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Purpose: We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) in elderly patients around the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery. Methods: The China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wangfang Data, VIP database, SinoMed, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for relevant publications until August 2024. All randomized controlled studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of TEAS in patients around the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery. We calculated pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs for binary outcomes and standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool were used to evaluate the quality of studies. Results: A total of 13 studies with 946 patients were included in this analysis. 1-day visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and 2-day VAS scores were significantly lower in the TEAS group compared to the control group (SMD: -0.78, 95% CI: -1.47, -0.09, P = 0.02 and SMD:-0.54, 95% CI:-1.00,-0.09,P = 0.02). Furthermore, 1-day mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores and 3-day MMSE scores were significantly higher in the TEAS group compared to the control group (SMD: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.68, 2.51,P<0.001 and SMD:1.31, 95% CI:1.03,1.59,P<0.001), along with a lower postoperative cognitive dysfunction rate (RR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.73, P<0.001). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that TEAS significantly reduces pain and improves cognitive function in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. Future studies should further investigate the optimal TEAS protocols to maximize these benefits across different population and surgical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarmentosin (SA) and Quercetin (QC) are two active components of Sedum Sarmentosum Bunge, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. This study aimed to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of SA and QC in fatty liver of Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) tilapia. GIFT tilapia were randomly divided into two groups with three replicates per treatment (30 fish in each replicate): normal diet group (average weight 3.51±0.31 g) and high-fat diet group (average weight 3.44±0.09 g). After 8 weeks feeding trial, growth index, lipid deposition, and biochemical indexes were measured. Lipid deposition, and lipid and inflammation-related gene expression were detected in a primary hepatocyte model of fatty liver of GIFT tilapia treated with SA or QC. Our results showed that high-fat diet caused lipid deposition and peroxidative damage in the liver of GIFT tilapia. The cell counting kit-8 assay results indicated that 10 μM SA and 10 μM of QC both had the least effect on hepatocyte proliferation. Moreover, both 10 μM of SA and 10 μM of QC showed lipolytic effects and inhibited the expression of lipid-related genes (FAS, Leptin, SREBP-1c, and SREBP2) in fatty liver cells. Interestingly, QC induced autophagosome-like subcellular structure and increased the expression of IL-8 in fatty liver cells. In conclusion, this study confirmed that SA and QC improved fatty liver caused by high-fat diet, providing a novel therapeutic approach for fatty liver of GIFT tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overproduction of N-terminal pyroglutamate (pGlu)-modified proteins utilizing Escherichia coli or eukaryotic cells is a challenging work owing to the fact that the recombinant proteins need to be recovered by proteolytic removal of fusion tags to expose the N-terminal glutaminyl or glutamyl residue, which is then converted into pGlu catalyzed by the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase. Herein we describe a new method for production of N-terminal pGlu-containing proteins in vivo via intracellular self-cleavage of fusion tags by tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease and then immediate N-terminal cyclization of passenger target proteins by a bacterial glutaminyl cyclase. To combine with the sticky-end PCR cloning strategy, this design allows the gene of target proteins to be efficiently inserted into the expression vector using two unique cloning sites (i.e., SnaB I and Xho I), and the soluble and N-terminal pGlu-containing proteins are then produced in vivo. Our method has been successfully applied to the production of pGlu-modified enhanced green fluorescence protein and monocyte chemoattractant proteins. This design will facilitate the production of protein drugs and drug target proteins that possess an N-terminal pGlu residue required for their physiological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the changes of serum albumin levels during the peri-operative period, and correlate these changes to surgical outcomes, postoperative morbidity and mortality in head and neck cancer patients with cirrhosis. Methods: 57 patients with liver cirrhosis out of 3,022 patients who underwent immediate free flap reconstruction after surgical ablation of head and neck cancer performed over a 9-year period were included in the study. Two sets of groups were arranged based on the preoperative albumin (>3.5 g/dL vs. ≤ 3.5 g/dL) and POD1 albumin (>2.7 g/dL vs. ≤ 2.7 g/dL) levels and were compared with respect to patient-related variables, surgical outcomes, medical and surgical complications, and mortalities. Results: All patients had significant decreases in albumin levels postoperatively. Hypoalbuminemia, both preoperative and postoperative, was associated with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, the amount of blood loss, the duration of ICU stay and hospital stay, and postoperative medical and surgical complications. In particular, preoperative hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin ≤ 3.5 g/dL) was associated strongly with medical complications and mortality, while postoperative hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin ≤ 2.7 g/dL) with surgical complications. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the prognostic values of albumin levels in head and neck cancer patient with liver cirrhosis. The perioperative albumin levels can be utilized for risk stratification to potentially improve surgical and postoperative management of these challenging patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION:Oncological resection of the tongue can be reconstructed using a multitude of free flaps. The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap has been well described in the literature in terms of its anatomy and harvest. However, functional outcome studies of post-reconstruction tongue defects using the MSAP flap have not been reported. This study represents the largest outcome study of patients with tongue reconstructions using MSAP flaps and a comprehensive review of its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS:From December of 2010 to October of 2015, 579 patients with subtotal glossectomy and free flap reconstructions in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. 27 patients were reconstructed with MSAP flap. The pre- and intra-operative factors, as well as flap-related factors were analyzed. Post-operative complications and functional outcomes were evaluated. Donor site assessment were also conducted. RESULTS:A 96.3% flap survival rate was found with an average total operating time of 6 hours and 18 minutes. 84.6% of patients had primary closure of the donor site with and the remaining either had skin grafts or delayed closure. Donor site closure can be achieved primarily with no functional deficit. Speech intelligibility remained for most patients. 100% of patients resumed normal oral feeding. CONCLUSION:The MSAP flap is a small to medium sized flap most suited for subtotal glossectomy defects where optimal outcomes can be achieved in terms of speech clarity and restoration of oral intake.

Traumatic peripheral nerve neurotmesis occurs frequently and functional recovery is often slow and impaired. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have shown much promise in recent years due to its regenerative properties similar to that of embryonic stem cells. However, the potential of iPSCs in promoting the functional recovery of a transected peripheral nerve is largely unknown. This study is the first to investigate in vivo effects of episomal iPSCs (EiPSCs) on peripheral nerve regeneration in a murine sciatic nerve transection model. Episomal iPSCs refer to iPSCs that are generated via Oct3/4-Klf4-Sox2 plasmid reprogramming instead of the conventional viral insertion techniques. It represents a relatively safer form of iPSC production without permanent transgene integration which may raise questions regarding risks of genomic mutation. A minimal number of EiPSCs were added directly to the transected nerve. Functional recovery of the EiPSC group was significantly improved compared to the negative control group when assessed via serial five-toe spread measurement and gait analysis of ankle angles. EiPSC promotion of nerve regeneration was also evident on stereographic analysis of axon density, myelin thickness, and axonal cross-sectional surface area. Most importantly, the results observed in EiPSCs are similar to that of the embryonic stem cell group. A roughly ten-fold increase in neurotrophin-3 levels was seen in EiPSCs which could have contributed to peripheral nerve regeneration and recovery. No abnormal masses or adverse effects were noted with EiPSC administration after one year of follow-up. We have hence shown that functional recovery of the transected peripheral nerve can be improved with the use of EiPSC therapy, which holds promise for the future of nerve regeneration.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cohort study was to examine the role of the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIALS & METHODS: Sera from 205 NPC patients and 231 healthy individuals, and 86 NPC tumor samples were enrolled. CXCL9 expression in tissue samples was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. CXCL9 serum concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: CXCL9 expression was significantly higher in tumors than in normal epithelium. CXCL9 serum concentrations were also significantly higher in NPC patients compared to those in healthy individuals (516.8±617.6 vs. 170.7±375.0 pg/mL, P290 pg/mL, median) before treatment had worse prognoses for overall survival and disease-free survival (P = 0.045 and P = 0.008, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analyses also indicated that higher CXCL9 serum levels were an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that CXCL9 is associated with tumor burden and aggressiveness of NPC tumors and the serum level of this ligand may be useful as a prognostic indicator.

Overproduction of N-terminal pyroglutamate (pGlu)-modified proteins utilizing Escherichia coli or eukaryotic cells is a challenging work owing to the fact that the recombinant proteins need to be recovered by proteolytic removal of fusion tags to expose the N-terminal glutaminyl or glutamyl residue, which is then converted into pGlu catalyzed by the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase. Herein we describe a new method for production of N-terminal pGlu-containing proteins in vivo via intracellular self-cleavage of fusion tags by tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease and then immediate N-terminal cyclization of passenger target proteins by a bacterial glutaminyl cyclase. To combine with the sticky-end PCR cloning strategy, this design allows the gene of target proteins to be efficiently inserted into the expression vector using two unique cloning sites (i.e., SnaB I and Xho I), and the soluble and N-terminal pGlu-containing proteins are then produced in vivo. Our method has been successfully applied to the production of pGlu-modified enhanced green fluorescence protein and monocyte chemoattractant proteins. This design will facilitate the production of protein drugs and drug target proteins that possess an N-terminal pGlu residue required for their physiological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]