Function Parameters Research Articles

Effect of water pollution by nickel on hepatic enzymes and oxidative enzymes in Cyprinus carpio (common carp)

Nickel (Ni) is considered a toxic heavy metal that causes serious diseases in humans and animals. Therefore, this study was conducted on common carp, which is considered an essential food item for humans. This study was designed to investigate the effect of nickel on the hepatic and antioxidant enzymes of Cyprinus carpio after 3 and 6 weeks of exposure to water contaminated with Ni. C. carpio fingerlings were purchased from a neighboring fish hatchery. The morphometric characteristics of the experimental fish were documented. All fish were stocked, regardless of gender. The fish were exposed to different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/L) to obtain the LC50 for Ni during 96 hours, and the median lethal concentration of Ni was 80 mg/L through 96 hours. The fish were exposed to two safe concentrations, 1 ppm and 5 ppm. The results after 3 and 6 weeks were as follows: When compared to the control groups, all treated groups had significantly higher levels of liver function parameters (ALT and AST). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase activity measurement (CAT) enzyme levels were considerably higher in all treated groups after 3 and 6 weeks as compared to control groups. These changes are trustworthy indications of the cellular and humoral immune responses in C. carpio.

Sorghum bicolor polyphenol-rich extract improves insulin sensitivity and protect against chronic stress exacerbated diabetic nephropathy through modulation of Nrf2/NF-κB

IntroductionSorghum bicolor leaf sheath is known for its rich phytoconstituents 3-in deoxyanthocyanidins with protective and health benefits in targeting oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate Sorghum bicolor polyphenol-rich extract (SBPE) and its combination with metformin on insulin resistance and diabetic nephropathy in high-fat/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats exposed to chronic stress. MethodsAntidiabetic and nephroprotective effects of SBPE was investigated in male Wistar rats fed with high-fat diet and injected streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Diabetic rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress and orally treated with SBPE (200 mg/kg), metformin (250 mg/kg) and SBPE+metformin for 28 days. Kidney function parameters, FBS, insulin, adiponectin, kidney injury marker (KIM-1), triglycerides were determined. Renal tissues inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10), oxidative stress, apoptotic (caspase-3,-9) and transcriptional factors (Nrf2 and NF-κB) were determined as well as histology. ResultsSBPE significantly reduced FBS, triglycerides insulin and parameters for insulin resistance in diabetic rats exposed to stress. Dysregulated electrolytes, urea, creatinine, adiponectin and KIM-1 were significantly reversed in SBPE and SBPE+metformin groups. SBPE treatment significantly reduced MDA, nitrites, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels, while GSH, catalase, SOD, GST and IL-10 were increased in renal tissues. Increased apoptotic markers (caspase-3, caspase-9) and NF-κB, along with reduced Nrf2 levels, were significantly reversed by SBPE and SBPE+metformin. Distorted kidney histomorphoarchitecture was reversed in SBPE-treated groups ConclusionSorghum bicolor polyphenol-rich extract and its combination with metformin showed promising antidiabetic effects in stress-exacerbated diabetes in rats through improving insulin sensitivity and nephroprotective mechanisms.

Elevated serum GDF15 level as an early indicator of proximal tubular cell injury in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a high-burden medical condition, and current diagnostic criteria can only assess AKI after full manifestation. Stress marker growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was reported to have a role in kidney injury of critical patients. Herein, we evaluated dynamic changes in GDF15 across diverse AKI scenarios and explored the underlying mechanisms of its induction. Serum parameters and renal lesions were analyzed in mouse models of unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (uni-IRI) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The human proximal tubular (HK−2) cell line was stimulated with various conditions, and induction of GDF15 expression was determined. Serum GDF15 levels were rapidly induced within hours after injury in both animal models and declined thereafter. Renal GDF15 expression exhibited a temporary and early increased induction and was mainly located in aquaporin 1-positive proximal tubules in both unilateral AKI model tissues. In cell experiments, rapid GDF15 production was highly induced by t-BHP and CoCl2. Treatment with either an antioxidant or mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors abolished t-BHP- and CoCl2-mediated GDF15 expression. In addition, silencing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression also reduced the basal and t-BHP- or CoCl2-mediated GDF15 expression level in HK-2 cells. Our data showed that elevated serum GDF15 levels could be detected early in unilateral AKI models without notable alterations in kidney function parameters. GDF15 expression was associated with oxidative stress- and hypoxia-mediated proximal tubular cell injury. These data document that elevated serum GDF15 can possibly serve as an early biomarker for proximal tubular cell injury in AKI.

Efficacy and safety of telitacicept in patients with lupus nephritis.

Although telitacicept is a promising drug for treating systemic lupus erythematosus, there are limited studies on its efficacy and safety in patients with lupus nephritis in China. This lack of research data restricts its potential for broader application and acceptance on a global scale. The present study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of telitacicept in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) in China. Using a self-controlled before-after comparison method, patients with LN were recruited at Lishui Central Hospital between February 2022 and April 2023, who received telitacicept weekly as part of the standard treatment. Data on the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), glucocorticoid dosing and the quantity of immunosuppressive medicines prescribed was collected. Additionally, serum complements, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urinary protein levels, immunoglobulin concentrations, serum creatinine levels, plasma albumin concentrations, platelet counts and renal function parameters were documented throughout the study. A total of 13 patients were enrolled in the trial, comprising 11 women and two men. Following 12-48 weeks of treatment with telitacicept (80 or 160 mg per week), 84.6% (n=11) of all patients experienced symptom relief and their SLEDAI-2K score was reduced by more than four points. By the observation endpoint, the median glucocorticoid dosage of the 13 patients was decreased from 15 to 2.5 mg/d, and six patients discontinued their glucocorticoids. Furthermore, 46.1% of patients (n=6) reduced their dose and number of immunosuppressive medicines, while 15.4% (n=2) stopped their immunosuppressive medicines. Minimal changes were observed in serum creatinine, platelet count, C3 levels and C4 levels among patients. Immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA and IgM) remained stable or showed an upward trend. Plasma albumin levels remained within the normal range in three patients and increased in ten patients. It increased to the normal range in three of these ten patients. At the endpoint, ESR levels decreased in all patients. Additionally, three patients displayed varying degrees of renal function improvement, and their estimated glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/l.73 m2) increased from 127.8 to 134.2, 95.1 to 123.1 and 61.5 to 67.3, respectively. Urinary protein levels decreased in all patients. It decreased >0.5 g/l in seven patients and reached the normal levels in three patients. The adverse events of telitacicept were manageable. Among the patients infected with COVID-19, three patients had fever, 10 patients remained asymptomatic and none of them exhibited severe respiratory syndromes. In this study, telitacicept effectively stabilized LN activity and alleviated the clinical symptoms of most patients. Furthermore, it reduced the dose of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive medicines. Therefore, telitacicept may be a promising treatment option for individuals with lupus nephritis.

The Impact of Traditional Chinese Herbal Decoctions Combined with Rehabilitation Therapy on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in COVID-19 Recovery Patients.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment during the recovery period of COVID-19, providing a scientific basis for developing more effective rehabilitation protocols. The study included 120 COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) recovery patients treated at our hospital from November 2021 to April 2022. After registration, patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely the study group and the control group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation treatment, while the study group underwent integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment, with 60 cases in each group. The clinical observation indicators in this study include the results of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), respiratory and circulatory parameters, pulmonary function, changes in respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in both groups of patients. The 6MWT distance increased significantly in both groups, with the study group showing a larger improvement (P < 0.05). SpO2 and PaO2 values improved significantly in both groups, with greater increases in the study group (P < 0.05). Lung function parameters (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC) improved significantly in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Diaphragmatic thickness and mobility were also significantly higher in the study group (P < 0.05). The SF-36 quality of life scores were significantly better in the study group (P < 0.05). Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment has achieved significant efficacy during the recovery period of COVID-19. The complementary use of traditional Chinese medicine's differential diagnosis and treatment and modern medical approaches from Western medicine provides patients with comprehensive and personalized rehabilitation services, offering new ideas and methods to improve the quality of patient recovery.

Bayesian Optimization for Sparse Neural Networks With Trainable Activation Functions.

In the literature on deep neural networks, there is considerable interest in developing activation functions that can enhance neural network performance. In recent years, there has been renewed scientific interest in proposing activation functions that can be trained throughout the learning process, as they appear to improve network performance, especially by reducing overfitting. In this paper, we propose a trainable activation function whose parameters need to be estimated. A fully Bayesian model is developed to automatically estimate from the learning data both the model weights and activation function parameters. An MCMC-based optimization scheme is developed to build the inference. The proposed method aims to solve the aforementioned problems and improve convergence time by using an efficient sampling scheme that guarantees convergence to the global maximum. The proposed scheme has been tested across a diverse datasets, encompassing both classification and regression tasks, and implemented in various CNN architectures to demonstrate its versatility and effectiveness. Promising results demonstrate the usefulness of our proposed approach in improving models accuracy due to the proposed activation function and Bayesian estimation of the parameters.

Calorie restriction modulates mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in leukocytes of patients with obesity

Although it is established that caloric restriction offers metabolic and clinical benefits, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether caloric restriction can modulate mitochondrial function and remodelling and stimulate autophagic flux in the PBMCs of patients with obesity. This was an interventional study of 38 obese subjects (BMI > 35 kg/m2) who underwent 6 months of dietary therapy, including a 6-week very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) followed by an 18-week low-calorie diet (LCD). We determined clinical variables, mitochondrial function parameters (by fluorescence imaging of mitochondrial ROS and membrane potential), and protein expression of markers of mitochondrial dynamics (MNF1, MFN2, OPA, DRP1 and FIS1) and autophagy (LC3, Beclin, BCL2 and NBR1) by western blot. Caloric restriction induced an improvement in metabolic outcomes that was accompanied by an increase in AMPK expression, a decrease of mitochondrial ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential, which was associated with increased markers of mitochondrial dynamics (MFN2, DRP1 and FIS1) and activation of autophagy as evidenced by augmented LC3 II/I, Beclin1 and NBR1, and a decrease in BCL2. These findings shed light on the specific molecular mechanisms by which caloric restriction facilitates metabolic improvements, highlighting the relevance of pathways involving energy homeostasis and cell recovery, including mitochondrial function and dynamics and autophagy.

Association of H-reflex parameters and peroneal nerve conduction velocity with dynamic balance and agility in university athletes: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Athletic performance parameters encompass a wide range of physical, physiological, and biomechanical measures that are crucial for evaluating and optimising athletes’ capabilities. There are various intrinsic factors that can contribute to athletic skills, which subsequently impact overall performance. Thus, there is a need to explore significant intrinsic factors associated with athletic parameters, that can provide insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying performance. In this study, we examined the potential relationship of two such intrinsic factors, namely the H-reflex and the peroneal nerve conduction velocity, with athletic skills like dynamic balance and agility. Forty-five university-level athletes of all genders playing for different teams of Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India were selected. All athletes underwent tibial H-reflex, peroneal NCV, mSEBT (for dynamic balance), and agility T-test evaluations. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the association of nerve function parameters (H-reflex and NCV) with athletic performance parameters (dynamic balance and agility). Results showed that H-reflex amplitude showed a significant negative correlation with both dynamic balance scores (Dominant Leg [DL]: r = −0.321 and ; Non-dominant leg [NDL]: r = −0.397 and ) and T-test scores (DL: r = −0.342; NDL: r = −0.321, ), respectively. The peroneal NCV was significantly positively correlated with dynamic balance (DL: r = 0.438 and ; NDL: r = 0.418 and ) and agility scores (DL: r = 0.639 and ; NDL: r = 0.641 and ) in athletes. In conclusion, significant associations were found between H-reflex and Peroneal nerve conduction velocity and key athletic performance parameters like dynamic balance and agility among university athletes. This implies that neural function is closely linked with athletic skills and performance. Registered in Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) under registration number: REF/2023/11/075394.

Protective effects of cilostazol via the HNF1α/FXR signalling pathway and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in a rat model of estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis

Currently, there is a lack of targeted medications for estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis (EIC) and the primary objective in managing this condition is to safeguard liver function. Consequently, this study was conducted to examine the pharmacological efficacy of cilostazol (CTZ) in the management of EIC and explore its underlying mechanisms through the use of an animal model. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six animals each: Normal group, 17-ethinylestradiol (EE)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis group, EE + ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated group, EE + CTZ (5 mg/kg)-treated group, and EE + CTZ (10 mg/kg)-treated group. It was found that the therapeutic efficacy of UDCA and low dosage of CTZ (5 mg/kg) was comparable. Nevertheless, when CTZ was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg, it resulted in the normalization of all liver function parameters, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory markers, together with improvement in the histopathological derangements and hepatocytic apoptosis. These effects were mediated through the activation of the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alpha (HNF1α)/Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) pathway with subsequent down-regulation of the bile acids (BAs) synthesis enzyme; cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and up-regulation of the BAs-metabolizing enzyme; cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A1 and the bile salt export pump; BSEP. Therefore, the administration of CTZ in a dose-dependent manner can protect against EIC through regulating the HNF1α/FXR pathway and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. This implies that CTZ exhibits considerable promise as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cholestatic liver disorders.

The Effect of Astragalus mongholicus Water Extract on Urinary Function in Rats

This study investigated the effect of combining Astragalus mongholicus (A. mongholicus) water extract with electroacupuncture to improve bladder urinary function in rats with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 18 SPF-grade unfertilized female SD rats were used, among which 15 rats were selected to establish the SUI model through simulated labor injury combined with bilateral oophorectomy. The 15 SUI rats were randomly divided into three groups: the model group, the Astragalus group (treated with A. mongholicus water extract), and the Astragalus+acupuncture group, with 5 rats in each group. The remaining three rats constituted the control group. After 6 weeks of treatment, the study compared bladder function parameters before and after treatment, including the positive rate of sneezing test, urethral baseline pressure (UBP), the amplitude of urethral response during sneezing (A-URS), maximum bladder capacity (MBC) indicating bladder function, leak point pressure (LPP), abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP), urine output, residual urine volume, and urination efficiency. Masson staining was used to observe changes in collagen fiber proportion in bladder tissue. Compared to the control group, the model group exhibited increased positive sneezing test, urination output, and residual urine volume, while bladder function decreased. Both the Astragalus group and Astragalus+acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvements in UBP, A-URS, MBC, LPP, ALPP, urination efficiency, collagen fiber proportion, and other indicators compared to the model group. Furthermore, the Astragalus+acupuncture group exhibited superior treatment effects compared to A. mongholicus water extract alone, suggesting the potential of this combined approach for SUI.

Evaluation Of Spirometric Parameters In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Cross-Sectional Study In A Tertiary Care Hospital In North East India

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder that affects different organ systems in our body. Pulmonary complication of diabetes is not well characterized because of scarcity of data. Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the lung functions among the patients with Type2 DM. Materials and method: To evaluate the lung functions 85 type 2 diabetic patients were included in the study. Informed consent was obtained from the study participants. After taking a brief history, spirometry was performed among the recruited patients. The data were recorded in Microsoft excel and analyzed using SPSS software. Result: The quantitative data were expressed in terms of mean and standard deviation. Lung function parameters FVC, FEV1, and MVV were (2.05±0.66) Liters, (2.05±0.66) Liters and (52.22±18.17) L/min respectively. FEV1/FVC ratio was 73.74±13.36. FEV1 had a significant (p value: 0.002) negative correlation with duration of diabetes (r value: -0.330). Conclusion: The spirometric parameters FVC, FEV1 and MVV were found to be reduced among the study participants, whereas FEV1/FVC ratio was normal. These findings suggest presence of deterioration of lung functions among type 2 diabetic patients which is of restrictive type. Our study also showed that deterioration of lung function is more as the duration of disease increases. Therefore, the patients with type2 diabetes are needed to undergo pulmonary function testing periodically

Complement system component 3 deficiency modulates the phenotypic profile of murine macrophages

The Complement System is composed of more than 40 proteins that act in innate and adaptive immunity. C3 is the most abundant one and C3-deficient patients are more susceptible to recurrent and severe infections. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of C3 in controlling infections. However, its role in leukocyte biology is still poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate several cellular parameters in macrophages from C3-deficient mice and compare them to similar cells from wild-type counterparts. We observed that in the absence of C3, the population of F4/80low macrophages in the peritoneal cavity of thioglycolate-treated mice is diminished, probably due to the lack of chemotactic factors like C3a and low levels of C5a. Using fluorescence microscopy analysis, we observed that macrophages from C3-deficient mice exhibited morphological alterations when compared to similar cells from wild-type mice. We observed a significant increase in the expression of CD11c, which is part of CR4 (CD11c/CD18), in macrophages from C3-deficient compared to cells from wild-type mice. Treatment with 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, stimulated ROS production and MAPK activation by macrophages. However, these parameters were lower in macrophages from C3-deficient mice when compared to wild-type counterparts. In addition, the phagocytosis of iC3b-opsonized Zymosan particles was diminished in macrophages from C3-deficient mice. Our results suggest that C3 deficiency in C57Black/6 mice may influence specific morphological and functional parameters of macrophages, cells of fundamental importance for both the innate and acquired immune responses.

Nephroprotective Activity of Angelica keiskei (Miq). Koidz. on Cisplatin-Induced Rats: Reducing Serum Creatinine, Urea Nitrogen, KIM-1, and Suppressing NF-kappaB p65 and COX-2.

The sap of Angelica keiskei (Miq). Koidz. has been reported for its abundance of chalcone contents. Chalcones have been known for their effective nephroprotective activity toward cisplatin-induced renal cells and mice. To investigate the effect of A. keiskei sap extract (ASEE) on kidney function parameters (serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and kidney injury molecule-1) and the expression of NF-kappaB p65 and COX-2 in cisplatin-induced Wistar rats. In vivo nephroprotective activity of ASEE at 1000 and 1500 mg/kg BW/day doses for 10 days on cisplatin (5 mg/kg BW) induced nephrotoxicity was evaluated on Wistar rats. Quercetin 20 mg/kg BW/day was used as the control drug. Cisplatin inducement was given on day 7. The BW was measured every day. On day 11, the rats were euthanized, and their blood was taken intracardially for creatinine and urea nitrogen analysis. Histopathological analysis was carried out on the right kidney, and KIM-1 levels in the left kidney were measured. The Western blot technique evaluated the NF-kappaB p65 and COX-2 expression in the kidney. All data obtained were compared to the cisplatin group (negative control). The total flavonoids and chalcones in ASEE were also determined. Pretreatment with ASEE reduces the BW of Wistar rats, and significantly reduces creatinine and KIM-1 levels, but does not significantly reduce the levels of urea nitrogen, the expression of NF-kappaB p65, and COX-2 in the kidney of cisplatin-induced Wistar rats. The total flavonoid content in ASEE is 8.755 g QE/100 g extract and the total chalcone content is 5.532 g IBCE/100 g extract. The sap of Angelica keiskei (Miq). Koidz. reveal the potential to protect the kidneys against cisplatin-induced toxicity. The nephroprotective activity may be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the flavonoids and the chalcones contained in the sap of Angelica keiskei (Miq). Koidz.

Cardiometabolic effects of sacubitril/valsartan in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

The promising results obtained in the PARADIGM-HF trial prompted the approval of sacubitril/valsartan (SAC/VAL) as a first-in-class treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. The effect of SAC/VAL treatment was also studied in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and, although improvements in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, HF hospitalizations, and cardiovascular deaths were observed, these results were not so promising. However, the demand for HFpEF therapies led to the approval of SAC/VAL as an alternative treatment, although further studies are needed. We aimed to elucidate the effects of a 9-week SAC/VAL treatment in cardiac function and metabolism using a preclinical model of HFpEF, the Zucker Fatty and Spontaneously Hypertensive (ZSF1) rats. We found that SAC/VAL significantly improved diastolic function parameters and modulated respiratory quotient during exercise. Ex-vivo studies showed that SAC/VAL treatment significantly decreased heart, liver, spleen, and visceral fat weights; cardiac hypertrophy and percentage of fibrosis; lipid infiltration in liver and circulating levels of cholesterol and sodium. Moreover, SAC/VAL reduced glycerophospholipids, cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters while increasing triglyceride levels in cardiac tissue. In conclusion, SAC/VAL treatment improved diastolic and hepatic function, respiratory metabolism, reduced hypercholesterolemia and cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy, and was able to modulate cardiac metabolic profile. Our findings might provide further insight into the therapeutic benefits of SAC/VAL treatment in obese patients with HFpEF

Coarse-grained molecular dynamic model and wettability simulation of graphite materials

Although progress has been made in high-performance computing, there are still limitations on temporal and spatial scales of molecular dynamic calculations. A major issue in molecular dynamic (MD) simulations is the computational cost, and coarse-grained methods can save computational costs and accelerate calculations by reducing the degrees of freedom in the system. This method takes a selected group of representative atoms in the atomic microstructure as a bead and uses the proportional relationship of atomic scale atomic potentials in MD simulation to define the interaction between beads and solve the motion equation of beads. This article proposed a coarse-grained potential for graphite based on the modification of Airebo potential, with an n3: 1 mapping, and established a corresponding n3: 1 coarse-grained model, where one bead represents the number of n3 atoms. The results indicated that the coarse-grained model well reflected the basic thermal and mechanical properties of graphite. In addition, this article also proposed a coarsening method for the Lennard–Jones (L–J) potential function parameters and established a coarse-grained wetting model with n = 2. The results indicate that the coarse-grained wetting model can effectively predict the wetting performance of copper droplets on graphite in only 60% of the time using the all-atom model. The coarsening potential function and model proposed in this article are also applicable to graphite with rough surfaces. It can be anticipated that coarse-grained molecular dynamics methods will have more applications in the future, as they can handle large-scale calculations more quickly.

Analysis of therapeutic effect of fibrocystic degeneration of vocal folds

Objective:To explore the differences in clinical presentation and therapeutic outcomes between vocal fold fibrocystic degeneration and other common benign lesions, such as vocal fold polyp and cyst. Methods:Vocal function was assessed before and after surgery in 10 cases of vocal fold fibrocystoids, 30 cases of vocal fold polyps and 10 cases of vocal fold cysts at Department of Voice Medicine, Xiamen University Zhongshan Hospital. The voice Assessments included GRBAS（G-scale）, VHI-10 scale, Reflux Symptom Index（RSI） scale, stroboscope, acoustic objective analysis, and aerodynamics measurements. The acoustice analysis parameters included fundamental frequency（F0）, fundamental frequency perturbation（Jitter）, amplitude perturbation（Shimmer） and voice disturbance severity index（DSI）, while the maximum phonation time（MPT） was assessed for aerodynamics. Stroboscopic parameters included vocal fold straightness, vocal fold color, glottic closure and mucosal wave. All three groups underwent phonomicrosurgery and a follow-up review was conducted one month later. Pre-and post-operative function assessment parameters were compared across the three groups. Results:Significant differences were founded in the G grade, Jitter, Shimmer, DSI, glottic closure and mucosal wave between the vocal fold fibrocystic degeneration group and the vocal fold polyp and vocal fold cyst group（P<0.05）. Most voice function parameters in all three groups showed significant improvement after surgery（P<0.05）. The improvement of VHI（10）, RSI and mucosal wave scores in the vocal fold fibrocystic lesion group was significantly different from that of the vocal fold polyp group（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Vocal fold fibrocystic degeneration is a more severe than that of vocal fold polyps and cysts, which are two common benign vocal fold lesions. Phonomicrosurgery is an effective treatment for vocal fold fibrocystic degeneration, but its curative effect are less favorable compared to those for vocal fold polyps and vocal fold cysts. Therefore, a detailed preoperative evaluation is essential for predicting surgical outcomes.

Assessment of Specific Biomarkers' Profile and Structural, Functional Parameters of the Left Ventricle in Patients With Lymphomas Undergoing Antitumor Therapy.

To evaluate the dynamics of specific biomarkers for cardiotoxicity, endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, systemic inflammation, and morpho-functional alterations in the left ventricular (LV) myocardium in patients with newly diagnosed lymphomas during 6 courses of polychemotherapy (PCT). The study included 30 patients with newly diagnosed lymphomas. All patients were evaluated for laboratory markers of cardiotoxicity at baseline and after 6 courses of chemotherapy (6 months), including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI), endothelin-1 (ET-1), circulating cardiac biomarker ST-2, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and LV structural and functional echocardiographic (EchoCG) parameters. The changes in NT-proBNP and hsTnI concentrations during 6 courses of PCT were not statistically significant. Comparison of the baseline values with those after 6 courses of PCT showed increases in the median concentrations of ET-1 (3.38 and 5.5 pg/ml, respectively; p=0.438) and ST-2 (12.21 and 26.75 ng/ml, respectively; p=0.687). Markers of systemic inflammation were significantly decreased after 6 courses of PCT: the median CRP decreased from 15.2 to 0.72 mg/ml (p=0.006), and the median IL-6 decreased from 12.2 to 5.1 pg/ml (p=0.034). EchoCG data revealed a statistically significant impairment of the LV diastolic function parameters (E/A; E/e' lateral; E/e' average; left atrial volume index; isovolumic relaxation time). A moderate direct correlation was found between the ET-1 concentration and the isovolumic relaxation time at baseline and after 6 courses of PCT, respectively (r1 = 0.387, p=0.047 and r2 = 0.391, p=0.035). No changes in the LV systolic function were observed. The study showed that patients with lymphoproliferative diseases had no signs of cardiotoxicity during PCT according to the accepted criteria. This study described and highlighted for the first time the interrelation of endothelial dysfunction, profibrotic status, and LV diastolic dysfunction as manifestations of cardiovascular toxicity in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases. It is advisable to supplement the integrated strategies for the prevention and monitoring of PCT cardiovascular toxicity with a thorough evaluation of instrumental parameters of diastolic dysfunction for timely initiation/correction of cardioprotective therapy.

Contextuality of cognitive control deficits in alcohol dependence — pro et contra

Cognitive impairment, including cognitive control, mediates the negative social consequences of alcohol-related behavior, but few studies have examined these processes in the Russian speaking population using modern and standardized assessment methods. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine the features of cognitive control (inhibition of automatic response) and the general level of cognitive functioning in a Russianspeaking sample of alcohol-dependent individuals (AD) using quantitative assessment methods. Materials and Methods. 111 individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence (F10.30) and 27 healthy participants were examined by using the Brief Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Affective Disorders Battery (BAC-A) and additional tests of cognitive control (Stroop test with incongruent stimuli, Stroop test with alcohol-associated stimuli). The statistical methods were U-Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation coefficient, two-stage least squares regression. Results. In the AD group the indices of cognitive functioning were significantly lower in all parameters except for the subtests of verbal memory and digit sequence (p&lt;0,05). The model of the relationship between the parameters of general cognitive functioning and cognitive control reveals that the index of incongruence to alcohol-related stimuli was a significant predictor of sampe affiliation. Discussion. The obtained results may indicate the presence of impairments of speed of mental processes, planning , verbal fluency and response inhibition function in the group of individuals with AD. In the studied group, the automatic response inhibition function mediates the general cognitive functioning only within the relevant contextual stimuli.

Adipocytes Size of the Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Atherosclerosis: Relationship With Parameters of Blood Lipid Transport Function, Carbohydrate Metabolism and Inflammatory Markers

Aim. To assess the potential relationship between morphometric characteristics of adipocytes in epicardial and subcutaneous adipose tissue (EAT, SAT) and the lipid transport function of the blood, glucose e metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) after coronary artery bypass grafting.Material and methods. The study included 47 patients (33 men and 14 women) aged 53-72 years with chronic IHD. The study material was EAT and SAT adipocytes obtained from intraoperative explants. The size of EAT and SAT adipocytes and the proportion of EAT and SAT adipocytes with ≥100 μm and ≤50 μm sizes were determined. Carbohydrate metabolism parameters, blood lipid transport function, and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed. Surrogate indices of insulin resistance (IR) were calculated.Results. The mean size of EAT adipocytes, in contrast to SAT adipocytes, correlated (p&lt;0.05) with serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (rs=0.43), triglycerides (TG) (rs=0.36), interleukin (IL)-1β (rs=0.29), basal C-peptide (rs=0.40) and TyG index (rs=0.32). Male gender and blood concentrations of basal C-peptide and TG in combination were identified as statistically significant determinants of an increase in the mean size of EAT adipocytes. The threshold values of TG and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nHDL-C) associated with an increase in the mean size of EAT adipocytes ≥87.61 μm were 1.4 and 2.63 mM, respectively. Patients with TG concentrations ≥1.4 mM had a greater size and proportion of hypertrophied EAT adipocytes, IR indices, and higher blood concentrations of basal glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and IL-1β. TG concentrations of 1.2-1.4 mM, compared with concentrations &lt;1.2 mM, were associated with a greater mean size of EAT adipocytes and higher serum IL-10 concentrations. Patients with non-HDL-C ≥2.63 mM, compared with its lower concentrations, had more pronounced hypertrophy of EAT adipocytes.Conclusion. Disorders in the morphometric characteristics of EAT adipocytes, in contrast to SAT adipocytes, are associated with increased blood concentrations of TG, non-HDL-C, inflammatory markers, and increased IR indices. It was shown for the first time that a combination of three factors, male gender, blood concentrations of basal C-peptide, and TG, independently of other indicators describe the variability of the mean size of EAT adipocytes. Increases in TG from 1.2 to 1.4 mM are associated with a larger size of EAT adipocytes and cytokine imbalance. Our data confirm the validity of identifying optimal blood concentrations of TG and non-HDL-C in patients with IHD and coronary atherosclerosis.

Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and Structural and Functional Remodeling of the Heart in Patients With Severe Mitral Regurgitation of Various Genesis Underwent Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair "Edge-To-Edge".

To search for predictors of adverse cardiovascular events after edge-to-edge transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) of various origins with an assessment of structural and functional remodeling of the heart and left ventricular (LV) contractile function. The study included 73 patients (median age 71 [63; 80] years, 60.3% men) at a high surgical risk with severe MR of primary and secondary genesis, who underwent TMVR. The second-generation (58.9%) and fourth-generation (41.1%) clips were implanted. In addition to standard echocardiographic (EchoCG) indices, the parameters of left heart chamber longitudinal strain and LV myocardial function were assessed at baseline, on days 4-5, and at 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Also, the N-terminal fragment of the pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was assessed at baseline and on days 4-5 after TMVR. A significant decrease in MR was achieved during 12 months of follow-up. In the group with primary mitral regurgitation (PMR), MR decreased from 4.0 [3.4; 4.0] to 2.0 [1.5; 2.5] at one year of follow-up (p&lt;0.001). In the group with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR), MR decreased from 3.5 [3.0; 3.9] to 2.0 [2.0; 2.5] at 12 months of follow-up (p&lt;0.001). This effect was associated with volumetric unloading of the left heart chambers evident as a significant decrease in the volumetric indices of the left chambers and an increase in the cardiac index. In the early postoperative period, the LV function was impaired as shown by decreases in the ejection fraction (EF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV myocardial function parameters, and an associated increase in NT-proBNP. By 12 months of follow-up, statistically significant improvements in global constructive work (GCW) and global work index (GWI) relative to baseline values were noted in both groups without significant changes in EF and LV GLS. A strong correlation was found between LV EF and GCW (r=0.812, p&lt;0.001) and GWI (r=0.749, p&lt;0.001). The overall survival was 89%, not differing between groups (p=0.72); the absence of hospitalization for decompensated heart failure (HF) was 79.5%, also without significant differences between the groups (p=0.78). According to multivariate regression analysis, the baseline GCW value was the strongest predictor of rehospitalization for decompensated HF (relative risk (RR) 0.997; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.995-1.000; p=0.021) and the composite endpoint (CEP) (hospitalization for decompensated HF + all-cause mortality) (RR 0.998; 95% CI 0.996-1.000; p=0.033) in the cohort with PMR. In the group with SMR, the initial degree of MR was related with rehospitalization and the CEP (OR 12.252; 95% CI 2.125-70.651; p=0.005 and OR 16.098; 95% CI 2.944-88.044; p=0.001, respectively). The most significant predictor of overall mortality in the study population was the preoperative value of LV stroke volume (OR 0.824; 95% CI 0.750-0.906; p&lt;0.001). Edge-to-edge TMVR exerts a positive effect on the prognosis and structural and functional remodeling of the heart in patients with PMR and SMR. Myocardial function indices may be useful in assessing the LV contractile function in patients with severe MR of various origins. Identification of predictors for adverse cardiovascular events, including with new EchoCG technologies, may contribute to better patient stratification.