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BACKGROUND: Radiation injury to the intestine is one of the most common complications in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic cavity radiotherapy, limiting the clinical application of this treatment. Evidence shows the potential benefits of dietary restriction in improving metabolic profiles and age-related diseases. The present study investigated the effects and mechanisms of dietary restriction in radiation-induced intestinal injury. METHODS: The mice were randomly divided into the control group, 10 Gy total abdominal irradiation (TAI) group, and groups pretreated with 30% caloric restriction (CR) for 7 days or 24h fasting before TAI. After radiation, the mice were returned to ad libitum. The mice were sacrificed 3.5 days after radiation, and tissue samples were collected. RESULTS: CR and fasting reduced radiation-induced intestinal damage and promoted intestinal recovery by restoring the shortened colon length, improving the impaired intestinal structure and permeability, and remodeling gut microbial structure. CR and fasting also significantly reduced mitochondrial damage and DNA damage, which in turn reduced activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon gene (cGAS/STING) pathway and the production of type I interferon and other chemokines in the jejunum. Since the cGAS/STING pathway is linked with innate immunity, we further showed that CR and fasting induced polarization to immunosuppressive M2 macrophage, decreased CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and downregulated proinflammatory factors in the jejunum. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that CR and fasting alleviate radiation-induced intestinal damage by reducing cGAS/STING-mediated harmful immune responses.
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BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the first choice for treating liver cancer. However, inflammatory factors, released in response to pain stimulation, may suppress perioperative immune function and affect the prognosis of patients undergoing hepatectomies. AIM: To determine the short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function. METHODS: Clinical data from patients with liver cancer admitted to Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-five patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer (liver cancer resection group) and 35 patients underwent medical image-guided microwave ablation (liver cancer ablation group). The short-term efficacy, complications, liver function, and immune function indices before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: One month after treatment, 19 patients experienced complete remission (CR), 8 patients experienced partial remission (PR), 6 patients experienced stable disease (SD), and 2 patients experienced disease progression (PD) in the liver cancer resection group. In the liver cancer ablation group, 21 patients experienced CR, 9 patients experienced PR, 3 patients experienced SD, and 2 patients experienced PD. No significant differences in efficacy and complications were detected between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, total bilirubin (41.24 ± 7.35 vs 49.18 ± 8.64 µmol/L, P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (30.85 ± 6.23 vs 42.32 ± 7.56 U/L, P < 0.001), CD4+ (43.95 ± 5.72 vs 35.27 ± 5.56, P < 0.001), CD8+ (20.38 ± 3.91 vs 22.75 ± 4.62, P < 0.001), and CD4+/CD8+ (2.16 ± 0.39 vs 1.55 ± 0.32, P < 0.001) were significantly different between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups. CONCLUSION: The short-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of liver cancer are similar, but liver function recovers quickly after microwave ablation, and microwave ablation may enhance immune function.
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Radiation injury to the intestine is one of the most common complications in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic cavity radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) on radiation-induced intestinal injury and its underlying mechanisms. Mice were assigned to a control group, a 10â¯Gy total abdominal irradiation (TAI) group, or a group pretreated with 108 CFU LGG for three days before TAI. Small intestine and gut microbiota were analyzed 3.5 days post-exposure. LGG intervention improved intestinal structure, reduced jejunal DNA damage, and inhibited the inflammatory cGAS/STING pathway. Furthermore, LGG reduced M1 proinflammatory macrophage and CD8+ T cell infiltration, restoring the balance between Th17 and Treg cells in the inflamed jejunum. LGG also partially restored the gut microbiota. These findings suggest the possible therapeutic radioprotective effect of probiotics LGG in alleviating radiation-induced intestinal injury by maintaining immune homeostasis and reshaping gut microbiota.
Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Probiotics , Animals , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/radiation effects , Mice , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Radiation Injuries/immunology , Macrophages/immunology , Intestines/microbiology , Intestines/radiation effects , Intestines/immunology , DNA Damage , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Male , Th17 Cells/immunology , Jejunum/radiation effects , Jejunum/immunology , Jejunum/microbiology , Radiation-Protective Agents/pharmacology , Radiation-Protective Agents/therapeutic use , Radiation Injuries, Experimental/immunology , Radiation Injuries, Experimental/prevention & control , NucleotidyltransferasesABSTRACT
Purpose: The objective of this study was to provide theoretically feasible strategies by understanding the relationship between the immune microenvironment and the diagnosis and prognosis of AML patients. To this end, we built a ceRNA network with lncRNAs as the core and analyzed the related lncRNAs in the immune microenvironment by bioinformatics analysis. Methods: AML transcriptome expression data and immune-related gene sets were obtained from TCGA and ImmPort. Utilizing Pearson correlation analysis, differentially expressed immune-related lncRNAs were identified. Then, the LASSO-Cox regression analysis was performed to generate a risk signature consisting immune-related lncRNAs. Accuracy of signature in predicting patient survival was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. Next, GO and KEGG gene enrichment and ssGSEA were carried out for pathway enrichment analysis of 183 differentially expressed genes, followed by drug sensitivity and immune infiltration analysis with pRRophetic and CIBERSORT, respectively. Cytoscape was used to construct the ceRNA network for these lncRNAs. Results: 816 common lncRNAs were selected to acquire the components related to prognosis. The final risk signature established by multivariate Cox and stepwise regression analysis contained 12 lncRNAs engaged in tumor apoptotic and metastatic processes: LINC02595, HCP5, AC020934.2, AC008770.3, LINC01770, AC092718.4, AL589863.1, AC131097.4, AC012368.1, C1RL-AS1, STARD4-AS1, and AC243960.1. Based on this predictive model, high-risk patients exhibited lower overall survival rates than low-risk patients. Signature lncRNAs showed significant correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In addition, significant differences in PD-1/PD-L1 expression and bleomycin/paclitaxel sensitivity were observed between risk groups. Conclusion: LncRNAs related to immune microenvironment were prospective prognostic and therapeutic options for AML.
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Myocardial infarction (MI), including ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI), is still a leading cause of death worldwide. Metabolomics technology was used to explore differential metabolites (DMs) as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of STEMI and NSTEMI. In the study, 2531 metabolites, including 1925 DMs, were discovered. In the selected 27 DMs, 14 were successfully verified in a new cohort, and the AUC values were all above 0.8. There were 10 in STEMI group, namely L-aspartic acid, L-acetylcarnitine, acetylglycine, decanoylcarnitine, hydroxyphenyllactic acid, ferulic acid, itaconic acid, lauroylcarnitine, myristoylcarnitine, and cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline, and 5 in NSTEMI group, namely L-aspartic acid, arachidonic acid, palmitoleic acid, D-aspartic acid, and palmitelaidic acid. These 14 DMs may be developed as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of MI with high sensitivity and specificity. These findings have particularly important clinical significance for NSTEMI patients because these patients have no typical ECG changes.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Metabolomics , Myocardial Infarction , Biomarkers/metabolism , Humans , Metabolomics/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Female , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/metabolism , Aged , ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/metabolism , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction/metabolism , MetabolomeABSTRACT
Ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 enzyme plays a key role in the regulation of extracellular adenosine levels, thereby exerting influence on adenosine homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that perturbations in purines and ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity are associated with an augmented susceptibility to schizophrenia. However, the precise impact of genetic variations in CD73 on individuals with schizophrenia remains poorly understood. Here, our study demonstrated that rs3734442 allele and rs4431401 heterozygote were conferred a significant risk of schizophrenia disease (rs3734442: odds ratio, 0.556; 95% CI, 0.375 to 0.825; p = 0.004; rs4431401: odds ratio, 1.881, 95% CI, 1.117 to 3.166; p = 0.020). Comparing different genders, we observed a significant association between rs3734442 genotypes and male cases (rs3734442: odds ratio, 0.452; 95% CI, 0.257 to 0.796; p = 0.007). Likewise, there was a significant association between rs4431401 genotypes and male patients (rs4431401: odds ratio, 2.570; 95% CI, 1.196 to 5.522; p = 0.015). Based on family history and antipsychotics medication usage, our data reveals that the rs9444348 allele exhibits the most significant association with familial susceptibility to schizophrenia (odds ratio, 1.541; 95% CI, 1.009 to 2.353; p = 0.048 for A vs G). Moreover, individuals carrying variants of rs6922, rs2229523, and rs2065114 while being treated with clozapine demonstrate a higher frequency proportion compared to those receiving risperidone treatment (p = 0.035; p = 0.049; p = 0.027 respectively). Additionally, our results indicate that patients with GG genotype of rs9444348 had significantly higher likelihood of using clozapine instead of sulpiride (p = 0.048). Overall, our data strongly suggest that genetic variations in CD73 are significantly associated with schizophrenia risk and may serve as valuable resources for identifying therapeutic targets.
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BACKGROUND: Despite previous studies suggesting that developmental care can provide benign stimulation to promote neural development of newborns, more evidence is needed regarding the other clinical benefits of developmental care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of implementing developmental care on the length of hospital stay, the improvement of care practice in neonatal intensive care units, as well as the short-term outcome of very low birth weight infants. DESIGN: Cluster-randomized controlled trial. SETTING(S) AND PARTICIPANTS: From March 1, 2021 to March 1, 2022, 1400 very low birth weight infants were recruited from 14 tertiary neonatal intensive care units in China. METHODS: We assigned 14 neonatal intensive care units to either developmental care or standard care. The length of hospital stay of the infants was the primary outcome analyzed at the individual level. Secondary outcomes were family centered care practice including parental involvement, the skin to skin care, exclusive breast milk, oral immune therapy and breastfeeding. The environmental management (noise and light) and the short-term outcomes were also evaluated. RESULTS: The length of hospital stay for the developmental care group was 65â¯% as long as that for the control group (HR: 0.65, 95â¯% CI, 0.451-0936, pâ¯=â¯0.021). After controlling the covariables, the adjusted HRâ¯=â¯0.755 (95â¯% CI, 0.515 to 1.107, pâ¯=â¯0.150). When compared to the control group, the developmental care group had greater access to SSC, with 22 infants (3.8â¯%) in the developmental care group compared to 13 infants (1.7â¯%) in the standard care group (pâ¯=â¯0.013). A greater proportion of infants in the developmental care group were fed at the breast, than those in the standard care group (136 [23.6â¯%] vs 9 [1.1â¯%]; pâ¯=â¯0.029). Compared to the control group, exclusively breast milk was significantly more favorable in the developmental care group (435 [75.6â¯%] vs 114 [15.0â¯%]; pâ¯=â¯0.001). The difference remained significant even after adjusting for covariates. However, the rate of oral immune therapy and parental involvement was similar in the two groups. The average noise and light levels in the developmental care group were significantly lower than those in the standard care group. After adjusting for confounders, the difference remained significant. There were no significant differences among groups in the mortality and major morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Developmental care might have developed an accumulated effect over time on the length of hospital stay among very low birth weight infants. The implementation of developmental care can greatly improve family centered care practices and the neonatal intensive care unit environment. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT05166720. Registration date: 1 March, 2021.
Subject(s)
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Length of Stay , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Female , Male , China , Cluster AnalysisABSTRACT
Objective: This study explores the correlation between coping style, quality of life, and illness uncertainty in the family caregivers of patients with liver cancer. Methods: Employing convenience sampling, 210 family caregivers of patients with liver cancer who met the admission criteria were selected from a grade A infectious disease hospital in Beijing between January and December 2022. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Caregiver Quality of Life, and the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Family Members. This study analysed the correlations between coping styles, quality of life, and illness uncertainty in these caregivers. Results: The study found that family caregivers of patients with liver cancer had average scores for illness uncertainty (83.44 ± 11.86), coping style (33.19 ± 9.79; both positive [23.02 ± 6.81] and negative [10.17 ± 5.05]), and quality of life (169.53 ± 32.46). A negative association was observed between illness uncertainty in these caregivers and positive coping style (r = -0.207, p = 0.003), physical status (r = -0.182, p = 0.008), psychological status (r = -0.200, p = 0.004), and social adaptation (r = -0.229, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that illness uncertainty in family caregivers of patients with liver cancer is at a moderate level. Furthermore, there is a notable correlation between illness uncertainty, coping style, and quality of life in these caregivers.
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Sixteen triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., including a new triterpenoid saponin and new natural saponin that was characterised by NMR for the first time, along with 14 known triterpenoid saponins. The structures of the compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HR-ESI-MS, and comparison with the literature. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds against 4T1 cells was determined using the CCK8 method. Compounds 9 and 6 showed the strongest cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 2.75 ± 0.86 and 3.78 ± 0.50 µM, respectively. Compounds 2-5 and 8 showed potent cytotoxic activity. Compounds 14 and 16 showed moderate cytotoxicity.
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Two novel phenylpropanoid amides, namely huomarenamide A (1) and huomarenamide B (2), along with twelve known compounds (3-14), were isolated from the seeds of Cannabis sativa L. The structures with absolute configurations of new compounds were unequivocally determined by spectroscopic analyses and the ECD method. The identification of the known compounds was based on a comparison of their 1D NMR data with literature references. All compounds were assessed for cytotoxic activity against LN229 cells, revealing that compounds 2, 13, and 14 exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 9.02 to 21.26 µM.
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Background: Malignant tumors of the ureteric bud are not common, and cervical involvement is even rarer. So far, there have been no such cases in the literature. Case summary: A 50-year-old woman developed intermittent light bleeding in the past 7 months and lower abdominal pain in the past 2 months. The human papillomavirus 16 (HPV) DNA, P16 chemical staining, thinPrep cytology test (TCT), and cervical and cervical canal tissue biopsy were all negative. Pelvic color Doppler ultrasound exhibited incomplete mediastinal uterus and heterogeneous echo from the cervical canal to the posterior wall of the cervix. Pelvic contrast-enhanced CT showed left cervical mass, left retroperitoneal mass, absence of the left kidney, and mediastinal uterus. An increase in human epididymal protein 4 (HE4) (133.6 pmol/L) was detected, while other tumor markers were at normal levels. Based on these examination results, a diagnosis of "cervical fibroids, left retroperitoneal mass, incomplete mediastinal uterus, left kidney deficiency"[SIC] was conducted, and expanded hysterectomy, right adnexectomy, and left retroperitoneal mass resection were performed. Through intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis, postoperative pathological diagnosis combined with the re-evaluation of laboratory, and imaging and intraoperative examination results, the patient was diagnosed with ureteric bud intestinal-type adenocarcinoma involving the cervix. The patient has been tracked and followed up for approximately 11 months. She underwent six courses of chemotherapy. At present, the medication has been discontinued for 4 months, and there is no recurrence, metastasis, or deterioration of the tumor. Conclusion: For large masses of the cervix, it is feasible for the operation to be performed, improving the prognosis. There were a few limitations. A preoperative aspiration biopsy of masses was not performed to differentiate benign from malignant. Preoperative urography was not performed to clarify the function of the malformed urinary system structure. Partial cystectomy should be performed simultaneously with the resection of the ureteric bud for intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. In this case, a partial cystectomy was not performed, which can only be compensated with postoperative chemotherapy. Moreover, this patient did not undergo genetic screening, and it is currently unclear whether there are any genetic mutations associated with ureteric bud intestinal adenocarcinoma.
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Transition metal-catalyzed enantioconvergent cross-coupling of an alkyl precursor presents a promising method for producing enantioenriched C(sp3) molecules. Because alkyl alcohol is a ubiquitous and abundant family of feedstock in nature, the direct reductive coupling of alkyl alcohol and aryl halide enables efficient access to valuable compounds. Although several strategies have been developed to overcome the high bond dissociation energy of the C - O bond, the asymmetric pattern remains unknown. In this report, we describe the realization of an enantioconvergent deoxygenative reductive cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl alcohol (ß-hydroxy ketone) and aryl bromide in the presence of an NHC activating agent. The approach can accommodate substituents of various sizes and functional groups, and its synthetic potency is demonstrated through a gram scale reaction and derivatizations into other compound families. Finally, we apply our convergent method to the efficient asymmetric synthesis of four ß-aryl ketones that are natural products or bioactive compounds.
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Background: Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exo) have been considered as a promising cell-free therapeutic strategy for ischemic heart disease. Cardioprotective drug pretreatment could be an effective approach to improve the efficacy of MSC-exo. Nicorandil has long been used in clinical practice for cardioprotection. This study aimed to investigate whether the effects of exosomes derived from nicorandil pretreated MSC (MSCNIC-exo) could be enhanced in facilitating cardiac repair after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: MSCNIC-exo and MSC-exo were collected and injected into the border zone of infarcted hearts 30 minutes after coronary ligation in rats. Macrophage polarization was detected 3 days post-infarction, cardiac function as well as histological pathology were measured on the 28th day after AMI. Macrophages were separated from the bone marrow of rats for in vitro model. Exosomal miRNA sequencing was conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between MSCNIC-exo and MSC-exo. MiRNA mimics and inhibitors were transfected to MSCs or macrophages to explore the specific mechanism. Results: Compared to MSC-exo, MSCNIC-exo showed superior therapeutic effects on cardiac functional and structural recovery after AMI and markedly elevated the ratio of CD68+ CD206+/ CD68+cells in infarcted hearts 3 days post-infarction. The notable ability of MSCNIC-exo to promote macrophage M2 polarization was also confirmed in vitro. Exosomal miRNA sequencing and both in vivo and in vitro experiments identified and verified that miR-125a-5p was an effector of the roles of MSCNIC-exo in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found miR-125a-5p promoted macrophage M2 polarization by inhibiting TRAF6/IRF5 signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study suggested that MSCNIC-exo could markedly facilitate cardiac repair post-infarction by promoting macrophage M2 polarization by upregulating miR-125a-5p targeting TRAF6/IRF5 signaling pathway, which has great potential for clinical translation.
Subject(s)
Exosomes , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , MicroRNAs , Myocardial Infarction , Rats , Animals , Nicorandil/metabolism , TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6/metabolism , Exosomes/metabolism , Myocardial Infarction/pathology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Macrophages/metabolism , Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
Seven new triterpenoids, named Adeterpenoids A-G (1-7) and eight known compounds (8-15), were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of the roots of Adenophora tetraphylla (Thub.) Fisch. The compounds from it were separated by column chromatography techniques such as silica gel, ODS, and preparative liquid chromatography. Their structures were clarified based on extensive spectral analysis (1D, 2D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, and CD) and comparison with the literature. At the same time, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the LN229 (human glioma cell line). The results showed that compounds 2, 5, 6, 13, and 14 had a significant inhibitory effect on LN229 cells.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic , Plant Roots , Triterpenes , Plant Roots/chemistry , Triterpenes/isolation & purification , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Triterpenes/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification , Phytochemicals/pharmacology , Phytochemicals/isolation & purification , ChinaABSTRACT
Selenium (Se) and cadmium (Cd) usually co-existed in soils, especially in areas with Se-rich soils in China. The potential health consequences for the local populations consuming foods rich in Se and Cd are unknown. Cardamine hupingshanensis (HUP) is Se and Cd hyperaccumulator plant that could be an ideal natural product to assess the protective effects of endogenous Se against endogenous Cd-caused bone damage. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed 5.22â¯mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (Cd 3.2â¯mg/kg body weight (BW)), or HUP solutions containing Cd 3.2â¯mg/kg BW and Se 0.15, 0.29 or 0.50â¯mg/kg BW (corresponding to the HUP0, HUP1 and HUP2 groups) interventions. Se-enriched HUP1 and HUP2 significantly decreased Cd-induced femur microstructure damage and regulated serum bone osteoclastic marker levels and osteogenesis-related genes. In addition, endogenous Se significantly decreased kidney fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) protein expression and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and raised serum calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3). Furthermore, Se also regulated gut microbiota involved in skeletal metabolism disorder. In conclusion, endogenous Se, especially with higher doses (the HUP2 group), positively affects bone formation and resorption by mitigating the damaging effects of endogenous Cd via the modulation of renal FGF23 expression, circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH and gut microbiota composition.
Subject(s)
Cardamine , Selenium , Mice , Animals , Selenium/pharmacology , Selenium/metabolism , Cadmium , Mice, Inbred C57BL , SoilABSTRACT
Further increasing the critical temperature and/or decreasing the stabilized pressure are the general hopes for the hydride superconductors. Inspired by the low stabilized pressure associated with Ce 4f electrons in superconducting cerium superhydride and the high critical temperature in yttrium superhydride, we carry out seven independent runs to synthesize yttrium-cerium alloy hydrides. The synthetic process is examined by the Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction measurements. The superconductivity is obtained from the observed zero-resistance state with the detected onset critical temperatures in the range of 97-141 K. The upper critical field towards 0 K at pressure of 124 GPa is determined to be between 56 and 78 T by extrapolation of the results of the electrical transport measurements at applied magnetic fields. The analysis of the structural data and theoretical calculations suggest that the phase of Y0.5Ce0.5H9 in hexagonal structure with the space group of P63/mmc is stable in the studied pressure range. These results indicate that alloying superhydrides indeed can maintain relatively high critical temperature at relatively modest pressures accessible by laboratory conditions.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the development of a mind map-based predictive nursing protocol and assess its impact on the quality of images in patients undergoing high-concentration contrast three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging of liver blood vessels. METHODS: A total of 600 patients who were admitted to Beijing You an Hospital were chosen for this prospective study and underwent high-concentration contrast three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels between April 2021 and December 2021. The patients were divided into two groups using the digital table method, with 300 cases. The control group received conventional nursing intervention, while the research group was provided with a mind map-based predictive nursing protocol. We recorded the image quality of three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels, satisfaction scores regarding nurse examination guidance, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) in both groups. RESULTS: The research group achieved a perfect rate of 100.00% for the high-quality three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels, which was noticeably higher compared to the rate of the control group of 98.67%. Patients in the research group expressed higher satisfaction levels regarding the guidance provided by nurses, including their attitude, timeliness, accuracy, and overall satisfaction, compared to the control group. Initially, the two groups had no notable differences in the SAS and SDS scores. However, after the intervention, both groups experienced a significant decrease in SAS and SDS scores, with the research group showing an even more substantial decline. CONCLUSION: Through the creation of a mind map-based predictive nursing protocol and its implementation on patients undergoing high-concentration contrast three-dimensional CT imaging of liver blood vessels, it is possible to significantly enhance the quality of CT scans, alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression, increase patient satisfaction with examination guidance by nurses, and effectively decrease the occurrences of contrast agent leakage and allergic reactions to iodine.
Subject(s)
Contrast Media , Iodine , Humans , Prospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Liver/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with serious complications. This study investigated the metabolic biomarkers associated with AF and the differences in metabolomics and associated metabolic biomarkers between paroxysmal AF (AFPA) and persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma samples were prospectively collected from patients with AF and patients in sinus rhythm with negative coronary angiography. The patients were divided into 3 groups: AFPA, persistent AF, and sinus rhythm (N=54). Metabolomics (n=36) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to detect differential metabolites that were validated in a new cohort (n=18). The validated metabolites from the validation phase were further analyzed by receiver operating characteristic. Among the 36 differential metabolites detected by omics assay, 4 were successfully validated with area under the curve >0.8 (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis confirmed the enrichment pathways of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and carbon metabolism. Arachidonic acid was a potential biomarker of AFPA, glycolic acid and L-serine were biomarkers of AFPA and persistent AF, and palmitelaidic acid was a biomarker of AFPA. CONCLUSIONS: In this metabolomics study, we detected 36 differential metabolites in AF, and 4 were validated with high sensitivity and specificity. These differential metabolites are potential biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of disease course. This study therefore provides new insights into the precision diagnosis and management of AF.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Humans , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Biomarkers , Metabolomics/methodsABSTRACT
Epidemiological studies suggest an association between folate deficiency (FD) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) progression. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Our study showed that FD-driven downregulation of miR-375 promoted proliferation of SCC SiHa cells and progression of xenograft tumors developed from SiHa; however, the exact mechanism of this process remained unclear. The current study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which FD promotes the progression of SiHa cells by downregulating miR-375 expression. The results showed that miR-375 acted as a suppressor of SCC and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SiHa cells. The FZD4 gene was identified as a target gene of miR-375, which can reverse the anti-onco effect of miR-375 and promote the proliferation and migration of SiHa cells. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of miR-375 and FZD4 on SiHa cells may be achieved by activating the ß-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, FD may regulate the expression of miR-375 by regulating its DNA methylation level in the promoter region. In conclusion, our study reveals that FD regulates the miR-375/FZD4 axis by increasing the methylation of the miR-375 promoter, thereby activating ß-catenin signaling to promote SiHa cells progression. This study may provide new insights into the role of folic acid in the prevention and treatment of SCC.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , MicroRNAs , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Female , Humans , beta Catenin/genetics , beta Catenin/metabolism , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics , Wnt Signaling Pathway , Folic Acid/pharmacology , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Cell Movement , Frizzled Receptors/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish a new digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) system for the detection of BCR-ABL fusion gene in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and explore its analytical performance and clinical applicability in the detection of BCR-ABLp190/210/230. METHODS: A new dPCR system for detecting BCR-ABLp190/210/230 was successfully developed, and its sensitivity difference with qPCR and improvement of drug side effects in patients with CML during drug reduction or withdrawal were compared. RESULTS: Among 176 samples, qPCR and dPCR showed high consistency in the sensitivity of detecting BCR-ABL (82.39%), and the positive rate of dPCR was about 5 times higher that of qPCR (20.45% vs 3.98%). During follow-up, blood routine (25% vs 10%), kidney/liver/stomach (25% vs 20%) and cardiac function (10% vs 0) were significantly improved after drug reduction or withdrawal in patients with initial dPCR negative compared with before drug reduction or withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: This new dPCR detection system can be applied to the detection of BCR-ABLp190/210/230. It has better consistency and higher positive detection rate than qPCR. Drug withdrawal or dose reduction guided by dPCR has a certain effect on improving drug side effects.