Effect of Ionic Liquids with Different Structures on Rheological Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluids and Mechanism Research at Ultra-High Temperatures.

The rheology control of water-based drilling fluids at ultra-high temperatures has been one of the major challenges in deep or ultra-deep resource exploration. In this paper, the effects of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (ILA), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (ILB) and N-methyl, butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (ILC) on the rheological properties and filtration loss of polymer-based slurries at ultra-high temperatures (200 °C and 240 °C) are investigated by the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. The results show that ionic liquids with different structures could improve the high-temperature rheological properties of polymer-based drilling fluids. The rheological parameter value (YP/PV) of the polymer-based slurry formulated with ILC is slightly higher than that with ILA at the same concentration, while the YP/PV value of the polymer-based slurry with ILA is slightly higher than that with ILB, which is consistent with the TGA thermal stability of ILA, ILB, and ILC; the thermal stability of ILC with pyrrolidine cations is higher than that of ILA with imidazole cations, and the thermal stability of ILA with bis(trifluorosulfonyl)amide anions is higher than that of ILB with tetrafluoroborate anions. Cation interlayer exchange between organic cation and sodium montmorillonite can improve the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluids. And meantime, the S=O bond in bis(trifluorosulfonyl)amide ions and the hydroxyl group of sodium montmorillonite may form hydrogen bonds, which also may increase the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluids. ILA, ILB, and ILC cannot reduce the filtration loss of polymer-based drilling fluids at ultra-high temperatures.

Enhanced NO2 Gas Sensing Properties Based on Rb-Doped ZnO/In2O3 Heterojunctions at Room Temperature: A Combined DFT and Experimental Study.

In this work, alkali metal Rb-loaded ZnO/In2O3 heterojunctions were synthesized using a combination of hydrothermal and impregnation methods. The morphology and structure of the synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The enhancement mechanism of the nitrogen dioxide gas sensing performance of the Rb-loaded ZnO/In2O3 heterojunctions was systematically investigated at room temperature using density-functional theory calculations and experimental validation. The experimental tests showed that the Rb-loaded ZnO/In2O3 sensor achieved an excellent response value of 24.2 for 1 ppm NO2, with response and recovery times of 55 and 21 s, respectively. This result is 20 times higher than that of pure ZnO sensors and two times higher than that of ZnO/In2O3 sensors, indicating that the Rb-loaded ZnO/In2O3 sensor has a more pronounced enhancement in performance for NO2. This study not only revealed the mechanism by which Rb loading affects the electronic structure and gas molecule adsorption behavior on the surface of ZnO/In2O3 heterojunctions but also provides theoretical guidance and technical support for the development of high-performance room-temperature NO2 sensors.

Physical exercise mediates cortical synaptic protein lactylation to improve stress resilience.

Lactate is a critical metabolite during the body's adaption to exercise training, which effectively relieves anxiety-like disorders. The biological mechanism of lactate in the exercise-mediated anxiolytic effect has, however, not been comprehensively investigated. Here, we report that exercise-induced lactate markedly potentiates the lactylation of multiple synaptic proteins, among which synaptosome-associated protein 91 (SNAP91) is the critical molecule for synaptic functions. Both anatomical evidence and in vivo recording data showed that the lactylation of SNAP91 confers resilience against chronic restraint stress (CRS) via potentiating synaptic structural formation and neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). More interestingly, exercise-potentiated lactylation of SNAP91 is necessary for the prevention of anxiety-like behaviors in CRS mice. These results collectively suggest a previously unrecognized non-histone lactylation in the brain for modulating mental functions and provide evidence for the brain's metabolic adaption during exercise paradigms.

Clinical and biochemical evaluation of rituximab as add on therapy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the efficacy of rituximab in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). METHODS: The study initially included 40 patients with NMOSD diagnosed, after excluding patients who did not meet the complete inclusion criteria. Patients in the conventional group received routine clinical treatment, while patients in the study group received additional treatment with rituximab on the basis of the conventional treatment. Baseline data and clinically relevant indicators were collected for all patients, and the efficacy was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Baseline data were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). The EDSS scores after clinical treatment in the study group were lower than those in the conventional group, and the difference in EDSS scores before and after treatment was higher than that in the conventional group (p < 0.05). The difference in visual acuity correction before and after treatment was not significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). Laboratory indicators in the study group after clinical treatment were superior to those in the conventional group (all p < 0.05). The recurrence rate after clinical treatment in the study group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (p < 0.05). Adverse reactions after clinical treatment in the study group were less than those in the conventional group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that rituximab demonstrated significant efficacy in the acute attacks and recurrence prevention of NMOSD, emphasizing its relatively good safety and tolerability. It highlights the potential of rituximab in treating NMOSD and provides valuable insights for future disease management.

LncRNA FOXD3-AS1 Contributes to Glioblastoma Progression Via Sponging miR-3918 to Upregulate CCND1.

AIM: To elucidate the pro-tumorigenic role of IncRNA FOXD3-AS1 in glioblastoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of miR-3918, FOXD3-AS1, and CCND1 was measured in glioblastoma cells and tissues using reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The effect of FOXD3-AS1 silencing on the proliferation of glioblastoma cells was assessed in vitro using CCK-8 and colony formation assays and in vivo using xenograft mouse models. Additionally, the expression levels of the apoptosis-related proteins, Bcl-2 and Bax, were assessed using western blotting. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assays assisted by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down experiments were conducted to validate the interactions among FOXD3-AS1, CCND1, and miR-3918. RESULTS: FOXD3-AS1 and CCND1 were highly expressed in glioblastoma tissues and cells, whereas miR-3918 was poorly expressed. The expressions of FOXD3-AS1 and CCND1 were inversely associated with miR-3918 levels in glioblastoma tissues. FOXD3-AS1 silencing weakened the proliferative capacity and accelerated apoptosis of glioblastoma cells in vitro and hampered tumor growth in vivo. Mechanical investigations showed that FOXD3-AS1 knockdown increased miR-3918 expression and inhibited glioblastoma cell growth. Meanwhile, the miR-3918 inhibitor restored CCND1 expression and induced the opposite outcome. CONCLUSION: FOXD3-AS1 facilitates the CCND1-driven progression of glioblastoma by serving as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-3918. This suggests that FOXD3-AS1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the management of glioblastoma development.

The Dunning-Kruger effect: subjective health perceptions on smoking behavior among older Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: The intrinsic damage and external hazards of smoking are major risk factors for poorer health and are recognized as a global health issue of concern in geriatric health. This study aims to assess the Dunning-Kruger effect through the influence of subjective health perceptions on smoking behavior in older adults. METHODS: This study used data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (N = 9,683) provided by the Center for Healthy Aging and Development Studies at Peking University. A binary logistic model was used to examine whether the Dunning-Kruger effect affects smoking behavior in older adults, and a linear probability model was used as a commentary baseline model for logistic regression to prevent measurement bias. In addition, a mediating analysis was used to examine the mechanisms through which the Dunning-Kruger effect occurs. RESULTS: Older adults often overestimated their current health status and underestimated the health risks of smoking, causing the Dunning-Kruger effect to arise from their inadequate self-perceived health (i.e., older adults are more likely to smoke when they have better self-rated health or when hypertension, cardiopathy, stroke, and diabetes have little or no impact on their daily lives). These observations can be explained by the older adults' subjective health perceptions arising from their ingenuous understanding of their health, which indirectly influences their smoking behavior to some extent. CONCLUSION: Older adults' self-perceived health was associated with smoking behavior. Public health institutions should improve older adults' health perceptions so that they objectively understand their own health status.

Neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy versus conventional craniotomy for hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage: A comparative analysis of efficacy and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage is a severe condition in neurosurgery, associated with high disability and mortality rates. The present study compares the efficacy and outcomes of neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy versus conventional microscope (craniotomy) in treating patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by analyzing medical records of patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage treated at Wuhan No.1 Hospital between February 2015 and February 2019. The study included 65 patients who underwent either neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy (n = 35) or conventional microscopy treatment (n = 30). All patients underwent standard neurological and clinical examinations, as well as routine laboratory tests upon admission. The diagnosis of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage was based on computed tomography (CT) findings. Basic parameters, clinical status on admission, imaging results, management, and outcome measures were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy showed advantages over craniotomy in terms of surgical procedure time and intraoperative blood loss ((81.91 ± 17.77) min vs (195.20 ± 31.97) min, (63.66 ± 12.42) ml vs (335.00 ± 104.26) ml, P < 0.01). The hematoma evacuation rate was higher in neuroendoscopy group ((94.37 ± 5.174)% compared to the craniotomy group ((90.80 ± 5.404)%, P < 0.01). Additionally, the time of ventricular drainage was shorter in the neuroendoscopy group ((4.83 ± 1.671) days) than in the craniotomy group ((7.70 ± 1.878) days, P < 0.01). Neuroendoscopy group also resulted in fewer surgical complications and a shorter hospital stay (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the risk of rebleeding and mortality between the neuroendoscopy and craniotomy group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neuronavigation-assisted neuroendoscopy is a rapid, safe, and effective minimally invasive technique for the treatment of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage. It offers potential benefits in reducing surgical complications and hospital stay compared to conventional craniotomy.

Analysis of the effects of stent-induced deformation on the hemodynamics of MCA aneurysms.

The use of a stent to coil an aneurysm can alter the position of the main blood vessel and affect blood flow within the sac. This study thoroughly examines the impact of stent-induced changes on the risk of MCA aneurysm rupture. The research aims to assess the effects of coiling and vessel deformation on blood flow dynamics by comparing the OSI, WSS, and blood structure of two distinct MCA aneurysms to identify high-risk areas for hemorrhage. Computational fluid dynamics is used to model blood flow. The results indicate that aneurysm deformation does not always decrease the risk of rupture, and coiling is more effective in occluding blood flow than aneurysm deformation.

Treadmill exercise modulates the medial prefrontal-amygdala neural circuit to improve the resilience against chronic restraint stress.

Aerobic exercise effectively ameliorates mental disorders including anxiety and depression. Current findings mainly attribute its neural mechanism to the improvement of adult neurogenesis, while leaving the possible circuitry mechanism unclear. In the current study, we identify the overexcitation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to basolateral amygdala (BLA) pathway under chronic restraint stress (CRS), and 14-day treadmill exercise selectively reverses such abnormalities. Using chemogenetic approaches, we find that the mPFC-BLA circuit is necessary for preventing anxiety-like behaviors in CRS mice. These results collectively suggest a neural circuitry mechanism by which exercise training improves the resilience against environmental stress.

Mediating Role of Depression Between Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy and Diabetes Self-Care Behavior Among Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in China.

Objective: To investigate the current status of diabetes self-care behavior and the association between depression, self-efficacy and self-care in a sample of Chinese elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convenient sample including 240 elderly T2DM patients collected the data of demographic characteristics, diabetes self-care behavior, self-efficacy and depression status. The difference of self-care behavior in different sample characteristics was compared by independent t-test. The Personal correlation analysis was employed to examine the correlation of study variables. The method of bootstrap was used to analyze mediating role of depression. Results: Only 22.5% of patients reported better diabetes self-care behavior and depression partly mediated the association between self-efficacy and self-care behavior. The significant coefficient of path a (B = -0.052, p < 0.001) and path b (B = -0.423, p < 0.05) indicated negative associations of self-efficacy on depression, and depression on self-care behavior. The indirect effect (Path a × b) between self-efficacy and self-care behavior through depression was significant (B = 0.022, p < 0.05), the 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence interval was 0.004 to 0.006. Meanwhile, the mediating role of depression was not found significant among the participants reported 60-74 years old (B = 0.104, p < 0.001). But depression completely mediated this association among the participants reported 75-89 years old (B = 0.034, p > 0.05). Conclusion: The level of diabetes self-care behavior among the elderly T2DM patients in Dahu community of Anqing city was hardly optimistic. The self-efficacy focused intervention could be encouraged for community and clinicians to improve diabetes self-care behavior. Moreover, the prevalence of depression and T2DM is increasing in younger population. More work is needed to confirm these findings, especially conducting cohort studies on different populations.

An oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 strain expressing a single-chain variable region antibody fragment against PD-1 and a PI3K inhibitor synergize to elicit antitumor immunity in ovarian cancer.

Due to recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, the current standard therapeutics are not fully effective against ovarian cancer. Therefore, we aimed to find an effective approach to improve the prognosis and therapy of ovarian cancer. NG34ScFvPD-1 is a modified oncolytic herpes simplex virus NG34 strain that expresses a single-chain antibody against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) (ScFvPD-1). We assessed its efficacy and its regulatory mechanism in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot techniques were used to measure protein expression. Oncolysis caused by NG34ScFvPD-1 was examined using cytotoxicity and replication assays. The mechanism by which NG34ScFvPD-1 regulates apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells in vitro was also evaluated. We assessed the antitumor immunity and therapeutic potency of NG34ScFvPD-1 in combination with a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. We found that NG34ScFvPD-1-infected ovarian cancer cells expressed and secreted ScFvPD-1, which bound mouse PD-1. The insertion of the ScFvPD-1 sequence did not inhibit the oncolytic activity of NG34ScFvPD-1, which induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells via the caspase-dependent pathway in vitro and activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Synergy was observed between NG34ScFvPD-1 and a PI3K inhibitor, and the combination was able to suppress tumor development, to prolong survival, and to elicit potent antitumor immunity. Thus, inhibition of PI3K enhanced the potent antitumor immunity induced by NG34ScFvPD-1 against ovarian cancer.

Amygdala neural ensemble mediates mouse social investigation behaviors.

Innate social investigation behaviors are critical for animal survival and are regulated by both neural circuits and neuroendocrine factors. Our understanding of how neuropeptides regulate social interest, however, is incomplete at the current stage. In this study, we identified the expression of secretin (SCT) in a subpopulation of excitatory neurons in the basolateral amygdala. With distinct molecular and physiological features, BLASCT+ cells projected to the medial prefrontal cortex and were necessary and sufficient for promoting social investigation behaviors, whilst other basolateral amygdala neurons were anxiogenic and antagonized social behaviors. Moreover, the exogenous application of secretin effectively promoted social interest in both healthy and autism spectrum disorder model mice. These results collectively demonstrate a previously unrecognized group of amygdala neurons for mediating social behaviors and suggest promising strategies for social deficits.

A gut-brain axis mediates sodium appetite via gastrointestinal peptide regulation on a medulla-hypothalamic circuit.

Salt homeostasis is orchestrated by both neural circuits and peripheral endocrine factors. The colon is one of the primary sites for electrolyte absorption, while its potential role in modulating sodium intake remains unclear. Here, we revealed that a gastrointestinal hormone, secretin, is released from colon endocrine cells under body sodium deficiency and is indispensable for inducing salt appetite. As the neural substrate, circulating secretin activates specific receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tracts, which further activates the downstream paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, resulting in enhanced sodium intake. These results demonstrated a previously unrecognized gut-brain pathway for the timely regulation of sodium homeostasis.

Constructing and validating nomograms to predict risk and prognostic factors of distant metastasis in urothelial bladder cancer patients: a population-based retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer worldwide and it has a poor prognosis for patients with distant metastasis. Nomograms are frequently used in clinical research, but no research has evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic factors of distant metastasis in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to analyze all patients diagnosed with UBC between 2000 and 2017. Lasso regression was used to identify the potential risk predictive factors for distant metastasis in UBC. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to determine independent prognostic factors for distant metastasis urothelial bladder cancer (DMUBC). Subsequently, two nomograms were constructed based on the above models. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and calibration curves were performed to evaluate the two nomograms. RESULTS: The study included 73,264 patients with UBC, with 2,129 (2.9%) having distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. In the diagnostic model, tumor size, histologic type, and stage N and T were all important risk predictive factors for distant metastasis of UBC. In the prognostic model, age, tumor size, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent factors affecting the prognosis of DMUBC. DCA, ROC, calibration, and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves reveal that the two nomograms can effectively predict the diagnosis and prognosis of DMUBC. CONCLUSION: The developed nomograms are practical methods for predicting the occurrence risk and prognosis of distant metastasis urothelial bladder cancer patients, which may benefit the clinical decision-making process.

Planar cell polarity protein Celsr2 maintains structural and functional integrity of adult cortical synapses.

A few developmental genes remain persistently expressed in the adult stage, whilst their potential functions in the mature brain remain underappreciated. Here, we report the unexpected importance of Celsr2, a core Planar cell polarity (PCP) component, in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of adult neocortex. Celsr2 is highly expressed during development and remains expressed in adult neocortex. In vivo synaptic imaging in Celsr2 deficient mice revealed alterations in spinogenesis and reduced neuronal calcium activities, which are associated with impaired motor learning. These phenotypes were accompanied with anomalies of both postsynaptic organization and presynaptic vesicles. Knockout of Celsr2 in adult mice recapitulated those features, further supporting the role of Celsr2 in maintaining the integrity of mature cortex. In sum, our data identify previously unrecognized roles of Celsr2 in the maintenance of synaptic function and motor learning in adulthood.

Suctioning Versus Traditional Access Sheath in Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The suctioning access sheath (SAS) is a novel access sheath connected to a negative pressure suction device and absorbs fragments. Some comparative studies have reported SAS with a higher stone-free rate and lower operative time. However, no higher-level evidence was published to support SAS. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical safety and efficacy of SAS versus traditional access sheath (TAS) for the treatment of renal stones in mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using Pubmed, Embase(Ovid), Medline（EBSCO）, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and Sinomed to search comparative studies as recent as December 2020 that assessed the safety and effectiveness of SAS in PCNL. The quality of retrospective case-control studies (RCCs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Cochrane risk of bias tool, respectively. The Oxford center set up evidence-based medicine was used to assess the level of evidence (LE). Statistical analyses were performed by the comprehensive meta-analysis program. RESULTS: Seven studies, with a total of 1655 patients, were included. Compared with the TAS group, the SAS group had a shorter operative time (MD= -17.30; 95%CI:-23.09,-11.51; P＜.00001), higher stone-free rate (OR=2.37;95%CI:1.56,3.61;P<.0001), fewer total complication rate (OR=0.50;95%CI:0.35,0.70;P<.0001), lower auxiliary procedures rate  (OR=0.48;95%CI:0.36,0.64; P<.00001), and lower postoperative fever rate (OR=0.46;95%CI:0.34,0.62;P＜.00001). CONCLUSION: The SAS can significantly improve MPCNL in the stone-free rate, operative time, and total complication rate, especially for auxiliary procedures and postoperative fever rates.

Ascertaining the Inconsistency of AEC Students' Perceptions and Behaviors Regarding Sustainability by Mixed Methods.

University students in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) are the main force and future leaders of the construction industry, and their values shape the model and direction of the industry's future development. The construction industry is the largest contributor of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is an inconsistency between AEC university students' perceptions and behaviors regarding sustainability, which has received little attention. This study attempts to shed light on the root causes of the inconsistency from the psychological perspective, incorporating construal level (CL) theory and psychological distance (PD) theory into situational settings of the experiment. We recruited 556 AEC students from 20 different universities to participate in data collection. Research findings revealed that PD has a significant influence on AEC students' recycling behavior with variance in the effect of different dimensions, even though CL has no significant impact. Furthermore, findings show that spatial distance poses the greatest impact on AEC student recycling behavior, followed by information distance, temporal distance, experience distance, hypothetical distance, and social distance. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing CL and PD into sustainability perception and behavior research in construction and has practical implications for universities with sustainability curricula in AEC.

MicroRNA-485-5p inhibits glioblastoma progression by suppressing E2F transcription factor 1 under cisplatin treatment.

Cisplatin (CDDP) has been widely used for glioblastoma treatment. miR-485-5p and E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) dysfunction has been reported in glioblastoma. Nonetheless, whether CDDP affects glioblastoma progression via the miR-485-5p-E2F1 axis requires investigation. The expression of miR-485-5p and E2F1 was investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or western blotting in glioblastoma tissues and cell lines. The interaction between miR-485-5p and E2F1 was confirmed using a luciferase assay. The malignancy of glioblastoma was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), cell adhesion, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. We identified miR-485-5p downregulation and E2F1 upregulation in glioblastoma, and miR-485-5p inhibited cell growth and elevated cell apoptosis in glioblastoma cells after CDDP treatment. Moreover, miR-485-5p targeting E2F1 repressed cell growth and improved cell apoptosis in glioblastoma cells after CDDP treatment. Our study revealed that CDDP retarded glioblastoma cell development via the miR-485-5p-E2F1 axis, which may be a new direction for glioblastoma therapy.

Safety of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in patients receiving aspirin: An update meta-analysis including 3373 patients.

BACKGROUND: The management of aspirin before transrectal prostate puncture-guided biopsy continues to be controversial. The conclusions in newly published studies differ from the published guideline. Therefore, an updated meta-analysis was performed to assess the safety of continuing to take aspirin when undergoing a transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-PB). METHODS: We searched the following databases for relevant literature from their inception to October 30, 2020: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Web of Science, Sinomed, Chinese National Knowledge Internet, and WANGFANG. Studies that compared the bleeding rates between aspirin that took aspirin and non-aspirin groups were included. The quality of all included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Revman Manger version 5.2 software was employed to complete the meta-analysis to assess the risk of hematuria, hematospermia, and rectal bleeding. RESULTS: Six articles involving 3373 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Our study revealed that compared with the non-aspirin group, those taking aspirin exhibited a higher risk of rectal bleeding after TRUS-PB (risk ratio [RR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.09-1.49], P = .002). Also, the meta-analysis results did not reveal any significant difference between the 2 groups for the risk of hematuria (RR = 1.02, 95%CI [0.91-1.16], P = .71) and hematospermia (RR = 0.93, 95%CI [0.82-1.06], P = .29). CONCLUSION: Taking aspirin does not increase the risk of hematuria and hematospermia after TRUS-PB. However, the risk of rectal bleeding, which was slight and self-limiting, did increase. We concluded that it was not necessary to stop taking aspirin before undergoing TRUS-PB.

4-Methoxydalbergione is a potent inhibitor of human astroglioma U87 cells in vitro and in vivo.

Astroglioma is the most common primary tumor in the central nervous system without effective treatment strategies. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a chemotherapeutic drug to treat astroglioma but exhibits low potency and has side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new compounds to treat astroglioma. Dalbergia sissoo Roxb was the source of Dalbergia odorifera in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been clinically used as an anti-tumor medicine. 4-Methoxydalbergione (4MOD) is purified from Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., and shows an inhibitory effect on osteosarcoma, but its effects on astroglioma have not been reported. Here, we evaluate its anti-astroglioma effects on both in vitro and in vivo models. In cultured astroglioma U87 cells, 4MOD inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Compared with TMZ, 4MOD exhibited a tenfold greater potency of anti-astroglioma effects. 4MOD effectively stalled the cell cycle in G2 phase. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) showed that 4MOD upregulated 158 genes and downregulated 204 genes that are mainly enriched in cell membrane, cell division, cell cycle, p53, TNF, and MAPK signaling pathways, which may underlie its anti-tumor mechanisms. In a nude mouse xenograft model transplanted with U87 cells, 10 mg/kg 4MOD slowed down tumor growth rate, while at 30 mg/kg dose, it reduced tumor size. Collectively, this study demonstrates that 4MOD is a potent native compound that remarkably inhibits U87 astroglioma growth in both in vitro and in vivo models.