Natural polysaccharides as promising reno-protective agents for the treatment of various kidney injury.

Renal injury, a prevalent clinical outcome with multifactorial etiology, imposes a substantial burden on society. Currently, there remains a lack of effective management and treatments. Extensive research has emphasized the diverse biological effects of natural polysaccharides, which exhibit promising potential for mitigating renal damage. This review commences with the pathogenesis of four common renal diseases and the shared mechanisms underlying renal injury. The renoprotective roles of polysaccharides in vivo and in vitro are summarized in the following five aspects: antioxidative stress effects, antiapoptotic effects, antiinflammatory effects, antifibrotic effects, and gut modulatory effects. Furthermore, we explore the structure-activity relationship and bioavailability of polysaccharides in relation to renal injury, as well as investigate their utility as biomaterials for alleviating renal injury. The clinical experiments of polysaccharides applied to patients with chronic kidney disease are also reviewed. Broadly, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on the research direction of natural polysaccharides in the context of renal injury, with the primary aim to serve as a reference for the clinical development of polysaccharides as pharmaceuticals and prebiotics for the treatment of kidney diseases.

Utility of serum chemokine-like factor 1 as a biomarker of severity and prognosis after severe traumatic brain injury: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) may be involved in the inflammatory response and secondary brain injury after severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). We determined serum CKLF1 levels of sTBI patients to further investigate the correlation of CKLF1 levels with disease severity, functional prognosis, and 180-day mortality of sTBI. METHODS: Serum CKLF1 levels were measured at admission in 119 sTBI patients and at entry into study in 119 healthy controls. Serum CKLF levels of 50 patients were also quantified at days 1-3, 5, and 7 after admission. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores and Rotterdam computerized tomography (CT) classification were utilized to assess disease severity. Extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOSE) scores were recorded to evaluate function prognosis at 180 days after sTBI. Relations of serum CKLF1 levels to 180-day poor prognosis (GOSE scores of 1-4) and 180-day mortality were analyzed using univariate analysis, followed by multivariate analysis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was built to investigate prognostic predictive capability. RESULTS: Serum CKLF1 levels of sTBI patients increased at admission, peaked at day 2, and then gradually decreased; they were significantly higher during the 7 days after sTBI than in healthy controls. Differences of areas under ROC curve (areas under the curve [AUCs]) were not significant among the six time points. Multivariate analysis showed that serum CKLF1 levels were independently correlated with GCS scores, Rotterdam CT classification, and GOSE scores. Serum CKLF1 levels were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors and in poor prognosis patients than in good prognosis patients. Serum CKLF1 levels independently predicted 180-day poor prognosis and 180-day mortality, and had high 180-day prognosis and mortality predictive abilities, and their AUCs were similar to those of GCS scores and Rotterdam CT classification. Combination model containing serum CKLF1, GCS scores, and Rotterdam CT classification performed more efficiently than any of them alone in predicting mortality and poor prognosis. The models were visually described using nomograms, which were comparatively stable under calibration curve and were relatively of clinical benefit under decision curve. CONCLUSION: Serum CKLF1 levels are significantly associated with disease severity, poor 180-day prognosis, and 180-day mortality in sTBI patients. Hence, complement CKLF1 may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker of sTBI.

The magnesium depletion score is associated with increased likelihood of kidney stone disease among female adults.

OBJECT: The association between magnesium depletion score (MDS) and kidney stone disease (KSD) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the association of MDS with KSD in adults. METHODS: A total of 19,654 participants were enrolled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The MDS was calculated by assessing four aspects, including alcohol assumption, renal function, and use of diuretics and proton pump inhibitor. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to explore the associations between MDS and the prevalence of KSD. Linear correlations were conducted explore the relationship of testosterone with MDS. RESULTS: In the multivariable logistic regressions with full adjustment for confounding variables, the odds ratio of MDS associating with KSD was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.04-1.58, P = 0.022) in total population, and 1.70 (95% CI: 1.16-2.50, P=0.007) in female participants. Besides, compared to the lowest MDS, the highest MDS was associated with a lower testosterone (ß = -16.39, P=0.009) after full adjustment in non-menopause women. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted a positive correlation of high MDS with KSD in female population, which may be associated low level of serum testosterone.

A Linear Regression Equation for Predicting the Residual Volume of Chronic Subdural Hematoma 1 Week After Surgery.

Objective: The outcome of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is influenced not only by the choice of treatment but also by various baseline characteristics. The main objective of this study is to identify the risk factors that can affect the prognosis of CSDH and develop a regression equation based on these risk factors. Methods: A total of 212 patients with CSDH were included in the study. We collected clinical data including age, gender, and so on, and radiological data including preoperative hematoma volume (V1), effusion volume 1 day after surgery (V2), gas volume 1 day after surgery (V3), and so on. These were considered independent variables, while residual volume 1 week after surgery (V4) was the dependent variable. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors that were significantly related. Subsequently, multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between each independent variable and the dependent variable. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain a regression equation predicting V4. Results: We have found that age (t = 3.109, P = 0.002), aspirin (t = 2.762, P = 0.006), hemostatic agents (haemocoagulase, t = 3.731, P < 0.001; vitamin K, t = 2.824, P = 0.005 < 0.05), V2 (t = 8.73, P < 0.001), and V3 (t = 5.968, P < 0.001) are significantly associated with V4. Furthermore, we have developed a regression equation that can predict this volume with CSDH. The fit of the model is robust with an R-squared value of 65.2% > 50%. Conclusion: Age, aspirin, hemostatic agent, V2, and V3 are significantly associated with V4. We developed a regression equation to predict this volume with CSDH.

ZBTB20 Regulates Prolactin Expression and Lactotrope Function in Adult Mice.

Lactotropes are prolactin (PRL)-secreting endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary. We have established the zinc finger protein ZBTB20 as an essential transcription factor for lactotrope specification, the disruption of which results in complete loss of lactotropes in mice. However, the potential role of ZBTB20 in mature lactotropes remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that ZBTB20 acts as a critical cell-autonomous regulator for PRL expression in mature lactotropes in adult mice. Via a CRISPR/Cas9 approach, we first generated a tamoxifen-inducible Prl-CreER knockin mouse line that could efficiently mediate gene recombination specifically in lactotropes. Conditional deletion of the Zbtb20 gene specifically in mature lactotropes at adulthood led to a substantial decrease in PRL levels both in the pituitary and in plasma, without significant alterations of lactotrope relative density in the pituitary from male or female mice. Furthermore, conditional disruption of Zbtb20 in adult female mice did not significantly change pregnancy-elicited lactotrope expansion, but caused an impaired mammary gland expansion and lactation due to the PRL defect. Thus, our data point to an important role of ZBTB20 in regulating PRL expression and lactotrope function at adulthood.

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering aptasensor for Escherichia coli detection based on high-performance 3D substrate and hot spot effect.

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) aptasensor was established for highly sensitive and selective detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Chitosan hydrogel modified with E. coli aptamer (Apt) functionalized silver nanoparticles was constructed as a SERS 3D substrate for specific bacteria enrichment, while the Raman signaling molecule 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and E. coli Apt modified gold nanostars were prepared for the sensitive quantification of E. coli. The aptasensor exhibits intense electromagnetic field enhancement in multiple hot spot regions, including the spikes and the gap between adjacent nanostars and that between gold nanostars and silver nanoparticles. Due to the hot spot effect coupled with the selective recognition ability, a detection limit of 3.46 CFU/mL with a wide dynamic linearized range from 3.2 × 101 to 3.2 × 107 CFU/mL could be achieved without other non-target bacteria interference. Moreover, this SERS aptasensor was applied to detect E. coli in actual samples with a good recovery rate (>90%). Therefore, the developed SERS aptasensor paves a new avenue for the detection in the field of food safety and environmental pollution by replacing the corresponding aptamers.

An ultrasensitive and dual-recognition SERS biosensor based on Fe3O4@Au-Teicoplanin and aptamer functionalized Au@Ag nanoparticles for detection of Staphylococcus aureus.

An ultrasensitive and dual-recognition surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was constructed, which was based on teicoplanin (Tcp) functionalized gold-coated magnet nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Au-Tcp NPs) as capture probe and S. aureus aptamer (Apt) functionalized silver coated gold nanoparticles (Au@Ag-DTNB-Apt NPs) as signal probe. Both Au NPs and Au@Ag NPs were prepared by a green synthesis method. Especially, the synthesis method of Au@Ag NPs reduced by chitosan (CS) was first reported in this work. Due to the great SERS enhancement based on the hot spot effect between Au NPs and Au@Ag NPs, and the dual-recognition ability based on Tcp and Apt, the SERS biosensor was ultrasensitive and specific. A detection limit of 1.09 CFU mL-1 with a broad dynamic linear (7.6 × 101-7.6 × 107 CFU mL-1) was achieved within 50 min without interference by other bacteria. Moreover, the SERS biosensor could be applied for detection of S. aureus in milk and orange juice samples. This study provides a green, rapid and ultrasensitive method to detect S. aureus, and also explores the high utilization value of CS and Tcp, which has a broad application prospect in detection of pathogenic bacteria.

A fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering dual-mode aptasensor for rapid and sensitive detection of ochratoxin A.

A fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (FL-SERS) dual-mode aptasensor was established for sensitive and rapid detection of Ochratoxin A (OTA). This aptasensor was assembled by the hybridization of OTA aptamer (OTA Apt) modified gold nanostars (Apt-AuNSs) and Cy3 modified complementary DNA functionalized gold nanospheres (cDNA-AuNPs). The aptasensor displays a low FL signal due to the proximity of Cy3 to AuNSs, and a high SERS signal due to the "hot spot" effect generated by the nano-gap between AuNSs and AuNPs. In the presence of OTA, the preferential combination of OTA Apt and OTA results in a low SERS signal. Meanwhile, cDNA-AuNPs are released from the hybrid complex, leading to the recovery of the FL signal. The aptasensor has a low detection limit of 0.17 ng/mL (the detection range is 1-100 ng/mL) in FL mode and 1.03 pg/mL (the detection range is 5-250 pg/mL) in SERS mode. Furthermore, this aptasensor exhibits high specificity and good interferent resistance, which can discriminate OTA from other mycotoxins. Moreover, this aptasensor can be used for OTA detection in coffee and wine samples with good recovery rates. Unlike single-signal aptasensors, this dual-mode aptasensor holds exquisite properties such as high reliability, great detection flexibility and good anti-interference ability.

In vivo dual fluorescence imaging of mucin 1 and its glycoform in tumor cells.

The most efficient approach for cancer identification and monitoring is the detection of cancer-associated protein biomarkers but an accurate diagnosis requires multiple analyses. Glycosylation profiling can provide important biological information since different glycoforms are involved in malignant transformation. Here, a near-infrared (NIR) light activated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) strategy for the efficient and reliable simultaneous dual imaging of the mucin 1 (MUC1) protein backbone and MUC1-specific sialic acid (Sia) is reported. MUC1, an important tumor biomarker, is overexpressed and under-glycosylated in most tumor cells. Two aptamer-functionalized nanoprobes, Cy5-labeled Sia aptamer-functionalized gold nanostars (Sia-GNSs) and MUC1 aptamer-functionalized quantum dots (MUC1-QDs), were successfully constructed with high specificity and biocompatibility. Upon excitation with NIR light, Sia-GNSs endothermically released the Cy5-labeled Sia aptamer that specifically binds to Sia. The Cy5 fluorescence can be observed due to the FRET effect when the Cy5-labeled Sia aptamer and MUC1-QDs bind to the same MUC1 molecule. Dual imaging and relative quantification of MUC1 and its sialylation were achieved in vitro, in vivo and in clinical tissue samples. This efficient platform allows for the simultaneous detection of protein biomarkers and their glycosylation pattern, with significant potential for clinical cancer diagnostics.

[Intervention of auricular point sticking on perioperative psychological stress in patients with anorectal diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the intervention effect of auricular point sticking on perioperative psychological stress in patients with anorectal diseases. METHODS: Eighty patients who underwent anorectal surgery were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). The routine preoperative guidance, preoperative visits, and informed of the postoperative condition were received in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, auricular point sticking was immediately applied at Shenmen (TF4), Shen (CO10), Wei (CO4), Gan (CO12), Pi (CO13), Pizhixia (AT4), E (AT1), Nie (AT2) and Zhen (AT3) in the observation group.The patients were pressed by themselves, 3 to 5 min per point each time, 5 times a day, and the contralateral auricular points were replaced every 2 or 3 days until 1 week after surgery. The Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores were compared between the two groups before and 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the total HAMA scores between after and before surgery in the observation group (P>0.05). The total HAMA score in the control group was higher than that before surgery (P<0.05). The total HAMA score in the observation group after surgery was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total HAMD scores between the two groups before and after surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total HAMD scores between the two groups after the surgery (P>0.05). The scores of somatic anxiety factor in the two groups were higher than those before surgery (P<0.05). The scores of somatic anxiety factor in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of psychotic anxiety factors in the two groups were lower than those before surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the score of psychotic anxiety factors between the two groups (P>0.05). The total score of PSQI in the two groups was lower than that before surgery (P<0.05), and the total score of PSQI in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular point sticking can effectively improve some psychological stress problems during perioperative period in patients with anorectal diseases.

Numerical investigations of the haemodynamic changes associated with stent malapposition in an idealised coronary artery.

The deployment of a coronary stent near complex lesions can sometimes lead to incomplete stent apposition (ISA), an undesirable side effect of coronary stent implantation. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations are performed on simplified stent models (with either square or circular cross-section struts) inside an idealised coronary artery to analyse the effect of different levels of ISA to the change in haemodynamics inside the artery. The clinical significance of ISA is reported using haemodynamic metrics like wall shear stress (WSS) and wall shear stress gradient (WSSG). A coronary stent with square cross-sectional strut shows different levels of reverse flow for malapposition distance (MD) between 0mm and 0.12 mm. Chaotic blood flow is usually observed at late diastole and early systole for MD=0mm and 0.12 mm but are suppressed for MD=0.06 mm. The struts with circular cross section delay the flow chaotic process as compared to square cross-sectional struts at the same MD and also reduce the level of fluctuations found in the flow field. However, further increase in MD can lead to chaotic flow not only at late diastole and early systole, but it also leads to chaotic flow at the end of systole. In all cases, WSS increases above the threshold value (0.5 Pa) as MD increases due to the diminishing reverse flow near the artery wall. Increasing MD also results in an elevated WSSG as flow becomes more chaotic, except for square struts at MD=0.06 mm.

The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer by interstitial I-125 seeds implantation combined with chemotherapy and Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of brachytherapy with computed tomography-guided percutaneous radioactive I-125 seeds interstitial implantation (ISI) synchronized chemotherapy and Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Ninety patients diagnosed with NSCLC by biopsy were randomly assigned to three groups: the synchronized therapy group (A), the chemotherapy plus CM-treated group (B), and the chemotherapy-treated group (C); a 2-month course of treatment was administered to them all. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated based on tumor size, tumor markers (carcinoembryonic, squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen, and cytokeratin 19 fragment), clinical symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in patients. RESULTS: The total effective rates of Groups A to C were 83.33%, 46.67%, and 43.33%, respectively. The tumor markers were reduced obviously in Group A, showing signifificant difference compared with those in the other two groups. Additionally, QOL was elevated and cancer-related symptoms were alleviated more signifificant in Group A than those in Group C (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The synchronized therapy of I-125 implantation with chemotherapy and CM was a safe therapeutic method and can be regarded as a new mode for treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC.

Clinical research of acupuncture on malignant tumor patients for improving depression and sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of acupuncture on depression and insomnia of malignant tumor patients. METHODS: Eighty cases of cancer related depression and sleep disorders were randomly divided into 2 groups: treatment 1 group (acupuncture n = 40) and control group (Fluoxetione n = 40). All patients were assessed by Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Hemilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) after treatment for 30 days. RESULTS: Before treatment the SDS and HAMD scores of the trial group were 64.12 +/- 5.34 and 20.92 +/- 2.38, those of the control group were 64.24 +/- 4.98 and 20.72 +/- 2.74, after treatment the SDS and HAMD scores of the trial group were 43.64 +/- 5.28 and 9.88 +/- 1.27 respectively, significantly lower than those of the control group (50.76 +/- 5.42 and 13.72 +/- 2.05 respectively, both P < 0.05). Before treatment the PSQI score of the trial group and the control group were 14.48 +/- 1.71 and 13.92 +/- 2.59, after treatment the PSQI score of the trial group was 7.92 +/- 1.22 after treatment, significantly lower than those of the control group (11.44 +/- 1.89, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can effectively reduce malignant-related depression, improve sleep quality, and help to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

[Determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in vegetables by gas chromatography using back-flush technique].

The back-flush technique was used in the determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in vegetables by gas chromatography. The pesticide residues were extracted with acetonitrile and sodium chloride under mechanical shaking, and separated by centrifuging and partitioning. The extract was analyzed by gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detector and a micro fluidic device with back-flush function. The results showed that the 16 organophosphorus pesticides have good linearity within the concentration range of 0.040 -3.20 mg/L. The recoveries varied from 75.2% to 111.5%, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) in the range of 2.8% - 10.4%. The detection limits of these target compounds were from 0.003 to 0.01 mg/kg. The application of back-flush technique in this method significantly reduced the cycle time and matrix effect and improved the analysis efficiency.