The Clinical Value of Ultrasound Image Texture Analysis in the Diagnosis of Uterine Adhesions

Purpose: This review examines the diagnostic value of transvaginal 3D ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions. Materials and Methods: The total clinical data of 53 patients with uterine adhesions diagnosed by hysteroscopy and the imaging data of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Based on hysteroscopic surgical records, patients were divided into two independent groups: normal endometrium and uterine adhesion sites. The samples were divided into a training set and a test set, and the transvaginal 3D ultrasound was used to outline the region of interest (ROI) and extract texture features for normal endometrium and uterine adhesions based on hysteroscopic surgical recordings, the training set data were feature screened and modelled using lasso regression and cross-validation, and the diagnostic efficacy of the model was assessed by applying the subjects’ operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: For each group, 290 texture feature parameters were extracted and three higher values were screened out, and the area under the curve of the constructed ultrasonographic scoring model was 0.658 and 0.720 in the training and test sets, respectively. Conclusion Relative clinical value of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound image texture analysis for the diagnosis of uterine adhesions.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Hysterosalpingography in the Identification of Intrauterine Adhesions in Infertile Women in a Referral Centre, Southern Nigeria

Background: Examination of the endometrial cavity is crucial in the management of infertile women. This evaluation is done by Hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The diagnostic value and accuracy of hysterosalpingography varies in various centres and has not been assessed in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), hence this study. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional study done among 101 infertile women at the gynaecology clinic of the UPTH from December 2018 to July 2019. Socio-demographic data of women who met the eligibility criteria were collected. Their hysterosalpingographic and outpatient hysteroscopic findings were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS for windows version 20.0. The validity and reliability statistics of hysterosalpingography for the identification of endometrial adhesions were determined and significance was reported at p-value < 0.05. The analyzed data was presented in tables and figure. Result: The respondents were all married, 66.3% of them were nulliparous, while 54.5% were above 35 years of age. Most, 93.1% of the studied group had at least secondary education and had duration of infertility of more than 2 years. There was a moderate strength of agreement in the diagnostic accuracy of HSG with hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine adhesions;showing sensitivity and specificity of 59.6% and 90.9% respectively. The accuracy of HSG in the identification of intrauterine adhesions in this study was 73.3%. The agreement in the diagnostic accuracy of HSG using Hysteroscopy as a gold standard for intrauterine adhesions was therefore moderately significant (k = 0.482). Conclusion: HSG had an overall fair strength of agreement with office hysteroscopy in the identification of intrauterine adhesions. It is a specific but not a sensitive predictor of intrauterine adhesion.

Prevention of peritoneal adhesions:A promising role for gene therapy

Adhesions are the most frequent complication of abdominopelvic surgery,yet the extent of the problem,and its serious consequences,has not been adequately recognized.Adhesions evolved as a life-saving mecha-nism to limit the spread of intraperitoneal inflammatory conditions.Three different pathophysiological mechanisms can independently trigger adhesion formation.Mesothelial cell injury and loss during operations,tissue hypoxia and inflammation each promotes adhesion formation separately,and potentiate the effect of each other.Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that interruption of a single pathway does not completely prevent adhesion formation.This review summarizes the pathogenesis of adhesion formation and the results of single gene therapy interventions.It explores the prom-ising role of combinatorial gene therapy and vector modif ications for the prevention of adhesion formation in order to stimulate new ideas and encourage rapid advancements in this field.

Peritoneal adhesions after laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery

Although laparoscopy has the potential to reduce peritoneal trauma and post-operative peritoneal adhesion formation, only one randomized controlled trial and a few comparative retrospective clinical studies have addressed this issue. Laparoscopy reduces de novo adhesion formation but has no efficacy in reducing adhesion reformation after adhesiolysis. Moreover, several studies have suggested that the reduction of de novo post-operative adhesions does not seem to have a significant clinical impact. Experimental data in animal models have suggested that CO2 pneumoperitoneum can cause acute peritoneal inflammation during laparoscopy depending on the insufflation pressure and the surgery duration. Broad peritoneal cavity protection by the insufflation of a low-temperature humidified gas mixture of CO2, N2O and O2 seems to represent the best approach for reducing peritoneal inflammation due to pneumoperitoneum. However, these experimental data have not had a significant impact on the modification of laparoscopic instrumentation. In contrast, surgeons should train themselves to perform laparoscopy quickly, and they should complete their learning curves before testing chemical anti-adhesive agents and anti-adhesion barriers. Chemical anti-adhesive agents have the potential to exert broad peritoneal cavity protection against adhesion formation, but when these agents are used alone, the concentrations needed to prevent adhesions are too high and could cause major post-operative side effects. Anti-adhesion barriers have been used mainly in open surgery, but some clinical data from laparoscopic surgeries are already available. Sprays, gels, and fluid barriers are easier to apply in laparoscopic surgery than solid barriers. Results have been encouraging with solid barriers, spray barriers, and gel barriers, but they have been ambiguous with fluid barriers. Moreover, when barriers have been used alone, the maximum protection against adhesion formation has been no greater than 60%. A recent small, randomized clinical trial suggested that the combination of broad peritoneal cavity protection with local application of a barrier could be almost 100% effective in preventing post-operative adhesion formation. Future studies should confirm the efficacy of this global strategy in preventing adhesion formation after laparoscopy by focusing on clinical end points, such as reduced incidences of bowel obstruction and abdominal pain and increased fertility.

Chinese medicine compound Changtong oral liquid on postoperative intestinal adhesions

AIM: The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a Chinese medicine compound Changtong oral liquid (CT) on tissue plasminogen activity (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), TGF-β1 and hydroxyproline (OHP). METHODS: Two sets of animal experiments were performed in the present study. Forty New Zealand rabbits and 48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned randomly to one of the five groups: sham adhesion, adhesion with saline, adhesion with low dosage of the CT, adhesion with middle dosage of the CT and adhesion with high dosage of the CT. t-PA and PAI activity in plasma, OHP and TGF-β1 expression in adhesion were investigated. Analysis of variance was used to test differences among groups. RESULTS: CT treatment increased plasma t-PA activity in rabbits but decreased TGF-β1 activity in rats. The data were expressed from low to high dose respectively as follows: t-PA, 46.1±8.6 μkat/L, 59.6±10.1 μkat/L, 64.0±11.5 μkat/L; TGF-β1 28±7.23%, 31±3.05%, 30±4.04%. There were significant differences compared with saline-treated animals (t-PA 26.4±5.1 μkat/L, TGF-β1 54±5.51%). OHP content in cecum of rabbits from middle and high but not low dose of CT lowered significantly as compared with saline-treated rabbits, 0.3641±0.1373, 0.3348±0.0321, 0.2757±0.0497 mg/g vs 0.4183±0.0883 mg/g of protein, P>0.05, P<0.05, P<0.05 respectively. The rabbit plasma PAI activity and OHP content in abdominal wall had no difference in all groups. CONCLUSION: CT treatment significantly enhanced t-PA activity in rabbits, but decreased TGF-β1 content in rats, OHP content in cecum of rabbits, and failed to affect the activity of PAI and OHP content in abdominal wall in rabbits, compared with saline group. The result suggests that CT could effectively prevent adhesions without interfering wound healina.

Intrauterine transplantation of autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells followed by conception in a patient of severe intrauterine adhesions

On a woman with severe intrauterine adhesions, hysteroscopy followed by cyclical hormone replacement therapy was tried for 5 months, for development of the endometrium. When this failed, autologous stem cells were tried as an alternative therapy. Adult autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells isolated from patient’s own bone marrow and were cultured and placed in the endometrial cavity under ultrasound guidance after curettage. Patient was then given cyclical hormonal therapy. Endometrium was assessed intermittently using ultrasound. Three months later, endometrium partly recovered with improved ultrasonic echo. This resulted in spontaneous pregnancy followed by confirmation of gestational sac, yolk sac, and primitive heart tube pulse on ultrasound. Autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells could regenerate injured endometrium not responding to conventional treatment and can be used as an alternative in females with severe Asherman’s syndrome.

Nanoengineered Shear-Thinning Hydrogel Barrier for Preventing Postoperative Abdominal Adhesions

More than 90%of surgical patients develop postoper-ative adhesions,and the incidence of hospital re-admissions can be as high as 20%.Current adhesion barriers present limited efficacy due to difficulties in application and incompatibility with minimally invasive interventions.To solve thisclinical limitation,we developed an injectable and sprayable shear-thinning hydrogel barrier(STHB)composed of silicate nanoplatelets and poly(ethylene oxide).We optimized this technology to recover mechanical integrity after stress,enabling its delivery though inject-able and sprayable methods.We also demonstrated limited cell adhesion and cytotoxicity to STHB compositions in vitro.The STHB was then tested in a rodent model of peritoneal injury to determine its e cacy preventing the formation of postoperative adhesions.After two weeks,the peritoneal adhesion index was used as a scoring method to determine the formation of postoperative adhesions,and STHB formulations presented superior e cacy compared to a commercially available adhesion barrier.Histological and immunohistochemical examination showed reduced adhesion formation and minimal immune infiltration in STHB formulations.Our technology demonstrated increased e cacy,ease of use in complex anatomies,and compatibility with di erent delivery methods,providing a robust universal platform to prevent postoperative adhesions in a wide range of surgical interventions.

Intrauterine Adhesions (IUAs) or Asherman’s Syndrome (AS) and the Stem Cells Treatment: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Intrauterine Adhesions (IUAs) or Asherman’s Syndrome (AS) usually contains symptoms such as decreased menstrual flow or even amenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, recurrent abortion and infertility. The current treatment of IUAs includes hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, oral hormone and biological barriers, but each of them has limitation. Stem cell therapy may be an expanding field seeking for therapy in IUAs. Objective: We will discuss current advances in stem cell therapy as a treatment for endometrial pathophysiology. Materials and Methods: We search on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library and select several keywords on researches, then review the cell biology theories and animal experiments, finally do meta-analysis in human clinical trials. Results: 77 articles on PubMed, 71 articles on Embase and 17 articles on Cochrane Library, as a result, 37 articles are included under the criteria, which are intrauterine adhesions (IUAs), Asherman’s Syndrome (AS), cell therapy, stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, clinical trials, recent 10 years and human or animal experiments. The included criteria: original articles, cohort study, case control study, animal experiments, human clinical trials, high quality, 10 years recent. The excluded articles are case reports, meeting reports, low quality or more than 10 years ago. Conclusion: Stem cell may be a new therapeutic schedule for IUAs in the future clinical treatment, but it is necessary to compare it with traditional therapy such as oral hormone, also the development of random clinical tests should proceed. For clinical treatment on IUAs, stem cells could be a new choice.

Perihepatic adhesions: An unusual complication of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet syndrome

We present a case of symptomatic perihepatic adhesions,which developed after a pregnancy complicated by hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes and low platelet(HELLP)syndrome,in which a subcapsular liver hematoma occurred.Our patient presented with complaints of persistent,severe right-sided upper abdominal pain.The complaints developed gradually,one year after a pregnancy that had been complicated by HELLP syndrome with a subcapsular liver hematoma.The hematoma had resolved spontaneously.An upperabdominal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a density between liver and diaphragm at the site of the former subcapsular hematoma,suspect of perihepatic adhesions.The presence of perihepatic adhesions was confirmed during a laparoscopy and treated by adhesiolysis in the same session.The adhesions may have developed in response to the degradation process of the subcapsular liver hematoma during conservative treatment.This case of perihepatic adhesions may therefor be the first presentation of a long term sequel of subcapsular liver hematoma in HELLP syndrome.

Abdominal and pelvic adhesions: Possible role of leiomyomas and skin scar anomaly in profiling high risk patients

Background and aims: Adhesions can cause important morbidity including abdominal and pelvic pain, intestinal obstructions, and infertility. When adhesions are formed, there is no efficient method, nowadays, to resolve them, thus the reduction of their prevalence relies on the prevention. Profiling high risk patients for abdominal and pelvic adhesions (APA) is an important step to this prevention. The risk factors of adhesions in our institution, the association between APA, leiomyomas and skin scar anomaly (SSA) were investigated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1st to June 30th 2013 including patients who underwent laparotomy or laparoscopy. Patients’ characteristics, presence of a SSA and leiomyomas, as related to adhesions, were analyzed. Student’s t, Pearson’s Khi-square, Fisher’s Exact, Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regression were used. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The frequency of adhesions was 41.74%. Patients had a mean age of 32.69 ± 8.94 years. Those with a previous abdominal surgery (PAS), SSA and leiomyomas had respectively 12 times [OR: 11.98, CI95 (4.63 - 30.97)], 3 times [OR: 2.79, CI95 (1.16 - 6.71) and 2.5 times [(OR: 2.49, CI95 (1.07 - 5.78)] more adhesions. In logistic regression, a PAS and leiomyomas remained associated significantly to adhesions with p = 0.000 and p = 0.037 respectively. Conclusion: In peritoneal adhesions, leiomyomas and SSA are other factors that may allow a cautious selection of high risk patients who must benefit from particular attention during surgery. Further well designed studies are necessary to investigate the accurate clinical relation among those three conditions.

Correlation of FoxF2 expression with MMPs, ADAMs and TGF-β1 pathway in intrauterine adhesions

Objective: To study the correlation of forkhead box F2 (FoxF2) expression with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) pathway in intrauterine adhesions. Methods: The patients who underwent hysteroscopic surgery and were diagnosed with intrauterine adhesions according to postoperative pathology results in our hospital between March 2015 and January 2018 were selected as the IUA group, and the patients who underwent surgical resection and were diagnosed with uterine fibroid according to postoperative pathology results in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The intrauterine adhesion tissues of the IUA group and the normal endometrial tissues of the control group were collected to measure the expression levels of FoxF2, MMPs and ADAMs-related molecules as well as TGF-β1 pathway molecules. Results: FoxF2, ADAM15, ADAM17, TIMP1, TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3 and CTGF mRNA expression in the intrauterine adhesion tissues of IUA group were significantly higher than those of control group whereas MMP9 mRNA expression was significantly lower than that of control group;FoxF2 mRNA expression in the intrauterine adhesion tissues of IUA group was negatively correlated with MMP9 mRNA expression, and positively correlated with ADAM15, ADAM17, TIMP1, TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3 and CTGF mRNA expression. Conclusion: The high expression of FoxF2 in intrauterine adhesions can inhibit protease activity and enhance TGF-β1 pathway function.

The influence on abdominal adhesions and inflammation in rabbits after exposure to differently charged polypeptides

Background: Abdominal adhesions develop on damaged peritoneal surfaces and constitute a significant health related problem. Previous animal studies have shown promising anti-adhesive effects when administering the polycation α-poly-L-lysine (αPL) and the polyanion poly-L-glutamate (PG) together. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of these differently charged polypeptides when administered by spraying and to evaluate any possible effect on fibrinolysis, fibrosis and inflammation. Methods: Rabbits were treated with PLPG after cecal abrasive surgery and analysis from peritoneal biopsies of active tPa/PAI-1 complex and from peritoneal fluid of IL-6 and active TGFb1 at day 0, 1, 4 and 10 were measured after surgery. Histological specimens were analyzed on day 10 regarding inflammation and fibrosis. Peritoneal adhesions were evaluated by adhesion score. All values were compared to the control group (NaCl). Results: PLPG-treated rabbits had a significant diminished adhesion score on day 10 as compared to the control group (p < 0.005). Significantly reduced collagen depositions on the peritoneum were seen in the PLPG group when evaluating the histological specimens (p < 0.05). No significant differences between the experimental and control groups were seen in peritoneal fluid when analyzing for active protein levels. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the effect on key parameters in adhesion formation as well as the preventive effect of the PLPG complex on abdominal adhesions in rabbits and also the first study where administration by spraying the polypeptides was used. PLPG was non-toxic in this setting and without significant differences in adhesion formation parameters and a significant reduction in adhesions was observed. This was verified both macroscopically and histologically.

Cationic polypeptides in a concept of oppositely charged polypeptides as prevention of postsurgical intraabdominal adhesions

Background: Two differently charged polypeptides, α-poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamate, have previously been shown to effectively reduce postoperative intraabdominal adhesions. Though α-poly-L-lysine showed toxicity in doses too close to the lowest therapeutic dose, the aim in the present study was to investigate the possible antiadhesive effect of another four cationic polypeptides. Materials/Methods: 125 mice were studied with a standardized and reproducible adhesion model and given epsilon poly-L-lysine, lactoferrin, lysozyme and polyarginine respectively in a combination with poly-L-glutamate. Epsilon poly-L-lysine was also tested in different concentrations and as single treatment. Results: All four cationic polypeptides above showed a significantly better anti-adhesive effect than the controls receiving saline (p<0.05). Epsilon poly-L-lysine had the best antiadhesive effect of the new substances tested in the experiment. Single treatment with the epsilon poly-L-lysine showed toxic side effects. Discussion: We have shown that epsilon poly-L-lysine, polyarginine, lysozyme and lactoferrin, in descending order, all can reduce postoperative intraabdominal adhesions in mice when combined with poly-L-glutamate. There were side effects of epsilon poly-L-lysine resembling those of α-poly-L-lysine, although less toxic. The antiadhesive effect of epsilon poly-L-lysine did not reach the level of α-poly-L-lysine. Further studies will concentrate on additional investigation, trying to modify the α-poly-L-lysine to lower its toxicity. The less toxic epsilon poly-L-lysine also needs further attention in our research of antiadhesive bioactive polypeptides.

Adhesive small bowel adhesions obstruction: Evolutions in diagnosis, management and prevention

Intra-abdominal adhesions following abdominal surgery represent a major unsolved problem. They are the first cause of small bowel obstruction. Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation, water-soluble contrast followthrough and computed tomography scan. For patients presenting no signs of strangulation, peritonitis or severe intestinal impairment there is good evidence to support non-operative management. Open surgery is the preferred method for the surgical treatment of adhesive small bowel obstruction, in case of suspected strangulation or after failed conservative management, but laparoscopy is gaining widespread acceptance especially in selected group of patients. "Good" surgical technique and anti-adhesive barriers are the main current concepts of adhesion prevention. We discuss current knowledge in modern diagnosis and evolving strategies for management and prevention that are leading to stratified care for patients.

Effect of enamel-grinding on adhesionstrength of enamel-resin junction

In this paper,we have tested the normal and mottled enamel in order to get some instructive information for the clinical treatment. As demonstrated by the results of our experiments, the grinding treatment of the enamel superficial layer has no significant improvement on the adhesional strength of the junction between the normally developed teeth and the resin. However, it does exhibit evident effect on the adhesional strength of the junction between the fluorosis teeth and the repairing resin.

Selenopeptide nanomedicine ameliorates atherosclerosis by reducing monocyte adhesions and inflammations

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that may cause severe heart disease and stroke.Current pharmacotherapy for atherosclerosis shows limited benefits.In the progression of atherosclerosis,monocyte adhesions and inflammatory macrophages play vital roles.However,precise regulations of inflammatory immune microenvironments in pathological tissues remain challenging.Here,we report an atherosclerotic plaque-targeted selenopeptide nanomedicine for inhibiting atherosclerosis progression by reducing monocyte adhesions and inflammation of macrophages.The targeted nanomedicine has 2.2-fold enhancement in atherosclerotic lesion accumulation.The oxidation-responsibility of selenopeptide enables eliminations of reactive oxygen species and specific release of anti-inflammatory drugs,thereby reducing inflammation responses of macrophages.Notably,we find the oxidative metabolite of selenopeptide,octadecyl selenite,can bind to P-selectin in a high affinity with a dissociation constant of 1.5μM.This in situ generated active seleno-species further inhibit monocyte adhesions for anti-inflammation in synergy.With local regulations of monocyte adhesions and inflammations,the selenopeptide nanomedicine achieves 2.6-fold improvement in atherosclerotic plaque inhibition compared with simvastatin in the atherosclerosis mouse model.Meanwhile,the selenopeptide nanomedicine also displays excellent biological safety in both mice and rhesus monkeys.This study provides a safe and effective platform for regulating inflammatory immune microenvironments for inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Prevention strategies of postoperative adhesion in soft tissues by applying biomaterials:Based on the mechanisms of occurrence and development of adhesions

Postoperative adhesion(POA)widely occurs in soft tissues and usually leads to chronic pain,dysfunction of adjacent organs and some acute complications,seriously reducing patients’quality of life and even being life-threatening.Except for adhesiolysis,there are few effective methods to release existing adhesion.However,it requires a second operation and inpatient care and usually triggers recurrent adhesion in a great incidence.Hence,preventing POA formation has been regarded as the most effective clinical strategy.Biomaterials have attracted great attention in preventing POA because they can act as both barriers and drug carriers.Nevertheless,even though much reported research has been demonstrated their efficacy on POA inhibition to a certain extent,thoroughly preventing POA formation is still challenging.Meanwhile,most biomaterials for POA prevention were designed based on limited experiences,not a solid theoretical basis,showing blindness.Hence,we aimed to provide guidance for designing anti-adhesion materials applied in different soft tissues based on the mechanisms of POA occurrence and development.We first classified the postoperative adhesions into four categories according to the different components of diverse adhesion tissues,and named them as“membranous adhesion”,“vascular adhesion”,“adhesive adhesion”and“scarred adhesion”,respectively.Then,the process of the occurrence and development of POA were analyzed,and the main influencing factors in different stages were clarified.Further,we proposed seven strategies for POA prevention by using biomaterials according to these influencing factors.Meanwhile,the relevant practices were summarized according to the corresponding strategies and the future perspectives were analyzed.

Paxillin tunes the relationship between cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesions to regulate stiffness-dependent dentinogenesis

Mechanical stiffness is recognized as a key physical factor and directs cell function via a mechanotransduction process,from extracellular physical cues to intracellular signaling cascades that affect transcriptional activity.Cells continually receive mechanical signals from both the surrounding matrix and adjacent cells.However,how mechanical stiffness cue at cell-substrate interfaces coordinates cell-cell junctions in guiding mesenchymal stem cell behaviors is poorly understood.Here,polydimethylsiloxane substrates with different stiffnesses were used to study mechanosensation/transduction mechanisms in controlling odontogenic differentiation of dental papilla cells(DPCs).DPC phenotypes(morphology and differentiation)changed in response to the applied force derived from stiff substrates.Significantly,higher expression of paxillin on stiffer substrates promoted DPC dentinogenesis.Upon treatment with siRNA to knockdown paxillin,N-cadherin increased mainly in the cytomembrane at the area of cell-cell contacts,whereasβ-catenin decreased in the nuclei.The result of a double luciferase reporter assay showed that stiffness promotedβ-catenin binding to TCF,which could coactivate the target genes associated with odontogenic differentiation,as evidenced by bioinformatics analysis.Finally,we determined that the addition of aβ-catenin inhibitor suppressed DPC mineralization in all the stiffness groups.Thus,our results indicated that a mechanotransduction process from cell-substrate interactions to cell-cell adhesions was required for DPC odontogenic differentiation under the stimulation of substrate stiffness.This finding suggests that stem cell fate specification under the stimulus of stiffness at the substrates is based on crosstalk between substrate interactions and adherens junctions,which provides an essential mechanism for cell-based tissue engineering.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of alginate-based hydrogels in preventing peritoneal adhesions

Infertility and intestinal blockage are just two examples of the postoperative consequences that can arise from peritoneal damage,which can also result in severe peritoneal fibrosis and peritoneal adhesions.Peritoneal adhesions are still not effectively treated,and both pharmaceutical therapy and biomaterial barriers have only had modest preventative effects.In this work,we looked into the effectiveness of in-place injectable sodium alginate hydrogel for peritoneal adhesion prevention.The findings demonstrated that sodium alginate hydrogel promoted human peritoneal mesothelial cell proliferation and migration,prevented peritoneal fibrosis by suppressing the production of transforming growth factor-β1,and,most importantly,promoted mesothelium self-repair.These findings imply that this brand-new sodium alginate hydrogel is a good candidate material for peritoneal adhesion prevention.

Ihog proteins contribute to integrin-mediated focal adhesions

Integrin expression forms focal adhesions, but how this process is physiologically regulated is unclear. Ihog proteins are evolutionarily conserved, playing roles in Hedgehog signaling and serving as trans-homophilic adhesion molecules to mediate cell-cell interactions. Whether these proteins are also engaged in other cell adhesion processes remains unknown. Here, we report that Drosophila Ihog proteins function in the integrin-mediated adhesions. Removal of Ihog proteins causes blister and spheroidal muscle in wings and embryos, respectively. We demonstrate that Ihog proteins interact with integrin via the extracellular portion and that their removal perturbs integrin distribution. Finally, we show that Boc, a mammalian Ihog protein,rescues the embryonic defects caused by removing its Drosophila homologs. We thus propose that Ihog proteins contribute to integrin-mediated focal adhesions.