Effect of ligamentum teres uteri preservation in laparoscopic high hernia sac ligation in children with indirect inguinal hernia.

Background: Routinely separating the ligamentum teres uteri (LTU) intraoperatively remains an unresolved issue for female children undergoing surgery for indirect inguinal hernia (IIH).

Aim: To identify the effect of LTU preservation in laparoscopic high hernia sac ligation (LHSL) in children with IIH.

Methods: The participants were 100 female children with unilateral IIH admitted from April 2022 to January 2024 to the Pediatric Surgery Department of Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital of Fujian Province.

Tirzepatide modulates the regulation of adipocyte nutrient metabolism through long-acting activation of the GIP receptor.

Tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GIPR/GLP-1R) agonist, has, in clinical trials, demonstrated greater reductions in glucose, body weight, and triglyceride levels compared with selective GLP-1R agonists in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, cellular mechanisms by which GIPR agonism may contribute to these improved efficacy outcomes have not been fully defined. Using human adipocyte and mouse models, we investigated how long-acting GIPR agonists regulate fasted and fed adipocyte functions.

Effects of Combined Maternal Voice Stimulation and Gravity Feeding Intervention for Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants in Neonatal Care.

Background: This study aims to investigate the impact and safety of combining maternal voice stimulation with gravity feeding on low-birth-weight preterm infants. The research focuses on key outcomes such as gastric tube indwelling time, feeding transition time, adequate gastrointestinal nutrition time, recovery of birth weight time, length of hospital stay, and oral motor function in preterm infants.

Methods: A total of 150 low birth weight preterm infants meeting inclusion criteria were recruited from the neonatal care unit and randomly assigned to three groups: traditional nasal feeding, gravity feeding with a homemade bracket, and a combined group receiving both gravity feeding and maternal voice stimulation.

Targeted metabolomics in human and animal biofluids and tissues using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Here, we present a targeted polar metabolomics protocol for the analysis of biofluids and frozen tissue biopsies using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We describe steps for sample pretreatment, liquid-liquid extraction, and isolation of polar metabolites. We then detail procedures for target LC-MS/MS analysis.

Role of endothelial PDGFB in arterio-venous malformations pathogenesis.

Arterial-venous malformations (AVMs) are direct connections between arteries and veins without an intervening capillary bed. Either familial inherited or sporadically occurring, localized pericytes (PCs) drop is among the AVMs' hallmarks. Whether impaired PC coverage triggers AVMs or it is a secondary event is unclear.

SMAD4 maintains the fluid shear stress set point to protect against arterial-venous malformations.

Vascular networks form, remodel, and mature under the influence of both fluid shear stress (FSS) and soluble factors. Physiological FSS promotes and maintains vascular stability via synergy with bone morphogenic proteins 9 and 10 (BMP9 and BMP10). Conversely, mutation of the BMP receptors activin-like kinase 1 (ALK1), endoglin (ENG), or the downstream effector, SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) leads to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), characterized by fragile and leaky arterial-venous malformations (AVMs).

Biomarker Changes Associated With Both Dulaglutide and Cardiovascular Events in the REWIND Randomized Controlled Trial: A Nested Case-Control Post Hoc Analysis.

Objective: The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide reduced MACE in the Researching Cardiovascular Events with a Weekly Incretin in Diabetes (REWIND) trial. This article expores the relationship of selected biomarkers to both dulaglutide and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Research Design And Methods: In this post hoc analysis, stored fasting baseline and 2-year plasma samples from 824 REWIND participants with MACE during follow-up and 845 matched non-MACE participants were analyzed for 2-year changes in 19 protein biomarkers.

Indicators of Kidney Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with Dulaglutide.

Introduction: In the AWARD-7 study in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, once-weekly dulaglutide slowed the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and decreased the urine albumin/creatinine ratio compared to insulin glargine at the end of 52 weeks of treatment. In this exploratory post hoc analysis, changes in two fibrosis biomarkers, serum PRO-C6 (type VI collagen formation) and urine C3M (type III collagen degradation), were evaluated.

Methods: In the groups treated with dulaglutide 1.

Integrin α6 Targeted Near Infrared Fluorescent Imaging and Photoacoustic Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice.

Background And Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death and ranks sixth in terms of incident cases worldwide. The purpose of this study was to develop an effective and sensitive method to distinguish liver cancer tissues from normal tissues in HCC patients. Integrin α6 is a promising cell surface target for molecular imaging of HCC, where it is overexpressed and is a prognostic biomarker.

Analysis of myocardial cellular gene expression during pressure overload reveals matrix based functional intercellular communication.

To identify cellular mechanisms responsible for pressure overload triggered heart failure, we isolated cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts as most abundant cell types from mouse hearts in the subacute and chronic stages after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and performed RNA-sequencing. We detected highly cell-type specific transcriptional responses with characteristic time courses and active intercellular communication. Cardiomyocytes after TAC exerted an early and sustained upregulation of inflammatory and matrix genes and a concomitant suppression of metabolic and ion channel genes.

Effects of Tirzepatide, a Dual GIP and GLP-1 RA, on Lipid and Metabolite Profiles in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes.

Context: Tirzepatide substantially reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body weight in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist dulaglutide. Improved glycemic control was associated with lower circulating triglycerides and lipoprotein markers and improved markers of beta-cell function and insulin resistance (IR), effects only partially attributable to weight loss.

Objective: Assess plasma metabolome changes mediated by tirzepatide.

The dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide improves cardiovascular risk biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis.

In a phase 2 trial of once-weekly tirzepatide (1, 5, 10, or 15 mg), dulaglutide (1.5 mg), or placebo, the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide dose-dependently reduced HbA1c and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this post hoc analysis, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and cellular stress biomarkers were measured at baseline, 4, 12, and 26 weeks to evaluate the additional effects of tirzepatide on cardiovascular risk factors.

GIPR agonism mediates weight-independent insulin sensitization by tirzepatide in obese mice.

Tirzepatide (LY3298176), a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, delivered superior glycemic control and weight loss compared with GLP-1R agonism in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism by which tirzepatide improves efficacy and how GIP receptor (GIPR) agonism contributes is not fully understood. Here, we show that tirzepatide is an effective insulin sensitizer, improving insulin sensitivity in obese mice to a greater extent than GLP-1R agonism.

Prognostic value of post-radiation serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen and primary tumor regression for cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: In this study, we determined the prognostic values of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based primary tumor regression and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SSCC-Ag) levels 4 weeks after definitive radiotherapy (RT) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 218 patients with histologically confirmed CSCC (stages IB-IVA). All the patients received definitive RT.

Clinical Outcomes of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Following Intracavitary/Interstitial Brachytherapy in Cervical Cancer: A Single Institution Retrospective Experience.

To evaluate treatment outcomes and toxicity in patients with cervical cancer (CC) treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), followed by three-dimensional high-dose-rate intracavity combined with interstitial brachytherapy (IC/IS BT) compared with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment. A total of 398 patients with stage IA-IVB CC treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed (331 VMAT and 67 IMRT). A total prescription dose of 45-50 Gy was delivered to pelvic field with VMAT/IMRT in 25/28 fractions, with five fractions per week.

Long-Term Outcomes of Three-Dimensional High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Locally Recurrent Early T-Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Brachytherapy (BT) is one of the techniques available for retreatment of patients with locally recurrent nasopharyng eal carcinoma (rNPC). In this study, we evaluated the treatment outcome and late toxicities of three-dimensional high-dose-rate brachytherapy (3D-HDR-BT) for patients with locally rNPC. This is a retrospective study involving 36 patients with histologically confirmed rNPC from 2004 to 2011.

Knockdown of PKM2 enhances radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells.

Background: Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) catalyzes the final step in glycolysis and has been found to be up-regulated in multiple human malignancies. However, whether PKM2 regulates the radiosensitivity of human cervical cancer (CC) remains unknown.

Methods: The expression of PKM2 in 94 patients with CC in the complete response (CR) and noncomplete response (nCR) groups, was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Knockdown of PKM2 suppresses tumor progression in human cervical cancer by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition via Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Background: Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) is a key glycolytic enzyme and is upregulated in multiple human malignancies. However, the role of PKM2 in human cervical cancer (CC) remains elusive. Thus, this study explored the role of PKM2 in CC by detecting its expression patterns in human CC tissues and cell lines and investigated its effects on cell proliferation and invasion.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for definitive treatment of cervical cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: To compare the efficacies and toxicities of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy (2D-RT) for definitive treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using search engines, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Elsevier. In the meta-analysis, odds ratios (ORs) were compared for overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and acute and chronic toxicities.

Identification of a sodium pump Na/K ATPase α1-targeted peptide for PET imaging of breast cancer.

The sodium pump Na/K ATPase a1 subunit(NKA a1), an attractive cancer-related biomarker and therapeutic target, is closely related to the development and progression of several cancers including breast cancer. Currently, a NKA a1 inhibitor, UNBS1450, has already evidenced its great therapeutic potential in personalized cancer treatment. The ability of non-invasive imaging of NKA a1 expression would be useful for selecting cancer patients who may benefit from this drug.

Hydrogen-Rich Saline Ameliorates Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HS) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods: Forty rats were randomly allocated into five groups: one sham group (control group), one group treated with 20 min of ischemia and normal saline (NS; I/R1 + NS group), one group treated with 20 min of ischemia and HS (I/R1 + HS group), one group treated with 60 min of ischemia and NS (I/R2 + NS group), and one group treated with 60 min of ischemia and HS (I/R2 + HS group). After reperfusion for 6 h, hepatic function, oxidative stress, pathological changes, and apoptosis of hepatic cells were evaluated.

Microenvironmental Gene Expression Plasticity Among Individual Drosophila melanogaster.

Differences in phenotype among genetically identical individuals exposed to the same environmental condition are often noted in genetic studies. Despite this commonplace observation, little is known about the causes of this variability, which has been termed microenvironmental plasticity. One possibility is that stochastic or technical sources of variance produce these differences.

Effects of PTEN gene silencing on invasion and EMT in oral squamous carcinoma Tca8113 cells.

Aim: To investigate the impact of silencing of the PTEN gene using siRNA on the invasion, proliferation, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the Tca8113 cell line.

Methods: The established Tca8113 cell model with siRNA interference to silence the PTEN gene was used. The transfection efficiency was examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis.