Symmetrical-waveform alternating current-promoted NiOxHy electrocatalysis for the oxygen evolution reaction.

Here we describe a symmetrical waveform alternating current strategy that provides a solution for obtaining gradient oxygen vacancies (VO) in situ. The unique gradient VO provides multiple stairs to reduce the reaction kinetics and thus contributes to a total increase of up to 84.7% in current density.

Experiences of bowel symptoms in patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

PURPOSE: This study is to identify and synthesize the available evidence of bowel symptom experiences of patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS). METHODS: This qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) qualitative systematic review methodology and reported following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Seven databases were searched on 22 December 2021. The selected studies were reviewed by two independent reviewers, and disagreements were resolved by discussion or with a third reviewer. RESULTS: Seven qualitative articles were included in the meta-synthesis with 192 total rectal cancer patients. The review summarized 53 qualitative findings into three synthesized findings: (a) Patients experienced bowel symptoms and triggered additional physiological problems, and they underestimated bowel symptoms; (b) patients had many negative emotions, and their daily life and social interaction were disturbed; and (c) patients adopted strategies to adapt or control their bowel symptoms. According to the ConQual evidence grading approach, the confidence of the synthesized findings was rated as moderate to low. CONCLUSIONS: The bowel symptoms of patients with rectal cancer after SPS have troubled their lives. Timely acquisition of symptom-related knowledge and enhancement of their coping abilities are important for the control and management of bowel symptoms. Healthcare professionals should clearly understand the bowel symptoms that patients may experience after SPS and provide supportive care for patients to improve patients' self-management abilities and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42021242610.

[Effects of Angelica sinensis treatment on the expression of flt-1 and flk-1 mRNA after the ischemic brain injury in rats].

AIM: To investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis on the expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 mRNA after the ischemic brain injury in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats randomly divided into two groups: group A rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours by suture, group B rats underwent MCAO for 2 hours meanwhile received treatment with Angelica sinensis (5g/kg). At 1 st d, 3 rd d and 7 th d after reperfusion, 36 rats( n = 18 in each group) were assessed by neurological scale and brain tissue was taken to assess the lesion ration with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The other rats (n = 3 at different time points in each group) were decapitated at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h , 1 st d, 3 rd d, 7 th d after reperfusion. Quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to examine the gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1. RESULTS: The neurologic deficit score of rats in group B decreased significantly compared with group A at the same time point (P < 0.05). The infarct volume of group A was significant greater than group B at the same time point after reperfusion (P < 0.01). The results of RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 in the two groups increased from 3 h after reperfusion and reached its peak at the time of 3 rd d after reperfusion, then declined gradually. The gene expression of Flt-1, Flk-1 in the group B was significantly increased than group A at the same time point (P < 0.01). The gene expression of Flk-1 was positive correlated with Flt-1 in two groups (r = 0.957). CONCLUSION: The increasing amount of Flt-1, Flk-1 expression was enhanced by Angelica sinensis following transient interruption of cerebral blood flow in rats.

[Effects of Angelica sinensis injection on the neuronal metabolites and blood flow speed within reperfusion following the ischemic cerebral injury in rats].

AIM: To investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis injection on the neuronal metabolites and blood flow speed within reperfusion in the ischemic cerebral injury of rats. METHODS: Sixty-nine male Sprague Dawley rats with an average body weight of 150 to 170 g were used, and were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (n = 4), ischemia injury group (n = 30) underwent an operation of ischemic brain injury, Angelica-treated group (n = 35) underwent the same operation and received the treatment of Angelica sinensis injection (5 g/kg bw, i. p). The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of both ischemia injury group and Angelica-treated group rats was induced by 5/0 nylon suture for 2 hours. The reperfusion was conducted for three to four hours and five to six hours respectively following MCAO. T2 weighted-imaging (T2WI) and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) were performed, to study the changes in imaging and neuronal metabolites N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr/ PCr) and choline (Cho) following cerebral ischemia. The changes in blood flow speed were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. The surface vascular density in right hemisphere were calculated. RESULTS: The hyperintense signals and volume in the right cerebrum in Angelica-treated group decreased compared with those of the ischemia injury group, the T2 values were decreased, and the level of NAA increased, the ratio of Cr/NAA and Cho/NAA decreased. The blood flow speed in Angelica-treated group was improved. The length of brain surface vessels in group C increased. CONCLUSION: The Angelica sinensis injection enhanced the blood circulation in the ischemic brain, improved the neuronal metabolisms.

[The effects of Erigeron breviscapus preparation on the imaging and neuronal metabolites at the early time points after reperfusion following the ischemic cerebral injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Erigeron breviscapus preparation on the imaging and neuronal metabolites after reperfusion in the ischemic cerebral injury in rats. METHOD: Twenty-three male Sprague Dawley rats with an average body weight of (165 +/- 15) g (mean +/- S) were used, and were randomly divided into two groups: group A rats (n = 11) underwent an operation of ischemic brain injury, group B rats (n = 12) underwent the same operation and received the treatment of Erigeron breviscapus preparation (1.5 mg.kg-1 weight, i.p.). The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) of rats in both groups was induced by 5/0 nylon suture for 2 hours. The reperfusion was conducted for four hours and six hours respectively following MCAO. T2 weighted-imaging (T2WI) and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) were performed, to study the changes of the imaging and the neuronal metabolites N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine/phosphocreatine (Cr/PCr), choline (Cho) and lactose (Lac) in cerebrum following cerebral ischemia. RESULT: The hyperintense signals in the right cerebrum in group B decreased compared with those in group A, the T2 values decreased, the level of NAA increased, the ratio of Cr/NAA and Cho/NAA decreased, and no lactose was observed. The brain surface vessels of rats in group B were in the state of dilation. CONCLUSION: Erigeron breviscapus preparation is beneficial to the reestablishment of the blood circulation in the ischemic brain, and to the improvement of the neuronal metabolism and survival.