Cardioprotective Potential of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil against Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy: Possible Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Oxidative Phosphorylation Complex Subunits.

OBJECTIVE: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf is a medicinal and edible herb that is widely used for the treatment of gastric, nervous and hypertensive disorders. In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil, the main active ingredient of Cymbopogon citratus, on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. METHODS: The compositions of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (CCEO) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cardiomyocytes were pretreated with 16.9 µg/L CCEO for 1 h followed by 10 µmol/L ISO for 24 h. Cardiac hypertrophy-related indicators and NLRP3 inflammasome expression were evaluated. Subsequently, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and target verification were used to further explore the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: Our results showed that the CCEO mainly included citronellal (45.66%), geraniol (23.32%), and citronellol (10.37%). CCEO inhibited ISO-induced increases in cell surface area and protein content, as well as the upregulation of fetal gene expression. Moreover, CCEO inhibited ISO-induced NLRP3 inflammasome expression, as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase content and downregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, CASP1, GSDMD, and IL-1ß, as well as reduced protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, caspase-1 (p20), GSDMD-FL, GSDMD-N, and pro-IL-1ß. The RNA-seq results showed that CCEO inhibited the increase in the mRNA levels of 26 oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes. Our further experiments confirmed that CCEO suppressed ISO-induced upregulation of mt-Nd1, Sdhd, mt-Cytb, Uqcrq, and mt-Atp6 but had no obvious effects on mt-Col expression. CONCLUSION: CCEO inhibits ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and the regulation of several oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits.

Altered dynamic and static brain activity and functional connectivity in COVID-19 patients: a preliminary study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on brain functional activity through resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). fMRI scans were conducted on a cohort of 42 confirmed COVID-19-positive patients and 46 healthy controls (HCs) to assess brain functional activity. A combination of dynamic and static amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (dALFF/sALFF) and dynamic and static functional connectivity (dFC/sFC) was used for evaluation. Abnormal brain regions identified were then used as feature inputs in the model to evaluate support vector machine (SVM) capability in recognizing COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the random forest (RF) model was employed to verify the stability of SVM diagnoses for COVID-19 patients. Compared to HCs, COVID-19 patients exhibited a decrease in sALFF in the right lingual gyrus and the left medial occipital gyrus and an increase in dALFF in the right straight gyrus. Moreover, there was a decline in sFC between both lingual gyri and the right superior occipital gyrus and a reduction in dFC with the precentral gyrus. The dynamic and static combined ALFF and FC could distinguish between COVID-19 patients and the HCs with an accuracy of 0.885, a specificity of 0.818, a sensitivity of 0.933 and an area under the curve of 0.909. The combination of dynamic and static ALFF and FC can provide information for detecting brain functional abnormalities in COVID-19 patients.

MRI manifestations of hepatic perfusion disorders.

The present study aimed to analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results from patients with hepatic perfusion disorders (HPD) and liver diseases, in order to assess the pathogenetic mechanisms. This was completed byanalyzing the causes of HPD in 35 patients to assess if they were associated with arterioportal shunt, and classify the patients according to results from the MRI scans. Of the 35 patients, 26 (74.3%) with HPD presented with hepatocellular carcinoma, a major cause of HPD. The HPD phenomenon in 35 patients was not identified as obvious abnormal lesions on T2WI and T1WI according to the isointensity on diffusion weighted images. Enhanced scanning showed hyperintense signals on the arterial phase images, isointense or hyperintense signals on portal phase and delayed phase images. According to their MRI findings, hepatic perfusion disorders may be divided into different types, as follows: Diffuse, lobe or segment type, wedge type and platy. The HPD phenomenon may herald an underlying abnormality of liver disease and MRI may accurately diagnose HPDs in liver diseases.

Significance of preoperative calculation of uterine weight as an indicator for preserving the uterus in pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Recently, increasing evidence has shown that uterus preservation is beneficial for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) patients, both physiologically and psychologically. However, the preoperative indicators for uterus preservation have rarely been examined. The current study was designed to determine the relationship between the preoperative evaluated uterus weight and the operation selection (preserving the uterus or not) in pelvic reconstructive surgery (PRS) using vaginal meshes. First, in a series of 96 patients undergoing hysterectomy, the uterine weight was calculated by preoperative ultrasound measurements, and was then compared with the postoperative actual weight of the uterus. Subsequently, in a series of 65 patients undergone PRS using vaginal meshes and preserving the uterus, the uterine weight was calculated by preoperative ultrasound measurements. Lastly, in a series of 43 patients with a uterine weight > 56.12 g who had undergone PRS using vaginal meshes, the operation success rate in patients with a preserved uterus was compared to patients for whom the uterus was not preserved. The results showed that uterus weight can be evaluated by ultrasound and used as a preoperative indicator for whether the uterus should be preserved or not in PRS when using vaginal meshes. It was indicated that preoperative evaluation of uterine weight is beneficial for surgical planning and guidance.

MicroRNA-199a-3p regulates endometrial cancer cell proliferation by targeting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).

BACKGROUND: Abnormal expression of miR-199a-3p, which has similar effects to oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, can occur in various malignant tumors and is closely linked with tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. However, its expression and effects in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEC) are still unclear. This study was designed to identify the impact of miR-199a-3p on the proliferation of EEC cells and its role in the carcinogenesis of EEC. METHODS: The expression levels of miR-199a-3p in EEC and paired adjacent nontumor tissues were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of miR-199a-3p on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in EEC cells were analyzed in Ishikawa cells transfected with miR-199a-3p mimics and inhibitors. The target genes of miR-199a-3p were predicted using bioinformatics methods. The extent of regulation of the predicted target genes by miR-199a-3p was determined using luciferase reporter assays, Western blotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The EEC cells were pretreated with target gene-specific inhibitors to further identify the relationship between the effects of miR-199a-3p and the predicted target genes. RESULTS: Compared with the adjacent tissues and normal endometrium, reduced expression of miR-199a-3p was found in human EEC specimens. Compared with the control group transfected with control microRNA mimics, the proliferative capacity of EEC cells transfected with miR-199a-3p mimics was inhibited, whereas cells transfected with miR-199a-3p inhibitors showed increased proliferation. The inhibitory effect was associated with increased cell populations at the G1-phase, and decreased cell populations at the S-phase. The results demonstrated that miR-199a-3p could inhibit the protein expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by targeted binding to the mTOR-3' untranslated region. Inhibition of EEC cell proliferation by miR-199a-3p was mediated by its targeted regulation of mTOR. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-199a-3p inhibits tumor cell proliferation through negative regulation of mTOR expression. Restoration of intracellular miR-199a-3p levels may serve as a potential option for EEC treatment.

Prospective study of transobturator mesh kit (Prolift™) in pelvic reconstructive surgery with vaginal hysterectomy after 3 years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study is to analyze prospectively the anatomical and functional outcomes of transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery using the Prolift™ system for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with hysterectomy. METHODS: A prospective, observational, noncomparative study was conducted in 80 patients with prolapse ≥ 2. Postoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage was the main outcome measure. Anatomical cure was defined as vaginal vault stage 0 and improvement as stage 1. Secondary outcomes include pelvic floor distress inventory-20, incontinence impact questionnaire short form-7, and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form-7. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were recruited. The cure and improvement rates were 96.3 % (77/80) and 3.7 % (3/80) respectively at 1 year. At the follow-up of 3-years, the cure rates were 93.3 % (70/75). Among the five patients, three had stage 2 anterior wall prolapse, two had stage 2 posterior wall prolapse. Only one patient with intraoperative adverse event (rectal perforation) was encountered. Postoperative complications included prolonged catheterization in three patients (3.7 %), postoperative stress urinary incontinence in five patients (6.25 %) and asymptomatic mesh extrusions in five patients (6.25 %). All of them occurred within 1 year follow-up. Significant improvements in quality of life were detected at 1 and 3 years compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: The total Prolift™ system surgery represents a safe, simple and useful treatment for severe POP with satisfactory objective clinical outcomes.

Spontaneous and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after delivery: a case report.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is almost exclusively associated with ovulation induction with gonadotropins or, occasionally, clomiphene citrate. Severe ovarian hyperstimulation after delivery has never been reported previously. Herein, a case of OHSS after Cesarean operation is presented. The left ovary was subjected to wedge section and three-quarters of the tissue was removed. Cysts on the right ovary were enucleated and fluid within the cysts was sucked away. The patient was treated by intravenous albumin infusion.

A spontaneous and severe case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after delivery.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is almost exclusively associated with ovulation induction with gonadotropins or, occasionally, clomiphene citrate. Severe ovarian hyperstimulation after delivery has never been reported previously. Herein we report a case of OHSS after delivery by Cesarean section. The left ovary was subjected to wedge section and three-quarters of the tissue was removed. A cyst on the right ovary was enucleated and fluid within the cysts was sucked away. The patient was treated by intravenous albumin infusion.

No association of endometriosis with galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase mutations in a Chinese population.

The linkage between endometriosis and galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase gene (GALT) mutations is controversial. In this study, the prevalence of the most common GALT mutations, Q188R and N314D, was assessed in women with endometriosis in a Chinese population. Three hundred twenty five unrelated women with endometriosis were enrolled. Samples of umbilical cord blood obtained from 310 female newborn infants were used as population controls. Genomic DNA isolated from endometriosis patients and controls were subjected to multiple polymerase chain reactions to determine the Q188R and N314D mutations. There was no significant difference in the frequencies of the Q188R and N314D mutations between endometriosis patients and controls. The endometriosis patients were further divided into subgroups of stage III and IV disease, but still no statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of the Q188R and N314D mutations between any of these groups and the controls. These findings suggest that Q188R and N314D mutations are not likely to be associated with an increased risk of endometriosis among Chinese Women.

Prevalence and risk factors of lower urinary tract symptoms in Fuzhou Chinese women.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: We randomly sampled 6066 women (3.0% of registered female residents aged 20 years and older in Fuzhou) and mailed Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire to women for self-completion. 4684 (77.2%) women with evaluable data were included in this study. RESULTS: The prevalence of LUTS, voiding symptoms, storage symptoms was 39.7%, 13.4%, 37.3%, respectively. Among voiding symptoms, the prevalence of hesitancy, slow stream, intermittence, straining, terminal dribble, splitting was 6.8%, 5.5%, 4.8%, 4.5%, 4.1%, 3.5%, respectively. Among storage symptoms, stress incontinence, urge incontinence, urgency, frequency, nocturia, enuresis was 16.6%, 10.0%, 10.2%, 16.4%, 9.9%, 3.9%, respectively. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed menopause, parity > 2, constipation, fetal birthweight, and episiotomy were common potential risk factors for LUTS, voiding and storage symptoms. Higher BMI increased the occurrence of LUTS and storage symptoms, while cesarean delivery and labor protected against the development of storage symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LUTS in Chinese women is lower than that of most reports in Occidental women. The prevalence of LUTS increases with age.

[Clinical analysis of different surgeries for women with stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of four kinds of suspender surgery: tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), trans-obturator tape (TOT), Goebell-Stoeckel fascia lata sling (Lata) and Burch urethropexy (Burch) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. METHOD: In this controlled, retrospective study, 103 patients were enrolled, including 53 patients who were operated on by TVT, 16 patients by TOT, 19 patients by Lata and 15 patients by Burch. RESULTS: The cure rate was as follows: TVT 94% (50/53), TOT 94% (15/16), Lata 95% (18/19), and Burch 87% (13/15) three months after the operation. The operative time for TVT, TOT, Lata and Burch was (28 +/- 7), (16 +/- 5), (125 +/- 13), and (43 +/- 6) min, whereas the duration of postoperative catheterization was (26 +/- 3), (3 +/- 1), (120 +/- 6), and (72 +/- 5) h, respectively. Two cases in TVT group had bladder perforation, one case in TVT group and two cases in Lata group had urinary retention postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of the four kinds of suspender surgery is obvious. TVT and TOT have the advantage of minimal invasion, quick recovery, and short duration of hospitalization and catheterization, with the possibility of accompanying operations of uterine and vaginal prolapse at the same time. Burch can also be operated on concomitantly with other gynecological operations.