Objective To evaluate the relationship between the level of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in hippocampus and cognitive dysfunction after splenectomy in aged rats.Methods Sixty-three male aged Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 480-550 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =21 each):control group (group C),anesthesia group (group A),and surgery group (group S).Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability before surgery and at 1,3 and 7 days after surgery.The escape latency and swimming distance were recorded.Seven rats were chosen after MWM test was performed at 1,3 and 7 days after surgery and sacrificed.Their hippocampi were removed for detection of the expression of AMPK and phosphorylated (p-AMPK) (by Western blot).Results Compared with the baseline,the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged at 1 and 3 days after surgery in group S (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group C,the escape latency and swimming distance were significantly prolonged at 1 and 3 days after surgery,the expression of AMPK was up-regulated at 1,3 and 7 days after surgery,and the expression of p-AMPK was up-regulated at 1 and 3 days after surgery in group S (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the indices mentioned above in group A (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Increased AMPK level in hippocampus is the regulatory mechanism of the body adapting to the development of cognitive dysfunction after splenectomy in aged rats.

Objective To evaluate the role of AMP?activated protein kinase ( AMPK) in neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of aged mice during cerebral ischemia?reperfusion ( I∕R ) . Methods Seventy?two male C57∕BL6 mice, aged 18-20 months, weighing 34-36 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=24 each ) using a random number table: sham operation group ( S group ) , I∕R group and AMPK inhibitor compound C group ( CC group) . The cerebral ischemia was produced by 15 min transient occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries followed by reperfusion. In group CC, compound C 20 mg∕kg was injected intraperitoneally immediately after occlusion, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in I∕R group. At 48 h of reperfusion, the mice were sacrificed, and the brains were immediately harvested for examination of pathologic changes in hippocampal CA1 region and for determination of neuronal apoptosis ( using TUNEL) and expression of phosphor?AMPKα ( p?AMPKα) and caspase?3 ( by Western blot) . Results In I∕R and CC groups, the examination showed the pathologic changes in hippocampal CA1 region, the disordered arrangement of pyramidal cells and the nucleus condensation. Compared with S group, the neuronal apoptotic rate was significantly increased, and the expression of p?AMPK and caspase?3 was up?regulated at 48 h of reperfusion in I∕R and CC groups. Compared with I∕R group, the expression of p?AMPK was significantly down?regulated, and no significant change was found in the neuronal apoptotic rate and caspase?3 expression in CC group. Conclusion AMPK is not involved in neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of aged mice during cerebral I∕R.

Objective:To evaluate the role of miR-124-3p in reduction of oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) injury by electrostimulation preconditioning in microglia and its relationship with microglial polarization.Methods:The well-growing BV2 cells were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) by the random number table method: control group (group C), OGD/R group, electrostimulation preconditioning group (group E) and miR-124-3p inhibitor group (group I). Group C was cultured under normal conditions, and group OGD/R was deprived of oxygen and glucose for 2 h followed by restoration of oxygen and glucose supply for 24 h to develop the OGD/R injury model. In group E, cells were stimulated with 100 mV/mm direct current for 4 h before oxygen-glucose deprivation, and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group OGD/R. Group I was transfected with micrOFF? mmu-miR-124-3p inhibitor at 48 h before oxygen-glucose deprivation, and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group E. The cell survival rate was determined by CCK-8 assay, the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-10 in the cell supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of a surface marker of M1 microglia inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and a surface marker of M2 microglia arginase 1 (Arg-1) was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot, respectively. The expression of iNOS and Arg-1 mRNA and miR-124-3p was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with group C, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 in the supernatant were increased, and the expression of iNOS and Arg-1 protein and mRNA and miR-124-3p was up-regulated in the remaining three groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group OGD/R, the cell survival rate was significantly increased, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant were decreased, the IL-10 concentration was increased, the expression of iNOS protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of Arg-1 protein and mRNA and miR-124-3p was up-regulated in E and I groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group E, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant were increased, the IL-10 concentration was decreased, the expression of iNOS protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the expression of Arg-1 protein and mRNA and miR-124-3p was down-regulated in group I ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which electrostimulation preconditioning reduces OGD/R injury in microglia is related to up-regulation of the expression of miR-124-3p, promotion of M2 microglia polarization, inhibition of M1 microglia polarization, and thus inhibiting the inflammatory responses.

Objective To evaluate the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride on the expression of airway mucin 5AC(MUC5AC)during ventilator-induced lung injury(VILI)and the relationship with Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88(TLR4/MyD88)signaling pathway in rats.Methods Thir-ty-six clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 200-250 g,were divided into 3 groups(n＝12 each)using a random number table method: sham operation group(group S),VILI group(group VILI),and penehyclidine hydrochloride group(group P).The rats were tracheotomized in group S.The rats were tracheotomized,connected to a small animal ventilator and mechanically ventilated for 4 h with the tidal volume of 20 ml/kg,respiratory rate 80 breaths/min,inspiratory/expiratory ratio 1 ∶1,and inspired oxygen fraction ratio 21％in VILI and P groups.At 30 min before mechanical ventilation,penehyclidine hydrochloride 2 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein in group P,and the equal volume of nor-mal saline was given instead in S and VILI groups.At 4 h of mechanical ventilation,the arterial blood sam-ples were taken for measurement of PaO2.The rats were then sacrificed,and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was collected for determination of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The lung specimens were collected for calculation of the wet/dry weight ratio(W/D ratio),for examination of pathological changes which were scored after haematoxylin and eosin staining(under a light microscope),and for determination of the ex-pression of MUC5AC(by immunohistochemistry),expression of TLR4,MyD88,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK)and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)in lung tissues(by Western blot),and expression of MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissues(by real-time polymerase chain reaction).Results Com-pared with group S,PaO2 was significantly decreased,the W/D ratio and lung injury score were increased,the expression of MUC5AC protein and mRNA was up-regulated,the concentrations of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were increased,and the expression of TLR4,p38MAPK,MyD88 and NF-κB was up-reg-ulated in VILI and P groups(P＜0.01).Compared with group VILI,PaO2 was significantly increased,the W/D ratio and lung injury score were decreased,the expression of MUC5AC protein and mRNA was down-regulated,the concentrations of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were decreased,and the expression of TLR4,p38MAPK,MyD88 and NF-κB was down-regulated in group P(P＜0.05).Conclusion Penehy-clidine hydrochloride can decrease the expression of airway MUC5AC during VILI,and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting activation of TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the role of Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1)/receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced pyroptosis in macrophages of mice.Methods:The RAW264.7 macrophages from mice were routinely cultured and divided into 6 groups ( n=9 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), LPS-ATP group, LPS-ATP+ transfection negative control scRNA group (group LPS-ATP+ scRNA), LPS-ATP+ ZBP1 small interference RNA group (group LPS-ATP+ siRNA), LPS-ATP+ dimethyl sulfoxide group (group LPS-ATP+ DSMO), and LPS-ATP+ RIPK1 inhibitor nec-1 group (group LPS-ATP+ nec-1). The siRNA technique was used to inhibit the expression of ZBP1 in group LPS-ATP+ siRNA. The RIPK1 inhibitor nec-1 was given to inhibit the expression of RIPK1 protein in group LPS-ATP+ nec-1. Group C was routinely cultured. Cells were incubated with 10 μg/ml LPS for 24 h, then 5 mmol/L ATP was added, and the cells were incubated for 30 min to develop the cell pyroptosis model in the remaining 5 groups. The cell survival was detected by the CCK-8 assay. The concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in cell supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pyroptosis was determined by propidium iodide fluorescence staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ZBP1, RIPK1, caspase-1 and GSDMD. Results:Compared with group C, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the cell pyroptosis rate and concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the supernatant were increased, and the expression of ZBP1, RIPK1, caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in group LPS-ATP ( P<0.05). Compared with group LPS-ATP, no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group LPS-ATP+ scRNA and group LPS-ATP+ DSMO ( P>0.05). Compared with group LPS-ATP+ scRNA, the cell survival rate was significantly increased, the cell pyroptosis rate and concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the supernatant were decreased, and the expression of ZBP1, RIPK1, caspase-1 and GSDMD was down-regulated in group LPS-ATP+ siRNA ( P<0.05). Compared with group LPS-ATP+ DMSO, the cell survival rate was significantly increased, the cell pyroptosis rate and concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the supernatant were decreased, the expression of ZBP1, caspase-1 and GSDMD was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of ZBP1 in group LPS-ATP+ nec-1 ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of ZBP1/RIPK1 signaling pathway is involved in LPS-ATP-induced pyroptosis in macrophages of mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic features of a child with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Clinical data of the child who had presented at the Zhengzhou Children's Hospital on April 28, 2020 was collected. Trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) was carried out for the child and her parents, and candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. "FHL2" was taken as the key word to retrieve related literature from January 1, 1997 to October 31, 2021 in the PubMed database and was also searched in the ClinVar database as a supplement to analyze the correlation between genetic variants and clinical features. RESULTS: The patient was a 5-month-old female infant presented with left ventricular enlargement and reduced systolic function. A heterozygous missense variant c.391C>T (p.Arg131Cys) in FHL2 gene was identified through trio-WES. The same variant was not detected in either of her parents. A total of 10 patients with FHL2 gene variants have been reported in the literature, 6 of them had presented with DCM, 2 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 2 with sudden unexplained death (SUD). Phenotypic analysis revealed that patients with variants in the LIM 3 domain presented hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and those with variants of the LIM 0~2 and LIM 4 domains had mainly presented DCM. The c.391C>T (p.Arg131Cys) has been identified in a child with DCM, though it has not been validated among the patient's family members. Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the c.391C>T(p.Arg131Cys) variant was re-classified as likely pathogenic (PS2+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP5). CONCLUSION The heterozygous missense variant of c.391C>T (p.Arg131Cys) in the FHL2 gene probably predisposed to the DCM in this child, which has highlighted the importance of WES in the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Female ; Humans ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics* ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Genetic Counseling ; Genomics ; Heterozygote ; Muscle Proteins/genetics* ; Transcription Factors ; LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/genetics*

Background::Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods::A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.Results::Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685–11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068–2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI= 1.263–2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR= 1.602, 95% CI= 1.117–2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680–1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions::A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of penehyclidine hydrochloride on the expression of airway mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) during ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and the relationship with Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (TLR4/MyD88) signaling pathway in rats. Methods: Thirty-six clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group S), VILI group (group VILI), and penehyclidine hydrochloride group (group P). The rats were tracheotomized in group S. The rats were tracheotomized, connected to a small animal ventilator and mechanically ventilated for 4 h with the tidal volume of 20 ml/kg, respiratory rate 80 breaths/min, inspiratory/expiratory ratio 1∶1, and inspired oxygen fraction ratio 21% in VILI and P groups.At 30 min before mechanical ventilation, penehyclidine hydrochloride 2 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein in group P, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and VILI groups.At 4 h of mechanical ventilation, the arterial blood samples were taken for measurement of PaO₂.The rats were then sacrificed, and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The lung specimens were collected for calculation of the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio), for examination of pathological changes which were scored after haematoxylin and eosin staining (under a light microscope), and for determination of the expression of MUC5AC (by immunohistochemistry), expression of TLR4, MyD88, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lung tissues (by Western blot), and expression of MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissues (by real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results: Compared with group S, PaO₂ was significantly decreased, the W/D ratio and lung injury score were increased, the expression of MUC5AC protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were increased, and the expression of TLR4, p38MAPK, MyD88 and NF-κB was up-regulated in VILI and P groups (P<0.01). Compared with group VILI, PaO₂ was significantly increased, the W/D ratio and lung injury score were decreased, the expression of MUC5AC protein and mRNA was down-regulated, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were decreased, and the expression of TLR4, p38MAPK, MyD88 and NF-κB was down-regulated in group P (P<0.05). Conclusion Penehyclidine hydrochloride can decrease the expression of airway MUC5AC during VILI, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting activation of TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in rats.