Potassium affects the association between dietary intake of vitamin C and NAFLD among adults in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Although the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and vitamin C has been well studied, the effects of dietary potassium intake on this relationship are still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of dietary potassium intake on the association between vitamin C and NAFLD. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional learn about with 9443 contributors the usage of 2007-2018 NHANES data. Multiple logistic regression evaluation has been utilized to check out the affiliation of dietary vitamin C intake with NAFLD and advanced hepatic fibrosis (AHF). Subsequently, we plotted a smoothed match curve to visualize the association. Especially, the analysis of AHF was conducted among the NAFLD population. In addition, stratified evaluation used to be developed primarily based on demographic variables to verify the steadiness of the results. Effect amendment by way of dietary potassium intake used to be assessed via interplay checks between vitamin C and NAFLD in the multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, we found that vitamin C was negatively related to NAFLD and AHF. The relationship between vitamin C and NAFLD was different in the low, middle and high potassium intake groups. Furthermore, potassium intake significantly modified the negative relationship between vitamin C and NAFLD in most of the models. CONCLUSION: Our research showed that potassium and vitamin C have an interactive effect in reducing NAFLD, which may have great importance for clinical medication.

Analysis of risk factors leading to multiple breast abscesses during lactation.

We investigated 1805 cases of breast abscesses during lactation to estimate the risk factors for multiple breast abscesses during lactation. A total of 2000 cases of breast abscesses during lactation were investigated using an online questionnaire, and 1805 cases with complete data were analyzed. The survey response rate was 90%. According to the number of abscesses, the patients were divided into 2 groups: single breast abscess (number = 1298) and multiple breast abscess (number = 507). Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the 15 risk factors between the 2 groups. Risk factors with significant differences were substituted into a binary logistic regression model to analyze the independent risk factors associated with multiple breast abscesses during lactation. There were significant differences between the 2 groups in (1) weeks postpartum, (2) separated from the baby, (3) breastfeeding exclusivity, (4) nipple inversion, (5) fever, (6) breast redness/swelling, (7) nipple pain, (8) breast massage by nonmedical staff, with (1), (5), (6), and (8) being independent risk factors. Patients under 6 weeks postpartum, separated from the baby, not exclusively breastfeeding, having an inverted nipple on the affected side, fever, breast skin redness and swelling on the affected side, nipple pain, and having undergone a breast massage by nonmedical staff are more likely to develop multiple breast abscesses.

Clinical characteristics of lactational breast abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: hospital-based study in China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the differences in clinical characteristics, puncture efficacy, antibiotic use, treatment duration, breastfeeding post-illness, and recurrence of patients with breast abscesses caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infection during lactation. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with breast abscesses during lactation who were treated from January 2014 to February 2017 at Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing, were reviewed. According to bacterial culture results, they were divided into MRSA (n = 260) and MSSA (n = 962) groups. Hospitalization (whether or not the patients were hospitalized), postpartum period, maternal age, location of abscess cavities, number of abscess cavities, amount of pus, frequency of needle aspiration, failure of needle aspiration, antibiotic use, treatment duration, cessation of breastfeeding and recurrence were compared between the two groups using a t-test and a chi-squared test. RESULTS: We noted that only the cessation of breastfeeding was statistically significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.018). Hospitalization, postpartum period, maternal age, location of abscess cavities, number of abscess cavities, amount of pus, number of needle aspiration, failure of needle aspiration, antibiotic use, treatment duration and recurrence showed no statistically significant differences (P = 0.488, P = 0.328, P = 0.494, P = 0.218, P = 0.088, P = 0.102, P = 0.712, P = 0.336, P = 0.512, P = 0.386 and P = 0.359, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in clinical characteristics between breast abscesses infected by MRSA and those infected by MSSA. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration could be the first choice for MRSA-infected breast abscess treatment. There is no need to increase antibiotic use because of MRSA infection, unless it is necessary. The reason why more patients with MRSA infected breast abscesses terminated breastfeeding is unclear from this study.

Lactational Breast Abscesses Caused by Methicillin-Resistant or Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Infection and Therapeutic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration.

Background and Objective: We investigated whether (1) there are any differences in lactational breast abscesses between patients from whom methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and those from whom methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were isolated from pus samples and (2) there are differences in the effects of ultrasound-guided aspiration. Materials and Methods: The clinical data of 171 patients with lactational breast abscesses treated by ultrasound-guided aspiration in Beijing from January to July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into MSSA infection (N = 132) and MRSA infection (N = 39) groups according to their bacterial culture results. Abscess cavity location, abscess cavity number, maximum abscess cavity size, antibiotic utilization rate, and cure rate were compared between the groups. Cure rate refers to the proportion of the total number of cases remaining after the elimination of failed cases. The number of ultrasound-guided aspiration procedures performed for healing between the two groups was also compared. Results: There were no significant differences in abscess cavity location, abscess cavity amount, and abscess cavity size between both groups. The antibiotic utilization rate of the two groups were 58.3% (MSSA, 77/132) and 69.2% (MRSA, 27/39), respectively, and there were no significant differences between both groups. The cure rates of ultrasound-guided aspiration of the two groups were 97.7% (MSSA, 129/132) and 92.3% (MRSA, 36/39), and there were no significant differences between both groups. There were also no significant differences in the median number of aspiration performed for cure between the MRSA infection group (median = 3, range = 1-10) and the MSSA infection group (median = 3, range = 1-14). Conclusion: Lactational breast abscesses are the same irrespective of the type of S. aureus infection. Treatment by ultrasound-guided aspiration for patients with MRSA infection can achieve the same effect as that for those with MSSA infection.

Expression of eag1 channel associated with the aggressive clinicopathological features and subtype of breast cancer.

BACKGROUNDS: Expression of eag1 channel (Eag1) is associated with cell malignant transformation, tumor cell metastasis and poor prognosis of the patient. This study aimed at examining whether expression of the Eag1 associated with aggressive clinicopathological feature and the molecular subtype of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 109 patients who received breast cancer operation during January 2009 to December 2010 in Chinese-Japanese Friendship Hospital of Jilin University were recruited. We investigated the association of the Eag1 with clinicopathological features and molecular subtype of in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) by univariate or multivariate analysis in a cross-section study. RESULTS: The positive rate of Eag1 was 18.5% higher in TNBC compared with non-triple negative breast cancer (Non-TNBC) (P = 0.012, OR = 2.83, 95% CI = 2.16-3.47). Compared with the Eag1 negative group, the expression of Eag1 was linked to the larger tumor size (P = 0.002), advanced TNM stage (P = 0.029), high proportion of positive lymph node (87.6% vs. 65%, P = 0.014) and invasive ductal carcinoma (91% vs. 75%, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of Eag1 may be partially explained the aggressive behavior of TNBC in the breast cancer tissue.

Deoxyschisandrin modulates synchronized Ca2+ oscillations and spontaneous synaptic transmission of cultured hippocampal neurons.

AIM: Deoxyschisandrin is one of the most effective composites of Schisandra chinensis, a famous Chinese medicine widely used as an antistress, anti-aging, and neurological performance-improving herb. In this study, we examined its specific mechanisms of action on cultured hippocampal neurons. METHODS: Hippocampal neurons, primarily cultured for 9-11 d in vitro, were used for this study. DS were dissolved in DMSO and applied to calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp. RESULTS: The application of 3 mg/L DS decreased the frequency of spontaneous and synchronous oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ to 72%+/-2% (mean+/-SEM), and the spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents to 60%+/-3% (mean+/-SEM). The inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) for the effect of DS on calcium oscillations was 3.8 mg/L. DS also depressed the high voltage-gated Ca2+ channel and the voltage-gated Na+ channel currents at the same time point. It had no effect, however, on voltage-gated K+ and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. CONCLUSION: DS inhibited the spontaneous and synchronous oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ through the depression of influx of extracellular calcium and the initiation of action potential. By repressing the spontaneous neurotransmitter release, DS modulated the neuronal network activities.

[Randomized controlled multi-central study on acupuncture at Tanzhong (CV 17) for treatment of postpartum hypolactation].

OBJECTIVE: To study on clinical role of acupuncture at Tanzhong (CV 17) for treatment of postpartum hypolactation and to provide clinical basis for indications of acupoints. METHODS: This was a single blind randomized controlled multi-center study by Beijing obstetrical and gynecological hospital, Beijing Mother and Child health institute and Haidian Mother and Child health institute, 276 cases of postpartum hypolactation were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a Chinese drug group. The acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Tanzhong (CV 17) and the Chinese drug group with traditional drug Tongre Decoction. Degree of breast engorge, lactating volume, prolactin, neonate body weight, artificial feeding frequency and volume, urination frequency and crying time of neonate were recorded for comparison of therapeutic effects. RESULTS: After treatment, degree of breast engorge, lactating volume, neonate body weight, artificial feeding frequency and volume, urination frequency and crying time of neonate were significantly improved in the two groups, with no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Tanzhong (CV 17) can effectively promote lactation with a same therapeutic effect as the traditional Chinese drug Tongru Decocnon.

Astragaloside IV inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission and synchronized Ca2+ oscillations on hippocampal neurons.

AIM: To investigate the changes in the spontaneous neuronal excitability induced by astragaloside IV (AGS-IV) in the cultured hippocampal network. METHODS: Hippocampal neurons in culture for 9-11 d were used for this study. The spontaneous synaptic activities of these hippocampal neurons were examined by Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. In total, 40 mg/L AGS-IV dissolved in DMSO and 2 mL/L DMSO were applied to the neurons under a microscope while the experiments were taking place. RESULTS: AGS-IV inhibited the frequencies of synchronized spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations to 59.39%+/- 3.25%(mean+/-SEM), the spontaneous postsynaptic currents to 43.78%+/- 7.72%(mean+/-SEM), and the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents to 49.25%+/- 7.06%(mean+/-SEM) of those of the control periods, respectively, at 16 min after the AGSIV applications. AGS-IV also decreased the peak values of the voltage-gated K+ and Na+ channel currents at that time point. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that AGS-IV suppresses the spontaneous neuronal excitabilities effectively. Such a modulation of neuronal activity could represent new evidence for AGS-IV as a neuroprotector.

MEK inhibitor PD98059 acutely inhibits synchronized spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in cultured hippocampal networks.

AIM: To investigate the changes in synchronized spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations induced by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 at different concentrations in cultured hippocampal network. METHODS: Hippocampal neurons in culture for 1-2 weeks were used for this study. Spontaneous synaptic activities of these hippocampal neurons were examined by Ca2+ imaging using calcium-sensitive dye. MEK inhibitor PD98059 (10, 30, and 60 micromol/L) and SB202474 (10 and 60 micromol/L), a negative control for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade study, were applied to the cells under the microscope while imaging was taking place. RESULTS: PD98059 at a lower concentration of 10 micromol/L had little effect on the Ca2+ oscillation. At the higher concentration of 30 micromol/L, 5 min after application of PD98059, the spike frequency was decreased to 25.38% +/-7.40% (mean+/-SEM, n=16, P<0.01 vs medium control) of that of the control period. At an even higher concentration of 60 micromol/L, 5 min after application of PD98059, the spike frequency was decreased to 14.53%+/-5.34% (mean+/-SEM, n=16, P< 0.01 vs medium control) of that of the control period. The spike amplitude underwent a corresponding decrease. However, the negative control SB202474 at concentrations of 10 and 60 micromol/L had little inhibition effect on the Ca2+ oscillation. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that PD98059 inhibits synchronized spontaneous Ca2+ oscillation through inhibition of MEK, which hints that the MAPK cascade is required to maintain synchronized spontaneous Ca2+ oscillation.

Ca2+ influx-independent synaptic potentiation mediated by mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and protein kinase C.

Activity-dependent modulation of synaptic transmission is an essential mechanism underlying many brain functions. Here we report an unusual form of synaptic modulation that depends on Na+ influx and mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, but not on Ca2+ influx. In Ca(2+)-free medium, tetanic stimulation of Xenopus motoneurons induced a striking potentiation of transmitter release at neuromuscular synapses. Inhibition of either Na+ influx or the rise of Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) at nerve terminals prevented the tetanus-induced synaptic potentiation (TISP). Blockade of Ca2+ release from mitochondrial Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, but not from ER Ca2+ stores, also inhibited TISP. Tetanic stimulation in Ca(2+)-free medium elicited an increase in [Ca2+]i, which was prevented by inhibition of Na+ influx or mitochondrial Ca2+ release. Inhibition of PKC blocked the TISP as well as mitochondrial Ca2+ release. These results reveal a novel form of synaptic plasticity and suggest a role of PKC in mitochondrial Ca2+ release during synaptic transmission.

Effect of new O-superfamily conotoxin SO3 on sodium and potassium currents of cultured hippocampal neurons.

The effects of a new O-superfamily conotoxin SO3 on sodium and potassium currents were examined in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. SO3 caused a concentration-dependent, rapidly developing and reversible inhibition of sodium currents (I(Na)). The IC(50) value for the blockage of I(Na) was calculated to be 0.49 and the Hill coefficient was 1.7. Using electrophysiological and pharmacological protocols, transient A-type potassium currents (I(A)) and delayed rectifiers potassium currents (I(K)) were isolated. SO3 caused a concentration-dependent, and reversible inhibition of I(K). The IC(50) value for the blockage of I(K) was calculated to be 1.6 and the Hill coefficient was 0.6, with no significant effect on I(A). These results indicate that SO3 can selectively inhibit neuronal sodium and potassium currents.

Regulation of neuromuscular synapse development by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and neurturin.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is known for its potent effect on neuronal survival, but its role in the development and function of synapses is not well studied. Using Xenopus nerve-muscle co-cultures, we show that GDNF and its family member neurturin (NRTN) facilitate the development of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Long-term application of GDNF significantly increased the total length of neurites in the motoneurons. GDNF also caused an increase in the number and the size of synaptic vesicle clustering, as demonstrated by synaptobrevin-GFP fluorescent imaging, and FM dye staining. Electrophysiological experiments revealed two effects of GDNF on synaptic transmission at NMJ. First, GDNF markedly increased the frequency of spontaneous transmission and decreased the variability of evoked transmission, suggesting an enhancement of transmitter secretion. Second, GDNF elicited a small increase in the quantal size, without affecting the average rise and decay times of synaptic currents. Imaging analysis showed that the size of acetylcholine receptor clusters at synapses increased in muscle cells overexpressing GDNF. Neurturin had very similar effects as GDNF. These results suggest that GDNF and NRTN are new neuromodulators that regulate the development of the neuromuscular synapse through both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms.

Effects of the Superoxide Anionic Radicals to the Cultured Cerebral Cortex Neuron of Newborn Rat.

The effect of the superoxide anionic radicals to the cultured cerebral cortex neuron of newborn rat was investigated by using xanthine oxidase/xanthine. The results are as follows. The growth of neuron was inhibited ATPase activity decreased to 4.223 &mgr;mol/(mg.min(-1))(Pr) total cellular carbonyl increased to 295.40 &mgr;mol/g wet weight lipid peroxides(LPO) increased to 4.87 nmol/g(Pr) membrane lipid fluidity decreased (P value 0.398) in nuclear DNA, thesingle strand breaks(SSB) increased in the single cell gel assay(SCG), DNA migration was 7.35 mm ݣ subcellular structures of the neuron changed (mitochondria were swelling, etc.) and SOD gene expression of the neuron increased (the SOD activity and the SOD content increased, SOD mRNA content increased). These suggest that the superoxide anionic radicals could damage proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and subcellular structures in neurons.