Comparative analysis of the analgesic effects of intercostal nerve block, ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block, and epidural block following single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared the analgesic effects of intercostal nerve block (ICNB), ultrasound-guided paravertebral nerve block (PVB), and epidural block (EB) following single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery. METHOD: A total of 120 patients who underwent single-hole thoracoscopic lung surgery were randomly and equally divided into three groups: ICNB group, the PVB group, and the EB group. ICNB was performed under direct thoracoscopic visualization before the conclusion of the surgery in the ICNB group, while PVB and EB were performed after general anesthesia in the PVB and EB groups, respectively. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was used following the surgery in all the groups. The following indicators were recorded: Intraoperative sufentanil dosage, anesthesia awakening time, postoperative intubation time, nerve block operation time, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores during resting and coughing at regular intervals of 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h, the time until first PCIA, number of effective compressions within 24 h postoperatively, number of rescue analgesia interventions, and the side effects. RESULTS: In comparison to the ICNB group, the PVB and EB groups had a lower intraoperative sufentanil dosage, significantly shorter anesthesia awakening time, and postoperative intubation time, but longer nerve block operation time, lower VAS scores when resting and coughing within 24 h postoperatively (all p-values less than 0.05). Conversely, there were no statistically significant differences in VAS scores during resting and coughing after 24 h (all p-values greater than 0.05). Time to first PCIA, number of effective compressions and number of rescue analgesia at the 24-hour mark postoperatively were significantly better in the PVB and EB groups than that in the ICNB group (P < 0.05). However, there was a higher incidence of side effects observed in the EB group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of PVB and EB following single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery is better than that of ICNB. PVB causes fewer side effects and complications and is safer and more effective.

Integrative analysis of transcriptome and metabolome reveal the differential tolerance mechanisms to low and high salinity in the roots of facultative halophyte Avicennia marina.

Mangroves perform a crucial ecological role along the tropical and subtropical coastal intertidal zone where salinity fluctuation is frequently happened. However, the differential responses of mangrove plant at transcriptome combined metabolome level to variable salinity are not well documented. In this study, we used Avicennia marina, a pioneer species of mangrove wetlands and one of the most salt-tolerant mangroves, to investigate the differential salt tolerance mechanisms under low and high salinity using ICP-MS, transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The results showed that HAK8 was up-regulated and transported K+ into the roots under low salinity. However, under high salinity, AKT1 and NHX2 were strongly induced, which indicated the transport of K+ and Na+ compartmentalization to maintain ion homeostasis. In addition, A. marina tolerates low salinity by up-regulating ABA signaling pathway and accumulating more mannitol, unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, and L-ascorbic acid in the roots. Under high salinity, A. marina undergoes a more drastic metabolic network rearrangement in the roots, such as more L-ascorbic acid and oxiglutatione were up-regulated, while carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids were down-regulated in the roots, finally glycolysis and TCA cycle were promoted to provide more energy to improve salt tolerance. Our findings suggest that the major salt tolerance traits in A. marina can be attributed to complex regulatory and signaling mechanisms, and show significant differences between low and high salinity.

Silica nanoparticle design for colorectal cancer treatment: Recent progress and clinical potential.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer death. Nanotherapies are able to selectively target the delivery of cancer therapeutics, thus improving overall antitumor efficiency and reducing conventional chemotherapy side effects. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their remarkable advantages and biosafety. We offer insights into the recent advances of MSNs in CRC treatment and their potential clinical application value.

Reviving Fatigue Surface for Solid-State Upcycling of Highly Degraded Polycrystalline LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2 Cathodes.

The ongoing tide of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) urgently calls for high-value output in efficient recycling. Recently, direct regeneration has emerged as a novel recycling strategy but fails to repair the irreversible morphology and structure damage of the highly degraded polycrystalline layered oxide materials. Here, this work carries out a solid-state upcycling study for the severely cracked LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2 cathodes. The specific single-crystallization process during calcination is investigated and the surface rock salt phase is recognized as the intrinsic obstacle to the crystal growth of the degraded cathodes due to sluggish diffusion in the heterogeneous grain boundary. Accordingly, this work revives the fatigue rock salt phase by restoring a layered surface and successfully reshapes severely broken cathodes into the high-performance single-crystalline particles. Benefiting from morphological and structural integrity, the upcycled single-crystalline cathode materials exhibit an enhanced capacity retention rate of 93.5% after 150 cycles at 1C compared with 61.7% of the regenerated polycrystalline materials. The performance is also beyond that of the commercial cathodes even under a high cut-off voltage (4.5 V) or high operating temperature (45 °C). This work provides scientific insights for the upcycling of the highly degraded cathodes in spent LIBs.

The impact of apparent temperature on the emergency visits for traumatic fractures in Hangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic fractures occur frequently worldwide. However, research remains limited on the association between short-term exposure to temperature and traumatic fractures. This study aims to explore the impact of apparent temperature (AT) on emergency visits (EVs) due to traumatic fractures. METHODS: Based on EVs data for traumatic fractures and the contemporary meteorological data, a generalized Poisson regression model along with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) were undertaken to determine the impact of AT on traumatic fracture EVs. Subgroup analysis by gender and age and sensitivity analysis were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 25,094 EVs for traumatic fractures were included in the study. We observed a wide "J"-shaped relationship between AT and risk of traumatic fractures, with AT above 9.5 °C positively associated with EVs due to traumatic fractures. The heat effects became significant at cumulative lag 0-11 days, and the relative risk (RR) for moderate heat (95th percentile, 35.7 °C) and extreme heat (99.5th percentile, 38.8 °C) effect was 1.311 (95% CI: 1.132-1.518) and 1.418 (95% CI: 1.191-1.688) at cumulative lag 0-14 days, respectively. The cold effects were consistently non-significant on single or cumulative lag days across 0-14 days. The heat effects were higher among male and those aged 18-65 years old. The sensitivity analysis results remained robust. CONCLUSION: Higher AT is associated with cumulative and delayed higher traumatic fracture EVs. The male and those aged 18-65 years are more susceptible to higher AT.

Design and construction of high strength double network hydrogel with flow-induced orientation.

The design and construction of high strength hydrogels is a widely discussed topic in hydrogel research. In this study, we combined three toughening strategies, including dual network, oriented structure construction and nanophase doping, to develop an alginate/polyacrylamide (PAM)/modified titanium dioxide fiber (TiO2 NF@PAM) dual network composite hydrogel prepared via syringe. The effects of different preparation methods, AM/Alginate ratios, inorganic doping phases and TiO2 NF@PAM/AM ratios on the mechanical properties of composite hydrogels were investigated. The study found that the alginate hydrogel prepared by syringe exhibited superior axial orientation and achieved a tensile strength of (1091 ± 46) kPa. And the composite hydrogel doped with 0.2 wt% TiO2 NF@PAM had a tensile strength of (1006 ± 64) kPa, which was higher than that of the composite hydrogel doped with 0.2 wt% TiO2 nanoparticles (976 ± 66) kPa. The highest tensile strength (1120 ± 67) kPa and elongation at break (182 ± 8) % were achieved when the ratio of TiO2 NF@PAM/AM was 0.6 wt%. The force applied to the gel solution in the syringe affects the orientation of the polymer chains and TiO2 NF@PAM within the gel, which subsequently impacts the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. Therefore, we further investigated the mechanical properties of composite hydrogels under varying propulsion speeds, syringe diameters, and syringe lengths. It was observed that the gel solution's shear strength increased as the syringe diameter decreased. The resulting composite hydrogels were better oriented and had improved mechanical properties. The composite hydrogels' tensile strength peaked at (1117 ± 47) kPa when the syringe advance rate was between 1-7 mL/min. The mechanical properties of the hydrogels were optimal when the syringe length was 30 mm, with a maximum tensile strength of (1131 ± 67) kPa and a tensile ratio of (166 ± 5) %. This study demonstrates the viability of integrating three distinct strengthening methodologies to generate hydrogels of considerable strength. Furthermore, the Alginate/PAM/TiO2 NF@PAM composite hydrogels possess remarkable potential as adaptable, wearable sensors due to their exemplary mechanical properties, knittability, and conductivity.

Protein Profiles and Novel Molecular Biomarkers of Schizophrenia Based on 4D-DIA Proteomics.

Schizophrenia is a severe psychological disorder. The current diagnosis mainly relies on clinical symptoms and lacks laboratory evidence, which makes it very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis especially at an early stage. Plasma protein profiles of schizophrenia patients were obtained and compared with healthy controls using 4D-DIA proteomics technology. Furthermore, 79 DEPs were identified between schizophrenia and healthy controls. GO functional analysis indicated that DEPs were predominantly associated with responses to toxic substances and platelet aggregation, suggesting the presence of metabolic and immune dysregulation in patients with schizophrenia. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEPs were primarily enriched in the chemokine signaling pathway and cytokine receptor interactions. A diagnostic model was ultimately established, comprising three proteins, namely, PFN1, GAPDH and ACTBL2. This model demonstrated an AUC value of 0.972, indicating its effectiveness in accurately identifying schizophrenia. PFN1, GAPDH and ACTBL2 exhibit potential as biomarkers for the early detection of schizophrenia. The findings of our studies provide novel insights into the laboratory-based diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Combined Genetic Association and Differed Expression Analysis of UBE2L3 Uncovers a Genetic Regulatory Role of (Immuno)proteasome in IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The exact pathogenesis of IgAN is not well defined, but some genetic studies have led to a novel discovery that the (immuno)proteasome probably plays an important role in IgAN. Methods: We firstly analyzed the association of variants in the UBE2L3 region with susceptibility to IgAN in 3,495 patients and 9,101 controls, and then analyzed the association between lead variant and clinical phenotypes in 1,803 patients with regular follow-up data. The blood mRNA levels of members of the ubiquitin-proteasome system including UBE2L3 were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 53 patients and 28 healthy controls. The associations between UBE2L3 and the expression levels of genes involved in Gd-IgA1 production were also explored. Results: The rs131654 showed the most significant association signal in UBE2L3 region (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.16, p = 2.29 × 10-3), whose genotypes were also associated with the levels of Gd-IgA1 (p = 0.04). The rs131654 was observed to exert cis-eQTL effects on UBE2L3 in various tissues and cell types, particularly in immune cell types in multiple databases. The UBE2L3, LUBAC, and proteasome subunits were highly expressed in patients compared with healthy controls. High expression levels of UBE2L3 were not only associated with higher proteinuria (r = 0.34, p = 0.01) and lower eGFR (r = -0.28, p = 0.04), but also positively correlated with the gene expression of LUBAC and other proteasome subunits. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of UBE2L3 were also positively correlated with IL-6 and RELA, but negatively correlated with the expression levels of the key enzyme in the process of glycosylation including C1GALT1 and C1GALT1C1. Conclusion: In conclusion, by combined genetic association and differed expression analysis of UBE2L3, our data support a role of genetically conferred dysregulation of the (immuno)proteasome in regulating galactose-deficient IgA1 in the development of IgAN.

Effect of human heart valve-derived ECM and NP/PCL electrospun nanofibrous sheet on mice bone marrow mononuclear cells and cardiac repair.

Background: Biomaterials can improve cardiac repair combined with transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs). In this study, we compared the phenotype and cardiac repair between human heart valve-derived scaffold (hHVS) and natural protein/polycaprolactone (NP/PCL) anchored BMNNCs. Methods and results: BMMNCs were obtained from mice five days following myocardial infarction. Subsequently, BMMNCs were separately cultured on hHVS and PCL. Proliferation and cardiomyogenic differentiation were detected in vitro. Cardiac function was measured after transplantation of cell-seeded cardiac patch on MI mice. After that, the BMMNCs were collected for mRNA sequencing after culturing on the scaffolds. Upon anchoring onto hHVS or PCL, BMMNCs exhibited an increased capacity for proliferation in vitro, however, the cells on hHVS exhibited superior cardiomyogenic differentiation ability. Moreover, both BMMNCs-seeded biomaterials effectively improved cardiac function after 4 weeks of transplantation, with reduced infarction area and restricted LV remodeling. Cell-seeded hHVS was superior to cell-seeded PCL. Conclusion: BMMNCs on hHVS showed better capacity in both cell cardiac repairing and improvement for cardiac function than on PCL. Compared with seeded onto PCL, BMMNCs on hHVS had 253 genes up regulated and 189 genes down regulated. The reason for hHVS' better performance than PCL as a scaffold for BMMNCs might be due to the fact that optimized method of decellularization let more cytokines in ECM retained.

Extracellular vesicles: Illuminating renal pathophysiology and therapeutic frontiers.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are minute sacs released by cells into the extracellular milieu, harboring an array of biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Notably, a large number of studies have demonstrated the important involvement of EVs in both physiological and pathological aspects of renal function. EVs can facilitate communication between different renal cells, but it is important to recognize their dual role: they can either transmit beneficial information or lead to renal damage and worsening of existing conditions. The composition of EVs in the context of the kidneys offers valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying specific renal functions or disease states. In addition, mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs have the potential to alleviate acute and chronic kidney diseases. More importantly, the innate nanoparticle properties of EVs, coupled with their engineering potential, make them effective tools for drug delivery and therapeutic intervention. In this review, we focus on the intricate biological functions of EVs in the kidney. In addition, we explore the emerging role of EVs as diagnostic tools and innovative therapeutic agents in a range of renal diseases.

Single-cell RNA transcriptomic reveal the mechanism of MSC derived small extracellular vesicles against DKD fibrosis.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a chronic kidney disease, is characterized by progressive fibrosis caused due to persistent hyperglycemia. The development of fibrosis in DKD determines the patient prognosis, but no particularly effective treatment. Here, small extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-sEV) have been used to treat DKD fibrosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze 27,424 cells of the kidney, we have found that a novel fibrosis-associated TGF-ß1+Arg1+ macrophage subpopulation, which expanded and polarized in DKD and was noted to be profibrogenic. Additionally, Actin+Col4a5+ mesangial cells in DKD differentiated into myofibroblasts. Multilineage ligand-receptor and cell-communication analysis showed that fibrosis-associated macrophages activated the TGF-ß1/Smad2/3/YAP signal axis, which promotes mesangial fibrosis-like change and accelerates renal fibrosis niche. Subsequently, the transcriptome sequencing and LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that MSC-sEV intervention could restore the levels of the kinase ubiquitin system in DKD and attenuate renal interstitial fibrosis via delivering CK1δ/ß-TRCP to mediate YAP ubiquitination degradation in mesangial cells. Our findings demonstrate the unique cellular and molecular mechanisms of MSC-sEV in treating the DKD fibrosis niche at a single-cell level and provide a novel therapeutic strategy for renal fibrosis.

Risk assessment model based on nucleotide metabolism-related genes highlights SLC27A2 as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide among women, with the highest incidence rate. The mechanisms underlying nucleotide metabolism on biological functions in BC remain incompletely elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We harnessed differentially expressed nucleotide metabolism-related genes from The Cancer Genome Atlas-BRCA, constructing a prognostic risk model through univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses. A validation set and the GSE7390 dataset were used to validate the risk model. Clinical relevance, survival and prognosis, immune infiltration, functional enrichment, and drug sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Our findings identified four signature genes (DCTPP1, IFNG, SLC27A2, and MYH3) as nucleotide metabolism-related prognostic genes. Subsequently, patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups, revealing the risk model's independence as a prognostic factor. Nomogram calibration underscored superior prediction accuracy. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) uncovered activated pathways in low-risk cohorts and mobilized pathways in high-risk cohorts. Distinctions in immune cells were noted between risk cohorts. Subsequent experiments validated that reducing SLC27A2 expression in BC cell lines or using the SLC27A2 inhibitor, Lipofermata, effectively inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: We pinpointed four nucleotide metabolism-related prognostic genes, demonstrating promising accuracy as a risk prediction tool for patients with BC. SLC27A2 appears to be a potential therapeutic target for BC among these genes.

Design and Semisynthesis of Biselectrophile-Functionalized Ubiquitin Probes To Investigate Transthioesterification Reactions.

Ubiquitin (Ub) regulates a wide array of cellular processes through post-translational modification of protein substrates. Ub is conjugated at its C-terminus to target proteins via an enzymatic cascade in which covalently bound Ub thioesters are transferred from E1 activating enzymes to E2 conjugating enzymes, and then to certain E3 protein ligases. These transthioesterification reactions proceed via transient tetrahedral intermediates. A variety of chemical strategies have been used to capture E1-Ub-E2 and E2-Ub-E3 mimics, but these introduce modifications that disrupt atomic spacing at the linkage point relative to the native tetrahedral intermediate. We have developed a biselectrophilic PSAN warhead that can be installed in place of the conserved C-terminal glycine in Ub and used to form ternary protein complexes linked via cyanomethyldithioacetals that closely mimic the native tetrahedral intermediates. Investigation of the reactivity of the warhead and substituted analogues led to an effective semisynthetic route to Ub-1-PSAN, which was used to form a ternary E1-Ub*-E2 complex as a mimic of the transthioesterification intermediate.

Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides alleviate aflatoxin B1-induced liver inflammation in ducks involving in remodeling gut microbiota and regulating SCFAs transport via the gut-liver axis.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most widespread contaminants in agricultural commodities. Pleurotus eryngii (PE) is widely used as a feed additive for its anti-inflammatory properties, and its major active substance is believed to be polysaccharides. This study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of dietary PE polysaccharides alleviating AFB1-induced toxicity in ducks. The major monosaccharide components of PE polysaccharides were identified as glucose, mannose, galactose, glucuronic acid, and fucose. The results showed that dietary PE polysaccharides could alleviate liver inflammation, alleviate intestinal barrier dysfunction, and change the imbalanced gut microbiota induced by AFB1 in ducks. However, PE polysaccharides failed to exert protective roles on the liver and intestine injury induced by AFB1 in antibiotic-treated ducks. The PE + AFB1-originated microbiota showed a positive effect on intestinal barrier and inflammation, the SCFAs transport via the gut-liver axis, and liver inflammation compared with the AFB1-originated microbiota in ducks. These findings provided a possible mechanism that PE polysaccharides alleviated AFB1-induced liver inflammation in ducks by remodeling gut microbiota, regulating microbiota-derived SCFAs transport via the gut-liver axis, and inhibiting inflammatory gene expressions in the liver, which may provide new insight for therapeutic methods against AFB1 exposure in animals.

Reduced hepatic AdipoR2 by increased glucocorticoid mediates effect of psychosocial stress to elevate serum cholesterol.

Understanding the effects of psychosocial stress on serum cholesterol may offer valuable insights into the relationship between psychological disorders and endocrine diseases. However, these effects and their underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet. Here we show that serum corticosterone, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are elevated in a mouse model of psychosocial stress. Furthermore, alterations occur in AdipoR2-mediated AMPK and PPARα signaling pathways in liver, accompanied by a decrease in LDL-C clearance and an increase in cholesterol synthesis. These changes are further verified in wild-type and AdipoR2 overexpression HepG2 cells incubated with cortisol and AdipoR agonist, and are finally confirmed by treating wild-type and hepatic-specific AdipoR2 overexpression mice with corticosterone. We conclude that increased glucocorticoid mediates the effects of psychosocial stress to elevate serum cholesterol by inhibiting AdipoR2-mediated AMPK and PPARα signaling to decrease LDL-C clearance and increase cholesterol synthesis in liver.

Prediction model for low bone mass mineral density in type 2 diabetes: an observational cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Considering the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), osteoporosis should be considered a serious complication. However, an effective tool for the assessment of low bone mass mineral density (BMD) in T2D patients is not currently available. Therefore, the aim of our study was to establish a simple-to-use risk assessment tool by exploring risk factors for low BMD in T2D patients. METHODS: This study included 436 patients with a low BMD and 381 patients with a normal BMD. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for low BMD in T2D patients. A nomogram was then developed from these results. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, and goodness-of-fit test were used to validate the nomogram. The clinical utility of the nomogram was also assessed. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age, sex, education, body mass index (BMI), fasting C-peptide, high-density cholesterol (HDL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and type I collagen carboxy terminal peptide (S-CTX) were independent predictors for low BMD in T2D patients. The nomogram was developed from these variables using both the unadjusted area under the curve (AUC) and the bootstrap-corrected AUC (0.828). Calibration plots and the goodness-of-fit test demonstrated that the nomogram was well calibrated. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram-illustrated model can be used by clinicians to easily predict the risk of low BMD in T2D patients. Our study also revealed that common factors are independent predictors of low BMD risk. Our results provide a new strategy for the prediction, investigation, and facilitation of low BMD in T2D patients.

Dinuclear gold-catalyzed divergent dechlorinative radical borylation of gem-dichloroalkanes.

The enormous and widespread use of organoboronic acids has prompted the development of innovative synthetic methodologies to meet the demands on structural diversity and functional group tolerance. The existing photoinduced defunctionalization radical borylation, typically focused on the conversion of one C-X bond (X= Br, I, or other leaving group) into only one C-B bond. Herein, we disclose a divergent radical dechloroborylation reaction enabled by dinuclear gold catalysis with visible light irradiation. A wide range of structurally diverse alkyl boronic, α-chloroboronic, and gem-diboronic esters can be synthesized in moderate to good yields (up to 92%). Its synthetic robustness is further demonstrated on a preparative scale and applied to late-stage diversification of complex molecules. The process hinges on a C-Cl bond relay activation in readily available gem-dichloroalkanes through inner-sphere electron transfer, overcoming the redox potential limits of unreactive alkyl chlorides.

Hepatitis B Virus Status and Clinical Outcomes in IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) has been reported to coexist with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Despite the clinical significance of this association, there is a lack of comprehensive research investigating the impact of various common conditions following HBV infection and the potential influence of anti-HBV therapy on the progression of IgAN. Methods: We investigated 3 distinct states of HBV infection, including chronic HBV infection, resolved HBV infection, and the deposition of hepatitis B antigens in renal tissue, in a follow-up database of 1961 patients with IgAN. IgAN progression was defined as a loss of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >40%. Multivariable cause-specific hazards models to analyze the relationship between HBV states and IgAN progression. Results: Chronic HBV infection was identified as an independent risk factor for IgAN progression, supported by both prematching analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.44; P = 0.024) and propensity-score matching analysis (HR, 1.74; 95% CI 1.28-2.37; P < 0.001). Conversely, resolved HBV infection showed no significant association with IgAN progression (HR, 1.01; 95% CI 0.67-1.52; P = 0.969). Moreover, the presence of HBV deposition in the kidneys and the utilization of anti-HBV therapy did not appear to be significant risk factors for renal outcomes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Chronic HBV infection is an independent risk factor for IgAN progression, whereas resolved HBV infection is not. In patients with IgAN, management of concurrent chronic HBV infection should be enhanced. The presence of HBV deposition in the kidneys and the use of anti-HBV medications do not impact the kidney disease progression in patients with IgAN with concurrent HBV infection.

Assessment of triglyceride clearance of haemoperfusion from three cases of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis: a case series.

Rapid reduction of plasma triglycerides (TG) is believed to improve the outcome of pancreatitis in the context of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG)-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP). Previous studies have suggested that haemoperfusion (HP) with the Jafron cartridge series could be effective for reducing TG concentrations in patients with HTG-AP. However, the clearance capacity (CC) for TG removal has not been reported. This case series reports on data from three patients with HTG-AP who underwent HP with HA230 or HA330 cartridges. Blood samples were collected from both before and after the cartridge circuit every 30 min and the CC was calculated. Twelve pairs of blood samples were collected for each type of HP cartridge. The mean ± SD CC of the HA230 cartridge for TG removal in this case series was 0.009781 ± 1.117235 ml/min (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.7000762, 0.7196384 ml). The mean ± SD CC of the HA330 cartridge for TG removal in this case series was 0.344914 ± 1.412183 ml/min (95% CI, -0.5523448, 1.2421721 ml). Based on the findings of this small case series, special caution is advised when considering the use of the HA230 and HA330 cartridges for reducing blood TG concentration pending further conclusive evidence from larger studies.