Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Kisspeptin and its receptor KISS1R have been found to be essential regulators of reproductive function. Previous data have revealed the presence of Kiss1 and Kiss1r mRNAs in the hypothalamus and the testis of humans and rodents. However, the precise location and possible physiological role of the kisspeptin/KISS1R system in the testis remain ambiguous. ⋯ We discovered that Kiss1 expression in mouse Leydig cells was induced by LH through the cAMP/PKA pathway. Based on the presence of kisspeptin receptors on spermatids, we inferred that kisspeptin and development-related factors have synergistic effects on spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, more studies are required to elaborate the role of the kisspeptin/KISS1R system in testicular development.
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As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, also called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) outbreak accelerates, vigorous and diverse efforts were made in developing treatment strategies. In addition to direct acting agents, increasing evidence showed some potential adjuvant therapies with promising efficacy against COVID-19. These therapies include immunomodulators (i.e. intravenous immunoglobulin, thymosin α-1, interleukin [IL]-6, tocilizumab, cyclosporine, thalidomide, fingolimod), Chinese medicines (i.e. glycyrrhizin, baicalin, Xuebijing), anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (bevacizumab), estrogen modulating drugs, statins, and nutritional supplements (i.e. vitamins A, B, C, D, E and zinc). This article reviewed the pharmacological development of potential adjuvants for COVID-19 treatment.
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Abnormal serum sodium levels in various diseases increase mortality; however, hyperglycemia depresses serum sodium concentration significantly. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of measured serum sodium levels and corrected sodium levels among patients with severe hyperglycemia. ⋯ Among patients with severe hyperglycemia, corrected sodium level is a better indicator of clinical outcomes compared with measured sodium levels, especially in this population with measured hyponatremia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of aspirin on preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery among healthy pregnancies with a history of preeclampsia.
Due to the significance of preeclampsia (PE) and its adverse outcomes in the health of both mother and newborn, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of aspirin on preventing the occurrence of PE, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and preterm delivery in women with a previous history of PE. ⋯ The findings of the present study conducted exclusively on women with previous documented PE revealed that taking aspirin may have a preventive effect on PE in the current pregnancy.
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In late December 2019, several cases of pneumonia with unknown cause were reported in Wuhan, China, and this new type of pneumonia spread rapidly to across provinces during the subsequent weeks. The pathogen was identified quickly and was named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The infectious disease caused by this virus is referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ⋯ To control the COVID-19 outbreak, large-scale measures have been applied to reduce human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Susceptible populations, including older adults, children, and healthcare providers, warrant particular attention to avoid transmission and infection. This review introduces current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and treatment strategies, emphasizing the relevant challenges associated with prevention, diagnosis, and management.