Effect of the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and oral paroxetine hydrochloride in patients with post-stroke depression

Purpose: To determine the effects of combined use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and paroxetine hydrochloride tablets in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD), and its effect on scores on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). Methods: Clinical data for 96 patients with PSD who were treated in Dongying Traditional Chinese Hospital, Dongying City, China from June 2018 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into treatment group (TG, n = 48) and reference group (RG, n = 48) based on odd and even hospitalization numbers. Both groups received conventional treatment, but RG patients were in addition given clopidogrel, while TG received CBT in combination with paroxetine hydrochloride tablets. Clinical indices were evaluated in both groups before and after treatment. Moreover, therapeutic effects in the two different treatment methods on PSD, as well as on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) scores were analyzed. Results: After treatment, TG had lower HAMD score (p < 0.001), lower scores on modified Rankin scale, and few incidences of adverse reactions at 3, 7, 15 and 30 days of treatment (p < 0.05), but higher total clinical effectiveness and mean SS-QOL score (p < 0.05), when compared with RG. Conclusion: Combined use of CBT and oral paroxetine hydrochloride tablets may be a promising strategy for treating depression and enhancing the quality of life of PSD patients, as it greatly improves neurological deficit and prognosis. However, further clinical trials should be carried out prior to introducing it in clinical practice

The novel role of LDHA/LDHB in the prognostic value and tumor-immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a crucial glycolytic enzyme which mediates the metabolic plasticity of cancer cells, however its clinical significance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is poorly understood. Herein, we examined the prognostic significance of the two primary components of LDH, i.e., LDHA and LDHB, in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) patients and further explored their association with immune infiltration in ccRCC. In this study, the expression levels of LDHA and LDHB were examined in ccRCC and adjacent normal tissues by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2), UALCAN, and western blotting (WB) analyses, and their prognostic values were estimated in 150 ccRCC and 30 adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The relationship to immune infiltration of LDHA and LDHB genes was further investigated using tumor immune estimation resource 2 (TIMER2) and Tumor-Immune System Interactions and DrugBank (TISIDB) databases, respectively. Public databases and WB analyses demonstrated higher LDHA and lower LDHB in ccRCC than in non-tumor tissues. IHC analysis revealed that LDHA and LDHB expression profiles were significantly associated with tumor grade, stage, size, and overall survival (OS). Univariate survival analysis displayed that high grade, advanced stage, large tumor, metastasis, high LDHA, and low LDHB expression were significantly associated with a poorer OS, and multivariate analysis revealed tumor stage and LDHB were identified as independent predictors for OS in patients with ccRCC. Further TIMER2 and TISIDB analyses demonstrated that LDHA and LDHB expression was significantly related to multiple immune cells and immune inhibitors in over 500 ccRCC patients. These findings revealed that LDHB was an independent favorable predictor, and LDHA and LDHB correlated with tumor immune infiltrates in ccRCC patients, which indicated LDHA/LDHB could be implicated in the tumorigenesis of ccRCC and might be potential therapeutic targets for patients with ccRCC

Development of iFOX-hunting as a functional genomic tool and demonstration of its use to identify early senescence-related genes in the polyploid \u3ci\u3eBrassica napus\u3c/i\u3e

Functional genomic studies of many polyploid crops, including rapeseed (Brassica napus), are constrained by limited tool sets. Here we report development of a gain-of-function platform, termed ‘iFOX (inducible Full-length cDNA OvereXpressor gene)-Hunting’, for inducible expression of B. napus seed cDNAs in Arabidopsis. A Gateway-compatible plant gene expression vector containing a methoxyfenozide-inducible constitutive promoter for transgene expression was developed. This vector was used for cloning of random cDNAs from developing B. napus seeds and subsequent Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis. The inducible promoter of this vector enabled identification of genes upon induction that are otherwise lethal when constitutively overexpressed and to control developmental timing of transgene expression. Evaluation of a subset of the resulting ~6000 Arabidopsis transformants revealed a high percentage of lines with full-length B. napus transgene insertions. Upon induction, numerous iFOX lines with visible phenotypes were identified, including one that displayed early leaf senescence. Phenotypic analysis of this line (rsl-1327) after methoxyfenozide induction indicated high degree of leaf chlorosis. The integrated B. napus cDNA was identified as a homolog of an Arabidopsis acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) gene designated BnACBP1-like. The early senescence phenotype conferred by BnACBP1-like was confirmed by constitutive expression of this gene in Arabidopsis and B. napus. Use of the inducible promoter in the iFOX line coupled with RNA-Seq analyses allowed mechanistic clues and a working model for the phenotype associated with BnACBP1-like expression. Our results demonstrate the utility of iFOX-Hunting as a tool for gene discovery and functional characterization of Brassica napus genome

Research status of stability in dynamic process of laser-arc hybrid welding based on droplet transfer behavior : a review

With the synergistic effect of laser and arc heat sources, laser-arc hybrid welding (LAHW) technology can improve welding speed and penetration depth, and enhance gap-bridging ability. This review describes the fundamental concepts and characteristics of droplet transfer behavior in LAHW. Emphasis was placed on the physical interaction between the laser and arc and the effect of the combined laser/arc heat sources on the welding process. However, the physical understanding of these multivariable and complex interactions is still evolving. Through numerous research findings and summary, it is found that there are several critical factors, including the laser-to-arc distance, heat source leading mode, shielding gas composition, and laser power, affecting the droplet transfer characteristics. This review critically interprets the latest development in the basic understanding of LAHW. It lays great stress on the coupling effect of laser and arc in droplet transfer dynamic process of LAHW, and offers a direction for the future study and progress of LAHW. Significant fields for future research are also confirmed

Activation of Nrf2 by Sulforaphane Inhibits High Glucose-Induced Progression of Pancreatic Cancer via AMPK Dependent Signaling

Background/Aims: Sulforaphane (SFN) is known for its potent bioactive properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, its anti-tumor effect on pancreatic cancer is still poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of SFN for pancreatic cancer and disclosed the underlying mechanism. Methods: Panc-1 and MiaPaca-2 cell lines were used in vitro. The biological function of SFN in pancreatic cancer was measured using EdU staining, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and invasion assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using 2’-7’-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) fluorometric analysis. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to measure the protein levels of p-AMPK and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway-related proteins, and cellular translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Nude mice and transgenic pancreatic cancer mouse model were used to measure the therapeutic potential of SFN on pancreatic cancer. Results: SFN can inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth， promote apoptosis, curb colony formation and temper the migratory and invasion ability of pancreatic cancer cells. Mechanistically, excessive ROS production induced by SFN activated AMPK signaling and promoted the translocation of Nrf2, resulting in cell viability inhibition of pancreatic cancer. Pretreatment with compound C, a small molecular inhibitor of AMPK signaling, reversed the subcellular translocation of Nrf2 and rescued cell invasion ability. With nude mice and pancreatic cancer transgenic mouse, we identified SFN could inhibit tumor progression, with smaller tumor size and slower tumor progression in SFN treatment group. Conclusion: Our study not only elucidates the mechanism of SFN-induced inhibition of pancreatic cancer in both normal and high glucose condition, but also testifies the dual-role of ROS in pancreatic cancer progression. Collectively, our research suggests that SFN may serve as a potential therapeutic choice for pancreatic cancer

Pomegranate flower polysaccharide improves mastitis in mice by regulating intestinal flora and restoring the blood-milk barrier

This study explored the inhibitory effect of pomegranate flower polysaccharide (PFPS) on mastitis through in vitro and in vivo models. PFPS is a new type of polysaccharide isolated and extracted from pomegranate flowers. The result revealed that PFPS consists of GalA, Ara, and Gal, and the residues consist of 1,4-GalpA, 1,4-Galp, and 1,3,6-Galp, which contain HG-type and RG-I-type pectin structural domains. In vitro studies showed that PFPS could inhibit LPS-enhanced phagocytosis of RAW 264.7 cells and the release of IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α. In vivo, studies showed that PFPS improved xylene-induced mouse ear swelling and carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema by inhibiting inflammatory factors. In the mouse mastitis model, PFPS significantly improved LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in mammary tissue. Intestinal flora sequencing results showed that PFPS could effectively regulate the intestinal flora of mice, reduce the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Oscillospira and AF12, and increase the probiotics Blautia, Parabacteroides, Allobaculum, and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium. Therefore, PFPS ultimately played a role in preventing mastitis by regulating the intestinal flora and further improving the blood-milk barrier. This study provides a scientific basis for PFPS as a potential candidate drug for the treatment of mastitis