The mediating effect of sleep quality and fatigue between depression and renal function in nondialysis chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms, fatigue, and poor sleep quality are associated with renal function deterioration in patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD-ND). This study was designed to examine whether fatigue and sleep quality are mediators of the association between depression and renal function. METHODS: This study adopted a cross-sectional study design. Patients with CKD-ND aged 20 years or older were recruited by purposive sampling at a medical center in Central Taiwan from December 2020 to July 2021. Data were collected using the Emotional and Social Support Scale, Fatigue Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Medical records were reviewed to obtain the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for the next month. The relationships among variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling to assess the goodness-of-fit of the model. Then, the bootstrapping method was used to analyze the mediated effect. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-two participants (mean age 70.5 years and 53% males) were included in the analysis. About 39% of the participants met the criteria for depressive symptoms in BDI-II, and 91% reported having sleep disturbances. Participants' degree of fatigue was not high (20.4 ± 13.3). The average eGFR was 25.45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (± 13.36). The results showed that fatigue, sleep quality, and eGFR were significantly correlated with depression. The total effect size was - 0.8304 (95% confidence interval [CI], - 0.9602 to - 0.7006), and the indirect effect size was - 0.1738 (95% CI, - 0.2812 to - 0.0651), which was a statistically significant difference, indicating that the model has a mediating effect. According to mediation analysis, fatigue and sleep quality had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between depression and renal function (95% CI, - 0.0587 to - 0.0039). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that fatigue and poor sleep quality may mediate the association between depression and renal function.

Connexin 43 mediated the angiogenesis of buyang huanwu decoction via vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 after ischemic stroke.

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD), a classical prescription for ischemic stroke, has been reported to promote angiogenesis after focal ischemia. However, the mechanisms of the contribution of BYHWD on angiogenesis are still unclear. Connexin 43 (Cx43) played important roles in the functions of neurogliovascular unit. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the potential role of Cx43 in angiogenesis of the ischemic brain after BYHWD treatment. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to establish the model of focal ischemia. BYHWD was administrated intragastrically twice a day after MCAO with or without Gap26 (a specific Cx43 inhibitor). Western blot, neurological deficits, immunofluorescent staining, and Evans blue dye were used to confirm the role of Cx43 in angiogenesis after BYHWD treatment. The expression levels of total Cx43 and phosphorylated Cx43 were upregulated by BYHWD and peaked at 7 days post MCAO. Inhibition of Cx43 with Gap26 significantly attenuated the protective role of BYHWD in neurological behavior. BYHWD treatment promoted angiogenesis demonstrated by increased microvascular density, upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), while inhibition of Cx43 with Gap26 attenuated these effects of BYHWD. In addition, Gap26 inhibited the beneficial effect of BYHWD on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. These results suggested that Cx43 mediated the angiogenesis of BYHWD via VEGF and Ang-1 after focal ischemic stroke.

Peritoneal dialysis after shared decision-making: the disparity between reality and patient expectations.

BACKGROUND: The current health policy in Taiwan favors peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home. Policy objectives may make healthcare providers give more consideration to the introduction of PD treatment. This study aimed to explore the process of information acquisition and consideration during shared decision-making (SDM) for patients undergoing PD and compare their quality of life expectations before and after PD at home. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 15 patients undergoing PD for < 12 months were purposively recruited from one large PD unit in Taichung, Taiwan. Data were collected between August 2020 and December 2020 using a semi-structured interview. All transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes and seven subthemes were identified following data analysis: 1. sources for information on dialysis treatment, including (a) effect of others' experiences and (b) incomplete information from healthcare providers (HCPs); 2. considerations for choosing PD, including (a) trusting physicians, and (b) maintaining pre-dialysis life; and 3. disparity between pre-and post-PD reality and expectation, including (a) limitation by time and place, (b) discrepancies in expected freedom and convenience, and (c) regret versus need to continue. CONCLUSION: HCPs played an important role in SDM, providing key information that influenced the process. Patients undergoing initial PD at home exhibited a disparity between expectation and reality, which was exacerbated by incomplete information.

Effectiveness of Applying Evidence-based Guidelines for Nurses Training on Nasogastric Tube Care.

BACKGROUND: This study formulated clinical guidelines for assessing nasogastric tube placement and for health education guidance according to evidence-based recommendations. METHOD: This study used a single group, pre- and postintervention design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from nursing institutions in Taiwan. RESULTS: Sixty-two individuals in charge of nursing institutions were recruited to participate in the in-service training program. Statistically significant differences were observed in the four major items in the self-directed learning readiness scale (t = 3.85, p < .00; t = 3.99, p < .00; t = 2.94, p < .01; t = 4.13, p < .00). With regard to program satisfaction, the mean score was 4.88 to 4.9 points. The mean score for teaching satisfaction was 4.94 to 4.9 points. Furthermore, the participants scored more than 80 points in the online course test and the nasogastric tube placement skill. CONCLUSION: The individuals in-charge are expected to be willing to apply and promote methods of literature collation and recommendation in their respective institutions. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(7):326-334.].

Okara (soybean residue) biotransformation by yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

Okara, or soybean residue, is a soy food processing by-product from the manufacture of soymilk and soybean curd (tofu). In this study, solid-state fermentation of okara was conducted over 5days using yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, and the changes in proximate composition, antioxidant capacity, non-volatiles and volatiles were investigated. Yeast metabolism of okara significantly increased the amounts of lipid, succinate and free amino acids and enhanced the antioxidant capacity. In particular, there was a marked increase in important umami tastants after fermentation, with 3-fold increase in succinate and a 20-fold increase in glutamate. The final fermented okara contained 3.37g succinate and 335mg glutamate/100g dry matter. Aldehydes and their derived acids in the fresh okara were catabolised by Y. lipolytica mainly to methyl ketones, leading to a reduced grassy off-odour and a slightly pungent, musty and cheese-like odour in the fermented okara. Amino acid-derived volatiles, such as 3-methylbutanal and 2-phenylethanol, were also produced. Overall, the okara fermented by Y. lipolytica had a greater amount of umami-tasting substances, a cheese-like odour, improved digestibility and enhanced antioxidant capacity. These changes highlight the potential of Yarrowia-fermented okara as a more nutritious, savoury food product or ingredient. Y. lipolytica was thus demonstrated to be suitable for the biovalorisation of this soy food processing by-product.