Nidogen 2 Overexpression Promotes Hepatosteatosis and Atherosclerosis.

Clinical and genetic studies strongly support a significant connection between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and identify ASCVD as the primary cause of death in NAFLD patients. Understanding the molecular factors and mechanisms regulating these diseases is critical for developing novel therapies that target them simultaneously. Our preliminary immunoblotting experiments demonstrated elevated expression of nidogen 2 (NID2), a basement membrane glycoprotein, in human atherosclerotic vascular tissues and murine steatotic livers.

Evaluating predictors of mortality in octogenarians undergoing urgent or emergent trauma laparotomy.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify associated risk factors for mortality in octogenarian trauma patients undergoing urgent or emergent laparotomy (UEL).

Methods: Trauma patients ages 80-89 years-old undergoing UEL within 6-hours of arrival were included. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associated risk of mortality.

Lack of Cannabinoid Type 2 Promoter Activity in Normal or Injured Kidneys Using a Cnr2-GFP Reporter Mouse.

Although cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor activity is known to promote diverse biological functions in the kidney, published data regarding CB2 receptor protein levels and cellular distribution within the kidney is inconsistent. The goal of the present study was to investigate the changes of CB2 in the kidney obtained from mice exposed to various forms of kidney injury using a genetic mouse model expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the endogenous cannabinoid receptor 2 (Cnr2) promoter. Kidney injury was established in a genetic mouse model expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the endogenous Cnr2 promoter.

DJ-X-013 reduces LPS-induced inflammation, modulates Th17/ myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and alters NF-κB expression to ameliorate experimental colitis.

Scope: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory condition of unknown etiology, although recent evidence suggests that it is caused by an excessive immune response to mucosal antigens. We determined the anti-inflammatory properties of novel compound DJ-X-013 in vitro in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages and in an in vivo dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced model of colitis.

Methods And Results: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of DJ-X-013, we used LPS-activated RAW 264.

Removal of the catalytic subunit of DNA-protein kinase in the proximal tubules promotes DNA and tubular damage during kidney injury.

Tubular epithelial cell damage can be repaired through a series of complex signaling pathways. An early event in many forms of tubular damage is the observation of DNA damage, which can be repaired by specific pathways depending upon the type of genomic alteration..

Surgical Care Through a Community Free Clinic-Ambulatory Surgical Center Partnership.

Background: Disparities secondary to underinsurance present throughout the surgical care continuum. Community free clinics are uniquely capable to provide health care services to the medically underserved, but surgery often falls outside their scope of care.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive community free clinic patients receiving free surgical services via referral to a partnering ambulatory surgery center between March 2016 and September 2021.

Redesigning antenatal care: Prospective use of an implementation framework to establish a population-based multidisciplinary first-trimester screening, assessment and prevention service.

Background: Australian rates of adverse obstetric outcomes have improved little despite guidelines recommending history-based screening and intervention. The first trimester provides a unique opportunity to predict and prevent complications, yet population-based screening has failed to be translated into broad clinical practice.

Aims: This study aimed to redesign antenatal care within an Australian public healthcare centre to align with evidence-based maternity care, including population-based first-trimester screening with early initiation of preventative strategies in high-risk pregnancies.

ProteoMixture: A cell type deconvolution tool for bulk tissue proteomic data.

Numerous multi-omic investigations of cancer tissue have documented varying and poor pairwise transcript:protein quantitative correlations, and most deconvolution tools aiming to predict cell type proportions (cell admixture) have been developed and credentialed using transcript-level data alone. To estimate cell admixture using protein abundance data, we analyzed proteome and transcriptome data generated from contrived admixtures of tumor, stroma, and immune cell models or those selectively harvested from the tissue microenvironment by laser microdissection from high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) tumors. Co-quantified transcripts and proteins performed similarly to estimate stroma and immune cell admixture (r ≥ 0.

Blunt Adrenal Injury is Not Associated With Worse Outcomes in Adult Trauma Patients.

Introduction: Blunt adrenal injury is rare. Given production of hormones including catecholamines, adrenal injury may lead to worse outcomes. However, there is a paucity of literature on this topic.

Inhibition of microRNA-34c reduces detrusor ROCK2 expression and urinary bladder inflammation in experimental cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called painful bladder syndrome (PBS), is 2 to 5 times more common in women than in men, yet its cause and pathogenesis remain unclear. In our study using the cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced mouse model of cystitis, histological evaluation of the urinary bladder (UB) lamina propria (LP) showed immune cell infiltrations, indicating moderate to severe inflammation. In this study, we noticed a differential expression of a subset of microRNAs (miRs) in the UB cells (UBs) of CYP-induced cystitis as compared to the control.

Adolescent Trauma Patients With Isolated Head Trauma and Glasgow Coma Scale 6-8: Routine Intubation?

Background: Recent evidence suggests that routine intubation upon arrival for adults with isolated head trauma and a depressed Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Whether these outcomes are similar within an adolescent trauma population has not been previously investigated. We hypothesized intubation upon arrival for adolescent trauma patients with isolated head trauma to be associated with a higher risk of death and prolonged length of stay (LOS).

Hydrogen sulfide donor activates AKT-eNOS signaling and promotes lymphatic vessel formation.

The lymphatic network is pivotal for various physiological functions in the human body. Accumulated evidence supports the role of therapeutic lymphangiogenesis in the treatment of several pathologies. Endogenous gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been extensively studied for its potential as a pro-angiogenic factor and vascular function modulator.

Rhabdomyolysis aggravates renal iron accumulation and acute kidney injury in a humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease.

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at greater risk of rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most severe complications of rhabdomyolysis. Chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease, which account for SCD mortality, are long-term consequences of AKI.

Firearm Violence Involving Adults 65 and Older During the Novel Coronavirus Disease Pandemic.

Background: Rates of firearm violence (FV) surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a paucity of data regarding older adults (OAs) (≥65 years old). This study aimed to evaluate patterns of FV against OAs before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, hypothesizing decreased firearm incidents, injuries, and deaths for OAs due to restricted social movement.

Identification of cell division cycle protein 20 in various forms of acute and chronic kidney injury in mice.

Tubular epithelial cell fate following exposure to various types of injurious stimuli can be decided at distinct cell cycle checkpoints. One such checkpoint occurs during mitosis, known as the spindle assembly checkpoint, and is tightly regulated through the actions of cell division cycle protein 20 (CDC20). Due to our paucity of knowledge about the role of CDC20 in the kidney, the present study was designed to investigate the expression levels and distribution of CDC20 within the kidney and how pharmacological inhibition of CDC20 function affects kidney recovery using various rodent models of kidney injury.

Clinical Outcome Comparison of Patients Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With or Without COVID-19 Infection.

In severe COVID-19-related respiratory failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a useful modality that is used to provide effective oxygenation and ventilation to the patient. This descriptive study aimed to investigate and compare the outcomes between COVID-19-infected patients and patients who were not infected and required ECMO support. A retrospective study was undertaken on a cohort of 82 adult patients ([Formula: see text]18-year-old) who required venoarterial (VA-ECMO) and venovenous (VV-ECMO) ECMO between January 2019 and December 2022 in a single academic center.

Do first-trimester screening algorithms for preeclampsia aligned to use of preventative therapies reduce the prevalence of pre-term preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Traditional obstetric practice relies upon history-based assessment to screen for preeclampsia and guide preventative therapies but is hampered by low sensitivity, high false-positive rates and low treatment rates. First-trimester screening algorithms represent the most efficacious approach for risk prediction and could target early initiation of aspirin to well-defined high-risk populations. A large randomised controlled trial has demonstrated the clinical benefits of this approach, but widespread practice implementation has remained elusive.

CD47 Activation by Thrombospondin-1 in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Suppresses Lymphangiogenesis and Promotes Atherosclerosis.

Background: TSP1 (thrombospondin-1)-a well-known angiogenesis inhibitor-mediates differential effects via interacting with cell surface receptors including CD36 (cluster of differentiation) and CD47. However, the role of TSP1 in regulating lymphangiogenesis is not clear. Our previous study suggested the importance of cell-specific CD47 blockade in limiting atherosclerosis.

Piceatannol induces regulatory T cells and modulates the inflammatory response and adipogenesis.

The beneficial effects of the polyphenolic compound piceatannol (PC) has been reported for metabolic diseases, antiproliferative, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Despite its beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases, little is known about how PC regulates inflammatory responses and adipogenesis. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effects of PC on the inflammatory response and adipogenesis.

The Effects of Outdoor versus Indoor Exercise on Psychological Health, Physical Health, and Physical Activity Behaviour: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Trials.

A growing body of research is exploring the potential added health benefits of exercise when performed outdoors in nature versus indoors. This systematic review aimed to compare the effects of exercise in outdoor environments versus indoor environments on psychological health, physical health, and physical activity behaviour. We searched nine databases from inception to March 2021 for English language, peer-reviewed articles: MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, SportsDiscus, GreenFile, and CENTRAL.

Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Activation Reduces the Progression of Kidney Fibrosis Using a Mouse Model of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction.

Kidney fibrosis is a hallmark consequence of all forms of chronic kidney disease with few available treatment modalities. In this study, we performed the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) procedure to investigate the effects of a selective cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) agonist receptor, SMM-295, as a nephroprotective therapy. SMM-295 was demonstrated to exhibit 50-fold selectivity over the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor with an EC ∼2 nM.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Apcin-Based CDC20 Inhibitors.

CDC20 binds to anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome E3 ubiquitin ligase to recruit substrates for ubiquitination to promote mitotic progression. In breast and other cancers, CDC20 overexpression causes cell cycle dysregulation and is associated with poor prognosis. Apcin was previously discovered as a CDC20 inhibitor exhibiting high micromolar activities.