Protein 4.1R regulates M1 macrophages polarization via glycolysis, alleviating sepsis-induced liver injury in mice.

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a common clinical disease caused by sepsis, metabolic syndrome, hepatitis virus. Macrophage plays an important role in the development of ALI, which is characterized by polarization and inflammatory regulation. The polarization process of macrophages is related to membrane binding proteins and adaptors. Protein 4.1R acts as an adaptor, linking membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton, and is involved in cell activation and cytokine secretion. However, whether protein 4.1R is involved in regulating macrophage polarization and inflammation-induced liver injury remains unknown. In this study, protein 4.1R is identified with the special effect on macrophage M1 polarization. And it is further demonstrated that protein 4.1R deficiency significantly enhance glycolytic metabolism. Mechanistically, the regulation of protein 4.1R on pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) plays a key role in glycolysis metabolism. In addition, we found that protein 4.1R directly interacts with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), inhibits the activation of the AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway. In conclusion, protein 4.1R targets HIF-1α mediated glycolysis regulates M1 macrophage polarization, indicating that protein 4.1R is a candidate for regulating macrophage mediated inflammatory response. In conclusion, we have revealed a novel function of protein 4.1R in macrophage polarization and ALI, providing important insights into the metabolic reprogramming, which is important for ALI therapy. We have revealed a novel function of protein 4.1R in macrophage polarization and ALI, providing important insights into the metabolic reprogramming, which is important for ALI therapy.

Comparative efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation for post-stroke aphasia: A network meta-analysis and meta-regression of moderators.

In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions for post-stroke aphasia have received increasing attention, but their effects across different language domains and the influence of targeted locations and moderators remain unclear. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on NIBS in patients with post-stroke aphasia were searched. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) for pre-post language changes were pooled in Bayesian network meta-analyses. Moderators were examined using meta-regression. Of the 2105 records identified, 69 RCTs involving 1670 patients were included. Low-frequency (LF)-transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (SMD 0.84 [0.65,1.03]) was superior to anodal-transcranial direct-current stimulation (a-tDCS) (SMD 0.38 [0.05,0.71]) for global severity. Dual-tDCS was the leading option for naming and repetition. For spontaneous speech, both a-tDCS and dual-tDCS resulted in greater effects than LF-rTMS. As stimulation targets, the right inferior frontal gyrus ranked higher in global severity and spontaneous speech, while the temporoparietal region ranked higher in comprehension. Meta-regression demonstrated that therapeutic effects in the naming domain were moderated by the mean period of each therapy condition and the first language, while significant associations with age, therapy period, and number of sessions were observed for spontaneous speech. Overall, LF-rTMS is the most prioritized NIBS mode to alleviate global severity. Dual and anodal tDCS outperform rTMS for naming and repetition. The optimal stimulation region varies across different domains.

Preparation and photocatalytic application of terbium and sulfur co-doped titanium nanomaterials.

Titanium-based nanomaterials co-doped with terbium (Tb) and sulfur (S) were synthesized by sol-gel method via a facile step. Physicochemical properties of the resulting composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Methylene blue (MB) was used as a degradation target for evaluating the photocatalytic performance. The factors which influence the photocatalytic activity were investigated, including calcined temperatures and S doping amount. Tb, S (2 wt%) co-doped TiO2 composite calcined at 500 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity with a degradation rate of 72.4% in 3 h. The reaction constant was 0.11529, 0.26025, 0.35038 and 0.41462 h-1 for undoped TiO2, Tb-doped TiO2, S-doped TiO2 and Tb, S co-doped TiO2, respectively. Importantly, the synergistic effect of terbium and sulfur dopants was profoundly discussed. Furthermore, recycling tests and acute toxicity experiments were carried out to confirm the reusability and biosafety of Tb, S co-doped TiO2.

Effects of motor imagery training on lower limb motor function of patients with chronic stroke: A pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of motor imagery training on lower limb motor function of stroke patients. BACKGROUND: Motor imagery training has played an important role in rehabilitation outcomes of stroke patients. METHODS: In this pilot randomized controlled trial 32 stroke patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups from January to June 2017. Patients in both groups received conventional neuro-rehabilitation five times a week in 3-h segments for 6 weeks. Patients in the experimental group underwent an additional 20 min of motor imagery training. Measures were evaluated by motor function of the lower extremity, activities of daily living and balance ability. RESULTS: The outcomes significantly improved by motor imagery training were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower extremity, the Functional Independence Measure dealing with transfers and locomotion, and the Berg Balance Scale. CONCLUSION: Motor imagery training could be used as a complement to physical rehabilitation of stroke patients. Our findings may be helpful to develop nursing strategies aimed at improving functional ability of stroke patients and thus enhancing their quality of life.

Comparative Efficacy and Patient-Specific Moderating Factors of Nonsurgical Treatment Strategies for Frozen Shoulder: An Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder disorder characterized by pain and restriction. Various nonsurgical treatments have been reported, but there is no consensus about their comparative efficacy and the effects of moderators. PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of different nonsurgical interventions and identify potential patient-specific moderating factors for frozen shoulder. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to February 18, 2019. The search was supplemented by manual review of relevant reference lists. Randomized controlled trials of participants with frozen shoulder that compared nonsurgical interventions were selected. Measured outcomes included pain, shoulder function in daily activities, and range of motion. RESULTS: Of 3136 records identified, 92 trials were eligible, evaluating 32 nonsurgical interventions in 5946 patients. Intra-articular injection improved pain (pooled standardized mean difference [95% CI]: steroid injection, 1.68 [1.03-2.34]; capsular distension, 2.68 [1.32-4.05]) and shoulder function (steroid injection, 2.16 [1.52-2.81]; distension, 2.89 [1.71-4.06]) to a greater extent than placebo. Capsular distension and extracorporeal shockwave therapy showed the highest ranking for pain relief and functional improvement, respectively. Laser therapy also showed benefits for pain relief (3.02 [1.84-4.20]) and functional improvement (3.66 [1.65-5.67]). Subgroup analyses by disease stages revealed that steroid injection combined with physical therapy provided more benefits during the freezing phase, whereas joint manipulation provided more benefits in the adhesive phase. Adjunctive therapies, female sex, and diabetes were also identified as moderators of effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Capsular distension is a highly recommended choice for treatment of frozen shoulder, contributing greatly to pain relief and functional improvement; steroid injection is also a prevailing effective intervention. Among new options, extracorporeal shockwave therapy and laser therapy show potential benefits for multiple outcomes. Individualized optimal intervention should be considered, given that treatment effect is moderated by factors including the disease stage, time of assessment, adjunctive therapies, female sex, and diabetes.