Objective:To investigate the effects of baicalin on ferroptosis of mouse fibroblasts (Fbs) under high glucose treatment and its mechanism, and to provide a basis for the treatment of diabetic wounds.Methods:The study was an experimental study. Mouse Fbs were collected and divided into control group with conventional culture, high glucose group treated with glucose at final molarity of 30.0 mmol/L, and low baicalin group and high baicalin group pretreated with baicalin at final molarties of 5 and 10 μmol/L respectively and then treated as that in high glucose group. After 48 h of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by the cell counting kit-8, the reactive oxygen species level in cells was detected by the fluorescent probe method, the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, and ferrous ion in cells were detected by colorimetry, and the protein expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in cells and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cytoplasm and nucleus were detected by Western blotting. Another batch of mouse Fbs were collected and divided into control group, high glucose group, high baicalin group, and high baicalin+ML385 group. The cells in the first three groups were treated as before, the cells in the last group were pretreated with baicalin and ML385 of Nrf2 inhibitor at final molarties of 10 μmol/L and then treated as that in high glucose group. After 48 h of culture, the protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in cells and the protein expression level of Nrf2 in cytoplasm and nucleus were detected as before. Except that the sample number in detecting SLC7A11 and GPX4 was 4, the sample number in detecting other indexes was 3.Results:After 48 h of culture, the cell survival rates in control group, high glucose group, low baicalin group, and high baicalin group were (100.0±10.7)%, (70.0±5.0)%, (80.9±3.2)%, and (91.4±1.9)%, respectively. Compared with those in control group, the cell survival rate, the glutathione level, and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level were significantly decreased in high glucose group ( P<0.05), and the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and ferrous ion in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level were significantly increased in high glucose group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in high glucose group, the cell survival rate, glutathione level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level in low baicalin group and high baicalin group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), the reactive oxygen species and ferrous ion levels in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level in low baicalin group and high baicalin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the malondialdehyde level in cells in high baicalin group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in low baicalin group, the cell survival rate, glutathione level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level in high baicalin group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and ferrous ion levels in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level in high baicalin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). After 48 h of culture, compared with those in control group, the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased in high glucose group ( P<0.05); compared with those in high glucose group, the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly increased in high baicalin group ( P<0.05); compared with those in high baicalin group, the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly decreased in high baicalin+ML385 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Baicalin can inhibit the occurrence of ferroptosis in cells by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and up-regulating the expressions of proteins related to SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in Fbs in high glucose treatment, thus increasing the cell survival rate.

Objective:To investigate the effects of baicalin on ferroptosis of mouse fibroblasts (Fbs) under high glucose treatment and its mechanism, and to provide a basis for the treatment of diabetic wounds.Methods:The study was an experimental study. Mouse Fbs were collected and divided into control group with conventional culture, high glucose group treated with glucose at final molarity of 30.0 mmol/L, and low baicalin group and high baicalin group pretreated with baicalin at final molarties of 5 and 10 μmol/L respectively and then treated as that in high glucose group. After 48 h of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by the cell counting kit-8, the reactive oxygen species level in cells was detected by the fluorescent probe method, the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, and ferrous ion in cells were detected by colorimetry, and the protein expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in cells and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cytoplasm and nucleus were detected by Western blotting. Another batch of mouse Fbs were collected and divided into control group, high glucose group, high baicalin group, and high baicalin+ML385 group. The cells in the first three groups were treated as before, the cells in the last group were pretreated with baicalin and ML385 of Nrf2 inhibitor at final molarties of 10 μmol/L and then treated as that in high glucose group. After 48 h of culture, the protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in cells and the protein expression level of Nrf2 in cytoplasm and nucleus were detected as before. Except that the sample number in detecting SLC7A11 and GPX4 was 4, the sample number in detecting other indexes was 3.Results:After 48 h of culture, the cell survival rates in control group, high glucose group, low baicalin group, and high baicalin group were (100.0±10.7)%, (70.0±5.0)%, (80.9±3.2)%, and (91.4±1.9)%, respectively. Compared with those in control group, the cell survival rate, the glutathione level, and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level were significantly decreased in high glucose group ( P<0.05), and the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and ferrous ion in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level were significantly increased in high glucose group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in high glucose group, the cell survival rate, glutathione level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level in low baicalin group and high baicalin group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), the reactive oxygen species and ferrous ion levels in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level in low baicalin group and high baicalin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the malondialdehyde level in cells in high baicalin group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in low baicalin group, the cell survival rate, glutathione level, SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells, and nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level in high baicalin group were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and ferrous ion levels in cells, and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level in high baicalin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). After 48 h of culture, compared with those in control group, the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased in high glucose group ( P<0.05); compared with those in high glucose group, the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly increased in high baicalin group ( P<0.05); compared with those in high baicalin group, the cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the nuclear Nrf2 protein expression level and SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression levels in cells were significantly decreased in high baicalin+ML385 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Baicalin can inhibit the occurrence of ferroptosis in cells by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and up-regulating the expressions of proteins related to SLC7A11/GPX4 axis in Fbs in high glucose treatment, thus increasing the cell survival rate.

Post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI)is a common complication after stroke,which significantly affects quality of life.However,the pathogenesis has not been fully explained.Increasing evidence has shown that the mechanism of programmed cell death(PCD)is related to PSCI,including apoptosis,necroptosis,pyroptosis,PANoptosis,parthanatos,and ferroptosis.Therefore,it is crucial to clearly understand the various mechanisms of PCD and their relationship with PSCI,and to elucidate the role of PCD in PSCI pathogenesis.The article reviews six PCD pathways related to PSCI,summarizes their mechanisms of action in PSCI,and elucidates the possible crosstalk among pathways to provide a basis for clinical targeting of regulatory factors in the PCD pathway for PSCI treatment.

Cerebral organoids are three-dimensional nerve cultures induced by embryonic stem cells(ESCs)or induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)that mimic the structure and function of human brain.With the continuous optimization of cerebral organoid culture technology and the combination with emerging technologies such as organ transplantation,gene editing and organoids-on-chip,complex brain tissue structures such as functional vascular structures and neural circuits have been produced,which provides new methods and ideas for studying human brain development and diseases.This article reviews the latest advances in brain organoid technology,describes its application in neurological diseases and advances in stroke modeling and transplantation treatment.

Post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI)is mainly manifested as learning and memory disorders.Highly enriched RNA m6A methylation modification in mammalian brain is involved in glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation.Given that neuroinflammation is the main mechanism for neural damage and spatial and memory impairment of PSCI,it is speculated that RNA m6A methylation modification can regulate the inflammatory response of glial cells after stroke to improve PSCI.This review summarizes and analyzes the role of RNA m6A methylation modification in the development of PSCI and analyzes its detailed mechanism of regulating glial cell-mediated inflammation,which will provide reference for researchers in this field.

BACKGROUND:Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs),as important regulators of the inflammatory response,are involved in the immune-inflammation-brain crosstalk mechanism after ischemic stroke and have the potential to become a therapeutic agent for neurological dysfunction after ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE:To analyze and summarize the molecular mechanism of lncRNA acting on glial cells involved in the neuroimmuno-inflammatory cascade response after ischemic stroke and the associated signaling pathways,pointing out that lncRNAs have the potential to regulate inflammation after ischemic stroke. METHODS:PubMed was searched using the search terms of"ischemic stroke,long non-coding RNA,neuroinflammation,immune function,signal pathway,microglia,astrocytes,oligodendrocyte,mechanism,"and 63 relevant documents were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the early stage of ischemic stroke,the death of nerve cells due to ischemia and hypoxia activates the innate immune response of the brain,promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors and inducing blood-brain barrier damage and a series of inflammatory cascades responses.As an important pathogenesis factor in ischemic stroke,the neuroimmuno-inflammatory cascade has been proved to seriously affect the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke,and it needs to be suppressed promptly in the early stage.Neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke usually induces abnormal expression of a large number of lncRNAs that mediate a series of neuro-immune-inflammatory crosstalk mechanisms through regulating the polarization of microglia,astrocytes and oligodendrocytes to exert post-stroke neuroprotective effects.LncRNAs,as important regulatory factors of the inflammatory response,inhibit the neuroimmuno-inflammatory cascade response after ischemic stroke through regulating nuclear factor-κB,lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis,Rho-ROCK,MAPK,AKT,ERK and other signaling pathways to effectively improve neurological impairment after ischemic stroke.Most of experimental studies on the interaction between lncRNAs and ischemic stroke are based on a middle cerebral artery occlusion model or a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model,but no clinical trials have been conducted.Therefore,it remains to be further explored about whether lncRNAs can be safely applied in clinical practice.At present,there are many therapeutic drugs for the treatment of ischemic stroke,but there are relatively few studies on the application of lncRNAs,exosomes and other transplantation technologies for the treatment of ischemic stroke using tissue engineering technology,which need to be further explored.lncRNA has become an important target for the treatment of ischemic stroke with its relative stability and high specificity.In future studies,more types of inflammatory lncRNAs that function under ischemic-hypoxia conditions should continue to be explored,in order to provide new research directions for the treatment of neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke.

Objective To evaluate the potential risk of transmission of angiostrongyliasis by common freshwater snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into local surveillance of angiostrongyliasis. Methods Common freshwater snails were collected from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province from March to April, 2020, and identified and bred in laboratory. SD rats were infected with third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis that were isolated from commercially available Pomacea canaliculata snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and freshwater snails were infected with the first-stage larvae of A. cantonensis that were isolated from the feces of SD rats 39 days post-infection at room temperature. The developmental process and morphological characteristics of worms in hosts were observed, and the percentages of A. cantonensis infections in different species of freshwater snails were calculated. Then, SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis that were isolated from A. cantonensis-infected freshwater snails, and the larval development and reproduction was observed. Results More than 3 000 freshwater snail samples were collected from farmlands, ditches and wetlands around Erhai Lake in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and Cipangopaludina chinensis, P. canaliculata, Parafossarulus striatulus, Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni, Galba pervia, Physa acuta, Radix swinhoei, Assiminea spp., Tricula spp. and Bellamya spp. were morphologically identified. A total of 105 commercially available P. canaliculata snails were tested for A. cantonensis infections, and 2 P. canaliculata snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis, in which the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis were isolated. Ten species of freshwater snails were artificially infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis, and all 10 species of freshwater snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis, with the highest positive rate of A. cantonensis infections in Bellamya spp. (62.3%, 137/204), and the lowest in C. chinensis (35.5%, 11/31). After SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis isolated from different species of freshwater snails, mature adult worms of A. cantonensis were yielded. Conclusions Multiple species of freshwater snails may serve as intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis under laboratory conditions in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Further investigations on natural infection of A. cantonensis in wild snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture seem justified.

Objective:To evaluate the role of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3)-induced reduction of hepatocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis in a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-11 weeks, weighing 320-380 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), CORM-3 group (C group) and STING agonist ADU-S100 group (A group).Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury models were developed by reversible ligation of left middle hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct branches for 45 min, followed by reperfusion in anesthetized animals in IR, C and A groups.In group C, CORM-3 4 mg/kg was injected into the femoral vein immediately after reperfusion.The equal volume of normal saline containing dimethyl sulfoxide was injected into the femoral vein in S, IR and A groups.At 1.5 h after injection into the femoral vein, ADU-S100 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in A group, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S, IR and C groups.The serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations were determined at 3 h of reperfusion.The rats were sacrificed at 12 h of reperfusion, and liver tissues were collected for determination of the content of CO (by colorimetry), expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18, Bcl-2, Bax, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), phosphorylated IRF3 (p-IRF3), STING, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), aspirin D (GSDMD) and activated caspase-1 (by Western blot), and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes (by immunofluorescence staining).The liver injury was scored. Results:Compared with group S, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, CO content, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly increased, and the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group IR ( P<0.05).Compared with group IR, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly decreased, the CO content was increased, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was down-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased in group C ( P<0.05).Compared with group C, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly increased, the CO content was decreased, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which CORM-3 attenuates hepatocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis may be related to the inhibition of activation of STING signaling pathway in a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of using combined lumbar pelvis fixation device in the treatment of old vertical unstable fracture dislocation of posterior pelvic ring.Methods:Data of 7 patients with old vertical unstable fracture dislocation of posterior pelvic ring admitted and followed up from January 2017 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 4 males and 3 females with an average age of 42.4 years old (range, 22-73 years old). There were 3 cases of traffic injury, 3 cases of falling injury and 1 case of tumble injury. According to Tile classification for pelvic fractures, there were 5 cases of type C1, 1 case of type C2 and 1 case of type C3. The average time from fracture to surgery was 5.4 weeks (range, 3-10 weeks). Among the 7 patients, 4 patients' posterior ring fractures were fixed by combined lumbar pelvic triangle fixation, and 3 patients' posterior ring fracture were fixed by combined lumbar pelvic fixation. 4 patients' anterior ring injury were not treated, 2 patients' anterior ring injury were treated by closed cannulated screw and internal fixation, and 1 patient's anterior ring injury was fixed by INFIX and cannulated screw. Every patient's operating time, intraoperative blood loss, length of incision and times of X-ray fluoroscopy were recorded. Pelvic X-ray and CT scan were taken postoperatively to observe the condition of reduction and screw position. Postoperative fracture reduction quality was assessed by Matta radiological criteria and Majeed criteria was used at the final follow-ups to evaluate the degree of functional recovery after pelvic fracture.Results:The average operating time of 7 patients was 143 min (range, 96-205 min); the intraoperative average blood loss was 579 ml (range, 300-1 650 ml); the average length of incisions was 12.9 cm (range, 9-15 cm) and the average time of X-ray fluoroscopy was 27 times (range, 15-52 times). Postoperative X-ray and CT scan showed that the displacements of the posterior rings were reset well and all the hollow screws were located accurately and firmly. Postoperative radiation quality was evaluated according to Matta radiological criteria, and there were 4 cases of excellent, 2 cases of good and 1 case of fair, with an excellent and good rate of 85.7% (6/7). Seven patients had good fracture union. The average followed up time for all 7 patients was 12 months (range, 6-16 months). At the last follow-up, imaging examination showed good reduction of the sacroiliac joint, and the reduction of anterior and posterior rings were not lost. The healing time was 14.2 weeks (range, 12-20 weeks). Majeed score: postoperative 4.90±6.64 points (range, 48-58 points), postoperative 3 months 71.40±7.32 points (range, 67-75 points), postoperative 6 months 84.90±8.14 points (range, 68-96 points), the difference was statistically significant ( F=0.614, P=0.004). Majeed score 6 months after operation showed that 5 cases were excellent, 1 case was good and 1 case was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 85.7% (6/7). Conclusion:Using combined lumbar pelvis fixation device in the treatment of old vertical unstable fracture dislocation of posterior pelvic ring has good reduction quality, high fixed strength and good postoperative effect.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of selective inhibitor of caspase-1 VX-765 on cognitive function in a rat model of hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (HSR).Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), VX-765 group (V group), and solvent control group (C group). The rats in H, V and C groups were subjected to hemorrhage by bleeding from femoral vein to achieve mean arterial pressure of 25-35 mmHg which was maintained at this level for 60 min followed by resuscitation with shed blood within 15 min to restore blood pressure, and normal saline was infused when needed.VX-765 1 mg/kg and 0.4% polyethylene glycol 1 mg/kg were intravenously injected via the femoral vein immediately after the end of resuscitation in V and C groups, respectively.Six rats in each group were selected and sacrificed at 12 h after the end of resuscitation, and the cerebral cortex was removed for determination of neuronal pyroptosis (by immunofluorescence) and degree of cortical edema (using T2-weighted imaging). Cognitive function was measured by open field test on day 7 after resuscitation in the rest 6 rats in each group. Results:Compared with S group, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly increased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were decreased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was shortened in H, V and C groups ( P<0.05). Compared with H and C groups, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly decreased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were increased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was prolonged in V group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VX-765 can improve the cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting pyroptosis in cortical neurons in a rat model of HSR.