Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons represented by benzo[a]pyrene are among the most significant occupational and environmental pollutants. Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene during pregnancy can cause delayed intellectual development in offspring, and the mechanism may be related to the expression of protocadherin (Pcdh), a key molecule for learning and memory. Objective To explore the possible role of Pcdh in impaired learning and memory function of pups caused by benzo[a]pyrene exposure during pregnancy by establishing an animal model of cognitive impairment in pups caused by benzo[a]pyrene exposure during pregnancy, and detecting the expression of Pcdh and its transcription-related factors in the hippocampal tissues of pups at different developmental stages. Methods Sixty female and male SPF-grade rats were caged in a 1:1 ratio overnight, and the successfully mated female mice were randomly divided into blank control, 0 mg·kg⁻¹, 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups, with 6 mice in each group. They were intraperitoneally injected with benzo[a]pyrene from the 17th to the 19th day of pregnancy to establish an exposure model. Learning and memory functions of the offspring were tested through Morris water maze on the 45th day after the birth (PND) of the pups. On the PND45 and PND75 of the pups, hippocampal tissues of 6 pups (per group) were collected respectively. The expression levels of PcdhαC1 and wings apart-like homolog (WAPL) genes and proteins were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. Results The results of Morris water maze showed that there was no interaction between the escape latency time of the pups and the dose groups of 0 mg·kg⁻¹, 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ (F _{time × group}=0.515, P>0.05). The escape latency of pups decreased with increase of training time (F _time=24.678, P<0.001, F _group=12.803, P<0.001). The PCR results showed that at PND45, compared with the blank group, the relative expression levels of PcdhαC1 mRNA in the 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of WAPL mRNA increased (P<0.05). At PND75, compared with the blank group, the relative expression levels of PcdhαC1 mRNA in the 20 mg·kg⁻¹ and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of WAPL mRNA increased (P<0.05). The Western blotting results showed that at PND45, compared with the blank group, the expression levels of PcdhαC1 protein in the 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of WAPL protein increased (P<0.05). At PND75, compared with the blank group, the expression levels of PcdhαC1 protein in the 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of WAPL protein increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene during pregnancy can cause impairment in the learning and memory abilities of PND45 offspring and may alter the expression of PcdhαC1 and WAPL genes and proteins.

Objective:To investigate the effect of natural plant compound puerarin(PUE)on expression of NLRP3 inflamma-some in macrophages and its effect in ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods:A mouse model of UC was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Mice received PUE via gavage for 7 consecutive days,body weight,disease activity index and colon length were measured.HE staining was performed to assess tissue pathological damage.Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in colonic lamina propria.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the colocalization of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophages.qRT-PCR was conducted to measure mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3-related genes in colonic tissues.Protein expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β in colonic tissues were detected by Western blot.A cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP).mRNA expression levels of genes related to NLRP3 inflammasome were detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot was used to detect effects of PUE on expression levels of proteins related to NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway.Results:PUE treatment signifi-cantly improved symptoms of DSS-induced UC in mice,including body weight,disease index,colon length and pathological damage.Following PUE intervention,infiltration of Ly6C+MHC Ⅱ-monocyte derived macrophages in the colonic lamina propria was reduced.Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules in colonic tissues were decreased.PUE treatment increased expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal epithelial cells.In vitro experiments confirmed that PUE reduced expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in macrophages induced by LPS combined with ATP,as well as protein expression level of p-NF-κB p65.Conclusion:PUE significantly alleviates the symptoms of UC by reducing intestinal tissue inflamma-tion and repairing the epithelial barrier.The mechanism may involve regulating NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby reducing the forma-tion and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

Objective:To investigate the effect of natural plant compound puerarin(PUE)on expression of NLRP3 inflamma-some in macrophages and its effect in ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods:A mouse model of UC was established using dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Mice received PUE via gavage for 7 consecutive days,body weight,disease activity index and colon length were measured.HE staining was performed to assess tissue pathological damage.Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in colonic lamina propria.Immunofluorescence was employed to assess the colocalization of NLRP3 inflammasome and macrophages.qRT-PCR was conducted to measure mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3-related genes in colonic tissues.Protein expression levels of ZO-1,Occludin,cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β in colonic tissues were detected by Western blot.A cell model was established using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP).mRNA expression levels of genes related to NLRP3 inflammasome were detected by qRT-PCR.Western blot was used to detect effects of PUE on expression levels of proteins related to NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB signaling pathway.Results:PUE treatment signifi-cantly improved symptoms of DSS-induced UC in mice,including body weight,disease index,colon length and pathological damage.Following PUE intervention,infiltration of Ly6C+MHC Ⅱ-monocyte derived macrophages in the colonic lamina propria was reduced.Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome related molecules in colonic tissues were decreased.PUE treatment increased expression levels of ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal epithelial cells.In vitro experiments confirmed that PUE reduced expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in macrophages induced by LPS combined with ATP,as well as protein expression level of p-NF-κB p65.Conclusion:PUE significantly alleviates the symptoms of UC by reducing intestinal tissue inflamma-tion and repairing the epithelial barrier.The mechanism may involve regulating NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby reducing the forma-tion and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological burden of glaucoma in China based on data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019(GBD 2019)database to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of glaucoma in China.Methods Analysis of the glaucoma epidemic trend and age,period,and gender trends in China from 1990 to 2019 and the correlation between glaucoma and the Socio-Demographic Index(SDI)were conducted according to relevant data on the number of patients,prevalence,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)and DALY rates downloaded from the GBD 2019 database.Results In 2019,China was ranked globally first for the number of people with glaucoma and second for DALYs due to glaucoma.In 2019,China's glaucoma prevalence was among the highest globally,with the number of pa-tients being 1.92 times that of 1990.Both the prevalence and the DALY rate demonstrated a persistent upward trajectory.The demographic distribution of patients with glaucoma in China revealed a curve which peaked among middle-aged individ-uals,with higher prevalence observed in males than females.An inverse correlation was identified between SDI and the age-standardized prevalence and DALY rates,which exhibited a negative average annual percentage change,indicative of a pro-gressive decline with rising SDI.Conclusion From 1990 to 2019,China experienced a significant increase in the burden of glaucoma,ranking among the highest globally,with a positive correlation observed between the disease burden and the level of social development.

Background::Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory syndrome induced by several infectious agents. Multiple organs are affected by sepsis, including the liver, which plays an important role in metabolism and immune homeostasis. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) participate in several biological processes, although the role of FGF5 in sepsis is unclear. Methods::In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administrated to mice to establish a sepsis-induced liver injury. A similar in vitro study was conducted using L-02 hepatocytes. Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were performed to evaluate the FGF5 expression level in liver tissues and cells. Inflammatory cell infiltrations, cleaved-caspase-3 expressions, reactive oxygen species and levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by immunofluorescence, dihydroethidium staining, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis level of cells. In addition, ribonucleic acid (RNA)-sequencing was applied to explore the possible mechanism by which FGF5 exerted effects. Results::LPS administration caused FGF5 down-regulation in the mouse liver as well as in L-02 hepatocytes. Additionally, with FGF5 overexpression, liver injury and the level of hepatocyte apoptosis were ameliorated. Further, RNA sequencing performed in hepatocytes revealed the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway as a possible pathway regulated by FGF5. This was supported using an inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which abrogated the protective effect of FGF5 in LPS-induced hepatocyte injury. Conclusion::The anti-apoptotic effect of FGF5 on hepatocytes suffering from LPS has been demonstrated and was dependent on the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of canalplasty in treatment of stenosis or atresia of the external auditory canal. METHOD: A retrospective review was performed on 10 patients (10 ears) that underwent canalplasty. The lesions located in bony segment in 1 case, cartilaginous segment in 3 cases, both in cartilaginous and bony segments in 6 cases, in which 4 cases accompanied with the middle ear diseases. All patients received the canalplasty surgery, and tympanoplasty was applied simultaneously if the patient had otitis media. RESULT: Follow-up was conducted for 8-50 months respectively, 8 of the external auditory canal was wide and tympanic membrane gained a good shape, 2 case had stenosis or atresia reoccurrence after the operation. CONCLUSION Appropriate approach and elimination of the lesions thoroughly are key points for the canalplasty.
Adult ; Aged ; Constriction, Pathologic ; surgery ; Ear Canal ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

0.05).The elevated scales of anxiety,depression,indignation,indignation in,indignation-out,intellect,self restrain in LCG had significant difference from CG on measuring of TCBQ,but the scales of optimistic and social support in the latter were obviously higher than the former(t=1.996～2.235,all P