Objective:To evaluate the effects of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) via respiratory and digestive tract exposure on multiple organs in mice.Methods:A short-term repeated exposure model of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in mice was established through intratracheal instillation and oral gavage administration. The exposure doses were 0.7, 1 and 2 mg·kg -1·day -1, respectively, with continuous administration for 14 days. The organs of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and testis were collected and weighed to calculate the organ coefficients. The pathological and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to quantitatively assess the effects of the three Cl-OPFRs on the various organs by using the pathology score. Results:Analysis of organ coefficients in tracheal drip-treated mice showed that the organ coefficients in the testes of the TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP groups were lower than those in the control group ( PTCEP-testis=0.045, PTCIPP-testis=0.012 and PTDCIPP-testis<0.001). The organ coefficients were lower in the lungs and small intestines of the TCEP group ( PTCEP-lung=0.006, PTCEP-small intestine=0.042). The organ coefficients for the stomach and large intestine were higher in the TDCIPP group ( PTDCIPP-stomach=0.014, PTDCIPP-large intestine=0.049). Analyses of gavage-contaminated mice showed that the organ coefficients for liver, stomach and small intestine in the TCEP and TDCIPP groups were higher than those in the control group ( PTCEP-liver=0.007, PTCEP-stomach=0.003, PTCEP-small intestine<0.001, PTDCIPP-liver=0.001, PTDCIPP-stomach=0.004, and PTDCIPP-small intestine<0.001). Histopathological analyses of the organs of tracheal drip dyed mice showed significant pathological damage in the lung tissue of the TCIPP group, mainly in the form of thickening of the interstitium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar collapse. The results of the analysis of gavage poisoned mice showed that TCIPP exposure could lead to blurring of the red and white medullary boundaries of spleen tissues, destruction of white medullary structures, etc., and induce small intestinal cryptitis. TDCIPP induced significant pathological damage to the liver tissues of mice, which mainly included cytoplasmic washout, infiltration of inflammatory cells, acute inflammation, and other injurious effects. Significant pathological damage to the intestinal tissues of mice was also observed. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the toxic effects of Cl-OPFRs are significantly associated with exposure routes and compound specificity. Respiratory exposure predominantly induces TCIPP-mediated pulmonary injury, while digestive exposure causes TDCIPP-driven hepatointestinal toxicity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the toxicity screening of Cl-OPFRs.

Increasing evidence shows that the early lesions of Parkinson's disease (PD) originate from gut, and correction of microbiota dysbiosis is a promising therapy for PD. FLZ is a neuroprotective agent on PD, which has been validated capable of alleviating microbiota dysbiosis in PD mice. However, the detailed mechanisms still need elucidated. Through metabolomics and 16S rRNA analysis, we identified glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite by FLZ treatment, which was specially and negatively regulated by Clostridium innocuum, a differential microbiota with the strongest correlation to GUDCA production, through inhibiting bile salt hydrolase (BSH) enzyme. The protection of GUDCA on colon and brain were also clarified in PD models, showing that it could activate Nrf2 pathway, further validating that FLZ protected dopaminergic neurons through promoting GUDCA production. Our study uncovered that FLZ improved PD through microbiota-gut-brain axis, and also gave insights into modulation of microbial metabolites may serve as an important strategy for treating PD.

Although enteric glial cell (EGC) abnormal activation is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and inhibition of EGC gliosis alleviated gut and dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction was verified in our previous study, the potential role of gut microbiota on EGC function in PD still need to be addressed. In the present study, fecal microbiota transplantation revealed that EGC function was regulated by gut microbiota. By employing 16S rRNA and metabolomic analysis, we identified that 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite that regulated EGC gliosis. The protective effects of IPA on PD were validated in rotenone-stimulated EGCs and rotenone (30 mg/kg i.g. for 4 weeks)-induced PD mice, as indicated by decreased inflammation, improved intestinal and brain barrier as well as dopaminergic neuronal function. Mechanistic study showed that IPA targeted pregnane X receptor (PXR) in EGCs, and inhibition of IL-13Rα1 involved cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, leading to inactivation of downstream JAK1-STAT6 pathway. Our data not only provided evidence that EGC gliosis was critical in spreading intestinal damage to brain, but also highlighted the potential role of microbial metabolite IPA in alleviating PD pathological damages through gut-brain axis.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) via respiratory and digestive tract exposure on multiple organs in mice.Methods:A short-term repeated exposure model of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in mice was established through intratracheal instillation and oral gavage administration. The exposure doses were 0.7, 1 and 2 mg·kg -1·day -1, respectively, with continuous administration for 14 days. The organs of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and testis were collected and weighed to calculate the organ coefficients. The pathological and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to quantitatively assess the effects of the three Cl-OPFRs on the various organs by using the pathology score. Results:Analysis of organ coefficients in tracheal drip-treated mice showed that the organ coefficients in the testes of the TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP groups were lower than those in the control group ( PTCEP-testis=0.045, PTCIPP-testis=0.012 and PTDCIPP-testis<0.001). The organ coefficients were lower in the lungs and small intestines of the TCEP group ( PTCEP-lung=0.006, PTCEP-small intestine=0.042). The organ coefficients for the stomach and large intestine were higher in the TDCIPP group ( PTDCIPP-stomach=0.014, PTDCIPP-large intestine=0.049). Analyses of gavage-contaminated mice showed that the organ coefficients for liver, stomach and small intestine in the TCEP and TDCIPP groups were higher than those in the control group ( PTCEP-liver=0.007, PTCEP-stomach=0.003, PTCEP-small intestine<0.001, PTDCIPP-liver=0.001, PTDCIPP-stomach=0.004, and PTDCIPP-small intestine<0.001). Histopathological analyses of the organs of tracheal drip dyed mice showed significant pathological damage in the lung tissue of the TCIPP group, mainly in the form of thickening of the interstitium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar collapse. The results of the analysis of gavage poisoned mice showed that TCIPP exposure could lead to blurring of the red and white medullary boundaries of spleen tissues, destruction of white medullary structures, etc., and induce small intestinal cryptitis. TDCIPP induced significant pathological damage to the liver tissues of mice, which mainly included cytoplasmic washout, infiltration of inflammatory cells, acute inflammation, and other injurious effects. Significant pathological damage to the intestinal tissues of mice was also observed. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the toxic effects of Cl-OPFRs are significantly associated with exposure routes and compound specificity. Respiratory exposure predominantly induces TCIPP-mediated pulmonary injury, while digestive exposure causes TDCIPP-driven hepatointestinal toxicity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the toxicity screening of Cl-OPFRs.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2025.02.029.].

The sternum is the pivotal component of the thoracic cavity. It is connected with the clavicle and ribs on the upper part and both sides respectively, and plays an important role in protecting the stability of the chest wall. Sternal resection usually results in a large segmental chest wall defect that causes the chest wall to float and requires sternal reconstruction. This paper reports a 62 years male patient with thymic squamous cell carcinoma with sternal metastasis, who underwent thymotomy, sternal tumor resection and autologous lilum graft combined with sternal reconstruction by titanium plate after relevant examination was completed and surgical contraindications were eliminated. The patient was followed up for 6 months, the respiratory and motor functions were normal and the thoracic appearance was good.

Cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH) is a manifestation of decompensated liver cirrhosis, with ascites, portal collateral circulation formation, hypersplenism and splenomegaly as the typical clinical symptoms. In recent years, the incidence of CPH has been increasing year by year, and the treatment of CPH has gradually become a hot issue in medical research. In order to further explore the diagnosis and treatment scheme of CPH. We briefly describe the pathophysiological mechanism and diagnosis of CPH, and the current situation of CPH treatment and the new progress of internal and external treatment were reviewed.

【Objective】 To investigate the expression of transcription factor POU domain class 2 transcription factor 2 (POU2F2) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and human renal cancer cell lines (786-O and ACHN) and its effects on the cells’ biological behaviors such as proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. 【Methods】 The mRNA expressions of POU2F2 in ccRCC tissues, adjacent normal tissues, cell lines 786-O and ACHN were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of POU2F2 in ccRCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry. The effects of knockdown of POU2F2 on the mRNA and protein expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT)-related tumor markers were detected with qRT-PCR and Western blot. 【Results】 The mRNA expression of POU2F2 in ccRCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues, and was correlated with patients’ gender, WHO/ISUP nuclear grade and TNM stage. The protein expression of POU2F2 was significantly higher in ccRCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues, and was correlated with tumor pathological grade and TNM stage. The mRNA expression of POU2F2 was significantly decreased in 786-O cells after sh-POU2F2-1013 plasmid transfection (P<0.05); the proliferation ability, clonal formation rate, migration ability and invasion ability were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Knockdown of POU2F2 down-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP2, MMP9 and Twist in 786-O cells, while up-regulated E-ca expression. 【Conclusion】 The mRNA expression of POU2F2 was significantly up-regulated in ccRCC tissues and renal cancer cells. Knockdown of POU2F2 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of cells in vitro, and slowed or inhibited the occurrence and development of renal cancer.

Objective:To investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) downregulating SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) on the apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cells LX-2 cultured in vitro.Methods:The recombinant adenovirus Ad-shRNA/SHP2 carrying shRNA targeted SHP2 and expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), and the empty control virus Ad-GFP expressing GFP were transfected into LX-2 cells cultured in vitro. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect SHP2 mRNA expression in LX-2 cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of SHP2, Bax, and Bcl-2 in LX-2 cells. TUNEL and annexin-V/propidium iodide dual-labeled flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis in LX-2 cells. Experimental group: (1) Control group: LX-2 cells were transfected with DMEM instead of adenovirus; (2) Ad-GFP group: transfected with empty virus Ad-GFP; (3) Ad-shRNA/SHP2 group: transfected with recombinant adenovirus Ad-shRNA/SHP2. The means between multiple groups were compared using a one-way ANOVA and the LSD test was used for inter group comparisons.Results:shRNA-targeted SHP2 significantly down-regulated the expression of SHP2 protein and mRNA in LX-2 cells ( P < 0.05). The TUNEL and annexin-V/propidium iodide dual-labeled flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis rate of LX-2 cells in the Ad-shRNA/SHP2 group (12.755%±1.606%, 19.340%±2.505%) ( P < 0.05) was significantly higher compared to the control group (3.077%±0.731%, 9.438%±0.804%) and the Ad-GFP group (3.250%±0.851%, 8.893%±1.982%), with no statistically significant difference between the control group and the Ad-GFP group ( P > 0.05). Western blot analysis of Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression in LX-2 cells of each group revealed that the Bax protein expression was significantly higher in the Ad shRNA/SHP2 group (2.493 ± 0.203) ( P < 0.05) compared to the control group and Ad-GFP group (1.989 ± 0.147, 1.999 ± 0.162), with no statistically significant difference between the control group and the Ad-GFP group ( P > 0.05), while the Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased in the Ad-shRNA/SHP2 group (1.042±0.148) compared with the control group and the Ad-GFP group (1.707±0.146, 1.521±0.142), with no statistically significant difference between the control group and the Ad-GFP group ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:SHP2 expression down-regulation induces apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cells LX-2 in vitro by reducing Bcl-2/Bax.

Objective:To investigate the dynamic expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 in liver tissue of rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver fibrosis. Methods:Rat liver fibrosis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl 4. Rat liver tissue histopathological changes were detected by HE and Masson-trichrome staining. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR were used to detect SHP2 protein and mRNA expression in rat liver tissue. One-way analysis of variance was used for the comparison of means between multiple groups, and the LSD test was used for further inter-group comparison. Results:CCl 4-induced rat liver fibrosis model was successfully constructed, and with the extension of modeling time, the degree of liver fibrosis in rats were aggravated gradually. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that SHP2 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of rat liver tissues. With the aggravation of liver fibrosis, the number of cells with positive expression of SHP2 was aggravated gradually ( P < 0.05). Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results showed that the expressions of SHP2 protein and mRNA in rat fibrotic liver tissues at different times in week 2, 4, 6, and 8 were higher in modeling than control group ( P < 0.05), and was aggravated gradually with the liver fibrosis aggravation ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:The expression of SHP2 protein and mRNA in the liver tissue of rats with CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis increased gradually with the degree of liver fibrosis, and the degree of increase was consistent with the degree of liver fibrosis.