This work reported the systematic influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) with a diameter of 3 nm on mice. Mice were repeated intratracheally instilled with TiO2 NPs, once per-week for 4 consecutive weeks, at total dose of 13.2 mg/kg. At 28 days post-instillation, the biochemical parameters in broncboalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and brain homogenate as well as histopathologic changes of tissues were examined to describe the subacute toxicity of instilled TiO2 NPs. The results showed that instilled TiO2 NPs could induce lung damage, and change the permeability of alveolar-capillary barrier. The TiO2 NPs were able to get access to blood circulation and reach extrapulmonary tissues, then lead to injury at the different level, such as liver and kidney. Our results also indicated that TiO2 NPs might pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and induce the brain injury through oxidative stress response.

BackgroundWe retrospectively reviewed the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of patients with closed injury of the cervical trachea. We evaluated factors that improve diagnosis and treatment, reduce mortality, and avoid tracheal stenosis.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical data of 17 patients with closed injury of the cervical trachea. All patients underwent CT scanning or endoscopy, tracheal exploration, low tracheotomy, and tracheal repair.ResultsIn 12 patients, breathing, phonation, and swallowing functions had returned to normal at 2 weeks. In three patients, breathing and swallowing functions had recovered at 2 weeks, but hoarseness continued. In two patients, tracheal stenosis prevented extubation and required further surgery; in these patients breathing and swallowing functions had recovered at 6 months.ConclusionsClosed injury of the cervical trachea may cause airway obstruction and is potentially life-threatening. Early diagnosis and repair to restore structure and function are important to ensure survival and avoid tracheal stenosis.

BackgroundMicroneedling is a promising method for the treatment of acne scars, while the effect of microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) remains unknown. We performed a meta-analysis of controlled studies to compare the efficacy and safety of microneedling treatment with and without additional PRP in patients with acne scars.MethodsRandomized and non-randomized controlled studies were identified by search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane's Library databases. Results were pooled with a random-effects model, incorporating the possible heterogeneity.ResultsFour randomized and 10 split-face non-randomized controlled studies with 472 patients were included. Compared to microneedling therapy without PRP, combined treatment with microneedling and PRP was associated with increased odds of clinical improvement of >50% in Goodman's qualitative scale [GQS: odds ratio (OR): 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.96–4.51, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%], and a significantly improved mean GQS score (mean difference: −0.32, 95% CI: −0.44 to −0.20, p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Combined treatment was associated with a higher patient satisfying rate (OR: 4.15, 95% CI: 2.13 to 8.09, p < 0.001; I2 = 53%), while the incidence of severe adverse events such as severe erythema (OR: 1.59, 95% CI:.73 to 3.46, P = 0.24; I2 = 0%) and severe edema (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.47 to 2.76, P = 0.77; I2 = 0%) were not significantly different.ConclusionsCombined treatment with microneedling with PRP is more effective than microneedling without PRP for patients with acne scars.

A range of degradable polyesters have been developed as sustainable alternatives for commercial plastics; however, limitations of composting facilities and uncontrolled degradation in the environment hindered their viability. In this study, biobased itaconic acid was selected as an active site to control the degradation of polyesters. A series of PBXI copolyesters with M w 's ranging from 4.86 to 8.31 × 10 4 g/mol and high intrinsic viscosities of more than 1.15 dL/g were successfully synthesized without any crosslinking by selecting appropriate reaction conditions, including condensation temperature and vacuum, effective inhibitor, and catalyst. The obtained copolyesters were semicrystalline, and their T m 's could be regulated from 42.5 to 179.5 °C. They exhibited outstanding elastic modulus (120−598 MPa) and tensile strength (17.9−51.4 MPa) among degradable polymers. Degradation experiments demonstrated that the incorporation of itaconate segments could facilitate both the hydrolysis and enzymatic degradation of polyesters. The state-of-the-art computation and analysis via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of PBXI−CALB complexes elucidated the enzymatic degradation mechanism. Experimental results proved that, at room temperature, the degradation could be stimulated and regulated by amines without a catalyst and the M n 's of lactamization products rapidly decreased to less than 5000 g/mol within 24 h. Moreover, the copolymerized structure of copolyesters and solvent factors could influence the aza-Michael addition between amines and itaconate units. This work provides a strategy to synthesize biodegradable copolymers with the potential to undergo controlled and rapid in vivo degradation with outstanding mechanical properties.

As an important drug for the treatment of cancer, cis-diamine dichloroplatinum (CDDP) has poor solubility and antagonistic effect when it is used as a chemotherapy agent alone, leading to the insufficient dose in actual administration. In order to solve the above problems, increase the targeting property of CDDP carrier and prolong the half-life period of CDDP’s sustained-release, it is necessary to design a magnetic nano-carrier for CDDP with magnetic targeting function to reduce the damage of CDDP to normal tissues in vivo and improve the therapeutic effect of cancer. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) is used to directly coat oleic acid (OA)-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles (OA-Fe3O4 NPs) to create the nano-scale CMCS magnetic nanoparticles (CMCS/OA-Fe2O3 NPs), and CDDP loaded magnetic nanoparticles (CMCS/OA-Fe2O3 NPs/CDDP) are prepared by the bonding interaction between carboxyl groups on the surface of CMCS and the anticancer drug CDDP. The magnetic drug loaded nanoparticles are characterized, and the results show that the magnetic nanoparticles are successfully embedded in CMCS and loaded with CDDP, with the drug load of 43.65 ± 2.37%. MTT assay, flow cytometry and invasion assay are applied to evaluate the inhibitory effect of magnetic drug loaded nanoparticles to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells HNE-1. The results suggest that the magnetic drug loaded nanoparticles successfully prepared have significant inhibitory effect on HNE-1 cells in vitro. Therefore, the magnetic drug loaded nanoparticles prepared have a good therapeutic effect on NPC.