Appendectomy and appendicitis do not increase colorectal cancer risk: evidence from Mendelian randomization.

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most prevalent acute abdominal diseases and appendectomy is the definitive treatment of appendicitis. However, whether appendicitis and appendectomy cause colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. The results of observational studies are contradictory, but randomized controlled trials (RCT) cannot be conducted.

Prediction of Prognosis in Patients with Sepsis Based on Platelet-Related Genes.

The study aimed to develop a risk prognostic model using platelet-related genes (PRGs) to predict sepsis patient outcomes. Sepsis patient data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and PRGs from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) were analyzed. Differential analysis identified 1139 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sepsis and control groups.

Tumor necrosis factor-α induces proliferation and reduces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through STAT3 activation.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a potent pro-inflammatory factor that plays an important role in establishing a complicated connection between inflammation and cancer. TNF-α promotes tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis according to numerous studies. Studies have shown the significant role of STAT3, a downstream transcription factor of another important inflammatory cytokine, IL-6 in the development and progression of different tumors especially colorectal cancer.

User-Centered Design to Enhance mHealth Systems for Individuals With Dexterity Impairments: Accessibility and Usability Study.

Background: Mobile health systems have been shown to be useful in supporting self-management by promoting adherence to schedules and longitudinal health interventions, especially in people with disabilities. The Interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere) system was developed to empower people with disabilities and those with chronic conditions with supports needed for self-management and independent living. Since the first iteration of the iMHere 1.

An mHealth App for Users with Dexterity Impairments: Accessibility Study.

Background: A mobile health (mHealth) system called iMHere (interactive mobile health and rehabilitation) was developed to support individuals with chronic conditions and disability in their self-management regimens. The initial design of iMHere, however, lacked sufficient accessibility for users with a myriad of dexterity impairments. The accessibility of self-management apps is essential in ensuring usability.

Safety and efficacy of a novel neurosurgical enhanced recovery after surgery protocol for elective craniotomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Although enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have gained acceptance in various surgical specialties, no established neurosurgical ERAS protocol for patients undergoing elective craniotomy has been reported in the literature. Here, the authors describe the design, implementation, safety, and efficacy of a novel neurosurgical ERAS protocol for elective craniotomy in a tertiary care medical center located in China.

Methods: A multidisciplinary neurosurgical ERAS protocol for elective craniotomy was developed based on the best available evidence.

Effects of erythropoietin preconditioning on rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and the GLT-1/GLAST pathway.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether erythropoietin (EPO) preconditioning affects the expression of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) and protects against rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. A total of 140 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: Sham, EPO-sham, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and EPO-MCAO. Neurological function scores were obtained 24, 36 and 72 h after reperfusion.

Accessibility of mHealth Self-Care Apps for Individuals with Spina Bifida.

As the smartphone becomes ubiquitous, mobile health is becoming a viable technology to empower individuals to engage in preventive self-care. An innovative mobile health system called iMHere (Internet Mobile Health and Rehabilitation) has been developed at the University of Pittsburgh to support self-care and adherence to self-care regimens for individuals with spina bifida and other complex conditions who are vulnerable to secondary complications. The goal of this study was to explore the accessibility of iMHere apps for individuals with spina bifida.

Development of mHealth system for supporting self-management and remote consultation of skincare.

Background: Individuals with spina bifida (SB) are vulnerable to chronic skin complications such as wounds on the buttocks and lower extremities. Most of these complications can be prevented with adherence to self-care routines. We have developed a mobile health (mHealth) system for supporting self-care and management of skin problems called SkinCare as part of an mHealth suite called iMHere (interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation).

Feasibility of Using Mobile Health to Promote Self-Management in Spina Bifida.

Objective: To determine feasibility of using the interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation (iMHere) system in spina bifida and its effects on psychosocial and medical outcomes.

Design: In a randomized controlled trial, 13 intervention participants using the iMHere system and receiving usual care and 10 control participants receiving usual care were followed for 1 year.

Results: Feasibility of use of the system was demonstrated by participants using a customized smartphone system for reminders to conduct various self-care tasks, upload photos of wounds, manage medications, complete mood surveys, and for secure messaging.

Accessibility needs and challenges of a mHealth system for patients with dexterity impairments.

Unlabelled: Purpose State: An innovative mobile health system called iMHere (interactive Mobile Health and Rehabilitation) has been developed at the University of Pittsburgh to support self-care and adherence to self-care regimens for patients with chronic conditions. The goal of this study is to explore and to identify the accessibility needs and preferences of individuals with dexterity impairments when they use the iMHere system.

Method: Participants were asked to perform tasks after a one-week field trial.

Isoflurane preconditioning provides neuroprotection against stroke by regulating the expression of the TLR4 signalling pathway to alleviate microglial activation.

Excessive microglial activation often contributes to inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity in the ischemic penumbra during the acute stage of ischemic stroke. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been reported to induce microglial activation via the NF-κB pathway. Isoflurane preconditioning (IP) can provide neuroprotection and inhibit microglial activation.

Perspectives on the evolution of mobile (mHealth) technologies and application to rehabilitation.

Individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities who are vulnerable to secondary complications often require complex habilitative and rehabilitative services to prevent and treat these complications. This perspective article reviews the evolution of mHealth technologies and presents insights as to how this evolution informed our development of a novel mHealth system, iMHere (interactive mobile health and rehabilitation), and other technologies, including those used by the Veterans Administration. This article will explain the novel applications of mHealth for rehabilitation and specifically physical therapy.

Delta opioid receptor agonist BW373U86 attenuates post-resuscitation brain injury in a rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the DOR agonist BW373U86 conferred neuroprotection following ACA when given after resuscitation and to determine the long-term effects of chronic BW373U86 treatment on ACA-elicited brain injury.

Methods: Animals were divided into acute and chronic treatment groups. Each group consisted of four sub-groups, including Sham, ACA, BW373U86 (BW373U86+ACA), and Naltrindole groups (Naltrindole and BW373U86+ACA).

iMHere: A Novel mHealth System for Supporting Self-Care in Management of Complex and Chronic Conditions.

Background: Individuals with chronic conditions are vulnerable to secondary complications that can be prevented with adherence to self-care routines. They benefit most from receiving effective treatments beyond acute care, usually in the form of regular follow-up and self-care support in their living environments. One such population is individuals with spina bifida (SB), the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States.

The effect of body position changes on stroke volume variation in 66 mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of body position changes on the stroke volume (SI) variation (SVV) in ventilated patients with sepsis.

Methods: Sixty patients with sepsis were studied during mechanical ventilation. All patients were randomly placed in the supine, 30° head-up, 30° left or right recumbent, or prone position.

The action sites of propofol in the normal human brain revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Propofol has been used for many years but its functional target in the intact brain remains unclear. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate blood oxygen level dependence signal changes in the normal human brain during propofol anesthesia and explored the possible action targets of propofol. Ten healthy subjects were enrolled in two experimental sessions.

Salidroside induces cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Recently, salidroside (p-hydroxyphenethyl-beta-d-glucoside) has been identified as one of the most potent compounds isolated from plants of the Rhodiola genus used widely in traditional Chinese medicine, but pharmacokinetic data on the compound are unavailable. We were the first to report the cytotoxic effects of salidroside on cancer cell lines derived from different tissues, and we found that human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells (estrogen receptor negative) were sensitive to the inhibitory action of low-concentration salidroside. To further investigate the cytotoxic effects of salidroside on breast cancer cells and reveal possible ER-related differences in response to salidroside, we used MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 cells (estrogen receptor-positive) as models to study possible molecular mechanisms; we evaluated the effects of salidroside on cell growth characteristics, such as proliferation, cell cycle duration, and apoptosis, and on the expression of apoptosis-related molecules.

Emergence agitation in adults: risk factors in 2,000 patients.

Purpose: The study was designed to determine the incidence of postoperative agitation following general anesthesia in 2,000 adult patients and to examine the associated risk factors.

Methods: The study enrolled 2,000 adults who were scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia in a single institution during December 2007 to December 2008. The following risk factors were examined: age, gender, ASA physical status, type of surgery, anesthesia technique (inhalational or intravenous), administration of neostigmine or doxapram, adequate postoperative analgesia, pain, presence of a tracheal tube, and presence of a urinary catheter.

Opioid δ(1) and δ(2) receptor agonist attenuate myocardial injury via mPTP in rats with acute hemorrhagic shock.

Background: Studies have documented the beneficial roles of δ opioid receptor (OR) agonist for hemorrhagic shock. However, the myocardial protection roles and the mechanisms of hemodynamic stability during resuscitation of δ-OR agonist have not been explored. This study was designed to investigate myocardial protective effects and the mechanisms of high selective δ(1) and δ(2)-OR agonists during resuscitation of acute hemorrhagic shock.

A preliminary study: the anti-proliferation effect of salidroside on different human cancer cell lines.

Salidroside (p-hydroxyphenethyl-beta-d-glucoside), which is present in all species of the genus Rhodiola, has been reported to have a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. The present study, for the first time, focused on evaluating the effects of the purified salidroside on the proliferation of various human cancer cell lines derived from different tissues, and further investigating its possible molecular mechanisms. Cell viability assay and [(3)H] thymidine incorporation were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of salidroside on cancer cell lines, and flow cytometry analyzed the change of cell cycle distribution induced by salidroside.

The effects of intravenous hyperoxygenated solution infusion on systemic oxygenation and intrapulmonary shunt during one-lung ventilation in pigs.

Background: Many anesthetic methods have been applied to maintain acceptable oxygenation during one-lung ventilation (OLV). However, the optimal management has not been definitely determined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intravenous hyperoxygenated solution (HOS) infusion would improve systemic oxygenation and reduce intrapulmonary shunt during OLV.

Pretreatment with fentanyl and propofol attenuates myocardial injury in rabbits with acute hemorrhagic shock.

Background: Many studies have shown that preconditioning with anesthetics can be used to simulate the myocardial protective effects of ischemic preconditioning. But it is still not certain whether they can protect the myocardium in hemorrhagic shock. This study was designed to examine the myocardial protective effects of propofol and fentanyl in acute hemorrhagic shock.