Cardiovascular complications are the major causes of morbidity and mortality associated with Type 2 Diabetes. Among the macrovascular complications, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is generally considered to be inadequately recognized and managed. Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), is known to play a key role in the initiation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis induced by hypoxia and acidosis in the heart. It is unknown whether BNIP3 is also important for cardiac cell survival or adaption in response to hyperglycemia. Based on the previous finding that BNIP3 was significantly induced in the diabetic rat heart, BNIP3 was transfected in primary rat cardiomyocytes and the H9c2 cell line in the present study. Overexpressed BNIP3 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced cell apoptosis. When BNIP3 was knocked down, the effect on cell apoptosis was reversed. Transcriptome analysis showed that the genes regulating mitochondrial metabolism, such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b, cytochrome oxidase subunit VIIIb and creatine kinase (brain), and those regulating cardiac fibrosis, such as matrix metallopeptidase 9, could be the targets of BNIP3 in rat cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, hyperglycemia-induced BNIP3 expression may compromise cardiac cell survival and function. Under the diabetic condition, BNIP3 could be involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism and fibrosis. BNIP3 could therefore serve as a potential drug target against diabetic macrovascular complications and, in particular, DCM.

As an emerging discipline, disaster nursing is very important in disaster emergency management, but there are few mature practice models and theoretical discussions. In particular, the contribution of nursing staff in disaster emergency has not yet received widespread attention and recognition. After more than ten years of rapid development, China’s disaster nursing has gradually formed a Chinese model and Chinese experience. During the global fight against COVID-19, this article takes the nursing work in disaster emergency rescue as the perspective and briefly describes the development process of disaster nursing in China to introduce the practice and theoretical development of disaster nursing in China to nursing workers around the world. By analyzing the role of Chinese nurses in national disaster emergency response, it provides a reference for global disaster nursing talent capacity building. By sharing the Nightingale spirit of Chinese nurses in disaster emergency, we will show people all over the world the professional value of disaster nursing practitioners and pay tribute to the nursing staff engaged in disaster emergency work.