Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) has become one of the most lethal complications of sepsis, while the treatment was limited by a shortage of pertinent drugs. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the highest content of active substances in green tea, and its application in cardiovascular diseases has broad prospects. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that EGCG was able to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced myocardial dysfunction and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The cardiac systolic function was assessed by echocardiography. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining. The expression of inflammatory factors and apoptosis-related protein, cardiac markers were examined by Western Blot and qRT-PCR. EGCG effectively improve LPS-induced cardiac function damage, enhance left ventricular systolic function, and restore myocardial cell vitality. It can effectively inhibit the upregulation of TLR4 expression induced by LPS and inhibit IκB α/NF- κB/p65 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improving myocarditis. In conclusion, EGCG protects against SIMD through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects; it was mediated by the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway. Our results demonstrated that EGCG might be a possible medicine for SIMD prevention and treatment.

Circadian misalignment on submarines and other non-24-h environments - from research to application.

Circadian clocks have important physiological and behavioral functions in humans and other organisms, which enable organisms to anticipate and respond to periodic environmental changes. Disturbances in circadian rhythms impair sleep, metabolism, and behavior. People with jet lag, night workers and shift workers are vulnerable to circadian misalignment. In addition, non-24-h cycles influence circadian rhythms and cause misalignment and disorders in different species, since these periods are beyond the entrainment ranges. In certain special conditions, e.g., on submarines and commercial ships, non-24-h watch schedules are often employed, which have also been demonstrated to be deleterious to circadian rhythms. Personnel working under such conditions suffer from circadian misalignment with their on-watch hours, leading to increased health risks and decreased cognitive performance. In this review, we summarize the research progress and knowledge concerning circadian rhythms on submarines and other environments in which non-24-h watch schedules are employed.

MicroRNA-277 regulates dopa decarboxylase to control larval-pupal and pupal-adult metamorphosis of Helicoverpa armigera.

Insect metamorphosis is a complex process involving many metabolic pathways, such as juvenile hormones and molting hormones, bioamines, microRNAs (miRNAs), etc. However, relatively little is known about the biogenic amines and their miRNAs to regulate cotton bollworm metamorphosis. Here we show that one miRNA, miR-277 regulates larval-pupal and pupal-adult metamorphosis of cotton bollworm by targeting the 3'UTR of Dopa decarboxylase (DDC), a synthetic catalytic enzyme of dopamine. Injection of miR-277 agomir inhibited the expression of DDC at the mRNA and protein levels, leading to defects in the pupation and emergence of H. armigera that was consistent with the phenotype obtained by injection of DDC double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Injection of miR-277 antagomir induced the mRNA and protein expression of DDC and rescued the phenotype of pupation failure caused by DDC gene silencing. Unexpectedly, miR-277 antagomir can also cause failure of emergence of H. armigera and both agomir and antagomir of miR-277 injection could cause abnormal phenotypes in wing veins. This study reveals that elaborate regulation of miRNA and its target gene expression is prerequisite for insect development, which provides a new insight to study the developmental mechanisms of insect wing veins.

Babao Dan attenuates acute ethanol-induced liver injury via Nrf2 activation and autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Babao Dan (BBD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used as a complementary and alternative medicine to treat multifarious liver diseases. In this study, we aimed to observe its protective effect on ethanol-induced liver injury and explore potential mechanisms. METHODS: Mice pretreated with BBD (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg BW) were administrated by ethanol gavage (5 g/kg BW). Liver injury biomarkers and hepatic redox parameters were evaluated by histopathology as well as serum and hepatic content analysis. AML-12 cell was also utilized to determine the efficacy of BBD against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. RESULTS: Drunkenness experiment showed that the latency was significantly increased and the drunken sleep time was decreased in mice pretreated with BBD. We then found that BBD could reduce hepatic lipid peroxidation and steatosis induced by ethanol exposure. BBD could also suppress ethanol-induced depletion of hepatic antioxidant enzyme. Besides that, BBD treatment lessened the induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1, a major contributor to ethanol-mediated oxidative stress, and up-regulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and its two transcriptional targets hemeoxygenase-1 and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit. Furthermore, autophagy induced by BBD contributed to hepatoprotection activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that BBD can markedly dispel acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity through multiple pathways including attenuation of ethanol-mediated oxidative stress, enhancement of the oxidative defense systems and activation of autophagy.

Gut bacterial community diversity in Carposina sasakii and Grapholitha molesta.

To clarify the community structure and diversity of larval gut bacteria in Carposina sasakii and Grapholitha molesta, the V4 regions of the 16S rDNA genes of intestinal bacteria of C. sasakii and G. molesta larvae which fed by golden delicious apple, were amplified and sequenced by Illumina HiSeq technique. The results showed that a total of 229043 high quality reads of gut bacteria in C. sasakii larvae were obtained and clustered to 2112 OTUs, which were annotated into 27 phyla, 65 classes, 124 orders, 205 families and 281 genera. 240389 reads of G. molesta were produced and clustered to 957 OTUs, which were annotated into 22 Phyla, 46 Classes, 89 Orders, 145 Families and 180 Genera. C. sasakii was dominated by the Proteobacteria (87.98%±5.29%), Firmicutes (3.91%±1.19%), Actinobacteria (1.04%±0.47%), and G. molesta was mainly dominated by Proteobacteria (50.06%±19.56%), Firmicutes (32.02%±8.48%) and Cyanobacteria (25.24%±10.28%). All of Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species of the bacteria were significantly different between C. sasakii and G. molesta. Those results suggested that the gut bacteria community in these two fruit-boring pests was notably different, although they were both fed by apple fruit. The bacteria communities were more complex in C. sasakii than in G. molesta, which might account for different feeding and digestion mechanisms. The results could lay a foundation to reveal the association of the intestinal bacteria with these two fruit borers.

MiR-320 regulates cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting AKIP1.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs play important roles in regulation of the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to investigate microRNA-320 (miR-320) expression in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and the roles of miR-320 in cardiomyocyte apoptosis by targeting AKIP1 (A kinase interacting protein 1). METHODS: The level of miR-320 was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected via terminal dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated via flow cytometry. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify the target gene of miR-320. The expression levels of AKIP1 mRNA and protein were detected via qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Both the level of miR-320 and the rate of cardiomyocyte apoptosis were substantially higher in the I/R group and H9c2 cells subjected to H/R than in the corresponding controls. Overexpression of miR-320 significantly promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis and increased the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas downregulation of miR-320 had an opposite effect. Luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-320 directly targets AKIP1. Moreover, knock down and overexpression of AKIP1 had similar effects on the H9c2 cells subjected to H/R. CONCLUSIONS: miR-320 plays an important role in regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by I/R injury by targeting AKIP1 and inducing the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Sodium chloride exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by tuning proinflammatory and antiinflammatory lamina propria mononuclear cells through p38/MAPK pathway in mice.

AIM: To investigate the influence of high salt on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms of this effect. METHODS: DSS and NaCl were used to establish the proinflammatory animal model. We evaluated the colitis severity. Flow cytometry was employed for detecting the frequencies of Th1, macrophages and Tregs in spleen, mesenteric lymph node and lamina propria. The important role of macrophages in the promotion of DSS-induced colitis by NaCl was evaluated by depleting macrophages with clodronate liposomes. Activated peritoneal macrophages and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) were stimulated with NaCl, and proteins were detected by western blotting. Cytokines and inflammation genes were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The study findings indicate that NaCl up-regulates the frequencies of CD11b+ macrophages and CD4+IFN-γ+IL-17+ T cells in lamina propria in DSS-treated mice. CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells, which can secrete high levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß, increase through feedback in NaCl- and DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, clodronate liposomes pretreatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, indicating that macrophages play a vital role in NaCl proinflammatory activity. NaCl aggravates peritoneal macrophage inflammation by promoting the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase. Specifically, high NaCl concentrations promote p38 phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide- and IFN-γ-activated LPMCs mediated by SGK1. CONCLUSION: Proinflammatory macrophages may play an essential role in the onset and development of NaCl-promoted inflammation in DSS-induced colitis. The underlining mechanism involves up-regulation of the p38/MAPK axis.

TGF-ß in pancreatic cancer initiation and progression: two sides of the same coin.

Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal malignant tumor with characterised rapid progression, invasiveness and resistance to radiochemotherapy. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling plays a dual role in both pro-tumorigenic and tumor suppressive of pancreatic cancer, depending on tumor stage and microenvironment. TGF-ß signaling components alteration are common in pancreatic cancer, and its leading role in tumor formation and metastases has received increased attention. Many therapies have investigated to target TGF-ß signaling in the preclinical and clinical setting. In this review, we highlight the dual roles of TGF-ß and touch upon the perspectives on therapeutic target of TGF-ß signaling in pancreatic cancer.

Meta-analysis of oxaliplatin-based versus fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.

A meta-analysis was conducted to compare oxaliplatin-based with fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were systematically searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until January 31 2017. Review Manager (version 5.3) was used to analyze the data. Dichotomous data were calculated by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 8 RCTs with 6103 stage II or III rectal cancer patients were analyzed, including 2887 patients with oxaliplatin+fluorouracil regimen and 3216 patients with fluorouracil alone regimen. Compared with fluorouracil-based regimen group, oxaliplatin-based regimen group attained higher pathologic complete response (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.49, P = 0.0005) and 3-year disease-free survival (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.93-1.42, P = 0.21), but suffered greater toxicity (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.52-2.83, P < 0.00001). Also, there were no significant differences between two regimens in sphincter-sparing surgery rates (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.83-1.06, P = 0.33), 5-year disease-free survival (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.93-1.42, P = 0.21) and overall survival (3-year, OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.98-1.34, P = 0.09; 5-year, OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.78-1.44, P = 0.70). In conclusion, the benefits of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer remains controversial, and cannot be considered a standard approach.

Regulatory effects of autophagy on spermatogenesis.

Abnormal spermatogenesis is an important pathophysiological process underlying male infertility. Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and disruption of ectoplasmic specialization (ES) have been characterized as the key biological events of this disorder. Under physiological and pathophysiological conditions (such as exposure to starvation, environmental chemicals, radiation), autophagy is activated in spermatogenic or Sertoli cells in order to maintain survival of the spermatogenic cells by inhibiting spermatogenic cell apoptosis and stabilizing the integrity of ES via degradation of PDZ and LIM domain 1 (PDLIM1), a negative regulator of cytoskeletal organization. Here, we review the most recent research progress towards understanding the pivotal effects of autophagy on spermatogenesis.

Meta-analysis of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone for hepatocellular carcinoma.

This meta-analysis was conducted to compare transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL for all relative randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies until October 31 2016. Tumor response, recurrence-free survival, overall survival and postoperative complications were the major evaluation indices. Review Manager (version 5.3) was used to analyze the data. Dichotomous data was calculated by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). There were 1 RCT and 10 retrospective studies with 928 patients in this meta-analysis: 412 patients with TACE plus RFA and 516 patients with TACE alone. Compared with TACE alone group, TACE plus RFA group attained higher tumor response rates (OR = 6.08, 95% CI = 4.00 to 9.26, P < 0.00001), achieved longer recurrence-free survival rates (ORRFS = 3.78, 95% CI: 2.38 to 6.02, P < 0.00001) and overall survival rates (OR1-year = 3.92, 95% CI = 2.41-6.39, P < 0.00001; OR3-year = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.81-3.60; P < 0.00001; OR5-year = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.77-4.38; P < 0.0001). Serious postoperative complications were not observed, although complications were higher in TACE plus RFA group than that in TACE alone group (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.07 to 7.07, P = 0.04). In conclusion, the use of TACE plus RFA for intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma can attain higher tumor response rates and improve survival rates than TACE alone.

Meta-analysis of laparoscopic versus open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: To compare surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic versus open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. RESULTS: A total of 14 retrospective studies with 1679 colorectal liver metastases patients were analyzed: 683 patients treated with laparoscopic liver resection and 996 patients with open liver resection. With respect to surgical outcomes, laparoscopic compared with open liver resection was associated with lower blood loss (MD, -216.7, 95% CI, -309.4 to -124.1; P < 0.00001), less requiring blood transfusion (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.55; P < 0.00001), lower postoperative complication morbidity (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P = 0.003), and shorter hospitalization time (MD, -3.85, 95% CI, -5.00 to -2.71; P < 0.00001). However, operation time and postoperative mortality were no significant difference between the two approaches. With respect to oncological outcomes, laparoscopic liver resection group was prone to lower recurrence rate (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.61-0.99; P = 0.04), but surgical margins R0, overall survival and disease-free survival were no significant difference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for all relevant studies. All statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3. Dichotomous data were calculated by odds ratio (OR) and continuous data were calculated by mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic and open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases have the same effect on oncological outcomes, but laparoscopic liver resection achieves better surgical outcomes.

Meta-analysis of bariatric surgery versus non-surgical treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: To compare short-term and long-term results of bariatric surgery vs non-surgical treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3. The dichotomous data was calculated using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data was using mean differences (MD) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 8 RCTs with 619 T2DM patients were analyzed. Compared with non-surgical treatment group, bariatric surgery group was associated with higher rate T2DM remission (RR = 5.76, 95%CI:3.15-10.55, P < 0.00001), more reduction HbA1C (MD = 1.29, 95%CI: -1.70 to -0.87, P < 0.00001), more decrease fasting plasma glucose (MD = -36.38, 95%CI: -51.76 to -21.01, P < 0.00001), greater loss body weight (MD = -16.93, 95%CI: 19.78 to -14.08, P < 0.00001), more reduction body mass index (MD = -5.80, 95%CI: -6.95 to -4.64, P < 0.00001), more decrease triglyceride concentrations (MD = -51.27, 95%CI: -74.13 to -28.41, P < 0.0001), and higher increase density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 9.10, 95%CI: 7.99 to 10.21; P < 0.00001). But total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were no significant changes. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery for T2DM is efficacious and improves short- and long-term outcomes as compared with non-surgical treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells promote pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells invasion by transforming growth factor-ß1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be ideal delivery vehicles for antitumor biological agents in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA). While the role of MSCs in tumor growth is elusive. Inflammation is an important feature of PA. In this study, we reported that MSCs pre-stimulated with the combination of TNF-α and IFN-γ promote PA cells invasion. The invasion of PA cell lines were evaluate by wound healing assay and transwell assay in vitro and liver metastasis in nude mice. We observed MSCs pre-stimulated with the combination of TNF-α and IFN-γ promoted PA cells invasion in vitro and in vivo. Consistent with MSCs promoting PA cells invasion, PA cells were found undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We demonstrated that MSCs pre-stimulated with both of TNF-α and IFN-γ provoked expression transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1). MSCs promoting EMT-mediated PA cells invasion could be reversed by short interfering RNA of TGF-ß1. Our results suggest that MSCs could promote PA cells invasion in inflammation microenvironment and should be cautious as delivery vehicles in molecular target therapy.

Surgical approach does not influence the outcome of incidental gallbladder carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Several reports claim that there is a risk that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) might worsen the prognosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the surgical approach influence the outcome in patients with incidental gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study was done of 28 patients who were diagnosed with unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma who had undergone cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease at our institution between 1999 and 2007. 20 patients (4 men and 16 women, aged from 37 to 81 years) undergoing LC (group A) and 8 patients (6 men and 2 women, aged from 43 to 88 years) undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC) (group B) with incidental diagnosed GC. We evaluated the outcome in the two groups correlating the cumulative survival rates with tumor stage and surgical technique (LC or OC), time of diagnosis (after or during cholecystectomy). RESULTS: nine patients (69.2 %) in group A and four patients (30.8%) in group B had recurrence. Survival rate was statistically correlated to tumor stage (P<0.0001) Survival rate was statistically correlated with tumor stage but neither with the surgical approach used to perform cholecystectomy, nor with time of diagnosis (intra- or post-operatively). CONCLUSION: These results would seem to lend support to the opinion that LC does not worsen the prognosis for incidental GC, regardless of whether the tumor was detected during or after cholecystectomy.

A 10-year experience with hepatic trauma in a Chinese level one trauma center.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze strategies of operative management (OM) and non-operative management (NOM), mortality, and morbidity of hepatic trauma patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 296 consecutive patients with hepatic trauma at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, 101st Hospital of PLA, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China a single level one trauma center between January 2003 and December 2012. Data on demographics, mechanism of trauma, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade, initial management, and outcome were collected for this study. RESULTS: A total of 101 (34%) patients were of low-grade, while 195 (66%) were of high-grade. Hepatic trauma with associated injury of other organs was noted in 205 (69.3%) patients. The initial management was OM for 119 (40.2%) and NOM for 177 (59.8%), 12 patients later required laparotomy. Surgical intervention included perihepatic packing in 6, liver parenchyma suturing in 29, liver parenchyma suturing and hemostasis in 50, segmental resection in 19, and right hepatectomy in 2. The overall mortality rate was 9.1%, and the mortality rate of 8.4% was due to hepatic injuries. CONCLUSION: All hemodynamically stable patients can be managed by NOM with excellent results, while high-grade hepatic injuries require OM due to hemodynamic instability, or concomitant injuries.

Decreasing ventromedial prefrontal cortex deactivation in risky decision making after simulated microgravity: effects of -6° head-down tilt bed rest.

Space is characterized by risk and uncertainty. As humans play an important role in long-duration space missions, the ability to make risky decisions effectively is important for astronauts who spend extended time periods in space. The present study used the Balloon Analog Risk Task to conduct both behavioral and fMRI experiments to evaluate the effects of simulated microgravity on individuals' risk-taking behavior and the neural basis of the effect. The results showed that participants' risk-taking behavior was not affected by bed rest. However, we found that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) showed less deactivation after bed rest and that the VMPFC activation in the active choice condition showed no significant difference between the win outcome and the loss outcome after bed rest, although its activation was significantly greater in the win outcome than in the loss outcome before bed rest. These results suggested that the participants showed a decreased level of value calculation after the bed rest. Our findings can contribute to a better understanding of the effect of microgravity on individual higher-level cognitive functioning.

Disrupted resting-state functional architecture of the brain after 45-day simulated microgravity.

Long-term spaceflight induces both physiological and psychological changes in astronauts. To understand the neural mechanisms underlying these physiological and psychological changes, it is critical to investigate the effects of microgravity on the functional architecture of the brain. In this study, we used resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to study whether the functional architecture of the brain is altered after 45 days of -6° head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest, which is a reliable model for the simulation of microgravity. Sixteen healthy male volunteers underwent rs-fMRI scans before and after 45 days of -6° HDT bed rest. Specifically, we used a commonly employed graph-based measure of network organization, i.e., degree centrality (DC), to perform a full-brain exploration of the regions that were influenced by simulated microgravity. We subsequently examined the functional connectivities of these regions using a seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) analysis. We found decreased DC in two regions, the left anterior insula (aINS) and the anterior part of the middle cingulate cortex (MCC; also called the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in many studies), in the male volunteers after 45 days of -6° HDT bed rest. Furthermore, seed-based RSFC analyses revealed that a functional network anchored in the aINS and MCC was particularly influenced by simulated microgravity. These results provide evidence that simulated microgravity alters the resting-state functional architecture of the brains of males and suggest that the processing of salience information, which is primarily subserved by the aINS-MCC functional network, is particularly influenced by spaceflight. The current findings provide a new perspective for understanding the relationships between microgravity, cognitive function, autonomic neural function, and central neural activity.

Increased of serum high-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 correlated with intestinal mucosal barrier injury in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Secondary infections are the leading cause of death in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The gut represents the main source of pancreatic contamination and related septic complications. High-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) was recently identified to play an important role in the SAP intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) with intestinal barrier injury and infections in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: The serum levels of HMGB1, amylase, lipase, and biochemical indicators were measured in 80 patients with SAP at the time of admission. Furthermore, relationship between their serum HMGB1 levels and intestinal barrier injury, infection and other clinical factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean value of serum HMGB1 levels was significantly higher in patients with SAP (6.02 ± 2.42 ng/mL) than that in healthy volunteers (1.87 ± 0.63 ng/mL). Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly positively correlated with the Ranson score. The HMGB1 levels were higher in patients with infection during the clinical course, the HMGB1 levels in non-survivors were higher than those in survivors, and positively correlated with DAO activity, L/M ratio, the concentration of endotoxin (R = 0.484, P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HMGBl level of patients with severe acute pancreatitis was significantly increased, and can be used as an important indicator to determine the intestinal barrier dysfunction and infection.

Effect of 45-day simulated microgravity on the evaluation of orally reported emergencies.

Accurate evaluation of emergencies is a critical concern in long-duration space flights. Accordingly, we studied the effect of 45 days of - 6° head-down bed rest - a model that simulates the conditions in microgravity environments - on the evaluation of orally reported emergencies. Sixteen male participants listened to corresponding emergency scenarios and assessed the severity of these situations eight times before, during and after bed rest. The results revealed a ' recency effect': compared with emergency descriptions in the order of serious to mild, those framed in the reverse order were judged to be more serious. However, the severity ratings did not vary with time spent in the simulated microgravity environment. These findings are similar to those observed in a regular environment on Earth, indicating that the design principles of information presentation for situations on Earth may also be extended to designs intended for outer space. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: A recency effect was found in the evaluation of orally reported emergencies under simulated microgravity conditions. The design principles of information presentation for situations on Earth may also be extended to designs intended for outer space.