A novel approach to investigate the mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of major depression disorder: Diffusion kurtosis imaging.

Background: Major depression disorder (MDD) exhibits a high global incidence; however, its pathogenesis remains elusive. In this prospective study, we employed diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) to investigate changes in brain function among patients with MDD both pre- and post-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Methods: We divided a sample of 22 MDD patients into ECT group, which received six treatments over a span of two weeks, and control group (n = 12).

Effect of Jianpi Shengxue Tablet on Iron Metabolism and Nutritional Status in Patients with Renal Anemia: A Prospective, Randomized, Open, Parallel Controlled and Multicenter Clinical Study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of the Jianpi Shengxue tablet for treating renal anemia.

Methods: A total of 200 patients with renal anemia from December 2020 to December 2022 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the control group were treated with polysaccharide-iron complex, and those in the experimental group were administered Jianpi Shengxue tablet.

miR-375 Induced the Formation and Transgenerational Inheritance of Fatty Liver in Poultry by Targeting .

The liver of poultry is the primary site of lipid synthesis. The excessive production of lipids accumulates in liver tissues causing lipid metabolism disorders, which result in fatty liver disease and have a transgenerational effect of acquired phenotypes. However, its specific mechanisms have not yet been fully understood.

Treatment of pyogenic granuloma in children with a 595 nm pulsed dye laser: A retrospective study of 212 patients.

Background: Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common vascular neoplasm in children. Data on 595 nm pulsed dye lasers for the treatment of PG in children remain scarce.

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the 595 nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of PG in children.

MiR-520h inhibits viability and facilitates apoptosis of KGN cells through modulating IL6R and the JAK/STAT pathway.

This study embarked on the assessment regarding the function and mechanism of miR-520h/IL6R axis in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Specifically, we analyzed the differential expression of IL6R in PCOS samples and normal samples based on the GEO database, and then verified IL6R expression in KGN cells (Human granulosa-like tumor cell line) using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. MiRNA targeting IL6R was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and western blot.

Induction chemotherapy for the individualised treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical oesophageal invasion: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of induction chemotherapy as an indicator of the management of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical oesophageal invasion.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients admitted to our hospital between February 2003 and November 2016 with stage IVB hypopharyngeal carcinoma with cervical oesophageal invasion were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment they selected following an explanation of the different treatments available.

Methylene blue ameliorates brain edema in rats with experimental ischemic stroke via inhibiting aquaporin 4 expression.

Brain edema is a common and serious complication of ischemic stroke with limited effective treatment. We previously reported that methylene blue (MB) attenuated ischemic brain edema in rats, but the underlying mechanisms remained unknown. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in astrocytes plays a key role in brain edema.

Association of Serum Uric Acid Concentration and Its Change with Cardiovascular Death and All-Cause Mortality.

Objective: There is no consensus on the role of abnormal uric acid (UA) levels in the prognosis of patients undergoing hemodialysis. We therefore aimed to investigate the effects of changes in UA concentration on the risk of all-cause death and cardiac death in such patients.

Method: In this retrospective cohort study, patients admitted to two hemodialysis centers performing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in Wuhan First Hospital and Fourth Hospital Hemodialysis Center from January 1, 2007, to October 31, 2017, were included.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture and postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, is a form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body commonly for pain relief. To date, the role of traditional Chinese acupuncture in mood disorders in the postpartum period is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to review the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with postpartum depression (PPD).

Long Noncoding RNA LINC00657 Acting as a miR-590-3p Sponge to Facilitate Low Concentration Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque promotes plaque growth, causes plaque hemorrhage, and violates plaque stability. LINC00657 is a long noncoding RNA highly conserved and abundantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells. The present study was designed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of LINC00675 on low concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced angiogenesis.

Glutamate Impairs Mitochondria Aerobic Respiration Capacity and Enhances Glycolysis in Cultured Rat Astrocytes.

Objective: To study the effect of glutamate on metabolism, shifts in glycolysis and lactate release in rat astrocytes.

Methods: After 10 days, secondary cultured astrocytes were treated with 1 mmol/L glutamate for 1 h, and the oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and extra cellular acidification rate (ECAR) was analyzed using a Seahorse XF 24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Cell viability was then evaluated by MTT assay.

Meta-Analysis on the Association of ALDH2 Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus, Diabetic Retinopathy.

Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) is a disease with high prevalence and a major cause for death worldwide. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major manifestation of diabetes. Aldehyde dehydrogenease 2 (ALDH2) detoxifies aldehyde produced during ethanol metabolism and oxidative stress.

Impact of high fat diet on long non-coding RNAs and messenger RNAs expression in the aortas of ApoE(-/-) mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease with high prevalence worldwide, and has become the leading cause of death. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of high-fat diet on ApoE(-/-) mice exhibiting atherosclerosis by detecting the genome-wide expression profile of lncRNAs and mRNAs. A total of 354 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified (≥2.

Meta-Analysis for the Association between Polymorphisms in Interleukin-17A and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease which has become a leading cause of death worldwide. The polymorphisms in Interleukin-17 (IL-17A), including rs2275913, rs3819024, rs3819025, rs3748067, rs8193037, rs4711998, and rs8193036, have been found to be probably associated with the risk of CAD. However, the results were inconsistent and inconclusive.

Downregulation of Aquaporin 4 Expression through Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinases1/2 Activation in Cultured Astrocytes Following Scratch-injury.

Objective: To investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway in the regulation of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression in cultured astrocytes after scratch-injury.

Methods: The scratch-injury model was produced in cultured astrocytes of rat by a 10-μL plastic pipette tip. The morphological changes of astrocytes and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakages were observed to assess the degree of scratch-injury.

Role of cancer stem cell marker CD44 in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a principal cell surface receptor for hyaluronic acid, has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the relationship between CD44 expression and the patients with gastric cancer remains controversial. A meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively review the correlation of CD44 expression with the clinicopathological data of the patients with gastric cancer.

Tonsillectomy for IgA nephropathy: a meta-analysis.

Background: The efficacy of tonsillectomy in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remains controversial. Our meta-analysis was intended to investigate its efficacy as an adjunct or independent treatment.

Study Design: Meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective studies using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Renal tuberculosis and iliopsoas abscess: Two case reports.

The urinary system is the second most commonly affected site of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Due to the diverse and atypical clinical manifestations of urinary TB, the disease is easy to misdiagnose. In the present study, two cases of renal TB are reported, which had completely different clinical manifestations.

Gasless endoscopic surgery through the upper chest in treatment of thyroid tumor.

Background: Recently, there has been a surge of interest in minimally invasive techniques with endoscope in thyroid surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of a scarless neck surgery under endoscopy for the treatment of thyroid tumor and to observe the results of this procedure.

Methods: A total of 68 patients (64 women and 4 men) underwent the surgery.

An anti-lipopolysaccharide factor from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, exhibited antimicrobial activities in vitro and in vivo.

The anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs) are a group of effector molecules of innate immunity in arthropods, exhibiting binding and neutralizing activities to lipopolysaccharides. In this study, an ALF cDNA sequence (PcALF1) was identified from red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. The deduced peptide of PcALF1 was conserved; it manifested the signal peptide and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding domain, especially the two conserved cysteine residues at both ends of the domain.

[Application of modified pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap in head and neck surgeries].

Objective: To preserve the function of the donor site and good cervical shape, a modified pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap was designed.

Methods: The modified pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were used to repair primarily the defect in head and neck surgery. In all 17 cases, six cases were patients with recurrence of larynx or hypopharynx cancer, four cases with hypopharynx cancer, three cases with base of tongue cancer, two cases with recurrence of maxillary cancer, one case with tonsillar cancer and one case with pharyngeal fistula after hypopharyngeal cancer surgery.