OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of periodontitis induced by Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) combined with ligation on cognitive functions in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, ligation group, and ligation + Pn treatment (P+Pn) group. Experimental periodontitis was induced by silk ligation of the first molars followed by topical application of Pn for 6 weeks. After modeling, alveolar bone resorption was assessed using micro-CT and histological analysis. Learning and memory abilities of the mice were evaluated using open field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NORT), and Morris water maze test (MWM). Seven weeks after the start of modeling, the mice were sacrificed for examining histopathological changes in the hippocampus using HE and Nissl staining. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of molar ligation, micro-CT revealed horizontal alveolar bone resorption and furcation exposure in the mice, and histological analysis showed apical migration of the junctional epithelium, epithelial ridge hyperplasia, and lymphocyte infiltration, and these changes were obviously worsened in P+Pn group. Alveolar bone height decreased significantly in both ligation groups compared to the control group. Cognitive tests showed that the mice in both of the ligation groups traveled shorter distances in OFT, showed reduced novel object preference in NORT, and exhibited longer escape latencies in MWM, and the mice in P+Pn group had significantly poorer performances in the tests. Histologically, obvious neuronal cytoplasmic degeneration, necrosis, nuclear pyknosis, vacuolation, and reduced Nissl bodies and viable neurons were observed in the hippocampal regions of the mice in the two ligation groups. CONCLUSIONS Pn infection aggravates alveolar bone destruction, accelerates necrosis and causes morphological abnormalities of neuronal cells in the hippocampus to reduce cognitive functions of mice with periodontitis.
Animals ; Periodontitis/microbiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cognition ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; Hippocampus/pathology* ; Male ; Inflammation ; Maze Learning

Objective:To evaluate the effect of pre-infusion of hypertonic saline on the postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients.Methods:This was a prospective study. Seventy-six patients of both sexes, aged≥60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, who underwent elective shoulder arthroscopic surgery under brachial plexus block combined with general anesthesia from June 2022 to January 2023 in our hospital, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=38 each) by the random number table method: hypertonic saline group and normal saline group. At 30 min before anesthesia induction, 3% hypertonic saline of 4 ml/kg was intravenously infused in hypertonic saline group, and normal saline 4 ml/kg was intravenously infused in normal saline group. The occurrence of intraoperative cerebral desaturation events was recorded. Venous blood samples were collected at 24 h postoperatively, and the plasma concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and S-100β were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of neutrophil CD11b was detected by flow cytometry. Rey auditory verbal learning test, trail making test, digit symbol substitution test, and stroop color-word test were performed at 1 day before surgery and 5 days after surgery, and the postoperative cognitive dysfunction was assessed using the Z-score method. Results:Compared with normal saline group, the concentrations of plasma IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and S-100β and expression of neutrophil CD11b were significantly decreased in hypertonic saline group, and the incidence of cognitive dysfunction and cerebral desaturation events was decreased in hypertonic saline group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Pre-infusion of hypertonic saline can reduce inflammatory responses and improve postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1(UHRF1)and DNA methyltransferase 1(DNMT1)in ectopic endometrium of rats with endometriosis(EMS). Methods:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group with 10 rats and a model-building group with 30 rats according to body mass.EMS rat models were established in the model-building group and then were divided into a model group,an acupuncture and moxibustion group,and a progesterone group,with 10 rats in each group.All rats were fixed by a fixator.The sham operation group and the model group were given normal saline by gavage.The acupuncture and moxibustion group received acupuncture at Xuehai(SP10)and Sanyinjiao(SP6),moxibustion at Guanyuan(CV4),and gavage of normal saline.The progesterone group was given the mixed liquid made of dydrogesterone and normal saline by gavage.After 28 d of treatments,the three diameters(length,width,and height)of EMS rats'ectopic cysts were measured,the cyst volumes were calculated,the volumes before intervention were subtracted,and the difference values were used to evaluate the growth of ectopic cysts.UHRF1 and DNMT1 mRNA and protein levels in normal endometrium,eutopic endometrium,and ectopic endometrium were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results:There was no significant difference in the ectopic cyst volume difference between the acupuncture and moxibustion group and the progesterone group(P>0.05),but they were smaller than that of the model group(P<0.05).The levels of UHRF1 and DNMT1 mRNA and protein in the ectopic endometrium of the model group were lower than those in the normal endometrium(P<0.05).The levels of DNMT1 mRNA and UHRF1 protein in the eutopic endometrium of the model group were lower than those in the normal endometrium(P<0.05).The levels of UHRF1 mRNA and protein and the level of DNMT1 protein in the ectopic endometrium of the acupuncture and moxibustion group were higher than those in the model group(P<0.05),and the level of UHRF1 mRNA was higher than that in the progesterone group(P<0.05).The level of DNMT1 mRNA in the eutopic endometrium of the acupuncture and moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05).The levels of UHRF1 and DNMT1 mRNA and protein in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were insignificantly different from those in the normal endometrium(P>0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture and moxibustion may up-regulate the levels of UHRF1 mRNA and UHRF1 and DNMT1 proteins in the ectopic endometrium to the normal level so as to reduce the volume of ectopic cysts and cure EMS in rats.

Postoperative thyroid scar not only causes itching, pain, and pulling, but also seriously affects the patient’s aesthetics, so it is important to study the prevention and treatment of postoperative thyroid scar. In the past 20 years, clinicians have made many innovative researches to alleviate postoperative thyroid scar growth, and the following progresses have been made: firstly, thyroid surgery methods and surgical accesses have been improved to a certain extent, resulting in more concealed and less traumatic accesses; secondly, the use of lasers and silicone and other drugs has significantly improved the scar treatment effect; thirdly, the concept of "cosmetic" is gradually gaining popularity, and related technical means are used throughout the treatment of postoperative scarring of the thyroid gland, and multiple treatment modalities are used "early" and "in combination" to "prevent" scar growth after surgery. The use of multiple treatment modalities to prevent scar growth in the early postoperative period has achieved twice the result with half the effort.

OBJECTIVES: There is a high coagulation state in pregnant women, which is prone to coagulation and fibrinolysis system dysfunction. This study aims to explore the latest coagulation markers-thrombomodulin (TM), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), and tissue plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor compound (tPAI-C) in different stages of pregnancy, establish reference intervals (RIs) for healthy pregnant women of Chinese population, and to provide an effective and reliable reference for clinicians. METHODS: A total of 492 healthy pregnant women, who underwent pregnancy examination and delivery in the Department of Obstetrics, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from October 2019 to October 2020, were enrolled for this study. They were assigned into the first trimester group, the second trimester group, the third trimester group, and the puerperium group according to the pregnancy period, and 123 healthy non-pregnant women were selected as the controls. Plasma levels of TM, TAT, PIC and tPAI-C were analyzed by automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. The RIs for TM, TAT, PIC, and tPAI-C were defined using non-parametric 95% intervals, determined following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Document C28-A3c (CLSI C28-A3c), and Formulation of Reference Intervals for the Clinical Laboratory Test Items (WS/T402-2012). RESULTS: TM and TAT levels increased gradually in the first, second, and third trimester women and decreased in the puerperium women (P<0.05 or P<0.01). PIC level of healthy non-pregnant women was lower than that of pregnant women (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but PIC level of pregnant and puerperium women did not differ significantly (P>0.05). tPAI-C level in healthy non-pregnant women was lower than that of pregnant women (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and tPAI-C level was significantly decreases in the puerperium women (P<0.01). The RIs for TM were as follows: Healthy non-pregnant women at 3.20-4.60 TU/mL, the first and second trimester at 3.12-7.90 TU/mL, the third trimester at 3.42-8.29 TU/mL, puerperium at 2.70-6.40 TU/mL. The RIs for TAT were as follows: Healthy non-pregnant women at 0.50-1.64 ng/mL, the first and second trimester at 0.52-6.91 ng/mL, the third trimester at 0.96-12.92 ng/mL, puerperium at 0.82-3.75 ng/mL. The RIs for PIC were as follows: Healthy non-pregnant women at 0.160-0.519 ng/mL, pregnant women at 0.162-0.770 μg/mL. The RIs for tPAI-C were as follows: Healthy non-pregnant women at 1.90-4.80 ng/mL, the first and second trimester at 2.03-9.33 ng/mL, the third trimester at 2.80-14.20 ng/mL, puerperium at 1.10-8.40 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS The levels of 4 new coagulation markers TM, TAT, PIC, and tPAI-C in pregnant women are increased significantly during pregnancy and gradually return to normal after delivery. The RIs for TM, TAT, PIC, and tPAI-C in pregnant women by trimester are established according to CLSI C28-A3c, thus providing a clinical reference for clinician in judgement of thrombotic risk.
Biomarkers/blood* ; Blood Coagulation ; Female ; Humans ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values

Background Liver damage presented in endemic arsenic poisoning is usually serious. Studies have shown that oxidative stress, proteasome beta 5 subunit (PSMB5), regulatory transcription factor EB (TFEB), and lysosomes are associated with liver injury, but their specific links to arsenic-induced liver injury remain unclear. Objective Using a sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)-induced rat liver injury model established earlier by the research group, the expressions of PSMB5, TFEB, and lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in liver tissues were detected. Methods Twenty-four SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, and low, medium, and high dose groups, with 6 rats in each group, half male and half female. The exposure concentrations were 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ solutions for 24 weeks. At the end of the experiment, liver was dissected after rats were anesthetized. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bile acid (TBA), and catalase (CAT) in liver tissues were detected by chemical colorimetry, and the levels of lipid peroxide (LPO), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), LAMP1, and cathepsin D (CTSD) in liver tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the transcriptional expression levels of PSMB5 and TFEB in liver tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and the protein expressions of PSMB5, TFEB, and phosphorylated TFEB (p-TFEB) in liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The results of chemical colorimetry and ELISA showed that compared with the control group, the liver homogenate levels of ALP, TBA, and LAMP1 of each arsenic-exposed group, the ALT and LPO in the medium and high concentration groups, the 4-HNE and CTSD in the high concentration group were increased, while the CAT activity of each arsenic-exposed group was decreased (P<0.05). The results of real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR showed that the transcription levels of PSMB5 and TFEB in the liver tissues of each arsenic-exposed group were decreased compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the control group, the expression of PSMB5 of each arsenic-exposed group were decreased, the expression of TFEB in the medium and high concentration groups was decreased, while the expression of p-TFEB of each arsenic-exposed group was increased (P<0.05). The expression of TFEB protein gradually decreased in the nucleus, while the expression of p-TFEB protein gradually increased in the cytoplasm, but no expression of p-TFEB was found in the nucleus. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that PSMB5 in liver tissues was positively correlated with CAT (r=0.818, P＜0.05), and negatively correlated with 4-HNE and p-TFEB (r=−0.582, r=−0.899; P＜0.05); TFEB was negatively correlated with CTSD and LAMP1 (r=−0.457, r=−0.564; P＜0.05); CTSD was positively correlated with ALT and ALP (r=0.529, r=0.485; P＜0.05). Conclusion Long-term exposure to NaAsO₂ can induce oxidative stress, inhibit the expression of PSMB5 and TFEB, promote the accumulation of p-TFEB in the cytoplasm, decrease the nuclear entry of active TFEB, damage the lysosome, and cause liver damage.

Background A prominent feature of endemic arsenic poisoning is severe liver damage. Studies have found that liver injury is closely related to oxidative stress, lysosomes, and autophagy. Objective Through establishing a liver injury model of rats by sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)administration in drinking water, this experiment is designed to explore the roles of oxidative stress, lysosomes, and AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Unc-51 like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway in this model. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups with six rats in each group (half male and half female), including control group and 25, 50, 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups. A rat liver injury model was established by drinking water containing NaAsO₂ freely for 24 weeks. Then liver of rats was dissected after sacrificed, and the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bile acid (TBA), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in liver tissues were detected by assay kits. The levels of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2), cathepsin B (CTSB), and acid phosphatase (ACP2) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA transcriptional expressions of AMPK, ULK1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), and sequestosome 1 (p62) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The protein expressions of p-AMPK, p-ULK1, LC3, and p62 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Following the NaAsO₂ administration, significant differences were found in the levels of ALT, ALP, and TBA among the designed groups (F=12.09, 72.11, and 23.58, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of ALT in the 50mg·L⁻¹ and 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were increased (P<0.05); the levels of ALP and TBA in the 25, 50, and 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were increased (P<0.05); the level of LPO in the 100 mg·L⁻¹ group was increased (P<0.05); the levels of CAT and T-AOC in the 25, 50, and 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were decreased (P<0.05). According to the results of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of ACP2 in the 25, 50, and 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups, the level of CTSB in the 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ group, and the levels of LAMP2 in the 50 and 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Based on the results of RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, the mRNA transcriptional and protein expressions of AMPK, ULK1, and LC3 in some arsenic groups were elevated to varying degrees compared with the control group, and the increment in the 100 mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ group was significant for all the indicators (P<0.05); the mRNA transcriptional expressions of p62 in the three arsenic groups and the protein expressions of p62 in the 50 and 100mg·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups also increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Besides, the results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation of T-AOC with LAMP2, CTSB, and ACP2 (r=0.651, 0.673, 0.626; P<0.05), a negative correlation of LPO with CTSB and ACP2 (r=−0468, −0.482; P<0.05), a negative correlation of p62 with LAMP2, CTSB, and ACP2 (r=−0.57, −0.626, −0.591; P<0.05), and a positive correlation of p62 with ALT, ALP, and TBA (r=0.709, 0.897, and 0.857, P<0.05). Conclusion Long-term arsenic exposure may induce oxidative stress, damage lysosomes, and activate the AMPK/ULK1 pathway, which can lead to the blockage of autophagy process, and eventually result in liver damage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) combined with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with single lung ventilation (OLV) for lung cystadenomas. METHODS: A total of 66 infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for lung cystadenomas in our hospital from February, 2018 to February, 2019 were randomized into conventional ventilation groups (group N, =33) and inverse ventilation group (group R, =33). Hemodynamics and respiratory parameters of the infants were recorded and arterial blood gas analysis was performed at 15 min after two lung ventilation (TLV) (T), OLV30 min (T), OLV60 min (T), and 15 min after recovery of TLV (T). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected before and after surgery to detect the expression level of advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE). RESULTS: Sixty-three infants were finally included in this study. At T and T, Cdyn, PaO and OI in group R were significantly higher ( < 0.05) and Ppeak, PaCO and PA-aO were significantly lower than those in group N ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in HR or MAP between the two groups at T and T ( > 0.05). The level of RAGE significantly increased after the surgery in both groups ( < 0.05), and was significantly lower in R group than in N group ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for pulmonary cystadenoma, appropriate IRV combined with PEEP does not affect hemodynamic stability and can increases pulmonary compliance, reduce the peak pressure, and improve oxygenation to provide pulmonary protection.
Cystadenoma ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; surgery ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) combined with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with single lung ventilation (OLV) for lung cystadenomas. METHODS: A total of 66 infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for lung cystadenomas in our hospital from February, 2018 to February, 2019 were randomized into conventional ventilation groups (group N, =33) and inverse ventilation group (group R, =33). Hemodynamics and respiratory parameters of the infants were recorded and arterial blood gas analysis was performed at 15 min after two lung ventilation (TLV) (T), OLV30 min (T), OLV60 min (T), and 15 min after recovery of TLV (T). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected before and after surgery to detect the expression level of advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE). RESULTS: Sixty-three infants were finally included in this study. At T and T, Cdyn, PaO and OI in group R were significantly higher ( < 0.05) and Ppeak, PaCO and PA-aO were significantly lower than those in group N ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in HR or MAP between the two groups at T and T ( > 0.05). The level of RAGE significantly increased after the surgery in both groups ( < 0.05), and was significantly lower in R group than in N group ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for pulmonary cystadenoma, appropriate IRV combined with PEEP does not affect hemodynamic stability and can increases pulmonary compliance, reduce the peak pressure, and improve oxygenation to provide pulmonary protection.
Cystadenoma ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Thoracoscopy

According to the literature review, no cyst of the hip ligamentum teres has been reported. In this study, a 50?year?old female patient was admitted to the hospital because of sprained left hip pain with movement restriction for 15 months. The unilateral hip joint MRI showed cyst of the hip ligamentum teres, which was diagnosed as left hip joint cyst in the outpatient de?partment. Thus, the patient was admitted to the hospital. Physical examination showed that the left hip joint movement was slightly restricted with positive FADDIR test and FABER test. Arthroscopic surgical examination revealed a 1.5 cm×1.0 cm cyst at the lo?cation of the round ligament which was then cleared with a planer knife and radiofrequency. The treatment results were satisfacto?ry. The present study reviewed the literature about anatomical and biomechanical physicochemical properties of the ligamentum teres. The function of the ligamentum teres is important for the hip joint. In diagnosis of hip disease, unilateral hip MRI plays an important role in accurate diagnosis of such diseases. The hip arthroscopy provide a minimal invasive technique in treating cyst of the hip ligamentum teres. With the application of the hip arthroscopy, it will undoubtedly improve the diagnosis and treatment of hip diseases.