Search

Objective: To analyze current evidence comparing the safety and outcomes of regional and global ischemia for partial nephrectomy (PN). Materials and Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted in May 2014 to identify studies comparing the safety and outcomes of regional and global ischemia for PN. A systematic review and meta-analysis was also performed. Results: Six retrospective observational studies were selected for the analysis, including 363 patients who underwent PN (162 regional ischemia and 201 global ischemia cases). Operation times were not statistically different [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 20.35 min, 95% CI: -0.28-40.97, p = 0.05], but estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the regional ischemia group (WMD = 52.04 ml, 95% CI: 14.30-89.78, p = 0.007) than in the global ischemia group. Complication rates [odds ratio (OR) = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.63-2.15, p = 0.63] and blood transfusion rates (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 0.86-4.01, p = 0.12) of the two groups were not significantly different. The regional ischemia group showed better postoperative renal function (WMD = 4.23 ml/min, 95% CI: 2.61-5.85, p < 0.00001) than the global ischemia group, and all cases in the regional ischemia group showed negative margins. Conclusions: Regional ischemia is as safe to perform as global ischemia, and the former leads to better postoperative renal functions than the latter. These findings support the application of regional ischemia for PN. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the phytochemical structure of Cedrus deodara, an evergreen tree growing on the slopes of the Himalayas. The study isolates and elucidates the structure of phenylpropanoid and nine compounds, such as Shikimic Acid, Dibutylphthalate and Protocatechuic Acid, obtained from the pine needles of Cedrus deodara. Result shows that the compound 1-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoate]-α-D-glucopyranoside was identified.

Alternaria alternata , as a main decay fungus of goji berry, can produce mycotoxins such as alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA). Carvacrol (CVR) has exhibited a broad-spectrum antifungal activity in vitro. We assumed that CVR can also be applied to control Alternaria rot on goji berries and mycotoxins produced by the pathogens. To investigate whether CVR impacts the accumulation of mycotoxins and cell membrane damage of A. alternata , the antifungal activity of CVR on the fungal growth and mycotoxin production was evaluated in this study. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CVR against A. alternata was 0.12 µL/mL. Meanwhile, the destruction of plasma membrane integrity, cytoplasmic leakage, intracellular oxidative damage, and inhibitory effect in vivo were also observed in A. alternata treated with CVR. Moreover, CVR significantly reduced the accumulation of AOH, AME, and TeA. Transcriptomic profiling was performed by means of comparative RNA-Seq analysis to research the gene expression level of A. alternata , which attested to significant changes in nitrogen metabolism, carbon utilization, fatty acid oxidation, and antioxidant enzymes in CVR-treated A. alternata . This study suggests a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of response to CVR treatment in A. alternata , indicating that CVR is a novel antifungal agent with the potential to be applied to various fungi.

Objective: This study aims to explore the intervention effects of narrative nursing on the reproductive concerns of cervical cancer patients of childbearing age undergoing surgical treatment., Methods: Patients undergoing cervical cancer surgery with moderate to severe levels of reproductive concerns, treated between January and December 2023 at a tertiary Grade-A oncology hospital in China, were selected as the research subjects. Patients were randomized into an intervention group and a control group, each consisting of 33 patients. The control group received standard nursing care, while the intervention group received a narrative nursing intervention in addition to standard care. The changes in the levels of reproductive concerns, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life scores before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups., Results: After the intervention, the reproductive concerns scores of the cervical cancer patients in the intervention group (32.53 ± 4.77) were significantly lower than those in the control group (59.29 ± 3.24), with a statistically significant difference (t = 26.143, p < 0.001). The post-traumatic growth scores in the intervention group (86.78 ± 3.52) were significantly higher than those in the control group (68.06 ± 6.24), with a statistically significant difference (t = -14.595, p < 0.001). The quality of life scores in the intervention group (149.00 [IQR = 8.75]) were significantly higher than those in the control group (129.00 [IQR = 13.00]), with a statistically significant difference (z = -5.799, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Narrative nursing can effectively alleviate reproductive concerns in cervical cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment, promote positive psychological changes post-trauma, and improve patients' quality of life., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare the impact of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and paravertebral block (PVB) on the quality of postoperative recovery (QoR) of patients following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)., Methods: A total of 110 patients who underwent elective LSG under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either ultrasound-guided bilateral ESPB or PVB at T8 levels. Before anesthesia induction, 40 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine was administered. The primary outcome was the QoR-15 score at 24 hours postoperatively., Results: At 24 hours postoperatively, the QoR-15 score was comparable between the ESPB and PVB groups (131 (112-140) vs. 124 (111-142.5), P  = 0.525). Consistently, there was no significant difference in QoR-15 scores at 48 hours postoperatively, numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at any postoperative time points, time to first ambulation, time to first anal exhaust, postoperative cumulative oxycodone consumption, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) between the two groups (all P  > 0.05). No nerve block-related complications were observed in either group., Conclusion: In patients undergoing LSG, preoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB yields comparable postoperative recovery to preoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided PVB., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Yang et al.)

Objective: Pathological cardiac remodelling, including cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, is a key pathological process in the development of heart failure. However, effective therapeutic approaches are limited. The β-adrenergic receptors are pivotal signalling molecules in regulating cardiac function. G-alpha interacting protein (GAIP)-interacting protein, C-terminus 1 (GIPC1) is a multifunctional scaffold protein that directly binds to the C-terminus of β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-adrenergic receptor). However, little is known about its roles in heart function. Therefore, we investigated the role of GIPC1 in cardiac remodelling and its underlying molecular mechanisms., Methods: Pathological cardiac remodelling in mice was established via intraperitoneal injection of isoprenaline for 14 d or transverse aortic constriction surgery for 8 weeks. Myh6-driving cardiomyocyte-specific GIPC1 conditional knockout (GIPC1 cKO) mice and adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated GIPC1 overexpression mice were used. The effect of GIPC1 on cardiac remodelling was assessed using echocardiographic, histological, and biochemical analyses., Results: GIPC1 expression was consistently reduced in the cardiac remodelling model. GIPC1 cKO mice exhibited spontaneous abnormalities, including cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and systolic dysfunction. In contrast, AAV9-mediated GIPC1 overexpression in the heart attenuated isoproterenol-induced pathological cardiac remodelling in mice. Mechanistically, GIPC1 interacted with the β1-adrenergic receptor and stabilised its expression by preventing its ubiquitination and degradation, maintaining the balance of β1-adrenergic receptor/β2-adrenergic receptor, and inhibiting hyperactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway., Conclusions: These results suggested that GIPC1 plays a cardioprotective role and is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiac remodelling and heart failure., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Acute postoperative pain is a major concern among surgical patients. Thus, this study established a new acute pain management model and compared the effects of the acute pain service (APS) model in 2020 and the virtual pain unit (VPU) model in 2021 on postoperative analgesia quality., Methods: This retrospective, single-center clinical study involved 21,281 patients from 2020 to 2021. First, the patients were grouped on the basis of their pain management model (APS and VPU). The incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain (MSPP) [numeric rating scale (NRS) score ≥ 5], postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and postoperative dizziness were recorded., Results: The VPU group recorded significantly lower MSPP incidence (1-12 months), PONV, and postoperative dizziness (1-10 months and 12 months) compared with the APS group. In addition, the annual average incidence of MSPP, PONV, and postoperative dizziness in the VPU group was significantly lower than in the APS group., Conclusions: The VPU model reduces the incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness; hence, it is a promising acute pain management model., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: work alienation is receiving increasing attention as a psychological risk at work, and little is known about the mechanisms of role ambiguity and work alienation in nurses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article aims to examine how role ambiguity affects work alienation among Chinese nurses during the two years after COVID-19 pandemic and verify emotional exhaustion as mediators., Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 281 Chinese nurses. Nurses completed online questionnaires containing demographic characteristics, role ambiguity, emotional exhaustion, and work alienation, and SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 were used for data analysis and structural equation modelling., Results: work alienation scores were (34.64 ± 10.09), work alienation was correlated with role ambiguity and emotional exhaustion (r1 = 0.521, r2 = 0.755; p < .01), and role ambiguity was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion (r = 0.512; p < .01). A mediating effect of emotional exhaustion between role ambiguity and work alienation held (mediating effect of 0.288, 95% CI: 0.221-0.369, accounting for 74.8% of the total effect)., Conclusion: Role ambiguity has a significant direct effect on nurses' feelings of alienation and exacerbates alienation through emotional exhaustion. Clarifying roles at work and being less emotionally drained are effective ways to reduce nurses' feelings of alienation., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Long-non-coding RNA PVT1 (lncRNA PVT1) can be used as an oncogenic regulatory non-coding RNA (ncRNA) for many cancers. However, its function and mechanism in breast cancer (BRCA) are still not clearly elucidated., Objective: We attempt to explain the mechanism of PVT1's role in breast cancer from different perspectives., Methods: We analyzed the expression of PVT1 and its correlation with the breast cancer related clinical data in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We used PVT1 overexpression and knockdown lentivirus to infect breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line for cell function verification, in vitro using CCK-8 to measure proliferation, flow cytometry to measure apoptosis, transwell test to measure invasion and migration ability, detecting cell extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) to assess glycolysis metabolism and explore the biological functions of PVT1 in breast cancer cells. Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the changes of related genes in cells after overexpression of PVT1. In vivo we used a xenograft model to study the effect of PVT1 on breast cancer., Results: PVT1 was up-regulated in breast cancer tissues and was positively correlated with the clinical stage of breast cancer patients. Overexpression of PVT1 in vitro promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted tumor growth in vivo. Knockdown of PVT1 led to the opposite biological consequence. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that PVT1 changes the glycolysis metabolism of tumors through regulation of glycolysis-related genes. In addition, the expression of miR-145-5p is negatively correlated with PVT1. We consider the possibility of PVT1 promoting cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating the aerobic glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells through sponging the miR-145-5p., Conclusion: Our results reveal a potential pathway for competing endogenous RNA to regulate breast cancer glucose metabolism. PVT1 regulates glycolysis related genes expression by competitively binding to endogenous miR-145-5p in breast cancer cells to change the metabolic phenotype. This may Provide new ideas for precise molecular therapy targets for breast cancer., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Cholesterol is an essential component of lipid rafts in cell plasma membrane, which exerts a hepatoprotective role against mycotoxin exposure in pigs, and cholesterol metabolism is vulnerable to epigenetic histone acetylation. Therefore, our present study aimed to investigate whether a histone deacetylase inhibitor (sodium butyrate [NaBu]) could protect the porcine liver from deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure by modulating cholesterol metabolism. Herein, we randomly divided 28 pigs into four groups, which were fed an uncontaminated basal diet, contaminated diet (4 mg DON/kg), uncontaminated diet supplemented with 0.2% NaBu or 4 mg/kg DON contaminated diet (4 mg DON/kg) supplemented with 0.2% NaBu for 28 d., Results: We found that the serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were all increased in pigs exposed to DON, indicative of significant liver injury. Furthermore, the cholesterol content in the serum of DON-exposed pigs was significantly reduced, compared to the healthy Vehicle group. Transcriptome analysis of porcine liver tissues revealed that the cholesterol homeostasis pathway was highly enriched due to DON exposure. In which we validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting that the cholesterol program was markedly activated. Importantly, NaBu effectively restored parameters associated with liver injury, along with the cholesterol content and the expression of key genes involved in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Mechanistically, we performed a ChIP-seq analysis of H3K27ac and showed that NaBu strongly diminished DON-increased H3K27ac genome-wide enrichment. We further validated that the elevated H3K27ac and H3K9ac occupancies on cholesterol biosynthesis genes were both decreased by NaBu, as determined by ChIP-qPCR analysis. Notably, nuclear receptor RORγ, a novel regulator of cholesterol biosynthesis, was found in the hyperacetylated regions. Again, a remarkable increase of RORγ at both mRNA and protein levels in DON-exposed porcine livers was drastically reduced by NaBu. Consistent with RORγ expression, NaBu also hindered RORγ transcriptional binding enrichments on these activated cholesterol biosynthesis genes like HMGCR, SQLE, and DHCR24. Furthermore, we conducted an in vitro luciferase reporter assay to verify that porcine RORγ directly bonds to the promoters of the above target genes., Conclusions: Collectively, our results demonstrate the utility of the natural product NaBu as a potential anti-mycotoxin nutritional strategy for regulating cholesterol metabolism via RORγ-mediated histone acetylation modification., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: To investigate the effects of different prescription compositions of traditional Chinese medicine and its different extraction methods of compound formula extracts on hypoxia tolerance in mice, in order to preferably select their prescription compositions and preparation extraction methods. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, compound danshen group, compound Rhodiola Rosea alcohol-water extract group (Rhodiola rosea, Astragali Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus), compound Rhodiola Rosea water extract group, compound Astragalus alcohol-water extract group (Astragali Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus) and compound Astragalus water extract group, 30 mice in each group. Each group was administered continuously by gavage for 10 d. The blank group was gavaged with sterilized injection water. The mice in the other groups were treated with 0.15 g/kg of compound danshen, 3 g/kg of compound Rhodiola Rosea alcohol-water extract or water extract, and 1.7 g/kg of compound Astragalus alcohol-water extract or water extract, respectively. Each group was subjected to normobaric hypoxia tolerance test, sodium nitrite toxicity survival test and acute cerebral ischemia-hypoxia test 1 h after the last gavage, and the mice brain tissues were used to determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites related to oxidative stress. Results: Compared with the blank control group, in normobaric hypoxia tolerance test, the survival time of mice in the compound danshen group and the compound Astragalus alcohol-water extract group and water extraction group was prolonged significantly ( P ＜0.01), and the number of open-mouth gasping after cerebral ischemia and hypoxia was increased significantly ( P ＜0.05). There was no statistical difference in survival time after sodium nitrite injection in each group. Compared with the blank control group, the activities of T-AOC, SOD, GSH and CAT were increased significantly ( P ＜0.05, P ＜0.01) and the content of MDA was decreased significantly ( P ＜0.01) in the compound Astragalus water extract group. Compared with the compound danshen group, the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH were increased significantly ( P ＜0.01, P ＜0.05) and the content of MDA was decreased significantly ( P ＜0.05). Conclusion: Compound Astragalus water extraction has the best effect of hypoxia tolerance, compound Rhodiola Rosea can eliminate Rhodiola rosea and consists of Astragali Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus and its extraction method is water extraction.

Piperine is a simple alkaloid isolated from the seeds of Piper nigrum. Piperine and its derivatives exhibited a wide range of biological properties such as antitumor activity, antioxidant activity, antiinflammatory activity, antimycobacterial activity, insecticidal activity, etc. Although five excellent reviews have recently been described by Srinivasan in 2007, Mao in 2011, Butt in 2013, and Meghwal in 2013, respectively, their topics were mainly focused on the biological effects. Therefore, in the present review, the progress in the structural modifications on the aliphatic chain and the amide moiety of piperine was reported. Meanwhile, the biological activities and structure-activity relationship of piperine and its derivatives were also described.

A total of 14 biological samples and 3 water samples were collected from the Qingbang Island. The concentrations of OCPs in the samples were determined by GC-ECD to investigate the distribution, composition, source and potential health risks of these compounds in the study area. The results showed that OCPs were detected in all samples. The detection ratios of OCPs were 100%. Concentrations of HCHs and DDTs ranged from 0.09 ng x g(-1) to 11.51 ng x g(-1) and 0. 02 ng x g(-1) to 56.15 ng x g(-1), respectively. Compared with other regions, the pollution of OCPs in Qingbang Island stayed at a low level. Distribution characteristics of OCPs in halobios from Qingbang Island indicated that changes in the upwelling and fronts were the main factors that affected the distribution of OCPs. Source analysis showed that HCHs and DDTs in halobios were mainly originated from the external. In addition, OCPs residues were far below the National Food Safety Standard. The estimated daily intake of OCPs from the halobios tested was also below the acceptable daily intake(ADI) recommended by FAO/WHO, indicating little health risk in halobios consumption for local residents.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Patrinia scabra Bunge., Methods: Chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence., Results: Seven compounds were isolated and purified. Their structures were identified as villosol (I), patriscabrol (II), protocatechuic acid (III), beta-daucosterol (IV), oleic acid (V), beta-sitosterol (VI), erucic acid (VII)., Conclusion: Compounds I, III, V, VII are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from pine needles of Cedrus deodara., Methods: Chemical constituents were isolated from 95% ethanol extract by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis., Results: The compounds were identified as 10-nonacosanol (1), dibutyl phthalate (2), protocatechuic acid (3), phthalic acid bis-(2-ethylhexyl) ester (4), (E)-1-O-p-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 5-p-trans-coumaroylguinic acid (6)., Conclusions: Compounds 1- 6 are obtained from this genus for the first time.

Objective: To investigate the anti-apoptotic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on hypoxia-injured cardiac myocytes., Methods: MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of 6 - 8 week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Cardiac myocytes from neonatal rat were cultured under hypoxia, then the hypoxia-injured cardiac myocytes were divided into 3 groups: cultured alone (control group), co-cultured with the MSCs, or co-cultured in MSC-conditioned media in conditions of anoxia (95% N(2) + 5% CO(2), continuous hypoxia group) or normoxia [hypoxia/reoxygen (H/R) group] for 72 hours. The cell apoptosis was measured by Hoechst staining, and Western blotting was used to test the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the cardiac myocytes., Results: The apoptotic rate of the cardiac myocytes cultured under hypoxia was 51.6% +/- 2.4%, significantly higher than those of the cardiac myocytes co-cultured with MSCs and MSC-conditioned media respectively (15.1% +/- 5.4% and 24.0% +/- 4.2% respectively, both P < 0.001). The apoptotic rate of the H/R group was 20.9% +/- 2.7%, significant higher than that of the MSC group (11.5% +/- 3.7%, P < 0.05), however, not significantly different from that of the MSC-conditioned media group (20.1% +/- 4.2%, P > 0.05). The protein expression of Bcl-2 was not significantly different among different groups. The Bax protein expression of the MSC group and MSC-conditioned media group were 2.28 +/- 0.46 and 3.01 +/- 0.26 respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group (7.62 +/- 1.28, both P < 0.05). The decreased expression of Bax in the cardiac myocytes was greatly related to the decreasing of apoptosis., Conclusion: Co-cultured MSCs show significant anti-apoptotic effects on cardiac myocytes both in continuous hypoxia and in H/R conditions with the possible mechanism of direct cell to cell interaction and paracrine of cytokines which effect the expression of Bax in the myocytes.