Effect of Comfort Care on Perioperative Outcomes and Postoperative Recovery of Breast Cancer Patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of comfort care on perioperative outcomes and postoperative recovery of breast cancer patients. Evaluating comfort care is important in the context of breast cancer surgery because it can potentially alleviate pain, improve patient comfort, enhance postoperative recovery, and reduce complications, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. Methods: Between March 2020 and December 2021, 78 patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at our hospital were randomly assigned to receive either routine nursing (routine group) or comfort care (experimental group). The comfort care intervention included various components such as health education, preoperative care, intraoperative care, postoperative care, pain care, and psychological care. The routine group received standard nursing care following medical advice. Results: The patient characteristics between the two groups were comparable. Comfort care resulted in significantly higher visual analog scale (VAS) scores, indicating reduced pain, and better improvement in functional recovery of the upper limb compared to routine nursing. Comfort care was also associated with better postoperative recovery, as evidenced by lower self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores. The experimental group had a significantly lower incidence of complications compared to the routine group. Additionally, the experimental group reported better 24-hour comfort and higher nursing satisfaction. Conclusion: In conclusion, comfort care effectively reduces postoperative pain, promotes postoperative recovery, improves patient emotions, lowers the incidence of complications, and enhances comfort and care satisfaction in breast cancer patients undergoing radical surgery. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating comfort care interventions in the perioperative management of breast cancer patients. Further research and implementation of comfort care strategies may have implications for improving clinical practice and patient outcomes in the future.

Transcriptome analysis of Artemisia argyi following methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment and the mining of genes related to the stress resistance pathway.

Artemisia argyi Lev. et Vant. (A. argyi) is a perennial grass in the Artemisia family, the plant has a strong aroma. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is critical to plant growth and development, stress response, and secondary metabolic processes. The experimental material Artemisia argyi was utilized in this study to investigate the treatment of A. argyi with exogenous MeJA at concentrations of 100 and 200 µmol/L for durations of 9 and 24 h respectively. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted using the Illumina HiSeq platform to identify stress resistance-related candidate genes. Finally, a total of 102.43 Gb of data were obtained and 162,272 unigenes were identified. Differential analysis before and after MeJA treatment resulted in the screening of 20,776 differentially expressed genes. The GO classification revealed that the annotated unigenes were categorized into three distinct groups: cellular component, molecular function, and biological process. Notably, binding, metabolic process, and cellular process emerged as the most prevalent categories among them. The results of KEGG pathway statistical analysis revealed that plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling pathway-plant, and plant-pathogen interaction were significant transduction pathways in A. argyi's response to exogenous MeJA-induced abiotic stress. With the alteration of exogenous MeJA concentration and duration, a significant upregulation was observed in the expression levels of calmodulin CaM4 (ID: EVM0136224) involved in MAPK signaling pathway-plant and auxin response factor ARF (ID: EVM0055178) associated with plant-pathogen interaction. The findings of this study establish a solid theoretical foundation for the future development of highly resistant varieties of A. argyi.

Research Note: Heat stress affects immune and oxidative stress indices of the immune organs of broilers by changing the expressions of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily G member 2, sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter-2, and mitochondrial calcium uniporter.

This study aimed to determine the mechanisms of heat-induced oxidative stress in the thymus and spleen of broilers. After 28 d, 30 broilers were randomly divided into the control (25°C ± 2°C; 24 h/d) and heat-stressed (36°C ± 2°C; 8 h/d) groups; the experiment lasted for 1 wk. The broilers in each group were euthanized, and some samples were collected and analyzed at 35 d. The results showed that the birds subjected to heat stress reduced the weight (P < 0.01) and the indices of thymus (P < 0.01), the activities of T-AOC (P < 0.01) and SOD (P < 0.05) of spleen, and levels of IL-10 (P < 0.05) and the GSH-PX (P < 0.05) in thymus and spleen, and increased the IL-6 content of thymus (P < 0.05), the MDA content (P < 0.01), and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (P < 0.01) in thymus and spleen. Moreover, the expression of the IgG gene in the thymus and spleen of heat-stressed broilers was increased (P < 0.05); however, the expression of the IgM gene in the spleen was increased (P < 0.05), with no difference (P > 0.05) in the thymus of heat-stressed broilers compared with the control. Furthermore, the relative expression of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) in the thymus and spleen both increased (P < 0.05). The sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter-2 (SVCT-2) (P < 0.01) and mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) (P < 0.01) mRNA levels in the thymus of heat-stressed broilers increased, and the expression of ABCG2 (P < 0.05), SVCT-2 (P < 0.01), and MCU (P < 0.01) proteins in the thymus and spleen of heat-stressed broilers increased compared with the control group. This study confirmed that heat stress-induced oxidative stress in the immune organs of broilers, further reducing immune function.

A new benzofuran compound from the resinous exudates of Commiphora myrrha.

A new benzofuran derivative, identified as myrrhain A (1), was isolated from the resinous exudates of Commiphora myrrha, together with the four known compounds: commipharane (2), myrrhterpeniod (3), myrrhone (4), and 9-methoxymyrrhone (5). All structures were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. DPPH assay of compounds 1-5 revealed for the first time that all of them possess moderate antioxidative activity.

Obacunone protects retinal pigment epithelium cells from ultra-violet radiation-induced oxidative injury.

Ultra-violet (UV) radiation (UVR) causes significant oxidative injury to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Obacunone is a highly oxygenated triterpenoid limonoid compound with various pharmacological properties. Its potential effect in RPE cells has not been studied thus far. Here in ARPE-19 cells and primary murine RPE cells, obacunone potently inhibited UVR-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, lipid peroxidation and single strand DNA accumulation. UVR-induced RPE cell death and apoptosis were largely alleviated by obacunone. Obacunone activated Nrf2 signaling cascade in RPE cells, causing Keap1-Nrf2 disassociation, Nrf2 protein stabilization and nuclear translocation. It promoted transcription and expression of antioxidant responsive element-dependent genes. Nrf2 silencing or CRISPR/Cas9-induced Nrf2 knockout almost reversed obacunone-induced RPE cytoprotection against UVR. Forced activation of Nrf2 cascade, by Keap1 knockout, similarly protected RPE cells from UVR. Importantly, obacunone failed to offer further RPE cytoprotection against UVR in Keap1-knockout cells. In vivo, intravitreal injection of obacunone largely inhibited light-induced retinal damage. Collectively, obacunone protects RPE cells from UVR-induced oxidative injury through activation of Nrf2 signaling cascade.

Role of phosphorous additives on nitrogen conservation and maturity during pig manure composting.

This study compared different types and addition amounts of phosphorous additives on nitrogen conservation and maturity during pig manure composting. Phosphogypsum and superphosphate were applied with the same amount of phosphorus (5% of the initial total nitrogen, molar basis) or weight (10% of initial dry matter) and compared to a control treatment without additives. Results show that phosphorous additives could effectively conserve nitrogen. Adding phosphogypsum could significantly reduce NH3 emission and total nitrogen loss, but increase N2O emission. Application of 10% superphosphate mitigated NH3 emissions and total nitrogen loss but inhibited the organic matter degradation and compost maturity. More importantly, with the addition of 5% initial total nitrogen (i.e., 2.5% dry matter), superphosphate could synchronously reduce NH3 and N2O emissions and improve compost quality by introducing additional nutrients into the compost. In comprehensive evolution of gaseous emissions, nitrogen loss, and compost maturity, superphosphate addition with 2.5% of initial dry matter was suggested to be used in practice.

Two new compounds from supercritical fluid extract of Artemisia integrifolia L.

Two new compounds, namely integrin A (1) and integrin B (2), were isolated from the supercritical fluid extract (SFE) of Artemisia integrifolia L. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Uncovering the protective mechanism of Taohong Siwu decoction against diabetic retinopathy via HIF-1 signaling pathway based on network analysis and experimental validation.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common and serious microvascular complication of diabetes. Taohong Siwu decoction (THSWD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has been proved to have a good clinical effect on DR, whereas its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our study aimed to uncover the core targets and signaling pathways of THSWD against DR. METHODS: First, the active ingredients of THSWD were searched from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) Database. Second, the targets of active ingredients were identified from ChemMapper and PharmMapper databases. Third, DR associated targets were searched from DisGeNET, DrugBank and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). Subsequently, the common targets of active ingredients and DR were found and analyzed in STRING database. DAVID database and ClueGo plug-in software were used to carry out the gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis. The core signaling pathway network of "herb-ingredient-target" was constructed by the Cytoscape software. Finally, the key genes of THSWD against DR were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: A total of 2340 targets of 61 active ingredients in THSWD were obtained. Simultaneously, a total of 263 DR-associated targets were also obtained. Then, 67 common targets were found by overlapping them, and 23 core targets were identified from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Response to hypoxia was found as the top GO term of biological process, and HIF-1 signaling pathway was found as the top KEGG pathway. Among the key genes in HIF-1 pathway, the mRNA expression levels of VEGFA, SERPINE1 and NOS2 were significantly down-regulated by THSWD (P < 0.05), and NOS3 and HMOX1 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: THSWD had a protective effect on DR via regulating HIF-1 signaling pathway and other important pathways. This study might provide a theoretical basis for the application of THSWD and the development of new drugs for the treatment of DR.

Discovery of potential Toxoplasma gondii CDPK1 inhibitors with new scaffolds based on the combination of QSAR and scaffold-hopping method with in vitro validation.

To discover drugs for toxoplasmosis with less side-effects and less probability to get drug resistance is eagerly appealed for pregnant women, infant or immunocompromised patients. In this work, using TgCDPK1 as drug target, we design a method to discover new inhibitors for CDPK1 as potential drug lead for toxoplasmosis with novel scaffolds based on the combination of 2D/3D-QSAR and scaffold-hopping methods. All the binding sites of the potential inhibitors were checked by docking method, and only the ones that docked to the most conserved sites of TgCDPK1, which make them have less probability to get drug resistance, were remained. As a result, 10 potential inhibitors within two new scaffolds were discovered for TgCDPK1 with experimentally verified inhibitory activities in micromole level. The discovery of these inhibitors may contribute to the drug development for toxoplasmosis. Besides, the pipeline which is composed in this work as the combination of QSAR and scaffold-hopping is simple, easy to repeat for researchers without need of in-depth knowledge of pharmacology to get inhibitors with novel scaffolds, which will accelerate the procedure of drug discovery and contribute to the drug repurposing study.

Effects of phosphogypsum, superphosphate, and dicyandiamide on gaseous emission and compost quality during sewage sludge composting.

This study investigated the effects of phosphogypsum, superphosphate, and dicyandiamide on gaseous emission and compost quality during sewage sludge composting. Results showed that phosphogypsum reduced ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) emissions but increased nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. Superphosphate simultaneously reduced NH3, N2O and CH4 emissions. Dicyandiamide markedly reduced N2O emission during composting. Combination of phosphogypsum and dicyandiamide reduced CH4 and N2O emissions by 75.6% and 86.4%, while NH3 emission was increased by 22.0%. Combination of superphosphate and dicyandiamide reduced NH3, CH4 and N2O emissions by 12.3%, 81.0% and 88.2%, respectively. More importantly, with the addition of 10% initial raw materials, phosphogypsum and superphosphate conserved nitrogen and improved compost quality by introducing additional nutrients.

Structure elucidation and NMR assignments of a new triterpenoid from Ixeris chinensis.

A new triterpenoid, namely 3ß-hydroxy-13ß,28-epoxyolean-11-enyl trans-caffeate (1), was isolated from the EtOAc extract from Ixeris chinensis Nakai. The structures of 1 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Complete genome sequence of a psychotrophic Pseudarthrobacter sulfonivorans strain Ar51 (CGMCC 4.7316), a novel crude oil and multi benzene compounds degradation strain.

Pseudarthrobacter sulfonivorans strain Ar51, a psychotrophic bacterium isolated from the Tibet permafrost of China, can degrade crude oil and multi benzene compounds efficiently in low temperature. Here we report the complete genome sequence of this bacterium. The complete genome sequence of Pseudarthrobacter sulfonivorans strain Ar51, consisting of a cycle chromosome with a size of 5.04Mbp and a cycle plasmid with a size of 12.39kbp. The availability of this genome sequence allows us to investigate the genetic basis of crude oil degradation and adaptation to growth in a nutrient-poor permafrost environment.

Cardioprotective effects of low-level carotid baroreceptor stimulation against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in canine model.

PURPOSE: The modulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has been shown to prevent myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Carotid baroreceptor stimulation modulates the ANS by sympathetic withdrawal and vagal activation. The aim of this study was to assess whether low-level carotid baroreceptor stimulation (LL-CBS) attenuated MIRI and test its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Forty adult healthy mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to three groups as follows: (1) I/R group (n = 15): left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded for 1 h and allowed for 1 h reperfusion; (2) LL-CBS group (n = 15): I/R plus LL-CBS; and (3) sham group (n = 10): sham surgery without stimulation. The voltage-reducing blood pressure by 5% was defined as the threshold. LL-CBS was performed at a voltage that is 80% below the threshold. Infarct size was assessed with Evans blue and TTC staining. The inflammatory cytokines, biomarker of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression were measured to assess the injury. RESULTS: The number of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) episodes was significantly decreased in the LL-CBS group compared with the I/R group (2.8 ± 0.8 vs. 7.0 ± 2.6, P < 0.05). LL-CBS reduced tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and malondialdehyde levels but increased superoxide dismutase level compared with the I/R group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, LL-CBS significantly decreased the percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL)-positive cardiomyocytes (20 ± 8 vs. 47 ± 12, P < 0.05). Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in Cx43 revealed that LL-CBS caused an increase, respectively, compared with the I/R group (0.75 ± 0.3 vs. 0.3 ± 0.2 and 1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 0.4 ± 0.1, respectively, both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LL-CBS exerted cardioprotective effects during ischemic reperfusion period potentially by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and modulating the Cx43 expression.

Estimation of trace elements in mace (Myristica fragrans Houtt) and their effect on uterine cervix cancer induced by methylcholanthrene.

In the present work, trace elemental analysis of mace (Myristica fragrans Houtt) was carried out by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The concentrations of various elements analyzed in this medicine were ranked in decreasing order: selenium (Se) > zinc (Zn) > magnesium (Mg) > iron (Fe) > calcium (Ca) > manganese (Mn) > lead (Pb). The concentrations of Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Se were significantly decreased in serum of methylcholanthrene tumor models (P < 0.001) compared with the control and mace groups. It is consistent with the result of tumor incidence. These trace elements could be directly or indirectly responsible for the antitumor activity of mace. The inorganic elements in this folk remedy can partly account for the antitumor.

Optimization of cultivation conditions of fermented shaggy ink cap culinary-medicinal mushroom, Coprinus comatus (O.Mull.:Fr.) Pers. (higher Basidiomycetes) rich in Vanadium.

The present paper is mainly aimed at optimization of cultivation conditions of fermented mushrooms of Coprinus comatus rich in vanadium (CCRV). Initial screening of effects of carbon source, temperature, pH, and inoculum size were done by using a one-factor-at-a-time method. The results obtained in that study showed that the optimal medium composition was 30 g glucose/Lin YEPG medium, initial pH 6.0, inoculum volume 10%, and incubation time 120 h. Then the medium was subjected to screening of the most significant parameters using the L9 orthogonal array to solve multivariable equations simultaneously. The results obtained in this study showed that the optimal medium composition was 0.4% V and 30 g glucose/Lin YEPG medium, initial pH 5.0, inoculum volume 15%, and incubation time 120 h. At this medium composition, the mycelial biomass and V content were 7.18 ± 0.24 g/L and 3786.0 ± 17 µg/g, respectively. The anti-diabetic potential of CCRV produced with the optimal level was tested in alloxan-induced diabetes. After the mice were administered (i.g.) with CCRV, the level of blood sugar in the CCRV group was very close to that of the control group. These findings suggested that CCRV produced with the optimal level is useful in the control of diabetes mellitus.

Prevention and reversal of atrial fibrillation inducibility and autonomic remodeling by low-level vagosympathetic nerve stimulation.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that autonomic atrial remodeling can be reversed by low-level (LL) vagosympathetic nerve stimulation (VNS). BACKGROUND: Previously, we showed that VNS can be antiarrhythmogenic. METHODS: Thirty-three dogs were subjected to electrical stimulation (20 Hz) applied to both vagosympathetic trunks at voltages 10% to 50% below the threshold that slowed sinus rate or AV conduction. Group 1 (n = 7): Programmed stimulation (PS) was performed at baseline and during 6-h rapid atrial pacing (RAP). PS allowed determination of effective refractory period (ERP) and AF inducibility measured by window of vulnerability (WOV). LL-VNS was continuously applied from the 4th to 6th hours. Group 2 (n = 4): After baseline ERP and WOV determinations, 6-h concomitant RAP+LL-VNS was applied. Sustained AF was induced by injecting acetylcholine (ACh) 10 mM into the anterior right ganglionated plexus (Group 3, n = 10) or applying ACh 10 mM to right atrial appendage (Group 4, n = 9). RESULTS: Group 1: The ERP progressively shortened and the ΣWOV (sum of WOV from all tested sites) progressively increased (p < 0.05) during 3-h RAP then returned toward baseline during 3-h RAP+LL-VNS (p < 0.05). Group 2: 6-h concomitant RAP+LL-VNS did not induce any significant change in ERP and ΣWOV. Group 3 and Group 4: AF duration (AF-D) and cycle length (AF-CL) were markedly altered by 3-h LL-VNS (Group 3: baseline: AF-D = 389 ± 90 s, AF-CL = 45.1 ± 7.8 ms; LL-VNS: AF-D = 50 ± 15 s, AF-CL = 82.0 ± 13.7 ms [both p < 0.001]; Group 4: baseline: AF-D = 505 ± 162 s, AF-CL = 48.8 ± 6.6 ms; LL-VNS: AF-D = 71 ± 21 s, AF-CL = 101.3 ± 20.9 ms [both p < 0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: LL-VNS can prevent and reverse atrial remodeling induced by RAP as well as suppress AF induced by strong cholinergic stimulation. Inhibition of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system by LL-VNS may be responsible for these salutary results.

Stabilization of mitochondrial function by tetramethylpyrazine protects against kainate-induced oxidative lesions in the rat hippocampus.

Mitochondria are critical regulators of cell death, a key feature of neurodegeneration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial to Ca(2+)-mediated effects of glutamate receptor activation leading to neuronal degeneration. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is a principal ingredient of Ligusticum wallichi Franchat (a Chinese herb), used for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic diseases. However, its protection against oxidative brain injury associated with excessive activation of glutamate receptors is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate TMP neuroprotection against kainate-induced excitotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. We found that TMP could partly alleviate kainate-induced status epilepticus in rats and prevented and rescued neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA3 but not the CA1 region. The partial prevention and rescue of neuronal loss by TMP were attributable to the preservation of the structural and functional integrity of mitochondria, evidenced by maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production, and complex I and III activities. Stabilization of mitochondrial function was linked to the observation that TMP could function as a reductant/antioxidant to quench ROS, block lipid peroxidation, and protect enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. These results suggest that TMP may protect against oxidative brain injury by stabilization of mitochondrial function through quenching of ROS.

Low-level vagosympathetic stimulation: a paradox and potential new modality for the treatment of focal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: We used high-frequency stimulation delivered during the refractory period of the atrium and pulmonary veins (PVs) to induce focal firing and atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was designed to demonstrate that bilateral low-level vagosympathetic nerve stimulation (LL-VNS) could suppress high-frequency stimulation-induced focal AF at atrial and PV sites. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 23 dogs anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital, electrodes in the vagosympathetic trunks allowed LL-VNS at 1 V below that which slowed the sinus rate or atrioventricular conduction. Multielectrode catheters were fixed at the right and left superior and inferior PVs and both atrial appendages. LL-VNS continued for 3 hours. At the end of each hour, the high-frequency stimulation algorithm consisting of a 40-ms train of stimuli (200 Hz; stimulus duration, 0.1 to 1.0 ms) was delivered 2 ms after the atrial pacing stimulus during the refractory period at each PV and atrial appendages site. The lowest voltage of high-frequency stimulation that induced AF was defined as the AF threshold. Five dogs without LL-VNS served as sham controls. Six dogs underwent LL-VNS after transection of bilateral vagosympathetic trunks. LL-VNS induced a progressive increase in AF threshold at all PV and atrial appendages sites, particularly significant (P<0.05) at the right superior PV, right inferior PV, left superior PV, and right atrial appendage. Bilateral vagosympathetic transection did not significantly alter the previous findings, and the 5 sham control dogs did not show changes in AF threshold at any site over a period of 3 hours. CONCLUSIONS: LL-VNS may prevent episodic AF caused by rapid PV and non-PV firing.