Author Correction: Effects of comprehensive care measures based on the HAPA model on self-care, neurotransmitters and clinical outcomes in cerebral infarction patients.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (10): 4462-4470-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202305_32452-published online on May 29, 2023. After publication, the authors have discovered a mistake in the number of male and female patients in the Patients and Methods section. Therefore, the following sentence "58 male patients and 42 female patients" is corrected into "71 male and 39 female patients". The corrections do not affect the article's results and conclusion as patients are reported correctly in the text as well as figures and tables. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/32452.

Effects of comprehensive care measures based on the HAPA model on self-care, neurotransmitters and clinical outcomes in cerebral infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral infarction is induced by cerebral artery occlusion, resulting in ischemia, hypoxia, necrosis of brain cells in the corresponding blood supply area, and then dysfunction. Health action process approach (HAPA) model emphasizes the proposal and practice of health behavior as a whole and uses self-monitoring and encouraging ultimately developed health behavior. The present study explores the effects of comprehensive nursing measures of HAPA model on neurotransmitters, self-care ability and clinical outcomes of cerebral infarction patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with cerebral infarction diagnosed and treated in our hospital from July 2020 to February 2022 were included as the subjects. The subjects were randomly grouped as the control (55 patients) and the study group (55 patients) and received conventional nursing measures and additional comprehensive nursing measures of HAPA model, respectively. The patients were tested for changes in self-care ability, nerve damage [myelin basic protein (MBP), S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE)] and neurotransmitter indexes [acid-soluble protein (Asp), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), glutamate (Glu)], respectively. The patients were considered as the good prognosis group (47 cases) and poor prognosis group (63 cases) according to the prognosis after comprehensive care. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction. RESULTS: After nursing, China Stroke Scale (CSS) score, the Fugl Meyer Rating Scale (FMA) score and Barthel index were significantly higher in both groups than before nursing, and all indexes were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p< 0.05). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group (p< 0.05). Compared with before nursing, the health knowledge, self-care skills, self-responsibility and self-concept of two groups were strongly increased after nursing, and the study group had much higher indexes than the control group (p< 0.05). After nursing, the levels of MBP, S100B, GFAP, NSE, Asp, NPY, SP and Glu in both groups were largely decreased, and more significant decrease was found in the study group (p< 0.05). Age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension history, coronary heart disease history and National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) score after treatment were significantly different between the good and poor prognosis groups (p< 0.05). The prognosis of patients in the study group was 52.73%, which was significantly higher than 32.73% in the control group (p< 0.05). Age, hypertension history, and post-treatment NIHSS score were independent risk factors related to poor prognosis by logistic multiple regression analysis (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive care measures of HAPA model may be used with advantage to improve the self-care ability, reduce the degree of neurological damage, and improve neurological function in cerebral infarction patients. Age, hypertension history, and NIHSS score after treatment were all risk factors related to poor prognosis.

Enhanced corrosion resistance by engineering crystallography on metals.

Nanometer-thick passive films, which impart superior corrosion resistance to metals, are degraded in long-term service; they are also susceptible to chloride-induced localized attack. Here we show, by engineering crystallographic configurations upon metal matrices adjacent to their passive films, we obtain great enhancement of corrosion resistance of FeCr15Ni15 single crystal in sulphuric acid, with activation time up to two orders of magnitude longer than that of the non-engineered counterparts. Meanwhile, engineering crystallography decreases the passive current density and shifts the pitting potential to noble values. Applying anodic polarizations under a transpassivation potential, we make the metal matrices underneath the transpassive films highly uneven with {111}-terminated configurations, which is responsible for the enhancement of corrosion resistance. The transpassivation strategy also works in the commercial stainless steels where both grain interior and grain boundaries are rebuilt into the low-energy configurations. Our results demonstrate a technological implication in the pretreatment process of anti-corrosion engineering.

1,25(OH)2D3 prolongs islet graft survival by inflammatory inhibition.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the protective effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) against islet graft loss. METHODS: Proliferation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced macrophages was determined in vitro after treatment with different concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D3. Intraportal islet transplantation (IPIT) was performed with islets harvested from the Sprague-Dawley rats and transplanted to the diabetic rats. The transplanted rats were assigned to receive 1,25-(OH)2D3 or propylene glycol (control). Islet graft survival; inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and interleukin [IL]-1); numbers and percentages of macrophages, CD4(+), and CD8(+) T cells in bloods; and expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and TNF-α were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed. RESULTS: We found 100 mg/mL 1,25-(OH)2D3 per day to have the strongest inhibitory effect on macrophages. Survival time of islet grafts significantly increased in the rats receiving 1,25-(OH)2D3. There were fewer infiltrated inflammatory cells in both islet graft and adjacent tissue in the drug-treated rats with lower serum IL-1 and TNF-α. Furthermore, percentage of macrophages and expression of p-NF-κB p65 and TNF-α in graft sites were significantly lower in the treated rats. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 prolongs islet graft survival by decreasing nonspecific inflammation in syngeneic IPIT through inhibiting TNF-α/NF-κB pathway and macrophage infiltration.

Decreasing loss of cryopreserved-thawed rat islets by coculture with Sertoli cells.

OBJECTIVE: Cryopreserved-thawed rat islets were cocultured with Sertoli cells to examine whether they could decrease the loss and improve islet function. METHODS: Islets and Sertoli cells were harvested from the pancreas and the testis of Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Cryopreserved, stored islets were thawed and divided into groups of coculture with Sertoli cells versus single cells. We measured islets recovery rate and function. Apoptotic-related proteins and gene expressions were detected by Western blot and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Soluble factors secreted by Sertoli cells in to the supernate were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We compared islet graft survival times in diabetic mice. RESULTS: In contrast to the single culture controls, thawed islets cocultured with Sertoli cells exhibited improved morphology. Recovery rates and insulin secretion were significantly higher among coculture cells. Four soluble factors were detected in supernates from Sertoli cell cultures including transforming growth factor-ß, insulin-like growth factor-1, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor. Expression of proapoptotic Bax and caspase 3, 7 were down-regulated while that of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was up-regulated. Cotransplantation with Sertoli cells significantly prolonged islet graft survival. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that coculture with Sertoli cells significantly improved islet yields and function after thawing and depressed islet apoptosis.

Effects of astragalosides on cultured islets after cryopreservation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of AST (astragalosides) on cultured rat islet yield, purity, and function after cryopreservation in rats. METHODS: Pancreatic islets were isolated from 30 Sprague-Dawley rats using the standard technique of collagenase P digestion and discontinuous Ficoll gradient purification. After thaw, the islets were randomly divided into AST group and control group (n=15). Next, the islet cells were cultured in AST-containing medium or standard medium for 7, 14, and 21 days after cryopreservation and thaw. The quantity, purity, and survival rate were calculated in the two groups before and after culture. Then the in vitro and in vivo function was observed in diabetic rats after islet transplantation. RESULTS: The quantity and purity of islets had no difference between the two groups before culture (P>.05) while the difference after culture was significantly (P<.05). The survival rate of islets was 48% in AST group and 32% in the control group 21 days after thaw (P<.05). After 3 days, there was significantly a higher simulation index in the AST group than in the control group (P<.05). There was a significant difference in blood glucose and insulin concentrations between the groups after 3 days (P<.05). CONCLUSION: AST can be added to the culture medium to reduce the loss of islet cryopreservation and be intravenously injected to improve culture islet function in vitro and prolong islet graft survival in diabetic rats.

Prolongation of islet graft survival using concomitant transplantation of islets and vascular endothelial cells in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The transplantation of isolated islets of Langerhans is nearing acceptance as treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Because the arterial and venous connections of the pancreas are disrupted during islet isolation, islets must be revascularized after transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To observe whether increased numbers of vascular endothelial cells in islets can affect the angiogenesis and function of the grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes were divided into 3 groups. The rats in group 1 received islet grafts under the capsule of the left kidney; rats in group 2 received combined vascular endothelial cell and islet transplants; and rats in group 3 served as controls. After the transplantation procedure, blood glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated daily. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expression of vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies in the diabetic rat kidneys. The mean microvascular density was also calculated. RESULTS: At 3 days posttransplantation, blood glucose and insulin concentrations returned to normal in group 2, however, they declined only slightly in group 1, and moderate hyperglycemia was present. There was a significant difference in blood glucose and insulin concentrations between the 2 groups after 3 days (P < .05). The mean (SD) microvascular density in group 2 was markedly higher than that in group 1 (12.58 [1.81] vs 10.38 [0.97] P = .04). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that concomitant transplantation of isolated islets with endothelial cells can prolong islet graft survival in diabetic rats.

Improved islet survival and funtion with rat endothelial cells in vitro co-culture.

OBJECTIVE: Pancreatic islet transplantation is an emerging therapy for type 1 diabetes. To preserve its function, transplanted islets must be revascularized because arterial and venous connections are disrupted during islet isolation. The current paradigm is that islet revascularization originates from the transplant recipient. This study was designed to test whether the function of isolated islets can be retained by co-culture with thoracic aorta endothelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated from the thoracic aorta. The viability of the isolated islets was assessed by acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) double staining. The islets were either placed in standard cultures (group A) or in co-cultures with ECs (group B). Islet viablity was assessed by an insulin release assay. RESULTS: The islets in group B exhibited normal morphology with >90% staining positive as detected by AO/PI with 7 days. Insulin release assays showed a significantly higher simulation index (SI) in group B compared with group A (P < .05) except on the first day. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that co-cultrue of freshly isolated rat islets with ECs improves postculture survival and islet function in vitro.

Prolongation of islet allograft survival by coexpression of CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg in mice.

BACKGROUND: B7/CD28 and CD40/CD40L have been well established as important costimulatory pathways. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4) delivers negative signals to antigen-presenting cells to down-regulate proinflammatory responses and competitively inhibits the binding of B7 and CD28. Signals from the CD40/CD40L costimulatory pathway also play an important role in acute rejection of organ grafts. METHODS: Recombinant adenoviruses Ad-sCD40LIg-IRES2-CTLA4Ig, Ad-CTLA4Ig, and Ad-sCD40LIg were constructed to express sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig simultaneously or separately as described previously. Streptozocin-induced diabetic BALB/c mice were injected with recombinant adenovirus, receiving approximately 500 donor islets isolated from C57BL/6 mice under the left kidney capsule. Five groups were assigned according to the treatment: nontreated group, Ad-Shuttle-CMV-treated group, Ad-CTLA4Ig-treated group, Ad-sCD40LIg-treated group, and Ad-sCD40LIg-IRES2-CTLA4Ig-treated group. The islet graft mean survival time (MST) was evaluated in the present study. RESULTS: Compared to the islet graft MST of the nontreated group (7.3+/-0.82 days) or Ad-Shuttle-CMV-treated group (7.2+/-1.47 days), the Ad-CTLA4Ig-treated and Ad-CD40LIg-treated islet graft survivals in recipients were 56.3+/-13.71 days (P<.01) and 47.3+/-15.64 days (P<.05), respectively. The islet graft MST was dramatically prolonged to 116.3+/-20.32 days in the Ad-sCD40LIg-IRES2-CTLA4Ig-treated group (P<.01). CONCLUSION: Simultaneous blockade of the CD40/CD40L and B7/CD28 costimulatory pathways via coexpression of sCD40LIg and CTLA4Ig mediated by replication-defective adenovirus may be an acceptable method to induce immune tolerance.

Cloning of pig parotid secretory protein gene upstream promoter and the establishment of a transgenic mouse model expressing bacterial phytase for agricultural phosphorus pollution control.

This study examined the feasibility of using the promoter of the pig parotid secretory protein (PSP) gene for expression of the phytase transgene in mouse models. The pig parotid secretory protein gene is specifically expressed at high levels in the salivary glands. The 10-kb upstream promoter region of the gene necessary for tissue-specific expression has been identified. We have constructed phytase transgenes composed of the appA phytase gene from Escherichia coli driven by the upstream promoter region of the pig PSP gene with a 3' tail of either bovine growth hormone or the pig PSP gene polyadenylation signal. Transgenic mouse models with the construct showed that the upstream region of the pig PSP gene is sufficient for directing the expression of phytase transgenes in the saliva. Expression of salivary phytase reduced fecal phytate by 8.5 and 12.5% in 2 transgenic mouse lines, respectively. These results suggest that the expression of phytase in salivary glands of monogastric animals offers a promising biological approach to relieve the requirement for dietary phosphate supplements and to reduce phosphorus pollution from animal agriculture.

Epistatic modifiers of autoimmunity in a murine model of lupus nephritis.

Sle1 and Sle3 are NZW-derived loci that mediate lupus nephritis on a C57BL/6 background. The absence of severe autoimmunity in NZW suggests that the NZW genome suppresses these genes. (B6.NZMc1[Sle1] x NZW)F1 hybrids develop severe humoral autoimmunity and fatal lupus nephritis, indicating that suppression of Sle1 from NZW is recessive. Linkage analysis identified four epistatic modifiers, Sles1-4, whose cumulative effect accounted for the benign autoimmunity in NZW. The specific suppression of Sle1 but not Sle2 or Sle3 by Sles1 was directly demonstrated via the production and analysis of bicongenic strains. Moreover, Sles1 was sufficient to completely suppress autoimmunity initiated by Sle1 in B6.NZMc1 x NZW hybrids. These results demonstrate the complex epistatic interactions of loci augmenting and suppressing systemic autoimmunity.

Effect of lu-duo-wei on scavenging superoxide and hydroxyl radicals in vitro.

Irradiation of a riboflavin-containing system by ultraviolet light was used to produce superoxide radical (.O2-). Hydroxyl radical (.OH) was generated by the system of Fe(II)-H2O2. Using electron spin resonance and spin trapping techniques, the effect of Lu-Duo-Wei, a capsule consisting extracts of green tea, Fructus Lycii and Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, on scavenging .O2- and .OH was observed. The results showed that the efficiency of scavenging .O2- and .OH by Lu-Duo-Wei was much higher than that by tea polyphenol alone. It is suggested that the synergistic action of tea polyphenol and other components are responsible for the scavenging effect of Lu-Duo-Wei on .O2- and .OH.

Additive susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes conferred by HLA-DQB1 and insulin genes.

Several genomic polymorphisms at the insulin (INS) gene and its flanking regions were analyzed in 197 unrelated Caucasian patients affected by insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and 159 ethnically matched, normal controls ascertained from the South-Eastern United States. We found that the frequency of homozygotes for the common variant at the insulin gene was significantly increased in the diabetic population (RR = 2.0, p < 0.005). However, the polymorphisms in the 5' and 3' regions flanking the INS were not significantly associated with IDDM. These results suggest that the IDDM susceptibility locus on chromosome 11p is located within the region extending from the 5' VNTR to the 3' end of the INS gene. We determined the HLA-DQB1 genotypes by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and/or sequence-specific primers (SSP) techniques to assess the possible interactions between INS and HLA. DQB1*0302 had the strongest predisposing effect on IDDM susceptibility (RR = 9.3) and DQB1*0602 the strongest protective effect (RR = 0.02). However, a significant predisposing effect of DQB1*0201 could be demonstrated only after removal of the effects of DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0602. Analyses of the genotypes revealed that all genotypes containing 0602 were protective and that the heterozygous genotype 0201/0302 and homozygous genotype 0302/0302 confer the highest risk (RR = 20.9 and 12.9 respectively). However, heterozygous genotypes 0302/X (X excludes 0201, 0302 and 0602) have a significantly lower predisposing risk. Similarly, there is heterogeneity in risk between predisposing 0201/0201 homozygous individuals and protective 0201/X individuals. When subjects were stratified by HLA genotypes, the relative risks conferred by INS did not vary, thus suggesting that the susceptibility effects conferred by HLA and INS are additive rather than interactive.