Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)in regulating mitochondrial function and cardiomyocyte injury in sepsis.Methods Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups:Sham group(n=10),Sham+5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide(AICAR)group(n=10),CLP group(n=10),and CLP+AICAR group(n=10).A sepsis mouse model was established through cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Echocardiography and histological analysis were used to assess sepsis-induced cardiac injury.Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes(NRCMs)were incubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)(10 μg/mL)for 24 h to induce an in vitro sepsis model,and treated with AICAR.Mitochondrial function and dynamics were assessed by using Western blotting,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and immunofluorescence assays.Results Compared with the Sham group,AMPK expression in the myocardial tissue of CLP mice was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the CLP group,AMPK expression in the CLP+AICAR group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Survival analysis showed that CLP led to a high mortality rate(～60％ ),while AICAR treatment significantly improved the survival rate of CLP mice(P<0.05).Compared with the Sham group,cardiac output(CO),stroke volume(SV),and left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)were significantly decreased in the CLP group(P<0.05),while left ventricular posterior wall systolic(LVPWs)and left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWd)were significantly increased(P<0.05).AICAR treatment alleviated the cardiac dysfunction induced by CLP.Compared with the CLP group,mitochondrial size and the number of mitochondrial cristae in the myocardial tissue of CLP+AICAR group mice were significantly increased(P<0.05),while DHE fluorescence intensity and the number of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,ATP production,mitochondrial respiration rate,and complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ activities in NRCMs of the LPS+AICAR group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ROS levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,mitochondrial size in NRCMs of the LPS group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while Bax and Caspase-3 expression,as well as mitochondrial fission index,were significantly increased(P<0.05),and these changes were mitigated by AICAR(P<0.05).Conclusion AMPK plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiac function and mitigating septic myocardial injury by regulating mitochondrial structure and function,energy metabolism,oxidative stress,and apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)in regulating mitochondrial function and cardiomyocyte injury in sepsis.Methods Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups:Sham group(n=10),Sham+5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide(AICAR)group(n=10),CLP group(n=10),and CLP+AICAR group(n=10).A sepsis mouse model was established through cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).Echocardiography and histological analysis were used to assess sepsis-induced cardiac injury.Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes(NRCMs)were incubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)(10 μg/mL)for 24 h to induce an in vitro sepsis model,and treated with AICAR.Mitochondrial function and dynamics were assessed by using Western blotting,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and immunofluorescence assays.Results Compared with the Sham group,AMPK expression in the myocardial tissue of CLP mice was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the CLP group,AMPK expression in the CLP+AICAR group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Survival analysis showed that CLP led to a high mortality rate(～60％ ),while AICAR treatment significantly improved the survival rate of CLP mice(P<0.05).Compared with the Sham group,cardiac output(CO),stroke volume(SV),and left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)were significantly decreased in the CLP group(P<0.05),while left ventricular posterior wall systolic(LVPWs)and left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWd)were significantly increased(P<0.05).AICAR treatment alleviated the cardiac dysfunction induced by CLP.Compared with the CLP group,mitochondrial size and the number of mitochondrial cristae in the myocardial tissue of CLP+AICAR group mice were significantly increased(P<0.05),while DHE fluorescence intensity and the number of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,ATP production,mitochondrial respiration rate,and complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ activities in NRCMs of the LPS+AICAR group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while mitochondrial and cytoplasmic ROS levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,mitochondrial size in NRCMs of the LPS group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while Bax and Caspase-3 expression,as well as mitochondrial fission index,were significantly increased(P<0.05),and these changes were mitigated by AICAR(P<0.05).Conclusion AMPK plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiac function and mitigating septic myocardial injury by regulating mitochondrial structure and function,energy metabolism,oxidative stress,and apoptosis.

AIM:This study explores whether curcumin(Cur)promotes mitophagy to attenuate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)in mice,as well as the possible molecular mechanisms involved.METHODS:A high-fat and high-cholesterol diet was used to replicate the NASH mouse model.Thirty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,high-fat and high-cholesterol model(M)group,M+low-dose Cur(Cur-L)group,and M+high-dose Cur(Cur-H)group,with 8 mice in each group.The weight of 8 mice in each group was recorded weekly.After feeding for 18 weeks,the serum and liver of mice were collected.Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and tumor necrosis factors-α(TNF-α)were measured.Liver index was calculated,and steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis of the liver were observed by HE and Masson staining.Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of mi-tophagy-related protein,TNF-α and α-SMA in the liver.(2)HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid and cholesterol to replicate the hepatocyte injury model,which was divided into NC group,Cur group,M group,and M+Cur group.Small interfering RNA for PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)knockdown was used to explore the relationship between PINK1-me-diated mitophagy and NASH.Compound C(CC)was used to inhibit AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)to explore the effect of the AMPK/silent information regulator 1(Sirt1)pathway on mitophagy.The lipid droplets of HepG2 cells were ob-served by oil red O staining,and the levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,and AST in cell suspension were detected.RE-SULTS:(1)Compared with M group,treatment with Cur significantly reduced the body weight,liver coefficient,and se-rum levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and TNF-α in NASH mice,while the steatosis and fibrosis in the liver were improved(P<0.05).(2)Different concentrations of Cur could increase or decrease the expression of mitophagy-related proteins in HepG2 cells in a concentration gradient.Compared with the M group,Cur reduced lipid droplets and de-creased TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,and AST levels(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the NC group,the expression levels of mi-tophagy-related proteins in the liver of mice in the M group decreased,and the expression levels of TNF-α and α-SMA pro-teins increased.Different concentrations of Cur intervention promoted the increase of mitophagy-related proteins and the decrease of TNF-α and α-SMA proteins(P<0.05).(4)After Cur intervention,the expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins increased and the expression levels of in TNF-α and α-SMA levels decreased in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and cholesterol(P<0.05).(5)Compared with M group,oleic-acidand cholesterol-induced mitophagy function in HepG2 cells was decreased after PINK1 knockdown(P<0.05).After CC inhibited AMPK,Cur increased the expression of p-AMPK(P<0.01),Sirt1(P<0.01),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(P>0.05),PINK1(P<0.01)and parkin(P<0.01)proteins to some extent.CONCLUSION:Treatment with Cur attenuates liver injury in NASH mice and reduces lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and cholesterol,and the mechanism may be related to promotion of mitophagy,which may involve the AMPK/Sirt1 signaling pathway.

AIM:This study explores whether curcumin(Cur)promotes mitophagy to attenuate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)in mice,as well as the possible molecular mechanisms involved.METHODS:A high-fat and high-cholesterol diet was used to replicate the NASH mouse model.Thirty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group,high-fat and high-cholesterol model(M)group,M+low-dose Cur(Cur-L)group,and M+high-dose Cur(Cur-H)group,with 8 mice in each group.The weight of 8 mice in each group was recorded weekly.After feeding for 18 weeks,the serum and liver of mice were collected.Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and tumor necrosis factors-α(TNF-α)were measured.Liver index was calculated,and steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis of the liver were observed by HE and Masson staining.Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of mi-tophagy-related protein,TNF-α and α-SMA in the liver.(2)HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid and cholesterol to replicate the hepatocyte injury model,which was divided into NC group,Cur group,M group,and M+Cur group.Small interfering RNA for PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)knockdown was used to explore the relationship between PINK1-me-diated mitophagy and NASH.Compound C(CC)was used to inhibit AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)to explore the effect of the AMPK/silent information regulator 1(Sirt1)pathway on mitophagy.The lipid droplets of HepG2 cells were ob-served by oil red O staining,and the levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,and AST in cell suspension were detected.RE-SULTS:(1)Compared with M group,treatment with Cur significantly reduced the body weight,liver coefficient,and se-rum levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,AST,and TNF-α in NASH mice,while the steatosis and fibrosis in the liver were improved(P<0.05).(2)Different concentrations of Cur could increase or decrease the expression of mitophagy-related proteins in HepG2 cells in a concentration gradient.Compared with the M group,Cur reduced lipid droplets and de-creased TC,TG,LDL-C,ALT,and AST levels(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the NC group,the expression levels of mi-tophagy-related proteins in the liver of mice in the M group decreased,and the expression levels of TNF-α and α-SMA pro-teins increased.Different concentrations of Cur intervention promoted the increase of mitophagy-related proteins and the decrease of TNF-α and α-SMA proteins(P<0.05).(4)After Cur intervention,the expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins increased and the expression levels of in TNF-α and α-SMA levels decreased in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and cholesterol(P<0.05).(5)Compared with M group,oleic-acidand cholesterol-induced mitophagy function in HepG2 cells was decreased after PINK1 knockdown(P<0.05).After CC inhibited AMPK,Cur increased the expression of p-AMPK(P<0.01),Sirt1(P<0.01),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(P>0.05),PINK1(P<0.01)and parkin(P<0.01)proteins to some extent.CONCLUSION:Treatment with Cur attenuates liver injury in NASH mice and reduces lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid and cholesterol,and the mechanism may be related to promotion of mitophagy,which may involve the AMPK/Sirt1 signaling pathway.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that seriously hinders socioeconomic developments and threatens public health security. To achieve the global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2030, WHO released the guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis on February, 2022, with aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for schistosomiasis morbidity control, elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem, and ultimate interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in disease-endemic countries. Following concerted efforts for decades, great achievements have been obtained for schistosomiasis control in China where the disease was historically highly prevalent, and the country is moving towards schistosomiasis elimination. This article reviews the successful experiences from the national schistosmiasis control program in China, and summarizes their contributions to the formulation and implementation of the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis. With the progress of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the world is looking forward to more China's solutions on schistosomiasis control.
China/epidemiology* ; Disease Eradication ; Humans ; Public Health ; Schistosomiasis/prevention & control* ; World Health Organization

To meet the requirement of pathological practice and development, we systematically analyzed the situation of pathological residents training and the importance of initiating the clinical scientific research training. Additionally, we proposed the principle and implementation strategy for clinical scientific research training. According to features of pathological practice, we employed the modularized teaching to divide the training courses into several modules: discussion module for clinical pathology, lecture module for advanced research, and training modules for basic scientific theory, technology and writing skill. With these approaches, the systematic and structured system of standardized residents training is implemented to improve the clinical research ability of pathological residents.

The chemical constituents of the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne were investigated using chromatographic methods, including Diaion HP-20, Toyopearl HW-40, MCI Gel CHP-20, ODS, Silica gel chromatography and semi-preparative-HPLC. Three compounds were isolated and their structures were elucidated with spectral data and physicochemical properties, which were identified as chaenomeles alkaloid A (1), ginsenine (2) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methyl-β-carboline-3-car-boxylic acid (3). Among those, compound 1 is a new alkaloid, compound 2 and 3 were isolated from this plant for the first time. To investigate the protective effect of compounds 1-3 on Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) injury induced by the β-amyloid protein (Aβ_25-35). The results show that compounds 2 and 3 have a significant protective effect on the PC12 cells exposed to Aβ_25-35.

AIM:To observe the efficacy of intravitreal conbercept injection for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).METHODS: Nine eyes of 9 patients diagnosed as chronic CSC between October 2015 to May 2016 were treated with an intravitreal injection of conbercept (0.5mg/0.05mL) (six patients were given the same does of intravitreal injection again at 1mo after the first injection).Follow-up observation was at 1, 2, and 6mo after injection.Observed indicators included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), choroidal indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), macular fovea thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT).RESULTS:Seven of the 9 patients responded significantly to the drug, while 2 patients had no response.The CMT was 373.12±72.43μm at baseline, which decreased significantly to 332.05±67.13μm, 282.24±62.30μm and 225.56±71.08μm at 1, 2 and 6mo after the intravitreal injection.The mean thickness of SFCT was 422.11±64.82μm before treatment.The choroidal thickness of non-responsive patients before treatment was below average, respectively 353μm and 365μm.The SFCT of 1, 2, and 6mo after treatment was 391.45±75.24μm, 365.53±63.07μm, 355.40±66.65μm.Before treatment and 1mo after, there was no significant difference (P=0.074), but there was statistically significant (P<0.01) between those of before and 2mo and 6mo after.The mean BCVA of the prior treatment was 0.53±0.32, the after treatment was 0.65±0.20, there was no different between the two(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Intravitreal conbercept injection in chronic CSC may have some effect in accelerating subertinal fluid resolution and decreasing the CMT.The SFCT within 6mo after treatment was significantly lower than pretreatment.The SFCT may be an indicator of whether patients respond.

Objective:To purpose of this study is to introduce how peripheral blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) before operations influences the prognosis of patients with breast cancer.Methods:Review of systems were used to analyze patients who suffered from breast cancer and accepted modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer according to the clinical data of 180 cases of Shenyang Military Region General Hospital between January 2002 and January 2005.All the patients were classified into two groups according to the NLR with the critical value at 6.0.2 statistics were used to evaluate the relationship between NLR of two groups and clinical pathological characteristic.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox's proportional hazards regression model were used to analyze the relationship among NLR of two groups,other clinical pathologic characteristic and prognosis of patients.Results:The high level of NLR is related with the size of patients' tumor,lymph node metastasis and TNM stages (P＜0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated the group of high level of NLR's overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly lower than the low level NLR group (P＜0.05).Single factor and multivariate cox's proportional hazards regression model indicated the high level of NLR before operations,the size of tumor,lymph node metastasis and TNM stages were significantly related with the OS and DFS (P＜0.05).Conclusion:The high level of NLR before operations is an independent risk factor to influence the OS and DFS of the patients who accepted modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer.

Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use