Artificial intelligence-assisted repair of peripheral nerve injury: a new research hotspot and associated challenges

Artificial intelligence can be indirectly applied to the repair of peripheral nerve injury.Specifically,it can be used to analyze and process data regarding peripheral nerve injury and repair,while study findings on peripheral nerve injury and repair can provide valuable data to enrich artificial intelligence algorithms.To investigate advances in the use of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis,rehabilitation,and scientific examination of peripheral nerve injury,we used CiteSpace and VOSviewer software to analyze the relevant literature included in the Web of Science from 1994–2023.We identified the following research hotspots in peripheral nerve injury and repair:(1)diagnosis,classification,and prognostic assessment of peripheral nerve injury using neuroimaging and artificial intelligence techniques,such as corneal confocal microscopy and coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy;(2)motion control and rehabilitation following peripheral nerve injury using artificial neural networks and machine learning algorithms,such as wearable devices and assisted wheelchair systems;(3)improving the accuracy and effectiveness of peripheral nerve electrical stimulation therapy using artificial intelligence techniques combined with deep learning,such as implantable peripheral nerve interfaces;(4)the application of artificial intelligence technology to brain-machine interfaces for disabled patients and those with reduced mobility,enabling them to control devices such as networked hand prostheses;(5)artificial intelligence robots that can replace doctors in certain procedures during surgery or rehabilitation,thereby reducing surgical risk and complications,and facilitating postoperative recovery.Although artificial intelligence has shown many benefits and potential applications in peripheral nerve injury and repair,there are some limitations to this technology,such as the consequences of missing or imbalanced data,low data accuracy and reproducibility,and ethical issues(e.g.,privacy,data security,research transparency).Future research should address the issue of data collection,as large-scale,high-quality clinical datasets are required to establish effective artificial intelligence models.Multimodal data processing is also necessary,along with interdisciplinary collaboration,medical-industrial integration,and multicenter,large-sample clinical studies.

Improvement of quantitative analysis of molybdenum element using PLS-based approaches for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in various pressure environments

An experimental setup has been designed and realized in order to optimize the characteristics of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system working in various pressure environments. An approach combined the normalization methods with the partial least squares(PLS) method are developed for quantitative analysis of molybdenum(Mo) element in the multi-component alloy,which is the first wall material in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. In this study, the different spectral normalization methods(total spectral area normalization,background normalization, and reference line normalization) are investigated for reducing the uncertainty and improving the accuracy of spectral measurement. The results indicates that the approach of PLS based on inter-element interference is significantly better than the conventional PLS methods as well as the univariate linear methods in the various pressure for molybdenum element analysis.

Regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis by MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 contributes to pathogen and drought resistance in apple

MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 have been demonstrated to be responsible for lignin accumulation in apple under drought stress.In this study,using a metabolomic approach,we identified differentially accumulated phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolites in MdMYB88/124 transgenic RNAi plants under control and long-term drought stress conditions in apple roots.We confirmed the regulation of phenylalanine by MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 via UPLC-MS in apple roots under both control and drought conditions.Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay(EMSA)and ChIPquantitative PCR(qPCR)analyses,we found that MdMYB88 positively regulates the MdCM2 gene,which is responsible for phenylalanine biosynthesis,through binding to its promoter region.Under long-term drought conditions,MdMYB88/124 RNAi plants consistently accumulated increased amounts of H2O2 and MDA,while MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 overexpression plants accumulated decreased amounts of H2O2 and MDA.We also examined the accumulation of metabolites in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway in the leaves of MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 transgenic apple plants after long-term drought stress.We found that metabolites responsible for plant defense,including phenylpropanoids and flavonoids,accumulated less in the RNAi plants but more in the overexpression plants under both control and drought conditions.We further demonstrated that MdMYB88/124 RNAi plants were more sensitive to Alternaria alternata f.sp.mali and Valsa mali,two pathogens that currently severely threaten apple production.In contrast,MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 overexpression plants were more tolerant to these pathogens.The cumulative results of this study provided evidence for secondary metabolite regulation by MdMYB88 and MdMYB124,further explained the molecular roles of MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 in drought resistance,and provided information concerning molecular aspects of their roles in disease resistance.

Effect of parameter setting and spectral normalization approach on study of matrix effect by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy of Ag–Zn binary composites

The complex nature of laser-material interaction causes non-stoichiometric ablation of alloy samples.This is attributed to matrix effect, which reduces analyzing capability. To address this issue, the analytical performance of three different normalization methods, namely normalization with background, internal normalization and three point smoothing techniques at different parameter settings is studied for quantification of Ag and Zn by Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS).The LIBS spectra of five known concentration of silver zinc binary composites have been investigated at various laser irradiances(LIs). Calibration curves for both Ag(I) line(4d^(10)5s^2S_(1/2)→4d^(10)5p^2P_(1/2) at 338.28 nm) and Zn(I) line(4s5s^3S_1→4s4p^3P_2 at 481.053 nm) have been determined at LI of 5.86?×?10^(10)W cm^(-2). Slopes of these calibration curves provide the valuation of matrix effect in the Ag–Zn composites. With careful sample preparation and normalization after smoothing at optimum parameter setting(OPS), the minimization of sample matrix effect has been successfully achieved. A good linearity has been obtained in Ag and Zn calibration curve at OPS when normalized the whole area of spectrum after smoothing and the obtained coefficients of determination values were R^2?=?0.995 and 0.998 closer to 1. The results of matrix effect have been further verified by analysis of plasma parameters. Both plasma parameters showed no change with varying concentration at OPS. However, at high concentration of Ag, the observed significant changes in both plasma parameters at common parameter setting PS-1 and PS-2 were the gesture of matrix effect. In our case, the better analytical results were obtained at smoothing function with optimized parameter setting that indicates it is more efficient than normalization with background and internal normalization method.

Temporal and spatial evolution measurement of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy on hydrogen retention in tantalum

Fuel retention measurement on plasma-facing components is an active field of study in magnetic confinement nuclear fusion devices.The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS)diagnostic method has been well demonstrated to detect the elemental distribution in PFCs.In this work,an upgraded co-axis LIBS system based on a linear fiber bundle collection system has been developed to measure the hydrogen(H) retention on a tantalum(Ta) sample under a vacuum condition.The spatial resolution measurement of the different positions of the LIBS plasma can be achieved simultaneously with varying delay times.The temporal and spatial evolution results of LIBS plasma emission show that the H plasma observably expands from the delay times of 0-200 ns.The diameter of Ta plasma is about 6 mm which is much less than the size of H plasma after 200 ns.The difference in the temporal and spatial evolution behaviors between H plasma and Ta plasma is due to the great difference in the atomic mass of H and Ta.The depth profile result shows that H retention mainly exists on the surface of the sample.The temporal and spatial evolution behaviors of the electron excited temperature are consistent with that of the Ta emission.The result will further improve the understanding of the evolution of the dynamics of LIBS plasma and optimize the current collection system of in situ LIBS in fusion devices.

Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Using the Krackow and Tendon-Bundle Techniques

Background Acute Achilles tendon rupture is a severe injury of the lower extremities;however,optimal treatment options are not yet available.This study aimed to investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of the Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques for managing acute Achilles tendon rupture.Methods This retrospective case series study analyzed 17 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture at the Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from December 2012 to January 2020.There were 16 men and one woman,aged 27–45 years,with an average of 39.6 years.Thirteen patients were injured while playing basketball or badminton,and 4 patients were injured while participating in a football match or other sports.All injuries were repaired using the Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques.Postoperative evaluation indicators included active range of motion during ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion,height of single foot heel lifting,Amer-Lindholm Achilles tendon function score,and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)score.Results The patients were followed-up for 6–45 months(average,18.9 months).There was no re-rupture of the Achilles tendon,wound infection,or sural nerve injury.At the final follow-up,the affected and contralateral sides exhibited plantar flexion of 42.1±4.4°and 43.8±2.8°,dorsiflexion of 15.8±2.9°and 16.6±2.9°,respectively,and one foot exhibited a heel lifting height of 7.2±1.0 cm and 7.5±0.9 cm,respectively.There was no significant difference between the affected and contralateral sides(P>0.05).At the final follow-up,the Amer-Lindholm Achilles tendon function score was excellent in 94.1%(16/17)of the patients and good in 5.9%(1/17)of the patients.The AOFAS scores ranged from 90 to 100,with an average of 96.4±3.7.Conclusion Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques can improve the strength of the suture used for the Achilles tendon repair and ensure good matching for broken ends,and thus it is an effective repair method for closed Achilles tendon injury.

Compatibility evaluation of modified seawater for EOR in carbonate reservoirs through the introduction of polyphosphate compound

Waterflood-assisted oil recovery with sulfate-spiked seawater would cause incompatibility scaling in carbonate reservoirs and reduce economic benefits.This research investigated the benefits of polyphosphate compounds in reducing scaling potential as well as its effect on oil recovery when mixed in high sulfate flood water.Severity of scaling potential of sulfate-spiked water in a carbonate reservoir environment was measured,followed by systematic screening of a polyphosphate compound,which successfully inhibited the sulfate scale precipitation at concentration as low as 100 ppm.The new formulation(seawater with four times sulfate and phosphate,SW4 SP)was evaluated and compared with benchmark formulation(modified seawater with four times sulfate,SW4 S).Contact angle,ζ-potential and drainage studies show that SW4 SP changed the rock wettability from oil wet to water wet to a larger degree compared to SW4 S.Improved recovery efficiency of SW4 SP was confirmed through a set of core flooding studies in the tertiary and quaternary flood modes.Whereas SW4 S recovered 7.7%of original oil in place(OOIP),SW4 SP recovered about 8%of OOIP in the tertiary mode under approximately identical flow conditions.Flooding with SW4 SP in the quaternary mode following a tertiary flood with SW4 S on the same core resulted in 1.7%additional oil recovery,showing improved efficiency of the new flood water formulation.

Facile One-Pot Synthesis of ZSM-5 Aggregates with Interand Intra-Crystalline Mesopores for Methanol to Gasoline Conversion

ZSM-5 aggregates consisting of superfine and hierarchical nanocrystals(combined with micropores and intra-crystalline mesopores) with an average size of 30 nm were prepared through one-pot synthesis with the assistance of anionic polyacrylamide(APAM). The resultant zeolites(AHN-ZSM-5) were characterized by XRD, ICP-OES, SEM, TEM, BET, NH_3-TPD, Py-IR, and TG analyses and evaluated in the methanol to gasoline(MTG) reaction. Characterization results show that the hierarchical ZSM-5 aggregates possessed two kinds of mesopores, namely inter-and intra-crystalline mesopores. The amount of APAM considerably influenced the mesoporosity and textural properties of AHN-ZSM-5 zeolites. With the addition of APAM in the synthesis, the AHN-ZSM-5 zeolites exhibited large mesopore volume, large external surface area, and appropriate acidity. When applied in the MTG reaction, AHN-ZSM-5 demonstrated a catalytic lifetime that was 1.6 times longer than that of conventional ZSM-5 synthesized in the absence of APAM.

Short-Term Prediction of Photovoltaic Power Based on Fusion Device Feature-Transfer

To attain the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutralization,the inevitable choice is the open sharing of power data and connection to the grid of high-permeability renewable energy.However,this approach is hindered by the lack of training data for predicting new grid-connected PV power stations.To overcome this problem,this work uses open and shared power data as input for a short-term PV-power-prediction model based on feature transfer learning to facilitate the generalization of the PV-power-prediction model to multiple PV-power stations.The proposed model integrates a structure model,heat-dissipation conditions,and the loss coefficients of PV modules.Clear-Sky entropy,characterizes seasonal and weather data features,describes the main meteorological characteristics at the PV power station.Taking gate recurrent unit neural networks as the framework,the open and shared PV-power data as the source-domain training label,and a small quantity of power data from a new grid-connected PV power station as the target-domain training label,the neural network hidden layer is shared between the target domain and the source domain.The fully connected layer is established in the target domain,and the regularization constraint is introduced to fine-tune and suppress the overfitting in feature transfer.The prediction of PV power is completed by using the actual power data of PV power stations.The average measures of the normalized root mean square error(NRMSE),the normalized mean absolute percentage error(NMAPE),and the normalized maximum absolute percentage error(NLAE)for the model decrease by 15%,12%,and 35%,respectively,which reflects a much greater adaptability than is possible with other methods.These results show that the proposed method is highly generalizable to different types of PV devices and operating environments that offer insufficient training data.

Development and performance evaluation of a culture-independent nanopore amplicon-based sequencing method for accurate typing and antimicrobial resistance profiling in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Dear Editor,Bacterial antimicrobial resistance(AMR)poses a serious threat to global human health(Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators,2022).Comprehensive profiling of AMR and accurate molecular typing are important for tracking and controlling the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria(Yahara et al.,2021).We previously developed a multiplex amplicon sequencing-based method for directly sequencing AMR-related loci in N.gonorrhoeae from clinical samples(Zhang et al.,2021).

A multiplex method for detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic and the continuous evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)have highlighted the significance of new detection methods for global monitoring and prevention.Although quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR),the current gold standard for diagnosis,performs excellently in genetic testing,its multiplexing capability is limited because of the signal crosstalk of various fluorophores.Herein,we present a highly effi-cient platform which combines 17-plex assays with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),enabling the targeting of 14 different mutation sites of the spike gene.Diagnosis using a set of 324 nasopharyngeal swabs or sputum clinical samples with SARS-CoV-2 MS method was identical to that with the RT-qPCR.The detection consistency of mutation sites was 97.9%(47/48)com-pared to Sanger sequencing without cross-reaction with other respiratory-related pathogens.Therefore,the MS method is highly potent to track and assess SARS-CoV-2 changes in a timely manner,thereby aiding the continuous response to viral variation and prevention of further transmission.

Coat protein of rice stripe virus enhances autophagy activity through interaction with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases,a negative regulator of plant autophagy

Viral infection commonly induces autophagy,leading to antiviral responses or conversely,promoting viral infection or replication.In this study,using the experimental plant Nicotiana benthamiana,we demonstrated that the rice stripe virus(RSV)coat protein(CP)enhanced autophagic activity through interaction with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2(GAPC2),a negative regulator of plant autophagy that binds to an autophagy key factor,autophagy-related protein 3(ATG3).Competitive pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP)assays showed that RSV CP activated autophagy by disrupting the interaction between GAPC2 and ATG3.An RSV CP mutant that was unable to bind GAPC2 failed to disrupt the interaction between GAPC2 and ATG3 and therefore lost its ability to induce autophagy.RSV CP enhanced the autophagic degradation of a viral movement protein(MP)encoded by a heterologous virus,citrus leaf blotch virus(CLBV).However,the autophagic degradation of RSV-encoded MP and RNA-silencing suppressor(NS3)proteins was inhibited in the presence of CP,suggesting that RSV CP can protect MP and NS3 against autophagic degradation.Moreover,in the presence of MP,RSV CP could induce the autophagic degradation of a remorin protein(NbREM1),which negatively regulates RSV infection through the inhibition of viral cell-to-cell movement.Overall,our results suggest that RSV CP induces a selective autophagy to suppress the antiviral factors while protecting RSV-encoded viral proteins against autophagic degradation through an as-yet-unknown mechanism.This study showed that RSV CP plays dual roles in the autophagy-related interaction between plants and viruses.

Polycaprolactone strengthening keratin/bioactive glass composite scaffolds with double cross-linking networks for potential application in bone repair

In this study,we aimed at constructing polycaprolactone(PCL)reinforced keratin/bioactive glass composite scaffolds with a double cross-linking network structure for potential bone repair application.Thus,the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold was prepared by using keratin extracted from wool as main organic component and bioactive glass(BG)as main inorganic component,through both cross-linking systems,such as the thiol-ene click reaction between abundant sulfhydryl groups of keratin and the unsaturated double bond of 3-methacryloxy propyltrimethoxy silane(MPTS),and the amino-epoxy reaction between amino groups of keratin and the epoxy group in(3-glycidoxymethyl)methyldiethoxysilane(GPTMS)molecule,along with introduction of PCL as a reinforcing agent.The success of the thiol-ene reaction was verified by the FTIR and 1H-NMR analyses.And the structure of keratin-BG and PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffolds were studied and compared by the FTIR and XRD characterization,which indicated the successful preparation of the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold.In addition,the SEM observation,and contact angle and water absorption rate measurements demonstrated that the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold has interconnected porous structure,appropriate pore size and good hydrophilicity,which is helpful to cell adhesion,differentiation and proliferation.Importantly,compression experiments showed that,when compared with the keratin-BG composite scaffold,the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold increased greatly from 0.91±0.06 MPa and 7.25±1.7 MPa to 1.58±0.21 MPa and 14.14±1.95 MPa,respectively,which suggesting the strong reinforcement of polycaprolactone.In addition,the biomineralization experiment and MTT assay indicated that the PCL-keratin-BG scaffold has good mineralization ability and no-cytotoxicity,which can promote cell adhesion,proliferation and growth.Therefore,the results suggested that the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold has the potential as a candidate for application in bone regeneration field.

活体肝移植供肝脂肪变性评估研究进展

脂肪变性供肝作为边缘性供肝,已成为扩展供肝来源的重要渠道。因此,肝移植术前评估供肝脂肪变性程度尤为重要。临床判断肝脂肪变性发展程度以肝穿刺活检结果作为依据,但给患者带来一定创伤风险。随着影像学和生物学检测技术的不断发展,超声、CT、MRI、磁共振波谱分析和生物标志物等已被用于评估肝移植供肝脂肪变性程度。本文综述上述临床手段在评估脂肪变性供肝质量方面的研究进展,分析其在临床应用中的优缺点,为临床安全、快速和无创评估脂肪变性供肝提供参考。

Coat protein of Chinese wheat mosaic virus upregulates and interacts with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase,a negative regulator of plant autophagy,to promote virus infection

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation mechanism involved in antiviral defense,but the strategies employed by plant viruses to counteract autophagy-related defense remain unknown for the majority of the viruses.Herein,we describe how the Chinese wheat mosaic virus(CWMV,genus Furovirus)interferes with autophagy and enhances its infection in Nicotiana benthamiana.Yeast two-hybrid screening and in vivo/in vitro assays revealed that the 19 k Da coat protein(CP19 K)of CWMV interacts with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases(GAPCs),negative regulators of autophagy,which bind autophagy-related protein 3(ATG3),a key factor in autophagy.CP19 K also directly interacts with ATG3,possibly leading to the formation of a CP19 K–GAPC–ATG3 complex.CP19 K–GAPC interaction appeared to intensify CP19 K–ATG3 binding.Moreover,CP19 K expression upregulated GAPC gene transcripts and reduced autophagic activities.Accordingly,the silencing of GAPC genes in transgenic N.benthamiana reduced CWMV accumulation,whereas CP19 K overexpression enhanced it.Overall,our results suggest that CWMV CP19 K interferes with autophagy through the promotion and utilization of the GAPC role as a negative regulator of autophagy.

Clinical practice guideline on liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in China(2021 edition)

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the main cause of cancer-related deaths in adult men under the age of 60 years in China.^([1])Liver transplantation(LT)is generally recognized as one of the most effective therapeutic approaches for end-stage liver diseases.LT guidelines for HCC were firstly launched in 2014 and were updated in 2018.Recently,further updates are required to adapt to the new situation of LT in China and to continue advancing the recommendations.(Full version in Supplementary file,http://links.lww.com/CM9/B362).

Comparing surface erosion processes in four soils from the Loess Plateau under extreme rainfall events

This research aims to improve erosion control practice in the Loess Plateau,by studying the surface erosion processes,including splash,sheet/interrill and rill erosion in four contrasting soils under high rainfall intensity(120 mm h^(−1))with three-scale indoor artificial experiments.Four contrasting soils as sandy loam,sandy clay loam,clay loam and loamy clay were collected from different parts of the Loess Plateau.The results showed that sediment load was significantly impacted by soil properties in all three sub-processes.Splash rate(4.0-21.6 g m^(−2∙)min^(−1))was highest in sandy loam from the north part of the Loess Plateau and showed a negative power relation with the mean weight diameter of aggregates after 20 min of rainfall duration.The average sediment load by sheet/interrill erosion(6.94-42.86 g m^(−2∙)min^(−1))was highest in clay loam from middle part of the Loess Plateau,and the stable sediment load after 20 min showed a positive power relation with the silt content in soil.The average sediment load increased dramatically by rill and interrill erosion(21.03-432.16 g m^(−2∙)min^(−1)),which was highest in loamy clay from south part of the Loess Plateau.The average sediment load after the occurrence of rill showed a positive power relation with clay content and a negative power relation with soil organic matter content.The impacts of slope gradient on the runoff rate and sediment load also changed with soil properties.The critical factors varied for different processes,which were the aggregate size for splash erosion,the content of silt particles and slope gradient for sheet/interrill erosion,and the content of clay particles,soil organic matter and slope gradient for rill erosion.Based on the results of the experiments,specific erosion control practices were proposed by targeting certain erosion processes in areas with different soil texture and different distribution of slope gradient.The findings from this study should support the improvement of erosion prediction and cropland management in different regions of the Loess Plateau.

Evapotranspiration partitioning using an optimality-based ecohydrological model in a semiarid shrubland

Partitioning of evapotranspiration(ET)into biological component transpiration(T)and non-biological component evaporation(E)is crucial in understanding the impact of environmental change on ecosystems and water resources.However,direct measurement of transpiration is still challenging.In this paper,an optimality-based ecohydrological model named Vegetation Optimality Model(VOM)is applied for ET partitioning.The results show that VOM model can reasonably simulate ET and ET components in a semiarid shrubland.Overall,the ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration is 49%for the whole period.Evaporation and plant transpiration mainly occur in monsoon following the precipitation events.Evaporation responds immediately to precipitation events,while transpiration shows a lagged response of several days to those events.Different years demonstrate different patterns of T/ET ratio dynamic in monsoon.Some of the years show a low T/ET ratio at the beginning of monsoon and slowly increased T/ET ratio.Other years show a high level of T/ET ratio for the whole monsoon.We find out that spring precipitation,especially the size of the precipitation,has a significant influence on the T/ET ratio in monsoon.

Impact of living donor liver with steatosis and idiopathic portal inflammation on clinical outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation:Beijing experience

Background:To evaluate the impact of steatosis and/or idiopathic portal inflammation(IPI)in living donor livers on recipients’clinical outcomes.Methods:We assessed 305 qualified donor liver samples from June 2013 to December 2018.Donors and recipients’clinical characteristics,including follow-up data were retrieved.The graft and overall survival with/without steatosis or portal inflammation were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results:For living donors,the medium age of was 31.2(28,35.8)years old;liver histopathology showed macrovesicular steatosis:0-5%264/305(86.6%)and 5-30%41/305(13.4%),IPI:no 220/305(72.1%)and mild 85/305(27.9%).For recipients,the medium age was 1.0(0.6,1.5)years old;the median pediatric-end-stage-liver-disease score was 16(5.0,26.0)and medium follow-up time was 32.8(24.8,52.0)months.Biliary atresia(69.5%)was the main indication for liver transplantation(LT).Conclusions:The presence of steatosis and portal inflammation of the donor liver did not impact the clinical outcomes including transaminase or bilirubin normalization,short-/long-term complications and recipients’survival.However,recipients with high pediatric-end-stage-liver-disease score(>16)receiving donor liver with portal inflammation,but not steatosis,had trend negative effect on recipients’survival.In conclusion,donor livers with mild steatosis and portal inflammation were qualified for pediatric living donor LT.However,donor liver with mild portal inflammation would better not be allocated to recipients with high pediatric-end-stage-liver-disease score.This study provided new evidence in pediatric living donor liver allocation.

Polycaprolactone strengthening keratin/ bioactive glass composite scaffolds with double cross-linking networks for potential application in bone repair

In this study, we aimed at constructing polycaprolactone (PCL) reinforced keratin/bioactive glass composite scaffolds with a double cross-linking network structure for potential bone repair application. Thus, the PCL-keratin-BG com-posite scaffold was prepared by using keratin extracted from wool as main organic component and bioactive glass (BG) as main inorganic component, through both cross-linking systems, such as the thiol-ene click reaction between abundant sulfhydryl groups of keratin and the unsaturated double bond of 3-methacryloxy propyltrimethoxy silane (MPTS), and the amino-epoxy reaction between amino groups of keratin and the epoxy group in (3-glycidoxymethyl) methyldiethoxysilane (GPTMS) molecule, along with introduction of PCL as a reinforcing agent. The success of the thiol-ene reaction was verified by the FTIR and 1H-NMR analyses. And the structure of keratin-BG and PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffolds were studied and compared by the FTIR and XRD characterization, which indicated the successful preparation of the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold. In addition, the SEM observation, and contact angle and water absorption rate measurements demonstrated that the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold has interconnected porous structure, appropriate pore size and good hydrophilicity, which is helpful to cell adhesion, differentiation and prolifera-tion. Importantly, compression experiments showed that, when compared with the keratin-BG composite scaffold, the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold increased greatly from 0.91 ± 0.06 MPa and 7.25 ± 1.7 MPa to 1.58 ± 0.21 MPa and 14.14 ± 1.95 MPa, respectively, which suggesting the strong reinforcement of polycaprolactone. In addition, the biomineralization experiment and MTT assay indicated that the PCL-keratin-BG scaffold has good mineralization abil-ity and no-cytotoxicity, which can promote cell adhesion, proliferation and growth. Therefore, the results suggested that the PCL-keratin-BG composite scaffold has the potential as a candidate for application in bone regeneration field.