Transcervical femoral neck fractures (TFNFs) are among the most devastating fragility fractures in theelderly. TFNF are associated with excess 1-year mortality rates ranging from 15% to 30%. Treatments include conservative methods, internal fixation, and arthroplasty (partial or total hip arthroplasty). This study aims to analyze the changes in incidences of TFNF in the Italian population between 2001 and 2023 and the evolution of the choices of treatment. Using hospital discharge record (HDR) data from 2001 to 2023, records with ICD9-CM codes for femoral neck fractures (820.0 and 820.1) among diagnoses were selected and categorized into four treatment groups: totalarthroplasty,partial arthroplasty, fixation, and conservative. Time series were analyzed with stratification by sex and age. The extracted data included 1,120,724 records of TFNFs, with 871,161 cases treated surgically (total or partial arthroplasty or internal fixation) and 249,563 treated conservatively; the average patient age was 79.1years, with a higher proportion of women (72.8%). Partial hip arthroplasty was the preferred treatment overall. For younger patients, in the age classes < 45 and 45-54 years, fixation was the most chosen treatment. Over time, the use of the conservative treatment decreased from 27.5% in 2001 to 14.6% of cases in 2023. The use of partial and total hip arthroplasty increased from 40% and 13.3% in 2001 to 44.5% and 24.3% in 2023, respectively. Over the past two decades, Italy experienced declining age-adjusted incidence rates of TFNF despite persistent crude numbers (approximately 50,000 cases per year) owing to demographic aging. Partial hip arthroplasty (PHA) remained the preferred treatment, while total hip arthroplasty (THA) went from being the least used to the second-most performed treatment through the 23 observed years. Level of evidence level 1, population-based study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health threat with limited therapies for advanced stages. Crocetin, a natural compound from saffron, has broad anticancer potential, but its mechanisms in CRC are unclear. A CRC xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate the antitumor effect of crocetin. Next, transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice between the crocetin treatment and control groups. Through the integration of network pharmacology, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, potential key target genes regulated by crocetin in CRC were identified. Functional assays (e.g. CCK-8 and transwell assays) were employed to assess the biological role of crocetin and its target gene, TGM2, in CRC cells. Crocetin significantly inhibited tumor growth in HCT116-tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis identified 2,577 DEGs in tumor tissues between the crocetin and control groups. Through integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and molecular docking analyses, we identified five potential crocetin-targeted genes-ADAM17, DNMT1, MTOR, TGM2, and XRCC6-all of which showed significant downregulation following crocetin treatment. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that crocetin notably suppressed cell viability, migration, and invasion, as well as reduced the expression of TGM2, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in HCT116 cells; however, the tumor-suppressive effects of crocetin were markedly abolished by TGM2 overexpression. Collectively, crocetin could suppress CRC progression by targeting TGM2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for CRC.

Microplastics are pollutants that are widely present in aquatic environments. This study utilized polyethylene microplastic particles of 1μm and 5μm to expose hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♂ × A. schrenckii ♀), analyzing changes in intestinal ultrastructure, digestive enzyme activity, and gut microbial composition (based on high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region). The results indicate that MPs of both particle sizes cause changes in intestinal ultrastructure and digestive enzyme activity. The alpha and beta diversity of gut microbiota in the exposed groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. At the phylum level, the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Desulfobacterota significantly increased (P < 0.01); at the genus level, the abundances of Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, Desulfovibrio, HIMB11, and Muribaculaceae also significantly increased (P < 0.01). Furthermore, functional predictions of the microbiota indicated that the abundance of functions related to diseases, cellular processes, and organism systems increased in the 5μm treatment group, while the abundance of functions related to genetic information processing significantly decreased (P < 0.05, FDR < 0.05). This study reveals the potential risks of MPs to the digestive physiology and intestinal digestive system of sturgeon, providing a basis for further exploration of the mechanisms by which different particle sizes of MPs affect freshwater fish.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility, physicochemical characteristics, and in vivo biological performance of the composite scaffold (hydroxyapatite [HA]-collagen-S. littoralis-polyvinyl alcohol [PVA]).In vitro assays were conducted on 7F2 preosteoblast cells to assess osteoblast viability and proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was then used to determine the optimal concentration identified by these assays. The composite scaffold was also characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, SEM, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In vivo evaluation was performed using a Sprague-Dawley rat calvarial defect model, with a control group without a scaffold and a treatment group receiving the composite scaffold, at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to assess osteoblast counts and histological features associated with later stages of bone healing.In vitro results demonstrated a progressive increase in 7F2 viability and proliferation up to 72 hours, with the optimal concentration at 1,500 ppm. These findings were consistent with SEM observations. FT-IR confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups with molecular interactions among components. SEM showed a porous structure with good interconnectivity that supported cell adhesion. XRD indicated the presence of crystalline HA and amorphous organic phases, supporting mechanical stability and biocompatibility. Histological analysis showed earlier osteoblast recruitment in the composite scaffold group, peaking at day 7, followed by reduced osteoblast numbers at day 28, suggesting progression toward later stages of bone healing. In contrast, the control group exhibited a delayed osteoblast peak at day 14 and persistent fibrous tissue. In vivo statistical analysis demonstrated significantly higher osteoblast counts in the scaffold group than in controls (p < 0.05 at days 3, 7, 14, and 21), indicating an enhanced early osteogenic response.The composite scaffold (HA-collagen-S. littoralis-PVA) demonstrated structural properties, biocompatibility, and biological performance that support osteoconduction and osteogenesis, highlighting its potential as an innovative biomaterial for bone regeneration in dental, oral, and maxillofacial tissue engineering.

Chronic high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a complex phenotype of long-term cardio-autonomic dysregulation. In the initial hours post-injury, cardio-centric management with dobutamine (DOB) can optimize cardiovascular haemodynamics and mitigate secondary injury compared with standard vasopressor-based management (i.e. norepinephrine, NE) in a porcine model of T2 SCI; however, any potential long-term benefits remain to be determined. We therefore sought to assess whether acute DOB treatment could mitigate cardiovascular dysfunction in the chronic setting of high-level SCI. Seventeen Yucatan minipigs with T2 SCI received acute management with DOB (2.5µgkg-1min-1, n=6), NE (4.25µgkg-1min-1, n=6) or no management (CON, n=5) from 30min until 6h post-SCI, then were recovered and housed for 12weeks. Outcome assessments were performed at 12weeks post-SCI, including left ventricular (LV), Swan-Ganz and arterial catheterization to characterize cardiac and peripheral haemodynamics. Resting mean arterial pressure (MAP) was higher in both treatment groups (DOB:80±9mmHg, NE:88±11mmHg vs. CON:65±3mmHg; P=0.0147 for DOB, P=0.00679 for NE), and DOB-treated animals had greater stroke volume (33±4ml vs. NE:25±5ml, P=0.0269), while NE-treated animals had elevated total peripheral resistance (41±11mmHgl-1min-1 vs. CON:24±4mmHgl-1min-1, P=0.0345) and arterial elastance (3.60±0.95mmHgml-1 vs. CON:2.08±0.34mmHgml-1, P=0.0258 vs. CON). Dynamic LV function was also preserved in DOB-treated animals, with greater contractile responses during the DOB stress test (end-systolic elastance; +8.96mmHgml-1 vs. CON:+1.28mmHgml-1, P=0.036) and modified Oxford challenges (preload-adjusted maximal rate of pressure development (dp/dtmax-EDV) vs. MAP; -0.56±0.33mls-1 vs. CON:0.04±0.05mls-1, P=0.044). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that acute cardio-centric management with DOB provides a viable alternative for haemodynamic management following high-thoracic SCI. KEY POINTS: Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) at or above the mid-thoracic level lead to long-term heart and circulatory complications. This research primarily sought to understand whether a heart-focused treatment (dobutamine, DOB) could support long-term cardiovascular benefits when compared with current standard treatments (norepinephrine, NE) in a pig model with a high-thoracic SCI. Treatments were administered from 30min to 6h post-injury, and after 12weeks' survival both DOB and NE animals had improved blood pressure. However, the DOB group additionally had preserved reflexive heart function when compared with control animals. Animals treated with DOB also exhibited more white matter sparing at study termination compared with animals treated with NE, implying superior neuroprotection.

Effects of 8-weeks acupuncture on eyes-closed resting state natural EEG frequency components in endometriosis: AcuENDO trial sub-study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different copper sources (copper sulfate and copper glycinate) on growth performance, trace element metabolism and intestinal stem cell activity in growing pigs. In experiment 1, 30 castrated male pigs (Landrace × Large White; initial body weight of 43.11 ± 1.20kg) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (n = 10): (1) high-dose CuSO₄ group (150mg/kg Cu as CuSO₄•5H₂O), (2) low-dose CuSO₄ group (20mg/kg Cu as CuSO₄•5H₂O), (3) Cu-Gly group (20mg/kg Cu as copper glycinate). The trial lasted for 30 days. The results showed that pigs fed 20mg/kg Cu as Cu-Gly had final body weight (P = 0.247) and weight gain (P = 0.732) comparable to those fed 150mg/kg Cu as CuSO₄, while exhibiting a significantly improved feed conversion ratio. Additionally, hepatic iron concentration in the Cu-Gly group was significantly higher than in the high-dose CuSO₄ group, whereas renal copper accumulation was lower. Fecal copper excretion in the Cu-Gly group was reduced by 76.38% compared to the high-dose CuSO₄ group(P < 0.0001). In experiment 2, an in vitro porcine small intestinal organoid culture system was employed. Our results indicated that the lower dose of copper markedly improved intestinal organoid budding and stem cell amplification (P < 0.01), and Cu-Gly significantly improved the intestinal organoid surface area and stem cell differentiation (P < 0.001). Simultaneously, the high dose of copper treatment significantly inhibited the minerals transported related gene expression (DMT1, ZIP4, CTR1, ZIP8), but induced the MT1A and MT3 expression in organoids (P < 0.01). Thus, our study finds a relatively effective way to substitute for pharmacological doses of copper, probably via regulating the minerals metabolism and improving the intestinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

Intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment could mitigate the increased cardiovascular disease risk associated with long-standing hypertension. Target organ damage serves as a critical intermediate phenotype in hypertension-related sequelae. However, the associations of hypertension duration on the cardiac, vascular, and kidney organ damage improvement of intensive SBP treatment remains to be elucidated. A total of 8442 STEP (Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients) participants with complete hypertension duration data were categorized by hypertension duration ≤5 years, 5~10 years, 10~15 years, and >15 years. Patients were randomly assigned to intensive or standard SBP treatment groups after enrollment. Odds ratios (ORs) for left ventricular hypertrophy, arterial stiffness, and chronic kidney disease were calculated using a logistic regression model, testing for effect modification by hypertension duration. For left ventricular hypertrophy, no evidence showed heterogeneity among groups with different hypertension duration in the treatment effect between intensive versus standard treatment for either new-onset or improvement (both P for interaction >0.05). For arterial stiffness, intensive versus standard SBP treatment showed significantly greater benefits in preventing new-onset arterial stiffness in early-stage (≤5 years: 29.46% versus 36.81%; OR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.47-0.95]) and long-standing hypertension (>15 years: 30.88% versus 41.23%; OR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.45-0.84]) compared with the intermediate stage (P for interaction=0.03). For kidney events, no treatment interaction effects or significant associations with hypertension duration were observed (P for interaction >0.05). Intensive SBP treatment showed greater benefits in preventing new-onset arterial stiffness in both early-stage (≤5 years) and long-standing (>15 years) hypertension, whereas no heterogeneity was identified among groups with hypertension for left ventricular hypertrophy and kidney events. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03015311.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the effects of Korea’s Rice Discount Support Program on rice consumption among low-income households. To address the absence of control and treatment group data, a modified difference-in-differences (DID) model is developed using the proportion of eligible beneficiary group. The results indicate that the policy increased annual per-capita rice consumption among vulnerable households by approximately 0.1847 kg. This finding suggests that the subsidy alleviates the economic burden on low-income households, improves access to staple foods, and strengthens food security and social equity.

The purpose of this paper is to expound the effect of asiatic acid (AA) on psoriasis via modulating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome. An imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model in BALB/c mice was established. Mice were divided into the control, IMQ, and AA treatment groups with different doses. Psoriasis area and severity were scored using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Histological changes, inflammatory factor levels in skin lesions, and expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins and pathway proteins were measured. For cellular experiments, HaCaT cells were classified into control, model, AA low and high concentration groups, and AA-H + IGF group. Cells were stimulated with IL-17A, IL-22, TNF-α, IL-1α, and OSM (M5) to induce psoriasis-like conditions, followed by treatment with AA or IGF. Cell viability, oxidative stress levels, inflammatory factors, NLRP3 expression, and PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway protein levels were assessed. In vivo, IMQ-induced mice showed psoriasis-like symptoms, including increased PASI scores, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, and NLRP3-related protein levels. AA treatment alleviated these symptoms, reducing NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and Caspase-1 expression, and restraining the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway phosphorylation. In cellular experiments, M5 induction impeded cell viability and advanced oxidative stress, IL-1β, IL-6, and NLRP3 expression, activating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway. AA markedly reversed these change. AA alleviates psoriasis symptoms by blocking the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome.

This study aims to investigate the effect of acupuncture combined with gangliosides on serum inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with non-fracture dislocation-type acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). A total of 160 patients with non-fracture dislocation-type acute cervical SCI admitted to our orthopedic ward were assigned into 4 groups (n = 40 each): control group (C), ganglioside group (G), acupuncture group (A), and combined treatment group (J). All patients received routine methylprednisolone sodium succinate pulse therapy. Group C underwent standard treatment; Group G received additional ganglioside therapy; Group A received acupuncture; and Group J was treated with both acupuncture and gangliosides. Clinical outcomes were assessed through spinal cord function scores, therapeutic efficacy, American Spinal Injury Association grades, Visual Analogue Scale scores, quality of life, somatosensory evoked potentials, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. After treatment, Group J showed significantly higher spinal cord function scores and overall efficacy compared with the other groups (P < .05). The American Spinal Injury Association grade in Group J was markedly improved (P < .05). Visual Analogue Scale scores were lowest in Group J (1.4 ± 0.5, P < .05). Quality of life scores across all domains were significantly higher in Group J (P < .05). The somatosensory evoked potentials inter-peak latency in Group J was also notably shorter than in the other groups (P < .05). Moreover, serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were most significantly reduced in Group J (P < .05). Acupuncture combined with ganglioside therapy significantly decreases serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in patients with non-fracture dislocation-type acute cervical SCI. This combined treatment demonstrates superior clinical efficacy and functional recovery compared to single therapies.

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has expanded the use of nanomaterials across biomedical and industrial applications. Engineered gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have attracted considerable interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications; however, their ability to cross the placental barrier and the potential for fetotoxic effects remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to investigate the transplacental transfer and developmental toxicity of biosynthesized Au NPs in a BALB/c mouse model. Pregnant mice were assigned to three groups: a control group (G1) and two treatment groups receiving intravenous doses of 10µg/g/day (G2) or 20µg/g/day (G3). Morphological examination of fetal skeletal structures using light microscopy revealed no overt abnormalities. In contrast, comprehensive skeletal assessment using an advanced multimodal complementary laser-based platform demonstrated significant dose-dependent alterations. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) detected pronounced dysregulation of calcium and magnesium critical for bone mineralization. Additionally, laser speckle imaging enabled sensitive, nondestructive evaluation of microstructural changes associated with fetal bone ossification and alterations in mineral content. The integrated analysis revealed disrupted ossification centers, abnormal bone density signatures, and subtle skeletal anomalies that were undetectable by conventional microscopy. The combined application of LIBS and laser speckle imaging proved highly sensitive in identifying early elemental imbalances and microstructural defects in fetal bone development following Au NPs exposure. These findings emphasize the value of advanced photonic and spectroscopic techniques for nanosafety assessment and underscore the necessity for thorough in vivo evaluation of the potential developmental risks associated with biosynthesized gold nanoparticles.

This phase3, multicenter, sham procedure/placebo-controlled, double-masked, randomized clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of oxygen-enriched epithelium-on corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) for the treatment of keratoconus. The trial enrolled patients aged 13 to 51years diagnosed with keratoconus. Eyes were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to CXL treatment or sham/placebo. The CXL treatment group (200 eyes) received cross-linking using riboflavin 5'-phosphate ophthalmic solutions 0.239% and 0.177% with ultravioletA (UV-A) irradiation and supplemental oxygen while the sham/placebo group (112 eyes) received placebo solutions and a sham irradiation procedure. The primary efficacy endpoint was the between-group difference in least squares (LS) mean change from baseline in maximum corneal curvature (Kmax) at month12. Safety outcomes included adverse events and ophthalmic assessments. At month12, the LS mean Kmax in the CXL treatment group improved as a change from baseline by 0.5D (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7, 0.3; p < 0.0001) and the LS mean Kmax in the untreated sham/placebo group deteriorated by 0.4D (95%CI 0.1, 0.8: p = 0.0045). The difference between groups was - 1.0D (95%CI - 1.3, - 0.6; p < 0.0001). Therefore, the study met the primary efficacy endpoint criterion with both a statistically significant and clinically meaningful change in the mean Kmax. There were no serious ocular adverse events nor severe treatment-related adverse events in the study eye. The most common adverse event was punctate keratitis (6.5% vs. 1.8% in the CXL and sham/placebo groups, respectively). Epithelium-on CXL using riboflavin ophthalmic solutions (riboflavin 5'-phosphate ophthalmic solutions 0.239% and 0.177%) with UV-A irradiation and supplemental oxygen is safe and effective for the treatment of keratoconus in pediatric patients and adults. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05759559.

Background: Interest in natural food supplements as effective alternative therapeutics for managing dysglycemia has grown substantially over the past decade owing to their minimal side effects and holistic health rejuvenation. Objective: In the present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 90-day study, the efficacy of Glucocil®, a proprietary formulation of 14 natural ingredients, was investigated in a cohort of 37 pre-diabetic individuals (21 experimental and 16 placebo). Materials and Methods: Glucocil® was bio-engineered using a proprietary manufacturing technology utilizing safety-affirmed ingredients and progressive high-shear wet milling operation with sequential addition of selected phytoconstituents, vitamins and other ingredients. Subjects were advised to consume 4,800 mg of either placebo (soybean oil; 1,200 mg/ soft gel) or Glucocil® soft gels (1,200 mg/soft gel) each day over a period of 90 consecutive days. Either at the end of the study or at intermittent intervals of 30 and 60 days, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin levels as well as lipid profile were assessed to ascertain the efficacy of the formulation. Anthropogenic parameters were also determined to ascertain the visible changes (if any) inflicted by the formulation. Lastly, safety of the formulation was assessed in terms of cardiovascular parameters and liver function parameters. Results: HbA1c decreased from 6.44 to 5.80 in the Glucocil® group with significant within-group improvement (p=0.0002), whereas placebo decreased from 6.22 to 6.06 without significant within-group change (p=0.2930). The mean HbA1c change was greater with Glucocil® (−0.64) than placebo (−0.17), with a significant between-group difference (p=0.0301). OGTT 2-hour glucose decreased significantly within the Glucocil® group (−24.11 mg/dL; p=0.0131), but not significantly versus placebo between groups (p=0.5406). However, both fasting insulin and fasting blood glucose didn’t undergo an equally appreciable drop. Consumption of Glucocil® did not bring about any appreciable change in body weight or other anthropometric factors. No noticeable change was found in lipid profile of the individuals in the treatment group as compared to the placebo group, except for a slight increase in HDL effected by consumption of Glucocil®. Safety assessment of this formulation was carried out in terms of assessment of cardiovascular (pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and liver function parameters. Conclusion: This investigation provided valuable insights in evaluation of safety and efficacy of Glucocil®, a novel antidiabetic supplement made fully from natural ingredients and free from any noticeable side effects. Keywords: Glucocil®- A novel phytonutrient formulation; Clinical trial; Pre-Diabetics; Blood glucose; HbA1c; Metabolic health; Safety

Diabetes mellitus and efficacy of dual antiplatelet in acute ischemic stroke: A post hoc analysis of the ATAMIS trial.

Progestin and vitamin D synergistically inhibit fallopian tube carcinogenesis.

This study aimed to compare the distorotation of the upper first molars (U6) and the expansion of the upper dental arch achieved using clear aligners (CA), Leaf Expander® (LE; Leone, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy), and rapid maxillary expander (RME), all anchored to the second primary molars. The research was structured as asuperiority randomized controlled trial conducted in two academic medical centers in Italy. Participants included children in growth phase presenting transverse maxillary deficiency with intermolar width less than 30 mm, early mixed dentition with fully erupted upper first molars, and acervical vertebral maturation stage (CVMS)1 or2, without systemic diseases or syndromes. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups: CA, LE, or RME. The main variable measured was the distorotation of U6, with secondary variables including the width between canines, first molars, and second primary molars. In all, 60subjects were randomized equally into the three groups. Average treatment time was 8 ± 3months for the LE group and 9 ± 1months for the RME group (p = 0.089). Mean treatment time for the CA group was 15months with astandard deviation of 2months. Asignificant difference was observed in the number of clinical visits: 6 ± 2 for LE and 8 ± 1 for RME (p < 0.001). The RME group completed the active treatment phase in 10 ± 2days, which was notably shorter than the 3.5 ± 0.71months required for the LE group (p < 0.001). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences among the groups in terms of U6 distorotation (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found for the expansion of the upper arch. Overall molar distorotation was highest in the LE group (11.73°), surpassing the RME group (6.22°), and was similar to the result observed in the CA group (11.89°). Both CA and maxillary expanders fixed to upper primary molars produced comparable levels of dentoalveolar expansion. The spontaneous distorotation of the U6 obtained with LE was similar to the planned distorotation achieved with CA and significantly higher than that observed with RME.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and ocular safety of a multi-wavelength (680 nm, 780 nm, 830 nm) LED irradiation device in a rat model of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-induced dry eye disease (DED).A total of 34 male SD rats were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups, including a normal control group, an MGD induction group, and various treatment groups (LED irradiation, hyaluronic acid, cyclosporine, thermal therapy, and combination therapy). MGD was induced by CFA injection. LED irradiation was administered daily from day 8 to day 22. The clinical ocular assessments included the following: tear break-up time (TBUT), eyelid swelling score, fluorescein corneal staining (FCS), and eyelid telangiectasia. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were conducted in the cornea, conjunctiva, meibomian glands, and retina. To assess retinal safety, a TUNEL staining procedure was performed.The LED and combination treatment groups showed significant enhancements in TBUT and reductions in FCS, eyelid swelling, and telangiectasia scores in comparison to the MGD group (p < 0.05). In-depth analysis of the data sets revealed a significant decrease in the expression of inflammatory cytokines among the treatment groups. Notably, the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 was significantly reduced in both the LED and combination groups.

Primary care clinicians' perspectives on an electronic health record-integrated clinical decision support tool for opioid use disorder.

Introduction Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are crucial for sustainable agriculture, but their efficacy depends heavily on their colonization capacity within the rhizosphere and their interactions with native microbial communities. In previous studies, Bacillus subtilis strain 8-32 was screened for its potent antagonistic activity against pathogenic fungi and its high capacity for producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). This study aimed to investigate the colonization dynamics of strain 8-32 in tomato plants and evaluate its impact on the rhizosphere microbial community structure. Methods Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeling was used to track the colonization of B. subtilis 8-32 in tomato plants. Tomato seedlings were randomly divided into three treatment groups: the control group (CK), the seed-soaking group (T1), and the root-drenching group (T2). During the 21-day experimental period, plant growth parameters, root activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were monitored. Changes in bacterial and fungal community structures were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA and ITS regions. Results The results revealed that Bacillus subtilis 8-32 successfully colonized both the tomato root system and the surrounding soil. On days 14 and 21, the colonization levels in the root system reached 7.1130±0.0413 (log 10 CFU/g), while in the soil, they were 6.4664±0.03620 (log 10 CFU/g) and 7.111±0.0461 (log 10 CFU/g), respectively. T1 group and T2 group exhibited significant growth improvements compared to CK. Specifically, on day 14, the root length, root weight, stem length, and stem weight of T2 group increased by 19.96%, 381.81%, 39.97%, and 145.33%, respectively, compared to CK. Root vitality in the T2 group was 39.77%, 177.24%, and 171.16% higher on day 7, 14, and 21, respectively, while malondialdehyde content decreased by 24.60%, 34.18%, and 71.34%, over the period. Microbial diversity analysis revealed that Bacillus subtilis 8-32 did not significantly alter the community α-diversity (P&amp;gt;0.05), but selectively reshaped the community composition: it enriched beneficial bacterial taxa such as Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota, enhanced the functional diversity of Ascomycota, and concurrently reduced the abundance of pathogenic fungi within Basidiomycota. Discussion These findings confirm that Bacillus subtilis 8–32 exerts growth-promoting effects on tomatoes through efficient colonization, regulation of rhizosphere microecological structure, and synergistic enhancement of plant stress resistance. Application of this strain by root drenching exhibits promising potential in tomato production, offering a novel approach to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and facilitate the development of sustainable agriculture.