Search

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of using Korean medical treatments on a patient with functional dyspepsia.Methods: A 61-year-old female patient with functional dyspepsia and C/L-spine HIVD was treated with herbal medicine (Gamihyangsayukgunja-tang), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, chuna manual therapy, and cupping therapy for 18 days. The treatment effects on the functional dyspepsia were evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale score, Gastrointestinal Symptom Score, and Bristol Stool Scale results.Results: Following treatment, the patient showed decreases on the Numerical Rating Scale and Gastrointestinal Symptom Score and improvement on the Bristol Stool Scale.Conclusions: Korean medical treatment improved the condition of a patient with functional dyspepsia.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent expansion of the abdominal aorta that has a high mortality but limited treatment options. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 family members are cAMP-specific hydrolyzing enzymes and have four isoforms (PDE4A-PDE4D). Several pan-PDE4 inhibitors are used clinically. However, the regulation and function of PDE4 in AAA remain largely unknown. Herein, we showed that PDE4D expression is upregulated in human and angiotensin II-induced mouse AAA tissues using RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific Pde4d knockout mice showed significantly reduced vascular destabilization and AAA development in an experimental AAA model. The PDE4 inhibitor rolipram also suppressed vascular pathogenesis and AAA formation in mice. In addition, PDE4D deficiency inhibited caspase 3 cleavage and SMC apoptosis in vivo and in vitro, as shown by bulk RNA-seq, western blotting, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Mechanistic studies revealed that PDE4D promotes apoptosis by suppressing the activation of cAMP-activated protein kinase A (PKA) instead of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac). Additionally, the phosphorylation of BCL2-antagonist of cell death (Bad) was reversed by PDE4D siRNA in vitro, which indicates that PDE4D regulates SMC apoptosis via the cAMP-PKA-pBad axis. Overall, these findings indicate that PDE4D upregulation in SMCs plays a causative role in AAA development and suggest that pharmacological inhibition of PDE4 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy.

Purpose: To explore the underlying mechanisms of xenon (Xe) protect against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI). Materials and methods: A SCIRI rat model was induced by abdominal artery occlusion for 85 min and reperfusion. Xe postconditioning (50% Xe) was administered 1 h after 1 h of reperfusion. At reperfusion time points (2, 4, 6, and 24 h), rats were treated with spinal cord scans by MRI to assess the time of peak spinal cord injury after SCIRI. Subsequently, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) was administered by daily intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg) for 5 days before SCIRI. At 4 hours after reperfusion, motor function, immunofluorescence staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) reaction, and Western blot analyses were performed to investigate the protective effects of Xe against SCIRI. Results: In the rat I/R model, spinal cord edema peaked at reperfusion 4 h. SCIRI activated ER stress, which was located in neurons. Xe postconditioning remarkably alleviated hind limb motor function, reduced neuronal apoptosis rate, increased the number of normal neurons, inhibited the expression of ER stress related protein in spinal cord. Furthermore, administration of the ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA strongly decreased ER stress-induced apoptosis following SCIRI. Conclusions: Xe postconditioning inhibits ER stress activation, which contributes to alleviate SCIRI by suppressing neuronal apoptosis.

Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) is often accompanied by preoperative disorders of coagulation. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between computed tomography angiography imaging features and preoperative coagulopathy in TAAAD patients.This was a single-center retrospective review of adult patients undergoing TAAAD surgery from January 2015 to January 2019 in the Beijing Anzhen Hospital (Beijing, China). Images were obtained using preoperative enhanced computed tomography in 174 patients with TAAAD. Preoperative coagulopathy was defined as the disseminated intravascular coagulation score greater than 5. The patients were divided into coagulopathy and non-coagulopathy groups. Circumferential arc lengths of the false lumen (Fx) and true lumen (Tx) were measured at four planes (ascending aorta, thoracic-descending aorta, descending aorta and abdominal aorta). We define the value of Fx/(Tx+Fx) × 100% as tear index (TI) and take the four planes' averages to weighed the false lumen's size. By analyzing the two groups of clinical data and computed tomography angiography imaging data, potentially related factors were detected by univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.The incidence of preoperative coagulopathy for TAAAD patients was 12.07%. In adjusted multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, white blood cell count (odds ratio [OR]: 1.204, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.035-1.400, P = 0.016); longitude length of aortic dissection (OR: 1.076, 95% CI: 1.016-1.139, P = 0.012); and Tear index (OR = 1.177, 95% CI: 1.075-1.289, P0.001) were significant factors related to the occurrence of preoperative coagulopathy for TAAAD.The incidence of preoperative coagulopathy in TAAAD patients was 12.07%. The longitude length of AD, TI and white blood cell count were significant factors related to preoperative coagulopathy in patients with TAAAD. The significance of imaging and anatomic changes related to coagulopathy are worth further study in TAAAD patients.

Despite of achieving great success in real life, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) is still suffering from three critical issues, which are data efficiency, lack of the interpretability and transferability. Recent research shows that embedding symbolic knowledge into DRL is promising in addressing those challenges. Inspired by this, we introduce a novel deep reinforcement learning framework with symbolic options. This framework features a loop training procedure, which enables guiding the improvement of policy by planning with action models and symbolic options learned from interactive trajectories automatically. The learned symbolic options help doing the dense requirement of expert domain knowledge and provide inherent interpretabiliy of policies. Moreover, the transferability and data efficiency can be further improved by planning with the action models. To validate the effectiveness of this framework, we conduct experiments on two domains, Montezuma's Revenge and Office World respectively, and the results demonstrate the comparable performance, improved data efficiency, interpretability and transferability.

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of Korean medical treatment for a patient with peripheral facial palsy caused by cerebellar artery infarction.Methods: A 45-year-old male patient with right facial palsy and left side numbness from cerebellar artery infarction was treated with herbal medicine (ligigeopoongsan), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and cupping therapy for 37 days. The effects were evaluated using the House-Brackmann (H-B) and Yanagihara’s unweighted grading systems.Results: Following treatment, the patient’s H-B grade decreased and Yanagihara score improved.Conclusion: Korean medical treatment improved peripheral facial palsy in a patient with cerebellar artery infarction.

Objectives: This study reports the effects of Korean medical treatment, including the administration of Yanghyeolgeopung-tang, on tension headache.Case presentation: A 48-year-old man with headache and neck pain caused by tension-type headache was managed with Yanghyeolgeopung-tang, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture for 15 days. To evaluate the improvements, a numeric rating scale (NRS), the Korean Headache Impact Test-6 (KHIT-6), and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used. After treatment, the symptoms were relieved, and there were no particular side effects. The NRS scores reduced from 6 to 3, KHIT-6 from 64 to 48, and NDI from 46 to 22.Conclusion: These results suggest that Korean medicine may be effective for treating tension-type headache.

BackgroundAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary kidney disorder mostly caused by mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 genes. Here, we report thirteen ADPKD males with infertility and investigated the sperm morphological defects associated with PC1 disruption.MethodsTargeted next-generation sequencing was performed to detect PKD1 variants in patients. Sperm morphology was observed by immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy, and the sperm motility was assessed using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system. The Hippo signaling pathway was analyzed with by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting in vitro.ResultsThe ADPKD patients were infertile and their sperm tails showed morphological abnormalities, including coiled flagella, absent central microtubules, and irregular peripheral doublets. In addition, the length of sperm flagella was shorter in patients than in controls of in in. In vitro, ciliogenesis was impaired in Pkd1-depleted mouse kidney tubule cells. The absence of PC1 resulted in a reduction of MST1 and LATS1, leading to nuclear accumulation of YAP/TAZ and consequently increased transcription of Aurka. which might promote HDAC6-mediated ciliary disassembly.ConclusionOur results suggest the dysregulated Hippo signaling significantly contributes to ciliary abnormalities in and may be associated with flagellar defects in spermatozoa from ADPKD patients.

Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that apoptosis is key to the pathogenesis of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI), and that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated apoptosis contributes to SCIRI. Importantly, strong evidence has shown that xenon (Xe) has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated whether Xe postconditioning had beneficial effects on SCIRI by inhibiting ER stress-associated neuronal apoptosis. A spinal cord I/R rat model was induced by abdominal artery occlusion for 85 min and reperfusion. Subsequently, Xe postconditioning (50% Xe) was administered 1 h after 1 h of reperfusion. We showed that after SCIRI, rats displayed obvious serious spinal cord damage after reperfusion for 4 h, morphological changes, and neuronal damage associated with ER stress-induced apoptosis. However, spinal cord damage above was attenuated in response to Xe treatment. Furthermore, administration of the ER stress inhibitor sodium 4-phenylbutyrate strongly decreased ER stress-induced apoptosis following SCIRI. This study highlights that Xe postconditioning inhibits ER stress activation, which contributes to alleviate SCIRI by suppressing neuronal apoptosis.

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of using Nokyonggunbi-tang and other Korean medical treatments for a patient with consumptive disease and chronic fatigue.Methods: A 59-year-old female patient with fatigue, headache, dizziness, and neck pain due to consumptive disease and chronic fatigue was treated with herbal medicine (Nokyonggunbi-tang), together with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and chuna manual therapy, for 22 days. The treatment effects on the pain were evaluated using the scores for the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5d) Scale, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).Results: Following treatment, the patient showed a decrease in the FSS, NDI, and NRS scores and an improvement in the EQ-5d score.Conclusions: Nokyonggunbi-tang and Korean medical treatment significantly improved fatigue symptoms in a patient with no substrate disease.

Transmembrane protein 166 (TMEM166) is a lysosomal/endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein found in different species where it functions as a regulator of programmed cell death through autophagy and apoptosis. It is expressed in a variety of normal tissues and organs, and it is involved in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes, including cancers, infection, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies indicated that TMEM166 is associated with autophagosomal membrane development. TMEM166 can cause lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) leading to the release of proteolytic enzymes, e.g., cathepsins, that may cause potential mitochondrial membrane damage, which triggers several autophagic and apoptotic events. A low level of TMEM166 expression is also found in tumors, while high level of TMEM166 is found in brain ischemia. In addition, loss of TMEM166 leads to impaired NSC self-renewal and differentiation along with a decrease in autophagy. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the pathways involved in the role of TMEM166 in programmed cell death and treatment of various diseases.

This study aims to provide clinical evidence for the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines in treating patients with nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery.

Chronic pain often leads to cognitive impairment. Resveratrol (Res), a natural polyphenol existing in Polygonum cuspidatum, has been widely investigated for its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Our aim was to explore the ameliorating effects of resveratrol on pain-related behaviors and learning and memory deficits induced by cobra venom-induced trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The TN model of rats was established by injecting cobra venom solution beneath the epineurium of the infraorbital nerve. Resveratrol was intragastrically administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg twice daily beginning on postoperative day 15. CREB inhibitor 666-15 was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg from POD 35-42 after morning resveratrol treatment. Mechanical allodynia was measured via von Frey filaments. Rat free movement was videotaped and analyzed. Spatial learning and memory were evaluated via the Morris water maze test. Ultrastructures of the hippocampal DG region and infraorbital nerve were observed by transmission electron microscopy. We found that resveratrol alleviated TN-induced allodynia, ameliorated learning and memory deficits, restored the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons and synapses, repaired the damaged myelin sheath of the infraorbital nerve, and activated the CREB/BDNF pathway in the hippocampus of TN rats. CREB inhibitor administration suppressed the resveratrol-rescued abnormal hippocampal ultrastructural changes and aggravated spatial learning and memory impairment by inhibiting CREB/BDNF pathway activation in the hippocampus. Our findings indicated that resveratrol alleviated pain and improved cognitive deficits, probably by regulating neural ultrastructure remodelling and the CREB/BDNF pathway.

Grasslands in Qilian Mountains plays an important role in maintaining the ecological security of western China. To understand soil physical and chemical properties and the distribution characteristics of vegetation, as well as their correlation in different types of grasslands in Qilian Mountains, we measured soil moisture, nutrient content, bulk density, particle composition, and vegetation characteristics in seven types of grassland in Qilian Mountains. The fractal dimension of soil particles, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus storages in 0-40 cm soil layer, and plant diversity index were calculated. The results showed that there were significant differences in soil physical and chemical properties and vegetation characteristics among different grassland types. Compared with other types of grassland, alpine meadow had higher soil water, nutrient and clay content, but lower bulk density and sand content. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus storages in 0-40 cm layer ranged from 3084 to 45247, 164 to 2358 and 100 to 319 g·m祁连山草地生态系统在维护我国西部生态安全方面起着举足轻重的作用。为了解祁连山不同类型草地土壤水分、养分等理化性质与植被分布特征,及土壤理化性质与植被特征的相关关系,于祁连山选取7种类型的草地,测定土壤水分含量、养分含量、容重、颗粒组成和植被特征,计算土壤颗粒的分形维数、0～40 cm土层土壤有机碳、全氮和全磷储量、植物多样性指数。结果表明: 祁连山不同类型草地的土壤理化性质与植被特征差异显著,高寒草甸相比于其他类型草地具有较高的土壤水分、养分和黏粒含量,及较低的容重和砂粒含量;0～40 cm土层土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷储量变化范围分别为3084～45247、164～2358、100～319 g·m

The incineration of municipal solid waste has been important in waste management, but it raises another environmental issue concerning residue treatment. This study describes an innovative use of naturally aged incineration bottom ash (AIBA) as an alternative substrate for horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands (CW). Although experimental results from a period lasting for 396 days only revealed slightly higher removal ratios in HSSF with AIBA (HSSF-E) than in HSSF-traditional pebble beds (HSSF-C), increasing from 67% to 76% for BOD, 44%-51% for TKN, 47%-54% for NH

Background Spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury following thoracoabdominal aneurysm surgery can lead to severe lower limb neurologic defect. The preliminary result of our study suggested that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) postconditioning effectively protected spinal cord from I/R injury on rabbits. But the mechanism is unknown. In this study, we further investigated the mechanism of SCS postconditioning. Method New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into sham, I/R, I/R + 2 Hz SCS, and I/R + 50 Hz SCS group (n = 24/group). Transient spinal cord ischemia was induced by infrarenal aortic balloon occlusion and performed on all rabbits except rabbits of sham group. Rabbits of I/R group received no further intervention. Rabbits of I/R + 2 Hz SCS and I/R + 50 Hz SCS group received 2 Hz or 50 Hz SCS for 30 min at the onset of reperfusion and then daily. The expression of Akt (serine-threonine kinase)/p-Akt, STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)/p-STAT3 and GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase)/p-GSK-3β of spinal cord were measured by Western blot analysis at 8 h, 1 day, 3 day, and 7 day of reperfusion. Result The Akt expressions of sham, I/R, I/R + 2 Hz SCS, and I/R + 50 Hz SCS group were not significantly different at all prescribed time points, while the p-Akt expression of I/R + 2 Hz SCS group was significantly higher than that of I/R group and sham group at all prescribed time points; The STAT3 and p-STAT3 expression of I/R, I/R + 2 Hz SCS, and I/R + 50 Hz SCS group were not significantly different at all prescribed time points except that at 1day of reperfusion the p-STAT3 expression of I/R + 50 Hz SCS group was significantly lower than I/R group. The GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β expressions of I/R, I/R + 2 Hz SCS and I/R + 50 Hz SCS group were not significantly different at all prescribed time points. Conclusion The neuroprotective effect of 2 Hz SCS postconditioning in spinal cord I/R injury is related to Akt activation but not regulation of STAT3 and GSK-3β phosphorylation.

Objectives Previous studies have shown that kidney transplant recipients with a high body mass index (BMI) have inferior graft and patient outcomes compared to patients with a lower BMI. We hypothesized that there would be secular improvements in outcomes among high BMI recipients. We used data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to determine whether obesity affects patient and graft outcomes following kidney transplantation in the modern immunosuppressive era. Methods The study sample consisted of 69,749 recipients from 1987 to 1999 and 197,986 recipients from 2000 to 2016. BMI values were categorized into 11 tiers: below 18 kg/m2, from 18 to 36 kg/m2 at 2 kg/m2-unit increments, and above 36 kg/m2. We created multivariate models to evaluate the independent effect of BMI on graft and patient outcomes, adjusting for factors known to affect graft success and patient survival. Results Overall graft and patient survival has improved for all BMI categories. Cox regression modeling hazard ratios showed that the relative risk for graft loss, patient death, and patient death with a functioning graft in the modern immunosuppressive era (2000 to 2016) has significantly decreased compared to the earlier era (1987 to 1999), especially for living kidney transplant recipients. Conclusions The relative risk of graft failure and patient death with increasing BMI has appreciably decreased in the modern immunosuppressive era, especially for living donor transplant recipients. Withholding transplantation from patients with higher BMIs may no longer be justifiable on grounds of worse clinical outcomes.

Background: There are known disparities in cancer-related clinical trial participation within the oncology community, including disparities by race/ethnicity, age at cancer diagnosis, education, and obesity status. Our study examines the associations between these factors and cancer clinical trial participation among a diverse population of female cancer survivors living in Maryland- a racially and socioeconomically diverse state that is a significant resource to research cancer health disparities. Methods: The Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing telephone-based disease surveillance program that collects data on lifestyle factors, health status, and healthcare access. The Maryland BRFSS takes a sample of ~15,000 non-institutionalized Maryland residents (≥18 years) per year and includes state-specific modules, including a cancer survivorship module to elicit responses among respondents who indicated they had a past or current cancer diagnosis. This study restricted data to female cancer survivors who participated in the Maryland BRFSS in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Maryland BRFSS respondents who reported having more than one type of cancer, did not report the type of cancer diagnosed, or had skin cancer except for melanoma were not eligible for the study. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine the associations between risk factors (race/ethnicity, education, age at diagnosis, obesity, and cancer type) and odds of clinical trial participation, determined by the yes/no response to the question, “Did you participate in a clinical trial as a part of your cancer treatment?” Results: A total of 1,633 female cancer survivors were included in the analysis (1,353 non-Hispanic White (NHW); 280 non-Hispanic Black (NHB)). The average age at cancer diagnosis among the respondents was 55 years (SD=16 years), with breast cancer as the most common cancer diagnosis (41.1%). A total of 489 women reported being obese. Only 5.8% of the respondents reported participating in a clinical trial for their cancer treatment; this response differed by race/ethnicity (5.1% of NHW vs 8.9% of NHB; χ2 p= 0.01). NHB women were 2.57 times more likely to participate in a clinical trial (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.19, 5.53) compared to NHW women. Women with breast cancer were 3.19 times more likely (95% CI: 1.55, 6.56) to participate compared to women with other cancer types. Lastly, women who reported obesity at survey were less likely (adjusted odds ratio: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.88) to participate compared to non-obese women. Associations between age at cancer diagnosis (≥50 years vs Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that among Maryland female residents with a history of cancer, NHB women were more likely to participate in clinical trials for their cancer treatment, compared with NHW women. We also found significant associations with cancer type, obesity, and odds of clinical trial participation. Our study findings should be interpreted with consideration of the study limitations, including not having the ability to ascertain the respondents’ eligibility and/or their invitation to participate in clinical trials during their cancer treatment. Citation Format: Avonne E. Connor, Kate E. Dibble, Mu Jin. Factors associated with clinical trial participation among female cancer survivors in Maryland [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr LB139.

Additional file 1. Table S1. Percentage distribution of test band intensity score against wild-type Pf in 200 parasites/��l (%). Table S2. Percentage distribution of test band intensity score against wild-type Pv in 200 parasites/��l (%).

This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of and satisfaction with integrative Korean medicine treatment and motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT) in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). We retrospectively analyzed medical charts and prospectively surveyed adult patients aged between 19 and 64 years treated for lumbar disc herniation for at least 6 days at three Korean hospitals from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020. The primary outcome was the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for back pain. Secondary outcome measures included the NRS for radiating leg pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. The NRS scores for low back pain decreased from 5.40 ± 1.58 to 2.92 ± 2.09, NRS for radiating leg pain from 5.57 ± 1.56 to 1.78 ± 2.36, and ODI from 46.39 ± 16.72 to 16.47 ± 15.61 at baseline and survey, respectively. The EQ-5D-5L increased from 0.57 ± 0.19 to 0.82 ± 0.14. In conclusion, Korean medicine and MSAT could be effective treatment methods for patients with LDH. The results of this study can be used as helpful information for clinicians who treat patients with LDH in real clinical settings.

In this research, we adopted the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method to evaluate the research efficiency of the colleges in University C from 2015 to 2017. We created an evaluation model to measure the research efficiency of the various colleges and analyzed the empirical data to formulate constructive improvement recommendations and calculate improvement targets for the inefficient units. We also highlighted the benchmark units to serve as a model for the other units. Findings showed that the overall research efficiency of University C has been improving year by year. Moreover, the substantiated colleges outperformed the unsubstantiated colleges in terms of research efficiency.

Action potential-induced vesicular exocytosis is considered exclusively Ca2+ dependent in Katz’s Ca2+ hypothesis on synaptic transmission. This long-standing concept gets an exception following the discovery of Ca2+-independent but voltage-dependent secretion (CiVDS) and its molecular mechanisms in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. However, whether CiVDS presents only in sensory cells remains elusive. Here, by combining multiple independent recordings, we report that [1] CiVDS robustly presents in the sympathetic nervous system, including sympathetic superior cervical ganglion neurons and slice adrenal chromaffin cells, [2] uses voltage sensors of Ca2+ channels (N-type and novel L-type), and [3] contributes to catecholamine release in both homeostatic and fight-or-flight like states; [4] CiVDS-mediated catecholamine release is faster than that of Ca2+-dependent secretion at the quantal level and [5] increases Ca2+ currents and contractility of cardiac myocytes. Together, CiVDS presents in the sympathetic nervous system with potential physiological functions, including cardiac muscle contractility.

Alismatis rhizoma (AR), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, is a well-known, traditional medicine that is used for the various biological activities including as a diuretic, to lower cholesterol and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential toxicity of the Alismatis rhizoma aqueous extract (ARAE) following 90-day repeated oral administration to Sprague-Dawley rats. ARAE was administered orally to male and female rats for 90 days at 0 (control), 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day (n = 10 for male and female rats for each dose). Additional recovery groups from the control group and high dose group were observed for a 28-day recovery period. Chromatograms of ARAE detected main compounds with four peaks. Treatment-related effects including an increase in the red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, total protein, and urine volume were observed in males of the 2,000 mg/kg/day group (p < 0.05). However, the diuretic effect of ARAE was considered, a major cause of hematological and serum biochemical changes. The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of the ARAE was > 2,000 mg/kg/day in both genders, and no target organs were identified.

Sacubitril/valsartan has been approved for the treatment of heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction; since then, it gradually became a new star drug in the therapy of HF. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan remains under investigation. Thus far, only a few bibliometric studies have systematically analyzed the application of sacubitril/valsartan.Publications on sacubitril/valsartan were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on April 29, 2021. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019 (Redmond, WA), VOS viewer (Redmond, WA), and Cite Space V (Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA).A total of 1309 publications on sacubitril/valsartan published from 1995 to 2021 were retrieved. The number of publications regarding sacubitril/valsartan increased sharply in the last 6 years (2015-2021), and American scholars authored40% of those publications. Most were published in the European Journal of Heart Failure, the United States was the bellwether with a solid academic reputation in this area. Solomon published the highest number of related articles and was the most frequently cited author. "Heart failure" was the leading research hotspot. The keywords, "inflammation," "fibrosis," and "oxidative stress" appeared most recently as research fronts.Research attention should be focused on clinical trial outcomes. Considering its effectiveness in HF, the mechanisms and further applications of sacubitril/valsartan may become research hotspots in the future and should be closely examined.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is amid an ongoing pandemic. It has been shown that patients with cardiovascular comorbidities are at higher risk of severe illness of COVID-19. AIM To find out the relationship between cardiovascular comorbidities and severe illness of COVID-19. METHODS The clinical data of 140 COVID-19 patients treated from January 22, 2020 to March 3, 2020 at our hospital were retrospectively collected. The clinical characteristics were compared between patients with mild illness and those with severe illness. RESULTS There were 75 male patients and 65 female patients (53.6% vs 46.4%). The mean age was 45.4 ± 14.6 years (range, 2-85 years). Most of the patients had mild illness (n = 114, 81.4%) and 26 patients had severe illness (18.6%). The most common symptom was fever (n = 110, 78.6%), followed by cough (n = 82, 58.6%) and expectoration (n = 51, 36.4%). Eight patients were asymptomatic but were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA. Patients with severe illness were significantly more likely to be hypertensive than those with mild illness [(10/26, 38.4%) vs (22/114, 19.3%), P = 0.036]. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase were significantly higher in the severe illness group than in the mild illness group (299.35 ± 68.82 vs 202.94 ± 63.87, P < 0.001). No patient died in either the severe illness or the mild illness group. CONCLUSION Hypertension and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase may be associated with severe illness of COVID-19.

BackgroundAlport syndrome, a monogenic kidney disease, is characterized by progressive hemorrhagic nephritis, sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular abnormalities. Mutations in COL4A5 at Xq22 accounts for 80–85% of X-linked Alport syndrome patients. Three couples were referred to our reproductive genetics clinic for prenatal or preconception counseling.MethodsPrenatal diagnoses were performed by amplifying targeted regions of COL4A5. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based haplotype analysis or karyomapping was performed in two patients. Pregnancy outcomes in the three patients were collected and analyzed. Published Alport syndrome cases were searched in Pubmed and Embase.ResultsPrenatal diagnoses in two cases showed one fetus harbored the same pathogenic mutation as the proband and the other was healthy. The couple with an affected fetus and the patient with a family history of Alport syndrome chose to take the preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) procedure. One unaffected embryo was transferred to the uterus, and a singleton pregnancy was achieved, respectively. Two patients presented non-nephrotic range proteinuria (ConclusionThe PGT procedure performed in this study was proven to be practicable and might be expanded to be applied in other monogenic diseases. Moderate or severe renal impairments in Alport syndrome were strongly associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, and baseline proteinuria was a potential predictor for pregnancy outcomes of Alport syndrome as other kidney diseases.

BACKGROUND: This is the first study to evaluate changes in postpartum pulmonary circulation in a novel pregnant rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). METHODS: Female rats were randomly divided into two groups: the MCT-treated pregnant group, in which rats were injected with MCT (40 mg/kg) at the age of 7 weeks, and the pregnant group, in which rats were injected with the same volume of 0.9% saline at the same age. Rats from both groups were mated at the age of 9 weeks. General condition information, hemodynamic data and pulmonary tissues were collected from pregnant rats from the two groups on the 18th day after successful mating (T1) and the 1st (T2), 3rd (T3), and 7th days after delivery (T4). RESULTS: The MCT-treated pregnant group exhibited a greater mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant rats with PAH exhibited increased mPAP after delivery accompanied by a significant increase in the occluded pulmonary artery density, which may have contributed to the increased mortality rate of pregnant rats with PAH after delivery.

Objective The goal of this study was to analyze perioperative risk factors to predict one- year mortality after operation for acute type A aortic dissection (AAD). Methods A total of 121 consecutive patients undergoing Stanford type A AAD surgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled. Preoperative clinical and laboratory data from patients were collected. Results Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that significant factors associated with increased one-year mortality were elder age (year) (hazard ratio (HR) 1.0985; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0334–1.1677), intraoperative blood transfusion ≥2000 mL (HR 8.8081; 95% CI 2.3319–33.2709), a higher level of serum creatinine (μmol/L) at postoperative one day (HR 1.0122; 95% CI 1.0035–1.0190) and oxygenation index (OI) Conclusion In this study, perioperative risk factors to predict one-year prognosis are age, intraoperative blood transfusion ≥2000 mL, postoperative OI

Background Perioperative coagulopathy and blood transfusion are common in patients undergoing Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) repair. The autologous platelet-rich plasmapheresis (aPRP) technique is a blood conservation approach to reduce blood transfusions and morbidity in patients at high risk of bleeding. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of aPRP on outcomes, especially in postoperative acute kidney injury (post-AKI), in patients undergoing AAD surgery. Methods Six hundred sixty patients were divided into aPRP and non-aPRP groups according to aPRP use. The primary endpoint was the difference in the incidence of post-AKI between two groups. The secondary endpoints were risk factors for post-AKI and to assess clinical outcomes. The risk factors associated with post-AKI were calculated, and all outcomes were adjusted by propensity-score matching analysis. Results A total of 272 patients (41.2%) received aPRP, whereas 388 were in the non-aPRP group. Compared to non-aPRP group, the occurrence of post-AKI increased by 14.1% (p = 0.002) and 11.1% (p = 0.010) with and without propensity adjustment in the aPRP group, respectively. The aPRP group required fewer intraoperative transfusions (p p Conclusions The use of aPRP significantly reduced intraoperative blood transfusions and decreased postoperative mortality-adjusted mechanical ventilation. However, aPRP use was independently associated with an increased hazard of post-AKI after adjusting for confounding factors.

The dry rhizome of Acorus gramineus Solander, known as Acori Graminei Rhizoma, is used to treat dementia, stroke, eczema, and indigestion in traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Korean medicine, and traditional Japanese Kampo medicine. Previous studies have reported that Acori Graminei Rhizoma extract ameliorated cognitive impairment in Aβ1-42 injected mice. However, the effect of Acori Graminei Rhizoma on type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) has not been elucidated. Thus, we evaluated the water extract of Acori Graminei Rhizoma (WAG) in CIA mice models. Male DBA/1 mice were separated into five groups (NOR; n=10, CON; n=10, CIA + methotrexate (MTX); n=10, CIA + 100 mg/kg WAG; n=10, CIA + 500 mg/kg WAG; n=10). CIA was induced by injecting the mice with bovine type II collagen, after which the mice were treated with WAG and/or MTX. Hematological parameters and liver and kidney serum toxicity markers were analyzed. Further, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α, and type II collagen IgG were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Treatment with 500 mg/kg WAG decreased serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and collagen IgG in a CIA model. Moreover, WAG treatment decreased CIA-induced swelling of mouse hind legs, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the synovial membrane, and blood neutrophil levels. WAG administration did not influence hematological parameters or kidneys and liver toxicity markers. WAG may be used to treat arthritis by reducing the inflammation indicators. However, further experiments are required to determine how WAG affects inflammation mechanisms in vitro and in vivo.

Check dams affect regional hydrological cycles and ecological environments. We conducted a field monitoring experiment in the Liudaogou Catchment on the Loess Plateau in China to determine the spatiotemporal response of shallow groundwater recharge and base flow by precipitation in check dams of this loessial hilly and gully region. The amount and seasonal distribution of precipitation directly affected the changes in shallow groundwater and base flow. The shallow groundwater was recharged by in situ vertical infiltration and lateral underground movement. Precipitation >30.0 mm d−1 recharged the shallow groundwater by piston flow when the water table in the check dam was 4.0 m) to the middle and tail (

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative hypoxemia (HO) is a serious complication occurring in acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 505 patients who underwent Stanford type A acute aortic dissection surgery in Anzhen hospital, Beijing, China, between January 2015 to February 2018. Patients were divided into a HO(+) group (PaO(2)/FiO(2) ≤300) and a HO(−) group (PaO(2)/FiO(2) >300) according to preoperative arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. The incidence of preoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing surgery for AAD was calculated as the main outcome. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors of HO. RESULTS: Preoperative HO occurred in 46.5% (235/505) of patients. Mean patient age was 47.8±9.6 years, and 189 (80.4%) were male. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a correlation between preoperative serum level of fibrinogen [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.95–0.99], white blood cell count (WBC) (95% CI, 1.07–1.18), systolic blood pressure (95% CI, 0.98–1.00), history of smoking (95% CI, 1.05–2.11) and pleural effusion (95% CI, 1.14–2.71) with preoperative HO. The HO(+) group had a significantly higher mortality than the HO(−) group (8.1% vs. 5.9%, P=0.38). The median of intubation time (P

A deeper understanding of the hydrological response to subsequent rains would be useful in the prediction of runoff production for planning vegetation restoration and assessing flood risks. We used subsequent rains to study the role of rain intensity and antecedent soil moisture content (ASMC) on runoff and erosion for coarse soil of the semiarid Loess Plateau in China. The study used a rain simulator in a field planted with alfalfa (Medicago sativa), which is widely grown for animal feed to develop livestock operations, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil fertility/quality. A slope of 18% was selected because most of the land with slopes

Anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin are effectively used more than radiotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug, used for treatment of various forms of cancer. However, it has side effects such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity increases tubular damage and renal dysfunction. Consequently, we investigated the beneficial effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury using HK-2 cell (human proximal tubule cell line) and an animal model. Results indicated that 10 µM cynaroside diminished cisplatin-induced apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase-3 activation, cisplatin-induced upregulation of caspase-3/MST-1 pathway decreased by treatment of cynaroside in HK-2 cells. To confirm the effect of cynaroside on cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vivo, we used cisplatin exposure animal model (20 mg/kg, balb/c mice, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Renal dysfunction, tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin injection were decreased by cynaroside (10 mg/kg, i.p., once a day for 3 days). Results indicated that cynaroside decreased cisplatin-induced kidney injury in vitro and in vivo, and it could be used for improving cisplatin-induced side effects. However, further experiments are required regarding toxicity by high dose cynaroside and caspase-3/ MST-1-linked signal transduction in the animal model.