Kidney stone disease is a major cause of chronic renal insufficiency. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in calcium oxalate-induced kidney damage is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the roles of lncRNAs in glyoxylate-exposed and healthy mouse kidneys using microarray technology and bioinformatics analyses. A total 376 mouse lncRNAs were differentially expressed between the two groups. Using BLAST, 15 lncRNA homologs, including AU015836 and CHCHD4P4, were identified in mice and humans. The AU015836 expression in mice exposed to glyoxylate and the CHCHD4P4 expression in human proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells exposed to calcium oxalate monohydrate were analyzed, and both lncRNAs were found to be upregulated in response to calcium oxalate. To further evaluate the effects of CHCHD4P4 on the cell behavior, we constructed stable CHCHD4P4-overexpressing and CHCHD4P4-knockdown HK-2 cells. The results showed that CHCHD4P4 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in kidney damage and fibrosis caused by calcium oxalate crystallization and deposition. The silencing of CHCHD4P4 reduced the kidney damage and fibrosis and may thus be a potential molecular target for the treatment of kidney stones.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of antidepressants in treating post-stroke depression (PSD) by performing a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the current literature. Eligible studies were retrieved from online databases, and relevant data were extracted. The primary outcome was efficacy as measured by the mean change in overall depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes included discontinued treatment for any reason and specifically due to adverse events. Fourteen trials were eligible, which included 949 participants and 9 antidepressant treatments. Few significant differences were found for all outcomes. For the primary outcome, doxepin, paroxetine, and nortriptyline were significantly more effective than a placebo [standardized mean differences: −1.93 (95%CI=−3.56 to −0.29), −1.39 (95%CI=−2.59 to −0.21), and −1.25 (95%CI=−2.46 to −0.04), respectively]. Insufficient evidence exists to select a preferred antidepressant for treating patients with post-stroke depression, and our study provides little evidence that paroxetine may be the potential choice when starting treatment for PSD. Future studies with paroxetine and larger sample sizes, multiple medical centers, and sufficient intervention durations is needed for improving the current evidence.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Grades III and IV haemorrhoids have been preferentially treated with surgery for years. The decision to pursue surgical therapy for haemorrhoids is based on the severity of symptoms and the traditional classification of haemorrhoid prolapse. In this study, an alternative technique known as hand-sewn haemorrhoidopexy (HHP) was conducted using a modified anoscope. Methods: A total of 51 patients requiring surgical treatment for grades III and IV prolapsing haemorrhoids were treated by HHP. Hospitalstay duration, costs, time of work-off, operative time, wound healing-time, complications and outcomes were recorded after the operation. Results: Shorter wound healing-time and lower complication rates were observed after the patients were subjected to HHP. These patients also exhibited better tolerance for the operation and incurred significantly lower costs than patients who were treated with other therapies. Conclusions: Hand-sewn haemorrhoidopexy using is a safe, effective and painless surgical procedure to treat patients with grades III and IV or mixed haemorrhoids.

RESUMEN Propósito: Las hemorroides de grados III y IV han sido preferentemente tratadas mediante cirugía durante muchos años. La decisión de continuar la terapia quirúrgica para las hemorroides se basa en la severidad de los síntomas y la clasificación tradicional del prolapso hemorroidal. En este estudio, se llevó a cabo una técnica alternativa conocida como hemorroidopexia por sutura manual(HPM) mediante un anoscopio modificado. Métodos: Un totalde 51 pacientes que requerían tratamiento quirúrgico de hemorroides prolapsadas de grados III y IV fueron tratados por HPM. Tras la operación se registraron la duración de la estancia hospitalaria, los costos, el tiempo de trabajo, el tiempo de operación, el tiempo de curación de las heridas, las complicaciones, y los resultados. Resultados: En los pacientes fueron operados con HPM, se observó un menor tiempo de curación de las heridas, y tasas de complicaciones más bajas. Estos pacientes mostraron también una mejor tolerancia de la operación y tuvieron costos significativamente más bajos que los pacientes que fueron tratados con otras terapias. Conclusiones: Hemorroidopexia manuales un procedimiento quirúrgico seguro, eficaz e indoloro con el cual tratar a los pacientes con hemorroides de grados III y IV, o hemorroides mixtas.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In the present study, we determined whether the effect of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on diabetic cardiomyopathy was associated with its impact on oxidative stress. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and heterozygous superoxide dismutase (SOD2+/-) knockout mice were administered APS. The hemodynamics, cardiac ultrastructure, and the apoptosis, necrosis and proliferation of cardiomyocytes were assessed to evaluate the effect of APS on diabetic and oxidative cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, H2O2 formation, oxidative stress/damage, and SOD activity in cardiomyocytes were evaluated to determine the effects of APS on cardiac oxidative stress. APS therapy improved hemodynamics and myocardial ultrastructure with reduced apoptosis/necrosis, and enhanced proliferation in cardiomyocytes from both STZ-induced diabetic mice and heterozygous SOD2+/- knockout mice. In addition, APS therapy reduced H2O2 formation and oxidative stress/damage, and enhanced SOD activity in both groups of mice. Our findings suggest that APS had benefits in diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be partly associated with its impact on cardiac oxidative stress.

Cardiac remodeling involves changes in heart shape, size, structure, and function after injury to the myocardium. The proinflammatory adaptor protein myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) contributes to cardiac remodeling. To investigate whether excessive MyD88 levels initiate spontaneous cardiac remodeling at the whole-organism level, we generated a transgenic MyD88 mouse model with a cardiac-specific promoter. MyD88 mice (male, 20-30 g, n=∼80) were born at the expected Mendelian ratio and demonstrated similar morphology of the heart and cardiomyocytes with that of wild-type controls. Although heart weight was unaffected, cardiac contractility of MyD88 hearts was mildly reduced, as shown by echocardiographic examination, compared with wild-type controls. Moreover, the cardiac dysfunction phenotype was associated with elevation of ANF and BNP expression. Collectively, our data provide novel evidence of the critical role of balanced MyD88 signaling in maintaining physiological function in the adult heart.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella infections often present with self-limited gastroenteritis. Extraintestinal focal infections are uncommon but have high mortality and morbidity. Urinary tract infection caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella is usually associated with structural abnormalities of the urinary tract. Nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis are the major risk factors. Although primary hyperparathyroidism has been reported to increase the risk of nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, little is known about the association between hyperparathyroidism and Salmonella urinary tract infection. We report the case of a 37-year old man who had a history of primary hyperparathyroidism and bilateral nephrocalcinosis and who developed urinary tract infection. Salmonella Group D was isolated from his urine specimen. Salmonella should be considered as a possible causality organism in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and nephrocalcinosis who develop urinary tract infection. These patients need to be aware of the potential risks associated with salmonellosis.

Las infecciones por Salmonella no tifoidea se presentan a menudo con gastroenteritis auto-limitada. Las infecciones extra-intestinales focales son poco frecuentes, pero tienen una alta mortalidad y morbilidad. La infección de las vías urinarias causada por la Salmonella no tifoidea se asocia generalmente a anomalías estructurales de las vías urinarias. La nefrocalcinosis y la nefrolitiasis son los principales factores de riesgo. Aunque se ha reportado que el hiperparatiroidismo primario aumenta el riesgo de la nefrocalcinosis y la nefrolitiasis, poco se sabe sobre la asociación entre el hiperparatiroidismo y la infección de las vías urinarias por Salmonella. Damos a conocer aquí el caso de un hombre de 37 años con una historia de hiperparatiroidismo primario y nefrocalcinosis bilateral, que desarrolló una infección de las vías urinarias. La Salmonella del grupo D fue aislada de su muestra de orina. La Salmonella se debe considerar como un posible organismo de causalidad en pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo primario y nefrocalcinosis que desarrollan infección del tracto urinario. Estos pacientes necesitan tomar conciencia de los riesgos potenciales asociados con la salmonellosis.

Effects of oxytetracycline (OTC) on soil enzyme activity and structural diversity of soil microbial communities were investigated. The low and moderate OTC inputs of less than 15 mg/kg enhanced microbial growth and increased the total and bacterial and fungal biomasses in the receiving soils. The antibiotic toxicity of OTC although targeted the bacteria in the soils proportionally resulted in greater harmed against the soil fungi than the bacteria and the Gram-negative bacteria fared significantly better than the Gram-positive bacteria. Collectively, the high OTC inputs lowered of soil enzymatic activities and the low and moderate OTC inputs did not have any adverse impact on the soil enzyme activities.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new tool (the hepatic section vascular blocker, HSVB) with hepatic pedicle clamping and hemihepatic vascular exclusion to control bleeding during liver resection for cancer. METHODS: Clinical data on 117 patients who underwent liver resection from 2004 to 2009 were analysed retrospectively. Forty-two patients had liver resection using the HSVB (group A), in 35 patients hemihepatic vascular exclusion was used (group B), and in 40 patients hepatic pedicle clamping with a Pringle manoeuvre was used (group C). Blood loss, operative time, postoperative hepatic function and complications were compared. RESULTS: Mean blood loss and operative time in group A were significantly less than in groups B (p=0.026 and p<0.001, respectively) and C (p<0.001 and p<0.001). There were significant differences between groups A and C in total bilirubin (TB) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels on postoperative days 3 and 7, and group A had better hepatic function (TB p=0.014 and p=0.009; ALT p<0.001 and p<0.001). The rate of postoperative ascites was significantly higher in group C compared with group A (p<0.001). In group C, 2 patients had liver failure, 1 had a gastrointestinal haemorrhage and 1 died. CONCLUSIONS: Using the HSVB during liver resection effectively controlled bleeding, saved operative time and preserved hepatic function. It proved to be a safe and feasible technique.

Foram estudados o comportamento da substituição e o parâmetro de rede de titanato de bário da solubilidade sólida com uma concentração de dopante na faixa 0,25-1,5 mol%. As influências da fração do dopante disprósio no tamanho de grão e nas propriedades dielétricas da cerâmica de titanato de bário, incluindo constante dielétrica e rigidez dielétrica foram investigadas por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, difração de raios X e teste de propriedades elétricas. Os resultados mostram que a uma concentração de disprósio de 0,75 mol% o crescimento anormal de grão é inibido e os parâmetros de rede aumentam até um máximo devido a menor concentração de vacâncias. Além disso, as cerâmicas de grãos pequenos e alta densidade resultam em excelentes propriedades dielétricas. A constante dielétrica relativa (25 °C) atinge um valor de 4100. O coeficiente de temperatura da capacitância varia de -10 a 10% na faixa de temperatura de -15 °C a 100 °C, e o valor de rigidez dielétrica (corrente alternada) atinge 3,2 kV/mm. Estes resultados sugerem que o titanato de bário preparado pode ser usado na fabricação de capacitores de alta voltagem.

The substitution behavior and lattice parameter of barium titanate between solid_solubility with a dopant concentration in the range of 0.25 to 1.5 mol% are studied. The influences of dysprosium-doped fraction on the grain size and dielectric properties of barium titanate ceramic, including dielectric constant and breakdown electric field strength, are investigated via scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electric property tester. The results show that, at a dysprosium concentration of 0.75 mol%, the abnormal grain growth is inhibited and the lattice parameters of grain rise up to the maximum because of the lowest vacancy concentration. In addition, the finegrain and high density of barium titanate ceramic result in its excellent dielectric properties. The relative dielectric constant (25 °C) reaches to 4100. The temperature coefficient of the capacitance varies from -10 to 10% within the temperature range of -15 °C -100 °C, and the breakdown electric field strength (alternating current) achieves 3.2 kV/mm. These data suggest that our barium titanate could be used in the manufacture of high voltage ceramic capacitors.