Higher Serum Magnesium Is a Survival Advantage in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

Introduction: Elevated serum magnesium is common and associated with survival in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients by observational studies. However, the results of these studies were underpowered and inconclusive. This work was designed to explore the predictive value of serum magnesium on the mortality of patients with MHD.

A metagenomic insight into the Yangtze finless porpoise virome.

The Yangtze finless porpoise () inhabiting the Yantze River, China is critically endangered because of the influences of infectious disease, human activity, and water contamination. Viral diseases are one of the crucial factors that threatening the health of Yangtze finless porpoise. However, there are few studies which elaborate the viral diversity of Yangtze finless.

Astragalus Polysaccharides Reduce High-glucose-induced Rat Aortic Endothelial Cell Senescence and Inflammasome Activation by Modulating the Mitochondrial Na/Ca Exchanger.

Vascular endothelial cells play a vital role in atherosclerotic changes and the progression of cardiovascular disease in older adults. Previous studies have indicated that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), a main active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus, protect mitochondria and exert an antiaging effect in the mouse liver and brain. However, the effect of APS on rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) senescence and its underlying mechanism have not been investigated.

Paracrine Effects of Recombinant Human Adiponectin Promote Bone Regeneration.

Bone regeneration is a delicate physiological process. Non-union and delayed fracture healing remains a great challenge in clinical practice nowadays. Bone and fat hold a close relationship to remain balanced through hormones and cytokines.

A cohort study of microwave ablation and surgery for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Background: The optimal treatment method for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is lacking consensus. Here we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of surgery and microwave ablation (MWA) for PTMC.

Methods: The clinical data of 644 patients with PTMC treated between July 2013 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Prognostic value of beta-2 microglobulin on mortality in chronic kidney disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to delve into whether beta-2 microglobulin could assess all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. PubMed and Embase were systematically searched. Hazard risk and 95% CI were pooled using random-effect models.

Hepatitis C virus and carpal tunnel syndrome in hemodialysis patients: a single center cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common complication in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and leads to disabilities and increased risk of mortality. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress, and HCV infection can be cured. This study aimed at evaluating the association of HCV infection with CTS.

Higher Postdialysis Lactic Acid Is Associated with Postdialysis Fatigue in Maintenance of Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Postdialysis fatigue (PDF) is not an unusual symptom among hemodialysis (HD) patients; however, its causes remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors responsible for PDF in maintenance HD patients.

Methods: This was a single-center cross-sectional study conducted between March 2018 and March 2019 at the Department of Blood Purification, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University.

Cinacalcet Treatment Significantly Improves All-Cause and Cardiovascular Survival in Dialysis Patients: Results from a Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To assess the long-term effects including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and fracture incidence, of cinacalcet on secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients on dialysis.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception to October 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort design prospective observational studies assessing cinacalcet for the treatment of SHPT in dialysis patients were included.

Association between Serum Magnesium and Erythropoietin Responsiveness in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/aims: As shown in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, serum magnesium is associated with anemia. However, the roles of magnesium in anemia and erythropoietin (EPO) responsiveness remain unclear in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study aims to investigate the level of serum magnesium and its relationship with EPO responsiveness in MHD patients.

A prospective, multicenter, randomized OCT study of early neointimal condition at first and second months after BuMA Supreme stent versus XIENCE stent implantation in high-bleeding-risk coronary artery disease patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Earlier vascular healing after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation may reduce the incidence of late stent thrombosis and provide theoretical evidence to shorten dual antiplatelet therapy duration in patients with high bleeding risks. The BuMA supreme stent is a newly developed DES-coated with the sirolimus by using the international patent electronic grafted eG™ technology. Previous randomized trials showed that BuMA stents had better stent-strut coverage at 3-month follow-ups, which were evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Pericentrin expression in pancreatic β cells is associated impaired glucose tolerance.

Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of pericentrin (PCNT) in impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods: Mouse model of specific PCNT reduction in β-cells (PCNTβPCNT) was built using a Tet-on induction system; mouse model of impaired glucose tolerance was built by high-fat feeding. MIN6 cells were divided into control and Si-PCNT groups.

Shear wave elastography results correlate with liver fibrosis histology and liver function reserve.

Aim: To evaluate the correlation of shear wave elastography (SWE) results with liver fibrosis histology and quantitative function reserve.

Methods: Weekly subcutaneous injection of 60% carbon tetrachloride (1.5 mL/kg) was given to 12 canines for 24 wk to induce experimental liver fibrosis, with olive oil given to 2 control canines.

Efficacy of Ablation Therapy for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism by Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Thermoablation.

The objective of this study was to explore the value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave thermoablation to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). One hundred and thirty-eight parathyroid glands from 56 patients with SHPT were ablated in this study. All the parathyroid glands were evaluated by real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound before, during and after ablation.

The mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger may reduce high glucose-induced oxidative stress and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 3 inflammasome activation in endothelial cells.

Background: The mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, NCLX, plays an important role in the balance between Ca(2+) influx and efflux across the mitochondrial inner membrane in endothelial cells. Mitochondrial metabolism is likely to be affected by the activity of NCLX because Ca(2+) activates several enzymes of the Krebs cycle. It is currently believed that mitochondria are not only centers of energy production but are also important sites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation.

Pericentrin Is Related to Abnormal β-Cell Insulin Secretion through F-Actin Regulation in Mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the regulating effect of pericentrin (PCNT) on insulin secretion in the development of insulin resistance and to determine the underlying mechanism. PCNT expression was studied in different tissues of C57/B6 mice by reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunofluorescence. PCNT was highly expressed in organs involved in the regulation of metabolism, while cytoplasmic expression was only enriched in islet cells.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for quantitative assessment of portal pressure in canine liver fibrosis.

Aim: To explore the feasibility of non-invasive quantitative estimation of portal venous pressure by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a canine model.

Methods: Liver fibrosis was established in adult canines (Beagles; n = 14) by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). CEUS parameters, including the area under the time-intensity curve and intensity at portal/arterial phases (Qp/Qa and Ip/Ia, respectively), were used to quantitatively assess the blood flow ratio of the portal vein/hepatic artery at multiple time points.

Methylation of FOXP3 in regulatory T cells is related to the severity of coronary artery disease.

Objectives: Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been shown to play a protective role in experimental atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear whether Tregs can protect from rupture of vulnerable plaque in patients with atherosclerosis. Demethylation of the DNA encoding the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) was found to be essential for the stable maintenance of the suppressive properties of Tregs.

Characterization of five fungal endophytes producing Cajaninstilbene acid isolated from pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp].

Five fungal endophytes (K4, K5, K6, K9, K14) producing Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA, 3-hydroxy-4-prenyl-5-methoxystilbene-2-carboxylic acid) were isolated from the roots of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.].

Quantification of CPT13 in rat plasma using LC-MS/MS for a pharmacokinetic study.

A new, simple, sensitive and specific reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method using tandem mass spectrometry detection was initially developed and validated for the analysis of 10-(2-pyrazolyl-ethoxy)-(20S)-camptothecin (CPT13) in rat plasma. Pretreatment of the sample obtained from plasma involved a single protein precipitation step with using acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid.

Voltammetric behavior of the MCF-7 cell cytoplasm and the effect of taxol on voltammetric response.

The aims of this study were to find the electroactive species in the human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell cytoplasm causing a voltammetric response of the cells and to establish a simple and rapid measurement method to obtain strong and direct electrochemical responses objectively reflecting the cell viability. Ultrasonication was carried out for the electrochemical detection. The presence of guanine and xanthine in the MCF-7 cell eluent secreted by the living cells and in the MCF-7 cell cytoplasm was verified by HPLC assay with a DAD system and chemometric method.

Determination of a hydrophilic paclitaxel derivative, 7-xylosyl-10-deacetylpaclitaxel in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS.

A LC-MS/MS method for the determination of a hydrophilic paclitaxel derivative 7-xylosyl-10-deacetylpaclitaxel in rat plasma was developed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of 7-xylosyl-10-deacetylpaclitaxel in the rats. 7-Xylosyl-10-deacetylpaclitaxel and docetaxel (IS for 7-xylosyl-10-deacetylpaclitaxel) were extracted from rat plasma with acetic ether and analyzed on a Hypersil C(18 )column (4.6 x 150 mm i.