ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Astragali Radix polysaccharides （APS） on the polarization of BV2 microglial cells in an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation （OGD/R） model through regulation of the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsThe OGD/R injury model of BV2 microglia was established and divided into blank group， OGD/R group and APS group （0.4 g·L^-1 APS）. Neuroinflammatory injury was induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and treated with APS. The cells were divided into blank group， LPS group （1 mg·L^-1 LPS） and APS group （0.4 g·L^-1 APS+1 mg·L^-1 LPS）. Cell viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Nitric oxide （NO） content in the cell supernatant was determined by the Griess assay. The secretion levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-10， and IL-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the double-positive rates of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1/inducible nitric oxide synthase （Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺） and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1/arginase 1 （Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺）， as well as the nuclear translocation rate of nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）. Protein expression levels of Iba-1， iNOS， Arg1， TLR4， and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot. ResultsIn the OGD/R injury model， compared with the blank control group， BV2 microglial cells in the OGD/R group were activated and exhibited amoeboid morphological changes. The secretion levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ and the protein expression of Iba-1 and iNOS were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The nuclear translocation rate of NF-κB p65 and the protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of IL-10 and IL-4 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ and Arg1 protein expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the OGD/R group， the APS group （0.4 g·L^-1） showed reduced cell activation， significantly decreased secretion levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， significantly decreased double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ and relative protein expression of Iba-1 and iNOS （P<0.01）， significantly decreased nuclear translocation rate of NF-κB p65 and protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）， significantly increased levels of IL-10 and IL-4 （P<0.01）， and significantly increased double-positive expression rate of Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ and Arg1 protein expression （P<0.01）. In the LPS-induced neuroinflammation model， compared with the blank control group， the LPS group showed increased cell activation， significantly increased levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6， significantly increased Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ double-positive expression rate， NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation rate， and protein expression levels of Iba-1， iNOS， TLR4， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）， while IL-10 and IL-4 levels， Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ double-positive expression rate， and Arg1 protein expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the LPS group， the APS group showed reduced cell activation， significantly decreased levels of NO， TNF-α， and IL-6， Iba-1⁺/iNOS⁺ double-positive expression rate， NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation rate， and protein expression levels of Iba-1， iNOS， TLR4， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01）， while IL-10 and IL-4 levels， Iba-1⁺/Arg1⁺ double-positive expression rate， and Arg1 protein expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionAPS may reduce microglial activation and promote their polarization toward the M2 phenotype by inhibiting activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby alleviating the neuroinflammatory response induced by OGD/R.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect of electroacupuncture (EA) based on Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture (acupuncture for regaining consciousness and opening orifices) on cognitive impairment in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to explore its regulatory mechanisms on the kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A)/mitochondrial Rho GTPase 1 (Miro1) pathway and mitophagy in prefrontal cortical neurons. METHODS: A total of 70 male C57BL/6J mice of clean grade were randomly divided into a normal group (12 mice), a sham operation group (12 mice), and a model pre-screening group (46 mice). Unilateral stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle was adopted to establish the PD model in the model pre-screening group. Twenty-four mice after successful modeling were randomly selected and divided into a model group and an EA group, 12 mice in each one. In the EA group, acupuncture was applied at "Shuigou" (GV26) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Neiguan" (PC6), ipsilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Neiguan" (PC6) were connected to EA respectively, with disperse-dense wave, 5 Hz/20 Hz in frequency, 0.5 mA in current intensity, 20 min a time, 6 times a week for 30 days. Cognitive function was assessed by Y-maze and Morris water maze tests; morphology of prefrontal cortex was observed by H.E. staining; reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in prefrontal cortex was detected by fluorescence probe method; mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy; the mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR; the protein expression of TH, KIF5A, Miro1, p62, Parkin and PTEN induced kinase 1 (PINK1) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, both the model group and the EA group exhibited increased rotation number of per minute (P<0.001). Compared with the sham operation group, in the model group, the novel arm exploration time of Y-maze test was shortened (P<0.001), the escape latency of Morris water maze test was prolonged (P<0.05) and the platform crossing number of Morris water maze test was reduced (P<0.01); in the prefrontal cortex, the number of cellular vacuole and neurons with karyopyknosis was increased (P<0.001), and mitochondrial autophagosomes could be observed; in the prefrontal cortex, the relative expression of ROS was increased (P<0.001), the protein and mRNA expression of TH was decreased (P<0.001), the protein expression of Miro1, PINK1, Parkin was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), the protein expression of KIF5A and p62 was decreased (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, the novel arm exploration time of Y-maze test was prolonged (P<0.01), the escape latency of Morris water maze test was shortened (P<0.05) and the platform crossing number of Morris water maze test was increased (P<0.05); in the prefrontal cortex, the number of cellular vacuole and neurons with karyopyknosis was decreased (P<0.001), and the number of mitochondrial autophagosomes reduced and the mitochondrial morphology was improved; in the prefrontal cortex, the relative expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of TH was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), the protein expression of Miro1, PINK1, Parkin was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05), the protein expression of KIF5A and p62 was increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao electroacupuncture effectively alleviates cognitive impairment and damage of neuronal function in PD mice, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of KIF5A/Miro1 pathway, hence reducing the mitophagy in prefrontal cortical neurons.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Mice ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Kinesins/genetics* ; Humans ; Mitophagy ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Mitochondria/genetics* ; Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the impact of individualized medical nutrition therapy on the weight loss effect and metabolic related indicators in the patients with moderate to severe obesity.Methods Seventy-six adult patients with diagnosed moderate to severe obesity in this hospital from June 2019 and June 2022 were enrolled as the study subjects.The changes in body compositions and metabolic related in-dicators before and after treatment were analyzed.Results The body fat,body fat ratio and visceral fat area in the body compositions before treatment all exceeded the normal range.Among the metabolism-related indica-tors,ALT,UA,FINS,TC and TG all exceeded the normal range.After treatment,the levels of ALT,AST,FBG,FINS,TC,TG and LDL-C all were decreased(P＜0.05).All achieved the target values of weight loss after 2-month treatment,and the body weight after 6 months still continued to reduce.Conclusion The pa-tients with moderate to severe obesity exhibit complicating multiple metabolic disorders.The personalized medical nutrition therapy not only continuously reduces the body weight,but can also improves the levels of metabolism-related indicators.

Objective:To explore the role of chemokine CX3CL1/CX3CR1 in intraperitoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer in nude mice.Methods:Fifty SPF SD female nude mice were selected and randomly divided into normal group ( n=10) , ovarian cancer model group ( n=20) and CX3CL1 group ( n=20) by random number table method. Ovarian cancer model was not established in normal group, and ovarian cancer model was established in both ovarian cancer model group and CX3CL1 group. CX3CL1 group was given intraperitoneal injection of 20 μl CX3CL1 with a concentration of 10 ng/μl to observe the survival status of nude mice. Tumor mass, tumor volume, tumor inhibition rate, ascites rate and peritoneal metastasis rate were recorded. The pathological morphology of ovarian tissue was examined by HE staining, the expression of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 in ovarian tissue was detected by Western blotting, and the correlation between the expression of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 and peritoneal metastasis rate was analyzed by point two-column correlation. Results:During the administration, the mental state, activity, food and water intake of nude mice in the normal group were good with sensitive responses. The nude mice in the ovarian cancer model group showed signs of mental fatigue, reduced activity, less food and water intake, delayed response, as well as and a hard and gradually enlarged abdomen. The mental state, activity, food and water intake of nude mice in CX3CL1 group were better than those in ovarian cancer model group, and the abdominal hardness volume was smaller compared with that in ovarian cancer model group. The survival time of normal group, ovarian cancer model group and CX3CL1 group were (14.00±0.00) , (9.24±0.67) and (12.05±0.82) d, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=22.27, P<0.001) . Further pair-to-pair comparisons showed that the normal group had the longest survival time, followed by the CX3CL1 group and the ovarian cancer model group (all P<0.05) . The tumor mass of ovarian cancer model group and CX3CL1 group was (1.31±0.21) and (0.62±0.13) g, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=12.49, P<0.001) . The tumor volumes were (130.47±13.45) and (70.02±7.52) mm 3, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=17.54, P<0.001) . The tumor suppression rates were (0.00±0.00) % and (48.96±4.74) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=46.19, P<0.001) , the ascites rates were 60.00% (12/20) and 25.00% (5/20) , respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.01, P=0.025) . The abdominal metastasis rates were 80.00% (16/20) and 50.00% (10/20) , respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=3.96, P=0.047) . The results of HE staining showed that in the normal group, the ovarian tissue structure was complete, the follicles and oocytes developed normally with good shape, and no cancerous cells were found. The ovarian structure of the ovarian cancer model group was obviously destroyed, and a large number of cancerous cells could be seen. The nucleolus were deeply stained and the number increased. Compared with the ovarian cancer model group, the pathological structure was significantly improved, and the number of cancer cells was significantly decreased in the CX3CL1 group. The CX3CL1 protein relative expression levels in normal group, ovarian cancer model group and CX3CL1 group were 2.05±0.22, 1.33±0.11 and 2.41±0.24, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=9.26, P<0.001) . The CX3CR1 protein relative expression levels were 1.99±0.21, 1.34±0.14, 2.73±0.31, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=8.14, P<0.001) . Further pair-to-pair comparisons showed that compared with the normal group, the relative expression levels of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 protein in ovarian cancer model group were significantly decreased, and the relative expression levels of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 protein were higher in CX3CL1 group (all P<0.05) . Compared with ovarian cancer model group, the relative expression levels of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 protein in ovarian tissue of CX3CL1 group were significantly increased (both P<0.05) . Correlation analysis showed that CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 expressions were negatively correlated with peritoneal metastasis rate ( r=-0.50, P=0.024; r=-0.58, P=0.012) . Conclusions:The expression of chemokine CX3CL1/CX3CR1 is down-regulated in ovarian cancer, and CX3CL1/CX3CR1 expression is negatively correlated with peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer. Activation of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 can significantly inhibit peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer.

Objective To study the brain functional connectivity(FC)changes in patients with normal tension glau-coma(NTG)and healthy volunteers using FC technique of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)based on V1 region seed point(ROI),so as to explore the pathogenesis and early diagnosis of NTG.Methods Fourteen NTG patients(NTG group)who met the inclusion criteria and 14 healthy controls(HCs group)were enrolled.The clinical data of all subjects were collected,and rs-fMRI was performed in both groups.The magnetic resonance data was pre-pro-cessed by software,and bilateral A1 regions were taken as the ROI to analyze their correction with the whole brain voxel time series and obtain the FC value between the ROI and the whole brain by comparison of FC values in resting state be-tween the groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between FC value in the brain regions with significant differences with the ROI and clinical variables in the NTG group.Results Compared with the subjects in the HCs group,there were no statistically significant differences in age,gender,body weight,cup-disc ratio and 24 h mean intraocular pressure of patients in the NTG group(all P＞0.05),and there were statistically significant differences in the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of both eyes and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT)(all P＜0.05).The Pearson correlation analysis showed that FC value of the brain regions with abnormal FC to V1 region were cor-related with RNFLT in the NTG group(P＜0.05).ROI1-left superior frontal gyrus,ROI1-right superior frontal gyrus,ROI2-left cingulate gyrus and ROI2-right middle frontal gyrus were significantly positively correlated with RNFLT(all P＜0.05).Compared with the HCs group,the brain regions with reduced FC to the right ROI in the NTG group were the left superior frontal gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus;the brain regions with reduced FC to the left ROI were the left cingulate gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus.Conclusion Compared to healthy individuals,NTG patients have significant changes in the functional connections between certain specific brain regions and V1 region,including bilateral superior frontal gyrus,left cingulate gyrus,and middle frontal gyrus.The changes in brain functional activity may be caused by visual dysfunction caused by NTG,leading to functional impairment of the visual and cognitive emotion processing brain regions,which may be one of the potential neuropathological mechanisms in NTG patients.

Objective To explore the changes in macular microcirculation status and visual function in patients with normal tension glaucoma(NTG)using the optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)and microperimeter MP-3 and analyze the correlation between the two.Methods In this cross-sectional observational study,17 NTG patients(30 eyes)were collected as the NTG group and then divided into mild,moderate and severe NTG subgroups according to the severity of the disease.During the same period,13 healthy subjects(23 eyes)with the same age and gender distribution were selected as the control group.OCTA was used to obtain linear density(LD)and perfusion density(PD)of superficial retinal vessels in the macular area.The microperimeter MP-3 was used to measure retinal sensitivity(RS)within 10° and fixation rate at 2° and 4° of the macular area.The OCTA parameters and microperimeter MP-3 parameters were compared among all groups,and the correlation between OCTA parameters and microperimeter MP-3 parameters in NTG patients was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in LD and PD between the control group and the mild NTG sub-group in the central and nasal sides of the macula;the LD and PD in the remaining regions and overall average LD and PD showed a gradual downward trend in the control group and the mild,moderate and severe NTG subgroups.Compared with the control group,the RS of the mild NTG subgroup was lower in the inferior and temporal regions of the macular area.The RS of each region and overall average RS in the macular area decreased with the aggravation of the NTG.In the NTG group,LD and PD were significantly positively correlated with RS in each region and overall average RS in the macular area(all P＜0.05).In the NTG group,LD and PD were positively correlated with P2 in some regions of the macular area.Con-clusion Compared with the control group,the macular microcirculation status and visual function of NTG patients signif-icantly decreased with the progression of the disease;there is a significant correlation between macular LD and RS in NTG patients.

Objective:Methamphetamine(METH)is an illicit psychoactive substance that can damage various organs,with the urinary system being one of its significant targets.This study aims to explore the role of microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4(MARK4)in METH-induced acute kidney injury(AKI). Methods:A total of 10 healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a METH group,5 mice in each group.The METH group was administered METH(20 mg/kg,intraperitoneally,once daily for 3 consecutive days),while the control group received an equal volume of physiological saline.The mice were executed 24 hours after the final injection,and the success of the AKI model was detected by blood serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and renal HE staining.Proteins differentially expressed between kidney tissues with METH-induced AKI and normal kidney tissues were screened by proteomics techniques and subjected to gene ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and bioinformatics analysis.The accuracy of proteomic data was validated using Western blotting,and the expression levels of MARK4 and cleaved caspase-3 in mouse kidneys were measured.We further explored the role of MARK4 in METH-induced AKI.Firstly,a METH toxicity model was established in BUMPT cells to screen the appropriate concentration and time of METH treatment;the viability of BUMPT cells after METH treatment and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 were detected by interfering with MARK4 expression through inhibitors. Results:The proteomic analysis of kidney tissues from METH and control groups screened for a total of 17 differentially expressed proteins,of which 11 were up-regulated and 6 were down-regulated(all P＜0.05).The expression levels of MARK4 and cleaved caspase-3 were elevated in the kidneys of METH-treated mice(both P＜0.05).The activity of BUMPT cells gradually decreased with increasing METH treatment concentration(all P＜0.05),where the viability of BUMPT cells decreased to about 60％after METH treatment at 4 mmol/L.Compared with the control group,expression levels of MARK4 and cleaved caspase-3 were increased with higher METH concentrations and longer exposure times in a concentration-and time-dependent manner(all P＜0.05).Inhibition of MARK4 expression improved METH-induced decrease in BUMPT cell activity,down-regulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3,and decreased the apoptosis of BUMPT cells induced by METH. Conclusion:MARK4 is highly expressed in a mouse model of METH-induced AKI,and MARK4 mediates METH-induced AKI by regulating cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the application of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of left atrial ear volume and function changes in patients with patent foramen ovale and atrial fibrillation. Methods Eighty patients with patent foramen ovale were selected as the study objects, and were divided into atrial fibrillation group (n=44) and non-atrial fibrillation group (n=36), and 30 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in three groups. The left atrial appendage volume and changes of function in three groups were compared. Results The left atrial appendage maximum volume (LAAV_max), left atrial appendage minimum volume (LAAV_min), left atrial appendage opening maximum area (MA) and left atrial appendage opening maximum length diameter (MD) in the atrial fibrillation group and non-atrial fibrillation group were significantly higher, and the left atrial appendage maximum emptying velocity (LAAeV) and left atrial appendage maximum filling velocity (LAAfV) were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The LAAV_max, LAAV_min as well as MA and MD of left auricular opening in patients with left auricular spontaneous imaging (SEC) in the atrial fibrillation group were significantly higher than those in the non-atrial fibrillation group, and LAAeV and LAAfV were significantly lower than those in the non-atrial fibrillation group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the incidence of end-point events in the atrial fibrillation was significantly higher than that in the non-atrial fibrillation group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The application of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of left atrial ear volume and function changes in patients with patent foramen ovale and atrial fibrillation is effective. The left atrial appendage function of patients with atrial fibrillation is worse than that of patients without atrial fibrillation.

Objective To evaluate the effects of long voyage on crew's cardiac function.Methods A total of 47 crew members from a shipyard during the maintenance period of two ships with the same type from October 2017 to April 2018 were selected as research subjects.They were divided into experimental group(n=24)and control group(n=23).The first test was performed in all subjects within 5 days of enrollment.The experimental group participated in a 34-day seagoing voyage after the first test,while the control group continued to live on land and do regular physical exercise.All the subjects were tested again within 5 days after sailing.The submaximal exercise test was conducted according to the standard Bruce protocol.High definition impedance cardiogram was synchronously used to record heart rate and stroke output(SV)at rest.SV was continuously recorded to obtain its maximum value(SVmax)and the change of SV during exercise was analyzed.The exercise time,SV threshold,and SV threshold time were also recorded.Results There were no significant differences in the age,height,or weights at the beginning or end of the study between the two groups(P>0.05).At the end of the study,the exercise time of the experimental group was significantly shorter than that of the control group and the control group was prolonged(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the SV threshold time,HR at rest,average resting SV,or SVmax between the two groups at enrollment(P>0.05).The SV threshold time at the end of the study was significantly shorter than that at enrollment in the experimental group,and there was a significant difference in the SV threshold time at the end of the study between the two groups(P<0.01).At the end of the study,the resting HR of the experimental group was significantly higher than that at enrollment and that of the control group(P<0.05);there were significant differences in the mean SV at rest and SVmax between groups and between intra-groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Long voyage can reduce the aerobic capacity and cardiac reserve of crew,and the preservation of aerobic exercise can improve the cardiac function and cardiac reserve.