Human Hippocampal Neurogenesis Persists in Aged Adults and Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

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Use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and the incidence of melanoma

IntroductionRecent evidence of a causal link between Phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor (PDE-5i) use and melanoma has caused concern in PDE-5i use and was even addressed in the 2018 American Urological Association guideline on erectile dysfunction (ED). Given that several studies have affirmed this low probability but statistically significant association, one might expect a shift in melanoma diagnoses since PDE-5is were introduced in 1998. We sought to determine if the introduction of PDE-5i drugs for ED treatment increased incidence of melanoma.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to compare the incidence of melanoma diagnosis in American men between 1973 and 2015, providing over a decade of data before and after PDE-5i introduction in 1998. Interrupted time-series and logistic regression were used to assess this relationship.ResultsOver 43 years, the SEER database has reported 292,166 cases of Melanoma, with males accounting for 53.7% of cases (Standard deviation [SD] 3%, Range 47.5–58.3%). After the introduction of PDE-5i, there was no proportional increase in melanoma diagnoses, in fact demonstrating a 2% lower incidence from prediction models (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur analysis of the SEER database demonstrates that the trend in incidence of melanoma has fallen in the era of PDE-5i use for ED. These findings may be of value in counseling patients anxious about the potential association between PDE-5i use and skin cancer; however, continued research analyzing individual-level risk are needed.     

The concept of mental disorder: diagnostic implications of the harmful dysfunction analysis

What do we mean when we say that a mental condition is a medical disorder rather than a normal form of human suffering or a problem in living? The status of psychiatry as a medical discipline depends on a persuasive answer to this question. The answers tend to range from value accounts that see disorder as a sociopolitical concept, used for social control purposes, to scientific accounts that see the concept as strictly factual. I have proposed a hybrid account, the harmful dysfunction (HD) analysis, that incorporates both value and scientific components as essential elements of the medical concept of disorder, applying to both physical and mental conditions. According to the HD analysis, a condition is a disorder if it is negatively valued ("harmful") and it is in fact due to a failure of some internal mechanism to perform a function for which it was biologically designed (i.e., naturally selected). The implications of this analysis for the validity of symptom-based diagnostic criteria and for challenges in cross-cultural use of diagnostic criteria are explored, using a comparison of the application of DSM diagnostic criteria in the U.S. and Taiwan.     

生物反馈电刺激联合Kegel训练对产后盆底功能障碍性疾病患者盆底功能电生理指标和生活质量的影响

目的:观察生物反馈电刺激联合Kegel训练对产后盆底功能障碍性疾病(PFD)患者盆底功能电生理指标和生活质量的影响。方法:研究对象为2018年3月~2020年12月我院收治的80例产后PFD患者。采用双色球随机分组法将患者分为对照组(n=40)和研究组(n=40)。对照组给予Kegel训练,研究组给予生物反馈电刺激联合Kegel训练,两组均治疗8周。对比两组治疗8周后的疗效和尿失禁、盆底器官脱垂程度的改善情况。对比两组治疗前、治疗8周后的盆底功能电生理指标、日常生活质量和性生活质量。结果:治疗8周后,研究组的临床总有效率较对照组高(P<0.05)。治疗8周后,研究组I类肌纤维疲劳度、Ⅱ类肌纤维疲劳度、快肌最大肌电值及阴道动态压力均优于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗8周后尿失禁、盆底器官脱垂程度的改善情况优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗8周后,研究组盆底功能影响问卷简表(PIFQ-7)评分、盆腔器官脱垂-尿失禁性功能问卷(PISQ-12)评分均低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:产后PFD患者采用生物反馈电刺激联合Kegel训练治疗疗效明确,可促进尿失禁、盆底器官脱垂程度情况及盆底功能改善,提高患者日常生活质量和性生活质量。     

探讨女性盆底功能障碍性疾病的相关因素及盆底超声测定压力性尿失禁SUI的临床意义

目的:探讨女性盆底功能障碍性疾病的相关因素及盆底超声测定压力性尿失禁SUI的临床意义。方法:选取我院2019年-2020年共收治的63例盆底功能障碍性疾病患者作为研究对象,将其分为研究组,另取同期来我院进行体检的63例健康女性作为对照组,对所有女性应用盆底超声检测,对比两组女性静息状态下和Valsalva状态下的盆底超声检查指标,对通过问卷调查方式,调查两组女性的一般临床治疗,对于女性盆底功能障碍性疾病的相关因素进行单因素分析与多因素分析,最终得出盆底肌功能障碍性疾病的相关因素。结果:在静息状态下通过盆底超声发现,研究组与对照组膀胱尿道后角、肛提肌裂孔面积、尿道倾斜度对比差异显著(P<0.05),两组女性膀胱颈位置、膀胱位置对比无明显差异(P>0.05);在Valsalva状态下通过盆底超声发现,研究组与对照组膀胱尿道后角、肛提肌裂孔面积、尿道倾斜度、膀胱颈位置、膀胱位置对比差异显著(P<0.05);两组女性年龄、BMI、孕次、产次、绝经情况以及白带清洁度是否≥Ⅲ度情况对比差异显著(P<0.05),两组女性子宫肌瘤史情况对比无显著差异(P>0.05);logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄、绝经情况、子宫肌瘤史和白带清洁度≥Ⅲ度不是盆底功能障碍性疾病的独立危险因素(P>0.05),BMI、孕次、产次为盆底功能障碍性疾病的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论:盆底肌超声在对盆底功能障碍性疾病患者压力性尿失禁的诊断中具有重要价值,在静息状态下和Valsalva状态下发现患者的膀胱经移动情况与尿道倾斜情况。年龄、BMI、孕次、产次、绝经情况以及白带清洁度是否≥Ⅲ度可能与盆底功能障碍性疾病具有一定关系,BMI、孕次、产次为盆底功能障碍性疾病的独立危险因素。     

Autophagic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease: Cellular and molecular mechanistic approaches to halt Alzheimer’s pathogenesis

Autophagy is a preserved cytoplasmic self-degradation process and endorses recycling of intracellular constituents into bioenergetics for the controlling of cellular homeostasis. Functional autophagy process is essential in eliminating cytoplasmic waste components and helps in the recycling of some of its constituents. Studies have revealed that neurodegenerative disorders may be caused by mutations in autophagy-related genes and alterations of autophagic flux. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irrevocable deleterious neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the hippocampus and cortex. In the central nervous system of healthy people, there is no accretion of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides due to the balance between generation and degradation of Aβ. However, for AD patients, the generation of Aβ peptides is higher than lysis that causes accretion of Aβ. Likewise, the maturation of autophagolysosomes and inhibition of their retrograde transport creates favorable conditions for Aβ accumulation. Furthermore, increasing mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling raises tau levels as well as phosphorylation. Alteration of mTOR activity occurs in the early stage of AD. In addition, copious evidence links autophagic/lysosomal dysfunction in AD. Compromised mitophagy is also accountable for dysfunctional mitochondria that raises Alzheimer’s pathology. Therefore, autophagic dysfunction might lead to the deposit of atypical proteins in the AD brain and manipulation of autophagy could be considered as an emerging therapeutic target. This review highlights the critical linkage of autophagy in the pathogenesis of AD, and avows a new insight to search for therapeutic target for blocking Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.     

Recent advances in TMEM16A: Structure,function, and disease

TMEM16A (also known as anoctamin 1, ANO1) is the molecular basis of the calcium-activated chloride channels, with ten transmembrane segments. Recently, atomic structures of the transmembrane domains of mouse TMEM16A (mTMEM16A) were determined by single-particle electron cryomicroscopy. This gives us a solid ground to discuss the electrophysiological properties and functions of TMEM16A. TMEM16A is reported to be dually regulated by Ca²⁺ and voltage. In addition, the dysfunction of TMEM16A has been found to be involved in many diseases including cystic fibrosis, various cancers, hypertension, and gastrointestinal motility disorders. TMEM16A is overexpressed in many cancers, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors, gastric cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), colon cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and esophageal cancer. Furthermore, overexpression of TMEM16A is related to the occurrence, proliferation, and migration of tumor cells. To date, several studies have shown that many natural compounds and synthetic compounds have regulatory effects on TMEM16A. These small molecule compounds might be novel drugs for the treatment of diseases caused by TMEM16A dysfunction in the future. In addition, recent studies have shown that TMEM16A plays different roles in different diseases through different signal transduction pathways. This review discusses the topology, electrophysiological properties, modulators and functions of TMEM16A in mediates nociception, gastrointestinal dysfunction, hypertension, and cancer and focuses on multiple regulatory mechanisms regarding TMEM16A.     

ESM-1 promotes adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells under intermittent hypoxia

Intermittent hypoxia (IH), the key property of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial-cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1, Endocan) is a novel, reported molecule linked to endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of IH on ESM-1 expression and the role of ESM-1 in endothelial dysfunction. We found that serum concentration of ESM-1, inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is significantly higher in patients with OSA than healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). The expression of ESM-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly increased in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by treated IH in a time-dependent manner. HIF-1α short hairpin RNA and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor inhibited the expression of ESM-1 in HUVECs. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions were significantly enhanced under IH status, accompanied by increased monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion rate ( p < 0.001). Accordingly, ESM-1 silencing decreased the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs, whereas ESM-1 treatment significantly enhanced ICAM-1 expression accompanied by increasing adhesion ability. ESM-1 is significantly upregulated by the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway under IH in endothelial cells, playing a critical role in enhancing adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells, which might be a potential target for IH-induced endothelial dysfunction.     

Impaired renal organic anion transport 1 (SLC22A6) and its regulation following acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion injury in rats

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a high frequent and common complication following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study examined and identified the effect of AMI-induced AKI on organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1) and Oat3 transport using clinical setting of pre-renal AKI in vivo. Cardiac ischaemia (CI) and cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion (CIR) were induced in rats by 30-min left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and 30-min occlusion followed by 120-min reperfusion, respectively. Renal hemodynamic parameters, mitochondrial function and Oat1/Oat3 expression and function were determined along with biochemical markers. Results showed that CI markedly reduced renal blood flow and pressure by approximately 40%, while these parameters were recovered during reperfusion. CI and CIR progressively attenuated renal function and induced oxidative stress by increasing plasma BUN, creatinine and malondialdehyde levels. Correspondingly, SOD, GPx, CAT mRNAs were decreased, while TNFα, IL1β, COX2, iNOS, NOX2, NOX4, and xanthine oxidase were increased. Mitochondrial dysfunction as indicated by increasing ROS, membrane depolarisation, swelling and caspase3 activation were shown. Early significant detection of AKI; KIM1, IL18, was found. All of which deteriorated para-aminohippurate transport by down-regulating Oat1 during sudden ischaemia. This consequent blunted the trafficking rate of Oat1/Oat3 transport via down-regulating PKCζ/Akt and up-regulating PKCα/NFκB during CI and CIR. Thus, this promising study indicates that CI and CIR abruptly impaired renal Oat1 and regulatory proteins of Oat1/Oat3, which supports dysregulation of remote sensing and signalling and inter-organ/organismal communication. Oat1, therefore, could potentially worsen AKI and might be a potential therapeutic target for early reversal of such injury.