Selenium deficiency increased duodenal permeability and decreased expression of antimicrobial peptides by activating ROS/NF-κB signal pathway in chickens.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for the body. Various organs of the body, including the intestine, are affected by its deficiency. Se deficiency can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the intestine. It can also increase intestinal permeability and decrease intestinal immune function in mammals. However, the detailed studies, conducted on the intestinal molecular mechanisms of Se deficiency-induced injury in poultry, are limited. This study explored the adverse effects of Se deficiency on intestinal permeability and its mechanism. A Se-deficient chicken model was established, and the morphological changes in the chicken duodenum tissues were observed using a light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and other methods were used to detect the expression levels of selenoproteins, oxidative stress indicators, inflammatory factors, tight junction (TJ) proteins, antimicrobial peptides, and other related indicators in intestinal tissues. The results showed that Se deficiency could decrease the expression levels of selenoproteins and antioxidant capacity, activate the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, cause inflammation, and decrease the expression levels of TJ proteins and antimicrobial peptides in the duodenum tissues. The study also demonstrated that Se deficiency could increase intestinal permeability and decrease antimicrobial peptides via reactive oxygen species (ROS)/NF-κB. This study provided a theoretical basis for the scientific prevention and control of Se deficiency in poultry. Se deficiency decreased the expression levels of selenoproteins and increased ROS levels to activate the NF-κB pathway, resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing the expression levels of TJ protein, and weakening the expression of antimicrobial peptides, which contributed to the higher intestinal permeability. Oxidative stress weakened the expression of antimicrobial peptides.

Polystyrene nanoplastics exacerbate lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial fibrosis and autophagy in mice via ROS/TGF-ß1/Smad.

Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) contamination is a serious problem for human and animal health. Excessive exposure to PS NPs can affect the structure and function of the heart. And lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces myocardial damage, leading to myocardial fibrosis (MF). To investigate whether PS NPs exacerbate LPS-induced myocardial autophagy and fibrosis, we established in vivo and in vitro models of PS NPs/LPS exposure alone and in combination. We found that PS NPs/LPS exposure disrupts myocardial structure, significantly increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggers oxidative stress, promotes TGF-ß1/Smad pathway activation, and leads to elevated levels of fibrotic proteins and collagen. Meanwhile, activation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway induced autophagy onset, and combined exposure of PS NPs/LPS exacerbated MF and autophagy. H9C2 cells were used for in vitro experiments, and the experimental results showed that the addition of TGF-ß receptor inhibitor LY2109761 to the exposed group not only inhibited the upregulation of fibrotic genes but also effectively reduced the expression of autophagic signals, indicating that combined exposure of PS NPs and LPS mediates and regulates cardiac autophagy through TGF-ß1. The above results suggest that PS NPs exacerbate LPS-induced MF and autophagy in mice via ROS/TGF-ß1/Smad. Our study provides some new evidence to clarify the potential mechanisms of PS NPs-induced cardiotoxicity.

Study on the current situation and influencing factors of unmet needs of patients after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer based on mixed-methods approach / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the status quo and influencing factors of unsatisfied needs of patients after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer through quantitative and qualitative mixed research methods, and to provide reference for the development of effective health management programs in the future.Methods:A total of 297 patients who were hospitalized in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January to December 2021 after radical gastretomy were selected as subjects by convenient sampling method. The general data questionnaire and Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-SUNS) were used to investigate. Selected 12 patients with gastric cancer by objective sampling method for semi-structured in-depth interview and collate data by Colaizzi 7-step analysis method.Results:The total average score of 297 subjects who did not meet the requirements was (60.91 ± 16.00), which was in the middle level. The average score of each dimension from high to low was: continuous care unmet needs (2.37 ± 0.75) points, work economy unmet needs (2.22 ± 0.65) points, information unmet needs (2.20 ± 0.92) points, emotion unmet needs (1.72 ± 0.60) points. Educational background, main economic source of family and working state were the influencing factors of unmet demand ( t=5.32, -3.59, -3.28, all P<0.05). Qualitative research had extracted four themes: unmet needs for symptom network recognition and accurate symptom management, unmet needs for shared decision participation and disease perception trajectory, unmet needs for dignity maintenance and reconstruction of psychological stress mechanism, and unmet needs for "Internet plus" mobile medical continuous care. Conclusions:The problem of unmet needs of patients after radical gastritis is still prevalent and affected by a variety of factors. It is suggested that medical workers build an effective supportive care system based on the status quo of unmet needs of patients, promote the whole process of multidimensional health management services for patients with gastric cancer, and improve the quality of life.

Effects of Low-frequency Sound Waves of Somatosensory Music on Microcirculation of Healthy People’s Five Shu Points of Kidney and Bladder Meridians / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of low-frequency sound waves (16~160 Hz) of somatosensory music on healthy people’s microcirculation in kidney and bladder meridians;To discuss the collateral channels biophysical mechanisms in somatosensory music treatment. Methods Low-frequency sound waves of somatosensory music were played near the 30 healthy people’s kidney and bladder meridians orderly. At the same time, Laser Doppler Flowmetry was used to analyze microcirculation in meridian acupoints.Results The low-frequency acoustic waves with different frequencies had significantly different effects on kidney and bladder meridians. The effects of the same frequency on different acupoints of the same meridian were similar. The G1 (49.00 Hz) showed the most significant effects on the kidney meridian (P<0.01);G2 (98.00 Hz) showed the most significant impact on bladder meridian (P<0.01).Conclusion The kidney and bladder meridians have selective absorption characteristics to the low-frequency sound waves of different frequencies. Specific frequency sound waves can cause resonance in kidney and bladder meridians.

Effects of Low Frequency Sound Waves of Different Timbres on Weizhong Microcirculation and Transcutaneous Oxygen Partial Pressure of Healthy People / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To discuss different effects of low frequency sound waves of different timbres on microcirculation and transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure of Weizhong (BL40) of healthy people;To study the mechanism of somatosensory music therapy. Methods The same frequency (98.00 Hz), different timbres (sounds of guqin, flute, ocarina, bell, and drum were simulated) low frequency sound waves were played near Weizhong acupoint of 30 healthy persons. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to analyze microcirculation and the changes of transcutaneous oxygen pressure of meridian acupoints, when each timbre was played for 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 s. Results Sound waves of bell, drum, and flute made point microcirculation and transcutaneous oxygen pressure gradually increase, and the influence of drum>bell>flute;timbre waves of ocarina and guqin made the point microcirculation and transcutaneous oxygen pressure decrease gradually decrease, and the decrease of ocarina was more significant than that of guqin. In the same time point, sound waves of bell made point microcirculation and transcutaneous oxygen pressure increase more than the other sound waves (P<0.01). Conclusion Low frequency sounds of different timbres belong to different properties of five elements. They have different components in frequency spectrum, and can create different effects on acupoints.

Practical value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in unstable angina diagnosis / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of magnetic resonance imaging of heart in diagnosis of unstable angina pectoris.Methods A total of 24 patients with unstable angina pectoris including 15 male and 9 female confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) were enrolled.All 24 patients were scanned by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging ( CMR),and then the analyses of the first pass images and the delayed contrast enhancement images were carried out for comparison.The findings of cardiac structure,cardiac function,myocardial ischemia,myocardial necrosis,myocardial edema were taken for answering to the images made by echocardiography (UCG) and coronary angiography (CAG) linked with conventional examinations for the diagnosis of coronary disease.Results Compared with the UCG,CMR provided more detailed information about the right ventricle,and the information about left ventricular structure and function given by UCG was very good consistent with that offered by CMR,and CMR could detect myocardial ischemia,myocardial edema and the myocardial necrosis,which were of good consistency with findings often observed by conventional inspection methods.Conclusions Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is of high value in diagnosis and evaluation of unstable angina pectoris and is far superior over other conventional methods for examinations of unstable angina pectoris.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of osteosarcomas / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The ultrasonographic appearances of osteosarcomas and the roles of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and surgical staging of osteosarcomas were investigated. A comparative study was performed on 45 cases of osteosarcomas by ultrasonography and radiography. Bony changes, periosteal reaction and soft tissue mass were evaluated for each lesion. The results showed that ultrasonography revealed a solid mass around bone in 42 patients, bone destruction in 24 patients and periosteal reaction in 16 patients. Plain radiographs showed bony changes in 44 patients and no bony change in remaining one patient, shadowing of soft tissue swelling in 30 patients, and pulmonary metastases in 3 patients. Surgical biopsy and pathological examination confirmed osteosarcoma in all 45 patients. Soft tissue mass was confirmed in 42 patients surgically. The diagnostic accuracy of soft tissue masses by ultrasonography and radiography was 100 % (42/42) and 71.4 % (30/42), respectively. The positive rate of ultrasonography and radiography in displaying bony changes was 53.3 % (24/45) and 97.8 % (44/45), respectively. In conclusion, in the detection of soft tissue mass of osteosarcoma, ultrasonography is superior to radiography, and in displaying bony changes of osteosarcomas, radiography is superior to ultrasonography. So it may come to a conclusion that plain radiography combined with ultrasonography can completely display the bony and soft tissue lesion of osteosarcomas.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Osteosarcomas / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The ultrasonographic appearances of osteosarcomas and the roles of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and surgical staging of osteosarcomas were investigated. A comparative study was performed on 45 cases of osteosarcomas by ultrasonography and radiography. Bony changes, periosteal reaction and soft tissue mass were evaluated for each lesion. The results showed that ultrasonography revealed a solid mass around bone in 42 patients, bone destruction in 24 patients and periosteal reaction in 16 patients. Plain radiographs showed bony changes in 44 patients and no bony change in remaining one patient, shadowing of soft tissue swelling in 30 patients, and pulmonary metastases in 3patients. Surgical biopsy and pathological examination confirmed osteosarcoma in all 45 patients.Soft tissue mass was confirmed in 42 patients surgically. The diagnostic accuracy of soft tissue masses by ultrasonography and radiography was 100 % (42/42) and 71.4 % (30/42), respectively. The positive rate of ultrasonography and radiography in displaying bony changes was 53.3 % (24/45) and 97.8 % (44/45), respectively. In conclusion, in the detection of soft tissue mass of osteosarcoma, ultrasonography is superior to radiography, and in displaying bony changes of osteosarcomas, radiography is superior to ultrasonography. So it may come to a conclusion that plain radiography combined with ultrasonography can completely display the bony and soft tissue lesion of osteosarcomas.