The prevalent practice of substituting fishmeal with plant protein frequently leads to disturbances in bile acid metabolism, subsequently increasing the incidence of metabolic liver diseases. Bile acid nutrients such as cholesterol, taurine and glycine have been shown to enhance bile acid synthesis and confer beneficial effects on growth. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of cholesterol-taurine-glycine (Ch-Tau-Gly) supplement on bile acid metabolism and liver health in spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) fed a plant-based diet. Two isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated: (1) plant protein-based diet (PP); (2) PP supplemented 0.5% cholesterol, 0.5% taurine and 1.3% glycine (CTG). Each experimental diet was randomly fed to quadruplicate groups of 30 feed-trained spotted seabass in each tank. The results revealed that supplementing plant-based diet with Ch-Tau-Gly supplement led to an increase in carcass ratio (meat yield) in spotted seabass (P < 0.05), indirectly contributing positively to their growth. The dietary supplement effectively suppressed endogenous cholesterol synthesis in the liver, promoted the expression of bile acid synthesis enzyme synthesis, and simultaneously the expression of intestinal fxr and its downstream genes, including hnf4α and shp (P < 0.05). The reduction in Lactobacillus_salivarius and bile salt hydrolase (BSH) were observed in CTG group with concurrently increased conjugated chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) bile acids (P < 0.05), suggesting the enhancement of the hydrophilicity of the bile acid pool. In CTG group, fatty liver was alleviated with a corresponding increase in lipid metabolism, characterized by a downregulation of genes associated with lipogenesis and lipid droplet deposition, along with an upregulation of genes related to lipolysis. Our study underscored the ability of Ch-Tau-Gly supplement to influence the gut microbiota, leading to an increase in the levels of conjugated CDCA (P < 0.05) in the bile acid pool of spotted seabass. The interplay between the gut microbiota and bile acids might constitute a crucial pathway in the promotion of liver health. These findings offer a promising solution, suggesting that Ch-Tau-Gly supplement have the potential to promote the growth of aquatic species and livestock fed on plant-based diets while addressing issues related to metabolic fatty liver.
The practical application of lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) with ultrahigh theoretical energy density faces the problems of poor kinetics and deficient reversibility. The electrolyte is of vital significance to the electrochemical stability and reaction pathway of LOBs due to the formation of soluble products. Here, a 15-crown-5 ether (15C5) is employed to regulate the solvation structure of Li+ and manipulate the reaction mechanism through regulating the binding ability toward Li+. The promoted dissociation of LiNO3 by 15C5 increases the catalytical active anions in the electrolyte and stabilizes the Li-containing reduced oxygen species to promote the solution pathway of discharge product growth. Besides, 15C5 also facilitates the kinetics of the electrochemical decomposition of Li2O2 and prolongs the cycle life to 178 cycles. This work inspires a novel approach to improve the battery performance through electrolyte component design.
The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors has proven to be an effective treatment for cancer. Immune checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), T-cell immunoglobulin-3 (TIM-3), T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) have received extensive attention, and the efficacy of antibodies or inhibitors against these checkpoints (either alone or in combination) has been evaluated in many tumors. This paper provides a brief overview of the PD-1 and LAG-3 checkpoints, and then shifts focus to the combined use of PD-1 and LAG-3 antibodies in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In the in vitro experiments, we examined the correlation between the expression and activation of these inhibitors on T cells, and also assessed toxicity in animals in preparation for in vivo experiments. The effects of the combined use of PD-1 and LAG-3 antibodies were then summarized in animal models of melanoma, MC38 carcinoma, and other tumors. In clinical studies, the combined application of these antibodies was assessed in patients with melanoma, colorectal, breast, and renal cell cancers, as well as other solid tumors. In general, the combination of PD-1 and LAG-3 antibodies has shown promising results in both in vivo and in vitro studies.
We report a case of recurrent retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma in a male who achieved a rapid and robust but transient clinical response to low-dose iodine-125 brachytherapy. A FANCD2 frameshift mutation was detected by gene sequencing in the cancerous tissue.
The urea-assisted water splitting not only enables a reduction in energy consumption during hydrogen production but also addresses the issue of environmental pollution caused by urea. Doping heterogeneous atoms in Ni-based electrocatalysts is considered an efficient means for regulating the electronic structure of Ni sites in catalytic processes. However, the current methodologies for synthesizing heteroatom-doped Ni-based electrocatalysts exhibit certain limitations, including intricate experimental procedures, prolonged reaction durations, and low product yield. Herein, Fe-doped NiO electrocatalysts were successfully synthesized using a rapid and facile solution combustion method, enabling the synthesis of 1.1107 g within a mere 5 min. The incorporation of iron atoms facilitates the modulation of the electronic environment around Ni atoms, generating a substantial decrease in the Gibbs free energy of intermediate species for the Fe-NiO catalyst. This modification promotes efficient cleavage of C-N bonds and consequently enhances the catalytic performance of UOR. Benefiting from the tunability of the electronic environment around the active sites and its efficient electron transfer, Fe-NiO electrocatalysts only needs 1.334 V to achieve 50 mA cm-2 during UOR. Moreover, Fe-NiO catalysts were integrated into a dual electrode urea electrolytic system, requiring only 1.43 V of cell voltage at 10 mA cm-2.
Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), a unique 1-Cys member of the peroxiredoxin family, exhibits peroxidase activity, phospholipase activity, and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) activity. Prdx6 has been known to be an important enzyme for the maintenance of lipid peroxidation repair, cellular metabolism, inflammatory signaling, and antioxidant damage. Growing research has demonstrated that the altered activity of this enzyme is linked with various pathological processes including central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review discusses the distinctive structure, enzyme activity, and function of Prdx6 in different CNS disorders, as well as emphasizing the significance of Prdx6 in neurological disorders.
The interaction between microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) poses a threat to agricultural soil environments, and their effects on plant growth and rhizosphere microbial community functions are not yet clear. In this study, energy sorghum was used as a test plant to investigate the effects of two types of MPs, polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), at different particle sizes (13 µm, 550 µm) and concentrations (0.1%, 1% w/w), and Cd, as well as their interactions, on the growth of sorghum in a soil-cultivation pot experiment. The results showed that the combined effects of MP and Cd pollution on the dry weight and Cd accumulation rate in sorghum varied depending on the type, concentration, and particle size of the MPs, with an overall trend of increasing stress from combined pollution with increasing Cd content and accumulation. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that combined MP and Cd pollution increased bacterial diversity, and the most significant increase was observed in the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE), Shannon, and Sobs indices in the 13 µm 1% PS+Cd treatment group. Metagenomic analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathways revealed that 19 groups of metabolic pathways, including microbial metabolism and methane metabolism, differed significantly under combined MP and Cd pollution. Hierarchical clustering results indicated that Cd treatment and combined MP and Cd treatment affected the abundances of sorghum rhizosphere soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling genes and that the type of MP present was an important factor affecting N and P cycling genes. The results of this study provide a basis for exploring the toxic effects of combined MP and Cd pollution and for conducting soil environmental risk assessments.
Cadmium , Microplastics , Rhizosphere , Soil Microbiology , Soil Pollutants , Sorghum , Sorghum/drug effects , Sorghum/microbiology , Cadmium/toxicity , Soil Pollutants/toxicity , Microplastics/toxicity , Soil/chemistry , Particle Size , Bacteria/drug effects
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a stress-induced liver injury related to heredity, environmental exposure and the gut microbiome metabolism. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the metabolites of gut microbiota (GM), participate in the regulation of hepatic steatosis and inflammation through the gut-liver axis, which play an important role in the alleviation of NAFLD. However, little progress has been made in systematically elucidating the mechanism of how SCFAs improve NAFLD, especially the epigenetic mechanisms and the potential therapeutic application as clinical treatment for NAFLD. Herein, we adopted PubMed and Medline to search relevant keywords such as 'SCFAs', 'NAFLD', 'gut microbiota', 'Epigenetic', 'diet', and 'prebiotic effect' to review the latest research on SCFAs in NAFLD up to November 2023. In this review, firstly, we specifically discussed the production and function of SCFAs, as well as their crosstalk coordination in the gut liver axis. Secondly, we provided an updated summary and intensive discussion of how SCFAs affect hepatic steatosis to alleviate NAFLD from the perspective of genetic and epigenetic. Thirdly, we paid attention to the pharmacological and physiological characteristics of SCFAs, and proposed a promising future direction to adopt SCFAs alone or in combination with prebiotics and related clinical drugs to prevent and treat NAFLD. Together, this review aimed to elucidate the function of SCFAs and provide new insights to the prospects of SCFAs as a therapeutic target for NAFLD.
OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of different intervertebral fusion devices (cage) in treating postoperative recurrent lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: One hundred and forty-two LDH patients with recurrence after simple intervertebral disc nucleus pulpoideectomy from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with combined underchannel fixation and interbody fusion and divided into a single anatomical group,two-anatomical group and a single banana group according to types and numbers of implanted cage. There were 51 patients in a single anatomical group,included 29 males and 22 females,aged from 39 to 65 years old with an average of (53.74±5.68) years old;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 18.62 to 28.13 kg·m-2 with an average of (22.08±2.15) kg·m-2;the interval between operation and recurrence ranged from 0.5 to 4.0 years with an average of (2.7±0.8) years;5 patients with L3,4,35 patients with L4,5 and 11 patients with L5S1;a single anatomical cage was implanted. There were 46 patients in two-anatomical group,included 25 males and 21 females,aged from 37 to 66 years old with an average of (54.52±6.02) years old;BMI ranged from 18.25 to 28.44 kg·m-2 with an average of (21.74±1.83) kg·m-2;the interval between operation and recurrence ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 years with an average of (2.7±0.9) years;4 patients with L3,4,32 patients with L4,5 and 10 patients with L5S1;two-anatomical cages were implanted. There were 45 patients in a single banana group,included 22 males and 23 females,aged from 38 to 65 years old with an average of (54.49±6.45) years old;BMI ranged from 18.85 to 28.20 kg·m-2 with an average of (21.63±1.59) kg·m-2;the interval between operation and recurrence ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 years with an average of (2.6±1.0) years;3 patients with L3,4,36 patients with L4,5 and 16 patients with L5S1;a single banana cage was implanted. Operation time,intraoperative blood loss,incision length,postoperative incision drainage volume,hospital stay and complications among 3 groups were observed and compared. The height of intervertebral space before and after operation,curvature of lordosis and the postoperative intervertebral fusion were compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate degree of lumbar pain and lumbar function before operation,1 and 6 months after operation,respectively. RESULTS: All patients among 3 groups were followed up at least 6 months,and no cases were fell out. There were no significant difference in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,incision length,postoperative incision drainage volume and hospital stay among 3 groups (P>0.05). At 6 months after operation,the height of intervertebral space in two-anatomical group and a single group were [(11.08±1.78) mm,(10.95±1.62) mm],curvature of lordosis were [(12.05±1.86) °,(11.63±1.57) °],which were higher than those in a single dissection group (10.14±1.54) mm,(10.92±1.45) °,and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.05). The interbody fusion rate between two-anatomical and a banana group (95.65%,95.56%) were higher than that in a single anatomical group (78.43%) at 6 months after operation (P<0.05). VAS and ODI of lumbar among 3 groups were decreased at 1 and 6 months after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in complications among 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The three fusion devices could achieve significant results in treating postoperative recurrence of LDH,but the implantation of two-anatomical cage and a single banana cage are more helpful to maintain the height of intervertebral space and lordosis curvature of patients with postoperative recurrence of LDH,and obtain good intervertebral fusion results.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement , Lordosis , Spinal Fusion , Male , Female , Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Blood Loss, Surgical , Treatment Outcome , Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery , Spinal Fusion/methods
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Men are more prone to develop and die from liver fibrosis than women. In this study, we aim to investigate how sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) in hepatocytes promotes liver fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatocyte-specific Sry knock-in (KI), Sry knockout (KO), and Sry KI with platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (Pdgfrα) KO mice were generated. Liver fibrosis was induced in mice by bile duct ligation for 2 weeks or carbon tetrachloride treatment for 6 weeks. In addition, primary hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and immortalized cell lines were used for in vitro studies and mechanistic investigation. RESULTS: Compared to females, the severity of toxin- or cholestasis-induced liver fibrosis is similarly increased in castrated and uncastrated male mice. Among all Y chromosome-encoded genes, SRY was the most significantly upregulated and consistently increased gene in fibrotic/cirrhotic livers in male patients and in mouse models. Sry KI mice developed exacerbated liver fibrosis, whereas Sry KO mice had alleviated liver fibrosis, compared to age- and sex-matched control mice after bile duct ligation or administration of carbon tetrachloride. Mechanistically, both our in vivo and in vitro studies illustrated that SRY in hepatocytes can transcriptionally regulate Pdgfrα expression, and promote HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1) release and subsequent HSC activation. Pdgfrα KO or treatment with the SRY inhibitor DAX1 in Sry KI mice abolished SRY-induced HMGB1 secretion and liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: SRY is a strong pro-fibrotic factor and accounts for the sex disparity observed in liver fibrosis, suggesting its critical role as a potentially sex-specific therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of the disease. IMPACT AND IMPLICATION: We identified that a male-specific gene, sex-determining region Y gene (SRY), is a strong pro-fibrotic gene that accounts for the sex disparity observed in liver fibrosis. As such, SRY might be an appropriate target for surveillance and treatment of liver fibrosis in a sex-specific manner. Additionally, SRY might be a key player in the sexual dimorphism observed in hepatic pathophysiology more generally.
Hepatic Stellate Cells , Hepatocytes , Liver Cirrhosis , Mice, Knockout , Sex-Determining Region Y Protein , Animals , Male , Female , Mice , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/physiopathology , Humans , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Sex-Determining Region Y Protein/genetics , Sex-Determining Region Y Protein/metabolism , Hepatic Stellate Cells/metabolism , Sex Characteristics , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/genetics , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism , Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity , Carbon Tetrachloride/adverse effects , Cholestasis/genetics , Cholestasis/metabolism , Cholestasis/physiopathology , Disease Models, Animal
Low-fishmeal and protein-saving diets are two prominent nutritional strategies utilized to address challenges related to the scarcity and sustainability of protein sources in aquaculture. However, these diets have been associated with adverse effects on the growth performance, feed utilization, and disease resistance of aquatic animals. To mitigate these challenges, exogenous protease has been applied to enhance the quality of diets with lower protein contents or fishmeal alternatives, thereby improving the bioavailability of nutritional ingredients. Additionally, protease preparations were also used to enzymatically hydrolyze fishmeal alternatives, thus enhancing their nutritional utilization. The present review aims to consolidate recent research progress on the use of protease in aquaculture and conclude the benefits and limitations of its application, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject and identifying opportunities for future research.
BACKGROUND: Brain abscess is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused primarily by microbial infection. Although progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of brain abscesses, the diagnostic timeliness of pathogens needs to be improved. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 54-year-old male with a brain abscess caused by oral bacteria. The patient recovered well after receiving a combination of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS)-assisted guided medication and surgery. CONCLUSION: Therefore, mNGS may be widely applied to identify the pathogenic microorganisms of brain abscesses and guide precision medicine.
Bupleurumjeholense Nakai (Apioideae, Apiaceae), originally found in the Wuling Mountain of China, was initially described as a species but later treated as a variety of B.sibiricum Vest ex Spreng. However, researchers have recently found that it is more closely related to B.chinense DC. In this study, we conducted morphological and phylogenetic analyses as well as chromosome counting to determine the taxonomic status of B.sibiricumvar.jeholense (Nakai) Chu. Our results showed that B.sibiricumvar.jeholense and B.chinense share common features (i.e., bracteoles 5 and stem solid) that distinguish both from B.sibiricumvar.sibiricum. The chromosome number of B.sibiricumvar.jeholense was found to be the same as in B.chinense (i.e., 2n = 12), whereas the chromosome number of B.sibiricumvar.sibiricum was 64. A phylogenetic tree based on complete chloroplast genome data revealed a close relationship between B.sibiricumvar.jeholense and B.chinense. Finally, B.sibiricumvar.jeholense and B.chinense were mainly found to differ in plant height, number of stems, and middle stem leaves. Based on this evidence, we propose a new combination: Bupleurumchinensevar.jeholense (Nakai) Q.R.Liu & L.H.Wang.
The HAP clade, mainly including Helichrysum Mill, Anaphalis DC., and Pseudognaphalium Kirp., is a major component of tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae). In this clade, Anaphalis represents the largest genus of Asian Gnaphalieae. The intergeneric relationships among Anaphalis and its related genera and the infrageneric taxonomy of this genus are complex and remain controversial. However, there are few studies that have focused on these issues. Herein, based on the current most comprehensive sampling of the HAP clade, especially Anaphalis, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using chloroplast (cp) genome and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) to evaluate the relationships within HAP clade, test the monophyly of Anaphalis, and examine the infrageneric taxonomy of this genus. Meanwhile, the morphological characters were verified to determine the circumscription and infrageneric taxonomy system of Anaphalis. Additionally, the biogeographical history, diversification processes, and evolution of crucial morphological characters were estimated and inferred. Our phylogenetic analyses suggested that Anaphalis is polyphyletic because it nested with Helichrysum and Pseudognaphalium. Two and four main clades of Anaphalis were identified in cp genome and nrDNA trees, respectively. Compared with nrDNA trees, the cp genome trees were more effective for phylogenetic resolution. After comprehensively analyzing morphological and phylogenetic evidence, it was concluded that the achene surface ornamentation and leaf base showed less homoplasy and supported the two Anaphalis lineages that were inferred from cp genome. Our biogeographical analyses based on cp genome indicated that HAP clade underwent rapid diversification from late Miocene to Pliocene. The two Anaphalis lineages appeared to have originated in Africa, then spread to Western and Southern Asia, and subsequently moved into Southwestern China forming a diversity center. The dispersal patterns of the two Anaphalis lineages were different. One dispersed around the world, except in Africa and South America. The other one dispersed to Eastern and Southeastern Asia from the ancestral origin region.
Trichinella spiralis infection is associated with the formation of cysts within host skeletal muscle cells, thereby enabling immune evasion and subsequent growth and development; however, the pathogenic factors involved in this process and their mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we found that Ts-RNF secreted by T. spiralis is required for its growth and development in host cells. Further study revealed that Ts-RNF functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets the UBA domain of SQSTM1/p62 by forming K63-type ubiquitin chains. This modification interferes with autophagic flux, leading to impaired mitochondrial clearance and abnormal myotube differentiation and fusion. Our results established that T. spiralis increases its escape by interfering with host autophagy via the secretion of an E3 ubiquitin ligase.
BACKGROUND: The widespread application and interest in awake prone positioning stems from its ease and availability and its ability to enhance patients' oxygenation. Nevertheless, due to the absence of consensus over the regimen of awake prone positioning, the efficacy of awake prone positioning remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimal regimen for awake prone positioning, including the timing of initiation, ideal daily duration, and strategies for improving patient comfort and encouraging adherence. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING(S): Two university-affiliated hospitals in Shanghai. PARTICIPANTS: Between December 2022 and February 2023, a total of 475 patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia who received awake prone positioning were observed. METHODS: The data were collected from the hospital's electronic medical record system. The differentiation efficiency of peripheral blood oxygen saturation [SpO2]:fractional oxygen concentration in inspired air [FiO2] ratio at first awake prone positioning for different outcomes was tested by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the relationship between time to occurrence of 28-day outcomes and collected variables. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted with the percentage of 28-day outcomes according to the SpO2:FiO2 ratio at first awake prone positioning after controlling covariates through Cox regression. RESULTS: The best efficiency in predicting patient outcomes was achieved when the cutoff SpO2:FiO2 ratio at first awake prone positioning was 200. Patients with a reduced SpO2:FiO2 ratio (≤200) experienced more adverse respiratory outcomes (RRâ¯=â¯5.42, 95%CI [3.35, 8.76], pâ¯<â¯0·001) and higher mortality (RRâ¯=â¯16.64, 95%CI [5.53, 50.13], pâ¯<â¯0.001). Patients with a SpO2:FiO2 ratio of ≥200 at first awake prone positioning, longer duration between first awake prone positioning and admission, more awake prone positioning days, and better awake prone positioning completion were significantly protected from 28-day adverse respiratory outcomes and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Initiating awake prone positioning with a SpO2:FiO2 ratio exceeding 200, increasing the number of awake prone positioning days, prolonging the time between first awake prone positioning and admission, and achieving better completion of awake prone positioning were found to be significantly associated with reduced adverse respiratory outcomes and mortality. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT05795751; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.
COVID-19 , Respiratory Insufficiency , Humans , China , Prone Position , Wakefulness
Pathogenic microorganism of silkworm are important factors that threaten the high-quality development of sericulture. Among them, Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) caused diseases often lead to frequent outbreaks and high mortality, resulting in huge losses to sericultural industry. Current molecular detection methods for BmNPV require expensive equipment and sikilled technical personnel. As a result, the most commonly detection method for silkworm egg production enterprises involves observing the presence of polyhedra under a microscope. However, this method has low accuracy and sensitivity. There is an urgent need to develop a new detection technology with high sensitivity, high specificity, and applicability for silkworm farms, silkworm egg production enterprises and quarantine departments. In this study, we successfully established the CRISPR/Cas13a BmNPV visualized detection technology by combining Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) technology and CRISPR/Cas13a system. This technology is based on microplate lateral, flow test strips and portable fluorescence detector. The detection sensitivity can reach up to 1 copies/µL for positive standard plasmid and 1 fg/µL for BmNPV genome in 30-45 min, demonstrating high sensitivity. By detecting silkworm tissues infected with different pathogens, we determined that CRISPR/Cas13a detection technology has good specificity. In summary, the newly established nucleic acid detection technology for BmNPV is characterized by high sensitivity, high specificity, low cost and convenience for visualization. It can be applied in field detection and silkworm egg quality monitory system.
Bombyx , Nucleopolyhedroviruses , Animals , Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/genetics , Nucleopolyhedroviruses/genetics , Sensitivity and Specificity
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the short-term and long-term efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) and explore its potential influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with AWE who underwent HIFU therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-ups were also conducted to evaluate the changes in lesion size and pain relief. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate factors influencing HIFU therapy for AWE. RESULTS: Among the 80 patients with AWE who received HIFU therapy, the effective rates were 76.3%, 80.5%, and 90.5% after 3, 12 and 24 months of follow-up, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the AWE lesion diameter and sonication intensity had statistically significant effects on the 3-month and 12-month efficacy of HIFU therapy for AWE, while age, BMI, disease duration, average sonication power and grey-scale changes did not have statistically significant effects. Four patients with AWE experienced recurrence after HIFU therapy, for a three-year cumulative recurrence rate of 6.3%. Furthermore, ten patients required reintervention after treatment, for a five-year cumulative reintervention rate of 13.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study further confirmed the safety and effectiveness of HIFU therapy for AWE. Factors such as AWE lesion diameter and sonication intensity have been identified as key influencers affecting the short-term and long-term efficacy of HIFU therapy for AWE. The first two years following HIFU therapy constitute crucial periods for observation, and judiciously extending follow-up intervals during this timeframe is advised.
Abdominal Wall , Endometriosis , Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy , High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation , Female , Humans , Endometriosis/diagnostic imaging , Endometriosis/therapy , Retrospective Studies , High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation/adverse effects , Treatment Outcome
BACKGROUND AND AIM: The present study aimed to investigate whether the mitochondrial KATP channel contributes to angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular dysfunction, the development of hypertension, and atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: ApoE (-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet were chronically infused with Ang II for eight weeks and concomitantly treated with losartan (ARB), apocynin, or 5-hydroxy decanoate (5-HD), or 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Systolic blood pressure was measured, and pathological changes of aortic or liver tissue were observed. Nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) levels and vasorelaxation rate were measured, and protein and mRNA expressions were examined by western blot and RT-PCR. Ang II-induced development of hypertension was suppressed not only by ARB, and apocynin but also by 5-HD or 3-MA. Ang II infusion decreased aortic NO production and relaxation, as well as SOD2 activity in liver, which were improved by all treatments. In addition, Ang II-induced activation of autophagy was suppressed by 5-HD in aortic tissue, furthermore, Ang II increases the atherosclerotic index in plasma and exacerbates the development of atherosclerosis by increases of fat deposition in the aorta and liver. Lipid metabolism-related mRNA expressions (LXR-α, LDLR, SRBI, Acca, and FASN) were changed by Ang II. Similarly, not only ARB, and apocynin, but also 5-HD and 3-MA suppressed Ang II-induced these changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our present findings evidence that mitochondrial KATP channel-mediated autophagy contributes to Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction, development of hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
The persistent O3 pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region remains unresolved, largely due to limited comprehension of O3-precursor relationship and photochemistry drivers. In this work, intraday O3 sensitivity evolution from VOC-limited (volatile organic compound) regime in the forenoon to transition regime in the late afternoon was inferred by relative incremental reactivity (RIR) in summer 2019 at Xianghe, a suburban site in BTH region, suggesting that VOC-focused control policy could combine with stringent afternoon NOx control. Then detailed impacts of VOC subgroups on O3 formation were further comprehensively quantified by parametric OH reactivity (KOH), O3 formation potential (OFP), as well as RIR weighted value and O3 formation path tracing (OFPT) approach based on photochemical box model. O3 episode days corresponded to stronger O3 formation, depicted by higher KOH (10.4 s-1), OFP (331.7 µg m-3), RIR weighted value (1.2), and F(O3)-OFPT (15.5 ppbv h-1). High proportions of isoprene and OVOCs (oxygenated VOCs) to the total KOH and the OFPT method were demonstrated whereas results of OFP and RIR-weighted presented extra great impacts of aromatics on O3 formation. The OFPT approach captured the process that has already happened and included final O3 response to the original VOC, thus reliable for replicating VOC impacts. The comparison results of the four methods showed similarities when utilizing KOH and OFPT methods, which reveals that the potential applicability of simple KOH for contingency VOC control and more complex OFPT method for detailed VOC- and source-oriented control during policy-making. To investigate propulsion of VOC-involved O3 photochemistry, atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) was quantified by two atmospheric oxidation indexes (AOI). Both AOIp_G (7.0 × 107 molec cm-3 s-1, potential AOC calculated by oxidation reaction rates) and AOIe_G (8.5 µmol m-3, estimated AOC given redox electron transfer for oxidation products) were stronger on O3 episode days, indicating that AOC promoted the radical cycling initiated from VOC oxidation and subsequent O3 production. Result-oriented AOIe_G reasonably characterized actual AOC inferred by good linear correlation between AOIe_G and O3 concentrations compared to process-oriented AOIp_G. Therefore, with continuous NOx abatement, AOIe_G should be considered to represent actual AOC, also O3-inducing ability.
Air Pollutants , Ozone , Volatile Organic Compounds , Air Pollutants/analysis , Ozone/analysis , Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , China , Oxidation-Reduction
