BACKGROUND:Researches showed that the enriched environment could improve the cognitive dysfunction of rats with vascular dementia. However, there are few reports regarding its mechanism of action.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of enriched environment on the cognitive dysfunction of rats with vascular dementia from the behavioral level.
METHODS:Vascular dementia models weremade by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries and were divided into vascular dementia group (n=8) and enriched environment group (n=12). Vascular dementia group was taken care under conventional breeding environment for 30 days, while the enriched environment group was subjected to the enriched environment for 30 days. Morris water maze test was adapted to test the cognitive function of rats between two groups. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were applied to observe the number ofDCX+cels and DCX protein level in both groups. The number of DCX-labeled cels co-expressing NeuN was observed using immunofluorescence technique.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The escape latency in the vascular dementia group was longer than that in the enriched environment group (P< 0.05). The times across the platform was less in the vascular dementia group than that in the enriched environment group (P< 0.05). (2) In comparison with the enriched environment group, the number of DCX-positive cels andits protein level in the piriform cortex were significantly decreased in the vascular dementia group (P< 0.05). (3) The number of DCX/NeuN co-labeled cels in the piriform cortex was significantly less in the vascular dementia group than in the enriched environment group (P< 0.05). (4) These findings suggested that enriched environment could improve the cognitive dysfunction of rats with vascular dementia through promoting the expression and differentiation of the immature neurons.

Objective:To investigate the value of CT features in predicting the invasion and degree of invasiveness of lung pure ground-glass nodules (pGGN) in the new histological classification in 2021.Methods:A total of 281 patients (304 lesions) with pGGN confirmed by surgical pathology from December 2018 to January 2021 in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. According to the pathological types, the patients were divided into prodromal lesion group [atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 129 cases], minimally invasive group [minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), 116 cases] and invasive group [invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC), 59 cases]. Clinical data (age, gender, smoking history, family history of cancer), and CT parameters [shape, boundary, lobulation, burr, vacuolar sign, bronchial abnormality sign, internal vessel sign, pleural traction sign, longest diameter, shortest diameter, unenhanced CT value, contrast-enhanced CT value in arterial phase, contrast-enhanced CT values in venous phase, the degree of enhancement (ΔCT A-N, ΔCT V-N)] were recorded and measured. The ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H and χ 2 test were used to compare the differences among the three groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factors of nodular invasion [prodromal lesion and invasive lesion (MIA and IAC)] and the degree of nodular invasion (MIA and IAC), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for each parameter. Results:There were statistically significant differences in age, pGGN morphology, lobulation, vacuolar sign, bronchial abnormality sign, internal vascular sign, pleural traction sign, longest diameter, shortest diameter, unenhanced CT value, contrast-enhanced CT value in arterial phase, contrast-enhanced CT value in venous phase among the precursor lesion group, minimally invasive group and invasive group ( P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that vacuole sign (OR=2.832, 95%CI 1.363-5.887, P=0.005), internal vascular sign (OR=3.021, 95%CI 1.909-4.779, P<0.001) and unenhanced CT value (OR=1.003, 95%CI 1.001-1.006, P=0.019) were independent risk factors for invasion. Lobulation (OR=5.739, 95%CI 2.735-12.042, P<0.001), internal vascular sign (OR=1.968, 95%CI 1.128-3.433, P=0.017) and unenhanced CT value (OR=1.004, 95%CI 1.001-1.008, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for the degree of invasiveness. ROC curve analysis showed that the efficiency of internal vascular sign was the highest in distinguishing precursor lesion and the invasive, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.757, the sensitivity was 50.3%, the specificity was 89.8%. The efficiency of lobulation was the highest in distinguishing MIA and IAC (AUC=0.702), with a sensitivity of 61.0% and specificity of 79.3%. Conclusions:CT features are of certain value in predicting the invasion and degree of invasiveness of lung pGGN in the new histological classification in 2021, and internal vascular sign is more effective in predicting the invasion of lung pGGN. Lobulation can predict the degree of invasiveness of pGGN better.

Objective:To explore the relationship between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index with plaque components, plaque burden and characteristics of vulnerable plaque using coronary plaque analysis based on coronary artery computed tomography (CCTA).Methods:A total of 498 patients(male 296, female 202), the age ranged from 33 to 87 (63±9) years who underwent CCTA from January 2020 to September in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University were included. The enrolled patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of TyG index: T 1 group (the lowest one-third), T 2 group (middle one-third) and T 3 group (the highest one-third). The plaque burden, volume and ratio of calcified, lipid and fibrous components of plaques as well as the incidence of vulnerable plaques were measured based on CCTA images. Chi-square test, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare whether the differences of indexes among the three groups were statistically significant. Multiple stepwise regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden and multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of CT high-risk plaque. Finally, ROC curve was used to evaluate the value of TyG index in the diagnosis of CT high-risk plaque, and the best diagnostic threshold of TyG index was determined. Results:The plaque burden, non-calcified plaque volume and ratio had positive relationship with TyG index ( P<0.001).TyG index was significantly correlated with plaque burden according to multiple stepwise regression analysis (regression coefficient 7.267, P<0.001). The results of CT vulnerable characteristics of plaques showed that positive remodeling, low-attenuation plaque sign and the incidence of vulnerable plaque increased with TyG index ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that TyG index was an independent risk factor for CT vulnerable plaque(OR=2.324,95 %CI 1.533-3.523, P<0.001). The cut-off value of TyG index that can predict vulnerable plaque was 8.43(sensitivity 77.24%, specificity 45.60%, AUC 0.645, P<0.001). Conclusions:With the increase of TyG index, the burden of coronary atherosclerosis plaque and the incidence of CT vulnerable plaque increased. TyG index is expected to be a simple and effective predictor of cardiovascular disease and adverse cardiovascular events.

Gaining a better understanding of autoprotection against drug-induced liver injury(DILI)may provide new strategies for its prevention and therapy.However,little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.We used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the dynamics and functions of hepatic non-parenchymal cells(NPCs)in autoprotection against DILI,using acetaminophen(APAP)as a model drug.Autoprotection was modeled through pretreatment with a mildly hepatotoxic dose of APAP in mice,followed by a higher dose in a secondary challenge.NPC subsets and dynamic changes were identified in the APAP(hepatotoxicity-sensitive)and APAP-resistant(hepatotoxicity-resistant)groups.A chemokine(C-C motif)ligand 2+endothelial cell subset almost disappeared in the APAP-resistant group,and an R-spondin 3+endothelial cell subset promoted hepatocyte proliferation and played an important role in APAP autoprotection.Moreover,the dendritic cell subset DC-3 may protect the liver from APAP hepatotoxicity by inducing low reactivity and suppressing the autoimmune response and occurrence of inflammation.DC-3 cells also promoted angiogenesis through crosstalk with endothelial cells via vascular endothelial growth factor-associated ligand-receptor pairs and facilitated liver tissue repair in the APAP-resistant group.In addition,the natural killer cell subsets NK-3 and NK-4 and the Sca-1-CD62L+natural killer T cell subset may promote autoprotection through interferon-y-dependent pathways.Furthermore,macrophage and neutrophil subpopulations with anti-inflammatory phenotypes promoted tolerance to APAP hepatotoxicity.Overall,this study reveals the dynamics of NPCs in the resistance to APAP hepatotoxicity and provides novel insights into the mechanism of autoprotection against DILI at a high resolution.

【Objective】 To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus X （HBx） protein and EGFR promoter， and the role of HBx protein in activating EGFR/PI3K/p-Akt signaling pathway and inhibiting apoptosis. 【Methods】 EGFR promoter plasmids were constructed and the relationship between HBx and EGFR promoters was characterized using a luciferase reporter assay. EGFR-overexpressing trophoblast cells were constructed， and EGFR expression in the overexpressing cells was knocked down using EGFR shRNA. The expression and localization of EGFR/PI3K/p-Akt were detected by Western blotting and confocal laser microscopy. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry. HBV plasmids carrying either full-length HBx or HBx with a deletion mutation （ΔHBx） and HBx plasmids were transfected into two types of trophoblast cells； HBx and PI3K/p-Akt protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry. 【Results】 Co-transfection of HBx and EGFR promoter plasmids in JEG-3 and HTR-8/Svneo cells significantly elevated the expression of EGFR promoter driven luciferase compared with the control group （P<0.01）. In EGFR-overexpressing cells， the expression of PI3K/p-Akt was significantly increased （P<0.01）， whereas the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased for JEG-3 cells and HTR-8/Svneo cells （both P<0.01）. These results were reversed in the EGFR-knock down group. When the intracellular HBx protein was expressed in JEG-3 and HTR-8 cells， PI3K/p-Akt protein expression was significantly increased （both P<0.05）， and the proportion of apoptosis was significantly decreased （both P<0.05）. 【Conclusion】 In placental trophoblast cells， HBx protein activates the expression of EGFR by acting on the EGFR promoter， and inhibits the apoptosis of trophoblast cells via the downstream EGFR/PI3K/p-Akt signaling pathway.

With the continuously increasing demands of plastic products in the current society, the challenge of disposing plastic waste is constantly increasing, leading to the urgent need of mitigating plastic pollution. As a consequence, much attention has been paid to biodegradable plastics due to their degradability in a bio-active environment under certain conditions. Biodegradable plastics herald vast development potentials and considerable market prospects. The degradation of numerous types of biodegradable plastics will be affected by many factors. A thorough understanding of degradation mechanisms as well as functional microbial strains and enzymes is the key to comprehensive utilization and efficient treatment and disposal of biodegradable plastics. The article summarized the types, properties, advantages and disadvantages, and main applications of common biodegradable plastics. The degradation mechanisms, functional microbial strains and enzymes, as well as the degradation degree and duration under different environmental conditions, were also summarized. This review may help better understand the degradation of biodegradable plastics wastes.
Biodegradable Plastics ; Biodegradation, Environmental

Objective : To explore the difference of serum inflammatory factors in patients with first episode schizo- phrenia , patients with relapse episode schizophrenia and healthy people , and the correlation between serum inflam- matory factors with negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia , so as to provide reference for clinical inter- vention . Methods : A total of 86 patients with first episode schizophrenia (first episode group) , 80 patients with re- lapse episode schizophrenia ( relapse episode group) and 82 healthy people ( control group) were included in the study. The difference of serum inflammatory factors among the three groups and the correlation between serum inflammatory factors with negative symptoms were analyzed . Results : There were significant differences in serum interleukin (IL) -1βand IL-16 levels among the three groups (P < 0. 05) . The analysis and comparison between the two groups showed that the serum IL-1βin first episode group was significantly higher than that in relapse episode group and control group(P < 0. 05) , serum IL-16 in first episode group and relapse episode group was significantly higher than that in control group(P < 0. 05) . Serum IL-1βwas negatively correlated with PANSS general psycho- pathological scale factor score in first episode group( P < 0. 05) , and serum IL-16 was positively correlated with PANSS negative symptom scale factor score in relapse episode group( P < 0. 05) . IL-16 level might be an inde- pendent risk factor affecting the onset of first episode group and relapse episode group(P < 0. 05) . Conclusion There are differences in serum levels of IL-1βand IL-16 between patients with schizophrenia and healthy people . Serum IL-16 levels in patients with relapse episode schizophrenia are associated with negative symptoms . IL-16 lev- el may be an independent risk factor for schizophrenia.

Objective : To explore the differences of serum inflammatory cytokines and tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains⁃2(Tie⁃2) levels between patients with first⁃episode schizophrenia and healthy people , and the correlation with clinical symptoms . Methods : A total of 168 participants were recruited , including 86 patients with first⁃episode schizophrenia (patient group) and 82 healthy people ( control group) . Demographic data , Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (PANSS) were collected at baseline . Serum inflammatory cytokines and Tie⁃2 levels were determined by MesoScale Discovery (MSD) . Results : Compared with the control group , the levels of serum interleukin (IL) Ⅳ1β and IL⁃4 in the patient group increased (P < 0. 05) , while the level of Tie⁃2 decreased (P < 0. 05) . IL⁃1β level in the patient group was positively correlated with the total score of BPRS , the score of BPRS hostility factor and the score of PANSS positive scale factor (P < 0. 05) . The positive score of PANSS and the total score of BPRS in the patient group had a positive effect on IL⁃1β level (P < 0. 05) . PANSS negative scale factor score , general psychopathological scale factor score and total score of PANSS in patient group also had positive effects on Tie⁃2 level (P < 0. 05) . IL⁃1β level in the patient group could effectively predict the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with first⁃episode schizophrenia at the critical level of 2 127. 076 pg/L , with specificity of 0. 675 and sensitivity of 0. 639 . The AUC of IL⁃1β and Tie⁃2 were 0. 836 1 and 0. 646 2 , respectively . Conclusion The levels of IL⁃1β , IL⁃4 and Tie⁃2 in patients with first⁃episode schizophrenia are different from those in healthy people . IL⁃1β levels in patients with first⁃episode schizophrenia are correlated with part of clinical symptoms . IL⁃1β and Tie⁃2 levels in the patient group may be influencing factors with high sensitivity and specificity in predicting the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with first⁃episode schizophrenia .