Puerarin Attenuates Podocyte Damage in Mice With Diabetic Kidney Disease by Modulating the AMPK/Nrf2 Pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of puerarin in alleviating diabetic nephropathy (DKD) in mice. The DKD model was induced by multiple low-dose injections of streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-sugar and high-fat diet in male C57BL/6J mice. After confirming the onset of DKD, mice were given irbesartan, distilled water, or different concentrations of puerarin (40 and 80 mg/kg/d) by gavage for 8 weeks.

A targeted and synergetic nano-delivery system against infection for promoting wound healing.

Purpose: infection is the most common pathogen in burn wound infections, causing delayed wound healing and progression to chronic wounds. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop antimicrobial agents that can promote wound healing for effectively treating infected wounds.

Patients And Methods: Using magnetic stirring and ultrasound to synthesize Apt-pM@UCNPmSiO-Cur-CAZ.

Construction of functional tissue-engineered microvasculatures using circulating fibrocytes as mural cells.

Mural cells are essential for maintaining the proper functions of microvasculatures. However, a key challenge of microvascular tissue engineering is identifying a cellular source for mural cells. We showed that , circulating fibrocytes (CFs) can (1) shear and stabilize the microvasculatures formed by vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in a collagen gel, (2) form gap junctions with VECs and (3) induce basement membrane formation.

Therapeutic potential and mechanisms of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells differentiating into tendon cells and promotion of rotator cuff tendon-bone healing.

Rotator cuff tendon injuries often lead to shoulder pain and dysfunction. Traditional treatments such as surgery and physical therapy can provide temporary relief, but it is difficult to achieve complete healing of the tendon, mainly because of the limited repair capacity of the tendon cells. Therefore, it is particularly urgent to explore new treatment methods.

Aging-enhanced autophagy activity promotes fibrotic progression via the TGF-β2/Smad signaling pathway in trabecular meshwork cells-a new insight from POAG.

Introduction: Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is characterized by optic neuropathy and retinopathy, with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) being the most prevalent form. The primary pathogenic mechanism of POAG involves elevated intraocular pressure caused by chronic fibrosis of the trabecular meshwork (TM). Autophagy, a critical process for maintaining cellular homeostasis, has been implicated in fibrosis across various organs.

Psychological abuse and its influencing factors among home-dwelling older people in Northern China: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: As the population ages, the subject of elder abuse has become more prominent, with psychological abuse of older people being particularly prevalent. This leads to a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems among older people, reducing their quality of life, and even jeopardizing their safety.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate psychological abuse among home-dwelling older people in Northern China and its influencing factors.

Re-evaluating large for gestational age: differential effects on perinatal outcomes in term and premature births.

Objective: Pregnancies with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) fetuses are associated with increased risks of various adverse perinatal outcomes. While existing research primarily focuses on term neonates, less is known about preterm neonates. This study aims to explore the risks of adverse maternal and neonatal perinatal outcomes associated with LGA in term neonates and neonates with different degrees of prematurity, compared to appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates.

Trends in the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 1999-2018.

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an escalating public health concern in the United States, linked with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite known risk factors like age, hypertension, and diabetes, comprehensive studies examining temporal trends in CKD prevalence are scarce. This study aims to analyze these trends using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Cell therapy for scleroderma: progress in mesenchymal stem cells and CAR-T treatment.

Cell therapy is an emerging strategy for precision treatment of scleroderma. This review systematically summarizes the research progress of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies in scleroderma and discusses the challenges and future directions for development. MSCs possess multiple functions, including immunomodulation, anti-fibrosis, and promotion of vascular regeneration, all of which can improve multiple pathological processes associated with scleroderma.

Case report: Successful therapy with recombinant human vascular endostatin in an elderly man with colon telangiectasia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

An 83-year-old male presented to our Digestive System Department with a 5-day history of severe gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and a 14-year history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with low platelet levels. Colonoscopy revealed extensive telangiectasias throughout the colon, particularly in the transverse and ascending segments. Standard treatment with proton-pump inhibitors and somatostatin proved ineffective.

Efficacy and safety of hydroxyurea therapy on patients with -thalassemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Our aim is to review the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea (HU) on -thalassemia patients.

Methods: Studies that evaluated the safety and efficacy of HU on β-thalassemia patients were searched in Pub-Med, Cochrane Databases, Web of Science, China-Biology-Medicine, CNKI, Embase, VIP, and WanFang data. The proportions of response rate (RR) (50% fall in transfusion need in transfusion-dependent -thalassemia patients, or 1 g/dL elevate in hemoglobin (Hb) levels in transfusion-independent -thalassemia patients) and good RR (transfusion-free in transfusion-dependent -thalassemia patients or 2 g/dL elevate in Hb levels in transfusion-independent β-thalassemia patients) were utilized to evaluate the effect size (ES).

Pathogenesis and regenerative therapy in vitiligo and alopecia areata: focus on hair follicle.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes in the hair follicles and epidermis, leading to white patches on the skin and mucous membranes. Alopecia areata (AA) is a common immune-mediated condition in which autoimmune attack on hair follicles cause non-scarring hair loss. Both diseases significantly impact patients's physical and mental health.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among physicians and pharmacists toward antibiotic use in sepsis.

Background: Sepsis management in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) presents a significant challenge within contemporary healthcare. The primary challenge lies in ensuring the timely and appropriate utilization of antibiotics. Inappropriate antibiotic use in sepsis management can result in a multitude of adverse outcomes.

Global, regional, and national burden inequality of chronic kidney disease, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health issue, often linked to diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. However, aggregated statistics can obscure heterogeneity across subtypes, age, gender, and regions. This study aimed to analyze global CKD trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on age, gender, socio-demographic index (SDI), and regional variations.

Difference between estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C versus creatinine and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health.

Background: The difference between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated from cystatin C and creatinine (eGFRdiff) serves as a biomarker of kidney function impairment. However, the role of eGFRdiff in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health and its impact on mortality in CKM syndrome patients has not yet been studied.

Methods: This study included 3,622 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2004.

Association between neutrophil-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: evidence from NHANES 2017-2020.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is closely associated with chronic inflammation and lipid metabolism disorders. The neutrophil-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHR) is an integrative marker reflecting inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism disorders and is associated with various diseases. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between NHR and NAFLD, MASLD, and liver fibrosis.

Influence of kinesiophobia on activity, function, and anxiety levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes joint inflammation and affects quality of life. Appropriate physical activity can enhance joint function and lower cardiovascular disease risk. However, individuals with RA often have reduced physical activity levels, likely due to kinesiophobia, or fear of movement.

Current perspectives for metabolomics and lipidomics in dyslipidemia of acne vulgaris: a mini review.

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common inflammatory disorder involving the pilosebaceous unit. Many studies have reported that people with AV have higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) compared to healthy controls. Hence, they concluded that an unhealthy lipid profile is an independent risk factor for AV.

Evolution of artificial intelligence in healthcare: a 30-year bibliometric study.

Introduction: In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and large language models, has significantly supported clinical work. Concurrently, the integration of artificial intelligence with the medical field has garnered increasing attention from medical experts. This study undertakes a dynamic and longitudinal bibliometric analysis of AI publications within the healthcare sector over the past three decades to investigate the current status and trends of the fusion between medicine and artificial intelligence.

A study on the pharmacovigilance of various SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter two inhibitors (SGLT2is) are widely used in clinical practice due to their proven cardiovascular and renal benefits. However, various adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported. This study aims to systematically update the ADRs associated with SGLT2is and identify the differences among various SGLT2is acovigilance of various SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Malignant breast adenomyoepithelioma: case report and literature review.

Malignant adenomyoepithelioma (MAME) of the breast is a rare tumor with both benign and malignant features. We report a case of a 67-year-old woman who presented with a mass in the outer quadrant of the right breast, detected during a routine check-up. The mass was classified as BI-RADS 3.

The mediating effect of clinical belongingness on the relationship between anxiety and professional identity in nursing interns: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Previous studies have reported that anxiety negatively affects professional identity (PI), and clinical belongingness is positively correlated with PI among nursing interns. However, little is known about the relationship between anxiety, PI, and clinical belongingness among nursing interns.

Objective: To explore the relationship between PI, clinical belongingness, and anxiety among nursing interns, and to demonstrate the mediating role of clinical belongingness in this relationship.

Clinical features and prognostic factors of pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a single-center retrospective study.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical features and prognostic factors of pediatric LCH patients treated in a single center of China.

Methods: Pediatric LCH cases were treated following the SD-LCH protocol at the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University in Jinan, China. An analysis was conducted on 82 recently identified LCH cases to retrospectively evaluate the initial symptoms, therapeutic alternatives, and extended results.

Litter quality modulates changes in bacterial and fungal communities during the gut transit of earthworm species of different ecological groups.

Earthworms are keystone animals stimulating litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, earthworms comprise diverse species which live in different soil layers and consume different types of food. Microorganisms in the gut of earthworms are likely to contribute significantly to their ability to digest organic matter, but this may vary among earthworm species.

Emerging engineered nanozymes: current status and future perspectives in cancer treatments.

Composite nanozymes are composed of enzymes with similar or different catalytic capabilities and have higher catalytic activity than a single enzyme. In recent years, composite nanozymes have emerged as novel nanomaterial platforms for multiple applications in various research fields, where they are used to produce oxygen, consume glutathione, or produce toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for cancer therapy. The therapeutic approach using composite nanozymes is known as chemo-dynamic therapy (CDT).