Objective:To evaluate the changes in cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression rate (BSR) during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice and the correlation with cerebral blood perfusion.Methods:Forty SPF male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 22-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group) and cecal ligation perforation group (CLP group). The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. Mice in both groups inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 2 h. During sevoflurane anesthesia, BSR (30 min as an epoch) on electroencephalogram was recorded, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was recorded using the laser speckle flow imaging at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of anesthesia. Results:Compared with Sham group, the cortical EEG BSR was significantly increased, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was decreased during sevoflurane anesthesia in CLP group ( P<0.05). Cortical EEG BSR was negatively correlated with cortical cerebral blood perfusion ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Cortical EEG BSR increases during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice, which may be related to decreased cortical cerebral blood perfusion.

Objective:To evaluate the changes in cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression rate (BSR) during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice and the correlation with cerebral blood perfusion.Methods:Forty SPF male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 22-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group) and cecal ligation perforation group (CLP group). The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. Mice in both groups inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 2 h. During sevoflurane anesthesia, BSR (30 min as an epoch) on electroencephalogram was recorded, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was recorded using the laser speckle flow imaging at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of anesthesia. Results:Compared with Sham group, the cortical EEG BSR was significantly increased, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was decreased during sevoflurane anesthesia in CLP group ( P<0.05). Cortical EEG BSR was negatively correlated with cortical cerebral blood perfusion ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Cortical EEG BSR increases during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice, which may be related to decreased cortical cerebral blood perfusion.

An animal biosafety level-3 laboratory(ABSL-3)is a high-level biosafety installation that can conduct experiments on animals infected with highly pathogenic microorganisms.In recent years,with the continuous characterization of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases,high-level biosafety laboratories have played increasingly important roles in pathogenic mechanism and drug and vaccine research and development.The demand for ABSL-3 is increasing year by year.At the same time,there is also a growing demand for personnel who are competent in working in ABSL-3.The systematization,normalization,and standardization of pre-service training have become important to guarantee a reduction in the risks to personnel working in ABSL-3.Training of ABSL-3 staff needs to be carried out in specific simulated laboratories.Therefore,it is necessary to construct simulated ABSL-3 and establish scientific and effective operating standards and mechanisms.This paper comprehensively introduces the design,construction,operation,and functions of a simulated ABSL-3 installation.

Objective:To identify the differentially expressed long-chain non-coding RNA(lncRNA) and mRNA using ribonucleic acid sequencing(RNA-seq), and construct a competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA) regulatory network in mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy.Methods:Ten clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 2 groups( n=5 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group(group Sham) and sepsis group(group Sepsis). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) in group Sepsis, while group Sham only underwent laparotomy without CLP. Morris water maze test and contextual fear conditioning test were performed to detect the cognitive function on 1 day before CLP and 3 days after CLP. Three mice were randomly sacrificed in group Sham, and 3 mice with the worst results in the cognitive function test were sacrificed in group Sepsis. The hippocampal tissues were obtained for RNA-seq via the BGISEQ-500 platform, and the differentially expressed mRNA and lncRNA were identified. The differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs were visualized and analyzed by Dr. Tom platform provided by Shenzhen BGI Technology Service Co., Ltd., and the ceRNA regulatory network was constructed using the online visualization tool Cytoscape software. Results:Compared with group Sham, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, and the percentage of time of staying at the target quadrants and percentage of time spent freezing were decreased in group Sepsis( P<0.05). A total of 62 differentially expressed lncRNAs were obtained from RNA-seq, of which the expression of 45 lncRNAs was up-regulated and the expression of 17 lncRNAs was down-regulated.There were 282 differentially expressed mRNAs identified from RNA-seq, of which the expression of 173 mRNAs was up-regulated, and the expression of 109 mRNAs was down-regulated.Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed mRNAs were involved in biological processes such as memory, learning or memory, inflammatory responses, regulation of aging-related behavioral decline, and regulation of synaptic plasticity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNAs were enriched in IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway and etc. KDA analysis was performed on the differentially expressed mRNAs to identify the key driver genes, and the results showed that Ch25h, Il6ra, Lcn2, Sgk1, Nr4a3, Osm, Saa3, Ccl7, Sqle, Dhcr24 were the key SAE genes.A competing endogenous RNA regulatory network was successfully constructed based on 9 lncRNAs, 28 mRNAs and 134 miRNAs in the hippocampus of mice with SAE. Conclusions:The results of RNA-seq find that 10 mRNAs including Ch25h, Il6ra, Lcn2, Sgk1, Nr4a3, Osm, Saa3, Ccl7, Sqle, Dhcr24 and lncRNAs such as Rian, Gm35874 and Gm34347 are key genes regulating SAE in mice. Meanwhile, a ceRNA regulatory network based on lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA is successfully constructed in the hippocampus of mice with SAE.

Objective:To investigate specificity of neurovascular compression in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) by three-dimension reconstruction and computational fluid dynamics.Methods:Clinical characteristics and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 20 patients with both PTN and single artery compression (PTN group) and 10 patients without PTN but having neurovascular contact in MRI images (control group) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2019 were collected and analyzed. After three-dimension reconstruction of the MRI images, curvature of the arterial loop, angle between the plane of arterial loop and the trigeminal nerve and location of the compression were observed. Then bidirectional structure-fluid coupling based on the optimized stereolithography models of arterial loop and nerve were processed by ANSYS 19.2 software. In the location of the compression of contact, equivalent stress (ES) of arterial loop on the nerve, shearing stress (SS) of the blood flow and local deformation of the nerve were iteratively computed. All parameters were analyzed and compared between the PTN group and the control group, and the correlation analysis was proceeded between the anatomical parameters and hemodynamical parameters.Results:The curvature of arterial loop [0.21(0.12) mm -1vs 0.13(0.07) mm -1, U=34.00, P<0.05], the angle between vascular loop and nerve [69.70(30.67)° vs 43.40(37.21)°, U=38.00, P<0.05] in the PTN group were significantly greater than those in the control group, and the location of compression was significantly closer to the root of nerve in the PTN group [PTN group: (4.23±1.29) mm vs control group: (5.54±1.85) mm, t=-2.26, P<0.05]. The average SS [15 952.48(5 365.56) Pa vs 12 501.97(6 355.26) Pa, U=53.00, P<0.05], ES [24 965.65(7 693.22) Pa vs 14 992.99(9 824.08) Pa, U=32.00, P<0.05] in the PTN group were significantly greater than those in the control group. The curvature of arterial loop was positively correlated with the SS ( r=0.931, P<0.05) and ES ( r=0.962, P<0.05), and the latter two ( r=0.787, P<0.05; r=0.853, P<0.05) were positively correlated with the local neural deformation. Conclusions:In patients with PTN, offending artery compresses the root of nerve by greater arterial curvature and angle between the arterial loop and nerve. These anatomical differences will cause significantly greater SS, ES and local neural deformation.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) infection in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory examinations, chest imaging, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019-nCoV was conducted. The patients were diagnosed between January 25th, 2020 and February 21st, 2020 in 21 hospitals in 17 cities of six provinces(autonomous region) of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Hebei, Henan and Shandong. Results: The age of the 31 children with 2019-nCoV infection was 7 years and 1 month (6 months -17 years). Nine cases (29%) were imported cases. Other 21 cases (68%) had contact with confirmed infected adults. One case (3%) had contact with asymptomatic returnees from Wuhan. Among the 31 children, 28 patients (90%) were family cluster cases. The clinical types were asymptomatic type in 4 cases (13%), mild type in 13 cases (42%), and common type in 14 cases (45%). No severe or critical type existed. The most common symptom was fever (n=20, 65%), including 1 case of high fever, 9 cases of moderate fever, 10 cases of low fever. Fever lasted from 1 day to 9 days. The fever of fifteen cases lasted for ≤3 d, while in other 5 cases lasted > 3 d. Other symptoms included cough (n=14, 45%), fatigue (n=3, 10%) and diarrhea (n=3, 9%). Pharyngalgia, runny nose, dizziness, headache and vomiting were rare. In the early stage, the total leukocytes count in peripheral blood decreased in 2 cases (6%), the lymphocytes count decreased in 2 cases (6%), and the platelet count increased in 2 cases (6%).Elevation of C-reactive protein (10%, 3/30), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(19%,4/21), procalcitonin(4%,1/28), liver enzyme(22%, 6/27) and muscle enzyme (15%, 4/27) occurred in different proportions. Renal function and blood glucose were normal. There were abnormal chest CT changes in 14 cases, including 9 cases with patchy ground glass opacities and nodules, mostly located in the lower lobe of both lungs near the pleural area. After receiving supportive treatment, the viral nucleic acid turned negative in 25 cases within 7-23 days. Among them, 24 children (77%) recovered and were discharged from hospital. No death occurred. Conclusions In this case series, 2019-nCoV infections in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China are mainly caused by close family contact. Clinical types are asymptomatic, mild and common types. Clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results are nonspecific. Close contact history of epidemiology, nucleic acid detection and chest imaging are important bases for diagnosis. After general treatment, the short-term prognosis is good.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglia and the role of autophagy.Methods:The BV-2 microglial cells cultured in vitro were seeded in 6- or 96-well plates and were divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), group LPS, hydrogen-rich medium group (group H) and autophagy inhibitor 3-methylpurine group (group 3-MA). In group C, cells were cultured in MEM culture medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum for 24 h. In group LPS, LPS was added at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml, and cells were incubated for 24 h. In group H, LPS was added at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml, the culture medium was replaced with a hydrogen-rich medium at a final concentration of 0.6 mmol/L, and cells were incubated for 24 h. In group 3-MA, 3-methylpurine was added at a final concentration of 2 mmol/L, and the subsequent treatment was similar to those previously described in group H. The cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay.The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The percentage of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) +, Iba-1 + CD86 + and Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅰ (LC3 Ⅰ), LC3Ⅱ, Beclin-1 and p62 was detected by Western blot, and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ was calculated. Results:There was no significant difference in the cell survival rate among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β and percentage of Iba-1 +, Iba-1 + CD86 + and Iba-1 + CD206 + cells were significantly increased in LPS, H and 3-MA groups, the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Beclin-1 expression was significantly down-regulated, and p62 expression was up-regulated in LPS and 3-MA groups, and the ratio of LC3LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and Beclin-1 expression was significantly up-regulated, and p62 expression was down-regulated in group H ( P<0.05). Compared with group LPS, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, the concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β were increased, the percentage of Iba-1 + and Iba-1 + CD86 + cells were decreased, the percentage of Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was increased, the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Beclin-1 expression was up-regulated, and p62 expression was down-regulated in group H ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the above indexes in group 3-MA ( P>0.05). Compared with group H, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β were decreased, the percentage of Iba-1 + and Iba-1 + CD86 + cells was increased, the percentage of Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was decreased, the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Beclin-1 expression was down-regulated, and p62 expression was up-regulated in group 3-MA ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which hydrogen reduces LPS-caused inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglia is related to enhancing autophagy and inhibiting microglial activation.

Objective: To evaluate the role of DNA methylation in sepsis-associated encephalopathy in mice. Methods: A total of 144 clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=36 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sepsis group (group Sepsis), sham operation plus S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) group (group Sham+ SAM) and sepsis plus SAM group (group Sepsis+ SAM). Sepsis was produced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). In Sham+ SAM and Sepsis+ SAM groups, DNA methylated methyl donor SAM 100 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before operation and 12 h after operation, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in Sham and Sepsis groups.The cognitive function was assessed using Y-maze and contextual fear conditioning test at 1, 3 and 7 days after CLP.Mice were sacrificed at 1, 3 and 7 days after CLP, and the hippocampal tissues were taken for determination of genome-wide DNA methylation (by colorimetric assay) and expression of DNA methyltransferase enzymes (DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b), ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes (TET1, TET2 and TET3) and thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG) mRNA (by fluorescent quantitative real-time). Results: Compared with group Sham, the time of staying at the novel arm was significantly shortened, the percentage of time spent freezing and the total number of entries into each arm were reduced, genome-wide DNA methylation in hippocampal tissues was decreased at 1, 3 and 7 days after CLP, the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, TET1, TET2, TET3 and TDG was up-regulated, and the expression of DNMT3b was down-regulated in group Sepsis (P<0.05). Compared with group Sepsis, the time of staying at the novel arm was significantly prolonged, the percentage of time spent freezing and the total number of entries into each arm were increased, the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, TET1, TET2, TET3 and TDG mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of DNMT3b was up-regulated in group Sepsis+ SAM(P<0.05). Conclusion DNA methylation is involved in the development of sepsis-associated encephalopathy in mice.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the mechanism underlying hydrogeninduced reduction of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) and phenotypic transformation of hippocampal microglias in mice.Methods Eighty-eight adult male ICR mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were divided into 4 groups (n =22 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group Sham),sham operation plus hydrogen group (group Sham+H2),SAE group and SAE plus hydrogen group (group SAE + H2).Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in anesthetized mice.Sham and Sham+H2 groups only underwent simple laparotomy.Sham+H2 and SAE+H2 groups inhaled air containing 2％ hydrogen for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after CLP,respectively.Mice were sacrificed at 24 h after CLP,and hippocampi were isolated for determination of the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and IL-10 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and argininase-1 (Arg-1) (by Western blot).Morris water maze test was performed on 10 mice in each group at days 4-8 after CLP.PResults Compared with group Sham,the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β and IL-10 were significantly increased,the expression of iNOS and Arg-1 was up-regulated,the escape latency was prolonged,and the rate of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of crossing the original platform were reduced in SAE and SAE+H2 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group SAE,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased,the expression of iNOS was down-regulated,the expression of TGF-β,IL-10 and Arg-1 was up-regulated,the escape latency was shortened,and the rate of time spent in the target quadrant and the number of crossing the original platform were increased in group SAE+H2 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Hydrogen can promote phenotypic transformation of hippocampal microglias from M1 to M2 and reduce SAE in mice.

Objective To evaluate the role of autophagy in hydrogen-induced reduction of lung injury in septic mice.Methods Sixty pathogen-free healthy male ICR mice,aged 6 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were divided into 5 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group Sh),sepsis group (group Sep),sepsis plus hydrogen group (group Sep+H2),sepsis plus autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (group Sep+3-MA) and sepsis plus 3-MA plus hydrogen group (group Sep+3-MA+H2).Sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture.At 1 h before operation,3-MA 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected.The mice inhaled 2％ H2 for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation.Blood samples were collected from the common carotid artery at 24 h after operation for measurement of arterial oxygen partial pressure,and the oxygenation index (OI) was calculated.Pulmonary specimens were obtained for examination of the pathological changes which were scored.Pulnonary mitochondria were isolated for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP content using fluorescence spectrophotometry and a bioluminescence assay,respectively,and the respiratory control rate (RCR) was calculated.The expression of autophagy-related protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was determined by Western blot,and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ to LC3-Ⅰ expression (LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio) was calculated.Results Compared with group Sh,the pathological scores were significantly increased,the OI and contents of mitochondrial RCR,MMP and ATP were decreased,and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was increased in Sep and Sep+H2 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group Sep,the pathological scores were significantly decreased,the OI and contents of mitochondrial RCR,MMP and ATP were increased,and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was increased in group Sep+H2,and the pathological scores were significantly increased,the OI and contents of mitochondrial RCR,MMP and ATP were decreased,and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was decreased in group Sep+3-MA (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in each parameter mentioned above in group Sep+3-MA+H2 (P＞0.05).Compared with group Sep+H2,the pathological scores were significantly increased,the OI and contents of mitochondrial RCR,MMP and ATP were decreased,and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was decreased in group Sep+3-MA+H2 (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen ameliorates lung injury is related to enhanced level of autophagy in septic mice.