Development and application of a comprehensive evaluation index system for groundwater quality evolution patterns.

In recent years, driven by rapid socio-economic development and intensified human activities, the groundwater quality has exhibited a concerning trend of degradation. The challenge lies in integrating the impacts of both natural and anthropogenic factors to establish a scientific evaluation framework for the evolution of groundwater quality. This study adopts the model of driving forces - pressures - state - impacts - responses (DPSIR) proposed by the European Environment Agency, in conjunction with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Information Entropy Theory (IET), and the Water Quality Index (WQI) evaluation methods, to construct an evaluation index system for groundwater quality evolution that encompasses driving forces, state, and response systems. Initially, twelve indicators relevant to groundwater quality are quantified by screening across three systems, and a functional relationship between the categorization and scoring of each indicator is established. Subsequently, the weights for each system and indicator are obtained through the AHP, and the objective weights of the indicators are determined using the IET. The scores of each indicator are then comprehensively calculated. Finally, based on the defined types of groundwater quality evolution patterns, an integrated assessment of the evolution of groundwater quality over various time periods is conducted. Taking the Shijiazhuang region as a case study and analyzing the hydrochemical data of groundwater from 1985 to 2015, the results indicate a shift in the groundwater quality evolution pattern from one dominated by natural factors to one primarily influenced by human activities (The comprehensive score of the evaluation index system has increased from 1.84 to 3.25). Among these, the application of fertilizers emerges as the most important driving factors affecting groundwater quality. Particularly, nitrate and total hardness (TH) have emerged as the most salient indicators of quality degradation, with a significant escalation in their composite scores. At the outset, nitrate registered a score of 0.408, while TH scored 0.326; yet, these values have sharply ascended to 0.716 and 0.467, respectively, by the advanced stage. The study concludes with a discussion on the accuracy, strengths, limitations, and applicability of the evaluation index system. The establishment of this evaluation framework provides a scientific basis for the management and protection of groundwater resources and serves as a reference for identifying groundwater quality evolution patterns in other regions.

Sevoflurane suppresses colorectal cancer malignancy by modulating ß-catenin ubiquitination degradation via circSKA3.

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane (SEV), a commonly used inhalational anesthetic, reportedly inhibits colorectal cancer (CRC) malignancy, but whether SEV can inhibit the malignancy of CRC by regulating circular RNAs (circRNAs) remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to identify specific circRNAs that may be affected by SEV and to investigate their functional roles in CRC. METHODS: RT-qPCR was employed to detect the expression of circRNAs and mRNAs in CRC cells and tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine the location of circSKA3. Protein expression was assessed by western blot analysis. Function-based in vitro and in vivo experiments, including CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, and apoptosis assays and mouse xenograft tumor models, were conducted using circSKA3-knockdown and circSKA3-overexpression cell lines. RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry analyses were performed to explore the related mechanism. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that SEV could inhibit CRC cell activity, proliferation and migration and promote apoptosis in CRC cells. We found that circSKA3 was upregulated in CRC and associated with poorer survival and that its expression could be reduced by SEV. The overexpression of circSKA3 reversed the effects of SEV on inhibiting cell activity, proliferation and migration and promoting apoptosis. The mechanistic analysis revealed that circSKA3 could bind to the ARM structural domain of ß-catenin and thereby disrupt its interaction with the CK1/GSK3ß/ß-TrCP1 destruction complex, resulting in the ubiquitinated degradation of ß-catenin and the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. In addition, SEV downregulated circSKA3 in vivo to inhibit tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: All the results showed that SEV could inhibit CRC progression via circSKA3 by increasing ß-catenin ubiquitination degradation.

Modified intraoperative temperature management prevents prolonged length of stay after head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between intraoperative body temperature and prolonged length of stay (PLOS) after free flap reconstruction. A total of 753 patients who underwent head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction were collected and randomly assigned into primary and validation cohorts. In the primary cohort, univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between intraoperative time-weighted (TW) temperature (TW average [TWA] temperature, TW hypothermia and TW hyperthermia) and PLOS. Nomograms were developed with and without intraoperative TW temperature, and validated in the validation cohort. Severe intraoperative TW hypothermia (OR = 1.004; 95% CI: 1.000, 1.007; p = 0.032) was identified as an independent risk factor for PLOS. Intraoperative TWA temperature and TW hypothermia showed linear related predictive effect for PLOS. The nomogram incorporating intraoperative TW temperature showed higher C-index (0.652, 95% CI: 0.591, 0.713) and improved net reclassification improvement for non-event (0.277, 95% CI: 0.118, 0.435; p < 0.001). Lower TWA temperature with mild TW hypothermia had a preventive effect on PLOS with a linear association, which may provide a modified range for intraoperative temperature management. The proposed nomogram incorporating intraoperative TW temperature could be used to develop personalized preventive strategies for PLOS after free flap reconstruction. IRB NUMBER: SYSEC-KY-KS-2022-037. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Regulation of CRMP2 by Cdk5 and GSK-3ß participates in sevoflurane-induced dendritic development abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction in developing rats.

BACKGROUND: General anesthetics such as sevoflurane interfere with dendritic development and synaptogenesis, resulting in cognitive impairment. The collapsin response mediator protein2 (CRMP2) plays important roles in dendritic development and synaptic plasticity and its phosphorylation is regulated by cycline dependent kinase-5 (Cdk5) and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß). Here we investigated whether Cdk5/CRMP2 or GSK-3ß/CRMP2 pathway is involved in sevoflurane-induced developmental neurotoxicity. METHODS: Rats at postnatal day 7 (PND7) were i.p. injected with Cdk5 inhibitor roscovitine, GSK-3ß inhibitor SB415286 or saline 20 min. before exposure to 2.8% sevoflurane for 4 h. Western-blotting was applied to measure the expression of Cdk5/CRMP2 and GSK-3ß/CRMP2 pathway proteins in the hippocampus 6 h after the sevoflurane exposure. When rats grew to adolescence (from PND25), they were tested for open-field and contextual fear conditioning, and then long term potentiation (LTP) from hippocampal slices was recorded, and morphology of pyramidal neuron was examined by Golgi staining and synaptic plasticity-related proteins expression in hippocampus were measured by western-blotting. In another batch of experiment, siRNA-CRMP2 or vehicle control was injected into hippocampus on PND5. RESULTS: Sevoflurane activated Cdk5/CRMP2 and GSK-3ß/CRMP2 pathways in the hippocampus of neonatal rats, reduced dendritic length, branches and the density of dendritic spine in pyramidal neurons. It also reduced the expressions of PSD-95, drebrin and synaptophysin in hippocampus, impaired memory ability of rats and inhibited LTP in hippocampal slices. All the impairment effects by sevoflurane were attenuated by pretreatment with inhibitor of Cdk5 or GSK-3ß. Furthermore, rat transfected with siRNA-CRMP2 eliminated the neuroprotective effects of Cdk5 or GSK-3ß blocker in neurobehavioral and LTP tests. CONCLUSION: Cdk5/CRMP2 and GSK-3ß/CRMP2 pathways participate in sevoflurane-induced dendritic development abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction in developing rats.

Inhibition of RhoA Activity Does Not Rescue Synaptic Development Abnormalities and Long-Term Cognitive Impairment After Sevoflurane Exposure.

General anesthetics interfere with dendritic development and synaptogenesis, resulting in cognitive impairment in the developing animals. RhoA signal pathway plays important roles in dendritic development by regulating cytoskeleton protein such as tubulin and actin. However, it's not clear whether RhoA pathway is involved in inhaled general anesthetics sevoflurane-induced synaptic development abnormalities and long-term cognitive dysfunction. Rats at postnatal day 7 (PND7) were injected intraperitoneally with RhoA pathway inhibitor Y27632 or saline 20 min before exposed to 2.8% sevoflurane for 4 h. The apoptosis-related proteins and RhoA/CRMP2 pathway proteins in the hippocampus were measured 6 h after sevoflurane exposure. Cognitive functions were evaluated by the open field test on PND25 rats and contextual fear conditioning test on PND32-33 rats. The dendritic morphology and density of dendritic spines in the pyramidal neurons of hippocampus were determined by Golgi staining and the synaptic plasticity-related proteins were also measured on PND33 rats. Long term potentiation (LTP) from hippocampal slices was recorded on PND34-37 rats. Sevoflurane induced caspase-3 activation, decreased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and increased TUNEL-positive neurons in hippocampus of PND7 rats, which were attenuated by inhibition of RhoA. However, sevoflurane had no significant effects on activity of RhoA/CRMP2 pathway. Sevoflurane disturbed dendritic morphogenesis, reduced the number of dendritic spines, decreased proteins expression of PSD-95, drebrin and synaptophysin, inhibited LTP in hippocampal slices and impaired memory ability in the adolescent rats, while inhibition of RhoA activity did not rescue the changes above induced by sevoflurane. RhoA signal pathway did not participate in sevoflurane-induced dendritic and synaptic development abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction in developing rats.

Alterations in cecal microbiota and intestinal barrier function of laying hens fed on fluoride supplemented diets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fluorine at levels of 31, 431, 1237 mg/kg feed on cecum microbe, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and intestinal barrier function of laying hens. The results showed that the intestinal morphology and ultrastructure were damaged by dietary high F intake. The mRNA expression levels of zonula occludens-1, zonula occludens-2, claudin-1, and claudin-4 were decreased in jejunum and ileum. However, the concentrations of serum diamine oxidase, and D-lactic acid and intestinal contents of interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha were increased. Consistent with this, dietary high F intake altered the cecum microbiota, with increasing the concentration of pathogens, such as Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella, as well as, decreasing the contents of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and expectedly, reduced the SCFAs concentrations. In conclusion, the actual results confirmed that (1) high dietary F intake could damage the intestinal structure and function, with impaired intestinal barrier and intestinal inflammation, and (2) destroy the cecum microbial homeostasis, and decrease the concentrations of SCFAs, which aggravate the incidence of intestinal inflammation in laying hens.

Dietary cadmium chloride impairs shell biomineralization by disrupting the metabolism of the eggshell gland in laying hens.

In this study, we identified cadmium (Cd) as a potential endocrine disruptor that impairs laying performance, egg quality, and eggshell deposition and induces oxidative stress and inflammation in the eggshell glands of laying hens. A total of 480 38-wk-old laying hens were randomly assigned into 5 groups that were fed a basal diet (control) or a basal diet supplemented with Cd (provided as CdCl2·2.5 H2O) at 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 mg Cd per kg feed for 9 wk. The results showed that, when compared with the control group, a low dose of dietary Cd (7.5 mg/kg) had positive effects on egg quality by improving albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk color, and shell thickness at the third or ninth week. However, with the increase in the dose and duration of Cd exposure, the laying performance, egg quality, and activities of eggshell gland antioxidant enzymes (catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxide [GSH-Px]), and ATPase (Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Mg2+-ATPase) deteriorated, and the activity of total nitric oxide synthase (T-NOS) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased significantly (P < 0.05). The histopathology and real-time quantitative PCR results showed that Cd induced endometrial epithelial cell proliferation accompanied by upregulation of the mRNA levels of progesterone receptor (PgR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), downregulation of the mRNA levels of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and interleukin 6 (IL6), and inflammation of the eggshell gland accompanied by significantly increased expression of complement C3 and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) (P < 0.05). In addition, the ultrastructure of the eggshell showed that dietary supplementation with 7.5 mg/kg Cd increased the palisade layer and total thickness of the shell, but with the increase in dietary Cd supplementation (30 and 60 mg/kg) the thickness of the palisade layer and mammillary layer decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the outer surface of the eggshell became rougher. Correspondingly, the expression of calbindin 1 (CALB1), ovocalyxin-32 (OCX-32), ovocalyxin-36 (OCX-36), osteopontin (SPP1), and ovocledidin-17 (OC-17) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary Cd supplementation. Conclusively, the present study demonstrates that dietary supplementation with Cd negatively affects laying performance, egg quality, and eggshell deposition by disturbing the metabolism of eggshell glands in laying hens but has a positive effect on egg quality at low doses.

Dietary High Sodium Fluoride Impairs Digestion and Absorption Ability, Mucosal Immunity, and Alters Cecum Microbial Community of Laying Hens.

(1) Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fluoride (F) on tissue retention, digestive enzymes activities, mucosal immunity, and cecum microbial community of laying hens. (2) Methods: Total of 288 37-week-old Hy-Line Gray laying hens with similar laying rate (85.16% ± 3.87%) were adapted to the basal diets for ten days, and then allocated into three groups at random (n = 9, 6, 6 replicates/group). The concentrations of F in the diets were 31.19 (the control group, CON), 431.38 (F400, low-F group) and 1237.16 mg/kg (F1200, high-F group), respectively. The trial lasted for 59 days. (3) Results: Results suggested that F residuals in duodenum responded to dietary F concentrations positively. The activities of amylase, maltase and lactase were decreased in high-F group, compared with those in the control group. The mRNA expression levels of jejunum and ileum secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and Mucin 2, and sIgA concentrations were decreased inhigh-F group, than those in the control group. The observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of laying hens in high-F group were higher than the CON and low-F groups, and the bacterial structure was different from the other two groups. The Lactobacillus was higher in the control group, while Gammaproteobacteria, Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae were higher in the high-F group. (4) Conclusions: The actual results confirmed that dietary high F intake increased the F residuals in duodenum, and reduced the digestion and absorption of nutrients and immunity via decreasing the activities of digestive enzymes, impairing intestine mucosal immunity, and disturbing the cecum microbial homeostasis of laying hens.

Using sternal angle as anatomic landmark for right internal jugular vein catheterization in pediatrics.

BACKGROUND: Many formulas based on the patient's height, weight and/or age exist to determine central venous catheter (CVC) depth in children. However, this information is unavailable in some emergency conditions. Therefore, direct methods should be developed to guide catheter position in children. METHODS: Eighty patients aged 1-10 y were enrolled from July 2015 to August 2016 and seventy-five were completed; fifty were male, and twenty-five were female. The exclusion criteria were inability to identify the sternal angle or failure to use the right internal jugular vein approach. The catheter was inserted using the right internal jugular vein approach, the distance from the skin puncture point to the midpoint of the sternal angle plane was measured, and the catheter tip was positioned to this distance minus 1 cm. Chest radiography were performed for those children after catheter insertion. The relative position between the catheter tip and carina was confirmed and the longitudinal distance from the catheter tip to the carina was calculated on radiographic images, and related complications were recorded. RESULTS: All catheter tips were above the carina, and the average distance from the catheter tip to the carina was 9.8 mm. No patients experienced serious complications. CONCLUSION: The sternal angle is a useful and reliable anatomic landmark for guiding CVC position in children. Using this landmark, the catheter can be quickly and conveniently placed at a safety position in right internal jugular vein, especially in some emergency conditions.

MiR-126 targets IL-17A to enhance proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in high-glucose-induced human retinal endothelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), which results in vision loss. This study explored the role of miR-126 in high-glucose-induced human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that the expression levels of miR-126 and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in high-glucose-induced HRECs were downregulated and upregulated, respectively. Functionally, overexpression of miR-126 promoted proliferation and suppressed apoptosis in high-glucose-induced HRECs, while IL-17A reversed the effects induced by miR-126. However, overexpression of IL-17A inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis, while knockdown of IL-17A accelerated the proliferation and repressed apoptosis. In addition, miR-126 repressed the expression of IL-17A, Bax, and caspase-3, while promoting the expression of survivin and phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT; restoration of IL-17A rescued these effects. Furthermore, IL-17A was identified as a target of miR-126. This indicates that miR-126 enhances proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in high-glucose-induced HRECs by activating the PI3K-AKT pathway, increasing survivin levels, and decreasing Bax and caspase-3 expression by targeting IL-17A, suggesting that miR-126 could be a novel target for preventing DR.

Sevoflurane Protects against Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Activating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma/Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a clinical challenge with high morbidity and mortality, whereas the effective therapeutic strategy is limited. Inflammatory reaction plays important roles in I/R-induced intestinal damage and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has been identified as an endogenous anti-inflammatory regulator by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Our previous research has shown that the pretreatment with inhaled anesthetic sevoflurane protects intestinal I/R injury. However, whether the protection induced by sevoflurane is mediated by inhibiting intestinal inflammatory reaction via activation of PPARγ/NF-κB pathway is underdetermined. In this study, we investigated the effects of sevoflurane on intestinal inflammatory reaction during intestinal I/R and the role of PPARγ/NF-κB pathway. METHODS: Rat model of intestinal I/R was used in this study. The superior mesenteric artery was clamped for 60 min followed by 120-min reperfusion. Sevoflurane at 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration was inhaled for 30 min before ischemic insult. GW9662, a specific PPARγ antagonist, was injected intraperitoneally before sevoflurane inhalation. RESULTS: Intestinal I/R caused severe intestinal mucosa histopathological injury evaluated by Chiu's scoring, induced epithelial cell apoptosis evaluated by terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and activation of caspase-3, upregulated serum MOD levels, reduced protein expression of Bcl-2 and PPARγ, increased protein expression of NF-κB P65 and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the intestine. Sevoflurane preconditioning significantly ameliorated these changes induced by intestinal I/R. However, GW9662 partly blocked the protective effects induced by sevoflurane. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest sevoflurane-induced protection against intestinal I/R injury is partly mediated by inhibiting intestinal inflammatory reaction via activation of PPARγ/NF-κB pathway.

Both GSK-3ß/CRMP2 and CDK5/CRMP2 Pathways Participate in the Protection of Dexmedetomidine Against Propofol-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Neonatal Rats.

Dexmedetomidine has been reported to ameliorate propofol-induced neurotoxicity in neonatal animals. However, the underlying mechanism is still undetermined. Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), cycline-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5), and Rho-kinase (RhoA) pathways play critical roles in neuronal development. The present study is to investigate whether GSK-3ß, CDK5, and RhoA pathways are involved in the neuroprotection of dexmedetomidine. Seven-day-old (P7) Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized with propofol for 6 h. Dexmedetomidine at various concentrations were administered before propofol exposure. Neuroapoptosis, the neuronal proliferation, and the level of neurotransmitter in the hippocampus were evaluated. The effects of GSK-3ß inhibitor SB415286, CDK5 inhibitor roscovitine, or RhoA inhibitor Y276321 on propofol-induced neurotoxicity were assessed. Propofol-induced apoptosis in the hippocampal neurons and astrocytes, inhibited neuronal proliferation in the dentate gyrus region, down-regulated the level of γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in the hippocampus, and impaired long-term cognitive function. These harmful effects were reduced by pretreatment with 50 µg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine. Moreover, propofol-activated GSK-3ß and CDK5 pathways, but not RhoA pathway, by reducing the phosphorylation of GSK-3ß (ser 9), increasing the expression of CDK5 activator P25 and increasing the phosphorylation of their target sites on collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) shortly after exposure. These effects were reversed by pretreatment with 50 µg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine. Furthermore, SB415286 and roscovitine, not Y276321, attenuated the propofol-induced neuroapoptosis, brain cell proliferation inhibition, γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate downregulation, and learning and memory dysfunction. Our results indicate that dexmedetomidine reduces propofol-induced neurotoxicity and neurocognitive impairment via inhibiting activation of GSK-3ß/CRMP2 and CDK5/CRMP2 pathways in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.

Dietary addition of zinc-methionine influenced eggshell quality by affecting calcium deposition in eggshell formation of laying hens.

The present study explored the mechanism of Zn-methionine (Zn-Met) influencing eggshell quality of laying hens and investigated whether the mechanism was related to Ca deposition. Hyline grey layers (n 384, 38 weeks old) were divided into four groups: 0 mg Zn/kg, 40, 80 mg Zn/kg as Zn-Met, and 80 mg Zn/kg as zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). Eggshell quality, Zn contents, Zn-containing enzyme activities and expressions of shell matrix proteins in eggshell gland (ESG) were analysed. Zn-Met treatment at 80 mg/kg increased (P < 0·05) egg weight and eggshell strength throughout the experiments. The 80 mg/kg Zn-Met group (P < 0·05) had decreased mammillary knob width and larger relative atomic weight percentage of Ca, stronger signal intensity of Ca in linear distribution and the Ca was more evenly distributed in the transversal surface of eggshell. Zn contents (P < 0·001) in yolk and serum, Ca, albumin (Alb) levels in ESG as well as carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in serum (P < 0·05) and mRNA levels of CA and Ca-binding protein-d28k (CaBP-D28k) (P < 0·001) in the 80 mg/kg Zn-Met group were the highest among all treatments. In conclusion, shell strength as one of eggshell qualities was mostly related to mammillary cone width in ultrastructure caused by the pattern of Ca deposition in eggshell formation. Also, the increase in Zn-Met-induced Ca deposition may be due to the increased Zn contents in serum and tissues, which were attributable to the increased CA concentrations in serum, Ca, Alb levels and up-regulated CA and CaBP-D28k mRNA levels in ESG.

Mercuric Chloride Induced Ovarian Oxidative Stress by Suppressing Nrf2-Keap1 Signal Pathway and its Downstream Genes in Laying Hens.

The present study evaluated the effects of mercury chloride (HgCl2) on follicular atresia rate, sex hormone secretion, and ovarian oxidative stress in laying hens. Antioxidant enzyme genes and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signal pathway were further studied to uncover the molecular mechanism. A total of 768 40-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allocated to four treatments with eight pens per treatment and 24 hens of each pen. The birds were fed with four experimental diets containing graded levels of mercury (Hg) at 0.280, 3.325, 9.415, and 27.240 mg/kg, respectively. Results revealed that a positive relationship occurred between the accumulation of Hg in ovary and follicular atresia rate. Progesterone (P4) level significantly decreased in all Hg-treatment groups (P < 0.05), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were the lowest in the 27.240-mg/kg Hg group. Besides, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxidative dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione (GSH) content were significantly decreased in all Hg-treatment groups (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content sharply increased in the 27.240-mg/kg Hg group (P < 0.05). In addition, there were positive relationships between antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant gene expressions or between antioxidant gene expressions and Nrf2 mRNA expression, while negative correlations occurred between Nrf2 and Keap1 at transcription and protein levels. It could be concluded that Hg induced ovarian function disorders and ovarian oxidative stress by means of impairing the Nrf2-Keap1 signal pathway in laying hens.

The Postoperative Immunosuppressive Phenotypes of Peripheral T Helper Cells Are Associated with Poor Prognosis of Breast Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: T helper cells play essential roles in anti-tumor immune response. However, the postoperative changes of peripheral T cell subsets and their clinical significance in breast cancer patients remain largely unknown. METHODS: We evaluated the perioperative changes of T lymphocyte subsets in invasive breast cancer (IBC) patients and breast fibroadenoma (BF) patients preoperatively (preop) and 6, 24, 72 hours postoperatively (POH6, POH24, and POH72). Proportions of CD3, CD4, CD8, T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17 cells, regulatory T cells (Treg), and CD4+/CD8+, Th1/Th2 ratio were detected by flow cytometry. Changes in T helper cell quantity were correlated to clinicopathological parameters. Furthermore, we explored the association between the perioperative variations of T cell subsets and disease-free survival (DFS) of IBC patients. RESULTS: In IBC patients, Th1 cells diminished while Tregs elevated in postoperative 72 hours in the peripheral blood. In contrast, no significant perioperative changes of T cell subsets were observed in BF patients. Postoperative lower Th1 cells at POH 72 of IBC patients were correlated with greater tumor burden, HER2 positive and Ki67 positive. The increased Tregs at POH 72 of IBC patients were correlated with larger tumor size and HER2 positive. Th1 cell decline and Treg increment were both associated with shorter DFS in IBC patients. CONCLUSIONS: The variations of peripheral T helper cell subsets showed postoperative immunosuppression and were associated with poor prognosis in IBC patients.

Effects of Excess Dietary Fluoride on Serum Biochemical Indices, Egg Quality, and Concentrations of Fluoride in Soft Organs, Eggs, and Serum of Laying Hens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of excess dietary fluoride (F) on serum biochemical indices, egg quality, and concentrations of F in soft tissues, eggs, and serum of laying hens. Commercial laying hens (n = 576, 51 weeks of age) were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 6 replicates of 16 birds. The basal diets contained fluorine inclusions at a level of 16 mg/kg, and graded sodium fluoride was added to the basal diet to achieve fluorine inclusions, respectively, at a level of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg in the experimental diets. Dietary F levels at 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg decreased (P < 0.05) albumin height and yolk color, while eggshell strength and eggshell thickness significantly decreased at 800 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, compared with the control group. Fluoride concentrations in eggshell, albumin, yolk, liver, kidney, ovary, and oviduct responded to dietary F levels positively, and F concentrations in eggshell were the highest. Fluorine concentrations in albumin and yolk increased with the feeding time at the same dietary F levels (P < 0.05). Dietary F level at 400 mg/kg increased serum calcium level and activity of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary F levels at 600 mg/kg decreased albumin height and yolk color, while eggshell strength and eggshell thickness significantly decreased at 800 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. F concentrations in soft tissues, albumin, yolk, and eggshell of layers had a positive correlation with dietary F levels. By disturbing Ca and phosphorus metabolism, dietary F levels affected the formation of eggshell, reducing eggshell strength and eggshell thickness.

CC-chemokine receptor 7 and its ligand CCL19 promote mitral valve interstitial cell migration and repair.

The effect of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and CC-chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) on rheumatic mitral stenosis is unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of CCR7 and CCL19 in rheumatic mitral stenosis by measuring the expression of CCR7 and CCL19 in human mitral valves from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients. Additionally, we examined their effects on human mitral valve interstitial cells (hMVICs) proliferation, apoptosis and wound repair. CCR7 and CCL19 expression was measured in the mitral valves from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients (n = 10) and compared to normal mitral valves (n = 5). CCR7 was measured in cultured hMVICs from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients and normal donors by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The cells were also treated with exogenous CCL19, and the effects on wound healing, proliferation and apoptosis were assayed. In the rheumatic mitral valves, valve interstitial cells expressed CCR7, while mononuclear cells and the endothelium expressed CCL19. Healthy mitral valves did not stain positive for CCR7 or CCL19. CCR7 was also detected in cultured rheumatic hMVICs or in normal hMVICs treated with CCL19. In a wound healing experiment, wound closure rates of both rheumatic and normal hMVICs were significantly accelerated by CCL19. These effects were abrogated by a CCR7 neutralizing antibody. The CCR7/CCL19 axis did not influence the proliferation or apoptosis of hMVICs, indicating that wound healing was due to increased migration rates rather than increased proliferation. In conclusion, CCR7 and CCL19 were expressed in rheumatic mitral valves. The CCR7/CCL19 axis may regulate remodeling of rheumatic valve injury through promoting migratory ability of hMVICs.

Sevoflurane Preconditioning Reduces Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Role of Protein Kinase C and Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been considered to be a potential therapy to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) since the 1980s. Our previous study indicated that sevoflurane preconditioning (SPC) also reduced intestinal IRI in rats. However, whether the protective effect of SPC is similar to IPC and the mechanisms of SPC are unclear. Thus, we compared the efficacy of SPC and IPC against intestinal IRI and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mKATP) in SPC. A rat model of intestinal IRI was used in this study. The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was clamped for 60 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Rats with IPC underwent three cycles of SMA occlusion for 5 min and reperfusion for 5 min before intestinal ischemia. Rats with SPC inhaled sevoflurane at 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for 30 min before the intestinal ischemic insult. Additionally, the PKC inhibitor Chelerythrine (CHE) or mKATP inhibitor 5-Hydroxydecanoic (5-HD) was injected intraperitoneally before sevoflurane inhalation. Both SPC and IPC ameliorated intestinal IRI-induced histopathological changes, decreased Chiu's scores, reduced terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells in the epithelium, and inhibited the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These protective effects of SPC were similar to those of IPC. Pretreatment with PKC or mKATP inhibitor abolished SPC-induced protective effects by increasing Chiu's scores, down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and activated caspase-3. Our results suggest that pretreatment with 0.5 MAC sevoflurane is as effective as IPC against intestinal IRI. The activation of PKC and mKATP may be involved in the protective mechanisms of SPC.

Propofol post-conditioning protects the blood brain barrier by decreasing matrix metalloproteinase-9 and aquaporin-4 expression and improves the neurobehavioral outcome in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Propofol, an intravenous anesthetic, inhibits neuronal apoptosis induced by ischemic stroke, protects the brain from ischemia/reperfusion injury and improves neuronal function. However, whether propofol is able to protect the blood brain barrier (BBB) and the underlying mechanisms have remained to be elucidated. In the present study, a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was established, using a thread embolism to achieve middle cerebral artery occlusion. Rats were treated with propofol (propofol post-conditioning) or physiological saline (control) administered by intravenous injection 30 min following reperfusion. Twenty-four hours following reperfusion, neurobehavioral manifestations were assessed. The levels of cephaloedema, damage to the BBB and expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (pJNK) were determined in order to evaluate the effects of propofol on the BBB. In comparison to the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group, the levels of brain water content and Evans blue content, as well as the expression levels of MMP-9, AQP-4 and pJNK were significantly reduced in the propofol post-conditioning group. These results indicated that propofol post-conditioning improved the neurobehavioral manifestations and attenuated the BBB damage and cephaloedema induced following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. This effect may be due to the inhibition of MMP-9 and AQP-4 expression, and the concurrent decrease in JNK phosphorylation.