Objective To study the role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9(UBC9)in the pyroptosis of homocysteine-induced macrophages mediated by small ubiquitin-like modifier(SUMO)modification.Methods First,the effects of homocysteine at different concentrations(0 μmol/L,50 μ.mol/L,100 μmol/L,150 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L)on the viability and pyrodeath of mouse macrophages(RAW264.7)were detected by CCK-8 and Western blot.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of UBC9,SUMO-1,and the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in different groups of cells.qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of UBC9 before and after RNA interference and the expression of UBC9,pyrogen-related protein,and SUMO-1 after RNA interference.Results After stimulation with 100 μmol/L homocysteine,the effect of macrophage activity was minimal,and NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were the proteins with the most obvious increase in expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the Control group,the Hcy group's expression of IL-1β and SUMO-1 was increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the Control group,the Hcy group's UBC9 protein and mRNA levels were increased(P＜0.05).The expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β,UBC9,and SUMO-1 was decreased in the si-UBC9+Hcy group compared with the si-NC+Hcy group(P＜0.01).Conclusions Homocysteine induces pyroptosis in macrophages,and its mechanism of action is related to the up-regulation of UBC9 to induce SUMO modification.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of attention bias to aggressive information under self-threat priming in college students with different types of high self-esteem.Methods:A total of 650 college students were selected,and high self-esteem participants were selected through the Self Esteem Scale(SES).Then,43 partic-ipants were selected from different types of high self-esteem(fragile and safe)groups through the Implicit Associa-tion Test(IAT).Each group participated in Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices(SPM)with different difficulty levels to complete self-threat priming,and then completed the spatial cue experiment.When the cue was invalid,the attention bias was obtained according to the variation of the reaction time difference(RTI)between the subjects're-sponses to aggressive words and neutral words.Results:The RTI values of the fragile high self-esteem group were higher under high self-threat priming than that of the secure high self-esteem group(P＜0.01).Under low self-threat priming,there was no significant difference in RTI values among different types of high self-esteem groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Fragile high self-esteem group are more likely to develop attention bias towards aggressive words under high self-threat priming than that of secure high self-esteem group.

AIM:To investigate the role of specific long noncoding RNA SLC25a6(lncSLC25a6)in homocys-teine(Hcy)-induced cuproptosis in cardiomyocytes.METHODS:Rat cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into control group and Hcy group.After 48 h of intervention,the expression levels of cuproptosis-related proteins,ferre-doxin 1(FDX1)and heat shock protein 70(HSP70),were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.The oxidative stress state of cardiomyocytes was assessed using fluorescence staining,and the intracellular Cu2+levels were measured using a copper ion assay kit.Furthermore,the impact of Hcy on the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins in cardiomyocytes was analyzed following overexpression of lncSLC25a6.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,80 μmol/L Hcy significantly accelerated cardiomyocyte damage,with a notable underexpression of lncSLC25a6(P<0.05).Western blot results indicated that,compared with the control group,the expression level of FDX1 in the Hcy intervention group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the expression level of HSP70 was significantly elevated(P<0.05),and the expression level of copper ions in cardiomyocytes of the Hcy group was increased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant reduction in FDX1 fluorescence intensity and a significant increase in HSP70 fluorescence in-tensity in the Hcy group.Further overexpression of lncSLC25a6 significantly mitigated Hcy-induced cuproptosis in cardio-myocytes,resulting in elevated expression of FDX1 and reduced expression of HSP70(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that the expression level of lncSLC25a6 was negatively correlated with FDX1 protein expression(r=-0.676,P=0.046)and positively correlated with HSP70 expression(r=0.680,P=0.044).CONCLUSION:lnc-SLC25a6 significantly mitigates Hcy-induced cuproptosis in cardiomyocytes,positioning it as a potential therapeutic target for managing Hcy-induced cardiac injury.

Objective To evaluate the effect of driving pressure(DP)-guided individualized positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP)combined with regular lung recruitment maneuvers(RMs)on atelectasis in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position using lung ultrasound.Methods A total of 62 patients aged 65-85 years old and classified by ASA status Ⅰ-Ⅲ undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer were included and randomly divided into the experimental group(n=31)and the control group(n=31).Both groups received one RM after the beginning of pneumoperitoneum,followed immediately by titration of individualized PEEP with the lowest DP,and both groups received another RM after the end of pneumoperitoneum.The experimental group received additional RM every 30 min from the beginning of pneumoperitoneum,while the control group received no intervention.Recording time points for observation were:before induction of anesthesia(T0),30 min after pneumoperitoneum(T1),90 min after pneumoperitoneum(T2),at the end of surgery(T3)and 45 min after entering the postanesthesia care unit(PACU,T4).Lung ultrasound score(LUS)was recorded at T0,T3 and T4.Dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn)was recorded at T1-T3.Oxygenation index(OI),mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)were recorded at T0-T4.Hypotension during RM,hypoxic saturation events in PACU and the incidence of pulmonary complications(POPC)within the first 7 days after surgery were recorded.Results Compared with the control group,LUSs at T3 and T4 were significantly decreased in the experimental group(P<0.05),and OI and Cdyn at T2 and T3 were significantly increased(P<0.05).In addition,the incidence of hypoxia saturation events in PACU was lower in the experimental group than that in the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of hypotension during lung recruitment and the incidence of POPC within 7 days after surgery between the two groups.Conclusion The individualized PEEP combined with regular RMs can effectively reduce the atelectasis observed by lung ultrasound immediately after laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer and in PACU in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND:Ischemic postconditioning is one of the effective ways to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and has been more and more widely used in clinical practice in recent years,but its specific molecular mechanism has yet to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role and mechanism of piRNA-005854 in the aging cardiomyocytes caused by hypoxic postconditioning. METHODS:In vitro,cardiomyocytes were administered 8 mg/mL D-galactose for 9 days to induce their aging.β-Galactosidase staining was used to observe the aging of cardiomyocytes.Senescent cells were treated with hypoxia/reoxygenation and hypoxic postconditioning.ELISA was utilized to detect changes in myocardial injury markers creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels.Western blot assay was applied to detect the expression changes of autophagy-related proteins LC3II,p62,ULK1 and phosphorylated ULK1 in aging cardiomyocytes.qRT-PCR was employed to determine the expression level of piRNA-005854.piRNA-005854 inhibitor and piRNA-005854 mimics were transferred into aging cardiomyocytes and followed with hypoxic postconditioning.Western blot assay was used to examine the expression of LC3II,p62,ULK1 and phosphorylated ULK1. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)D-galactose induced obvious senescence of cardiomyocytes 9 days later.(2)Compared with the normoxia group,creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels increased in the hypoxia/reoxygenation group(P<0.01);LC3 II/I expression was increased;p62 expression was decreased;ULK1 phosphorylation level was increased,and piRNA-005854 expression was increased(P<0.01).(3)Compared with the hypoxia/reoxygenation group,creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly reduced in the hypoxic postconditioning group(P<0.01);LC3 II/I expression significantly decreased(P<0.05);p62 expression increased(P<0.01);ULK1 phosphorylation level decreased(P<0.05),and piRNA-005854 expression decreased(P<0.01).(4)After transfection of piRNA-005854 inhibitor,LC3II/I expression was decreased(P<0.01);the expression of p62 was increased significantly(P<0.05);the phosphorylation level of ULK1 was decreased significantly(P<0.01).After transfection of piRNA-005854 mimics,LC3II/I expression was increased significantly;the expression of p62 was decreased,and the phosphorylation level of ULK1 was increased significantly(P<0.01).(5)The results show that piRNA-005854-mediated reduction of ULK1-dependent autophagy level is a possible mechanism that hypoxic postconditioning exerts its protective effect on aging cardiomyocytes.

BACKGROUND:Hyperhomocysteinemia is closely related to the function of islet β cells,but its specific molecular mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of N6 methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3)in homocysteine(Hcy)-induced autophagy of mouse islet β cells. METHODS:The 3rd and 4th generation mouse islet β cells were taken for the experiment.(1)Cell modeling and grouping:cells in control group were not treated with Hcy,while those in homocysteine group were treated with 100 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours.(2)The mouse islet β-cells were transfected with the plasmids overexpressing Ad-METTL3 and si-METTL3 according to the instructions of LipofectamineTM 2000.Three different interfering fragments were designed,and the one with the best interfering efficiency was verified and screened by PCR.(3)After transfection,the cells were divided into control group,Hcy group,Ad-NC(negative control)+Hcy group,Ad-METTL3+Hcy group,si-NC(negative control)+Hcy group and si-METTL3+Hcy group.(4)qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of METTL3 and autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 in cells.Insulin level was determined by ELISA to evaluate insulin secretion capacity of islet cells.Autophagy-related proteins and insulin level were detected after overexpression and interference with METTL3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the expression level of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was increased(P＜0.05),the expression of p62 was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the insulin secretion capacity was significantly decreased(P＜0.05)in the Hcy group.Compared with the control group,the protein and mRNA levels of METTL3 were reduced in the Hcy group(P＜0.05).After METTL3 silencing in islet β cells,Hcy further upregulated the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P＜0.05),significantly dowregulated the expression of p62(P＜0.05),and increased the insulin level(P＜0.05).After overexpression of METTL3,Hcy significantly decreased the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression and increased the p62 expression in islet β cells(P＜0.05).To conclude,METTL3 is involved in the Hcy-induced autophagy regulation of islet β cells and plays a role in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Objective : To investigate the effect of paederosidic acid methyl ester (PAME) on postoperative learning and memory impairment in mice and its mechanism. Methods : C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into Sham group , operation group , operation + PAME group ( PAME group) , operation + NADPH oxidase 4(Nox4) adeno⁃associated virus overexpression group (Nox4 overexpression group) , operation + Nox4 adeno⁃associated virus no⁃laden group ( AAV no⁃load group) , and operation + PAME + Nox4 overexpression group ( PN group) . Exploratory laparotomy was performed. PAME(20 mg/kg) was administered by continuous gavage for 7 days after operation , and adeno⁃associated virus was injected into the hippocampus 28 days before operation. Morris water maze test and conditioned fear test were used to detect the learning and memory ability of mice. The expression of Nox4 protein was observed by immunofluorescence. The protein expressions of Nox4 , long chain acyl CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were detected by Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron content were determined by spectrophotometry. Results : Compared with the Sham group , the learning and memory ability of the operation group , the Nox4 overexpression group and the AAV no⁃load group decreased , the protein expression of Nox4 and ACSL4 increased , the protein expression of GPX4 decreased , and the ROS and iron content increased. After PAME treatment , the postoperative learning and memory ability of mice was improved , and Nox4 and ferroptosis in hippocampal neurons were alleviated. Conclusion Conclusion PAME treatment can improve the learning and memory ability of postoperative mice , which may be related to the inhibition of hippocampal Nox4⁃mediated ferroptosis.

Objective:To investigate the main postoperative complications, causes of death and the risk factors for survival in patient with benign end-stage lung diseases within 1 year after lung transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to collect the clinical data of 200 patients with benign end-stage lung disease who underwent lung transplantation admitted to Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from May 2017 to October 2018. The main postoperative complications, survival and causes of death within 1 year after operation were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, and the Log-Rank test was used to compare the influence of factors, including recipient's gender, use of marginal donor lung, primary disease, preoperative combination of moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH), intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, surgical methods, intraoperative massive blood loss, postoperative complications [infection, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), acute rejection], on 1-year survival in patients who underwent lung transplantation. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the risk factors of death within 1 year after lung transplantation.Results:Two hundred patients underwent successful lung transplantation. The major postoperative complications within 1 year after transplantation included infection in 131 patients, PGD in 20 patients, acute rejection in 57 patients, anastomotic complication in 26 patients and others (new onset diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.) in 53 patients. The 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year postoperative cumulative survival rates were 81.5%, 80.0% and 77.5%, respectively. Forty-five patients died during 1 year after operation, among whom 14 died of infection, 7 died of PGD, 8 died of acute rejection, 4 died of anastomotic complication, 3 died of cardio-cerebrovascular accident, 3 died of multiple organ failure, 2 died of respiratory failure and 4 died of other causes (traffic accident, etc.). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that recipient's gender, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as the primary disease, preoperative combination of moderate and severe PAH, intraoperative ECMO support, intraoperative massive blood loss, postoperative complications (infection, PGD, acute rejection) were influencing factors for postoperative 1-year survival rate. The multivariate Cox regression model showed that male was the protective factor [hazard ratio ( HR) = 0.481, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.244-0.947, P = 0.034], IPF as the primary disease ( HR = 2.667, 95% CI was 1.222-5.848, P = 0.014), intraoperative use of ECMO support ( HR = 1.538, 95% CI was 0.787-3.012, P = 0.028), massive blood loss during surgery ( HR = 2.026, 95% CI was 0.976-4.205, P = 0.045) and postoperative infection ( HR = 3.138, 95% CI was 1.294-7.608, P = 0.011), PGD ( HR = 1.604, 95% CI was 0.464-5.539, P = 0.004), and acute rejection ( HR = 1.897, 95% CI was 0.791-4.552, P = 0.015) were the independent risk factors for death within 1 year after transplantation. Conclusions:One-year survival rates after lung transplantation are affected by recipient's gender, primary disease, preoperative combination of moderate and severe PAH, intraoperative ECMO support, intraoperative massive blood loss, and postoperative complications (infection, PGD, acute rejection). The male is the protective factor, while IPF as the primary disease, intraoperative ECMO support, massive blood loss during surgery and postoperative complications (infection, PGD, acute rejection) are independent risk factors for death within 1 year after lung transplantation.

Nodular gastritis is directly related to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Refractory Hp infection has significant impact on the treatment efficacy and prognosis of nodular gastritis. Aims: To analyze the spheroidization and antibiotic resistance of refractory Hp and PPI drug metabolic enzyme CYP2C19 gene polymorphism in patients with nodular gastritis, so as to promote the eradication rate of refractory Hp infection in patients with nodular gastritis. Methods: Refractory Hp infection patients with nodular gastritis from Oct. 2019 to Nov. 2020 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College were enrolled. Hp strains were cultured in microaerophilic environment. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Hp spheroidization. Mutation sites of antibiotic resistance genes and host CYP2C19 gene polymorphism were detected by PCR. According to the results of genetic testing, individualized therapy was given and follow up was performed, the eradication rate of intention-to-treat was calculated. Results: A total of 42 patients with refractory Hp nodular gastritis were enrolled. Among them, lymphocyte accumulation was found in 33.3% patients. Hp spheroidization was found in 2 patients, and the spheroidization rates were 20% and 10%, respectively. There were 25 intensive metabolizer, 15 intermediate metabolizer and 2 poor metabolizer of CYP2C19. Antibiotic resistance gene detection showed that the drug resistance rate of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, furazolidone, tetracycline, metronidazole were 4.8%, 38.1%, 35.7%, 47.6%, 42.9% and 61.9%, respectively. Twenty-two (52.4%) of the patients developed resistance to 3 or more antibiotics. The total eradication rate of intention-to-treat was 83.3%, of which high-dose dual therapy was 88.9%. Conclusions: Multi-antibiotic resistance and CYP2C19 may be the main reason for the failure of eradication of refractory Hp in nodular gastritis. Hp spheroidization has little effect on the efficacy of eradication therapy. The amoxicillin resistance rate is still significantly lower than that of other antibiotics, and high-dose dual therapy is a better option.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Suhuang Zhike Capsule on airway inflammation in patients with acute episode of allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome.Methods:Eighty patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome were admitted to North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital from June 2016 to September 2017.A prospective cohort study was carried out and randomly divided into treatment group and control group with 40 patients in each group.The control group was treated with conventional anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antiasthmatic therapy, while the treatment group was treated with Suhuang Zhike Capsule.The changes of nasal symptoms and asthma clinical symptoms in the two groups were compared before and after treatment, and the changes of nitric oxide in exhaled air, eosinophils in blood and induced sputum were measured.Results:Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the number of eosinophils in the exhaled nitric oxide, eosinophil count in blood and induced sputum before treatment in the treatment group ((161.45±4.67)×10 -9 vs.(163.12±4.56)×10 -9, (1.59±0.53)×10 9/L vs.(1.60±0.51)×10 9/L, (1.11±0.06)×10 9/L vs.(1.18±0.09)×10 9/L; t values were 0.10, 0.44, 1.75, respectively, all P>0.05). After treatment, the exhaled nitric oxide, eosinophil count in blood and induced sputum in the treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment((30.86±5.54)×10 -9 vs. (161.45±4.67)×10 -9; (0.32±0.05)×10 9/L vs. (1.59±0.53)×10 9/L; (0.06±0.02)×10 9/L vs. (1.11±0.06)×10 9/L, t values were 91.32, 41.63, 51.77, respectively, all P<0.01). In the treatment group, the effective rate of nasal symptom control was 85.0% (34/40) significantly higher than 62.5% (25/40) in the control group (χ 2=5.23, P<0.05), and the effective rate of asthma clinical symptom control was significantly higher than that in the control group(90.0%(36/40), 72.5%(29/40), χ 2=4.02, P<0.05). Conclusion:Suhuang Zhike capsule can obviously improve the airway inflammatory response of patients with allergic rhinitis asthma syndrome in the acute attack stage, and the combination of conventional treatment plan is helpful to improve the curative effect.