Understanding health education needs of pregnant women in China during public health emergencies: a qualitative study amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Public health emergencies impose unique challenges on pregnant women, affecting their physiological, psychological, and social wellbeing. This study, focusing on the context of the corona virus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in China, aims to comprehensively explore the experiences of pregnant women amidst diverse public health crises. Herein, we investigate the health education needs of pregnant Chinese women in regard to public health emergencies to provide a scientific foundation for the development of targeted health education strategies. Objective: The study described in this article aims to explore the health education needs of pregnant Chinese women in the context of public health emergencies specifying the types of emergencies of pandemics and to provide a scientific basis for targeted health education interventions. Methods: Thirteen pregnant women were purposively selected, and the rationale for this sample size lies in the qualitative nature of the study, seeking in-depth insights rather than generalizability. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and the Colaizzi, which is a structured qualitative technique used to extract, interpret, and organize significant statements from participant descriptions into themes, providing a comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences. Results: The analysis yielded six prominent themes encompassing the following areas: I. Personal protection and vaccine safety; II. Knowledge of maternal health; III. Knowledge of fetal health; IV. Knowledge of childbirth; V. Knowledge of postpartum recovery; and VI. Knowledge sources of health education for pregnant women and their expectations of healthcare providers. Theme I was analyzed with two sub-themes (needs for personal protection knowledge, vaccine safety knowledge needs); Theme II was analyzed with three sub-themes (nutrition and diet, exercise and rest, sexual life); Theme III was analyzed with three sub-themes (medications and hazardous substances, pregnancy check-ups, and fetal movement monitoring); Theme IV was analyzed with three sub-themes (family accompaniment, analgesia in childbirth, and choice of mode of delivery); Theme V was analyzed with one sub-theme (knowledge of postnatal recovery); Theme VI was analyzed with one sub-theme (expectations of Healthcare providers). Sub-themes within each main theme were identified, offering a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by pregnant women during public health emergencies. The interrelation between sub-themes and main themes contributes to a holistic portrayal of their experiences. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to tailor health education for pregnant women during emergencies, highlighting the role of the Internet in improving information dissemination. It recommends actionable strategies for effective health communication, ensuring these women receive comprehensive support through digital platforms for better health outcomes during public health crises.

Press Needle: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Myopia Patients with Dry Eye.

Most patients with myopia have dry eye, which has been shown to adversely affect ocular symptoms, myopia progression, and quality of life in patients with myopia. Needle prickling has been shown to be effective in providing symptom relief in patients with myopia and dry eye. Press needle is a long-lasting, easy-to-operate, and inexpensive traditional Chinese medicine treatment. The standard practice of needle insertion is very important for the treatment of myopia and dry eye. The specific steps include selecting the appropriate acupoints, piercing them with appropriate needles, and fixing them in the skin or subcutaneously at the acupoints, burying them for 2 days, resting for 1 day; the course of treatment lasts for 2 weeks. Specifically, the following indicators were assessed: uncorrected visual acuity and the ocular surface disease index. This article will explain how to standardize the operation of a press needle in the treatment of myopia and dry eye.

Altered expression of transfer RNAs and their possible roles in brain white matter injury.

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) can regulate cell behavior and are associated with neurological disorders. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression levels of tRNAs in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and their possible roles in the regulation of brain white matter injury (WMI). Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats (postnatal day 5) were used to establish a model that mimicked neonatal brain WMI. RNA-array analysis was performed to examine the expression of tRNAs in OPCs. psRNAtarget software was used to predict target mRNAs of significantly altered tRNAs. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG were used to analyze the pathways for target mRNAs. Eighty-nine tRNAs were changed after WMI (fold change absolute ≥1.5, P  < 0.01), with 31 downregulated and 58 upregulated. Among them, three significantly changed tRNAs were identified, with two being significantly increased (chr10.trna1314-ProTGG and chr2.trna2771-ProAGG) and one significantly decreased (chr10.trna11264-GlyTCC). Further, target mRNA prediction and GO/KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the target mRNAs of these tRNAs are mainly involved in G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathways and beta-alanine metabolism, which are both related to myelin formation. In summary, the expression of tRNAs in OPCs was significantly altered after brain WMI, suggesting that tRNAs may play important roles in regulating WMI. This improves the knowledge about WMI pathophysiology and may provide novel treatment targets for WMI.

Observations on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Biomimetic Physiotherapy Combined with Manipulation Therapy in Managing Myofascial Pelvic Pain Syndrome in Women.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of biomimetic physiotherapy combined with manipulation therapy in the management of female myofascial pelvic pain syndrome (MPPS). Methods: A total of 120 patients diagnosed with MPPS at our hospital from June 2018 to June 2021 were included. All patients had a history of sexual activity, met the diagnostic criteria for female chronic pelvic pain, and exhibited pelvic floor muscle and myofascial trigger points in gynecological examinations. Based on treatment methods, patients were categorized into a control group (n=64, treated with biomimetic physiotherapy) and an experimental group (n=56, treated with biomimetic physiotherapy plus manipulation therapy). Pre- and post-treatment assessments in both groups included pelvic floor muscle surface electromyogram, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, pelvic floor muscle tenderness score, and pelvic floor muscle strength. Results: After treatment, the mean values of pre-resting potential and post-resting potential declined significantly, from (9.58±2.22) to (4.06±0.77) and from (8.18±1.78) to (3.56±0.61), respectively. In the control group, these values decreased from (9.61±2.77) to (3.15±0.58), and in the experimental group, they decreased from (8.16±1.78) to (2.79±0.59). The VAS score exhibited a noteworthy decrease from (6.18±1.00) to (3.15±0.56) in the control group and from (6.20±1.13) to (2.04±0.68) in the experimental group. The pelvic floor muscle tenderness score decreased from (8.14±0.86) to (3.78±0.77) in the control group and from (7.91±1.03) to (1.93±0.80) in the experimental group. Furthermore, the percentage of patients whose pelvic floor muscle strength increased from

Global burden of depression or depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is the leading cause of health-related disability. A proportion of depression cases begin in childhood and increase dramatically during adolescence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms in children and adolescents and explore the temporal and regional distribution of depression or depressive symptoms. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis identified peer-reviewed literature published through April 8, 2023, using the MEDLINE, Embase and APA PsycINFO databases, supplemented by reverse reference searches. Observational studies published in English and based on validated instruments with prevalence data on depression or depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged ≤18 years were eligible. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed using R software. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 96 studies (29 countries, 528,293 participants) published between 1989 and 2022. The pooled prevalence of mild-to-severe, moderate-to-severe, and major depression were 21.3 % (95%CI, 16.7 %-26.7 %), 18.9 % (95%CI, 14.6 %-24.2 %), and 3.7 % (95%CI, 2.7 %-5.1 %) respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed that from 1989 to 2022, the prevalence of mild-to-severe and moderate-to-severe depression increased over time (P = 0.002, P = 0.034, respectively), but the prevalence of major depression did not change significantly (P = 0.636). LIMITATIONS: Only English articles were included. There was significant heterogeneity across the included studies. The studies included were mostly based on self-report scales to assess depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this systematic review, about one in five children and adolescents globally suffered from depression or had depressive symptoms, and this proportion was increasing over time.

Methyltransferase-like 3 mediated RNA m6 A modifications in the reproductive system: Potentials for diagnosis and therapy.

Several studies have highlighted the functional indispensability of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) in the reproductive system. However, a review that comprehensively interprets these studies and elucidates their relationships is lacking. Therefore, the present work aimed to review studies that have investigated the functions of METTL3 in the reproductive system (including spermatogenesis, follicle development, gametogenesis, reproductive cancer, asthenozoospermia and assisted reproduction failure). This review suggests that METTL3 functions not only essential for normal development, but also detrimental in the occurrence of disorders. In addition, promising applications of METTL3 as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for reproductive disorders have been proposed. Collectively, this review provides comprehensive interpretations, novel insights, potential applications and future perspectives on the role of METTL3 in regulating the reproductive system, which may be a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians.

Diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of methyltransferase-like 3 in liver diseases.

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a component of the RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification with a specific catalytic capacity, controls gene expression by actively regulating RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, and translation, determines the fate of RNAs and assists in regulating biological processes. Studies conducted in recent decades have demonstrated the pivotal regulatory role of METTL3 in liver disorders, including hepatic lipid metabolism disorders, liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver cancer. Although METTL3's roles in these diseases have been extensively investigated, the regulatory network of METTL3 and its potential applications remain unexplored. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the roles and mechanisms of METTL3 implicated in these diseases, establish a regulatory network of METTL3, evaluate the potential for targeting METTL3 for diagnosis and treatment, and discuss avenues for future development and research. We found relatively upregulated expressions of METTL3 in these liver diseases, demonstrating its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Methyltransferase-like 3 modifications of RNAs: Implications for the pathology in the endocrine system.

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is the most well-known element of N6-methyladenosine modification on RNAs. METTL3 deposits a methyl group onto target RNAs to modify their expression, ultimately regulating various physiological and pathological events. Numerous studies have suggested the significant role of METTL3 in endocrine dysfunction and related disorders. However, reviews that summarize and interpret these studies are lacking. In this review, we systematically analyze such studies, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), T2DM-induced diseases, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid carcinoma. This review indicates that METTL3 contributes remarkably to the endocrine dysfunction and progression of obesity, T2DM, T2DM-induced diseases, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid carcinoma. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive interpretation of the mechanism via which METTL3 functions on RNAs and regulates various endocrine dysfunction events and suggest potential associated correlations. Our review, thus, provides a valuable reference for further fundamental studies and clinical applications.

Activation of toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling by triggering a receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 promotes alveolar macrophage M1 polarization and exacerbates septic acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Septic acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening condition commonly occurring in the intensive care unit. Inflammation is considered as the basic pathological response of septic ALI. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily receptors that regulates the inflammatory response. However, the role of TREM1 in septic ALI has not yet been reported. METHODS: Cell viability was tested using the MTT assay. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and flow cytometry were used for apoptosis. The level of protein was detected using western blot analysis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The lactate dehydrogenase content was assessed using the assay kit. Myeloperoxidase activity was determined using an assay. Histology of lung tissue was further analyzed through hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: We found that TREM1 knockdown by transfection with si-TREM1 inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell apoptosis of alveolar macrophage cell line MH-S. The LPS stimulation caused M1 polarization of MH-S cells, which could be reversed by TREM1 knockdown. In vivo assays proved that si-TREM1 injection improved lung injury and inflammation of cecal ligation and puncture-induced ALI in mice. In addition, TREM1 knockdown suppressed the activation of toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling, implying the involvement of TLR4 in the effects of TREM1 in response to LPS stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: This study examined the proinflammatory role of TREM1 in septic ALI and its regulatory effect on alveolar macrophage polarization. These results suggest that TREM1 could potentially serve as a therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of ALI.

Effect of rehabilitation therapy combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on cognitive dysfunction and activities of daily life in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of rehabilitation therapy combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NES) on cognitive dysfunction and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) of stroke patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 100 stroke patients treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from February 2019 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the therapeutic regimen, the patients given rehabilitation therapy combined with NES were assigned to a study group (n=52) and those given rehabilitation therapy alone were assigned to a control group (n=48). The treatment efficacy in the two groups was evaluated, and the levels of plasma cortisol (Cor) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurological function, motor function, balance ability, swallowing function, cognitive function, negative emotions, and quality of life (QoL) after therapy were evaluated. The maximum amplitude of surface electromyography (sEMG) and swallowing time were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The study group yielded significantly better efficacy than the control group (P<0.05). Before therapy, there were no significant differences between the two groups in Cor and NPY levels, neurological function, motor function, balance ability, swallowing function, cognitive function, sEMG, swallowing time or negative emotions (P>0.05). After therapy, the above all indices all greatly improved, with more notso in the study group. In addition, after therapy, the study group had significantly better QoL indexes than the control group. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation therapy combined with NES is effective in treating stroke. It can substantially ameliorate the cognitive dysfunction, prognosis and QoL in patients.

Brief Change in Dopamine Activity during Consolidation Impairs Long-Term Memory via Sleep Disruption.

Sleep disturbances are associated with poor long-term memory (LTM) formation, yet the underlying cell types and neural circuits involved have not been fully decoded. Dopamine neurons (DANs) are involved in memory processing at multiple stages. Here, we show that brief activation of protocerebral anterior medial DANs (PAM-DANs) or inhibition of a pair of dorsal posterior medial (DPM) neurons during the first few hours of memory consolidation impairs 24 h LTM. Interestingly, sleep deprivation elevates the neural activity of PAM-DANs and DPM neurons, and brief thermos-activation of PAM-DANs or inactivation of DPM neurons results in sleep loss and fragmentation. Pharmacological rescue of sleep after this manipulation restores LTM. A specific subset of PAM-DANs, PAM-α1 that synapse onto DPM neurons specify the microcircuit that links sleep and memory. PAM-DANs, including PAM-α1, form functional synapses with DPM neurons mainly via Dop1R1 receptor to inhibit DPM. Our data suggest that the post-training activity of PAM(-α1)-DPM microcircuit, especially during memory consolidation, plays an essential role in maintaining the sleep necessary for LTM consolidation, providing a new cellular and circuit basis for the complex relationship between sleep and memory.

Atorvastatin Promotes Pro/anti-inflammatory Phenotypic Transformation of Microglia via Wnt/ß-catenin Pathway in Hypoxic-Ischemic Neonatal Rats.

Inflammatory reaction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. Microglia are resident innate immune cells in the central nervous system and are profoundly involved in neuroinflammation. Studies have revealed that atorvastatin exerts a neuroprotective effect by regulating neuroinflammation in adult animal models of brain stroke and traumatic brain injury, but its role regarding damage to the developing brain remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the effect and mechanism of atorvastatin on the regulation of microglia function in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). The oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) of microglia and neonatal rat HIBD model was established. Atorvastatin, recombinant sclerostin protein (SOST), and XAV939 (degradation of ß-catenin) were administered to OGD microglia and HIBD rats. The pathological changes of brain tissue, cerebral infarction volume, learning and memory ability of rats, pro-inflammatory (CD16+/Iba1+) and anti-inflammatory (CD206+/Iba1+) microglia markers, inflammation-related indicators (Inos, Tnfα, Il6, Arg1, Tgfb, and Mrc1), and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling molecules were examined. Atorvastatin reduced OGD-induced pro-inflammatory microglia and pro-inflammatory factors, while increasing anti-inflammatory microglia and anti-inflammatory factors. In vivo, atorvastatin attenuated hypoxia-ischemia (HI)-induced neuroinflammation and brain damage. Mechanistically, atorvastatin decreased SOST expression and activated the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and the administration of recombinant SOST protein or XAV939 inhibited Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and attenuated the anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin. Atorvastatin promotes the pro/anti-inflammatory phenotypic transformation of microglia via the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in HI neonatal rats. Atorvastatin may be developed as a potent agent for the treatment of HIE in neonates.

Influencing factors and risk prediction modeling of maternal postpartum depression: a cross-sectional study in Chinese puerperal women of sitting the month.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the occurrence of maternal postpartum depression (PPD) during menstruation and analyze the influencing factors and risk prediction modeling of maternal PPD in Chinese puerperal women of sitting the month. Methods: A total of 286 mothers were selected using convenience sampling, who came for a routine postpartum follow-up visit were surveyed, including face-to-face, telephone, and online. They completed questionnaires including the basic profile questionnaire, Postpartum Partner Support Scale (PPSS), Edinburgh PPD Scale (EPDS), Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale (SICS), and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), who were advised to complete the survey alone, in private, reducing the impact of husband's presence on the quality of the questionnaire. Variables showing statistical significance in the one-way analysis were further analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The predictive value of the logistic regression model was analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), and the predictive reliability was expressed as the area under the ROC [Area Under the Curve (AUC)]. Results: The total score of PPD was 7.78 ± 4.57, and 22 people (7.69%) experienced depression during the postpartum period. PPD was found to be correlated with postpartum partner support, positive coping, negative coping, and parenting self-efficacy, with correlation coefficient values of -0.63, 0.62, 0.56, and - 0.70, respectively (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that postpartum partner support and parenting self-efficacy were independent factors influencing PPD, with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.76 (0.61 ~ 0.94) and 0.83 (0.75 ~ 0.93), respectively both p < 0.05.The area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity for postpartum partner support and parenting self-efficacy were 1.00 (95% confidence intervals 0.99 ~ 1.00), 99.24, and 90.91%. Conclusion: Postpartum partner support and parenting self-efficacy independently predict the occurrence of PPD. Healthcare professionals and maternal families should prioritize timely attention to maternal partner support and parenting issues to reduce the occurrence of PPD.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds modulating the endocannabinoid system in various diseases and disorders: review.

Cannabinoid receptors, endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of the endocannabinoids make up the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The components of the ECS are proven to modulate a vast bulk of various physiological and pathological processes due to their abundance throughout the human body. Such discoveries have attracted the researchers' attention and emerged as a potential therapeutical target for the treatment of various diseases. In the present article, we reviewed the discoveries of natural compounds, herbs, herbs formula, and their therapeutic properties in various diseases and disorders by modulating the ECS. We also summarize the molecular mechanisms through which these compounds elicit their properties by interacting with the ECS based on the existing findings. Our study provides the insight into the use of natural compounds that modulate ECS in various diseases and disorders, which in turn may facilitate future studies exploiting natural lead compounds as novel frameworks for designing more effective and safer therapeutics.

Value of T lymphocyte subset detection in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the value of T lymphocyte subset detection in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, T lymphocyte subsets in 186 CIN patients were detected. Venous blood T lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in patients with different CIN grades, and Spearman correlation analysis was conducted between CIN grade and T lymphocyte subsets. RESULTS: (1) There were significant differences in the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ levels before and 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were found in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ between every pair of time points (P<0.05). (2) Comparison of human papillomavirus distribution in patients with different CIN grades showed P<0.05. (3) The level of T lymphocyte subsets in the venous blood of patients with different CIN grades was compared, and significant differences were found, P<0.05. Higher CIN grade was associated with lower levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+, as well as higher level of CD8+. (4) Spearman analysis showed that CIN grade was negatively correlated with the levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ (P<0.05) and positively correlated with the level of CD8+ (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The levels of T lymphocyte subsets were found to be closely associated with the severity of CIN. Therefore, the detection of T lymphocyte subsets in venous blood could be a valuable clinical tool for predicting the presence and degree of CIN.

The RNA m6A modification might participate in microglial activation during hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal mice.

BACKGROUND: The RNA m6A modification has been implicated in multiple neurological diseases as well as macrophage activation. However, whether it regulates microglial activation during hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonates remains unknown. Here, we aim to examine whether the m6A modification is involved in modulating microglial activation during HIBD. We employed an oxygen and glucose deprivation microglial model for in vitro studies and a neonatal mouse model of HIBD. The brain tissue was subjected to RNA-seq to screen for significant changes in the mRNA m6A regulator. Thereafter, we performed validation and bioinformatics analysis of the major m6A regulators. RESULTS: RNA-seq analysis revealed that, among 141 m6A regulators, 31 exhibited significant differential expression (FC (abs) ≥ 2) in HIBD mice. We then subjected the major m6A regulators Mettl3, Mettl14, Fto, Alkbh5, Ythdf1, and Ythdf2 to further validation, and the results showed that all were significantly downregulated in vitro and in vivo. GO analysis reveals that regulators are mainly involved in the regulation of cellular and metabolic processes. The KEGG results indicate the involvement of the signal transduction pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that m6A modification of mRNA plays a crucial role in the regulation of microglial activation in HIBD, with m6A-associated regulators acting as key modulators of microglial activation.

Protective effects and possible mechanisms of catalpol against diabetic nephropathy in animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim of the Study: Rehmannia glutinosa is a core Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (DN). It has been used for the treatment of diabetes for over 1,000 years. Catalpol is the main active compound in Rehmannia roots. Current evidence suggests that catalpol exhibits significant anti-diabetic bioactivity, and thus it has attracted increasing research attention for its potential use in treating DN. However, no studies have systematically evaluated these effects, and its mechanism of action remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of catalpol on DN, as well as to summarize its possible mechanisms of action, in DN animal models. Materials and Methods: We included all DN-related animal studies with catalpol intervention. These studies were retrieved by searching eight databases from their dates of inception to July 2022. In addition, we evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies using the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk-of-bias tool. Furthermore, we calculated the weighted standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the Review Manager 5.3 software and evaluated publication bias using the Stata (12.0) software. A total of 100 studies were retrieved, of which 12 that included 231 animals were finally included in this review. Results: As compared to the control treatment, treatment with catalpol significantly improved renal function in DN animal models by restoring serum creatinine (Scr) (p = 0.0009) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p < 0.00001) levels, reducing proteinuria (p < 0.00001) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p < 0.0001), improving kidney indices (p < 0.0001), and alleviating renal pathological changes in the animal models. In addition, it may elicit its effects by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, improving podocyte apoptosis, regulating lipid metabolism, delaying renal fibrosis, and enhancing autophagy. Conclusion: The preliminary findings of this preclinical systematic review suggest that catalpol elicits significant protective effects against hyperglycemia-induced kidney injury. However, more high-quality studies need to be carried out in the future to overcome the methodological shortcomings identified in this review.

Pleiotrophin ameliorates white matter injury of neonatal rats by activating the mTOR/YY1/Id4 signaling pathway.

Brain white matter injury (WMI) is a serious disease of the central nervous system. Pleiotrophin (PTN) promotes the differentiation and myelination of oligodendrocytes (OLs) in vitro. However, the role of PTN in WMI remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role and potential mechanisms of PTN function in neonatal rats with WMI. The PTN and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus was used to treat a WMI model in postnatal day 3 Sprague-Dawley rats, in which the right common carotid arteries of these rats were isolated, ligated, and exposed to a hypoxic environment (6% O2 + 94% N2 ) for 2 h. OL differentiation and myelination, as well as the spatial learning and memory abilities of the rats were evaluated to examine the effects of PTN. Two proteins of the mTOR signaling pathway, YingYang1 (YY1) and inhibitor of DNA binding 4 (Id4), were detected and were used to explore the potential mechanisms of PTN in rat WMI experiment and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model. We found that the differentiation and myelination of OLs were impaired after WMI. PTN administration rescued this injury by activating mTOR/YY1 and inhibiting Id4. Everolimus administration inhibited mTOR/YY1 and activated Id4, which blocked the neuroprotective role of PTN in WMI. PTN plays a neuroprotective role in neonatal rats with WMI, which could be involved in the mTOR/YY1/Id4 signaling pathway.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of diabetes mellitus and pyroptosis from 2011 to 2022.

OBJECTIVE: To visualize and analyze the published literature on diabetes mellitus and pyroptosis based on a bibliometric approach, so as to provide a comprehensive picture of the hot research directions and dynamic progress in this field. METHODS: This study was based on the web of science core collection database to conduct a comprehensive search of the published literature in the field of diabetes mellitus and Pyroptosis from January 1985 to August 2022, including the published research literature in this field, as well as a visual analysis of the number of citations, year of publication, journal, author, research institution, country, and research topic. RESULTS: A total of 139 literature on research related to diabetes mellitus and cellular scorch from 2011 to 2022 were retrieved, with a total of 3009 citations and a maximum of 255 citations for a single article, which had a first author Schmid-Burgk, JL The first author of this article is from Germany; among 20 publishing countries, China leads with 100 articles; among 222 publishing institutions, Harbin Medical University leads with 18 articles and 184 citations; among 980 authors, Chen, X from China tops the list of high-impact authors with 5 articles and 29 citations. Among the 98 journals, "CELL DEATH DISEASE" ranked first in both volume and high-impact journals with 4 articles and 29 citations. Among 349 keywords, "pyroptosis" ranked first with a cumulative frequency of 65 times. The cluster analysis was divided into three categories, chronic complications of diabetes mellitus and pyroptosis (67 articles), diabetes mellitus and pyroptosis (60 articles), and diabetes mellitus combined with other diseases and pyroptosis (12 articles), and the number of articles related to diabetes mellitus and its chronic complications increased rapidly from 2019, among which, diabetic cardiomyopathy (27 articles) had the highest number of articles. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a comprehensive analysis of published literature in the field of diabetes mellitus and pyroptosis from 2011 to 2022, this study achieved a visual analysis of studies with significant and outstanding contributions to the field, thus framing a picture showing the development and changes in the field. At the same time, this study provides research information and direction for clinicians and investigators to conduct diabetes mellitus and pyroptosis-related research in the future.