PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways are responsible for sodium butyrateinduced inhibition of neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral infarction.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the neuronal protection effect of sodium butyrate (NaB) on neuronal apoptosis in rats with cerebral infarction (CI), and the involvement of the phosphatidilinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathways. MI model in rats was performed by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Three hours after reperfusion, gastric administration of 5 or 10 mg/kg NaB was performed. Neurological deficit score, infarct size and brain edema were evaluated in rats after 24 h of reperfusion. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to determine contents of oxidative stress factors. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, cell viability and apoptosis in extracted neurons were determined. Moreover, expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Akt and ERK1/2 were examined. NaB treatment markedly reduced infarct size and brain edema content in CI rats, and NaB treatment improved viability, decreased LDH activity and reversed contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, NaB treatment dose-dependently reduced apoptotic rate and Bax level, as well as enhanced Bcl-2 level. Protein levels of Akt and ERK1/2 were markedly upregulated in NaB-treated neurons. NaB treatment alleviates neuronal apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways in CI rats, thus protecting the deterioration of CI.

Effects of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 on renal tubular epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To research the role of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) on the oxidative stress (OS) and apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) of normal rat kidney-52E (NRK-52E) cells, through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we transfected the NRK-52E cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA) of HIPK2 by LipofectamineTM 2000, Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot (WB) were used to test the efficiency of transfection after 48 h. After cells were treated with H/R, we tested cell apoptosis by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, PCR, and Western blot. RESULTS: After NRK-52E cells were transfected with siRNA-HIPK2, the protein expression of HIPK2 was remarkably decreased. Cell apoptosis and OS in the H/R group were significantly increased. However, in the HIPK2-siRNA + H/R group, apoptosis and OS were markedly decreased compared with the H/R group. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of HIPK2 expression can promote H/R-induced proliferation of NRK-52E cells through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, relieve the OS response, and reduce apoptosis.

[Investigation and analysis on anxiety and depression of 183 medical staffs during the epidemic period of the COVID-19].

Objective: To evaluate the degree of anxiety and depression of medical staff during the epidemic period of the COVID-19, and to provide theoretical basis for the pertinence psychological intervention timely. Methods: The investigation about the psychological status of 183 medical staffs on duty during the epidemic period was conducted using Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) from 18th to 20th February, 2020, who came from Tianjin and other provinces. The respondents were divided into first-line and non-first-line groups according to their jobs, and local and non-local groups according to their work places, respectively. The data was collected by "Star Questionnaires" using the mobile terminal, and the statistical analysis was carried out to compare whether there were differences in depression and anxiety among medical staff of different groups. Results: The total SAS score (48.96±9.21) and SDS score (56.69±7.57) of all medical staff were higher than those of the national norm SAS (33.80±5.90) and SDS (41.88±10.57) from 1158 individuals (P<0.01) . Among 183 medical staff, the anxiety was found in 87 individuals and the rate of anxiety was 47.5%. The depression was found in 134 individuals and its rate was 73.2%. The anxiety combined with depression was found in 69 individuals and its rate was 37.7%. The scores of SAS and SDS of first-line group were (49.40±9.77) and (55.76±6.86) , respectively. And those of non-first-line group were (48.69±8.87) and (57.29±7.96) . They were higher than those of the national norm, and the differences were both statistically significant (P<0.01) , but there was no difference between the first-line group and non-first-line group. The scores of SAS and SDS of local group were (48.23±9.04) and (56.76±7.05) , while those of non-local group were (50.63±9.45) and (56.54±8.71) , respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01) , compared with the national norm respectively. But there was no difference between the local group and non-local group. No matter which classification criteria were used, there was no statistically significant difference in the severity distribution of anxiety and depression among different groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion: The anxiety and depression exist obviously among the medical staff during the epidemic period of the COVID-19, and the psychological intervention should be taken out in time.

Comparison of the effects of water and traditional delivery on birthing women and newborns.

OBJECTIVE: The objective our study was to compare the respective effects of water and traditional delivery on birthing women and newborns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 120 primiparas with singlet pregnancy, head-down foetus position, and term delivery were randomly divided into two groups. Sixty birthing women were included in traditional delivery group, while other sixty women underwent water delivery. The duration of labour and the volume of blood lost within 24 hours were compared between both groups. Furthermore, perineum condition, degree of delivery pain, and Apgar scores (1st and 5th minute) were also compared. RESULTS: The total duration of labour and the volume of lost blood were comparable between both delivery methods. The perineum integrity and episiotomy rates were significantly (p < 0.05 for both comparisons) better in water delivery group (respectively, 25.00% vs. 8.33% and 1.67% vs. 20% in traditional delivery group). Furthermore, the degree of delivery pain was also more favourable in water delivery group. The Apgar scores were comparable between both delivery methods. CONCLUSIONS: Water delivery can reduce delivery pain without increasing the risk to birthing women and newborns.