Biomedical subjects

Na Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Na Lu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Fractional laser therapy versus microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Scarring caused by trauma, burns, surgery, and other dermal fibrotic conditions can lead to functional limitation and cosmetic distress. The comparative effectiveness of fractional laser therapy and microneedling for non-acne scars remains uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing fractional laser therapy with microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions. Following a PROSPERO-registered protocol and PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CNKI from inception to May 2026 without language restrictions. Parallel-group and split-body randomized trials were eligible. Random-effects models were used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcomes and odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials were included. Fractional laser therapy showed a statistically significant advantage over microneedling in scar scores (SMD = -0.99, 95% CI [-1.83, -0.15], P = 0.02) and collagen fiber regeneration (SMD = -2.14, 95% CI [-3.57, -0.72], P = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found between the two interventions for elastic fiber improvement, epidermal thickness, or adverse events. Subgroup analyses did not show clear or consistent significant differences according to laser type, including comparisons between traditional and non-traditional fractional lasers and between CO₂ and non-CO₂ fractional laser systems. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across several outcomes, indicating considerable between-study variability. CONCLUSION: Based on currently available randomized evidence, fractional laser therapy may provide superior improvement in overall scar severity and collagen fiber regeneration compared with microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions. However, no clear differences were observed for elastic fiber improvement, epidermal thickness, or adverse-event incidence. Given the substantial heterogeneity, limited sample sizes, and possible reporting bias, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further large, standardized trials with longer follow-up are needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

METTL14-mediated m6A modification of CCNE1 accelerates progression of myelodysplastic syndromes via MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common RNA modification and plays a key role in the initiation, progression, and relapse of multiple cancers, including hematologic malignancies. However, the role of m6A and m6A regulatory genes in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the function and molecular mechanism of methyltransferase METTL14 in MDS. METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to assess the expression of multiple m6A regulators, focusing on METTL14 in MDS patients and cell lines. METTL14 overexpressing and knockdown cell lines were established, and CCK-8, EdU, and flow cytometry assays were performed to explore the biological functions of METTL14.Dot blot, MeRIP-Seq, MeRIP-qPCR, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were employed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism. RESULTS: Dysregulation of multiple m6A regulators was observed in MDS, among which METTL14 was upregulated. Elevated METTL14 expression increases MDS risk and adverse prognosis, emerging as a biomarker for poor prognosis. METTL14 promoted proliferation and cell-cycle progression of MDS cells while inhibiting apoptosis; corresponding changes were observed in cell cycle and apoptosis markers. METTL14 regulated cellular m6A levels. Downstream targets of METTL14 were enriched in cell cycle-related pathways, with CCNE1 identified as a critical target. Knockdown of METTL14, actinomycin D, or S-adenosylhomocysteine treatment reduced CCNE1 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, METTL14 activated MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling via CCNE1 in an m6A-dependent manner, thereby promoting proliferative MDS cells' capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This study delineates a METTL14/m6A/CCNE1 signaling axis in MDS progression and suggests that METTL14-mediated m6A modification may be a potential therapeutic target for MDS.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

An improved temporal clustering analysis method applied to whole-brain data in fMRI study.

Temporal clustering analysis (TCA) has been proposed as a method to detect the brain responses of an fMRI time series when the time and location of the activation are completely unknown. But TCA is still incompetent in dealing with the time series of the whole brain due to the existence of many inactive pixels. If only active pixels are considered, the sensitivity of TCA will be improved greatly and it could be applied to the whole brain. In this study, some modifications were made to TCA to remove inactive pixels, and the applicability of the modified TCA to the whole brain was validated with a set of visual fMRI data. Based on the time series of the modified TCA, activations of the whole brain corresponding to the visual stimulation were detected. Compared with the previous TCA, the modified TCA method shows a significant improvement in the sensitivity to detect activation peaks of the whole brain.

Brain↗

PubMed2006

Improved temporal clustering analysis method for detecting multiple response peaks in fMRI.

PURPOSE: To develop an improved temporal clustering analysis (TCA) method for detecting multiple active peaks by running the method once. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases of simulation data and a set of actual fMRI data from nine subjects were used to compare the traditional TCA method with the new method, termed extremum TCA (ETCA). The first case of simulation data simulated event-related activation and block activation in one cerebral area, and the second case simulated event-related activation and block activation in two cerebral areas. An in vivo visual stimulating experiment was performed on a 1.5T MR scanner. All imaging data were processed using both traditional TCA and the new method. RESULTS: The results of both the simulated and actual fMRI data show that the new method is more sensitive and exact than traditional TCA in detecting multiple response peaks. CONCLUSION: The new method is effective in detecting multiple activations even when the timing and location of the brain activation are completely unknown.

Brain Mapping↗

PubMed2006

[Bioconversion of sewage sludge to biopesticide by Bacillus thuringiensis].

Feasibility of bioconversion of sewage sludge to biopesticide by Bacillus thuringiensis was studied using sewage sludge as a raw material. The fermentation was also compared with conventional medium. Results showed that without any pretreatment, the nutrients contained in sewage sludge were almost sufficient for Bacillus thuringiensis growth, even with a rapid multiplicational rate. Higher viable cells and viable spores values were obtained earlier at 24 h, with 9.48 x 10(8) CFU x mL(-1) and 8.51 x 10(8) CFU x mL(-1) respectively, which was 12 hours earlier and nearly 20 percent higher than conventional medium. SEM of 36 h samples gave a clear phenomenon that the metabolizability in sludge was much faster with spores and crystals spreading around. The crystals in sludge seemed rather bigger and more regular. Also a better crystal protein yield of 2.80 mg x mL(-1) was observed in sludge medium compared to conventional medium at the end of fermentation. Sludge fermentation for Bacillus thuringiensis reduces the producing cost, and gives better fermentation capabilities. It's expected to be a new method for sludge disposal.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗