Sustained Inflammasome Activity in Macrophages Impairs Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Humans and Mice

The hypothesis of this study was that sustained activity of the Nod-like receptor protein (NLRP)-3 inflammasome in wounds of diabetic humans and mice contributes to the persistent inflammatory response and impaired healing characteristic of these wounds. Macrophages (Mp) isolated from wounds on diabetic humans and db/db mice exhibited sustained inflammasome activity associated with low level of expression of endogenous inflammasome inhibitors. Soluble factors in the biochemical milieu of these wounds are sufficient to activate the inflammasome, as wound-conditioned medium activates caspase-1 and induces release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in cultured Mp via a reactive oxygen species–mediated pathway. Importantly, inhibiting inflammasome activity in wounds of db/db mice using topical application of pharmacological inhibitors improved healing of these wounds, induced a switch from proinflammatory to healing-associated Mp phenotypes, and increased levels of prohealing growth factors. Furthermore, data generated from bone marrow–transfer experiments from NLRP-3 or caspase-1 knockout to db/db mice indicated that blocking inflammasome activity in bone marrow cells is sufficient to improve healing. Our findings indicate that sustained inflammasome activity in wound Mp contributes to impaired early healing responses of diabetic wounds and that the inflammasome may represent a new therapeutic target for improving healing in diabetic individuals.     

Frequency and Predictors of Non-compliance to Dietary Recommendations Among Hypertensive Patients

Compliance to dietary recommendations among hypertensive people is a major health care issue. Non-compliance can nullify the effects of even the most scientific and optimum treatment plan. The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency and predictors of non-adherence in our region. We also investigated the possible factors based on patient opinions that could increase compliance. A sample of 400 adult patients, diagnosed with hypertension for at least 3 years, who visited Civil Hospital during the time period April–June 2013 were included in this cross sectional study. Patient data and opinions were collected by two trained interviewers using a pre-coded questionnaire. Compliance was assessed based on patients self report. More than three quarters (n = 310, 77.5 %) of the hypertensive patients were non-compliant. More than one social gathering in a week, peer-influence, no friends to follow the recommended diet plan and lack of believe regarding diet as an effective measure to control blood pressure were found to be the significant predictors of non-compliance (P values <0.0001). Counseling was thought to be the most effective way by the patients to increase adherence. Non-compliance to dietary recommendations is a major problem prevalent especially in Pakistan. There is an urgent need for doctors and nurses to counsel their patients effectively to prevent future morbidities and mortalities because of non-compliance.     

风池穴不同刺法对椎动脉型颈椎病的临床疗效评价

目的:探究风池穴不同刺法对椎动脉型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:选择2018年4月—2019年1月北京中医药大学东直门医院针灸科门诊就诊的84例椎动脉型颈椎病患者作为研究对象,分为观察组43例、对照组41例。观察组采用短刺法针刺风池穴治疗,对照组采用平补平泻法针刺风池穴治疗,1个疗程后比较两组患者的ESCV、颈椎病症状分级量化表评分以及TCD相关指标,TCD指标观察基底动脉和双侧椎动脉的平均血流速度(Vm)、收缩期血流速度峰值(Vs)、血管搏动指数(PI)和血管阻力指数(RI)的变化。结果:治疗前后两组ESCV、颈椎病症状分级量化表评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且椎动脉、基底动脉的Vs、Vm较治疗前明显减慢,且观察组治疗效果优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:针刺风池穴治疗椎动脉型颈椎病临床效果显著,且短刺法优于平补平泻法。     

Synthesis of Ni–Ag–ZnO solid solution nanoparticles for photoreduction and antimicrobial applications

ZnO is one of the most promising and efficient semiconductor materials for various light-harvesting applications. Herein, we reported the tuning of optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by co-incorporation of Ni and Ag ions in the ZnO lattice. A sonochemical approach was used to synthesize pure ZnO NPs, Ni–ZnO, Ag–ZnO and Ag/Ni–ZnO with different concentrations of Ni and Ag (0.5%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 15%) and Ni doped Ag–ZnO solid solutions with 0.25%, 0.5%, and 5% Ni ions. The as-synthesized Ni–Ag–ZnO solid solution NPs were characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction (pXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV-vis (UV) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Ni–Ag co-incorporation into a ZnO lattice reduces charge recombination by inducing charge trap states between the valence and conduction bands of ZnO and interfacial transfer of electrons. The Ni doped Ag–ZnO solid solution NPs have shown superior 4-nitrophenol reduction compared to pure ZnO NPs which do not show this reaction. Furthermore, a methylene blue (MB) clock reaction was also performed. Antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus has inhibited the growth pattern of both strains depending on the concentration of catalysts.

The synergic effect of Ni and Ag in Ni–Ag–ZnO solid solutions has tuned the optoelectronic properties of ZnO for photoreduction reactions.     

经尿道等离子双极电切术治疗良性前列腺增生(附80例报告)

目的 探讨经尿道前列腺等离子双极电切术(PKRP)治疗前列腺增生(BPH)的疗效.方法 采用PKRP治疗BPH80例,随访1～10个月.结果 80例BPH患者均成功手术.术中止血效果满意,无前列腺电切综合征(TURS).国际前列症状评分(I-PSS)由(27.4±3.2)分降至(8.1±4.2)分.最大尿流率(Qmax)由(6.1±1.9)ml/s升至(23.7±3.1)ml/s.结论 PKRP治疗BPH具有创伤小、安全、恢复快、并发症少,是一种治疗BPH的理想方式.     

中国汉族成人正常（牙合）牙体舌侧形态的测量研究

对中国汉族年轻成人正常（牙合）牙齿的舌侧形态进行三维测量,为研发基于中国人牙体舌侧形态的舌侧直丝弓托槽提供数据参考。方法：采用上海正雅齿科科技有限公司开发的数字化正畸设计系统软件,对普查获得的64副中国汉族正常（牙合）个体的牙齿模型进行三维扫描,并对三维数字模型舌侧面进行计算机定点及测量分析。结果：获得正常（牙合）人群牙齿舌侧的轴倾度、转矩角、冠凸距和尖牙与磨牙补偿角指标的参考值,与国内相关研究结果相近。结论：本研究的测量结果可用于研发中国人舌侧直丝弓托槽标准型。