Candesartan upregulates angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in kidneys of male animals by decreased ubiquitination.

Candesartan is a common angiotensin-II receptor-1 blocker used for patients with cardiovascular and renal diseases. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a negative regulator of blood pressure (BP), and also a major receptor for coronaviruses. To determine whether and how candesartan upregulates ACE2, we examined BP and ACE2 in multi-organs from male and female C57BL/6J mice treated with candesartan (1 mg/kg, i.

DOPAMINE D4 RECEPTOR DOWN-REGULATES RENAL SODIUM CHLORIDE COTRANSPORTER VIA UBIQUITINATION-ASSOCIATED LYSOSOME DEGRADATION.

Background: The thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) is the major apical sodium transporter located in the mammalian renal distal convoluted tubule (DCT). The amount of sodium reabsorbed in the DCT through NCC plays an important role in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure. Dopamine and its receptors constitute a renal antihypertensive system in mammals.

GYY4137, a HS donor, ameliorates kidney injuries in diabetic mice by modifying renal ROS-associated enzymes.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and often advances to end-stage renal disease. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of DN. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is considered as a promising candidate for the management of DN.

Renal CD81 interacts with sodium potassium 2 chloride cotransporter and sodium chloride cotransporter in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced preeclampsia.

The kidney regulates blood pressure through salt/water reabsorption affected by tubular sodium transporters. Expanding our prior research on placental cluster of differentiation 81 (CD81), this study explores the interaction of renal CD81 with sodium transporters in preeclampsia (PE). Effects of renal CD81 with sodium transporters were determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PE rats and immortalized mouse renal distal convoluted tubule cells.

A low-salt diet with candesartan administration is associated with acute kidney injury in nephritis by increasing nitric oxide.

A low-salt diet may activate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and is often applied simultaneously with RAAS inhibitors, especially for treatment of proteinuric nephritis. To explore the effect of a low-salt diet combined with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) on kidney function, the proteinuric nephritis model was induced by single intravenous injection of doxorubicin, and then the SD rats were administrated with candesartan intraperitoneal injection and fed with different salt diets. Rats with low-salt plus candesartan, not either alone, experienced acute kidney injury (AKI) at day 7 and could not self-restore when extending the experiment time from 7 days to 21 days, unless switching low-salt to normal-salt.

Morroniside ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and promotes osteoblastogenesis by interacting with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2.

Context: Morroniside (MOR) possesses antiosteoporosis (OP) effects, but its molecular target and relevant mechanisms remain unknown.

Objective: We investigated the effects of MOR on glucocorticoid-induced OP and osteoblastogenesis and its underlying mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: The effects of MOR (10-100 μM) on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells were studied .

Assessment of Urinary Exosomal NHE3 as a Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury.

The diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) traditionally depends on the serum creatinine (Scr) and urine output, which lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Using urinary exosomes as a biomarker has unique advantages. To assess whether urinary exosomal Na/H exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) protein could serve as a biomarker of AKI, we constructed four AKI rat models: cisplatin (7.

The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma applicated in spinal fusion surgery: A meta-analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of the application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in spinal fusion surgery on the fusion rate of the spine.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases was conducted to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of PRP in spinal fusion. Data on final fusion rate, changes in the visual analog scale (VAS), estimated blood loss (EBL), and operative time was collected from the eligible studies for meta-analysis.

Robot-Assisted Kyphoplasty Improves Clinical and Radiological Features Better Than Fluoroscopy-Assisted Kyphoplasty in the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether patients treated with robot-assisted kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures have superior clinical and radiographic improvement than those treated with fluoroscopy.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases was conducted to find randomized control trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies that compared robotic-assisted kyphoplasty (RA-kyphoplasty) with fluoroscopy-assisted kyphoplasty (FA-kyphoplasty) in treating vertebral compression fractures. Preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up data on vertebral height (VH), vertebral kyphosis angle (VKA), visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain, and cement leakage rate were collected from eligible studies for meta-analysis.

[Effects and mechanism of morroniside on osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of mouse MC3T3-E1 cells].

Objective: To study the effects of morroniside (MOR) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mouse MC3T3-E1 cells.

Methods: The 4th generation MC3T3-E1 cells were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (group A), MOR low dose group (10 μmol/L, group B), MOR medium-low dose group (20 μmol/L, group C), MOR medium dose group (40 μmol/L, group D), MOR medium-high dose group (80 μmol/L, group E), and MOR high dose group (100 μmol/L, group F). The proliferation activity of each group was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay; the bone differentiation and mineralized nodule formation of each group were detected by alizarin red staining; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (P21), recombinant Cyclin D1 (CCND1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type Ⅰ (COL-1), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), and adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) mRNA expressions; Western blot was used to detecte the expressions of osteopontin (OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and adenosine A2AR protein.

Covalent organic framework-based fluorescent nanoprobe for intracellular pH sensing and imaging.

Lysosomes are the acidic organelles in the cells that play an important role in intracellular degradation and other various cellular functions. The pH disturbance of lysosomes will result in the lysosomal dysfunction and many lysosomal related diseases. In this work, we reported a methoxy-based covalent organic framework (TAPB-DMTP-COF) that a novel pH-responsive fluorescent probe for lysosomal pH imaging in cells.

Identification of potential gene signatures associated with osteosarcoma by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most primary malignant bone cancer in children and adolescents with a high mortality rate. This work aims to screen novel potential gene signatures associated with OS by integrated microarray analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Material And Methods: The OS microarray datasets were searched and downloaded from GEO database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OS and normal samples.

Glucose-induced decrease of cystathionine β-synthase mediates renal injuries.

Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H S) protects kidneys from diabetic injuries in animal models. In order to explore the role of endogenous H S in diabetic nephropathy, we determined the renal H2S producing enzymes in vivo and in vitro. In diabetic mice, H S levels in blood and kidney were decreased while cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), mainly located in mouse renal proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), was reduced selectively.

General and fast synthesis of graphene frameworks using sugars for high-performance hydrogen peroxide nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor.

3D graphene frameworks (GFs) are fast and scalably synthesized via a general and facile method from the rich biomass of sugars with the aid of molten salts, using glucose as the prototype, to obtain an effective sensing platform for sensitive nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide (HO) detection. The electroactive area of the GFs/GCE (0.1437 cm) is obviously higher than that of bare GCE (0.

8-Hydroxyquinoline functionalized covalent organic framework as a pH sensitive carrier for drug delivery.

A porous 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized organic covalent framework (named COF-HQ) was synthesized. The as-prepared COF-HQ showed stable crystal structure, suitable pore size, excellent dispersibility in physiological solution and pH sensitivity, which would be employed as a potential nanocarrier for drug transport and controlled release. The drug loading experiment with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) as the model molecule proved that the drug loading capacity of COF-HQ was significantly improved due to the introduction of quinoline groups.

The mechanism of binding with the α-glucosidase in vitro and the evaluation on hypoglycemic effect in vivo: Cocrystals involving synergism of gallic acid and conformer.

Cocrystallization of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) with formers can induce positive or negative synergistic effects on activity; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we screened two cocrystals of gallic acid (GA): GA-p-aminobenzoic acid (cocrystal A) and GA-amino acetic acid (cocrystal B). Solubility, dissolution rate, and oral bioavailability and hypoglycemic effect of the two cocrystals were evaluated.

miR‑95 promotes osteosarcoma growth by targeting SCNN1A.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant bone tumor, presenting particularly in children and young adults, and accounts for approximately 19% of all malignant bone cancers. Despite advances in OS treatment, long‑term prognosis remains poor. miRNAs are non‑coding single‑stranded RNAs ~22 nucleotides in length.

Characterizations and Assays of α-Glucosidase Inhibition Activity on Gallic Acid Cocrystals: Can the Cocrystals be Defined as a New Chemical Entity During Binding with the α-Glucosidase?

Cocrystallization with co-former (CCF) has proved to be a powerful approach to improve the solubility and even bioavailability of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). However, it is still uncertain whether a cocrystal would exert the pharmacological activity in the form of a new chemical entity, an API-CCF supramolecule. In the present study, gallic acid (GA)-glutaric acid and GA-succinimide cocrystals were screened.

miR-532-3p inhibits osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells by downregulating ETS1.

Background: Many studies had identified that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could affect bone metabolism by regulating the expression of various proteins. This study explored the effect and mechanism of miR-532-3p on osteogenic differentiation.

Methods: We analyzed the content of miR-532-3p in osteoporosis patients, osteoporosis rats, and osteogenic induced MC3T3-E1 cells.

Astragalus root extract inhibits retinal cell apoptosis and repairs damaged retinal neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity.

Since the functions of Astragalus root extract in retinopathy remain to be unraveled, this study is performed to elucidate whether Astragalus root extract functions in retinal cell apoptosis and angiogenesis in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Newborn mice were selected for establishing mice models of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), which were treated with high-, medium- or low-Astragalus root extract. Evans Blue (EB) was perfused to detect the blood retinal barrier.

Reduction of Interferences Using Fe-Containing Metal-Organic Frameworks for Matrix Separation and Enhanced Photochemical Vapor Generation of Trace Bismuth.

Photochemical vapor generation (PVG) has emerged as a promising sample introduction method for atomic spectrometry in recent years. Despite its great success, a major impediment for the wide application of PVG is the interferences from the coexisting ions, especially transition-metal ions. In this work, iron and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic (Fe-BTC), a Fe-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) material, was synthesized and first used as a platform integrating the sample matrix separation, preconcentration, and photocatalysis for the highly selective determination of elements by PVG.

Application of continuous epidural anesthesia in transforaminal lumbar endoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to compare intraoperative lower back pain and leg pain, surgical time, and intraoperative X-ray dose in patients offered local infiltration anesthesia or continuous epidural anesthesia for transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) surgery.

Methods: A total of 98 patients who received TESSYS treatment for single-segmental lumbar disc herniation were included, and were randomly divided into two groups: group A (49 cases; local infiltration anesthesia) and group B (49 cases; continuous epidural anesthesia). Surgical duration, intraoperative X-ray dose, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores of lower back pain and leg pain before surgery, during surgery, and 48 h after surgery were recorded and compared.

Enhanced Photochemical Vapor Generation for the Determination of Bismuth by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

An enhanced photochemical vapor generation (PVG) sample introduction procedure is developed for the determination of trace Bi with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) by the addition of iron. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) reveals that (CH)Bi is the major component of the volatile Bi species formed in the presence of 20% (v/v) acetic acid, 5% (v/v) formic acid, and 60 μg mL Fe under UV irradiation. The addition of Fe not only largely increases the PVG efficiency of Bi but also accelerates the reaction kinetics of photochemical reduction of Bi.

Treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leak after spine surgery.

Owing to the complexity of spinal surgery, there is a great prevalence of dural tear causing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Many studies focused on suture repair for dural tear to stop CSF leak. Now some new treatment strategies have shown a promising effect that is listed as follows: 1) creating watertight dural closure to stop CSF leak with the help of dural substitute material; and 2) retarding CSF leak by changing pressure difference, including reducing the subarachnoid fluid pressure, increasing the epidural space pressure and both.