Objective: To explore the effects of ramipril, trimetazidine and the combination of ramipril and trimetazidine on renal cell apoptosis index (AI) and cytochrome C (Cyt-C) expression in experimental rats with chronic heart failure (CHF).
Methods: CHF model was established by partially banding of abdominal aorta superior to renal artery in experimental rats. A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Sham operation group, Model group, Ramipril group, Trimetazidine group and Combination (ramipril and trimetazidine) group.n=10 in each group. Renal tubular cell AI was examined by TUNEL method, mRNA and protein expressions of Cyt-C were detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis in each group respectively.
Results: Compared with Sham operation group, Model group had increased AI of renal tubular cells, increased mRNA and protein expressions of Cyt-C,P<0.01. Compared with Model group, Ramipril group, Trimetazidine group and Combination group showed decreased AI of renal tubular cells (20.02 ± 1.14) %, (20.10 ± 1.2) % and (14.27 ± 1.40) % vs ( 40.82 ± 1.31) %; reduced Cyt-C mRNA expression (0.54 ± 0.06), ( 0.56 ± 0.05) and (0.44 ± 0.04) vs (0.89 ± 0.03); reduced Cyt-C protein expression (1.50 ± 0.11), (1.58 ± 0.12) and (0.75 ± 0.06) vs (2.53 ± 0.10); the most reduction was obtain by Combination group, allP<0.01.
Conclusion: Ramipril and trimetazidine can inhibit renal cell apoptosis and effectively improve the renal function in CHF rats. Combined medication is better than either of them alone.

Objective: To explore the mediating role of empowerment level in self-management and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease, and to provide evidence for interventions to improve quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: 215 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in cardiovascular department of hospital in Dalian were selected as the subjects. The Chronic Empowerment Scale, Self-management Behavior Scale of Coronary Heart Disease, China Cardiovascular Patient Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire and self-made general information questionnaire were used for investigation. Results: The total empowerment, self-management and quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease were (158.75±20.39), (74.50±11.55), and (73.31±23.01). The empowerment, self-management and quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease were positively correlated (r=0.512-0.642, P<0.01). Self-management has a direct positive predictive effect on quality of life. The level of empowerment has a partial mediating effect between self-management and quality of life, and the contribution rate of mediating effect was 31.5%. Conclusions Empowerment, self-management and quality of life of patients with coronary heart disease are closely related. Self-management can influence the quality of life through the empowerment. Nurses should develop active and effective empowerment programs to improve patients' self-management ability and their quality of life.

Objective: To comb the thread and trend of critical care fields in China for nearly 15 years, analyze research frontiers, demonstrate research evolution paths, provide reference for researchers and clinicians to carry out related work. Methods: Using CiteSpace software and CNKI database to retrieve research literature about critical care from 2004 to 2018 in China for visual analysis. Results: A total of 3 049 valid articles were retrieved. The research frontiers were mainly about emergency and critical nursing, nursing quality management, intensive care, clinical teaching quality and ICU nurses. Research trends from critical care, critically ill patients, disease condition change, to quality control, family members, nursing skills, basic nursing, now gradually turned to humanized care, nursing strategies, sustainable human care concepts, evolution map showed that emerging trend was more active. Conclusions In last 15 years, research fields of critical care in China have evolved actively, exploring research frontiers, focus on important topics such as evidence-based nursing,humanistic care nursing concept, intensive care information system, and cluster management strategy, extending and deepening professional development of critical care.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between uncertainty in illness, coping with adaptive ability and psychological stress response among patients in Emergency Observation Room, and to provide reference for reducing the psychological stress level of patients.Methods:Questionnaire survey was conducted on 260 patients in Emergency Observation Room in a third-grade hospital in Dalian using the general data questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Mishel’Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Chinese version of the Coping Adaptation Processing Scale and the Stress Response Questionnaire.Results:Coping with adaptive ability played a part in mediating the relationship between uncertainty in illness and psychological stress among patients in Emergency Observation Room. The mediating effect accounted for 32.23% of the total effect. Coping with adaptive ability can reduce the positive reinforcement effect of uncertainty in illness on psychological stress response through emotional and behavioral response pathways.Conclusions:Uncertainty in illness can directly or indirectly affect the psychological stress response of by responding to coping with adaptive ability. It can reduce the influence of psychological stress response on patients' psychosomatic function by reducing the uncertainty in illness and improving the ability to cope with adaptation.

The development of liver inflammatory diseases is associated with autoimmunity and inflammatory response. As a negative feedback regulator of cell signal, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) plays a key role in the development and progression of inflammatory diseases. This article mainly introduces the mechanism of action of SOCS1 in autoimmunity and inflammatory response and briefly describes its role in the development and progression of liver inflammatory diseases such as viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The analysis shows that the abnormal expression of SOCS1 in inflammatory response is associated with the regulation of cytokine receptor, Toll-like receptor, and hormone receptor signal, which leads to the development of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, SOCS1 has potential prospects as an auxiliary means for the diagnosis and treatment of liver inflammatory diseases.

Cornus officinalis,a medicinal and edible plant known for its liver-nourishing properties,has shown promise in inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs),crucial indicators of hepatic fibrosis,especially when processed by high pressure wine steaming(HPWS).Herein,this study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of cornus officinalis,both in its raw and HPWS forms,on inflammation and apoptosis in liver fibrosis and their underlying mechanisms.In vivo liver fibrosis models were established by subcutaneous injection of CCl4,while in vitro HSCs were exposed to transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β).These findings demonstrated that cornus officinalis with HPWS conspicuously ameliorated his-topathological injury,reduced the release of proinflammatory factors,and decreased collagen deposition in CCl4-induced rats compared to its raw form.Utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer(UHPLC-QTOF-MS)combined with network analysis,we identified that the pharmacological effects of the changed components of cornus officinalis before and after HPWS,primarily centered on the adenosine phosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)pathway.Of note,cornus officinalis activated AMPK and sirtuin 3(SIRT3),promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs through the caspase cascade by regulating caspase3,caspase6 and caspase9.small interfering RNA(siRNA)experiments showed that cornus officinalis could regulate AMPK activity and its mediated-apoptosis through SIRT3.In conclusion,cornus officinalis exhibited the ability to reduce inflammation and apoptosis,with the SIRT3-AMPK signaling pathway identified as a potential mecha-nism underlying the synergistic effect of cornus officinalis with HPWS on anti-liver fibrosis.

Renal fibrosis is a devastating consequence of progressive chronic kidney disease,representing a major public health challenge worldwide.The underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis remain unclear,and effective treatments are still lacking.Renal tubular epithelial cells(RTECs)maintain kidney function,and their dysfunction has emerged as a critical contributor to renal fibrosis.Cellular quality control comprises several components,including telomere homeostasis,ubiquitin-proteasome system(UPS),autophagy,mitochondrial homeostasis(mitophagy and mitochondrial metabolism),endoplasmic reticulum(ER,unfolded protein response),and lysosomes.Failures in the cellular quality control of RTECs,including DNA,protein,and organelle damage,exert profibrotic functions by leading to senescence,defective autophagy,ER stress,mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction,apoptosis,fibro-blast activation,and immune cell recruitment.In this review,we summarize recent advances in un-derstanding the role of quality control components and intercellular crosstalk networks in RTECs,within the context of renal fibrosis.

The genus Tetrastigma belongs to the Vitaceae family and contains over 100 species. This paper reviewed folk uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and clinical applications of the medicinal plants in the genus Tetrastigma. In addition, the paper also discussed the current problems for the further studies. Up to now, more than 240 compounds were reported from the genus Tetrastigma, covering 74 flavonoids, 14 terpenoids, 19 steroids, 21 phenylpropanoids, 14 alkaloids and others constituents. Among them, flavonoids are the major and the characteristic chemical constituents in this genus. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practice showed that the extracts and chemical constituents of Tetrastigma species possessed wide pharmacological activities including antitumor, antioxidative, hepatoprotective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. The information summarized in this paper provides valuable clues for new drug discovery and an incentive to expand the research of genus Tetrastigma.