Emerging Role of Ferroptosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most common and severe microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), and has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Although the exact pathogenic mechanism of DKD is still unclear, programmed cell death has been demonstrated to participate in the occurrence and development of diabetic kidney injury, including ferroptosis. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has been identified to play a vital role in the development and therapeutic responses of a variety of kidney diseases, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), renal cell carcinoma and DKD. In the past two years, ferroptosis has been well investigated in DKD patients and animal models, but the specific mechanisms and therapeutic effects have not been fully revealed. Herein, we reviewed the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, summarized the recent findings associated with the involvement of ferroptosis in DKD, and discussed the potential of ferroptosis as a promising target for DKD treatment, thereby providing a valuable reference for basic study and clinical therapy of DKD.

Advances in the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Cartilage Defect

Partial-thickness cartilage defects (PTCDs) of the articular surface is the most common problem in cartilage degeneration, and also one of the main pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Due to the lack of a clear diagnosis, the symptoms are often more severe when full-thickness cartilage defect (FTCDs) is present. In contrast to FTCDs and osteochondral defects (OCDs), PTCDs does not injure the subchondral bone, there is no blood supply and bone marrow exudation, and the nearby microenvironment is unsuitable for stem cells adhesion, which completely loses the ability of self-repair. Some clinical studies have shown that partial-thickness cartilage defects is as harmful as full-thickness cartilage defects. Due to the poor effect of conservative treatment, the destructive surgical treatment is not suitable for the treatment of partial-thickness cartilage defects, and the current tissue engineering strategies are not effective, so it is urgent to develop novel strategies or treatment methods to repair PTCDs. In recent years, with the interdisciplinary development of bioscience, mechanics, material science and engineering, many discoveries have been made in the repair of PTCDs. This article reviews the current status and research progress in the treatment of PTCDs from the aspects of diagnosis and modeling of PTCDs, drug therapy, tissue transplantation repair technology and tissue engineering ("bottom-up").

Ferroptosis and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common and serious clinical kidney syndrome with high incidence and mortality, is caused by multiple pathogenic factors, such as ischemia, nephrotoxic drugs, oxidative stress, inflammation, and urinary tract obstruction. Cell death, which is divided into several types, is critical for normal growth and development and maintaining dynamic balance. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent nonapoptotic type of cell death, is characterized by iron overload, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. Recently, growing evidence demonstrated the important role of ferroptosis in the development of various kidney diseases, including renal clear cell carcinoma, diabetic nephropathy, and AKI. However, the exact mechanism of ferroptosis participating in the initiation and progression of AKI has not been fully revealed. Herein, we aim to systematically discuss the definition of ferroptosis, the associated mechanisms and key regulators, and pharmacological progress and summarize the most recent discoveries about the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in AKI development. We further conclude its potential therapeutic strategies in AKI.

A Retrospective Review of the Clinical Significance of the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ) Measure in Patients at a Psychiatric Adult Partial Hospital Program

Introduction

Outcome Questionnaire (OQ) measure is becoming a more popular assessment tool for monitoring treatment progress in psychiatry at different settings including inpatient and outpatient settings. It can also be used in non-clinical populations. However, little is known about the evaluation of this tool in the Adult Partial Hospital Program (PHP).

Methods

We conducted a study among patients in an Adult PHP where we extracted data from the OQ analysis program recorded for patients from January 1, 2015 to July 31st, 2020.

Results

We studied a total of 742 patients among which 509 (68.4%) were males. The mean age was 38.58 ± 14.86 years. Most of the patients had depressive disorder (56.9%). The mean numbers of days on admission were 17.37 ± 25.29 days. There is a consistent decrease in the total score average OQ score from initial to final measure with the year 2019 being 31.99 followed by 2017 (30.05) then 2020 (29.56) then 2015/2016 (28.38) and 2018 (27.27) p < 0.001. Also, for treatment progress it was observed that in years 2015/2016, there was significant improvement in 71.67% of the patients; in 2017, there was significant improvement in 78.53% of the patients; in 2018, there was significant improvement in 77.71% of the patients; while in 2019, there was significant improvement in 76.05% of the patients, and in 2020, there was significant improvement in 70.18% of the patients.

Conclusion

The direct benefit of the OQ measure to patients is to provide objective measurements of assessing clinical improvement or deterioration in the treatment progress of their clinical condition. Our study has proved that this is a useful tool to assess such in the Adult PHP.

[Progress in treatment of unstable atlas fracture]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the progress in treatment of unstable atlas fracture, the existing problems, and the research direction.

METHODS

Related literature at home and abroad was reviewed. The stability evaluation of atlas fracture and treatment methods were introduced, and the selection of surgical approach and fixation instruments in treatment of unstable atlas fracture were summarized and analyzed.

RESULTS

At present, atlas fractures are considered as unstable fractures except single anterior arch fractures with complete transverse ligament or simple posterior arch fractures. The treatment of unstable atlas fracture has been developed from nonsurgical treatment and traditional fusion surgery to single-segment fixation. Nonsurgical treatment is less effective, while traditional fusion surgery has a disadvantage of limited the motion of the upper cervical spine. Single-segment fixation can not only restore and fix the fracture, but also preserve the upper cervical motion function. Single-segment fixation approaches include posterior and transoral approaches, and the fixation instruments are being constantly improved, mainly including screw-rod system, screw-plate system, and plate system.

CONCLUSION

For unstable atlas fracture, single-segment fixation is an ideal surgical method, and has more advantages when compared with nonsurgical treatment and traditional fusion surgery. Single-segment fixation via transoral approach is more direct for atlas anterior arch fracture reduction, but there is a high risk of infection; and single-segment fixation via posterior approach is less effective for the reduction of atlas anterior arch fracture. Therefore, a better reduction method should be explored.

Therapeutic Engagement and Treatment Progress: Developing and Testing an In-Treatment Measure of Client Engagement Among Sex Offenders in a Group Program

The engagement process of sexual offenders in group-based cognitive-behavioral treatment is an important area of study. Disclosure management style (DMS), a model developed from grounded-theory research of men undertaking a prototypical program, provides a framework to assess engagement in treatment. Our goal was to develop a quantitative measure of DMS, to test its reliability and validity, and to evaluate its utility as a measure of treatment progress by examining relationships between DMS and established measures of treatment change. We studied a sample of men (N = 93) who undertook an intensive prison-based treatment program in New Zealand. Variables included DMS measures, psychometric measures of dynamic risk and treatment change, static risk, clinician rating of treatment progress, and recidivism outcomes. We found that (a) DMS shows an acceptable level of agreement between independent raters, (b) DMS-based ratings of engagement changed over the course of treatment and were correlated with measures of change based on offender self-reports, and (c) offenders showed heterogeneity in terms of their trajectories of change as assessed by DMS ratings.

Treatment Retention Satisfaction, and Therapeutic Progress for Justice-Involved Individuals Referred to Community-Based Medication-Assisted Treatment

Background: Limited research has examined factors associated with medication-assisted treatment for justice-involved individuals. Objectives: The current study used a mixed-method design to examine the influence of client- and counselor-level factors on 90-day treatment retention, satisfaction, and progress for justice-involved individuals referred to medication-assisted treatment. Methods: The effects of co-occurring disorders (i.e., psychiatric symptoms, anxiety, depression), social functioning (i.e., social support, self-esteem), substance use severity, and treatment motivation on treatment retention, treatment satisfaction, and treatment progress while controlling for counselor-level variance were assessed through multilevel modeling. Results: Fewer co-occurring disorders and more social support were related to greater treatment satisfaction and progress. A higher level of treatment motivation was associated with greater treatment progress. Mediation of treatment satisfaction on the relationship between client-level factors and treatment progress also was tested. Depression was negatively associated with treatment satisfaction, which in turn led to lower ratings of treatment progress. Social support was positively correlated with treatment satisfaction, which in turn was positively correlated with treatment progress. The association of client substance use severity with treatment retention differed between counselors, so did the association of co-occurring disorders and treatment motivation with treatment satisfaction. Qualitative analyses that were derived from counselors' perception of factors relating to recovery success underscored the importance of integrated interventions, social support, treatment motivation, and therapeutic alliance, and their associations with treatment outcomes. Conclusions/Importance: The current findings highlight the importance of integrated treatment services, collaborating with community corrections, and teaching clients strategies for dealing with deviant peers as to facilitating recovery.

Predicting therapist ratings of treatment progress and outcomes with the MMPI-2-RF

OBJECTIVE

We examined the ability of scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scales to predict treatment progress (compliance and activity in therapy) and outcome at termination (success in therapy, readiness for termination, and functioning at termination).

METHOD

Our sample included 448 (185 males, 263 females) community mental health center outpatients with an average age of 32.2 years (standard deviation = 10.2). We used MMPI-2-RF (self-report) indicators of personality and psychopathology and a composite outcome variable that represents therapist ratings of clients' treatment progress and outcomes.

RESULTS

Scores on several MMPI-2-RF scales were correlated and associated with increased risk for poorer psychotherapy progress and outcomes in a mental health outpatient sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians can utilize the MMPI-2-RF to identify clients at risk for therapy process challenges and adverse outcomes, suggesting possible problem areas for intervention.

Advances in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

The pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment depends on three factors, namely, retinal rupture, vitreous liquefaction and traction causing the retina to separate from the pigment epithelium, among which retinal rupture is the most important. Retinopathy is caused by a gap between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium, which severely damages the visual function of the patient. Therefore, early clinical discovery, prevention and selection of an appropriate treatment are important. This article reviews progress in the treatment of retinal detachment.

[Advances in treatment of facial rejuvenation in the past ten years]

Facial aging is caused by several aspects involving skin, its deep soft tissue (fat, muscles, fascia ligaments, etc), and bones. The skin presents deepen wrinkles, darker, drying, and roughness. Volume loss and sag caused by gravity can be seen in deep soft tissue. And selective absorption can be seen in bones. At present, to combat facial aging caused by different causes, we have adopted comprehensive treatment methods such as facial rhytidectomy, embedded wire ascension, autogenous fat graft, hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin injection, and optoelectronic techniques, etc.

Infectious pleural effusion status and treatment progress

Pleural cavity infection continuously seriously threatens human health with continuous medical progress. From the perspective of pathophysiology, it can be divided into three stages: exudative stage, fibrin exudation and pus formation stage, and organization stage. Due to the pathogenic bacteria difference of pleural cavity infection and pulmonary infection, it is very important for disease treatment to analyze the bacteria and biochemical characteristics of the infectious pleural effusion. Most prognoses of patients have been relatively good, while for some patients, the complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema could be evolved. Antibiotic treatment and sufficient drainage are the foundation for this treatment. No evidence can support the routine use of a fibrin agent. However, it has been reported that the plasminogen activator and deoxyribonuclease can be recommended to be applied in the pleural cavity. In case of failure on conservative medical treatment, operative treatment can be applied such as thoracoscopy and pleural decortication. According to the clinical characteristics of these patients, it is a key to research prognosis, as well as early evaluation and stratification, in the future.

Exploring Client and Therapist Experiences of Sexual Offender Intervention: Developing a Model of "Significant Events"

This research explored the therapeutic events both clients and therapists from community-based treatment interventions for perpetrators of sexual abuse identify as significant in their experience of psychological therapy. A qualitative design was utilized to address this research objective. The sample for the present research is comprised of three different treatment programs for sexual offending. Twenty-five clients and nine therapists participated in the study. Two qualitative measures were used to elicit client and therapist responses. Significant Aspects of Therapy Form was administered every second treatment session during each intervention program. The Significant Aspects Follow-Up Interview was conducted with a sub-sample of participants at the conclusion of each treatment module. Thematic analysis was used to identify significant themes noted by clients and therapists from forms and interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in a model of significant events in therapy. In this model, significant events were categorized into six domains. The six domains were as follows: (a) the process of therapy, (b) making changes and progress in therapy, (c) content and structure of therapy, (d) therapist contributions, (e) negative contributions to therapy, and (f) other factors Each domain further contained between 6 and 18 themes, which are also reported. This study found much overlap and similarity in the experiences of therapy between clients of sexual offender therapy and general psychotherapy. Furthermore, there is overlap between therapists and clients in the aspects of therapy they identify as significant. The implications of these findings on effective service development and comprehensive service evaluations are discussed.

Mutuality of Rogers's therapeutic conditions and treatment progress in the first three psychotherapy sessions

OBJECTIVE

Research on the effects of Rogers's therapeutic relationship conditions has typically focused on the unilateral provision of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence from therapist to client.

METHOD

This study looked at both client and therapist mutuality of the Rogerian therapeutic conditions and the association between mutuality and treatment progress in the first three psychotherapy sessions. Clients (N = 62; mean age = 24.32; 77% female, 23% male) and therapists (N = 12; mean age = 34.32; nine female and three male) rated one another using the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory after the first and third session.

RESULTS

Both clients and therapists perceived the quality of the relationship as improved over time. Client rating of psychological distress (CORE-OM) was lower after session 3 than at session 1 (es = .85, [95% CIs: .67, 1.03]). Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the predictive power of mutually high levels of the therapeutic conditions on treatment progress. The association between client rating of therapist-provided conditions and treatment progress at session 3 was higher when both clients and therapists rated each other as providing high levels of the therapeutic conditions (R(2) change = .073, p < .03).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest mutuality of Rogers's therapeutic conditions is related to treatment progress.

Patterns of progression and nonprogression through in vitro fertilization treatment

PURPOSE

Increasing numbers of couples are consulting for infertility and, after some years of investigation and treatment, will become enrolled in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. The media have focused on successful outcomes or difficulties in accessing services because of health authority funding guidelines. Couples are often assumed to be highly motivated because of their long prior involvement in treatment. However, little is known about uptake of and continuation through IVF treatment programs.

METHODS

One hundred forty-four couples were followed through the process of IVF in a service that allows three cycles of treatment, with a minimum gap of 3 months between treatment cycles. Patterns of engagement in and delay and withdrawal from treatment were examined.

RESULTS

One in five couples withdrew from the program before completion of the available number of treatment cycles. A further one in three significantly delayed their involvement in treatment cycles. Mean deviations of the time between attempts increased as the numbers of treatment cycles progressed. A proportion of couples did not complete a single treatment cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

The dramatic proportions of patients withdrawing from or very significantly delaying subsequent involvement are indicative of the often unacknowledged difficulties associated with IVF treatment. Implications for care are discussed.