Int J Med Sci
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The underlying mechanisms that mediate the effects of vitamin C on endothelial cell aging are widely unknown. To investigate whether Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are involved in this process, an endothelial aging model was induced in vitro using H2O2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and then treated with vitamin C (VC). Untreated HUVECs without H2O2 exposure were used to serve as the negative control group. ⋯ The piRNA expression profiles revealed that a large proportion of piRNAs that were differentially expressed in H2O2-treated HUVECs were partly normalized by VC. Furthermore, a number of piRNAs associated with the response to VC in H2O2-treated HUVECs were linked with senescence and cell cycle-related pathways and networks. These results indicate that the ability of VC to attenuate H2O2-mediated endothelial cell senescence may be associated with changes in expression of piRNAs that are linked to the cell cycle.
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Background: Patients with Wilson disease (WD) progress to cirrhosis at an early age but have good prognoses. This study aimed to delineate hepatic features in WD patients with or without cirrhosis. Methods: Medical data were retrospectively collected from 27 July 2015 to 27 June 2018. ⋯ However, WD-associated cirrhotic patients had a higher prothrombin time (beta = 0.908, P = 0.004) and international normalized ratio (beta = 0.089, P = 0.040), wider portal vein diameter (beta = 1.330, P < 0.001), and an increased risk of splenomegaly/splenectomy (odds ratio [OR] = 4.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15-8.84, P < 0.001). Moreover, WD-associated cirrhotic patients have significantly increased risks of leukopenia (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.00-5.25, P = 0.049) and thrombocytopenia (OR = 6.89, 95% CI: 2.01-23.59, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Despite presenting good outcomes, mild hepatocyte injury, and good hepatic metabolic function, WD-associated cirrhotic patients show more serious impairment of hepatic synthetic function, wider portal vein diameter, and higher risk of splenomegaly due to portal hypertension.
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Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of a novel method of bilateral patent processus vaginalis ligation in transumbilical single-site multiport laparoscopic orchiopexy for children. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out comparing the novel ligation and conventional ligation performed by a single surgeon between July, 2017-July, 2018. The patients were divided into the novel group (42 cases) and the conventional group (59 cases). ⋯ Conclusion: The novel ligation was safety and efficacy. It is relatively easy to perform with smaller scar and less pain. We propose the novel ligation as a more viable treatment option for pediatric cryptorchidism with bilateral patent processus vaginalis.
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Background: During the outbreak period of COVID-19 pneumonia, cancer patients have been neglected and in greater danger. Furthermore, the differential diagnosis between COVID-19 pneumonia and radiation pneumonitis in cancer patients remains a challenge. This study determined their clinical presentations and radiological features in order to early diagnose and separate COVID-19 pneumonia from radiation pneumonitis patients promptly. ⋯ After repeated pharyngeal swab nucleic acid tests, 1 case was confirmed and 3 cases were excluded from COVID-19 pneumonia. Despite the comparable morphologic characteristics of lung CT imaging, the location, extent, and distribution of lung lesions between COVID-19 pneumonia and radiation pneumonitis differed significantly. Conclusions: Lung CT imaging combined with clinical and laboratory findings can facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate management of COVID-19 pneumonia with a history of malignancy and radiation therapy.
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The SARS-CoV-2 spread quickly across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The mortality rate, hospital disorders and incalculable economic and social damages, besides the unproven efficacy of the treatments evaluated against COVID-19, raised the need for immediate control of this disease. ⋯ It revealed better interaction energy with Mpro compared to ligands in complexes from PDB. Consequently, melatonin can have response potential in early stages for its possible effects on ACE-2 and Mpro, although it is also promising in more severe stages of the disease for its action against hyper-inflammation. These results definitely do not confirm antiviral activity, but can rather be used as a basis for further preclinical and clinical trials.