BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To explore the effectiveness and safety of guiding painless gastroscopic entry with plica aryepiglottica movement as the mark.Methods A total of 200 patients with elective painless gas-troscopic examination from January 2022 to August 2022 were selected,92 males and 108 female,aged 18-60 years old,BMI 18-30 kg/m2 and ASA grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ.The patients were divided into the two groups:the con-trol group (group C) and observation group (group O) by adopting the random number table method,100 ca-ses in each group.The disappearance of eyelash reflex in the group C served as the entry timing of gastrosco-py,while the plica aryepiglottica non-movement under the gastroscopic view in the group O served as the en-try timing of gastroscopy.The bispectral index (BIS) value during gastroscopic operation persistently main-tained 40-60.The main observation indicators were the adverse reactions caused by gastroscopic operation (body movement reactions,bucking,hiccup,laryngeal spasm,etc.),and the secondary observation indicators were:general data of the two groups,SpO2,HR,SBP and DBP values after entering the room (T0),at the en-try time of gastroscopy (T1),3 min after gastroscopic entry (T2),6 min after gastroscopic entry (T3) and at the time of gastroscopic retraction (T4),and the time of medication to gastroscopy,gastroscopic operation time and intraoperative medication supplementation.Results A total of 192 cases were ultimately included,99 cases in the group C and 93 cases in the group O.There was no statistically significant difference in general da-ta between the two groups (P>0.05);compared with the group C,the use amount of cyclophosphamide dur-ing anesthesia induction in the group O was increased (P<0.05).Compared with the group C,the incidence rates of body movement reaction,bucking,hiccup and total adverse reactions in the group O were decreased (P<0.05);SpO2,HR,SBP and DBP at different time points had no statistically significant differences be-tween the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Using the glottic movement as the marker to guide the pain-less gastroscopy entry is effective and safe,and could reduce the adverse reactions such as body movement re-action,bucking and hiccup caused by gastroscopic entry.Observing the plica aryepiglottica movement in the gastrocopic entry operation is simple and easy to perform,which could serve an objective gastroscopic entry timing mark and is worth promoting and using in clinic.

Objective:To investigate the safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic pro-ximal gastrectomy (LPG) for proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 385 patients with proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction who underwent LPG in the 15 medical centers, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University et al, from January 2014 to March 2022 were collected. There were 304 males and 81 females, aged (63±9)years. Of the 385 patients, 335 cases undergoing LPG were divided into the laparoscopic group and 50 cases undergoing open proximal gastrectomy were divided into the open group. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up; (3) stratified analysis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using the repeated ANOVA. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. The operation time, cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis, cases with postoperative pathological staging as stage 0?Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ?Ⅲ, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with postoperative early complications were (212±96)minutes, 270, 65, 177, 107, 10(range, 8?14)days, 40 in patients of the laparoscopic group, with 51 cases missing the data of postoperative pathological staging. The above indicators were (174±90)minutes, 39, 11, 22, 28, 10(range, 8?18)days, 10 in patients of the open group. There were significant differences in the opera-tion time and postoperative pathological staging between the two groups ( t=2.62, χ2=5.93, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the reconstruction of digestive tract, duration of post-operative hospital stay, postoperative early complications between the two groups ( χ2=0.19, Z=0.40, χ2=2.50, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up. Of the 385 patients,202 cases were followed up during the post-operative 12 months, including 187 cases in the laparoscopic group and 15 cases in the open group. Cases with reflux esophagitis, cases with esophageal anastomotic stenosis were 48, 11 in patients of the laparoscopic group, versus 5, 2 in patients of the open group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). The body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb) at postoperative 6 months and 12 months were (21±3)kg/m 2, (130±15)g/L, (40±4)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (132±14)g/L, (41±4)g/L in patients of the laparoscopic group, versus (21±3)kg/m 2, (121±19)g/L, (37±5)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (125±21)g/L, (43±6)g/L in patients of the open group. There were significant differences in postoperative Hb between the two groups ( Fgroup=5.88, Ftime=5.49, Finteraction=19.95, P<0.05) and there were significant differences in time effect of postopera-tive BMI and Alb between the two groups ( Ftime=9.53, 49.88, P<0.05). (3) Stratified analysis. ① Incidence of postoperative of reflux esophagitis and esophageal anastomotic stenosis in patients with different reconstruction of digestive tract. Of the 202 patients, cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis were 168 and 34, respectively. The incidence rates of postoperative of reflux esophagitis were 26.79%(45/168)and 23.53%(8/34)in cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.16, P>0.05). Cases undergoing esophageal anastomotic stenosis were 13 in patients with reconstruction of diges-tive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis. ② The BMI, Hb, Alb in patients with different reconstruc-tion of digestive tract. The BMI, Hb, Alb were (24±3)kg/m 2, (135±20)g/L, (41±5)g/L in the 168 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis before the operation, versus (23±3)kg/m 2, (130±19)g/L, (40±4)g/L in the 34 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophageal-jejunal anastomosis before the operation, showing no significant difference between them ( t=1.44, 1.77, 1.33, P>0.05). The BMI, Hb, Alb at postoperative 6 months and 12 months were (21±3)kg/m 2, (128±16)g/L, (39±4)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (131±16)g/L, (41±4)g/L in the 168 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis, versus (20±4)kg/m 2, (133±13)g/L, (43±3)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (135±12)g/L, (44±3)g/L in the 34 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophageal-jejunal anastomosis. There were significant differences in the group effect and time effect of postoperative Alb between patients with different reconstruction of diges-tive tract ( Fgroup=15.82, Ftime=5.43, P<0.05), and there was also a significant difference in the time effect of postoperative BMI between them ( Ftime=4.22 , P<0.05). Conclusion:LPG can be used to the treatment of proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, with a good safety and short-term efficacy.

Klebsiella pneumoniae(K.pneumoniae)is an important pathogen that can cause severe hospital-and community-acquired infections.To systematically investigate its methylation features,we determined the whole-genome sequences of 14 K.pneumoniae strains covering varying serotypes,multilocus sequence types,clonal groups,viscosity/virulence,and drug resistance.Their methy-lomes were further characterized using Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time and bisulfite technologies.We identified 15 methylation motifs[13 N6-methyladenine(6mA)and two 5-methylcytosine(5mC)motifs],among which eight were novel.Their corresponding DNA methyl-transferases were also validated.Additionally,we analyzed the genomic distribution of GATC and CCWGG methylation motifs shared by all strains,and identified differential distribution pat-terns of some hemi-/un-methylated GATC motifs,which tend to be located within intergenic regions(IGRs).Specifically,we characterized the in vivo methylation kinetics at single-base resolu-tion on a genome-wide scale by simulating the dynamic processes of replication-mediated passive demethylation and MTase-catalyzed re-methylation.The slow methylation of the GATC motifs in the replication origin(oriC)regions and IGRs implicates the epigenetic regulation of replication initiation and transcription.Our findings illustrate the first comprehensive dynamic methylome map of K.pneumoniae at single-base resolution,and provide a useful reference to better understand epigenetic regulation in this and other bacterial species.

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of bacteria in urine of patients with ureteral stent crusting.Methods:Thirty-five patients who underwent ureteral stent placement at the Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan Central Hospital, and Jinan Jigang Hospital were selected from October, 2018 to March, 2019(the clinical study registration number is ChiCTR1800020025). The inclusion criteria were patients who had the stent intubated for 4 weeks after ureteroscopic lithotripsy, aged between 18 and 65 years. Exclusion criteria were patients with positive urine bacterial culture, severe gross hematuria, recent oral antibiotics, and patients with significant residual stones. This clinical study uses a cross-sectional study method, and those patients were divided into crusting group (n=23) and non-crusting group (n=12) according to the presence or absence of stent crusting. On the day of extubation, urine of the patients was collected for bacterial 16s DNA detection. The distribution characteristics of bacteria in urine of the two groups were analyzed using UPARSE, UCHIME and RDP calssifier. The total number of bacteria species, bacterial abundance and bacterial species with large-scale abundance in urine of the two groups were determined. The quantity of bacteria species and bacterial abundance in the urine between the two groups were compared, and the bacterial species with large-scale abundance in urine of the patients with stent crusting were identified.Results:There were no significant differences in general information such as age, body mass index, gender, affected side, type of stent tube, and stone composition between the two groups. Using 16s DNA sequencing to detect the bacteria in the urine of the two groups revealed that the number of bacterial species with abundance >1% was 11, and the number of bacterial species with abundance >0.01% was 74 in the crusting group. In the non-crusting group, the number of bacterial species with abundance >1% and >0.01% was 7 and 11, respectively. Compared with the non-crusting group, the number of bacterial species with abundance >1% in the crusting group was significantly larger ( t=5.12, P=0.000). In the crusting group, bacterial species with the top three abundance were g_Lactobacillus (23.1%), g_Bacteroides (18.8%) and g_norank_Bacteroides (17.1%). In the non-crusting group, bacterial species with the top three abundance were g_Escherichia-Shigella (32.2%), g_Enterococcus (24.9%) and g_Pseudomonas (18.2%). The three bacteria with the greatest difference between the two groups were g_ Lactobacillus ( P=0.010), g_Bacteroides ( P=0.004) and g_norank_Bacteroides ( P=0.004), respectively. Conclusion:The species and quantity of bacteria in the urine of patients with stent crusting are both significantly larger than those of patients without stent crusting. Bacteroides with larger-scale abundance in the urine of patients with stent crusting may promote the deposition of crystals on the stent wall through its structure, function and urease positive characteristics.

Emerging and re-emerging RNA viruses occasionally cause epidemics and pandemics worldwide, such as the on-going outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we identified two potent inhibitors of human DHODH, S312 and S416, with favorable drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic profiles, which all showed broad-spectrum antiviral effects against various RNA viruses, including influenza A virus, Zika virus, Ebola virus, and particularly against SARS-CoV-2. Notably, S416 is reported to be the most potent inhibitor so far with an EC of 17 nmol/L and an SI value of 10,505.88 in infected cells. Our results are the first to validate that DHODH is an attractive host target through high antiviral efficacy in vivo and low virus replication in DHODH knock-out cells. This work demonstrates that both S312/S416 and old drugs (Leflunomide/Teriflunomide) with dual actions of antiviral and immuno-regulation may have clinical potentials to cure SARS-CoV-2 or other RNA viruses circulating worldwide, no matter such viruses are mutated or not.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Binding Sites ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; virology ; Crotonates ; pharmacology ; Cytokine Release Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; drug effects ; Leflunomide ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; Oseltamivir ; therapeutic use ; Oxidoreductases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; virology ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Pyrimidines ; biosynthesis ; RNA Viruses ; drug effects ; physiology ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Toluidines ; pharmacology ; Ubiquinone ; metabolism ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Exposure of airborne particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 lm (PM2.5) is epidemiologically associated with lung dysfunction and respiratory symptoms, including pulmonary fibrosis. However, whether epigenetic mechanisms are involved in PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis is currently poorly understood. Herein, using a PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model, we found that PM2.5 exposure leads to aberrant mRNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) gain and loss in fibrotic lung tissues. Moreover, we showed the m5C-mediated regulatory map of gene functions in pulmonary fibrosis after PM2.5 exposure. Several genes act as m5C gain-upregulated factors, probably critical for the development of PM2.5-induced fibrosis in mouse lungs. These genes, including Lcn2, Mmp9, Chi3l1, Adipoq, Atp5j2, Atp5l, Atpif1, Ndufb6, Fgr, Slc11a1, and Tyrobp, are highly related to oxidative stress response, inflammatory responses, and immune system processes. Our study illustrates the first epitranscrip-tomic RNA m5C profile in PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis and will be valuable in identifying biomarkers for PM2.5 exposure-related lung pathogenesis with translational potential.