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The novel COVID-19 pneumonia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a significant threat to human health. Scientists have made significant efforts to control this virus, consequently leading to the development of novel research methods. Traditional animal and 2D cell line models might not be suitable for large-scale applications in SARS-CoV-2 research owing to their limitations. As an emerging modelling method, organoids have been applied in the study of various diseases. Their advantages include their ability to closely mirror human physiology, ease of cultivation, low cost, and high reliability; thus, they are considered to be a suitable choice to further the research on SARS-CoV-2. During the course of various studies, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to infect a variety of organoid models, exhibiting changes similar to those observed in humans. This review summarises the various organoid models used in SARS-CoV-2 research, revealing the molecular mechanisms of viral infection and exploring the drug screening tests and vaccine research that have relied on organoid models, hence illustrating the role of organoids in remodelling SARS-CoV-2 research.
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Background: This study explored the effects of microRNA(miR)-194 on chronic cardiac hypertrophy (CH) induced by isoproterenol (ISO). The potential mechanism through regulation of the calcineurin A (CnA)/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c2 pathway was investigated in the rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2. Methods: H9c2 cells were treated with ISO to induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy to simulate CH in vitro. The cell surface area was assessed by phalloidin staining. The expression of miR-194, CnA mRNA, and CnA protein were assessed. Furthermore, the cellular localization of the NFATc2 protein after induction of CH was detected. The relationship between miR-194 and the CnA mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR) was verified by dual luciferase report assays. By constructing cardiomyocyte cell models with low expression of miR-194 and/or CnA, the effects of miR-194 and CnA on the localization of the NFATc2 protein and cell hypertrophy was investigated. Rescue experiments were conducted to analyze whether overexpression of miR-194 could alleviate the cell hypertrophy induced by ISO. Results: The results demonstrated that induction with ISO significantly increased the surface area of H9c2 cells. After induction, the expression of miR-194 decreased, while both CnA mRNA and protein expression increased. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of NFATc2 was obvious. MiR-194 bound to the 3'-UTR of CnA mRNA and inhibited CnA protein expression. Inhibition of miR-194 expression activated NFATc2 protein expression and increased the H9c2 cell surface area. After CnA expression was disturbed, hypertrophy induced by miR-194 down-regulation was blocked. In addition, overexpression of miR-194 significantly alleviated cell hypertrophy and activation of the CnA/NFATc2 pathway caused by ISO. Conclusions: In conclusion, increasing the expression of miR-194 can alleviate CH by targeting can and inhibiting the CnA/NFATc2 pathway.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined use of tranexamic acid (TXA) and dexamethasone (DEX) for anti-inflammatory and clinical outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: A total of 100 patients were included in this randomized, controlled study. Patients in the TXA + DEX group were administered TXA at a dose of 15 mg/kg, which was repeated 3 h after THA, and received 20 mg DEX. In contrast, patients in the TXA group were administered TXA at a dose of 15 mg/kg, which was repeated at 3 h postoperatively. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and pain levels, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), total blood loss and transfusion rates, postoperative fatigue, range of motion (ROM), length of hospital stay (LOS), analgesic rescue and antiemetic rescue consumption, and complications were compared in both groups. RESULTS: The CRP and IL-6 levels were lower in the TXA + DEX group than in the TXA group (all P < 0.001) at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively. Patients in the TXA + DEX group had lower pain scores at rest and walking at 24 h postoperatively (all P < 0.001). In the TXA + DEX group, the incidence of PONV was lower (P = 0.005), postoperative fatigue (P < 0.001) was reduced, and analgesia and antiemetic rescue consumption were also reduced. The total blood loss, transfusion rate, LOS and hip ROM were similar in the two groups. There was no thrombosis, infection, or gastrointestinal bleeding in either group. CONCLUSION: Compared to TXA alone, the combination of TXA + DEX can reduce postoperative inflammatory response, relieve pain, and reduce PONV and fatigue, without increasing the risk of complications. Therefore, the present study suggested that the combination of TXA + DEX is an effective and safe accelerated rehabilitation strategy for patients receiving primary unilateral THA.
