Objective:To evaluate the effect of short-chain fatty acid(SCFA) on perioperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats through mitogen-activated protein kinase p38(p38 MAPK)/nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65) pathway.Methods:According to random number table method, 32 healthy SPF-grade male SD rats, aged 16 months and weighing 520~620 g, were divided into control group, short-chain fatty acid group (SCFA group), perioperative cognitive dysfunction group (PCD group) and perioperative cognitive dysfunction+ short-chain fatty acid group (SCFA+ PCD group), with 8 rats in each group. The perioperative cognitive dysfunction model was established by sevoflurane anesthesia plus internal fixation of tibial fractures. Rats in SCFA group and SCFA+ PCD group freely drank water added with SCFA for 28 days. On the 29th day, rats in SCFA+ FCD group underwent tibial fracture internal fixation surgery. Morris water maze test was performed on the 7th day after surgery to evaluate the cognitive function of rats. The Nissl bodies of hippocampus were observed by Nissl's staining. The hippocampus tissue was collected to analyze the expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 by Western blot.The SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and LSD- t test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:(1) The results of Morris water maze test showed that the times of crossing the original platform, the escape latency and the residence time in the original platform quadrant were statistically significant among the four groups on the 7th day after surgery ( F=13.80, 47.80, 6.46, all P<0.05). The escape latencies of the SCFA+ PCD group and PCD group were both longer than that in the control group (both P<0.05). The times of crossing the original platform in SCFA+ PCD group and PCD group were less than that of control group (both P<0.05). The residence time in the original platform quadrant in SCFA+ PCD group and PCD group was shorter than that of control group (both P<0.05).Compared with PCD group, the escape latency was shorter, the times of crossing the original platform were more and the residence time in the original platform quadrant was longer in SCFA+ PCD group (all P<0.05). (2) The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were statistically significant among the four groups ( F=184.28, 139.27, 19.40, 58.47, all P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were higher in SCFA+ PCD group (0.49±0.10, 0.60±0.05, 0.489±0.012, 0.435±0.005) and PCD group (0.85±0.05, 1.12±0.08, 0.519±0.028, 0.473±0.008) than those in control group (0.13±0.02, 0.42±0.10, 0.437±0.010, 0.362±0.013)(all P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were lower in SCFA+ PCD group than PCD group (all P<0.05). (3) The average gray value of Nissl bodies was statistically significant different among the four groups ( F=14.65, P<0.05). The average gray value of Nissl bodies was lower in SCFA+ PCD group (193.2±8.1) and PCD group (160.5±14.1) than that of control group (221.2±14.8) (both P<0.05). The average gray value of Nissl bodies was higher in SCFA+ PCD group than that in PCD group( P<0.05). Conclusion:Short-chain fatty acid attenuates cognitive dysfunction, which may be related with inhibiting p38 MAPK/NF-κB p65 pathway and reducing the neuroinflammation.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of short-chain fatty acid(SCFA) on perioperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats through mitogen-activated protein kinase p38(p38 MAPK)/nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65) pathway.Methods:According to random number table method, 32 healthy SPF-grade male SD rats, aged 16 months and weighing 520~620 g, were divided into control group, short-chain fatty acid group (SCFA group), perioperative cognitive dysfunction group (PCD group) and perioperative cognitive dysfunction+ short-chain fatty acid group (SCFA+ PCD group), with 8 rats in each group. The perioperative cognitive dysfunction model was established by sevoflurane anesthesia plus internal fixation of tibial fractures. Rats in SCFA group and SCFA+ PCD group freely drank water added with SCFA for 28 days. On the 29th day, rats in SCFA+ FCD group underwent tibial fracture internal fixation surgery. Morris water maze test was performed on the 7th day after surgery to evaluate the cognitive function of rats. The Nissl bodies of hippocampus were observed by Nissl's staining. The hippocampus tissue was collected to analyze the expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38 MAPK, phosphorylated p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 by Western blot.The SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and LSD- t test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:(1) The results of Morris water maze test showed that the times of crossing the original platform, the escape latency and the residence time in the original platform quadrant were statistically significant among the four groups on the 7th day after surgery ( F=13.80, 47.80, 6.46, all P<0.05). The escape latencies of the SCFA+ PCD group and PCD group were both longer than that in the control group (both P<0.05). The times of crossing the original platform in SCFA+ PCD group and PCD group were less than that of control group (both P<0.05). The residence time in the original platform quadrant in SCFA+ PCD group and PCD group was shorter than that of control group (both P<0.05).Compared with PCD group, the escape latency was shorter, the times of crossing the original platform were more and the residence time in the original platform quadrant was longer in SCFA+ PCD group (all P<0.05). (2) The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were statistically significant among the four groups ( F=184.28, 139.27, 19.40, 58.47, all P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were higher in SCFA+ PCD group (0.49±0.10, 0.60±0.05, 0.489±0.012, 0.435±0.005) and PCD group (0.85±0.05, 1.12±0.08, 0.519±0.028, 0.473±0.008) than those in control group (0.13±0.02, 0.42±0.10, 0.437±0.010, 0.362±0.013)(all P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were lower in SCFA+ PCD group than PCD group (all P<0.05). (3) The average gray value of Nissl bodies was statistically significant different among the four groups ( F=14.65, P<0.05). The average gray value of Nissl bodies was lower in SCFA+ PCD group (193.2±8.1) and PCD group (160.5±14.1) than that of control group (221.2±14.8) (both P<0.05). The average gray value of Nissl bodies was higher in SCFA+ PCD group than that in PCD group( P<0.05). Conclusion:Short-chain fatty acid attenuates cognitive dysfunction, which may be related with inhibiting p38 MAPK/NF-κB p65 pathway and reducing the neuroinflammation.

Objective:To evaluate the role of meningeal γδ T cell-derived interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged mice.Methods:Forty healthy male C57BL/6N mice, aged 18 months, weighing 30-40 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a table of random numbers: control group (group C), anti-γδ T cell receptor antibody (Anti-TCR γδ) group, POCD group (group P), and POCD+ Anti-TCR γδ group (group P+ Anti-TCR γδ). Anesthesia was induced with 8% sevoflurane and maintained with 3% sevoflurane, and the internal fixation for tibial fracture was performed to establish the mouse model of POCD in P and P+ Anti-TCR γδ groups. Anti-TCR γδ antibody 2.5 μg was infused into the occipital cistern on postoperative day 4 in P+ Anti-TCR γδ and Anti-TCR γδ groups. The open field test, novel object recognition test and Y-maze test were conducted sequentially at 7th day after surgery. The total distance traveled in the open field and the number of entries into the central area were recorded, and the novel object recognition index and preference index for exploring the novel arm were calculated. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the behavioral testing, the meninges were obtained for detection of the expression of IL-17A in γδ T cells by flow cytometry, and the hippocampal tissues were harvested for determination of the expression of vesicular glutamate transporter1 (VGLUT1), glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), and IL-17A receptor (IL-17AR) (by Western blot). Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the total distance traveled in the open field test or the number of entries into the central area among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the novel object recognition index and preference index for novel arm exploration were significantly decreased, the expression of meningeal γδ T cells and IL-17AR in hippocampal tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of VGLUT1 and GluR1 was down-regulated in group P and group P+ Anti-TCR γδ ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters in group Anti-TCR γδ ( P>0.05). Compared with group P, the novel object recognition index and preference index for novel arm exploration were significantly increased, the expression of meningeal γδ T cells and IL-17AR was down-regulated, and the expression of VGLUT1 and GluR1 was up-regulated in group P+ Anti-TCR γδ ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Increased meningeal γδ T cell-derived IL-17A can up-regulate the expression of IL17AR in the hippocampus and down-regulate the expression of VGLUT1 and GluR1, thus involving in the development of POCD in aged mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of meningeal γδ T cell-derived interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged mice.Methods:Forty healthy male C57BL/6N mice, aged 18 months, weighing 30-40 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a table of random numbers: control group (group C), anti-γδ T cell receptor antibody (Anti-TCR γδ) group, POCD group (group P), and POCD+ Anti-TCR γδ group (group P+ Anti-TCR γδ). Anesthesia was induced with 8% sevoflurane and maintained with 3% sevoflurane, and the internal fixation for tibial fracture was performed to establish the mouse model of POCD in P and P+ Anti-TCR γδ groups. Anti-TCR γδ antibody 2.5 μg was infused into the occipital cistern on postoperative day 4 in P+ Anti-TCR γδ and Anti-TCR γδ groups. The open field test, novel object recognition test and Y-maze test were conducted sequentially at 7th day after surgery. The total distance traveled in the open field and the number of entries into the central area were recorded, and the novel object recognition index and preference index for exploring the novel arm were calculated. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the behavioral testing, the meninges were obtained for detection of the expression of IL-17A in γδ T cells by flow cytometry, and the hippocampal tissues were harvested for determination of the expression of vesicular glutamate transporter1 (VGLUT1), glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), and IL-17A receptor (IL-17AR) (by Western blot). Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the total distance traveled in the open field test or the number of entries into the central area among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the novel object recognition index and preference index for novel arm exploration were significantly decreased, the expression of meningeal γδ T cells and IL-17AR in hippocampal tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of VGLUT1 and GluR1 was down-regulated in group P and group P+ Anti-TCR γδ ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters in group Anti-TCR γδ ( P>0.05). Compared with group P, the novel object recognition index and preference index for novel arm exploration were significantly increased, the expression of meningeal γδ T cells and IL-17AR was down-regulated, and the expression of VGLUT1 and GluR1 was up-regulated in group P+ Anti-TCR γδ ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Increased meningeal γδ T cell-derived IL-17A can up-regulate the expression of IL17AR in the hippocampus and down-regulate the expression of VGLUT1 and GluR1, thus involving in the development of POCD in aged mice.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of short-chain fatty acids on microglial synapse engulfment in aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).Methods:Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 520-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), short-chain fatty acids group (group S), POCD group (group P), and POCD+ short-chain fatty acids group (group PS). Rats received short-chain fatty acids (sodium propionate 25.9 mmol/L, sodium butyrate 40 mmol/L and sodium acetate 67.5 mmol/L) in the free drinking water for 28 days in S and PS groups. On day 29, anesthesia was induced with 4%-5% sevoflurane and maintained with 3% sevoflurane, and the tibial fracture internal fixation was performed to prepare a rat model of POCD in P group and PS group. Morris water maze test was performed at day 7 after surgery. The escape latency, times of crossing the original platform, mean swimming speed and time spent in the original platform quadrant were recorded. The rats were sacrificed at the end of Morris water maze test, and the brains were collected to analyze the number and density of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA1 region (by Golgi staining) and to determine the expression of postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) and complement 1q (C1q) in the hippocampal CA1 region (by immunofluorescence). Results:Compared with group C, the times of crossing the original platform were significantly decreased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was shortened, the escape latency was prolonged, the number and density of dendritic spines and the number of intersection points between dendrites and concentric circles were decreased, the expression of PSD95 was down-regulated, and the expression of C1q was up-regulated in P and PS groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, the times of crossing the original platform were significantly increased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the escape latency was shortened, the number and density of dendritic spines and the number of intersection points between dendrites and concentric circles were increased, the expression of PSD-95 was up-regulated, and the expression of C1q was down-regulated in group PS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which short-chain fatty acids attenuates POCD is related to decreased microglial engulfment of synapses in aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the tea drinking habit and postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.Methods:Two hundred and ninety-two patients, aged 65-85 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, undergoing elective knee/hip arthroplasty under spinal-epidural anesthesia in our hospital, were enrolled in this study.The patient′s cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination at 1 day before operation.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected before anesthesia, and the concentrations of caffeine and tea polyphenols in plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.In the anesthesia recovery room after operation and at 1, 3 and 7 days after operation (or before discharge), neuropsychological tests were performed, and the Delirium Rating Scale was used to recognize POD developed.The patients were divided into POD group (P group) and non-POD group (NP group) according to whether POD occurred after operation.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the variables of which P values were less than 0.05. Results:There was no significant difference in age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, concentrations of caffeine and tea polyphenols in plasma between P group and NP group ( P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that age was an independent risk factor for POD, and concentrations of caffeine and tea polyphenols in plasma and tea drinking habits were protective factors for reducing the occurrence of POD in elderly patients. Conclusion:Tea drinking habit is a protective factor for reducing the occurrence of POD in elderly patients.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between cholinergic biomarkers and postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.Methods:The patients, aged 65-85 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ, underwent total knee/hip arthroplasty under combined spinal-epidural block in our hospital from July 2018 to September 2019, were collected.The baseline clinical data of patients were collected, and cubital venous blood samples 5 ml were collected before anesthesia to detect plasma concentrations of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The neuropsychological testing was performed on 1 day before operation, following admission to the recovery room after surgery, and on 1, 3 and 7 days (or before discharge) after surgery.The patient′s cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before surgery.Confusion Assessment Method and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale were used to evaluate the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) after surgery.The patients were divided into POD group (P group) and non-POD group (NP group) according to whether POD occurred.Logistic regression was used to analyze the related risk factors for POD.Results:There were 349 cases in NP group and 57 cases in P group, and the incidence of POD was 14.0%.Compared with NP group, the age of patients, preoperative coexisting underlying diseases (≥3 types), plasma ChAT, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were increased, and plasma AChE and BuChE concentrations were decreased in P group ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that changes in plasma AChE, BuChE, and ChAT concentrations and older age were independent risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The development of POD is related to the preoperative changes in plasma AChE, BuChE and ChAT concentrations in elderly patients.

Objective: To investigate the expression of integrin α5 in cervical cancer, and to explore its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with cervical cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of integrin α 5 in cervical cancer tissues of 60 cases and normal cervical paraffin-embeded tissues of 20 cases of benign uterine lesions undergoing hysterectomy from Qingdao Municipal Hospital between January 2014 and December 2017. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of integrin α5 in 20 fresh cervical cancer tissues and 20 normal cervical tissues collected from benign cervical lesions in Qingdao Municipal Hospital between January 2018 and July 2018. The relationship between the expression of integrin α5 and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with cervical cancer was analyzed. Results: The positive expression rate of integrin α5 protein in cervical cancer and normal cervical tissues was 63.3% (38/60), 35.0% (7/20), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ ² = 4.893, P < 0.05). The expression of integrin α5 mRNA in cervical cancer was 1.6±0.4 times as high as that in normal cervical tissues (t = 5.529, P < 0.01). The positive expression of integrin α5 protein was associated with lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer patients (Z = -2.636, P = 0.008). Conclusion The high expression of integrin α5 is related to lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer, and integrin α5 may be a new potential target for treatment of cervical cancer.

Polycomb group (PcG) ring finger protein 6 (PCGF6), though known as a member of the transcription-repressing complexes, PcG, also has activation function in regulating pluripotency gene expression. However, the mechanism underlying the activation function of PCGF6 is poorly understood. Here, we found that PCGF6 co-localizes to gene activation regions along with pluripotency factors such as OCT4. In addition, PCGF6 was recruited to a subset of the super-enhancer (SE) regions upstream of cell cycle-associated genes by OCT4, and increased their expression. By combining with promoter capture Hi-C data, we found that PCGF6 activates cell cycle genes by regulating SE-promoter interactions via 3D chromatin. Our findings highlight a novel mechanism of PcG protein in regulating pluripotency, and provide a research basis for the therapeutic application of pluripotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Microglia play an important role in immune surveillance in their quiescent state, but the role of the activated microglia is under discussion. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the mechanism of activated microglia in acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: Totally 96 male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups, including transplantation, placebo, blank control and sham operation groups. Permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed using suture method in the mice of the transplantation, placebo and blank control groups, followed by injection of microglia suspension via subclavian vein, medium containing the same volume of microglia, and nothing, respectively, at 12 hours after modeling. In the meanwhile, the same amount of microglia suspension was injected into the mice of the sham operation group. The Zea-longa scale and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression at 12, 24 and 72 hours after modeling, the volume of cerebral infarction and the number of nerve cells positive for microtubule-associated protein-2 at 72 hours after modeling were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The Zea-longa scale score was 0 point in the sham operation group, which was significantly lower than that in the other three groups at each time point after modeling (P < 0.01). The Zea-longa scores in the transplantation group were significantly lower than those in the placebo and blank control groups at 24 and 72 hours after transplantation (P < 0.01). The positive expression rate of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the transplantation group was significantly higher than that in the other three groups after transplantation (P < 0.01). The sham group showed no infarction, while the size of cerebral infarction in the transplantation group was significantly lower than that in the placebo and blank control groups (P < 0.01), and the microtubule-associated protein-2 positive rate was significantly higher than that in the placebo and blank control groups (P < 0.01). These results manifest that the activated microglia can improve the survival rate of nerve cells, promote the recovery of cerebral nerve function and reduce the size of cerebral infarction.