Altered metabolome and microbiome associated with compromised intestinal barrier induced hepatic lipid metabolic disorder in mice after subacute and subchronic ozone exposure.

Exposure to ozone has been associated with metabolic disorders in humans, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the role of the gut-liver axis and the potential mechanism behind the metabolic disorder were investigated by histological examination, microbiome and metabolome approaches in mice during the subacute (4-week) and subchronic (12-week) exposure to 0.5 ppm and 2.5 ppm ozone. Ozone exposure resulted in slowed weight gain and reduced hepatic lipid contents in a dose-dependent manner. After exposure to ozone, the number of intestinal goblet cells decreased, while the number of tuft cells increased. Tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was significantly downregulated, and the apoptosis of epithelial cells increased with compensatory proliferation, indicating a compromised chemical and physical layer of the intestinal barrier. The hepatic and cecal metabolic profiles were altered, primarily related to lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. The abundance of Muribaculaceae increased dose-dependently in both colon and cecum, and was associated with the decrease of metabolites such as bile acids, betaine, and L-carnitine, which subsequently disrupted the intestinal barrier and lipid metabolism. Overall, this study found that subacute and subchronic exposure to ozone induced metabolic disorder via disturbing the gut-liver axis, especially the intestinal barrier. These findings provide new mechanistic understanding of the health risks associated with environmental ozone exposure and other oxidative stressors.

The clinical outcome of emergency superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass in acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion.

The role of superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is contentious, with no evidence in patients with AIS and large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). We conducted a cohort study to assess emergency STA-MCA outcomes in AIS-LVO and a meta-analysis to evaluate STA-MCA outcomes in early AIS treatment. From January 2018 to March 2021, we consecutively recruited newly diagnosed AIS-LVO patients, dividing them into STA-MCA and non-STA-MCA groups. To evaluate the neurological status and outcomes, we employed the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) during the acute phase and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) during the follow-up period. Additionally, we conducted a meta-analysis encompassing all available clinical studies to assess the impact of STA-MCA on patients with AIS. In the cohort study (56 patients), we observed more significant neurological improvement in the STA-MCA group at two weeks (p = 0.030). However, there was no difference in the clinical outcomes between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression identified the NIHSS at two weeks (OR: 0.840; 95% CI: 0.754-0.936, p = 0.002) as the most critical predictor of a good outcome. Our meta-analysis of seven studies indicated a 67% rate for achieving a good outcome (mRS < 3) at follow-up points (95% CI: 57%-77%, I2 = 44.1%). In summary, while the meta-analysis suggested the potential role of STA-MCA bypass in mild to moderate AIS, our single-center cohort study indicated that STA-MCA bypass does not seem to improve the prognosis of patients who suffer from AIS-LVO.

Deferoxamine Mitigates Ferroptosis and Inflammation in Hippocampal Neurons After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage by Activating the Nrf2/TXNRD1 Axis.

Ferroptosis is a distinct peroxidation-driven form of cell death tightly involved in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study delved into the mechanism of deferoxamine (DFO, an iron chelator) in SAH-induced ferroptosis and inflammation. SAH mouse models were established by endovascular perforation method and injected intraperitoneally with DFO, or intraventricularly injected with the Nrf2 pathway inhibitor ML385 before SAH, followed by detection of neurological function, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and brain water content. Apoptotic level of hippocampal neurons, symbolic changes of ferroptosis, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed using TUNEL staining, Western blotting, colorimetry, and ELISA. The localization and expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were detected. HT22 cells were exposed to Hemin as in vitro SAH models and treated with FIN56 to induce ferroptosis, followed by evaluation of the effects of DFO on FIN56-treated HT22 cells. The regulation of Nrf2 in thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Moreover, HT22 cells were treated with DFO and ML385 to identify the role of DFO in the Nrf2/TXNRD1 axis. DFO extenuated brain injury, and ferroptosis and inflammation in hippocampal neurons of SAH mice. Nrf2 localized at the CA1 region of hippocampal neurons, and DFO stimulated nuclear translocation of Nrf2 protein in hippocampal neurons of SAH mice. Additionally, DFO inhibited ferroptosis and inflammatory responses in FIN56-induced HT22 cells. Nrf2 positively regulated TXNRD1 protein expression. Indeed, DFO alleviated FIN56-induced ferroptosis and inflammation via activation of the Nrf2/TXNRD1 axis. DFO alleviated neurological deficits, BBB disruption, brain edema, and brain injury in mice after SAH by inhibiting hippocampal neuron ferroptosis via the Nrf2/TXNRD1 axis. DFO ameliorates SAH-induced ferroptosis and inflammatory responses in hippocampal neurons by activating the Nrf2/TXNRD1 axis.

A combination of all-trans retinoic acid derivative and COX-2 inhibitor has anticancer effects in human pharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Backgrounds and aims: Carcinogenesis is characterized by an unlimited growth of cells exacerbated by Cox-2 overexpression. Cox-2 inhibitors have been proven effective in preventing and treating tumors. In our previous studies, we found that 4-Amino-2-Trifluoromethylphenyl Retinate (ATPR) induces cell apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation to exhibit anti-cancer properties. The use of ATRA as well as Cox-2 inhibitors in clinical settings can cause adverse reactions. It is unknown what the effects and mechanisms of co-administration of ATPR and Cox-2 inhibitors are. Results: A combination of ATPR and Cox-2 inhibitors, Celecoxib, inhibited pharyngeal cancer cell proliferation in vitro and induced apoptosis. The cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 by activating P53 and CDNA1. By activating MAPK/JNK pathways, ATPR and Celecoxib led to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in pharyngeal cancer cells. ATPR/Celecoxib combined treatment suppressed tumor growth in the pharyngeal cancer cell-derived xenograft mouse model by increasing the number of apoptotic cells. The expression of the RARA and PTGS2 genes was significantly increased in tumor tissue compared to non-tumor tissue in the clinical analysis of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma dataset. An association was found between this and the level of intrinsic apoptotic signals. Furthermore, a survival analysis conducted over a period of five years indicated that higher levels of RARA expression were associated with a better clinical outcome. Conclusion: ATPR and celecoxib inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells as well as induce apoptosis. Co-administration of ATPR and Cox-2 inhibitors has the potential to be a novel treatment plan for cancer.

Unusual presentation of brain abscess in a 23-month-old infant.

BACKGROUD: Pediatric brain abscesses usually occur as a consequence of predisposing conditions, such as ENT (ear, nose, and throat) infection and physical damage. But there are still a number of cryptogenic infection cases. METHODS: We present an unusual cryptogenic infection case of multiple and multiloculated brain abscess in an infant, which was in the absence of ENT infection, meningitis, trauma, prior surgery, cyanotic heart disease, or immune defect. The child has no specific symptoms but keeping apathic and days of diarrhea. Deduced from clinical presentation and this case's DWI-MRI features, the onset of infection is hematogenous route, and the diarrhea could be the possible inducement. The child was successfully treated by surgical excision of big lesions and an 8-week total course of intravenous antibiotics. At the end of the 1-year follow-up period, the infant is well at both of physical and mental health. CONCLUSION: The interest of this case is the silent clinical presentation and the possibly rare precipitating factor. To a certain extent, the variation trend of blood C-reactive protein level could predict the clinical effect of antibiotics in brain abscess case.