Sham Group Research Articles

The effects and mechanisms of sivelestat in alleviating post-resuscitation brain injury

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of sivelestat (SV) in a porcine cardiac arrest-resuscitation model while exploring its association with the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Methods: Fifteen healthy male pigs were randomly assigned to the sham operation group (Sham, n=5), the cardiopulmonary resuscitation group (CPR, n=5), and the CPR with SV treatment group (CPR+SV, n=5). Cardiac arrest was induced by ventricular fibrillation for 9 minutes in the CPR and CPR+SV groups, followed by 6 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to establish the experimental model. To assess the potential protective effects of SV, five minutes after successful resuscitation, the CPR+SV group received SV at 10 mg/kg via femoral vein infusion for 1 hour using a micro-infusion pump. Blood samples were collected from the femoral vein at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours post-resuscitation for serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100β protein, recognized as markers of brain injury, via ELISA. Neurological function was assessed 24 hours post-resuscitation using neurological deficit scores (NDS). The animals were euthanized 24 hours post-resuscitation, and left ventricular apical myocardial and frontal lobe cortex tissues were harvested. Brain tissue levels of inflammatory markers, IL-1β and IL-18, were analyzed using Western blotting. Western blot was used to evaluate the effect of SV in reducing the expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD, key markers of pyroptosis, in the brain tissues of pigs after CPR. Results: Post-resuscitation, the CPR and CPR+SV groups exhibited significantly higher serum levels of NSE and S100β and elevated NDS scores compared to the Sham group (all P<0.05). Nevertheless, the CPR+SV group showed significantly improved neurological scores and reduced levels of brain injury markers at all time points post-resuscitation versus the CPR group (P<0.05). At 24 hours post-resuscitation, IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the brain tissues of CPR and CPR+SV groups were markedly higher than those in the Sham group (P<0.05). Conversely, the levels of inflammatory factors in the CPR+SV group were significantly reduced compared to the CPR group (P<0.05). At 24 hours post-resuscitation, brain tissue expression of NF-κB, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD was markedly elevated in the CPR group (P<0.05). SV markedly suppressed the expression of these pyroptosis-associated proteins (P<0.05), highlighting its potential role in neuroprotective via inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Conclusion: SV effectively mitigates post-resuscitation brain injury and enhances neurological outcomes, likely through its regulatory effects on the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Monotropein represses the proliferation and angiogenesis via the AKT/NF-κB pathway in lung cancer.

Monotropein (Mon) is an iridoid glycosides extracted from Morinda officinalis F.C. How. (Rubiaceae) that shows anticancer effects on colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Mon on lung cancer. The viability, apoptosis, invasion, and tube formation of A549 and H1299 were determined by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and tube formation assay. NF-κB expression in the nucleus was detected by immunofluorescent staining. In vivo assay, BALB/c nude mice were divided into a sham group and a 2mg/kg Mon group. For the Mon group, mice were orally administered with 2mg/kg Mon. The duration of the animal study was 35days, and the tumor formation and angiogenesis were investigated. Compared with the control (Mon 0μM) group, Mon dramatically repressed the viability, invasion, tube formation, proliferation marker Ki67, N-cadherin, and VEGFA expressions in A549 cells (Mon of 25, 50, and 100µM) and H1299 cells (Mon of 50 and 100µM). Mon dramatically promoted cell apoptosis, cleaved caspase 3, and E-cadherin expressions. Besides, Mon remarkably downregulated p-AKT and p-NF-κB protein expressions. Moreover, AKT agonist SC79 reversed the anticancer effects of 100µM Mon on A549 cells. Furthermore, Mon markedly suppressed tumor growth, decreased N-cadherin, VEGFA, p-AKT, and p-NF-κB expressions, increased apoptosis and E-cadherin expression, and SC79 reversed the inhibition effects of Mon in vivo. Thus, Mon is a potential antitumor natural drug, and more signaling pathways involved in Mon-modulated lung cancer progression are worth testing for further investigation.

Self-administered active versus sham acupressure for diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a nurse-led randomized clinical trial

BackgroundDiarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, with existing treatments offering limited relief. Self-administered acupressure presents a potential non-invasive, cost-effective treatment option that could alleviate symptoms and enhance health outcomes in these patients.AimThis randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of active acupressure compared to sham acupressure on primary and secondary outcomes among IBS-D patients.MethodThe study included 63 patients with IBS-D, recruited from Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt. Participants were randomized into either an active acupressure group or a sham acupressure group. Both groups underwent two days of training, followed by four weeks of intervention. The active group applied pressure to specific therapeutic acupoints, while the sham group used non-therapeutic points. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 2, and week 4.ResultsThe active acupressure group showed a significant reduction in symptom severity, improved stool consistency, and frequency, and greater adequate symptom relief by week 4 compared to the sham group. Psychological outcomes, including anxiety and depression, also improved significantly in the active group. Additionally, the active group reported reduced use of rescue medications.ConclusionActive acupressure is an effective nursing intervention for alleviating symptoms of IBS-D, particularly when applied consistently over time. It improves both physical and psychological outcomes, offering a valuable non-pharmacological treatment option.ImplicationsNurses can integrate self-administered acupressure into IBS-D care plans, teaching patients this technique to manage symptoms independently, thus enhancing their quality of life (QOL) and reducing reliance on conventional medications. This intervention aligns with holistic nursing care and offers a cost-effective, patient-friendly solution for managing IBS-D.Trial registrationThis study was prospectively registered as a randomized controlled trial in https://clinicaltrials.gov/ Registration Date: January 7, 2023, Registration Number: NCT05702255.

Varenicline Attenuates Memory Impairment in Amyloid-Beta-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline. Despite extensive research, therapeutic options remain limited. Varenicline, an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, shows promise in enhancing cognitive function. This study aimed to evaluate varenicline's effect on memory and hippocampal activity in rat model of AD. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, sham, AD, and varenicline (0.1, 1, and 3mg/kg/po for 14 days) groups. AD was induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 4µl amyloid-beta (Aβ)1-42 (1µg/µl). Spatial learning and memory, hippocampal synaptic function, and CA1 electrophysiological activity were evaluated using appropriate methods. Barnes maze and T-maze behavioral tests revealed that varenicline, particularly at 1mg/kg, significantly improved spatial memory compared to the AD group. Western blot analysis showed varenicline's ability to upregulate synaptic proteins PSD-95, synaptophysin, and GAP-43 in the hippocampus, with the most significant effects observed at 1mg/kg. Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that varenicline at 1mg/kg enhanced hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), indicating improved synaptic plasticity. Single-unit recordings showed an increase in spike count with varenicline administration. These findings suggest that varenicline, particularly at 1mg/kg, ameliorates memory deficits in AD rats possibly through modulation of synaptic proteins and enhancement of hippocampal LTP and electrical activity. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate varenicline's precise mechanisms of action in alleviating AD-induced cognitive deficits and its potential as a therapeutic intervention for AD-related cognitive impairment.

Profiling and bioinformatics analyses of circular RNAs in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury model in mice.

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality, is a main cause of unexpected myocardial injury after acute myocardial infarction. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are formed from protein-coding genes, can sequester microRNAs or proteins, modulate transcription and interfere with splicing. Authoritative studies suggest that circRNAs may play an important role in myocardial I/R injury. To explore the role and mechanism of circRNAs in myocardial I/R injury. We constructed a myocardial I/R injury model using ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and evaluated the success of the validated model using triphenyltetrazolium chloride and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Then, left ventricular samples from different groups were selected for mRNA-sequence, and differential gene screening was performed on the obtained results. The differentially obtained mRNAs were divided into up-regulated and down-regulated according to their expression levels, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis were performed, respectively. Then, the obtained circRNA and microRNA (miRNA) were paired for analysis, and the binding sites of miRNA and mRNA were virtual screened. Finally, the obtained circRNA, miRNA and mRNA were constructed by ceRNA mutual most useful network. We used an RNA sequencing array to investigate the expression signatures of circRNAs in myocardial I/R injury using three samples from the I/R group and three samples from the sham group. A total of 142 upregulated and 121 downregulated circRNAs were found to be differentially expressed (fold change ≥ 2, P < 0.05). GO and KEGG functional analyses of these circRNAs were performed. GO analysis revealed that these circRNAs were involved mainly in cellular and intracellular processes. KEGG analysis demonstrated that 6 of the top 20 pathways were correlated with cell apoptosis. Furthermore, a circRNA-miRNA coexpression network and ceRNA network based on these genes were constructed, revealing that mmu-circ-0001452, mmu-circ-0001637, and mmu-circ-0000870 might be key regulators of myocardial I/R injury. This research provides new insights into the mechanism of myocardial I/R, which mmu-circ-0001452, mmu-circ-0001637, and mmu-circ-0000870 are expected to be new therapeutic targets for myocardial I/R injury.

HC-A solution limb perfusion alleviates liver damage induced by limb ischemia-reperfusion injury in pigs.

The aim of the study was to explore a feasible method for alleviating limb ischemia-reperfusion injury (LI/RI) through the use of a high-concentration citrate solution (HC-A solution) for limb perfusion (LP). Eighteen pigs were divided into three groups: the Sham group, LI/RI group, and HCA group. The Sham group underwent exposure of the iliac artery and vein. The LI/RI group underwent tourniquet placement and clamping of the iliac artery and vein to simulate LI/RI. The HCA group received HC-A solution LP for 30 min through the left iliac artery below the level of blood flow occlusion based on the LI/RI group. Oxidative stress markers and inflammatory response markers were compared among the three groups. Compared to the LI/RI group, the HCA group showed significantly lower levels of serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and significantly greater activities of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) or in muscle MDA, SOD, TNF-α, and IL-6 between the HCA group and the LI/RI group (p > 0.05). Compared to the LI/RI group, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in the liver were significantly lower in the HCA group (p < 0.05), while SOD activities were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed reduced skeletal muscle and liver damage in the HCA group compared to the LI/RI group. HC-A solution LP can alleviate liver damage caused by LI/RI in pigs.

The potential therapeutic effects of coenzyme Q10 on the sciatic nerve regeneration following short- and long-term injury

Aim: This study aims to investigate the effects of administering coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) after both short-term and long-term sciatic nerve damage. Methods: Six groups of adult male Wistar albino rats were used. Sciatic nerve injury was performed on the rats in the short-term injury (STI) and long-term injury (LTI) groups for 15 and 60 s. For 21 days, the rats in the CoQ10, STI + CoQ10, and LTI + CoQ10 groups were also administered CoQ10 orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight; the control (Cont) group received no treatment. The nerve samples were evaluated by electrophysiology, the sciatic functional index (SFI), stereological investigations, and light and electron microscopic methods. Results: The number of myelinated axons was higher in the LTI group according to the Cont and the sham groups. The numbers of axons in the LTI and LTI + CoQ10 groups were higher than that in the STI and STI + CoQ10 groups. Latency and amplitude levels were significantly changed following STI and LTI treatment and CoQ10 treatment significantly improved the results following the injuries. SFI results showed highly significant differences between the Cont and STI, Cont and LTI, Cont and STI + CoQ10, STI + CoQ10 and LTI + CoQ10, and Cont and LTI + CoQ10 groups. Microscopic examinations indicated that LTI produced a significant change in the nerve structure than STI. CoQ10 ameliorated the degree of injury. Conclusions: Treatment with CoQ10 following sciatic nerve damage was more successful in the LTI than the STI group, and it may, therefore, effectively improve peripheral nerve regeneration, especially following LTI.

Growth of the prefrontal cortical glioblastoma altered cognitive and emotional behaviors via mediating miRNAs and GABA-A receptor signaling pathways in rats.

The present study investigated the impact of GABAergic signaling and miRNA expression on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) growth within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and its associated cognitive and emotional impairments. The implantation of C6 cells into the mPFC induced GBM in this brain region (referred to as the mPFC-GBM) in male Wistar rats via stereotaxic surgery, as confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Repeated microinjections of muscimol, a potent GABAA receptor agonist, directly into the mPFC-GBM (1µg/rat/2.5μl) following tumor induction decreased tumor volume and weight, resulting in an increased survival rate. Conversely, a higher dose of muscimol (6µg/rat/2.5μl) increased tumor size and reduced survival. Behavioral alterations induced by GBM, including anxiety-like responses, exploratory behaviors, locomotor activity, and memory formation, were assessed using anxiety-like behavior task, the hole-board test, and the novel object recognition test. Muscimol treatment dose-dependently affected these behaviors in the animals with the mPFC-GBM, bringing their performance with that of the sham group at the dose of 1µg/rat/2.5μl. Changes in specific miRNAs expressions, including miR-208, -290-295, -345, -743 and -802 were associated with the growth of the mPFC-GBM under muscimol treatment. These findings suggest that GBM growth into the mPFC profoundly impacts cognitive and emotional behaviors which can be improved by muscimol treatment. Considering that the expression levels of targeted miRNAs could be influenced by the growth of the mPFC-GBM, both with or without muscimol treatment, these non-coding RNAs might serve as potential biomarkers for GBM.

3',4'-Dihydroxy Flavonol (DiOHF) Exerting a Positive Effect on Neurogenesis and Retinal Damage in Experimental Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion of Rats.

Brain ischemia-reperfusion can cause serious and irreversible health problems. Recent studies have suggested that certain flavonoids may help stabilize the correctly folded structure of the visual photoreceptor protein rhodopsin and offset the deleterious effect of retinitis pigmentosa mutations. The current study aimed to determine the effect of 3',4'-Dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) supplementation for 1 week on lipid peroxidation in the retina tissue following focal brain ischemia-reperfusion in rats. This study was carried out on male Wistar-albino rats. A total of 28 rats were used in the research, and four groups were formed: Control group: no anesthesia or surgical procedure was applied to the animals in this group, Sham group: after general anesthesia was established in the animals in this group, the carotid artery areas were opened and closed, and the 1 ml vehicle was applied for 1 week, Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) group: after the carotid arteries were isolated in rats under general anesthesia, ischemia was performed by ligating them for 30 minutes, and then reperfusion was applied for 1 week, and Ischemia-Reperfusion + DiOHF group: under general anesthesia, ischemia was developed in the carotid arteries of the rats by ligation for 30 minutes, and then DiOHF was applied along with reperfusion for 1 week. At the end of the study, retinal tissue taken from animals sacrificed under general anesthesia was analyzed for MDA and GSH. Retinal tissue was also examined for histology and neurogenesis. The highest MDA value was determined in the ischemia group, and the lowest value in the control and sham groups. In group 4, this parameter was found to be significantly lower than in the I/R group. Retinal GSH was very low in the I/R group. However, 1-week DiOHF treatment increased the GSH values. Deteriorations also occurred in the histological structure of the retinal tissue, and neurogenesis was inhibited. However, treatment improved retinal damage and neurogenesis. The results of the current study showed that focal brain ischemia in rats caused significant retinal lipid peroxidation. However, 1-week DiOHF treatment suppressed the increased lipid peroxidation by increasing GSH levels. Moreover, treatment improved retinal damage and neurogenesis.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor Roxadustat Accelerates Wound Healing in a Mouse Hind limb Lymphedema Model.

Objective: Drugs regulating hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α have not been investigated for wound healing in lymphedema. Therefore, we examined the effects of drug modulation of HIF-1α activity for wound healing in our previously developed mouse model of nonirradiated hind limb lymphedema. Approach: Mouse hind limb lymphedema models (n = 17) and a sham group (n = 6) were created using 8- to 10-week-old male C57BL/6N mice. Mice with hind limb lymphedema were randomized into experimental groups receiving roxadustat, 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole (YC-1), or dimethyl sulfoxide and were given intraperitoneal injections every 2 days for up to 2 weeks. Four days after the surgery, an 8-mm diameter full-thickness skin wound was created in the hind limb. The number of days required for wound closure and the percentage of wounds closed were measured. Skin samples taken at wound creation were evaluated by histological and molecular analysis. Results: Administration of roxadustat accelerated wound healing, whereas YC-1 delayed it, with a significant decrease and increase in skin thickness, respectively. The relative mRNA expression of Hif1α, matrix metalloproteinase-3, and interleukin-6 was significantly higher in the roxadustat group and that of metalloproteinase-9 was significantly lower in the roxadustat group compared with the control group. Innovation: This study is the first to demonstrate delayed wound healing in a mouse model of hind limb lymphedema and the first to demonstrate the promotion of significant wound healing through the use of roxadustat. Conclusion: Roxadustat exerts wound-healing effects and may promote the regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling via gene expression in hind limb lymphedema wound models.

Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on motor planning: a multimodal signal study.

Motor planning plays a pivotal role in daily life. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has been demonstrated to enhance decision-making efficiency, illustrating its potential use in cognitive modulation. However, current research primarily focuses on behavioral and single-modal electrophysiological signal, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG). To investigate the effect of taVNS on motor planning, a total of 21 subjects were recruited for this study and were divided into two groups: active group (n = 10) and sham group (n = 11). Each subject was required to be involved in a single-blind, sham-controlled, between-subject end-state comfort (ESC) experiment. The study compared behavioral indicators and electrophysiological features before and following taVNS. The results indicated a notable reduction in reaction time and an appreciable increase in the proportion of end-state comfort among the participants following taVNS, accompanied by notable alterations in motor-related cortical potential (MRCP) amplitude, low-frequency power of HRV (LF), and cortico-cardiac coherence, particularly in the parietal and occipital regions. These findings show that taVNS may impact the brain and heart, potentially enhancing their interaction, and improve participants' ability of motor planning.

Adjunctive High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Treatment of Resistant Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial.

Resistant auditory verbal hallucination (AVH) remains a disabling symptom in schizophrenia. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and its more targeted variant, high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS), have shown promising results in reducing AVH. We aimed to determine the effects of adjunctive HD-tDCS on various dimensions of AVH in patients with schizophrenia. This randomized controlled trial included 40 patients with schizophrenia with resistant AVH (20 patients each assigned to the active and sham group). A stimulation electrode was placed over the left temporoparietal junction at CP5 according to the 10-10 EEG montage, while return electrodes were positioned at C3, T7, P3, and P7. The active group received 2-mA current for 20 minutes, with a ramp-up and ramp-down of 3 seconds, whereas the sham group received 1-mA current for 30 seconds, with a 3-second ramp-up and ramp-down. AVH severity was assessed using the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale-Auditory Hallucination at baseline, at the end of HD-tDCS sessions, and 4 weeks after completion. Within-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in both groups. However, in time*group comparison, the group receiving active HD-tDCS showed a statistically significant improvement only in the frequency dimension of AVH over time (p = 0.011). No other dimensions of AVH improved significantly in the time*group comparison. The effects of HD-tDCS were sustained up to 4 weeks. Active HD-tDCS over the left temporoparietal junction significantly reduced the frequency of AVH in patients with schizophrenia compared to sham stimulation. However, no significant improvements were observed in other domains of hallucination.

Surgery impairs glymphatic activity and cognitive function in aged mice

Delirium is a common complication in elderly surgical patients and is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Although advanced age is a major risk factor, the mechanisms underlying postoperative delirium remain poorly understood. The glymphatic system, a brain-wide network of perivascular pathways, facilitates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and supports the clearance of metabolic waste. Impairments in glymphatic function have been observed in aging brains and various neurodegenerative conditions. Using in vivo two-photon imaging, we examined the effects of surgery (laparotomy) on glymphatic function in adult (6 months) and aged (18 months) mice 24 h post-surgery. In adult mice, CSF tracer entry into the brain parenchyma along periarteriolar spaces occurred rapidly following intracisternal tracer injection, with no significant differences between sham and surgery groups. In contrast, aged mice exhibited delayed tracer influx, with further impairments observed in the surgery group compared to sham controls. This glymphatic dysfunction correlated with poorer T-maze performance in aged mice. These findings suggest that surgery exacerbates glymphatic impairment in aging brains, potentially hindering brain waste clearance and contributing to postoperative delirium.

The injury effect of osteopontin in sepsis-associated lung injury

BackgroundSepsis is a severe condition causing organ failure due to an abnormal immune reaction to infection, characterized by ongoing excessive inflammation and immune system issues. Osteopontin (OPN) is secreted by various cells and plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses and immune regulation. Nonetheless, the precise function of OPN in sepsis remains to be elucidated.MethodsIn the present study, we evaluated the levels of OPN in paediatric patients with sepsis and healthy individuals. We examined the impact of OPN on survival rates, systemic inflammation, and lung injury within an experimental sepsis model using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory effects and potential mechanisms of OPN in sepsis were investigated through Mouse Hemophagocytic Synuclein (MH-S) cells.ResultsThe OPN level was found to be elevated in patients with sepsis (368.5 ± 249.4 ng/ml) compared to children with infections (73.78 ± 40.46 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001) and healthy individuals (44.03 ± 20.76 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001). The serum concentration of OPN was elevated in pediatric patients with septic shock compared to those with sepsis (504 ± 266.3 ng/ml vs. 238.6 ± 143.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Intravenous administration of OPN inhibitor into the tail vein decreased the mortality rate (HR = 0.2695, p = 0.0015), suppressed systemic inflammatory responses and mitigated lung tissue damage. The concentration of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in serum of CLP mice treated with OPN inhibitor decreased compared with CLP mice. Within the sepsis mouse model, there was a marked increase in OPN expression in the lung’s tissues compared to the sham group mice. This surge was accompanied by a significant accumulation of alveolar macrophages and an upregulation of inflammasome expression. Mechanistic investigations in MH-s cells revealed that OPN-siRNA suppressed the LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory response by inhibiting caspase1-dependent classical pyroptosis signaling pathway. However, recombinant OPN was supplemented after OPN silencing, the protective effects in MH-s cells treated with LPS were reversed.ConclusionThis study reveals that OPN has an adverse impact on the host’s immune response to sepsis. Suppressing OPN expression holds potential therapeutic value for the treatment of sepsis.Trial registrationStudy on the diagnostic value of osteopontin in children with sepsis. MR5024001771. Registered 22 January 2024. https//www.medicalresearch.org.cn.

WOOP as a Brief Alcohol Intervention Led by Lay Coaches in College Settings.

Heavy drinking is a major public health concern, particularly among young adults who often experience fear of being stigmatized when seeking help for alcohol-related problems. To address drinking concerns outside clinical settings, we tested the feasibility of a novel imagery-based behavior change strategy led by student lay interventionists in a college setting. Participants were adults recruited on a college campus and were randomized to either learn the four steps of WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan) or to learn a format-matched Sham WOOP (Wish, Outcome, "Outcome," and Plan). Both WOOP and Sham WOOP interventions were taught by student lay interventionist. We found that the WOOP intervention group reported fewer heavy drinking days (≥ 5 drinks for men or ≥ 4 drinks for women, measured using the Alcohol Timeline Follow-Back Method) compared to the Sham group at the 1-month and 2-month follow-ups. WOOP, when taught by student lay interventionists in a single session, demonstrated the feasibility of reducing heavy drinking. WOOP shows promise as a low-cost and scalable intervention for reducing heavy drinking in nonclinical settings.

Improving postsurgical paresis in brain tumor patients by transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Recently, reduction of transcallosal inhibition by contralateral navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) improved neurorehabilitation of glioma patients with new postoperative paresis. This multicentric study examines the effect of postoperative nrTMS in brain tumor patients to treat surgery-related upper extremity paresis. This is a secondary analysis of two randomized and three one-arm studies in brain tumor patients with new/progressive postoperative paresis. Patients underwent either low frequency contralesional nrTMS or sham stimulation followed by physiotherapy. Outcome was assessed on postoperative day 1, 7, and after 3 months using British Medical Research Council score (BMRC), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). A total of 135 patients (mean age of 53.8 years, 60 women) were included, of whom 51 patients were treated in RCTs (30 treatment group, 21 sham group) and 84 in prospective, single-arm studies. Linear mixed models showed an advantage for the treatment group for the BMRC (7 days: OR 3.28; 95%CI: 1.08-9.99; 3 months: OR 2.03, 95%CI: 0.65-6.39) and KPS (7 days: mean difference (MD) 11, 95%CI: 2-19; 3 months: MD 11, 95%CI: 2-20), less pronounced for the FMA (7 days: MD 0.28, 95%CI: -0.34-0.9; 3 months: MD 0.14, 95%CI: -0.52-0.81). A stronger treatment effect was evident with proven ischemia on the postoperative MRI. To observe an improvement by at least one grade at 3 months, the number needed to treat (NNT) for the entire cohort is 4 (BMRC) and 3 patients (KPS), respectively. Our multicenter data confirm the positive treatment effect of nrTMS to reduce transcallosal inhibition with a considerably low NNT - especially if caused by ischemia.

P0100 Intestinal adaptation in a mouse model of Crohn’s- like ileitis under short bowel conditions

Abstract Background Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare and complex condition that can occur after ileo caecal resection (ICR), which is often performed in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. The disease outcome depends on the postsurgical anatomy as well as individual risk factors that may impede intestinal adaptation. The objective of this study was to investigate intestinal adaptation following ICR in a CD mouse model. Methods SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP1, n=37) mice with histologically manifest ileitis and parental controls (AKR, n=34) of both sexes were subjected to 40% ICR or transection (sham) at the age of 14-20 weeks. Intestinal continuity was established by end-to-end jejunocolic anastomosis. Clinical data and stool samples were collected for either 7 or 14 days. Histomorphological adaptation and intestinal inflammation were examined by histological evaluation of residual jejunal and colonic sections as well as by analysis of blood parameters and cytokine mRNA expression in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). Results This study was the first to examine adaptation in a CD mouse model. At the age of 14 weeks SAMP1 mice exhibited spontaneous ileitis, with characteristics similar to CD (hypertrophy of muscularis, dysplasia of paneth cells, transmural infiltration, villus blunting). Following surgery, SAMP1 mice showed higher mortality after surgery in ICR and sham groups (both 33%) compared to AKR (21% ICR, 0% sham). ICR resulted in the manifestation of SBS, displayed by body weight loss and diarrhea in both strains. SAMP1 mice exhibited a higher food intake and demonstrated less weight loss than AKR mice. However, the level of wellbeing was significantly lower in comparison to AKR after ICR (p&amp;lt;0.0001 d7, d14). Histomorphological adaptation of the remnant jejunum was worse in SAMP1 mice (villus height SAMP1 229 µm vs. AKR 376 µm, p&amp;lt;0.01). Following ICR, SAMP1 mice exhibited normalization of preoperatively increased inflammatory values in the blood (neutropenia, lymphocytosis) and a reduction of Il4 and Infγ mRNA expression in MLN after ICR (p&amp;lt;0.05 SAMP1 vs. AKR). Conclusion The SAMP1/YitFc mouse is a suitable model for investigating the mechanisms of intestinal adaptation under the influence of experimental chronic ileitis. Subsequent research will focus on the alteration of the inflammatory environment and mucus barrier of the remaining bowel following resection in this model.

The effects of TECAR therapy on pain, range of motion, strength and subscale of HAGOS questionnaire in athletes with chronic adductor related groin pain: a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionGroin pain is a common issue among athletes. Adductor-related pain is known as the most common cause of groin pain. Although, non-operative treatments have limited efficacy, Capacitive and Resistive Energy Transfer (TECAR), can be used in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. The objective of the present study is to explore the effect of TECAR therapy on pain, range of motion (ROM), strength, and subscales of the "Copenhagen Thigh and Groin Assessment Scale"(HAGOS) questionnaire in athletes suffering from adductor-related groin pain (ARGP).MethodsThis study was a two arm parallel groups randomized sham-controlled superiority trial. A total of 22 male professional athletes (mean age 21.36 years) were randomly assigned to either the real TECAR therapy (n = 11) or sham TECAR therapy (n = 11) group, using block-balanced randomization. Both groups received stretching exercises. Intervention group received 10 sessions of TECAR therapy while, the control group received sham TECAR therapy. Primary outcome was pain that was measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included ROM, strength, and HAGOS questionnaire subscales. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 5 sessions, after 10 sessions, and one month after treatment. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Analysis of Covariance were used to compare between-group mean differences. P-value was set at 0.05. Effect size Cohen’s d was also reported. This study took place from September 2022 to August 2023 at the Rehabilitation Clinic at Iran University of Medical Sciences.ResultsA total of 22 male athletes were included (11 in each group), with a mean age of 21.09 years in the TECAR group and 21.63 years in the sham group. TECAR therapy was associated with significant reductions in pain intensity across all evaluation sessions. Specifically, after 5 sessions, there was a large effect size for pain reduction (p = 0.01, Cohen’s d = -1.09 [95% CI: -0.195 to -1.987]); after 10 sessions, the effect was even larger (p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = -2.153 [95% CI: -1.103 to -3.203]); and at the 1-month follow-up, the pain reduction persisted (p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = -1.96 [95% CI: -0.944 to -2.978]). In terms of secondary outcomes, there was a significant improvement in hip adduction ROM at the 1-month follow-up (p = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.908 [95% CI: 0.03 to 1.78]). However, no statistically significant differences were found for other secondary outcomes, with effect sizes ranging from no effect to intermediate.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that TECAR therapy may reduce pain and improve hip adduction range of motion in athletes with adductor-related groin pain.Trial registrationThis trial was registered at the (https://www.irct.ir), (IRCT20220622055250N1) on 18/09/2022.

Assessing the effectiveness of the SOLIO Alfa Cure Plus device in treating low back pain: a randomized controlled study

BackgroundNonspecific low back pain (LBP) has become a significant worldwide public health problem. It is estimated that 84% of people present it at some point in their lives, in which 23% experience its chronic form, negatively affecting their daily lives. Because pain management tool that doesn’t require a firm diagnosis, the development of a device, as SOLIO Alfa Cure Plus, that emanates low level laser therapy, radio frequency and heat with the goal of easing chronic back pain was highly expected.Methodsrandomized, single blinded, controlled trial. Measures: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Schober’s test. Thirty-seven patients completed pain, disability, and lower back flexibility scales. Randomization was obtained by having an equal amount of sham and real devices and distributing them randomly to patients out of a box where the devices were.ResultsWe observed a larger pain relief in the SOLIO group (42% vs. 23% p = 0.03), and a higher improvement in flexibility (13%) compared to a worsening in the sham group (6.5%; p = 0.04).ConclusionWe concluded that utilizing the SOLIO Alfa Cure Plus device may dramatically reduce back pain and allow patients to experience an improvement in quality of life as a result. Trial registration: The clinical trials registration is 8475-21-SMC.

The Effect of auriculotherapy on sleep quality in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized clinical trial

IntroductionConsidering the importance of sleep disorders in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and effective therapeutic strategies, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of auriculotherapy on sleep quality in children with ADHD.Materials and methodsThis clinical trial was conducted in children with ADHD in Kashan, Iran, 2021–2022. Fifty-two eligible samples were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to intervention and sham groups. The intervention group used Vacaria seeds to apply ear acupressure to Shenmen, Sympathetic, Subcortex, Heart, and Endocrine points for four weeks, while the sham group received adhesives without seeds and pressure. Sleep quality was assessed using children’s sleep habits questionnaire at the beginning (T0), at the end of the intervention (T1), and one month later (T2). Data from 45 children (23 and 22 children in the intervention and sham groups, respectively) were analyzed using the per-protocol and intention-to-treat designs using repeated measures analysis of variance.ResultsThe background variables did not significantly differ between two groups. The between-group analysis revealed a significant interaction effect of time and intervention on sleep quality (Effect Size = 0.545, p < 0.0001). The sleep quality score in the intervention group was significantly greater than in the sham group at T1 and T2 (p < 0.0001). The within-group analysis of the intervention group revealed a significant difference in sleep quality scores at three time points (Effect Size = 0.672, p < 0.05). In the sham group, sleep quality score increased significantly over time (Effect Size = 0.511, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that auriculotherapy may be a beneficial complementary treatment for improving sleep quality in children with ADHD.