methadone dependence. It also has a synergistic and attenuated effect on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Exploring the predictors of the efficacy of acupuncture intervention in MMT might help clinicians and patients promote acupuncture-assisted participation in MMT, and improve clinical treatment strategies for MMT.ObjectiveTo describe the effect of potential predictors on MMT after acupuncture intervention by building a decision-tree model of data from A Clinical Study of Acupuncture-assisted MMT.Design, setting, and participantsIn this randomized controlled trial, 135 patients with MMT underwent acupuncture at the Substance Dependence Department of Guangzhou Huiai Hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.InterventionA total of 135 patients were 1:1 randomly assigned to either an acupuncture plus routine care group (acupuncture plus methadone) or a routine group (methadone only) for 6 weeks, and followed up for 10 weeks. Sex, age, education level, route of previous opioid use, years of opioid use, and MMT time were recorded before the trial.Outcome measurements and statistical analysisAll analyses were based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. The two decision tree models used the change of methadone dosage and the VAS score for opioid desire as response variables, respectively, and the evaluation criteria were positive effect (decreased by ≥20%) and no effect (decreased by ResultsThe overall accuracy of methadone reduction and psychological craving VAS scoring decision trees were 0.63 and 0.74, respectively. The Methadone Dosage Efficacy decision tree identified years of opioid use (weight = 0.348), acupuncture (weight = 0.346), and route of previous opioid use (weight = 0.162) as key features. For the VAS Score decision tree, acupuncture (weight = 0.618), MMT time (weight = 0.235), and age (weight = 0.043) were the important features.ConclusionExploratory decision tree analysis showed that acupuncture, years of opioid use, route of previous opioid use, MMT time, and age were key predictors of the MMT treatment. Thus, acupuncture-assisted MMT strategy should consider the relevant influencing factors mentioned above.Patient summaryUnderstanding patient characteristics and the impact of acupuncture regimens on methadone dosage reduction in MMT patients may help physicians determine the best treatment regimen for patients. An analysis of data from our clinical trial showed that acupuncture, years of opioid use, route of previous opioid use, age, and MMT time were key predictors of progressive recovery in patients with MMT. Eligible patients may benefit most from the MMT rehabilitation that reduces consumption and psychological cravings for methadone.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR1900026357.</p

Image2_Repair of fingertip defect with reverse digital artery island flap and repair of donor site with digital dorsal advancement flap.jpeg

ObjectiveThe reverse digital artery island flap (RDAF) is widely used in repairing fingertip skin defects based on its good appearance and practicability. However, the donor area of the flap needs skin grafting, which can lead to complications. This retrospective study explored the clinical application of digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF) in repairing the donor site of the reverse digital artery island flap.MethodFrom June 2019 to February 2022, 17 patients with a soft tissue defect of the finger had been restored with the reverse digital artery island flap, and at the same time, the donor area was repaired with digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF). The sensitivity, the active range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction were assessed after the operation.ResultsAll flaps survived completely without skin grafting with only one linear scar. The sensory and motor functions of all patients recovered well. Assessment based on the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) showed satisfactory functional recovery for all patients.ConclusionsReconstruction using RDAF combined with DDAF represents an effective alternative for repairing fingertip skin defects.</p

Image1_Repair of fingertip defect with reverse digital artery island flap and repair of donor site with digital dorsal advancement flap.jpeg

ObjectiveThe reverse digital artery island flap (RDAF) is widely used in repairing fingertip skin defects based on its good appearance and practicability. However, the donor area of the flap needs skin grafting, which can lead to complications. This retrospective study explored the clinical application of digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF) in repairing the donor site of the reverse digital artery island flap.MethodFrom June 2019 to February 2022, 17 patients with a soft tissue defect of the finger had been restored with the reverse digital artery island flap, and at the same time, the donor area was repaired with digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF). The sensitivity, the active range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction were assessed after the operation.ResultsAll flaps survived completely without skin grafting with only one linear scar. The sensory and motor functions of all patients recovered well. Assessment based on the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) showed satisfactory functional recovery for all patients.ConclusionsReconstruction using RDAF combined with DDAF represents an effective alternative for repairing fingertip skin defects.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Effectiveness of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training vs. rehabilitation training alone for post-stroke shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.pdf

BackgroundPost-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP) is characterized by shoulder pain on the hemiplegic side, which can limit physical activity in patients with stroke. Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training (AR) has been widely used in PSSP, but the evidence of its effectiveness is still unclear.ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the effect and safety of AR vs. rehabilitation training (RT) alone on PSSP.MethodsWe searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBM), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the WAN FANG database for relevant studies from their inception to February 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of AR with RT alone on PSSP were considered. The primary outcome was shoulder pain. Secondary outcomes included upper limb motor function, activities of daily living (ADL), shoulder range of motion (ROM), and adverse events (AEs). Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. Quality assessment was implemented based on Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) criteria, which consist of seven items. When more than four items in a study were judged as low ROB, the overall quality of this study was considered low risk.ResultsA total of 40 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and 35 (87.5%) studies with 2,554 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Of the 40 studies, 14 (35.0%) were of moderate-to-high quality. The meta-analysis results showed that AR is better than RT alone in reducing shoulder pain (MD −1.32, 95% CI −1.58 to −1.07), improving upper limb motor function (MD 6.81, 95% CI 4.95–8.67), ADL (MD 11.17, 95% CI 9.44–12.91), and shoulder ROM (internal rotation: MD 10.48, 95% CI 8.14–12.83; backward extension: MD 7.82, 95% CI 6.00–9.64; anteflexion: MD 12.88, 95% CI 5.47–20.29; external rotation: MD 11.40, 95% CI 6.17–16.64; abduction: MD 16.96, 95% CI 8.61–25.31) without obvious AEs.ConclusionAR may be better than RT alone for the improvement of shoulder pain, upper limb motor function, ADL, and shoulder ROM, without obvious AEs in patients with PSSP. However, considering the clinical and statistical heterogeneity, our findings need to be interpreted with caution. More rigorous RCTs in this area should be conducted in the future.Systematic review registration[www.crd.york.ac.uk], identifier [CRD42022326763].</p

Image4_Repair of fingertip defect with reverse digital artery island flap and repair of donor site with digital dorsal advancement flap.jpeg

ObjectiveThe reverse digital artery island flap (RDAF) is widely used in repairing fingertip skin defects based on its good appearance and practicability. However, the donor area of the flap needs skin grafting, which can lead to complications. This retrospective study explored the clinical application of digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF) in repairing the donor site of the reverse digital artery island flap.MethodFrom June 2019 to February 2022, 17 patients with a soft tissue defect of the finger had been restored with the reverse digital artery island flap, and at the same time, the donor area was repaired with digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF). The sensitivity, the active range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction were assessed after the operation.ResultsAll flaps survived completely without skin grafting with only one linear scar. The sensory and motor functions of all patients recovered well. Assessment based on the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) showed satisfactory functional recovery for all patients.ConclusionsReconstruction using RDAF combined with DDAF represents an effective alternative for repairing fingertip skin defects.</p

Video1_Repair of fingertip defect with reverse digital artery island flap and repair of donor site with digital dorsal advancement flap.mp4

ObjectiveThe reverse digital artery island flap (RDAF) is widely used in repairing fingertip skin defects based on its good appearance and practicability. However, the donor area of the flap needs skin grafting, which can lead to complications. This retrospective study explored the clinical application of digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF) in repairing the donor site of the reverse digital artery island flap.MethodFrom June 2019 to February 2022, 17 patients with a soft tissue defect of the finger had been restored with the reverse digital artery island flap, and at the same time, the donor area was repaired with digital dorsal advance flap (DDAF). The sensitivity, the active range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction were assessed after the operation.ResultsAll flaps survived completely without skin grafting with only one linear scar. The sensory and motor functions of all patients recovered well. Assessment based on the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) showed satisfactory functional recovery for all patients.ConclusionsReconstruction using RDAF combined with DDAF represents an effective alternative for repairing fingertip skin defects.</p