Dietary Copper Plays an Important Role in Maintaining Intestinal Barrier Integrity During Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease Through Regulation of the Intestinal HIF-1α Signaling Pathway and Oxidative Stress.

Impaired intestinal barrier function and oxidative stress injury play critical roles in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and recent investigations have revealed a role for dietary copper in the liver and intestinal barrier function. Therefore, the current study investigates the mechanisms and role of dietary copper in alcohol induced liver diseases. C57BL/6 mice were used to create an alcoholic liver disease model with a Lieber-DeCarli diet containing 5% alcohol and were fed with different concentrations of dietary copper of adequate (6 ppm, CuA), marginal (1.5 ppm, CuM), or supplemental (20 ppm, CuS) amounts. Caco-2 cells were also exposed to ethanol and different concentrations of copper. Damages of the liver and intestine were evaluated by transaminases, histology staining, and protein and mRNA level, as well as cell proliferation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial membrane potential. In animal experiments, the results indicate that an alcohol diet causes liver injury and disruption of intestinal barrier function as well as decreasing the expression of genes such as HIF-1α, occludin, SOD1, and GPX1. Supplemental dietary copper can revert these changes except for SOD1, but marginal dietary copper can worsen these changes. The in vitro cell experiments showed that proper copper supplementation can promote cell growth and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In conclusion, supplemental dietary copper has beneficial effects on alcohol-induced intestine and liver injury, and marginal dietary copper shows detrimental effects on these parameters.

Effects of Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation on swallowing disorders. DESIGN: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of science, and PEDro were searched from their earliest record to August 1, 2019. All randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trial were identified, which compared the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation plus traditional therapy with traditional therapy in swallowing function. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials and three quasi-randomized controlled trials were included. These studies demonstrated a significant, moderate pooled effect size (standard mean difference = 0.62; 95% confidence interval = 0.06 to 1.17). Studies stimulating suprahyoid muscle groups revealed a negative standard mean difference of 0.17 (95% confidence interval = -0.42, 0.08), whereas large effect size was observed in studies stimulating the infrahyoid muscle groups (standard mean difference = 0.89; 95% confidence interval = 0.47 to 1.30) and stimulating the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups (standard mean difference = 1.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.07 to 1.74). Stimulation lasting 45 mins or less showed a large, significant pooled effect size (standard mean difference = 0.89; 95% confidence interval = 0.58 to 1.20). The quality of evidences was rated as low to very low. CONCLUSIONS: There is no firm evidence to conclude on the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on swallowing disorders. Larger-scale and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to reach robust conclusions.

Psychological and behavioral intervention improves the quality of life and mental health of patients suffering from differentiated thyroid cancer treated with postoperative radioactive iodine-131.

BACKGROUND: We examined the effects of psychological and behavioral intervention on health-related quality of life and mental health among patients suffering from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) treated with postoperative radioactive iodine-131 (RAI). METHODS: Sixty patients with DTC, undergoing RAI, were randomly assigned to receive either conventional nursing (n=30) or a 1-year psychological and behavioral intervention based on conventional nursing (n=30). Health-related quality of life and mental health issues, depression, and anxiety were measured using the Quality of Life Core Questionnaire, Self-rating Depression Scale, and Self-rating Anxiety Score, respectively. RESULTS: After RAI treatment, patients in both groups showed improved functional capacities (ie, physical, role, cognitive, emotional, and social) and global quality of life, along with reduced depression and anxiety (P<0.05). At 1-year follow-up, compared with patients in the routine nursing group, those in the psychological and behavioral intervention group demonstrated greater improvements in functional capacities, global quality of life, and depression and anxiety symptoms (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychological and behavioral interventions for patients with DTC undergoing RAI facilitated positive outcomes, suggesting that nursing care models that include psychological and behavioral interventions may be a complementary strategy for this patient population.