OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role and mechanism of microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) in hypoxia-induced pyroptosis of human alveolar epithelial cells. METHODS: In vitro, human alveolar epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was cultured. Cells in the logarithmic growth phase were cultured to 80% confluence and then used for the experiment. (1) BEAS-2B cells were cultured under 1% O₂ hypoxic condition, with a normoxic control group. Western blotting was employed to detect the expressions of pyroptosis marker proteins [NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), Gasdermin D N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), and caspase-1] in cells cultured for 24 hours. Real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-145-5p in cells cultured for 6 hours and 12 hours. (2) Cells were transfected with 30 nmol/L miR-145-5p mimic to overexpress miR-145-5p expression under normoxic condition or 30 nmol/L miR-145-5p inhibitor to suppress miR-145-5p expression under hypoxic condition. Control group and negative control group were respectively set up. After 24 hours of cell culture, Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of pyroptosis marker proteins and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cells. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. The target genes of miR-145-5p were predicted by miR target gene prediction software miRWalk and verified by Western blotting. (3) Under hypoxic condition, cells were transfected with 6.94 ng/μL silent information regulator 5 (Sirt5) overexpression plasmid or pretreated with 12.5 mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as an ROS inhibitor. The empty plasmid group and control group were set up. After 24 hours of cell culture, Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Sirt5, Nrf2, and pyroptosis marker proteins in cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the level of ROS in cells. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the normoxic control group, the expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in the 24-hour hypoxia group was significantly increased, indicating that hypoxia could induce pyroptosis in BEAS-2B cells. The expression level of miR-145-5p in cells gradually increased with the extension of hypoxia induction time, indicating that hypoxia could cause the increase of miR-145-5p expression level. (2) The expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in cells of miR-145-5p mimic group significantly increased under normoxic condition as compared with the control and negative control groups [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 1.58±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.01, 0.98±0.07, GSDMD-N protein (GSDMD-N/β-actin): 1.71±0.03 vs. 1.01±0.01, 0.85±0.03, caspase-1 protein (caspase-1/β-actin): 2.33±0.04 vs. 1.01±0.01, 1.05±0.04, all P < 0.05], Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly decreased (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.79±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 1.03±0.04, both P < 0.05), ROS level was significantly up-regulated (fluorescence intensity: 1.74±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 0.92±0.03, both P < 0.05). Under hypoxia condition, compared with control group and negative control group, the expression levels of pyroptosis marker proteins in miR-145-5p inhibitor group were significantly decreased [NLRP3 protein (NLRP3/β-actin): 0.21±0.04 vs. 1.70±0.02, 1.63±0.04; GSDMD-N protein (GSDMD-N/β-actin): 1.32±0.02 vs. 2.51±0.02, 2.72±0.03; caspase-1 protein (caspase-1/β-actin): 0.56±0.01 vs. 2.77±0.02, 3.12±0.03; all P < 0.05], Nrf2 protein expression level was significantly increased (Nrf2/β-actin: 1.57±0.04 vs. 1.22±0.01, 1.28±0.04, both P < 0.05), ROS level was significantly down-regulated (fluorescence intensity: 0.64±0.05 vs. 1.87±0.04, 1.70±0.07, both P < 0.05). The results indicated that miR-145-5p could promote cell pyrodeath. The predictive result of miRWalk showed that the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of Sirt5 had complementary base binding sites with miR-145-5p. The expression level of Sirt5 protein in cells of miR-145-5p mimic group was significantly lower than that of control group and negative control group under normoxic condition (Sirt5/β-actin: 0.59±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.01, 1.01±0.03, both P < 0.05), which verified that Sirt5 was the target gene of miR-145-5p. (3) The occurrence of pyrodeath could be partially reversed by transfection with Sirt5 overexpression plasmid or adding ROS inhibitor NAC into cells, and Sirt5 overexpression could also up-regulate Nrf2 expression and eliminate intracellular ROS. CONCLUSION In human alveolar epithelial cells, miR-145-5p can down-regulate Nrf2 by targeting Sirt5, thereby increasing ROS expression and inducing pyrodeath.
Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Pyroptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Cell Line ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Gasdermins ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins

[Objective] To analyze the influencing factors of postoperative patency of longitudinal single suture intussusception microsurgical vasoepididymostomy, to provide reference for improving the repetition rate. [Methods] The clinical data of 82 patients with epididymal obstructive azoospermia who underwent longitudinal single suture intussusception microsurgical vasoepididymostomy in our hospital during Sep.2020 and Jan.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The postoperative patency and spouse pregnancy were followed up by face to face and / or telephone interview.The effects of age, course of disease, body mass index (BMI), previous medical history (epididymitis, operation history, none), preoperative seminal plasma elastase (SPE) level, anastomosis site, unilateral and bilateral lesion, sperm quality, operation time and hospital stay on the postoperative patency rate were analyzed. [Results] All operations were successful, the follow-up rate was 95.12% (78/82), 78 were married, and the postoperative patency was 78.21% (61/78). Of the 61 patients who achieved patency, 56 were married, and the natural pregnancy rate of spouse was 45.21% (33/73). Univariate analysis showed that patients with age <30 years, course of disease <2 years, preoperative SPE level <290 ng/mL, bilateral anastomosis, body or tail anastomosis and motile sperm had higher postoperative patency rate (P>0.05). BMI, previous history, the number of motile sperms examined by epididymal fluid, the length of operation and hospital stay had no significant effects on postoperative patency (P>0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative SPE level (OR=0.998, 95%CI: 0.997-1.000, P=0.008) and (OR=10.724, 95%CI: 2.243-51.283, P=0.003) were significantly correlated with postoperative patency. [Conclusion] The preoperative SPE level and anastomosis site are significant influencing factors of postoperative patency, which is higher in patients with age <30 years, course of disease <2 years, preoperative SPE level <290 ng/mL, bilateral anastomosis, body or tail anastomosis and motile sperm.

【Objective】 To analyze the application value of penile vibrating perception threshold measurement in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (ED) and provide reference for the seversity of ED patients. 【Methods】 The clinical data, Erectile Hardness Scale (EHS) score, International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire-5 (IIEF-5) score, and the vibrating perception threshold (VPT) of the penis of 257 patients with decreased erectile function as the main complaint or accompanying symptoms treated during Jan. and Dec.2021 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Patients with EHS=4 and IIEF-5≥22 were classified into the normal group, and the rest into the ED group.The differences in VPT in patients with different EHS scores were compared, and the correlation between IIEF-5 and VPT was analyzed.The diagnostic value of VPT for ED was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. 【Results】 The difference in penile VPT among patients with different EHS scores was statistically significant (P<0.05).With the decrease of EHS score, VPT showed an increasing trend.Glans VPT was negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score (ρ=-0.22, P<0.001), and penile shaft VPT was also negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score (ρ=-0.26, P<0.001).The VPT of glans penis [(4.17±1.37) V vs.(3.47±1.24) V, P=0.009] and the VPT of penis body [(3.73±1.41) V vs.(2.99±1.14)V, P=0.003] in the ED group were both higher than those in the normal group.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the glans VPT was 0.642.When the cut-off value was 3.537 V, the sensitivity was 63.4%, and the specificity was 63.6%.The AUC of the penile shaft VPT was 0.659.When the cut-off value was 2.775 V, the sensitivity was 72.3%, with a specificity of 54.5%. 【Conclusion】 The penile VPT of ED patients is higher than that of normal ones, and there is a correlation between VPT and the severity of ED.Severe ED is associated with higher VPT.The measurement of penile VPT is helpful for the clinical diagnosis of ED patients.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between intracerebroventricular glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-induced improvement in long-term postoperative cognitive function and expression of PKMζ and Kalirin in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.Methods:Sixty 7-day old Sprague-Dawley rats, male or female, were divided into 4 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), GDNF group (group G), surgery group (group S) and surgery plus GDNF group (group S+ G). Group C did not receive anesthesia, surgery or drug treatment. Group G received intracerebroventricular injection of 0.3 μg recombinant rat GDNF. Group S and group S+ G underwent right carotid artery exposure surgery under 3% sevoflurane anesthesia, and in addition group S+ G received intracerebroventricular injection of GDNF. The Barnes maze test and the fear conditioning test were performed starting from postnatal day 33. The animals were then sacrificed under sevoflurane anesthesia after behavioral testing, the brains were obtained and divided into 2 halves sagittally along the midline. The left half of the brain was used for Golgi staining to observe dendritic morphology and measure dendritic spine density. The hippocampal protein was extracted from the right half of the brain to detect the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the time to identify the target box in the Barnes maze test was significantly prolonged, the context-related freezing time in the fear conditioning test was shortened, the total dendritic length, the number of branches, the number of intersections in sholl analysis and spinal density in the hippocampus were reduced, and the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin was down-regulated in group S ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters in group G ( P>0.05). Compared with group S, the time to identify the target box in the Barnes maze test was significantly shortened, the context-related freezing time in the fear conditioning test was prolonged, the total dendritic length, the number of branches, the number of intersections in sholl analysis and spinal density in the hippocampus were increased, and the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin was up-regulated in group S+ G ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which intracerebroventricular GDNF improves long-term postoperative cognitive function may be related to up-regulating the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin and promoting the development of dendrites and dendritic spines in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.

Objective To investigate the impact of esketamine hydrochloride in combination with ultrasound-guided transverse thoracic muscle plane block on stress response and inflammatory levels in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under general anesthesia.Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent elective extra-corporeal circulation-supported median open heart valve replacement were selected and randomly assigned into four groups using the random number table method:general anesthesia alone(Group G),general anesthesia with intrave-nous administration of esketamine(Group E),general anesthesia with transverse thoracic plane block(Group T),and esketamine combined with transverse thoracic muscle plane block(Group ET);each group consisted of 30 cases.Patients in group E and group ET received a continuous infusion of esketamine hydrochloride injection at a rate of 0.2 mg/kg-1?h-1 until the completion of the surgical procedure,while patients in group G and group T received an equivalent volume of saline solution until the completion of the surgical procedure.After the induction of general anesthesia,patients in group T and group ET underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral transverse thoracic muscle plane block,while patients in group G and group E did not receive any specific intervention.All four groups received identical protocols for anesthesia induction and maintenance,with self-controlled intravenous analgesic pumps administered to all patients postoperatively.The following time points were recorded:1 day prior to surgery(T0),pre-induction of anesthesia(T1),1 minute post-tracheal intubation(T2),1 minute post-median sternotomy(T3),1 minute prior to initiation of cardiopulmonary circulation(T4),1 minute after cessation of cardiopulmonary circula-tion(T5),1 minute after completion of surgery(T6),1 day post-surgery(T7),2 days post-surgery(T8),and 3 days post-surgery(T9).Mean Arterial Pressure(MAP)and Heart Rate(HR)were continuously monitored from T1 to T6.The levels of blood glucose and lactate were measured and recorded at T1,T4 to T6.The levels of White Blood Cells(WBC)and C-Reactive Protein(CRP)were assessed at T0,as well as at T7 to T9.The occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions was documented in all four groups.Results(1)Comparison of hemodynamics among the four groups:Compared with group G,there was a significant decrease in MAP and HR at T3 in group T(P<0.05).At the T5 time point,MAP was lower in group ET compared to group E,while HR was higher in group ET compared to group T(P<0.05).(2)The lactate and blood glucose levels of the four patient groups after extracorporeal circulation transfer were higher than those at the T1 time point(P<0.05).Patients in group E had lower lactate values at the T5 time point and lower blood glucose values at the T6 time point compared to group G(P<0.05).Additionally,patients in group E exhibited lower lactate and blood glucose values at both the T5 and T6 time points compared to those in group T(P<0.05).(3)Compared to T0,the levels of white blood cells(WBC)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were increased in all four groups after surgery(P<0.05).At the T7 time point,the WBC levels in group E and group T were significantly lower than those in group G(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared to group E and group T,the level of WBC in group ET was significantly lower at T7,while the level of CRP was significantly lower at T8(P<0.05).(4)There were no significant differences observed in postoperative adverse reactions among the four groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combining low-dose esketamine hydrochloride with transverse thoracic muscle plane block under general anesthesia during open heart valve replacement surgery can effectively stabilize the patient's hemodynamics,mitigate perioperative stress response and postoperative inflammation levels,thereby demonstrating significant clini-cal utility.

DNMT3A encodes a DNA methyltransferase involved in development, cell differentiation, and gene transcription, which is mutated and aberrant-expressed in cancers. Here, we revealed that loss of DNMT3A promotes malignant phenotypes in lung cancer. Based on the epigenetic inhibitor library synthetic lethal screening, we found that small-molecule HDAC6 inhibitors selectively killed DNMT3A-defective NSCLC cells. Knockdown of HDAC6 by siRNAs reduced cell growth and induced apoptosis in DNMT3A-defective NSCLC cells. However, sensitive cells became resistant when DNMT3A was rescued. Furthermore, the selectivity to HDAC6 inhibition was recapitulated in mice, where an HDAC6 inhibitor retarded tumor growth established from DNMT3A-defective but not DNMT3A parental NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, DNMT3A loss resulted in the upregulation of HDAC6 through decreasing its promoter CpG methylation and enhancing transcription factor RUNX1 binding. Notably, our results indicated that HIF-1 pathway was activated in DNMT3A-defective cells whereas inactivated by HDAC6 inhibition. Knockout of HIF-1 contributed to the elimination of synthetic lethality between DNMT3A and HDAC6. Interestingly, HIF-1 pathway inhibitors could mimic the selective efficacy of HDAC6 inhibition in DNMT3A-defective cells. These results demonstrated HDAC6 as a HIF-1-dependent vulnerability of DNMT3A-defective cancers. Together, our findings identify HDAC6 as a potential HIF-1-dependent therapeutic target for the treatment of DNMT3A-defective cancers like NSCLC.

【Objective】 To introduce a modified microdot two-layer microsurgical vasovasostomy (MVV) and to analyze its effectiveness in patients with vas deferens obstruction caused by inguinal herniorrhaphy. 【Methods】 Clinical data of patients treated during Mar.2015 and Oct.2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into the modified group and traditional group. The general data, intraoperative conditions, efficacies and complications of the two groups were compared. 【Results】 There were 59 cases in the modified group, 54(91.5%) of whom were successfully followed up, and 41 cases in the traditional group, 38(92.7%) of whom were successfully followed up. There were no significant differences in age, inguinal herniorrhaphy history, and unilateral/bilateral ratio between the two groups (P>0.05). The average operation time for unilateral lesions in the modified group was shorter than that in the traditional group [(89.44±24.86) vs. (112.04±43.40) min, P=0.032]. The postoperative patency rate (83.3% vs.73.7%, P>0.05) and natural pregnancy rate (33.3% vs.28.9%, P>0.05) of the modified group and traditional group were comparable. Incision fat liquefaction occurred in 2 cases (3.70%) in the modified group and in 1 case (2.63%) in the traditional group (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The modified microdot two-layer MVV is a safe surgical method with comparable effectiveness as the traditional approach. By adjusting the position of the marking points and the order of suturing, it helps the management of sutures, reduces the difficulty of vasovasostomy, shortens operation time, and can be applied to repair vas deferens obstruction caused by inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that often occurs in children under 5 years of age, leading to coronary artery aneurysms.It is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in many countries.Coronary artery stenosis, thrombosis, and even myocardial infarction may occur in the long-term course of KD, which seriously threaten the health of children.The etiology and pathogenesis of KD are complex, and it is recognized that KD is caused by the interaction of multiple factors like the heredity, immunity, inflammation, and environmental factors.Interleukin-1 plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of KD.This study mainly reviews the research progress of interleukin-1 and its receptor antagonist Anakinra in KD.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics in hippocampus of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:One hundred and twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), sham operation plus HRS group (Sham+ HRS group), SAE group and SAE plus HRS group.Sepsis was developed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in anesthetized mice.HRS 10 ml/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 and 6 h after CLP in Sham+ HRS and SAE+ HRS groups.Twenty mice were randomly selected from each group to record the 7-day survival after operation.The working memory of the mice was observed by Y-maze test on days 3, 5 and 7 after CLP.The hippocampal tissues were obtained at 24 h after CLP for determination of the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (by spectrophotometry), and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF2), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group Sham, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the time spent in novel arm was shortened, the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were increased, the activities of SOD and CAT were decreased, the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and Tfam was up-regulated, the expression of Drp1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated in group SAE ( P<0.05). Compared with group SAE, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly increased, the time spent in novel arm was prolonged, the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were decreased, the activities of SOD and CAT were increased, the expression of PGC-1α, NRF2 and Tfam was up-regulated, the expression of Drp1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was up-regulated in group SAE+ HRS ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which HRS alleviates SAE may be related to promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis, regulation of dynamics, and reduction of oxidative stress in hippocampus of mice.

Humans ; Computational Biology ; Neutrophils/metabolism* ; Sepsis/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; Gene Expression Profiling