ABSTRACT
The causal relationships between plasma metabolites and cholelithiasis/cholecystitis risks remain elusive. Using two-sample Mendelian randomization, we found that genetic proxied plasma campesterol level showed negative correlation with the risk of both cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. Furthermore, the increased risk of cholelithiasis is correlating with the increased level of plasma campesterol. Lastly, genetic colocalization study showed that the leading SNP, rs4299376, which residing at the ABCG5/ABCG8 gene loci, was shared by plasma campesterol level and cholelithiasis, indicating that the aberrant transportation of plant sterol/cholesterol from the blood stream to the bile duct/gut lumen might be the key in preventing cholesterol gallstone formation.
Subject(s)
Cholecystitis , Cholesterol/analogs & derivatives , Gallstones , Phytosterols , Humans , Lipoproteins/genetics , Mendelian Randomization Analysis , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 8/genetics , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5/genetics , Cholecystitis/epidemiology , Cholecystitis/genetics , Gallstones/epidemiology , Gallstones/genetics , Gallstones/metabolismABSTRACT
Formate has been considered an inactive molecule and thus cannot be further reduced under CO2 reduction conditions, which limits its widespread application as feedstock. Here we present an electrochemical redox conversion of formate to CO through the potential-dependent generation of carbon dioxide radical anions (CO2 â - ) on Fe-Co layered double hydroxides (Fe-Co LDHs) and the subsequent reduction of CO2 â - to CO on Au catalysts. We present an electrodeposition protocol for the synthesis of Fe-Co LDHs with precise composition control and find that Fe1 Co4 exhibits a promising potential window for CO2 â - formation between 1.14 and 1.4â V and an optimized potential at 1.24â V at a neutral pH condition. We further determined the formation of CO2 â - at 1.24â V via electron paramagnetic resonance and CO2 at >1.4â V through differential electrochemical mass spectrometry. This work provides a redox chemistry route for converting formate into CO through a coupled slit parallel-plate electrode system.
ABSTRACT
Wide heterogeneity exists in cancer patients' survival, ranging from a few months to several decades. To accurately predict clinical outcomes, it is vital to build an accurate predictive model that relates the patients' molecular profiles with the patients' survival. With complex relationships between survival and high-dimensional molecular predictors, it is challenging to conduct nonparametric modeling and irrelevant predictors removing simultaneously. In this article, we build a kernel Cox proportional hazards semi-parametric model and propose a novel regularized garrotized kernel machine (RegGKM) method to fit the model. We use the kernel machine method to describe the complex relationship between survival and predictors, while automatically removing irrelevant parametric and nonparametric predictors through a LASSO penalty. An efficient high-dimensional algorithm is developed for the proposed method. Comparison with other competing methods in simulation shows that the proposed method always has better predictive accuracy. We apply this method to analyze a multiple myeloma dataset and predict the patients' death burden based on their gene expressions. Our results can help classify patients into groups with different death risks, facilitating treatment for better clinical outcomes.
Subject(s)
Algorithms , Neoplasms , Humans , Linear Models , Proportional Hazards Models , Computer Simulation , Neoplasms/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Social media use is shown to be linked to youth's e-cigarette use. However, less is known about the underlying mechanisms. This study examined the mediating roles of internalizing and externalizing problems in the association between youth's social media use and e-cigarette use, and the racial differences in the mediation association. METHODS: The study sample included 4913 U.S. youth from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Waves 3-5 (2015-2019). Two weighted generalized structural equation models were conducted to examine the mediation pathways between youth's social media use (Wave 3) and past-30-day e-cigarette use (Wave 5) through internalizing and externalizing problems (Wave 4), respectively. Invariance tests were conducted to examine racial group differences. RESULTS: Youth with high social media use frequency were more likely to use e-cigarettes (total effect: OR = 1.20, p < 0.001 in both internalizing and externalizing models). Internalizing and externalizing problems mediated the aforementioned associations (mediation proportions: 5.05% and 5.66%, respectively). The invariance tests indicated a significant difference between White and non-White groups (both ps < 0.001), where a larger proportion of mediation was found in the non-White group (12.22% for internalizing and 11.99% for externalizing) compared to their White counterparts (2.46% for internalizing and 3.17% for externalizing). CONCLUSIONS: Mental health problems following social media use served as a risk factor for e-cigarette use among youth. Interventions aiming to improve youth's mental health could in turn temper e-cigarette use among youth social media users, and implementing tailored interventions in response to racial differences is warranted.
Subject(s)
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Social Media , Vaping , Humans , Adolescent , United States/epidemiology , Mental Health , Race FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Testicular cancer usually occurs in young adult men between the ages of 20 and 40 years, which largely coincides with the age of men's reproductive intentions. However, a serious side effect of testicular cancer therapy could reduce the fertility of patients. PURPOSE: To explore the experience of fertility concerns in patients with testicular cancer. METHODS: A phenomenological research was conducted on 12 patients with testicular cancer. Data collection was from May 2023 to August 2023, and Colaizzi analysis method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Four themes were found: (1) multiple worries and negative emotions, (2) fertility decision-making faces many challenges, (3) self-coping strategies for facing fertility concerns, (4) unmet supportive care needs. CONCLUSION: Medical staff should pay attention to the fertility needs of patients with testicular cancer and provide relevant interventions and support to reduce their fertility concerns.
Subject(s)
Qualitative Research , Testicular Neoplasms , Humans , Male , Testicular Neoplasms/psychology , Testicular Neoplasms/therapy , Adult , Adaptation, Psychological , Young Adult , Decision Making , Fertility Preservation/methods , Fertility Preservation/psychology , FertilityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Numerous previous studies have assessed the prognostic role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (18F FDG PET) in patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC), but those results were inconsistent. The present study aims to determine the predictive value of 18F FDG PET in BTC patients via a meta-analysis. METHODS: The underlying studies related to 18F FDG PET and BTC patients` outcomes were searched and identified in the online databases. The interested parameters include total lesion glycolysis (TLG), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), primary tumor and metastatic lymph node (LN) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), as well as change of SUVmax (ΔSUVmax) during treatment. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were considered as the primary endpoints. Hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were defined as the effective measure and calculated by a pooled analysis. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot, Bagg's and Egger's tests. RESULTS: Totally, 23 studies involving 1478 patients were included in the present meta-analysis. After a pooled analysis, it revealed that a high SUVmax was significantly associated with a poor OS (HR:2.07, 95%CI: 1.74-2.46, P = 0.000) and DFS (HR: 2.28, 95%CI: 1.53-3.41, P = 0.000). In addition, an increased TLG level contributed to a shorter OS (HR:1.91, 95%CI: 1.26-2.90, P = 0.002) and DFS (HR: 4.34, 95%CI: 1.42-13.27, P = 0.01). Moreover, we confirmed that an elevated MTV was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR:2.04, 95%CI:1.26-3.31, P = 0.004) and disease relapse (HR: 3.88, 95%CI:1.25-12.09, P = 0.019) risks. Besides, the present study uncovered that increased ΔSUVmax could predict poor OS (HR:1.26, 95%CI:1.06-1.50, P = 0.008) instead of PFS (HR: 1.96, 95%CI: 0.82-4.72, P = 0.280). Lastly, we found that LN SUVmax did not link to OS (HR: 1.49, 95%CI: 0.83-2.68, P = 0.178). No obvious publication bias was detected in the present study. CONCLUSION: 18F FDG PET parameters, including SUVmax, TLG, MTV, and ΔSUVmax, could be applied as convenient and reliable factors for predicting BTC patients` outcomes.
Subject(s)
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Radiopharmaceuticals , Humans , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/metabolism , Prognosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods , Retrospective Studies , Tumor BurdenABSTRACT
This study investigates the role of dynamic fear in the effectiveness of communicating health threats (i.e. fear appeals) of ground-level ozone among Chinese citizens. An online survey revealed that fear appeal messages effectively enhance the audience's risk perceptions, efficacy beliefs, and acceptance of the message. Crucially, dynamic fear reduction process positively predicts engagement in protective behaviors (i.e. danger control process) and negatively predicts engagement in fear control processes, such as message denial. Presenting severity before susceptibility resulted in a more positive attitude toward the message recommendation. These findings highlight that communicating health-threats about climate pollution is effective in raising awareness and motivating protective behaviors. Furthermore, our study underscores the importance of dynamic fear, specifically fear reduction, in increasing fear appeals' effectiveness in communicating climate issues from a health perspective.
Subject(s)
Fear , Health Communication , Humans , China , Male , Female , Adult , Health Communication/methods , Young Adult , Ozone , Persuasive Communication , Middle Aged , Adolescent , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
To evaluate the efficacy of yellow light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation at 590 nm, alone or in combination with anti-inflammatory active substances against ultraviolet (UV)-induced inflammation in keratinocytes. HaCaT keratinocytes were pretreated with LED yellow light (590 nm) alone or in combination with an antiinflammatory active substance such as glycerophosphoinositol choline (GC), extract of grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta Schum, AM), or a bisabolol and ginger root extract mixture (Bb-GE) before UVB irradiation. Following each treatment, we measured the levels of inflammatory mediators secreted by keratinocytes. HaCaT keratinocytes treated with UVB (300 mJ cm-²) and then cultured for 24 h exhibited significantly upregulated expression of proinflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-1α, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and IL-8. After pretreatment with 590 nm LED, UVB-induced inflammatory responses were significantly inhibited. Co-pretreatment with 590 nm LED irradiation and GC further inhibited the expression of IL-1α and IL-8. IL-8 expression was inhibited by co-pretreatment with 590 nm LED irradiation and AM, whereas PGE2 expression was inhibited by co-pretreatment with 590 nm LED irradiation and Bb-GE. Co-treatment with 590 nm LED irradiation and various active substances modulated UVB-induced inflammation in keratinocytes, suggesting the potential application of this approach to prevent damage caused by voluntary sun exposure in daily life.
Subject(s)
Inflammation , Interleukin-8 , Keratinocytes , Ultraviolet Rays , Humans , Keratinocytes/radiation effects , Keratinocytes/drug effects , Keratinocytes/metabolism , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Interleukin-8/metabolism , Dinoprostone/metabolism , Interleukin-1alpha/metabolism , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology , Lasers, Semiconductor/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology , HaCaT CellsABSTRACT
We report, for the first time, merely using a small amount of (0.039% w/w) Zn(II) instead of very high concentration (25%-50% w/w) of conventional cryoprotective agents (CPAs), i.e., glycerol, during the cryopreservation of red blood cells (RBCs) can lead to a comparable post-thaw recovery rate of â¼95% while avoiding the tedious gradient washout process for the removal of CPA afterward. The result is remarkable, since Zn(II) does not have the ice-controlling ability reported to be critical for CPA. It benefits from its moderate interaction with lipid molecules, facilitating the formation of small and dynamic lipid clusters. Consequently, the membrane fluidity is maintained, and the cells are resilient to osmotic and mechanical stresses during cryopreservation. This study first reports the ion-specific effect on stabilizing the cell membrane; meanwhile, reversibly tuning the structure of biological samples against injuries during the cooling and rewarming provides a new strategy for cryopreservation.
Subject(s)
Cryopreservation , Cryoprotective Agents , Cryoprotective Agents/pharmacology , Cell Membrane , Cations , LipidsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Infection following lung transplantation has been the focus of clinical concerns. The colonization rate of commensal bacteria of the urogenital tract, including Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), and herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2), is high, which may cause secondary infection after transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: Twenty-three-year-old and 67-year-old women underwent lung transplantation for different causes. Shortly after the operation, they developed perineal skin ulcers, hypoxia, and intractable epilepsy. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed lung consolidation, and cranial CT showed shallowing sulci and gyri. UU and HSV-2 were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by next-generation sequencing, and HSV-2 was shown in the cerebrospinal fluid of both patients. Despite active treatment, both suffered irreversible brain function damage within 72 h of the seizure. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should know that commensal bacteria of urogenital tract infections can lead to fatal multiple organ dysfunction after lung transplantation.
Subject(s)
Mycoplasma Infections , Humans , Adult , Female , Young Adult , Mycoplasma Infections/complications , Mycoplasma Infections/drug therapy , Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology , Transplant Recipients , Multiple Organ Failure , Ureaplasma urealyticum , Bacteria , Lung/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
A rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of salicylaldehydes with propargylic acetates has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of 3-vinyl chromones in good yields with broad functional group tolerance. 3-Vinyl chromones were converted into biologically active benzo[c]xanthone by I2-mediated oxidative electrocyclization.
Subject(s)
Chromones , Oxidative Stress , Catalysis , Molecular StructureABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: vasopressin is commonly used as a second-line vasopressor for patients with septic shock, but the optimal timing of initiation is uncertain. This study was designed to investigate when vasopressin initiation may be beneficial for 28-day mortality in septic shock patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study from the MIMIC-III v1.4 and MIMIC-IV v2.0 databases. All adults diagnosed with septic shock according to Sepsis-3 criteria were included. Patients were stratified into two groups based on norepinephrine (NE) dose at the time of vasopressin initiation, defined as the low doses of NE group (NE<0.25 µg/kg/min) and the high doses of NE group (NE ≥ 0.25 µg/kg/min). The primary end-point was 28-day mortality after diagnosis of septic shock. The analysis involved propensity score matching (PSM), multivariable logistic regression, doubly robust estimation, the gradient boosted model, and an inverse probability-weighting model. RESULTS: A total of 1817 eligible patients were included in our original cohort (613 in the low doses of NE group and 1204 in the high doses of NE group). After 1:1 PSM, 535 patients from each group with no difference in disease severity were included in the analysis. The results showed that vasopressin initiation at low doses of NE was associated with reduced 28-day mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.660, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.518-0.840, p < 0.001). Compared with patients in the high doses of NE group, patients in the low doses of NE group received significantly shorter duration of NE, with less intravenous fluid volume on the first day after initiation of vasopressin, more urine on the second day, and longer mechanical ventilation-free days and CRRT-free days. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in hemodynamic response to vasopressin, duration of vasopressin, and ICU or hospital length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with septic shock, vasopressin initiation when low-dose NE was used was associated with an improvement in 28-day mortality.
Subject(s)
Shock, Septic , Adult , Humans , Shock, Septic/drug therapy , Cohort Studies , Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use , Vasoconstrictor Agents/adverse effects , Vasopressins/therapeutic use , Vasopressins/adverse effects , Norepinephrine/therapeutic use , Norepinephrine/adverse effects , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: AST-3424 is a novel specific aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) prodrug that releases a DNA alkylating reagent upon reduction by AKR1C3. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AST-3424 in patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) model and orthotopic model against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHOD: PDTX models derived from three HCC patients and orthotopic mice models using HepG2 cells were developed. The mice were treated with AST-3424 alone or combined with other drugs (oxaliplatin, apatinib, sorafenib and elemene in PDTX models, oxaliplatin and 5- fluorouracil in orthotopic models). The tumor volume and weight, as well as the mice weight were assessed. The liver tumor and transplanted tumor were removed for histological, immunohistochemical and Western blot detection in orthotopic model experiments. RESULTS: AST-3424 could inhibit tumor growth in HCC PDTX models and orthotopic models, with no difference in safety compared with other marketed drugs, and the drug combination did not increase toxicity. The inhibitory effect of combination treatment was more obvious than which used alone. The reduction of AKR1C3 expression was negatively correlated with AST-3424 dose. CONCLUSION: AST-3424 had a promising effect against HCC in PDTX model and orthotopic model with good safety. It could promote the sensitivity of other drugs without increasing toxicity. Clinical trials are warranted to further certify its antitumor effect and safety.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Prodrugs , Humans , Animals , Mice , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Prodrugs/metabolism , Prodrugs/pharmacology , Prodrugs/therapeutic use , Oxaliplatin/therapeutic use , Cell Line, Tumor , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3ABSTRACT
Hederacoside C (HSC) has attracted much attention as a novel modulator of inflammation, but its anti-inflammatory mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated how HSC attenuated intestinal inflammation in vivo and in vitro. HSC injection significantly alleviated TNBS-induced colitis by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production and colonic epithelial cell apoptosis, and partially restored colonic epithelial cell proliferation. The therapeutic effect of HSC injection was comparable to that of oral administration of mesalazine (200 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.). In LPS-stimulated human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells, pretreatment with HSC (0.1, 1, 10 µM) significantly inhibited activation of MAPK/NF-κB and its downstream signaling pathways. Pretreatment with HSC prevented LPS-induced TLR4 dimerization and MyD88 recruitment in vitro. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that HSC injection regulated 18 proteins in the colon samples, mainly clustered in neutrophil degranulation. Among them, S100A9 involved in the degranulation of neutrophils was one of the most significantly down-regulated proteins. HSC suppressed the expression of S100A9 and its downstream genes including TLR4, MAPK, and NF-κB axes in colon. In Caco-2 cells, recombinant S100A9 protein activated the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and induced inflammation, which were ameliorated by pretreatment with HSC. Notably, HSC attenuated neutrophil recruitment and degranulation as well as S100A9 release in vitro and in vivo. In addition, HSC promoted the expression of tight junction proteins and repaired the epithelial barrier via inhibiting S100A9. Our results verify that HSC ameliorates colitis via restoring impaired intestinal barrier through moderating S100A9/MAPK and neutrophil recruitment inactivation, suggesting that HSC is a promising therapeutic candidate for colitis.
Subject(s)
Colitis , NF-kappa B , Humans , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Caco-2 Cells , Calgranulin B/adverse effects , Neutrophil Infiltration , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Proteomics , Cytokines/metabolism , Colitis/chemically induced , Colitis/drug therapy , Colitis/metabolism , InflammationABSTRACT
A major challenge in communicating health-related information is the involvement of multiple complex systems from the creation of the information to the sources and channels of dispersion to the information users themselves. To date, public health communications approaches have often not adequately accounted for the complexities of these systems to the degree necessary to have maximum impact. The virality of COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation has brought to light the need to consider these system complexities more extensively. Unaided, it is difficult for humans to see and fully understand complex systems. Luckily, there are a range of systems approaches and methods, such as systems mapping and systems modeling, that can help better elucidate complex systems. Using these methods to better characterize the various systems involved in communicating public health-related information can lead to the development of more tailored, precise, and proactive communications. Proceeding in an iterative manner to help design, implement, and adjust such communications strategies can increase impact and leave less opportunity for misinformation and disinformation to spread.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Health Communication , Humans , Public Health , COVID-19/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The adoption of the internet, social media, and e-cigarettes are on the rise among U.S. youth. Uses of social media and online platforms increase the probability for youth to encounter e-cigarette advertisements. Departing from this line of reasoning, we examine the underlying mechanisms of how online e-cigarettes exposure promotes youth's e-cigarette use. Drawing on insights from the social construction of risk model, this study looks at how perceived social norms and risk perception mediate the link between online e-cigarette advertisement exposure and e-cigarette use. Youth aged 12-17 from the Public Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Waves 2-4 (2014-2018) were included (N = 6,067). Controlling for demographic and other known risk factors for e-cigarette use, respondents who had been exposed to online e-cigarette ads at Wave 2 perceived higher levels of positive social norms of e-cigarette use at Wave 3 (ß = 0.13, p < .001) which was associated with lower e-cigarette risk perception at Wave 3 (ß = -0.22, p < .001). Lower e-cigarette risk perception at Wave 3 resulted in a higher likelihood of e-cigarette use at Wave 4 (AOR = 0.51, p < .001). Online e-cigarettes ads exposure at Wave 2 predicted e-cigarette use at Wave 4 (AOR = 1.87, p < .001). The results indicate that norm perception associated with online e-cigarettes ads may twist youth's e-cigarette risk perception that is associated with subsequent usage. Interventions to curb youth's e-cigarette use can target social norms of e-cigarette use and restrict e-cigarette advertisement exposure to youth.
Subject(s)
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Tobacco Products , Vaping , Humans , Adolescent , Smoking , Advertising , Social NormsABSTRACT
Cryopreservation of tissues and organs can bring transformative changes to medicine and medical science. In the past decades, limited progress has been achieved, although cryopreservation of tissues and organs has long been intensively pursued. One key reason is that the cryoprotective agents (CPAs) currently used for cell cryopreservation cannot effectively preserve tissues and organs because of their cytotoxicity and tissue destructive effect as well as the low efficiency in controlling ice formation. In stark contrast, nature has its unique ways of controlling ice formation, and many living organisms can effectively prevent freezing damage. Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) are regarded as the essential materials identified in these living organisms for regulating ice nucleation and growth. Note that controversial results have been reported on the utilization of IBPs and their mimics for the cryopreservation of tissues and organs, that is, some groups revealed that IBPs and mimics exhibited unique superiorities in tissues cryopreservation, while other groups showed detrimental effects. In this perspective, we analyze possible reasons for the controversy and predict future research directions in the design and construction of IBP inspired ice-binding materials to be used as new CPAs for tissue cryopreservation after briefly introducing the cryo-injuries and the challenges of conventional CPAs in the cryopreservation of tissues and organs.
Subject(s)
Biomimetic Materials , Ice , Cryopreservation/methods , Cryoprotective Agents/chemistry , Cryoprotective Agents/pharmacology , FreezingABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Slow colon transit and visceral hypersensitivity are recognized as major pathophysiological mechanisms in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, there is a lack of therapies targeting both abdominal pain and colonic motility. This study was designed to investigate the long-term effects and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) in patients with IBS-C. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with IBS-C were randomized into 2 groups: daily TEA for 4 weeks (n = 26) and daily sham-TEA for 4 weeks (n = 26). The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements per week (CSBMs/week, primary outcome), Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System, Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, colonic transit time, and anorectal physiology were evaluated before treatment and at the end of the treatment. Colonic transit was assessed with radiopaque markers. Electrocardiograms were recorded for assessing autonomic functions. RESULTS: (i) TEA improved constipation and abdominal pain. After the treatment, the number of CSBMs/week during the last week in the TEA group was higher than that in the sham-TEA group (3.5 ± 1.6 vs 2.3 ± 0.6, P = 0.002). Similar effects were also noted in the visual analog scale pain score ( P = 0.002) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System score ( P = 0.025). In addition, there was a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients with constipation. The Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life total score was significantly decreased in the TEA group ( P = 0.004). (ii) Compared with sham-TEA, TEA improved colon transit ( P = 0.002) and increased the threshold of rectal sensation (desire to defecate, P = 0.004; maximum tolerability, P < 0.001). (iii) TEA increased vagal activity, compared with sham-TEA ( P < 0.05); at the end of the treatment, the vagal activity was significantly correlated with colon transit and the CSBMs/week. DISCUSSION: TEA improves constipation and symptoms of IBS by accelerating colon transit and reducing rectal sensation, possibly mediated by using the autonomic mechanisms.
Subject(s)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Abdominal Pain/therapy , Colon , Constipation/etiology , Constipation/therapy , Gastrointestinal Transit , Humans , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complications , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy , Quality of Life , SensationABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the contribution of urea on the nutritional quality and microbial community of ensiled alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Alfalfa silage was control group without urea (AL), supplementation with 0.5% urea (AU1), or supplementation with 1% urea (AU2). The silage tanks were opened and sampled after silage at 0, 15, 30, and 60 d. Results showed that AU2 had higher pH, ratio of (ammonia-N)/(total nitrogen) (NH3-N/TN) and crude protein (CP) content than those in AL and AU1, while AU1 had higher acid detergent fiber (ADF) than that in AL and AU2 after 15 d silage. Richness and diversity indices of microbial communities in silage were no significant differences among AL, AU1 and AU2 group. Proteobacteria (58.23%) and Firmicutes (40.95%) were the predominant phylum in three groups during the silage process. The percent of community abundances on genera level of Enterobacteriaceae (37.61%) and Klebsiella (41.78%) in AL were a little higher than those in AU1 (30.39%, 25.02%) and AU2 (33.48%, 26.92%). These results showed that silage with urea alone could not improve the quality of alfalfa.
Subject(s)
Microbiota , Silage , Animals , Dietary Supplements , Fermentation , Medicago sativa , Milk/chemistry , Nutritive Value , Silage/microbiology , Urea/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Intracavitary electrocardiography (IC-ECG) has been extensively used for locating the catheter tip of the central venous access devices (CVADs) with favorable safety and accuracy. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of IC-ECG-guided catheter tip placement for totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) by comparing with the standard fluoroscopy method. METHODS: A total of 231 patients who underwent TIVAP implantation from September 2019 to April 2021 were enrolled in the retrospective study. Fluoroscopy and IC-ECG were conducted intraoperatively to confirm the position of catheter tips. Demographic characteristics, surgical data, the catheter tip position, complication rate, and incidence, cost of procedures, and indwelling time were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the risk factors of TIVAP-related complications. RESULTS: There was no significance between the fluoroscopy group and the IC-ECG group in terms of the rate of ideal position (P = 0.733). Nine patients (3.9%) developed TIVAP-related complications. Complication rates and incidence were similar in the fluoroscopy group and the IC-ECG group (3.1% and 0.114/1000 catheter days vs. 4.4% and 0.105/1000 catheter days). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that there was no significant difference in indwelling time between the 2 groups (Log Rank P = 0.634). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) was an independent risk factor for TIVAP-related complications (OR = 1.334, 95%CI: 1.139 - 1.563, P < 0.001). The IC-ECG group was less costly than the fluoroscopy group (¥9928 ± 362 vs. ¥11762 ± 431, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IC-ECG-guided catheter tip placement for TIVAP is feasible, safe, and cost-effective, with high accuracy, low risk of complications, and lower cost. It may be considered as an alternative to the standard fluoroscopy method for catheter tip placement of TIVAP.