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BACKGROUND: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is one of the most common diseases in neonatal intensive care units, with an incidence rate of about 7% among infants. Additionally, it is a leading cause of neonatal death in hospitals in China. The main mechanism of the disease is hypoxemia and hypercapnia caused by lack of surfactant. AIM: To explore the effect of pulmonary surfactant (PS) combined with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on keratin-14 (KRT-14) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in peripheral blood and the effectiveness in treating NRDS. METHODS: Altogether 137 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome treated in our hospital from April 2019 to July 2021 were included. Of these, 64 control cases were treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and 73 observation cases were treated with PS combined with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. The expression of KRT-14 and ET-1 in the two groups was compared. The deaths, complications, and PaO2, PaCO2, and PaO2/FiO2 blood gas indexes in the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of KRT-14 and ET-1 in the treatment of NRDS. RESULTS: The observation group had a significantly higher effectiveness rate than the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of neonatal mortality and adverse reactions, such as bronchial dysplasia, cyanosis, and shortness of breath. After treatment, the levels of PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 in both groups were significantly higher than before treatment, while the level of PaCO2 was significantly lower. After treatment, the observation group had significantly higher levels of PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 than the control group, while PaCO2 was notably lower in the observation group. After treatment, the KRT-14 and ET-1 levels in both groups were significantly decreased compared with the pre-treatment levels. The observation group had a reduction of KRT-14 and ET-1 levels than the control group. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of KRT-14 was 0.791, and the AUC of ET-1 was 0.816. CONCLUSION: Combining PS with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation significantly improved the effectiveness of NRDS therapy. KRT-14 and ET-1 levels may have potential as therapeutic and diagnostic indicators.
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BACKGROUND: Rickettsia and related diseases have been identified as significant global public health threats. This study involved comprehensive field and systematic investigations of various rickettsial organisms in Yunnan Province. METHODS: Between May 18, 2011 and November 23, 2020, field investigations were conducted across 42 counties in Yunnan Province, China, encompassing small mammals, livestock, and ticks. Preliminary screenings for Rickettsiales involved amplifying the 16S rRNA genes, along with additional genus- or species-specific genes, which were subsequently confirmed through sequencing results. Sequence comparisons were carried out using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the default parameters in the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) program. The chi-squared test was used to assess the diversities and component ratios of rickettsial agents across various parameters. RESULTS: A total of 7964 samples were collected from small mammals, livestock, and ticks through Yunnan Province and submitted for screening for rickettsial organisms. Sixteen rickettsial species from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, and Wolbachia were detected, with an overall prevalence of 14.72%. Among these, 11 species were identified as pathogens or potential pathogens to humans and livestock. Specifically, 10 rickettsial organisms were widely found in 42.11% (24 out of 57) of small mammal species. High prevalence was observed in Dremomys samples at 5.60%, in samples from regions with latitudes above 4000 m or alpine meadows, and in those obtained from Yuanmou County. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis were broadly infecting multiple genera of animal hosts. In contrast, the small mammal genera Neodon, Dremomys, Ochotona, Anourosorex, and Mus were carrying individually specific rickettsial agents, indicating host tropism. There were 13 rickettsial species detected in 57.14% (8 out of 14) of tick species, with the highest prevalence (37.07%) observed in the genus Rhipicephalus. Eight rickettsial species were identified in 2375 livestock samples. Notably, six new Rickettsiales variants/strains were discovered, and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii was unambiguously identified. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale survey provided further insight into the high genetic diversity and overall prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales within endemic hotspots in Yunnan Province. The potential threats posed by these emerging tick-borne Rickettsiales to public health warrant attention, underscoring the need for effective strategies to guide the prevention and control of emerging zoonotic diseases in China.
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Genetic Variation , Phylogeny , Rickettsiales , Ticks , China/epidemiology , Animals , Prevalence , Rickettsiales/genetics , Rickettsiales/isolation & purification , Rickettsiales/classification , Ticks/microbiology , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis , Livestock/microbiology , Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology , Rickettsia Infections/microbiology , Rickettsia Infections/veterinary , Rickettsia/isolation & purification , Rickettsia/genetics , Rickettsia/classification , Mammals/microbiology , HumansABSTRACT
The escalating problem of water pollution has become an urgent concern, as it significantly undermines people's quality of life and overall public health. The increasing severity of water pollution represents a global challenge, with profound implications for human society. In this study, hydrothermal carbonization coupled with alkaline activation was utilized to repurpose barley straw into activated carbon (AC) as an absorbent. Silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) was synthesized as a potent photocatalyst. Subsequent ultrasound-assisted loading integrated the robust adsorptive capabilities of the AC with the advanced photocatalytic efficiency of silver phosphate, resulting in a superior composite material (AC/Ag3PO4) and implementing a novel "absorption-photocatalysis" active circular degradation strategy to remove hazardous organics in water. Comprehensive characterization assays confirmed the successful synthesis and incorporation of Ag3PO4 onto the AC scaffold. The composite with a Ag3PO4 concentration of 3 wt % exhibited a high methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency of 99.4% within 100 min. The reaction rate of this composite surpassed that of standalone AC by a factor of 2.89. Furthermore, cyclic regeneration studies via adsorption-desorption methodologies revealed the composite's resilience and sustained performance. The MB removal efficiency was maintained at 85.5% over five consecutive cycles, demonstrating the composite's remarkable stability. The integration of adsorptive and photocatalytic functionalities within a single system mitigates potential secondary pollution arising during the AC's desorption phase and enhances the organic contaminant removal efficiency. Moreover, the utilization of this integrated material reduces the quantity of chemicals and energy required for conventional adsorption water treatment techniques, as the material harnesses sunlight or alternative light sources to catalyze contaminant decomposition. This reduces the dependence on chemical treatment agents, contributing to resource conservation and alleviating environmental burdens. This pioneering approach offers a novel paradigm for addressing pollutant challenges in aqueous environments.
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INTRODUCTION: Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is often discovered in the ophthalmology department, manifested as ptosis with the same side, eyeball in the fixed external booth, or accompanied by limited inward, upward, and downward movements. The present case report described the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on a breast cancer patient with ONP after chemotherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 56-year-old breast cancer patient presented with severe ptosis and fixed right eye exotropia. Besides, it is challenging to perform the movement inward, upward, and downward, and with obvious diplopia. DIAGNOSES: The breast cancer patient was diagnosed with ONP, chemotherapy history. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was introduced to acupuncture department to receiving EA treatment. OUTCOMES: After 12 times of EA treatments, the symptom of ptosis was significantly improved, and the right upper eyelid can lift autonomously as same as the left eye. Besides, the patient's right lateral eye could move freely, and the symptoms of double vision disappeared. CONCLUSION: The case suggests that EA may be an effective alternative treatment for ONP.
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Blepharoptosis , Breast Neoplasms , Electroacupuncture , Oculomotor Nerve Diseases , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Electroacupuncture/methods , Oculomotor Nerve Diseases/therapy , Oculomotor Nerve Diseases/etiology , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Blepharoptosis/etiology , Blepharoptosis/chemically induced , Blepharoptosis/therapy , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Background: Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete species transmitted via hard ticks. Following its discovery in Japan, this pathogen has been detected around the world, and is increasingly confirmed as a human pathogen causing febrile disease, namely relapsing fever. Its presence has been confirmed in the Northeast China. However, there is little information regarding the presence of B. miyamotoi and other hard-tick-borne relapsing fever spirochetes in southern China including Yunnan province, where tick and animal species are abundant and many people both inhabit and visit for recreation. Methods: For the present study, we collected samples of ticks, wildlife, and domestic animal hosts from different counties in Yunnan province. Nucleic acids from samples were extracted, and the presence of B. miyamotoi and other relapsing fever spirochetes was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the 16S rRNA specific target gene fragment. The positive samples were then amplified for partial genome of the flaB and glpQ genes. Statistical differences in its distribution were analyzed by SPSS 20 software. Sequence of partial 16S rRNA, flaB and glpQ genome were analyzed and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Results: A total of 8260 samples including 2304 ticks, 4120 small mammals and 1836 blood of domestic animal hosts were collected for screening for infection of B. miyamotoi and other relapsing fever spirochetes. Cattle and sheep act as the main hosts and Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis nepalensis, H. kolonini and Ixodes ovatus were identified as the important vector host with high prevalence or wide distribution. Only one Mus caroli (mouse) and one Sorex alpinus (shrew) were confirmed positive for relapsing fever spirochetes. Evidence of vertical transmission in ticks was also confirmed. Two known strains of B. miyamotoi and one novel relapsing fever spirochetes, B. theileri-like agent, were confirmed and described with their host adaptation, mutation, and potential risk of spreading and spillover for human beings. Conclusions: Our results provide new evidence of relapsing fever spirochetes in vector and animal hosts in Yunnan province based on large sample sizes, and offer guidance on further investigation, surveillance and monitoring of this pathogen.
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The discharge of organic pollutants by the textile and dyeing industries presents an escalating threat to aquatic environments, necessitating the development of effective remediation strategies. This study introduces the utilization of graphite-like structured activated carbon (AC), derived from highland barley straw-a biomass unique to the Plateau regions of China, including Tibet, Qinghai, and Gansu-as a support material for the TiO2 catalyst. TiO2/AC composites with different TiO2 loadings were synthesized by ultrasonic impregnation. The TiO2/AC composites were found to be polycrystalline materials composed of anatase and rutile phases. The TiO2 nanoparticles are well-dispersed over the surface of the AC. The photocatalytic activity of these composites was evaluated through their capacity to degrade a methylene blue (MB) solution upon irradiation. It was observed that the inclusion of TiO2 increases the number of adsorption sites and active sites for methylene blue, with the photocatalytic activity being notably higher at a 3-wt% TiO2 loading, achieving a remarkable 99.6 % degradation efficiency for 100 mg/L MB within 100 min. The experimental kinetic data for the photocatalytic process follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Furthermore, TiO2/AC retains high photocatalytic activity after five reaction cycles. This research provides valuable insights into the application of biomass-derived materials for the purification of water, offering a sustainable solution to both pollution and agricultural waste challenges in Plateau areas of China.
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Two-dimensional (2D) gallium selenide (GaSe) holds great promise for pioneering advancements in photodetection due to its exceptional electronic and optoelectronic properties. However, in conventional photodetectors, 2D GaSe only functions as a photosensitive layer, failing to fully exploit its inherent photosensitive potential. Herein, we propose an ultrasensitive photodetector based on out-of-plane 2D GaSe/MoSe2 heterostructure. Through interfacial engineering, 2D GaSe serves not only as the photosensitive layer but also as the photoconductive gain and passivation layer, introducing a photogating effect and extending the lifetime of photocarriers. Capitalizing on these features, the device exhibits exceptional photodetection performance, including a responsivity of 28â¯800 A/W, specific detectivity of 7.1 × 1014 Jones, light on/off ratio of 1.2 × 106, and rise/fall time of 112.4/426.8 µs. Moreover, high-resolution imaging under various wavelengths is successfully demonstrated using this device. Additionally, we showcase the generality of this device design by activating the photosensitive potential of 2D GaSe with other transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as WSe2, WS2, and MoS2. This work provides inspiration for future development in high-performance photodetectors, shining a spotlight on the potential of 2D GaSe and its heterostructure.
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Aniline compounds, as a class of widely used but highly toxic chemical raw materials, are increasingly being released and accumulated in the environment, posing serious threats to environmental safety and human health. Therefore, developing detection methods for aniline compounds is of particular significance. Herein, we synthesized the fluorescent third monomer cyano-stilbene epoxide M and ternary copolymerized it with carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene oxide (PO) to synthesize carbon dioxide-based polycarbonate (PPCM) with fluorescence recognition functions, as well as excellent performance, for the first time. The results revealed that the PPCM fluorescent probe exhibited typical aggregation-induced luminescence properties and could be quenched by aniline compounds. The probe presented anti-interference-specific selectivity for aniline compounds, and the detection limit was 1.69 × 10-4 M. Moreover, it was found to be a highly sensitive aniline detection probe. At the same time, the aniline biomarker p-aminophenol in urine could also be detected, which could expand the potential applications of polymers in the fluorescence-sensing field.
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INTRODUCTION: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of malignant tumor with high morbidity as well as mortality. The process of lung cancer may be driven by cancer stem cells. It was known that MFAP5 enhanced the occurrence of diverse types of cancer. Also, MFAP5 has the potential to induce the degradation of FBW7 which is a tumor suppressor. Lower levels of FBW7 enhance the stability of Sox9, which is the cancer stem cell-related protein. However, whether the MFAP5 can modulate the stem cell features of NSCLC cells by modulating the FBW7/Sox9 axis is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the role of MFAP5/FBW7/Sox9 axis on the stem cell features of NSCLC cells and develop a new treatment of this carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we explored the effects of MFAP5 on the stem cell features of NSCLC cells for the first time. We established MFAP5 overexpression and knockdown NSCLC cells. Clone formation assays and cell sphere culture assays were conducted for the exploration of the growth and stem cell features of these cells. Western blotting was applied for the detection of Sox9 and FBW7 expression in these cells. CHX was applied for the treatment of these cells for the detection of degradation of Sox9. Finally, we overexpressed the Sox9 in MFAP5 knockdown NSCLC cells. RESULTS: MFAP5 promoted the growth and stem cell features of these cells. Knockdown of MFAP5 induced higher levels of FBW7 while restricting the expression of Sox9. Knockdown of MFAP5 aggravated the degradation of Sox9. Overexpression of Sox9 abrogated the efficacy of MFAP5 inhibition on the growth as well as stem cell features of these cells. The results of this study clarified the role of MFAP5/FBW7/Sox9 axis on the development of non-small cell lung cancer cells, providing the potential therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of NSCLC. CONCLUSION: MFAP5 maintained the stem cell features of non-small cell lung cancer cells by modulating FBW7/Sox9 axis.
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PURPOSE: To compare the efficiency and safety between retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and traditional open nephrectomy to treat autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease before kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 57 patients diagnosed with huge autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease between 2000 and 2020 at our center were included in this study. Patients were divided into a retroperitoneal laparoscopic (RL; n=23) group and traditional open (TO; n = 34) group. We retrospectively analyzed and compared preoperative and perioperative variables between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the RL group showed a longer operation time (201.09±83.76min) compared to patients in the TO group (113.38 ± 51.84min, p < 0.001). The RL group also showed significantly less intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.025) and less intraoperative blood transfusion volume (p = 0.016) compared to the TO group. Meanwhile, time of gastrointestinal function recovery, bed leave, catheter indwelling and postoperative hospitalization in the RL group were 2.13 ± 0.63, 1.30 ± 1.0, 5.22 ± 2.09, 7.35±2.48 days, respectively, which were significantly shorter than the TO group (p < 0.05). Pain degree of patients during the first 48 hours after operation was similar between the RL and TO groups, but the opioid use percentage in the RL group was 8.70% (2/23) and was lower than the 26.47% (9/34) in the TO group (p = 0.022). Meanwhile, 5 and 23 patients exhibited postoperative complications in the RL and TO groups, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and traditional open surgery are feasible to treat huge polycystic nephrectomy. However, patients who undergo retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy experience higher levels of safety and recover more rapidly.
Subject(s)
Kidney Transplantation , Laparoscopy , Polycystic Kidney Diseases , Humans , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Polycystic Kidney Diseases/complications , Polycystic Kidney Diseases/surgery , Nephrectomy/adverse effects , Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Pancreatitis , Humans , Acute Disease , Pancreatitis/diagnosis , Pancreatitis/diagnostic imaging , Hand , Upper Extremity , Foot , Lower ExtremitySubject(s)
Hand , Mesenteric Artery, Superior , Humans , Foot , Upper Extremity , Abdomen , Lower ExtremityABSTRACT
Rodents and shrews are major reservoirs of various pathogens that are related to zoonotic infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate co-infections of zoonotic pathogens in rodents and shrews trapped in four provinces of China. We sampled different rodent and shrew communities within and around human settlements in four provinces of China and characterised several important zoonotic viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens by PCR methods and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 864 rodents and shrews belonging to 24 and 13 species from RODENTIA and EULIPOTYPHLA orders were captured, respectively. For viral pathogens, two species of hantavirus (Hantaan orthohantavirus and Caobang orthohantavirus) were identified in 3.47% of rodents and shrews. The overall prevalence of Bartonella spp., Anaplasmataceae, Babesia spp., Leptospira spp., Spotted fever group Rickettsiae, Borrelia spp., and Coxiella burnetii were 31.25%, 8.91%, 4.17%, 3.94%, 3.59%, 3.47%, and 0.58%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest co-infection status of three pathogens was observed among Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., and Anaplasmataceae with a co-infection rate of 0.46%. Our results suggested that species distribution and co-infections of zoonotic pathogens were prevalent in rodents and shrews, highlighting the necessity of active surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in wild mammals in wider regions.
Subject(s)
Bartonella , Coinfection , Leptospira , Animals , Bartonella/genetics , China/epidemiology , Phylogeny , Rodentia/microbiology , Shrews/microbiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Trigger finger is a common condition in the hand, and ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger has been widely used in recent years. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger. METHODS: We searched for relevant studies in the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Embase, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang Data, and other resources from their inception to January 2023. Randomized controlled trials of ultrasound-guided acupotomy for trigger finger were included. The meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 15.1. RESULTS: Overall, 15 studies with 988 patients were included. The experimental group was treated with ultrasound-guided acupotomy, and the Control group received traditional acupotomy, traditional operation or injection of medication. Meta-analysis showed that the overall clinical effectiveness (OR = 4.83; 95% CI 2.49-9.37; I2 = 73.1%; P < 0.001) in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group. And the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (WMD = - 1; 95% CI - 1.24, - 0.76; I2 = 99%; P < 0.001), the QuinneII classification (WMD = - 0.84; 95% CI - 1.28, - 0.39; I2 = 99.1%, P < 0.001), the incidence of complications (RR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.11, 0.63; I2 = 0%, P = 0.003), and the recurrence rate (RR = 0.14; 95% CI 0.03, 0.74; I2 = 0%; P = 0.021) were significantly lower in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review and meta-analysis can prove the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided acupotomy in the treatment of trigger finger, but this still needs to be verified by a clinical standard large sample test.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Therapy , Trigger Finger Disorder , Humans , Trigger Finger Disorder/diagnostic imaging , Trigger Finger Disorder/therapy , Ultrasonography, InterventionalABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Ultrashort wave diathermy (USWD) is commonly used in diseases associated with osteoarticular and soft tissue injuries. However, while accelerating wound healing and preventing joint stiffness, there have been few reports on whether it leads to excessive hypertrophic scarring. The aim was to investigate the effects of different doses of USWD on hypertrophic scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rabbit model of hypertrophic scars was used to determine which dose of USWD reduced scar hyperplasia. The scar thickness was calculated using Sirius red staining. All protein expression levels were determined by western blotting, including fibrosis, collagen deposition, and neoangiogenesis related proteins. Subsequently, flow cytometry and ELISAs were used to determine the proportions of macrophage and inflammatory levels. RESULTS: The wounds with USWD in histopathology showed the dermis was more markedly thickened in the 120 mA group, whereas the wounds with the 60 mA were less raised, comparing with the 0 mA; all detected protein levels were increased significantly, the 120 mA group comparing with the others, including heat shock, fibrosis, and neoangiogenesis, whereas the collagen deposition relative protein levels were decreased, the 60 mA group comparing with Sham group; Finally, in the proportion of macrophages and inflammatory levels the 120 mA group were the highest, and the group Sham was lower than group 60 mA. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertrophic scars, the 60 mA USWD could relieve scar formation and inflammatory reactions; however, higher doses could result in opposite consequences.
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Cicatrix, Hypertrophic , Soft Tissue Injuries , Animals , Rabbits , Cicatrix, Hypertrophic/metabolism , Ear/pathology , Collagen/metabolism , Wound Healing , Soft Tissue Injuries/pathologyABSTRACT
Ultra-precise reflectors in the advanced light source facilities urgently call for local slope error measurements with nano-radian precision. However, the existing methods currently utilized in the long trace profiler systems struggle to meet the requirements. In this paper, we present a weak-value amplification enhanced absolute local slope measurement scheme, in which the surface height difference between two adjacent points can be measured directly with precision on the pico-meter level. As a result, the absolute local slope measurement reaches a record precision level of 9.7 nrad (RMS) with a small lateral separation of 0.5 mm. Comparing to the existing methods, our scheme is more disturbance-resistant, more compact and cost-effective. The local curvature measuring capability is also validated with two synchronously parallel local slope measurement paths, between which the separation is set as 2mm. A local curvature measurement is obtained with precision of 3.4 × 10-6m-1 (RMS) and its corresponding slope variation is 6.8 nrad. Our method exhibits important application prospects in the field of ultra-precise surface fabrication inspection.
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Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common tumors in female reproductive organs with a five-year survival rate of less than 45%. Metastasis is a crucial contributor to OC development. ETS transcription factor (ELK3), as a transcriptional factor, have been involved in multiple tumor development. However, its role in OC remains elusive. In this study, we observed high expression of ELK3 and AEG1 in human OC tissues. OVCAR-3 and SKOV3 cells were treated with hypoxia to mimic tumor microenvironment in vivo. We found that the expression of ELK3 was significantly increased in cells under hypoxia compared with normoxia. ELK3 knockdown inhibited cell migration and invasion abilities under hypoxia. Moreover, ELK3 knockdown decreased ß-catenin expression and inhibited the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in SKOV3 cells under hypoxia. Astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG1) has been reported to promote OC progression. Our results showed that the mRNA level of AEG1 was decreased when ELK3 knockdown under hypoxia. Dural luciferase assay confirmed that ELK3 bound to gene AEG1 promoter (-2005-+15) and enhanced its transcriptional activity under hypoxia. Overexpression of AEG1 increased the migration and invasion abilities of SKOV3 cell with ELK3 knockdown. In the absence of ELK3, the activation of ß-catenin was recovered by AEG1 overexpression. To sum up, we conclude that ELK3 promotes AEG1 expression by binding to its promoter. ELK3 could promote migration and invasion of OC cells by targeting AEG1, which provides a potential basis for therapeutic approaches to OC.
Subject(s)
MicroRNAs , Ovarian Neoplasms , Female , Humans , Apoptosis , Astrocytes/pathology , beta Catenin/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Hypoxia , MicroRNAs/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
Renal fibrosis is a common pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with various etiologies, which seriously affects the structure and function of the kidney. Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and plays a critical role in regulating the genes related to xenobiotic and endobiotic metabolism in mammals. Previous studies show that PXR is expressed in the kidney and has protective effect against acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we investigated the role of PXR in CKD. Adenine diet-induced CKD (AD) model was established in wild-type and PXR humanized (hPXR) mice, respectively, which were treated with pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN, 50 mg/kg, twice a week for 4 weeks) or rifampicin (RIF, 10 mg·kg-1·d-1, for 4 weeks). We showed that both PCN and RIF, which activated mouse and human PXR, respectively, improved renal function and attenuated renal fibrosis in the two types of AD mice. In addition, PCN treatment also alleviated renal fibrosis in unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) mice. On the contrary, PXR gene deficiency exacerbated renal dysfunction and fibrosis in both adenine- and UUO-induced CKD mice. We found that PCN treatment suppressed the expression of the profibrotic Wnt7a and ß-catenin in AD mice and in cultured mouse renal tubular epithelial cells treated with TGFß1 in vitro. We demonstrated that PXR was colocalized and interacted with p53 in the nuclei of tubular epithelial cells. Overexpression of p53 increased the expression of Wnt7a, ß-catenin and its downstream gene fibronectin. We further revealed that p53 bound to the promoter of Wnt7a gene to increase its transcription and ß-catenin activation, leading to increased expression of the downstream profibrotic genes, which was inhibited by PXR. Taken together, PXR activation alleviates renal fibrosis in mice via interacting with p53 and inhibiting the Wnt7a/ß-catenin signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Pregnane X Receptor , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Wnt Signaling Pathway , Animals , Humans , Mice , beta Catenin/metabolism , Fibrosis , Mammals/metabolism , Pregnane X Receptor/metabolism , Receptors, Steroid/genetics , Receptors, Steroid/metabolism , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy , Signal Transduction , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism , Rifampin/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In China, the identification rate and treatment rate of mental disorders are low, and there are few surveys on the prevalence of mental disorders among college students using diagnostic tools such as Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), so the prevalence and treatment of mental disorders among college students are unclear. AIM: To estimate prevalence of mental disorders among medical students in Hebei Province, and provide guidance for improving their mental health. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on an Internet-based survey. Three levels of medical students in Hebei Province were randomly selected (by cluster sampling) for screening. Using the information network assessment system, the subjects scanned the 2D code with their mobile phones, clicked to sign the informed consent, and answered a scale. A self-designed general status questionnaire was used to collect information about age, gender, ethnicity, grade, and origin of students. The MINI 5.0. was used to investigate mental disorders. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Statistically significant findings were determined using a two-tailed P value of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 7117 subjects completed the survey between October 11 and November 7, 2021. The estimated prevalence of any mental disorders within 12 mo was 7.4%. Mood disorders were the most common category (4.3%), followed by anxiety disorders (3.9%); 15.0% had been to psychological counseling, while only 5.7% had been to a psychiatric consultation, and only 10% had received drug therapy in the past 12 mo. CONCLUSION: Although the estimated prevalence of mental disorders in medical students is lower than in the general population, the rate of adequate treatment is low. We determined that improving the mental health of medical students is an urgent matter.