Inhibitors of IFN gene stimulators (STING) improve intestinal ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute lung injury by activating AMPK signaling.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion is a life-threatening disease. Interferon gene stimulator (STING) is a cytoplasmic DNA sensor that participates in the initiation of the inflammatory response. This study aims to establish whether C-176 (STING inhibitor) improves ALI under intestinal ischemia-reperfusion conditions. METHODS: To induce ALI, 72 male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intestinal ischemia for 60 min and reperfusion for 3 h. Through intraperitoneal injection, C-176, a selective STING inhibitor, was injected 30 min before surgical treatment; meanwhile, compound C, an antagonist of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), was administered 30 min after surgery. Based on immunofluorescence and Western blot assays, post-ALI assessments included lung water content (TLW), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein, H&E staining, Masson staining, pulmonary pyroptosis [Gasdermin-D (GSDMD), cleaved caspase-1], and apoptosis (TUNEL, cleaved caspase-3). RESULTS: C-176 administration significantly attenuated intestinal ischemia-reperfusion-mediated ALI; this effect was reflected by exacerbated TLW and BALF protein, aggravated lung injury score, elevated degree of pulmonary fibrosis, increased TUNEL- and GSDMD-positive cells, and upregulated phospho-AMPK, cleaved caspase-1, cleaved caspase-3 and IFNß mRNA expression. Moreover, C-176 increased phospho-AMPK under ALI conditions. Nonetheless, compound C partially reversed these beneficial effects. CONCLUSION: C-176, a selective STING inhibitor, improves intestinal ischemia-reperfusion-mediated ALI, and its underlying mechanism may be associated with AMPK signal activation.

Effect of Particle Size Ratios on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Surgical-Grade Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the optimum particle size or formula ratio of surgical-grade calcium sulfate (CS) for appropriate compressive strength, setting time, and vitro degradation rate. METHODS: Three types of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) particles with diameters of 0-37.5 µm, 37.5-75 µm, and >75 µm were screened. Based on formulation ratio of different particles, this topic is divided into 10 groups by the unconstrained third-order simplex lattice mixing design scheme in formula design experiment. The optimum formulation ratio of particle diameter for compressive strength, solidification time, and degradation rate in vitro was analyzed. RESULTS: When the percentage of the particle diameter of CS with 0-37.5 µm, 37.5-75 µm and >75 µm are 55.0%, 17.4%, and 27.6% respectively, the compressive strength of the test sample is the highest, which is 14.16 MPa. When the percentage of the particle diameter of CS with 0-37.5 µm, 37.5-75 µm, and >75 µm are 0.00%, 0.00%, and 100.00% respectively, the initial setting time of the sample is the longest, which is 410.0 s. When the percentage of the particle diameter of CS with 0-37.5 µm, 37.5-75 µm, and >75 µm are 0.00%, 0.00%, and 100.00% respectively, the final setting time of the sample is the largest, and the final setting time of the sample is 460.00 s. When the percentage of the particle diameter of CS with 0-37.5 µm, 37.5-75 µm, and >75 µm are 0.00%, 0.00%, and 100.00% respectively, the degradation rate of the sample in vitro is the slowest, which is 18.8%. CONCLUSION: The morphological structure of surgical-grade CS can affect compressive strength, setting time, and in vitro degradation rate. Surgical CS should be prepared based on different uses.

Effects of daily energy expenditure on academic performance of elementary students in Taiwan.

AIM: The objective of the study was to investigate the potential effects of daily energy expenditure on the academic performance (AP) of elementary schoolchildren, the results of which will be used as the basis of planning physical activity (PA) for children in the future. METHODS: Participants were collected from 4th to 6th grade children at an elementary school in southern Taiwan. The effective sample data size was 1065 (79.8%; 528 boys and 537 girls). Daily mean energy expenditure was obtained using the 3 Day Physical Activity Recall (3-DPAR), and the intensive activities degrees of physical activity were categorized into lowest PA, middle PA, and highest PA group, and academic performance assessed with weighted academic score. RESULTS: The significant effect on the academic performance of schoolchildren was only in energy expenditure but not for sexes and tutorials attended. All students in the middle PA group performed better academically than those in the highest PA group. After controlling sexes, male students in the middle PA group performed better than other groups; female students in the lowest PA group performed better than other groups. CONCLUSION: These results may be consulted by schools, academic faculties, and parents in setting up exercise plans for children.