Berberine attenuates cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal apoptosis in rats with prediabetes.

The cognitive dysfunction caused by prediabetes causes great difficulties in human life, and the terrible thing is that the means to prevent the occurrence of this disease are very limited at present, Berberine has shown the potential to treat diabetes and cognitive dysfunction, but it still needs to be further explored to clarify the mechanism of its therapeutic effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Berberine on prediabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction. Prediabetes rat model was induced by a high-fat diet and a normal diet was used as a control. They were fed for 20 weeks. At week 13, the model rats were given 100 mg/kg Berberine by gavage for 7 weeks. The cognitive function of rats was observed. At the same time, OGTT, fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, insulin and other metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, and apoptosis levels were measured. The results showed that the model rats showed obvious glucose intolerance, elevated blood lipids, and insulin resistance, and the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis were significantly increased. However, after the administration of Berberine, the blood glucose and lipid metabolism of prediabetic rats were significantly improved, and the oxidative stress level and apoptosis level of hippocampal tissue were significantly reduced. In conclusion, Berberine can alleviate the further development of diabetes in prediabetic rats, reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in hippocampal tissue, and improve cognitive impairment in prediabetic rats.

Mask-wearing behavior during COVID-19 in China and its correlation with e-health literacy.

Background: During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, wearing masks became crucial for preventing infection risk and maintaining basic health. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the behavioral characteristics of the mask-wearing public to provide theoretical reference for the prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey on the mask-wearing behavior of the public and their health literacy levels by distributing electronic questionnaires. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors influencing mask-wearing behavior. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between mask-wearing behaviors and e-health literacy. Results: A total of 1,972 valid questionnaires were collected; 99.8% of the public wore masks when going out and 59.2% showed good mask-wearing behavior. Most people choose to wear disposable medical masks (61.3%), followed by medical surgical masks (52.9%). All participants indicated that they had understood the information on how to use masks, and most obtained it through social media (61.8%). The average of the e-health literacy scores of those with good mask-wearing behavior was significantly higher than those with poor mask-wearing behavior (P < 0.05), and each item score of the former's e-health literacy was significantly higher than the latter (P < 0.05). Further, there was a positive correlation between mask-wearing behavior and e-health literacy (R = 0.550, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that seven factors are related to mask-wearing behavior, including gender, place of residence, educational level, work or living environment, marital status, flu symptoms, and whether living with people in home quarantine (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The overall compliance of the public's mask-wearing behavior in China during COVID-19 is good. However, there are shortcomings regarding the selection, use, and precautions. The differences in mask-wearing behavior are related to factors including gender, place of residence, educational level, work or living environment, marital status, presence of flu symptoms, and whether living with people in home quarantine. Higher levels of e-health literacy indicated better mask-wearing behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the public's popularization and education regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Metarhizium anisopliae is a valuable grist for biocontrol in beta-cypermethrin-resistant Blattella germanica (L.).

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of chemical insecticides has resulted in the development of resistance in German cockroaches worldwide, and biopesticides based on entomopathogenic fungi as active ingredients have become a promising alternative strategy. Resistance can change many of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of insect pests, such as cuticle thickness, detoxification enzyme activity, and even intestinal flora composition. Thus, potential interactions between pathogenic fungi and insecticide resistance may lead to unpredictable changes in pest susceptibility to fungi. RESULTS: Beta-cypermethrin-resistant German cockroaches were more susceptible to infection with the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae regardless of age and sex. Histopathological results showed that the infection of resistant strains (R) by M. anisopliae was visibly faster than that of susceptible strains (S). The gut microbiota of the S strain indicated a stronger ability to inhibit fungi in vitro. The abundance of Parabacteroides, Lachnoclostridium, and Tyzzerella_3 decreased significantly in the R strain, and most demonstrated the ability to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, and antifungal infections. The expression levels of Akirin, BgTPS, and BgPo genes in the R strain were significantly lower than those in the S strain, while BgChi and CYP4G19 gene expression were significantly higher. The mortality of cockroaches infected with M. anisopliae decreased to varying degrees after RNA interference, reflecting the role of these genes in antifungal infection. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirmed that insecticide resistance may enhance cockroach susceptibility to fungi by altering intestinal flora and gene expression. Fungal biopesticides have high utilization value in pest control and insecticide resistance management strategies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Psychological Effect of Forming WeChat Groups Between Medical Staff and Patients With COVID-19.

Background: This study was conducted in order to explore the effect of psychological intervention based on the use of WeChat with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: A total of 65 patients with COVID-19, from two wards, were divided into an experimental group and a control group with the ward as the basic unit. Communication concerning routine treatment and nursing was established between the medical staff and patients in the experimental group via WeChat groups. Within 48 h of admission, at 7 days, and on discharge, all 65 patients completed two self-evaluation questionnaires: the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Hospital stay statistics and a satisfaction survey on discharge were also collated for both groups of patients. Results: The PANAS scores of the experimental group were 26.61 ± 7.99 points on admission, 20.81 ± 5.48 points at 7 days, and 19.58 ± 6.61 points on discharge (P < 0.05). The scores of HADS in the experimental group were 27.74 ± 9.35 points on admission, 12.19 ± 1.92 points at 7 days, and 11.71 ± 3.64 points on discharge (P < 0.05). The differences in the PANS and HADS scores between the experimental and control groups at 7 days and on discharge were statistically significant. The discharge satisfaction ratings of the two groups of patients were 99.87 ± 0.34 and 98.68 ± 1.09 points, the difference being statistically significant (t = 5.827, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Establishing WeChat groups between medical staff and patients with COVID-19 and building a bridge for better communication improved patients' positive mentality and their compliance with doctors, shortened their hospital stay, and promoted their recovery.

Primary duodenal tuberculosis misdiagnosed as tumor by imaging examination: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary duodenal tuberculosis is very rare. Due to a lack of specificity for its presenting symptoms, it is easily misdiagnosed clinically. Review of the few case reports and literature on the topic will help to improve the overall understanding of this disease and aid in differential diagnosis to improve patient outcome. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old man with a 30-plus year history of bronchiectasis and bronchitis presented to the Gastroenterology Department of our hospital complaining of intermittent upper abdominal pain. Initial imaging examination revealed a duodenal space-occupying lesion; subsequent upper abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography indicated duodenal malignant tumor. Physical and laboratory examinations showed no obvious abnormalities. In order to confirm further the diagnosis, electronic endoscopy was performed and tissue biopsies were taken. Duodenal histopathology showed granuloma and necrosis. In-depth tuberculosis-related examination did not rule out tuberculosis, so we initiated treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs. At 6 mo after the anti-tuberculosis drug course, there were no signs of new development of primary lesions by upper abdominal computed tomography, and no complications had manifested. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the importance of differential diagnosis for gastrointestinal diseases. Duodenal tuberculosis requires a systematic examination and physician awareness.