-
American Journal of Physiology. Heart... Jun 2024Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance, often treated via electrical cardioversion. Following rhythm restoration, a period of depressed...
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance, often treated via electrical cardioversion. Following rhythm restoration, a period of depressed mechanical function known as atrial stunning occurs, suggesting that defects in contractility occur in AFib and are revealed upon restoration of rhythm. This project aims to define the contractile remodeling that occurs in AFib. To assess contractile function, we used a canine atrial tachypacing model of induced AFib. Mass spectrometry analysis showed dysregulation of contractile proteins in samples from AFib compared to sinus rhythm atria. Atrial cardiomyocytes showed reduced force of contraction, decreased resting tension, and increased calcium sensitivity in skinned single cardiomyocyte studies. These alterations correlated with degradation of myofilament proteins including myosin heavy chain altering force of contraction, titin altering resting tension, and TnI altering calcium sensitivity. We measured degradation of other myofilament proteins including cMyBP-C and actininshowing significant degradation in the AFib samples compared to sinus rhythm atria. Many of the protein degradation products appeared as discrete cleavage products that are generated by calpain proteolysis. We assessed calpain activity and found it to be significantly increased. These results provide an understanding of the contractile remodeling that occurs in AFib and provide insight into the molecular explanation for atrial stunning and the increased risk of atrial thrombus and stroke in AFib.
PubMed: 38940916
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00148.2024 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024Expectoration and wheezing are prevalent symptoms of respiratory diseases. Acupoint application and back tapping have shown effectiveness in alleviating cough, wheezing,...
BACKGROUND
Expectoration and wheezing are prevalent symptoms of respiratory diseases. Acupoint application and back tapping have shown effectiveness in alleviating cough, wheezing, and associated symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the influence of combining acupoint application with back tapping in patients experiencing expectoration and wheezing.
DESIGN
A retrospective study design was employed.
SETTING
The study was conducted at Lujiang County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 96 patients presenting with expectoration and wheezing between January 2019 and June 2021 were randomly allocated into an observation group (n=48) and a control group (n=48).
INTERVENTIONS
The control group received an acupoint application using white mustard seed. In contrast, the observation group received additional back-tapping along meridians.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES
(1) Clinical efficacy; (2) traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores; (3) levels of inflammatory factors; (4) blood gas analysis indexes; (5) pulmonary function indexes; and (6) quality of life was assessed.
RESULTS
Following treatment, the observation group exhibited superior clinical efficacy (P < .05), reduced traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores for cough, expectoration, and wheezing (P < .05), more pronounced improvements in inflammatory factor levels (P < .05), blood gas analysis indexes (P < .05), pulmonary function indexes (P < .05), and higher quality of life (P < .05) compared to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Combining acupoint application with back tapping effectively alleviated symptoms and inflammatory responses, improved blood gas and pulmonary function, and enhanced the quality of life in patients experiencing expectoration and wheezing.
PubMed: 38940795
DOI: No ID Found -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024To investigate the effects of holistic nursing on the quality of life overall, inflammation, and lung function in older persons experiencing acute episodes of chronic...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of holistic nursing on the quality of life overall, inflammation, and lung function in older persons experiencing acute episodes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
METHODS
Considering that good nursing care improves cardiorespiratory fitness, increases treatment adherence and improves prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), From June 2019 through May 2020, 96 patients with newly diagnosed acute COPD will be recruited to take part in the trial. In total, 48 people were split into the study group and the control group at random. When compared to the control group, the research group received more comprehensive care. Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) blood levels were compared before and after care, as were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FEV1, and quality of life.
RESULTS
None of the demographic characteristics, including mean age, BMI, illness duration, gender, or comorbidities, differed significantly (P > .05) between the two groups. After care, serum PCT, CRP, and IL-6 levels decreased in both groups compared to pre-nursing values (P < .05); however, after care, serum PCT, CRP, and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group. Both groups' FEV1, FVC, and FVC improved significantly (P < .05) after care compared to their baseline conditions; Statistics show that after care, the study group had significantly better FEV1, FVC, and FVC than the control group. The overall success rate of the study group was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group (P < .05). After Care, both groups' scores for illness impact, disease symptoms, and mobility restriction were much lower than they were before to care, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05); After Care, people in the study group significantly improved on measures of mobility impairment, sickness symptoms, and disease effect compared to those in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between the two groups. Patients in the study group reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction with their nursing care than patients in the control group (P < .05).
CONCLUSION
Elderly patients with acute COPD can benefit greatly from holistic nursing care in terms of reduced inflammation, enhanced lung function, and enhanced quality of life.
PubMed: 38940789
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Endocrinology Jun 2024Hypercholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and lowering circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can prevent...
Hypercholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and lowering circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) can prevent and reduce cardiovascular events. microRNA-181d (miR-181d) can reduce the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol esters in cells. However, it is not known whether miR-181d-5p can lower levels of circulating LDL-C. Here, we generated two animal models of hypercholesterolemia to analyze the potential relationship between miR-181d-5p and LDL-C. In hypercholesterolemia model mice, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated liver-directed overexpression of miR-181d-5p decreased the serum levels of cholesterol and LDL-C and the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver compared with control mice. Target Scan 8.0 indicated Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) to be a possible target gene of miR-181d-5p, which was confirmed by in vitro experiments. miR-181d-5p could directly interact with both the PCSK9 3'-UTR and promoter to inhibit PCSK9 translation and transcription. Furthermore, Dil-LDL uptake assays in PCSK9 knockdown Huh7 cells demonstrated that miR-181d-5p promotion of LDL-C absorption was dependent on PCSK9. Collectively, our findings show that miR-181d-5p targets the PCSK9 3'-UTR to inhibit PCSK9 expression and to reduce serum LDL-C. miR-181d-5p is therefore a new therapeutic target for the development of anti-hypercholesterolemia drugs.
PubMed: 38940622
DOI: 10.1530/JOE-23-0402 -
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound : JCU Jun 2024Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence carries a high mortality risk to the "pump twin." Management involves disrupting blood flow to the acardiac mass. In...
Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence carries a high mortality risk to the "pump twin." Management involves disrupting blood flow to the acardiac mass. In this case, the pregnant patient presented at 20 weeks 6 days with Stage IIb TRAP Sequence and underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) of the acardiac mass at 21 weeks 0 days. The probe traversed the thorax of the acardiac mass and ablated the confluence of the umbilical vessels. A healthy child was delivered at 33 weeks 5 days gestation. This report demonstrates the utility of MWA in TRAP sequence and describes a novel approach.
PubMed: 38940580
DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23754 -
Journal of Global Health Jun 2024Considering the large population of bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in China, we aimed to conduct a thorough analysis that...
Analysis of clinical characteristics, prognosis and influencing factors in patients with bronchiectasis-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome: A prospective study for more than five years.
BACKGROUND
Considering the large population of bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in China, we aimed to conduct a thorough analysis that investigates the clinical characteristics and prognosis of bronchiectasis-COPD overlap syndrome (BCOS). Further, we aimed to explore factors associated with acute exacerbation and death in BCOS, which may be of value in its early diagnosis and intervention.
METHODS
We recruited inpatients with COPD from the second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in China in August 2016, with follow-up until March 2022. Patients in the BCOS group had to meet the criteria for diagnosing bronchiectasis. We used self-completion questionnaires, clinical records, and self-reported data as primary data collection methods. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazard models to assess the risk of severe acute exacerbation and death for BCOS during the follow-up period.
RESULTS
A total of 875 patients were included and followed up. Patients in the BCOS group had more females, fewer smokers, lower discharge COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, lower forced vital capacity (FVC), a higher likelihood of co-occurring active tuberculosis, higher levels of eosinophils and inflammatory markers, and a higher rate of positive sputum cultures for Pseudomonas aeruginosa than patients in the COPD-only group. Patients in the acute exacerbation group (AE+) were found to have lower body mass index (BMI), more frequent acute exacerbations, higher modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea grade on admission, higher inflammatory markers, lower FVC, higher rates of using inhaled bronchodilators, and higher rates of both positive and Pseudomonas aeruginosa positive sputum cultures. Patients in the 'death' group were older, had a lower BMI, had spent longer time in the hospital, had higher mMRC dyspnoea grade and CAT scores upon admission and discharge, had higher levels of inflammatory markers, lower rates of using inhaled bronchodilators, were more likely to have a combination of pulmonary heart disease and obsolete pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as a higher rate of fungus-positive sputum cultures. Both erythrocyte sedimentation rate at baseline and Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture positivity were confirmed as independent predictors of severe acute exacerbation in multivariate analysis during the years of follow-up. Fungus culture positivity baseline blood urea nitrogen, baseline lymphocyte count, comorbidities with obsolete pulmonary tuberculosis and comorbidities with pulmonary heart disease were verified as independent predictors of death in multivariate analysis during the years of follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves under survival analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in mortality between the COPD and the BCOS groups at the full one, two, and three years of follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with BCOS present with reduced lung function, increased susceptibility to different complications, elevated blood eosinophils and inflammatory markers, and elevated rates of positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures. These distinctive markers are linked to a greater risk of severe acute exacerbations and mortality.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Male; Bronchiectasis; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Aged; Prognosis; China; Risk Factors; Syndrome; Disease Progression
PubMed: 38940273
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04129 -
Journal of Cellular Physiology Jun 2024Chondrosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that emerges from abnormalities in cartilaginous tissue and is related with lung metastases. Nicotinamide...
Chondrosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that emerges from abnormalities in cartilaginous tissue and is related with lung metastases. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is an adipocytokine reported to enhance tumor metastasis. Our results from clinical samples and the Gene Expression Omnibus data set reveal that NAMPT levels are markedly higher in chondrosarcoma patients than in normal individuals. NAMPT stimulation significantly increased lysyl oxidase (LOX) production in chondrosarcoma cells. Additionally, NAMPT increased LOX-dependent cell migration and invasion in chondrosarcoma by suppressing miR-26b-5p generation through the c-Src and Akt signaling pathways. Overexpression of NAMPT promoted chondrosarcoma metastasis to the lung in vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of LOX counteracted NAMPT-facilitated metastasis. Thus, the NAMPT/LOX axis presents a novel target for treating the metastasis of chondrosarcoma.
PubMed: 38940190
DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31345 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases due to their immunomodulatory and tissue regeneration... (Review)
Review
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases due to their immunomodulatory and tissue regeneration capabilities. Despite their potential, the clinical application of MSC therapies is hindered by limited cell retention and engraftment at the target sites. Electrospun scaffolds, with their high surface area-to-volume ratio and tunable physicochemical properties, can be used as platforms for MSC delivery. However, synthetic polymers often lack the bioactive cues necessary for optimal cell-scaffold interactions. Integrating electrospun scaffolds and biological polymers, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and composites, combines the mechanical integrity of synthetic materials with the bioactivity of natural polymers and represents a strategic approach to enhance cell-scaffold interactions. The molecular interactions between MSCs and blended or functionalized scaffolds have been examined in recent studies, and it has been shown that integration can enhance MSC adhesion, proliferation, and paracrine secretion through the activation of multiple signaling pathways, such as FAK/Src, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and YAP/TAZ. Preclinical studies on small animals also reveal that the integration of electrospun scaffolds and natural polymers represents a promising approach to enhancing the delivery and efficacy of MSCs in the context of regenerating bone, cartilage, muscle, cardiac, vascular, and nervous tissues. Future research should concentrate on identifying the distinct characteristics of the MSC niche, investigating the processes involved in MSC-scaffold interactions, and applying new technologies in stem cell treatment and biofabrication to enhance scaffold design. Research on large animal models and collaboration among materials scientists, engineers, and physicians are crucial to translating these advancements into clinical use.
Topics: Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Tissue Scaffolds; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Animals; Polymers; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 38940050
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906228 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jun 2024Although umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC) infusion has been proposed as a promising strategy for the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI), the parameters of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Although umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC) infusion has been proposed as a promising strategy for the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI), the parameters of UCMSC transplantation, such as infusion routes and doses, need to be further optimized.
METHODS
In this study, we compared the therapeutic effects of UCMSCs transplanted via intravenous injection and intratracheal instillation on lipopolysaccharide-induced ALI using a rat model. Following transplantation, levels of inflammatory factors in serum; neutrophils, total white blood cells, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); and lung damage levels were analyzed.
RESULTS
The results indicated that UCMSCs administered via both intravenous and intratracheal routes were effective in alleviating ALI, as determined by analyses of arterial blood gas, lung histopathology, BALF contents, and levels of inflammatory factors. Comparatively, the intratracheal instillation of UCMSCs was found to result in lower levels of lymphocytes and total proteins in BALF, whereas greater reductions in the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected in rats receiving intravenously injected stem cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings in this study provide convincing evidence to indicate the efficacy of UCMSC therapy in the treatment of ALI mediated via different delivery routes, thereby providing a reliable theoretical basis for further clinical studies. Moreover, these findings imply that the effects obtained using the two assessed delivery routes for UCMSC transplantation are mediated via different mechanisms, which could be attributable to different cellular or molecular targets.
Topics: Animals; Acute Lung Injury; Lipopolysaccharides; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Umbilical Cord; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Male; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Injections, Intravenous
PubMed: 38940047
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906217 -
Infectious Disorders Drug Targets Jun 2024The Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), an important element for the production of several inflammatory cytokines, may play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. The aim of...
OBJECTIVES
The Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), an important element for the production of several inflammatory cytokines, may play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of BTK gene expression in COVID-19 cases based on the severity and the outcome of the disease.
METHODS
In this study, 33 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were recruited and were divided into two groups based on the severity of the disease: "mild to moderate" and "severe to critical". A blood sample was taken from each patient, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted, and BTK gene expression was measured. The level of BTK gene expression was compared based on the demographic data, laboratory results, and the severity and outcome of the disease.
RESULTS
Among 33 patients, 22 (66.7%) were male. Nearly half of the cases had at least one underlying disease. According to the severity of the disease, 12 patients were in the "mild to moderate" group, and 21 were in the "severe to critical" group; eight (24.2%) eventually died. Age, weight, and BMI had no significant relationship with BTK expression. BTK expression was significantly lower in "severe to critical" and ICU-admitted cases and in subjects with low O2 saturation. There was no significant difference in BTK expression between cured and dead patients (p=0.117).
CONCLUSION
BTK gene expression in PBMCs had an inverse relationship with the severity of the disease of COVID-19. However, no correlation between BTK expression and disease outcome was observed.
PubMed: 38939988
DOI: 10.2174/0118715265301312240529044923