Ponicidin attenuates streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats via modulating hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers.

The present research work was proposed to discover the beneficial roles of ponicidin against the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats via modulating the oxidative stress and inflammation. The DN was initiated to the Wistar rats via administering 45 mg/kg of STZ and then diabetic animals were supplemented with 50 mg/kg of ponicidin and 150 mg/kg of metformin (standard drug) for 8 weeks. The body weight and food intake of animals were checked every week. The glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment- insulin resistance  (HOMA-IR) levels in the serum were assessed using kits. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, oxidative stress and antioxidant markers, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were examined using assay kits. The levels of lipid profiles and renal function markers were investigated using respective kits. The renal tissues were analyzed microscopically to detect the histological alterations. The ponicidin treatment effectively decreased the body weight, food intake, HOMA-IR, and HbAlc levels in the DN animals. The levels of ROS and MDA were decreased and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were improved by the ponicidin. The ponicidin also reduced the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and kidney injury molecule (KIM-1) levels. The levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), free fatty acid (FFA), and total cholesterol (TC) were decreased and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was improved by the ponicidin treatment to the DN rats. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and IL-6 levels were appreciably attenuated by the ponicidin. The ponicidin also ameliorated the DM-provoked histological alterations in the renal tissues. In conclusion, this study work evidenced that ponicidin has the therapeutic action in ameliorating the development of DN via averting oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal injury. It could be a promising therapeutic agent to treat DN in the future.

Palliative care for Chinese immigrants in New Zealand: experiences and perceptions / Cuidados paliativos para inmigrantes chinos en Nueva Zelanda: experiencias y percepciones / Cuidados paliativos para imigrantes chineses na Nova Zelândia: experiências e percepções

Abstract Over the past several decades, palliative care has seen tremendous development in Western countries, but there is still inadequate access to palliative care among non-dominant ethnocultural groups. The Chinese have been the largest immigrant group in New Zealand since the 19th century(1). They have unique beliefs and practices around illness, death, dying and filial piety(2). These differ greatly from those in Western cultures and have notable implications for hospice palliative care planning and provision. However, immigrant Chinese community remains a relatively marginalised and under-researched group in palliative care(3-5). This results in limited knowledge about its culture and people among health professionals, as well as the lack of experience in providing terminal care to Chinese immigrants. Through the introduction of New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy and the analysis of Chinese immigrants' difficulties and preferences for palliative care, this aims to increase understanding of how cultural values of Chinese affect their acceptance and decision-making with respect to palliative care so that for efficiently providing palliative care to this ethnic minority group in New Zealand.

Resumen En las últimas décadas, los cuidados paliativos han experimentado un enorme desarrollo en los países occidentales, pero el acceso a los mismos sigue siendo insuficiente entre los grupos etnoculturales no dominantes. Los chinos son el mayor grupo de inmigrantes en Nueva Zelanda desde el siglo XIX(1). Tienen creencias y prácticas únicas en torno a la enfermedad, la muerte, el morir y la piedad filial(2). Éstas difieren en gran medida de las de las culturas occidentales y tienen notables implicaciones para la planificación y prestación de cuidados paliativos en los hospicios. Sin embargo, la comunidad china inmigrante sigue siendo un grupo relativamente marginado y poco investigado en el ámbito de los cuidados paliativos(3-5). Esto se traduce en un conocimiento limitado sobre su cultura y su población entre los profesionales sanitarios, así como en la falta de experiencia en la prestación de cuidados terminales a los inmigrantes chinos. A través de la introducción de la Estrategia de Cuidados Paliativos de Nueva Zelanda y el análisis de las dificultades y preferencias de los inmigrantes chinos en materia de cuidados paliativos, este ensayo pretende aumentar la comprensión de cómo los valores culturales de los chinos afectan a su aceptación y la toma de decisiones con respecto a los cuidados paliativos para que para proporcionar de manera eficiente los cuidados paliativos a este grupo étnico minoritario en Nueva Zelanda.

Resumo Nas últimas décadas, os cuidados paliativos tem experimentado um enorme desenvolvimento nos países ocidentais mas ainda há acesso inadequado a cuidados paliativos entre grupos étnico-culturais não dominantes. Os chineses tem sido o maior grupo de imigrantes na Nova Zelândia desde o século XIX(1). Eles tem crenças e práticas singulares em torno de doença, morte, morrer e devoção filial(2). Isso difere grandemente das culturas ocidentais e tem implicações notáveis no planejamento e fornecimento de cuidados paliativos em lares de idosos. Entretanto, a comunidade de imigrantes chineses permanece sendo um grupo relativamente marginalizado e sub-investigado no que diz respeito a cuidados paliativos(3-5). Isso resulta em conhecimento limitado sobre sua cultura e povo entre profissionais da saúde, bem como na falta de experiência em fornecer cuidados terminais a imigrantes chineses. Através da introdução da Estratégia de Cuidados Paliativos da Nova Zelândia e a análise das dificuldades e preferências de imigrantes chineses para cuidados paliativos, esse estudo tente aumentar a compreensão de como valores culturais de chineses afetam sua aceitação e tomada de decisão a respeito de cuidados paliativos, de maneira a eficientemente fornecer cuidados paliativos a esse grupo étnico minoritário na Nova Zelândia.

The effect of collagen fibril orientation on the biphasic mechanics of articular cartilage.

The highly inhomogeneous distribution of collagen fibrils may have important effects on the biphasic mechanics of articular cartilage. However, the effect of the inhomogeneity of collagen fibrils has mainly been investigated using simplified three-layered models, which may have underestimated the effect of collagen fibrils by neglecting their realistic orientation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the realistic orientation of collagen fibrils on the biphasic mechanics of articular cartilage. Five biphasic material models, each of which included a different level of complexity of fibril reinforcement, were solved using two different finite element software packages (Abaqus and FEBio). Model 1 considered the realistic orientation of fibrils, which was derived from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance images. The simplified three-layered orientation was used for Model 2. Models 3-5 were three control models. The realistic collagen orientations obtained in this study were consistent with the literature. Results from the two finite element implementations were in agreement for each of the conditions modelled. The comparison between the control models confirmed some functions of collagen fibrils. The comparison between Models 1 and 2 showed that the widely-used three-layered inhomogeneous model can produce similar fluid load support to the model including the realistic fibril orientation; however, an accurate prediction of the other mechanical parameters requires the inclusion of the realistic orientation of collagen fibrils.