Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis-induced cell lysis and necrosis lead to the passive release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) into circulation. These DNAs bind to pattern recognition receptor (PRR), triggering excessive inflammatory cytokines production and increasing mortality. Three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) is a 3' to 5' exonuclease that rapidly degrades single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) by cleaving phosphodiester bonds. This process can prevent the accumulation of damaged DNA in the cytoplasm, thereby averting abnormal inflammation and pathological immune responses. TREX1 thus plays a significant role in regulating DNA-related damage caused by sepsis. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of TREX1 in sepsis have not been thoroughly discussed. This review aims to elucidate the structure and function of TREX1 and its mediated immune regulatory mechanisms, with the hope of clarifying the potential role of TREX1 in the field of sepsis.

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of BD-77 by nebulized inhalation on animal models of various respiratory viral infections and investigate the mechanism of broad-spectrum antiviral action of BD-77 using proteomics. MethodThe influenza virus H1N1/FM1 experiment used ICR mice and divided them into a normal group， model group， Tamiflu group， and BD-77 groups of 75 and 37.5 g·L^-1 for inhalation of 20 min and 25 min. Human coronavirus 229E and OC43 experiment divided the BALB/c mice into a normal group， model group， chloroquine phosphate group， and BD-77 groups of 75， 37.5， 18.75， and 9.375 g·L^-1， with 10 mice in each group. Influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 infection-induced pneumonia models were used to detect mouse lung index， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the viral load in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect related inflammatory factors in lung tissue， and proteomics analysis was performed on the lung tissue of OC43-infected mice. ResultCompared with that in the normal group， the lung index of mice in each infection group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and viral nucleic acid could be detected in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-10， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronavirus 229E were all significantly increased （P<0.01）. BD-77 could significantly reduce the lung index of mice infected with influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， cut down the viral load in the lungs of mice infected with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 （P<0.01）， and lower the contents of IL-6， IL-10， and TNF-α in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronavirus 229E （P<0.01）. Proteomics analysis of the lung tissue of OC43-infected mice showed that BD-77 regulated the AMPK signaling pathway， TNF signaling pathway， NOD-like signaling pathway， IL-17 signaling pathway， Forkhead box protein O （FoxO） signaling pathway， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） signaling pathway， and other signaling pathways. ConclusionNebulized inhalation of BD-77 is effective in treating pneumonia caused by influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 infection in mice and may exert its antiviral effects by regulating the balance of cellular metabolism， enhancing the immune function of the host， and attenuating inflammatory responses.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion leads to white matter injury (WMI), which subsequently causes neurodegeneration and even cognitive impairment. However, due to the lack of treatment specifically for WMI, novel recognized and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. In this study, we found that honokiol and magnolol, two compounds derived from Magnolia officinalis, significantly facilitated the differentiation of primary oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes, with a more prominent effect of the former compound. Moreover, our results demonstrated that honokiol treatment improved myelin injury, induced mature oligodendrocyte protein expression, attenuated cognitive decline, promoted oligodendrocyte regeneration, and inhibited astrocytic activation in the bilateral carotid artery stenosis model. Mechanistically, honokiol increased the phosphorylation of serine/threonine kinase (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by activating cannabinoid receptor 1 during OPC differentiation. Collectively, our study indicates that honokiol might serve as a potential treatment for WMI in chronic cerebral ischemia.
Magnolia ; White Matter ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the effects of Xiangshao granules on behavior and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of post-stroke depression (PSD) mice.Methods:Eighty C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, PSD+PBS group, and PSD+Xiangshao group ( n=20). PSD models were constructed using mild chronic unforeseeable stress (CUMS) and solitary feeding after MCAO. MCAO models were evaluated by laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and TTC staining. PSD models were evaluated by body mass, sugar and water preference test and tail suspension test. After PSD modeling, mice in the sham-operated group, MCAO group, and PSD+PBS group were given 0.2 mL PBS, while mice in the PSD+Xiangshao group was given Xiangshao granules at dosage of 60 mg/kg (dissolved in 0.2 mL PBS); all were given via intragastric administration once a d for 28 d. Number of OPCs and OLs in mPFC was detected by immunofluorescence. Expressions of myelin basic protein (MBP) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine/threonine kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway proteins in mPFC were detected by Western blotting. Results:(1) Model verification results: LSCI showed obvious changes of cerebral blood flow in the middle cerebral artery supply area before, during and after MCAO; TTC staining showed typical red non-infarct area and white infarct area in MCAO group, PSD+PBS group and PSD+ Xiangshao group; mNSS scores in MCAO group, PSD+PBS group and PSD+ Xiangshao group were all >4, without significant differences ( P>0.05); the MCAO model was successfully constructed. After PSD and before treatment, the PSD+PBS group and PSD+Xiangshao group had significantly decreased body weight and sugar-water preference, and statistically prolonged tail suspension immobilization time compared with sham-operated group and MCAO group ( P<0.05); the PSD model was successfully constructed. (2) Results of mouse behavior experiment after treatment: significant differences in body weight, sugar-water preference and tail suspension time were noted in mice of the 4 groups 28 d after treatment ( P<0.05); PSD+Xiangshao group had significantly increased body weight and sugar-water preference and decreased tail suspension immobilization time compared with PSD+PBS group ( P<0.05). (3) Number of OPCs (Olig2 +PDGFRa +), proliferative OPCs (Ki-67 +PDGFRa +, EdU +PDGFRa +) and OLs (Olig2 +CC1 +), and relative MBP, p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR protein expressions in mPFC of the 4 groups were significantly different ( P<0.05); compared with those in PSD+PBS group, the above cell number and relative protein expressions in PSD+Xiangshao group were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Xiangshao granules can promote the OPCs proliferation and OLs maturation by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in mPFC, thus playing a role in PSD.

Objective:To investigate the auxiliary diagnostic value of serum midkine (MK) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).Methods:Seventy-one postoperative DTC patients (DTC group) treated with 131I were selected, and 143 patients with benign thyroid lesions (benign thyroid disease group) treated with surgery in Center Hospital of Xiaogan from March 2019 to December 2020 at the same period were also selected. Clinical data such as liver and kidney function indexes, positive rate of anti thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb) and positive rate of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were collected before treatment, and their fasting blood samples were collected before treatment. Fully automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to measure free thyroxine (FT 4), free triiodothyronine (FT 3), TSH levels in patients′ serum. The serum MK levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Binary Logistic regression model was used to screen for independent risk factors for the development of DTC. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to evaluate the efficacy of MK, TSH and MK combined with TSH, in aiding the diagnosis of DTC and its staging. Results:Serum TSH and MK levels in DTC group were higher than those in benign thyroid disease group: (3.55 ± 0.61) mU/L vs. (2.97 ± 0.46) mU/L, (394.25 ± 63.36) ng/L vs. (311.45 ± 42.66) ng/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Elevated serum TSH and MK levels were independent risk factors for DTC. When MK combined with TSH was used to diagnose DTC, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were higher than those of MK and TSH alone (0.925 vs. 0.859 and 0.783, 83.10% vs. 78.87% and 73.24%, 89.51% vs. 85.31% and 79.02%), and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Serum TSH and MK levels in stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ patients in DTC group were higher than those in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients: (3.79 ± 0.65) mU/L vs. (3.42 ± 0.56) mU/L, (427.88 ± 52.73) ng/L vs. (311.45 ± 42.66) ng/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of MK combined with TSH in the diagnosis of different stages of DTC were higher than those of MK and TSH alone (0.822 vs. 0.657 and 0.666, 73.90% vs. 56.52% and 56.52%, 83.33% vs. 77.08% and 79.17%), and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum TSH and MK levels are independent risk factors for the occurrence of DTC in patients, and the combination of them has certain auxiliary diagnostic value for the identification and staging of DTC.

Objective:To review the incidence and treatment status of perioperative anemia in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:The clinicopathological data of gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from Jan to Dec 2019 were collected. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors of preoperative anemia in gastric cancer.Results:A total of 879 patients were included in this study. The incidence of preoperative anemia in patients with gastric cancer was 35.6%. The incidence of postoperative anemia was 63.5%. The proportion of patients with preoperative anemia receiving treatment was 17.3%, and the proportion of patients with postoperative anemia receiving treatment was 17.4%. Univariate analysis showed that age, nutritional risk screening 2002, T stage, M stage, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis were associated with preoperative anemia (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age >60 years , nutritional risk screening 2002 ≥3, T 3-4 stage and M 1 stage were independent risk factors for preoperative anemia in patients with gastric cancer (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastric cancer is high. At present, the proportion of patients with perioperative anemia receiving treatment is low. High nutritional risk, advanced age, late tumor T stage and distant metastasis are independent risk factors for preoperative anemia in patients with gastric cancer.

Objective:To identify the clinical factors associated with pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer and establish a scoring system.Methods:In this retrospective analysis the clinical data of patients with locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer treated with nCRT combined with surgery at Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from Jan 2016 to Jan 2020 were studied. Patients were divided into pCR group and non-pCR group. Single factor analysis and Logistic multivariate regression analysis were performed to explore pCR related factors after nCRT, and a pCR prediction scoring system was established.Results:The pCR was achieved in 33 patients (20.8%). Univariate analysis showed that the maximum thickness of the tumor≤25mm before nCRT ( P=0.046), concurrent oxaliplatin-combined intensive chemotherapy ( P=0.013), the NLR≤1.65 before nCRT ( P=0.004) and the serum CEA≤5 ng/ml before nCRT ( P=0.016) were significantly associated with pCR. In multivariate analysis, concurrent oxaliplatin-combined intensive chemotherapy, the NLR before nCRT and serum CEA before nCRT were independent related factors of pCR. The probability of pCR for patients with score of 0, 1, 2, and 3 was 42% (10/24), 30% (19/63), 5% (3/57) and 7% (1/15), respectively. The probability of pCR in patients with score≤1 point was 33% (29/87), and 6% (4/72) for score?1 point ( P?0.001). The area under the curve of the scoring system is 0.729 (95% CI: 0.638-0.820, P?0.001). Conclusions:Concurrent oxaliplatin-combined intensive chemotherapy, NLR≤1.65 before nCRT and serum CEA≤5 ng/ml before nCRT are independent predictors of pCR in locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer and the scoring system constructed in combination with above indicators can effectively predict pCR.

Cell migration is defined as the directional movement of cells toward a specific chemical concentration gradient, which plays a crucial role in embryo development, wound healing and tumor metastasis. However, current research methods showed low flux and are only suitable for single-factor assessment, and it was difficult to comprehensively consider the effects of other parameters such as different concentration gradients on cell migration behavior. In this paper, a four-channel microfluidic chip was designed. Its characteristics were as follows: it relied on laminar flow and diffusion mechanisms to establish and maintain a concentration gradient; it was suitable for observation of cell migration in different concentration gradient environment under a single microscope field; four cell isolation zones (20 μm width) were integrated into the microfluidic device to calibrate the initial cell position, which ensured the accuracy of the experimental results. In particular, we used COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate the structure of the chip, which demonstrated the necessity of designing S-shaped microchannel and horizontal pressure balance channel to maintain concentration gradient. Finally, neutrophils were incubated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs, 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 μmol·L ^-1), which were closely related to diabetes mellitus and its complications. The migration behavior of incubated neutrophils was studied in the 100 nmol·L ^-1 of chemokine (N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine) concentration gradient. The results prove the reliability and practicability of the microfluidic chip.
Cell Movement ; Chemotaxis ; Equipment Design ; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices ; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques ; Microfluidics ; Neutrophils ; Reproducibility of Results

Objective:To explore the identification value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), cytokeratin 19 fragment (Cyfra211), thyroglobulin (TG), ferritin (Fer) and procalcitonin (PCT) in fine needle aspiration eluent in benign and malignant cervical nodules, and acquire the optimal diagnostic model.Methods:Three hundred and ninety-six single cervical nodule patients who underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy from August 2017 to August 2019 in the Center Hospital of Xiaogan City of Hubei Province were selected. The fine needle aspiration eluent levels of CEA, SCC-Ag, Cyfra211, TG, Fer and PCT were detected by electrogenerated chemiluminescence method. The results of cytopathological diagnosis were regard as "gold standard", and the diagnostic efficiency of single and combined indexes in fine needle aspiration eluent were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:Among the 396 patients, malignant nodules was in 101 cases, and benign nodules was in 295 cases. The fine needle aspiration eluent levels of CEA, SCC-Ag, Cyfra211, TG and Fer in patients with malignant nodules were significantly higher than those in patients with benign nodules: (27.73 ± 10.63) μg/L vs. (16.81 ± 8.18) μg/L, (1.59 ± 0.74) μg/L vs. (1.09 ± 0.83) μg/L, (3.31 ± 1.48) μg/L vs. (1.66 ± 0.59) μg/L, (144.96 ± 38.93) μg/L vs. (95.03 ± 47.23) μg/L and (191.18 ± 80.13) μg/L vs. (137.87 ± 63.22) μg/L, the PCT was significantly lower than that in patients with benign nodules: (0.61 ± 0.24) μg/L vs. (1.01 ± 0.52) μg/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The ROC curve analysis result showed that the CEA, Cyfra211 and TG had super diagnostic value (area under curve>0.7, Youden index>0.5); the area under curve of CEA, Cyfra211 combined with TG was significantly higher than other combined detection of 2 indexes ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combined detection of CEA, Cyfra211 and TG in fine needle aspiration eluent can effectively distinguish the benign and malignant cervical nodules.

To investigate the effect of multiple propofol anesthesia and operative trauma on neuroinflammation and cognitive function in development rats and its mechanism. A total of 104 13-day-old neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 26 rats in each group: control group was treated with saline q.d for propofol group was treated with propofol q.d for surgery group received abdominal surgery under local anesthesia and then treated with saline q.d for surgery with propofol group received propofol anesthesia plus abdominal surgery under local anesthesia with ropivacaine at d1, then treated with propofol q.d for At d2 of experiment, 13 rats from each group were sacrificed and brain tissue samples were taken, the concentration of TNF-α in hippocampus was detected with ELISA, the expression of caspase-3 and c-fos in hippocampal tissue was determined with immunohistochemical method, the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampus was examined with TUNEL assay. Morris water maze test was used to examine the cognitive function of the rest rats at the age of 60 d, and the TNF-α concentration, caspase-3, c-fos expressions and the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampus were also detected. Compared with control group, TNF-α concentration, caspase-3, c-fos expression and the neuroapoptosis in hippocampus increased significantly in other three groups (all <0.05). Compared with surgery group, propofol group and surgery with propofol group showed increased TNF-α level, caspase-3 and c-fos expressions and apoptotic cell numbers (all <0.05), but there was no significant difference between last two groups (all >0.05). Morris water maze test showed that there were no significant differences in swimming speed, escape latency, target quadrant residence time and crossing times among groups (all >0.05). TNF-α level, expressions of caspase-3 and c-fos and apoptotic cell numbers in hippocampus had no significant differences among the 4 adult rats groups (all >0.05). Abdominal surgery and multiple propofol treatment can induce neuroinflammation and neuroapoptosis in hippocampus of neonatal rats, however, which may not cause adverse effects on neurodevelopment and cognitive function when they grown up.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Cognition ; Hippocampus ; Propofol/adverse effects* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley