Objective:To investigate the role of calcium-binding protein S100A9 in acute lung injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) in mice, and to explore its relationship with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:A total of 12 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male wild-type (WT) and 12 S100A9 knockout (S100A9 KO) C57BL/6J mice aged 6~8 weeks and weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table: WT+Sham group, S100A9 KO+Sham group, WT+HIR group, and S100A9 KO+HIR group ( n=6 per group). The HIR model was established by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and median liver lobes for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. At 6 hours post-reperfusion, mice were anesthetized again, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Both lungs were harvested. The lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes and calculate lung injury scores. The levels of inflammatory markers—S100A9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) —as well as oxidative stress indicators including myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue were measured. Western blotting was used to assess the expression levels of nuclear and cytoplasmic Nrf2, and cytoplasmic HO-1. Results:Compared with the WT+Sham group, both the WT+HIR and S100A9 KO+HIR groups showed significantly increased lung injury scores, W/D ratio, TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, MPO, and MDA levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the WT+HIR group, the S100A9 KO+HIR group exhibited significantly reduced levels of these indicators (all P<0.05). Moreover, the S100A9 KO+HIR group showed elevated nuclear Nrf2 expression and decreased cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, accompanied by increased expression of HO-1, Gclm, Gclc, and Nqo1 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Upregulation of S100A9 is involved in the development of HIR-induced acute lung injury, possibly through inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of elevated calprotectin S100A9 (S100A9) concentration during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for early acute lung injury (ALI) in children with biliary atresia.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 280 pediatric patients with biliary atresia who underwent LDLT using hyperreduced left lateral segment grafts at Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on intraoperative serum S100A9 levels at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion, patients were divided into the high S100A9 group (≥9.05 μg/L, 141 cases) and the low S100A9 group (<9.05 μg/L, 139 cases). General clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlation between S100A9 levels and early postoperative ALI. The predictive value of risk factors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) .Result:A total of 280 eligible children were included in the study, with 141 in the high S100A9 group and 139 in the low S100A9 group. The incidence of ALI was significantly higher in the high S100A9 group (31.2%) compared to the low S100A9 group (10.8%). Multivariate regression analysis identified elevated preoperative creatinine levels ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 1.069~1.321, P=0.002), increased intraoperative S100A9 concentrations ( OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.272~1.599, P=0.021), and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR=0.985, 95% CI: 0.973~0.997, P=0.017) as independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in pediatric LDLT. The predictive value of intraoperative S100A9 levels for ALI was significant, with an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.758~0.874), a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, and an optimal cutoff value of 9.49 μg/L. Furthermore, preoperative albumin and creatinine levels were found to be correlated with increased intraoperative S100A9 levels. Conclusion:Elevated intraoperative S100A9 levels, increased preoperative creatinine levels, and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volumes are independent risk factors for early ALI following pediatric LDLT. S100A9 levels have strong predictive value for ALI occurrence, highlighting the need for perioperative monitoring and intervention strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the role of calcium-binding protein S100A9 in acute lung injury induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) in mice, and to explore its relationship with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:A total of 12 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male wild-type (WT) and 12 S100A9 knockout (S100A9 KO) C57BL/6J mice aged 6~8 weeks and weighing 20-25 g were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table: WT+Sham group, S100A9 KO+Sham group, WT+HIR group, and S100A9 KO+HIR group ( n=6 per group). The HIR model was established by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and median liver lobes for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion. At 6 hours post-reperfusion, mice were anesthetized again, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Both lungs were harvested. The lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio was measured. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes and calculate lung injury scores. The levels of inflammatory markers—S100A9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) —as well as oxidative stress indicators including myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and lung tissue were measured. Western blotting was used to assess the expression levels of nuclear and cytoplasmic Nrf2, and cytoplasmic HO-1. Results:Compared with the WT+Sham group, both the WT+HIR and S100A9 KO+HIR groups showed significantly increased lung injury scores, W/D ratio, TNF-α, IL-6, ROS, MPO, and MDA levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the WT+HIR group, the S100A9 KO+HIR group exhibited significantly reduced levels of these indicators (all P<0.05). Moreover, the S100A9 KO+HIR group showed elevated nuclear Nrf2 expression and decreased cytoplasmic Nrf2 expression, accompanied by increased expression of HO-1, Gclm, Gclc, and Nqo1 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Upregulation of S100A9 is involved in the development of HIR-induced acute lung injury, possibly through inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of elevated calprotectin S100A9 (S100A9) concentration during living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for early acute lung injury (ALI) in children with biliary atresia.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 280 pediatric patients with biliary atresia who underwent LDLT using hyperreduced left lateral segment grafts at Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on intraoperative serum S100A9 levels at 30 minutes after graft reperfusion, patients were divided into the high S100A9 group (≥9.05 μg/L, 141 cases) and the low S100A9 group (<9.05 μg/L, 139 cases). General clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlation between S100A9 levels and early postoperative ALI. The predictive value of risk factors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) .Result:A total of 280 eligible children were included in the study, with 141 in the high S100A9 group and 139 in the low S100A9 group. The incidence of ALI was significantly higher in the high S100A9 group (31.2%) compared to the low S100A9 group (10.8%). Multivariate regression analysis identified elevated preoperative creatinine levels ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 1.069~1.321, P=0.002), increased intraoperative S100A9 concentrations ( OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.272~1.599, P=0.021), and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volume ( OR=0.985, 95% CI: 0.973~0.997, P=0.017) as independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in pediatric LDLT. The predictive value of intraoperative S100A9 levels for ALI was significant, with an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI: 0.758~0.874), a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, and an optimal cutoff value of 9.49 μg/L. Furthermore, preoperative albumin and creatinine levels were found to be correlated with increased intraoperative S100A9 levels. Conclusion:Elevated intraoperative S100A9 levels, increased preoperative creatinine levels, and higher intraoperative blood transfusion volumes are independent risk factors for early ALI following pediatric LDLT. S100A9 levels have strong predictive value for ALI occurrence, highlighting the need for perioperative monitoring and intervention strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Objective To investigate the design of cuffed pediatric tracheal tubes and compare the effects of different tracheal intubation depth placement strategies on the position of the tracheal tube tip and cuff of 5 tracheal tube brands.Methods A total of 180 children who were admitted to Tianjin Children's Hospital from October 2020 to December 2021,with endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia,aged 1-6 years,were enrolled.The length of the subglottic airway was measured by electronic bronchoscopy.Dimensional data from 5 cuffed pediatric tracheal tube brands were recorded,including the length of the tracheal tube cuff,the distance from the tip of the tracheal tube to the upper edge of the cuff,and the tip of the tracheal tube to the lower edge of the tube glottis marker line the distance.Calculation of the required cuffed endotracheal tube internal diameter(ID)for 180 pediatric patients was performed based on the Motoyama formula,the positions of tracheal tube tip and upper cuff border were calculated for each of the 180 tracheas using depth mark to based tracheal tube placement,placement of the tracheal tube tip at 2 cm above the carina,and mid-tracheal tube placement.Results There were differences in the dimensional data of the 5 cuffed pediatric tracheal tube brands.Depth mark-based tracheal tube placement resulted in the incidence rate of tube tip to carina placement less than 1 cm was 3.9%-67.8%,and the highest incidence of bronchial intubation is Ruijing,up to 17.8%.The tracheal tube tip was placed 2 cm above the carina,and no improper placement of the tracheal tube cuff and tube tip was found in all brands.Mid-tracheal tube placement led to 100%subglottic and supraglottic tracheal tube cuff positions,except Weili.Conclusions There are differences in design between different brands of cuffed pediatric tracheal tube,and some of the design deficiencies may lead to the risk of airway complications.The method used to guide the insertion depth and the brand of cuffed tracheal tubes can affect the tracheal tube position.Placement of the tracheal tube tip at 2 cm above the carina allowed safe tracheal tube placement in children aged 1-6 years.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of inhaling high concentration hydrogen on myocardial injury and mitochondrial biogenesis in septic mice.Methods:One hundred and twenty-eight clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation + hydrogen group (group Sham+ H), sepsis group (group Sep), and sepsis+ hydrogen group (group Sep+ H). The sepsis model was developed by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. In Sham+ H and Sep+ H groups, 67% H 2 was inhaled for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation, respectively. Twenty mice in each group were randomly selected to observe the survival conditions at 7 days after operation. Blood samples were taken from the remaining mice at 24 h after operation for determination of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), for examination of the pathological changes of myocardial tissues (by HE staining), and for determination of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (by fluorescence spectrophotometry), ATP content (by luciferase assay), and expression of myocardial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with Sham group, the survival rate was significantly decreased, the serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, cTnI and CK-MB and pathological score were increased, the MMP and content of ATP in myocardial mitochondria were decreased, and the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and TFAM in myocardial tissues was down-regulated in Sep group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sham+ H group ( P>0.05). Compared with group Sep, the survival rate was significantly increased, the serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, cTnI and CK-MB and pathological score were decreased, the MMP and content of ATP in myocardial mitochondria were increased, and the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and TFAM in myocardial tissues was up-regulated in group Sep+ H ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Inhaling high concentration hydrogen can attenuate sepsis-induced myocardial injury in mice, and the mechanism may be related to promotion of mitochondrial biosynthesis and improvement in mitochondrial function.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen on acute kidney injury (AKI) and mitochondrial dynamics in septic mice.Methods:One hundred and twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation + hydrogen group (group Sham+ H), sepsis AKI group, and sepsis AKI+ hydrogen group (group S-AKI+ H). A mouse model of sepsis-induced AKI was developed by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. In Sham+ H and S-AKI+ H groups, 67% H 2+ 33% O 2 was inhaled for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after sham operation or developing the model, respectively. Twenty mice were selected to observe the survival at 7 days after developing the model. At 24 h after developing the model, blood samples were collected for determination of serum BUN and Cr concentrations (by colorimetric analysis), and renal tissues were obtained for determination of the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (by spectrophotometry) and expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) (by Western blot). The damage to the renal tubules was scored after HE staining. Results:Compared with Sham group, the survival rate was significantly decreased, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations, renal tubular damage score and contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and HMGB1 were increased, the activities of SOD and CAT were decreased, the expression of Drp1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated in S-AKI group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sham+ H group ( P>0.05). Compared with S-AKI group, the survival rate was significantly increased, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations, renal tubular injury score and contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and HMGB1 were decreased, the activities of SOD and CAT were increased, the expression of Drp1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was up-regulated in S-AKI+ H group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen can alleviate AKI in septic mice, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of renal mitochondrial fission and promotion of mitochondrial fusion.

Objective:To compare the myocardial protection in pediatric patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) performed under propofol- versus desflurane-based anesthesia. Methods:Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅲ or Ⅳ pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 5-24 months, weighing 5-15 kg, scheduled for elective LDLT under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: propofol group (group P) and desflurane anesthesia group (group D). During anesthesia maintenance, propofol 5-10 mg·kg -1·min -1 was intravenously infused in group P, desflurane 0.65 MAC-1.30 MAC was inhaled in group D. At 5 min after induction of anesthesia, at 1 h of reperfusion, at the end of surgery, at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery, and on the day of discharge, the concentrations of serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase isoenzyme, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, agitation, and shivering, postoperative tracheal extubation time, intensive care unit stay time, and postoperative length of hospital stay were recorded within 24 h after surgery. Results:Compared with group P, the concentrations of serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase isoenzyme were significantly decreased after surgery, the extubation time and intensive care unit stay time were shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations, postoperative length of hospital stay and incidence of postoperative adverse effects at each time point in group D ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Desflurane has better myocardial protection than propofol in pediatric patients undergoing LDLT, which is helpful for early prognosis.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for early acute lung injury (ALI) after living-related liver transplantation in pediatric patients and evaluate the value of the risk factors in prediction of ALI.Methods:Perioperative data of patients were obtained through the electronic medical records system. Patients were divided into non-ALI group and ALI group according to whether ALI occurred within the first week after surgery. The risk factors of which P values were less than 0.05 would enter the multiple logistic regression analysis to stratify ALI-related risk factors. Area under the ROC curve was used to analyze the value of the risk factors in prediction of postoperative ALI. Results:A total of 67 patients were enrolled, including 45 cases in non-ALI group and 22 cases in ALI group. Increased intraoperative blood transfusion volume and up-regulated expression of miR-122 and miR-21 were independent risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative ALI ( P<0.05), and the area under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval) of serum miR-122 and miR-21 expression was 0.946 (0.875 to 1.00), with sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions:Increased intraoperative blood transfusion volume and up-regulated expression of serum miR-122 and miR-21 are independent risk factors for early postoperative ALI, and serum miR-122 and miR-21 levels have a high value in prediction of the development of postoperative ALI in pediatric patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of berberine on necroptosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice and its relationship with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 6(STAT6) pathway.Methods:Twenty-five 8-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were divided into control group, steatotic liver group, berberine treatment group(200 mg·kg -1·d -1), AMPK inhibitor Compound C treatment group(0.2 mg·kg -1·d -1), and STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499 treatment group(10 mg·kg -1·d -1). After 12 weeks of intervention, the mice and liver tissue were weighed, and serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), triglyceride, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) as well as liver malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were measured; liver tissue HE, Masson, and oil red O staining were performed. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of necroptosis related proteins[receptor interaction protein kinase 3(RIPK3), phosphorylated(p-) mixed lineage kinase domain-like(MLKL)], AMPK, p-AMPK, and p-STAT6. Results:Compared with control group, the steatotic liver group had higher quality of liver and liver index, and higher levels of serum AST, ALT, triglyceride, TNF-α, IL-1β, and oxidative stress( P<0.05); Liver tissue was full of cavity changes and inflammatory cell infiltration, widely distributed red lipid droplets and obvious blue fiber dyeing; The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated ( P<0.05), but the levels of p-AMPK and p-STAT6 were relatively reduced ( P<0.05). Compared with the steatotic liver group, berberine intervention decreased liver quality and liver index, improved liver function, reduced blood lipid levels, pro-inflammatory factor expression and oxidative stress level, and significantly alleviated the degree of liver steatosis and fibrosis, the levels of RIPK3 and p-MLKL ( P<0.05), while the expressions of p-AMPK and p-STAT6 were increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the berberine treatment, AMPK and STAT6 inhibitor treatment could offset the protective effect of berberine on steatotic liver, moreover, the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were increased ( P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in AMPK total protein content among the five groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Berberine can activate AMPK/STAT6 pathway to inhibit the necroptosis of hepatocyte, thus plays a protective role on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice.