ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of kinesin family member 15 （KIF15） on the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cells and its mechanism of action. MethodsTCGA and GEPIA datasets were analyzed to determine the expression of KIF15 in HCC and its effect on tumor stage and survival. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of KIF15 in human-derived HCC cell lines （HepG2， Hep3B， MHCC-97H， and LM3） and human normal liver cell line L02 cultured in vitro， and Hep3B and HepG2 were selected for subsequent studies. CCK-8 assay， plate colony formation assay， and EdU staining were performed for Hep3B cells transfected with shRNA-NC or shRNA-KIF15 and HepG2 cells transfected with LV-vector or LV-KIF15 to evaluate the viability and proliferative capacity of these cells. GSEA was used to analyze the potential signaling pathways associated with KIF15 in HCC， and Western blot was used for detection. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe analysis of TCGA and GEPIA datasets showed that in HCC patients， the expression of KIF15 in HCC tissue was significantly higher than that in normal tissue， and the HCC patients with high KIF15 expression tended to have a poorer prognosis. Compared with sh-NC-Hep3B， sh3-Hep3B showed significant reductions in the mRNA and protein levels of KIF15 （P<0.05）， cell viability， clone formation number， and EdU positive rate （all P<0.05）. Compared with vector-HepG2， LV-KIF15-HepG2 showed significant increases in the mRNA and protein levels of KIF15 （P<0.05）， cell viability， clone formation number， and EdU positive rate （all P<0.05）. Subcutaneous tumor assay showed that compared with sh-NC-Hep3B， sh3-Hep3B showed reductions in tumor volume and tumor weight， as well as a significant reduction in the immunohistochemical score of Ki67 and a significant increase in the immunohistochemical score of TUNEL （P<0.05）. GSEA analysis showed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was positively correlated with KIF15 in HCC （NES=1.59， P<0.001）. Western blot showed that LY294002 could inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway upregulated in LV-KIF15-HepG2， and compared with LV-KIF15-HepG2， LY294002+LV-KIF15-HepG2 showed significant reductions in cell viability， clone formation number， and EdU positive rate （all P<0.05）. ConclusionKIF15 enhances the viability and proliferative capacity of HCC cells by upregulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the application effect of the forgetting curve combined with blended learning in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) nursing training for ICU nurses.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to November 2022. Sixty-three ICU nurses from the First Hospital of Quanzhou City were selected using cluster sampling and divided into an observation group ( n=30) and a control group ( n=33). The control group received traditional teaching methods for training, while the observation group received training using the forgetting curve combined with blended learning. Compared the ECMO theoretical scores and skill operation scores of two groups of nurses after 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months of training; observed the core competencies and training satisfaction of ECMO nurses before and after training in two groups of nurses. Results:In the control group, there were 7 males and 26 females with an average age of (27.88 ± 4.36) years old; in the observation group, there were 6 males and 24 females with an average age of (28.67 ± 4.24) years old.Prior to training, there were no statistically significant differences in theoretical scores, skill operation scores, and core competencies between the two groups (all P>0.05). After 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months of training, the observation group′s ECMO theoretical scores were (80.33 ± 3.11), (78.13 ± 3.70), (76.73 ± 3.30) points respectively, higher than those of the control group which were (75.18 ± 3.30), (73.88 ± 2.75), (70.48 ± 2.96) points, with statistically significant differences ( t=6.36, 5.21, 7.92, all P<0.01); the observation group′s ECMO skill operation scores were (84.10 ± 4.16), (82.73 ± 3.71), (81.50 ± 3.40) points respectively, higher than the control group′s (78.09 ± 4.30), (74.97 ± 4.17), (71.85 ± 4.03) points, with statistically significant differences ( t=5.63, 7.77, 10.22, all P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between two groups of nurses in terms of ECMO theory score and skill operation score, as well as time and interactive effect after training ( Finteraction=11.16, 84.76, both P<0.05). After training, the observation group′s total score for ECMO nurse core competency was (280.23 ± 9.23) points, superior to the control group′s (245.39 ± 14.90) points, with a statistically significant difference ( t=11.26, P<0.01). The observation group′s satisfaction total score and the scores in various dimensions were (99.17 ± 10.79), (4.43 ± 0.50), (4.30 ± 0.53), (4.57 ± 0.68), (4.37 ± 0.67), (4.23 ± 0.57) points, all higher than those of the control group which were (84.30 ± 12.61), (3.67 ± 0.96), (3.48 ± 0.71), (3.67 ± 0.74), (3.73 ± 0.72), (3.82 ± 0.77) points, with statistically significant differences ( t values were 2.42 to 5.09, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of the forgetting curve combined with blended learning in ECMO nursing training for ICU nurses is scientifically feasible. It helps nurses master ECMO theory and skill operations, improve ECMO nurse core competencies, enhance training satisfaction, and provides a new method for ECMO nursing training.

Epitopes are the basis of antigenicity and the smallest functional unit to induce immune response.Identification of B-cell epitopes is of great significance for the development of new vaccines and therapeutic drugs as well as diagnostic reagents.In this paper,the methods applied in the study of B-cell epitopes mapping in recent years are reviewed and their advantages and shortages are analyzed.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of esketamine on hippocampal neuronal necroptosis in aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Methods:One hundred and twenty SPF-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 22 months, weighing 550-600 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), postoperative cognitive dysfunction group (group P), postoperative cognitive dysfunction+ esketamine group (group PE), and esketamine group (group CE). Rats received exploratory laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia, and esketamine 10 mg/kg and the equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride were intraperitoneally injected at the end of surgery once a day for 6 consecutive days in group P and group PE, respectively. Rats received no anesthesia and surgery, and esketamine 10 mg/kg and the equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride were intraperitoneally injected at the end of surgery once a day for 6 consecutive days in group CE and group C, respectively. Morris water maze test was performed at 7th day after surgery. The escape latency, times of crossing the original platform and time spent in the original platform quadrant were recorded. The rats were sacrificed at the end of Morris water maze test, and the hippocampal tissues were collected for determination of the rate of necroptosis and cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations (by flow cytometry) and expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), phosphorylated MLKL (p-MLKL), receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated RIPK3 (p-RIPK3), receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1) and phosphorylated RIPK1 (p-RIPK1) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the times of crossing the original platform were decreased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was shortened, the necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations were increased, and the expression of MLKL, p-MLKL, RIPK3, p-RIPK3, RIPK1 and p-RIPK1 was up-regulated in group P and group PE ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the times of crossing the original platform were increased, the time spent in the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and cytosolic Ca 2+ concentrations were decreased, and the expression of MLKL, p-MLKL, RIPK3, p-RIPK3, RIPK1 and p-RIPK1 was down-regulated in group PE ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which esketamine attenuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be related to inhibition of necroptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of necrostatin-1 (Nec-1)pre-treatment on postoperative cognitive function in aged rats with chronic pain due to knee arthritis.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 22 months, weighing 550-600 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: chronic pain due to knee arthritis group(group P), chronic pain due to knee arthritis + operation group (group PS), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) + chronic pain due to knee arthritis + operation group (DMSO+ PS group), and necrostatin-1 + chronic pain due to knee arthritis + operation group (Nec-1+ PS group). The inflammation-induced knee arthritis model was developed by injecting monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the left joint cavity.The exploratory laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia was performed at 12 weeks after intra-articular MIA injection. In Nec-1+ PS group and DMSO+ PS group, necrosstatin-1 6.25 mg/kg and the equal dose of DMSO were intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before surgery, respectively. At 7 days after surgery, the Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function, the activation of microglial cells in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescent staining, and the activation rate of microglia cells was calculated, the necrosis rate of neurons was determined by flow cytometry, the expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (p-MLKL) was determined by Western blot, and the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with P group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, and the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the activation rate of microglia cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and necrosis rate of hippocampal neurons were increased, the expression of RIPK1 and p-MLKL was up-regulated, and the contents of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in hippocampus were increased in PS, DMSO+ PS and Nec-1+ PS groups ( P<0.05). Compared with PS group and DMSO+ PS group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged, and the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the activation rate of microglia cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and necrosis rate of hippocampal neurons were decreased, the expression of RIPK1 and p-MLKL was down-regulated, and the contents of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in hippocampus were decreased in Nec-1+ PS group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Necrostatin-1 pre-treatment can improve postoperative cognitive function in aged rats with chronic pain due to knee arthritis, and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of necrosis in hippocampal neurons and reduction of neuroinflammation.

Objective:To evaluate the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) signaling pathway in pre-injection of young rat plasma-induced reduction of sevoflurane-caused cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.Methods:Eighty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 550-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S), young rat plasma group (group Y) and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway inhibitor K252a group (group K). The plasma 100 μl obtained from 3-month-old young rats was injected via the tail vein in group Y and group K, while the equal volume of normal saline was given via the tail vein in group C and group S, twice a week, for 4 weeks.In S, Y and K groups, 3% sevoflurane was inhaled for 3 h starting from the end of treatment, and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway inhibitor K252a was injected via the tail vein before anesthesia in group K. The open field test and Morris water maze test were performed at 3 days after anesthesia to assess the spontaneous motor ability and cognitive function.Then the rats were sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissues were isolated for determination of the expression of BDNF, phosphorylated TrkB (p-TrkB), postsynaptic dense protein-95 (PSD-95) and synaptic vesicle protein (SYN) (by Western blot), dendritic length and dendritic ridge density of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area (by Golgi staining), and the number of synapses and length of synaptic active area (with a transmission electron microscope). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of p-TrkB, BDNF, PSD-95 and SYN was down-regulated, and the dendritic length, dendritic ridge density, the number of synapses and length of synaptic active area were decreased in group S ( P<0.05). Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of p-TrkB, BDNF, PSD-95 and SYN was up-regulated, and the dendritic length, dendritic ridge density, the number of synapses and length of synaptic active area were increased in group Y ( P<0.05). Compared with group Y, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of p-TrkB, BDNF, PSD-95 and SYN was down-regulated, and the dendritic length, dendritic ridge density, the number of synapses and length of synaptic active area were decreased in group K ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which pre-injection of young rat plasma reduces sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction is related to activation of BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and improvement in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA receptors) in sevoflurane anesthesia-caused necroptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged mice.Methods:Ninety clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 18 months, weighing 27-30 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S) and sevoflurane anesthesia plus NMDA receptor antagonist memantine hydrochloride group (group S+ M). Mice inhaled 3% sevoflurane for 2 h for 3 consecutive days in S group and S+ M group, and memantine hydrochloride 20 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before each inhalation of sevoflurane in S+ M group.Mice only inhaled pure oxygen for 2 h in group C. Ten mice of each group were selected on 1 day before anesthesia and 3 and 7 days after anesthesia to perform Morris water maze test.The mice were sacrificed immediately after Morris water maze test, and hippocampus was removed for microscopic examination of pathological changes (with a light microscope) and for determination of the necroptosis rate of neurons and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration([Ca 2+ ] i)(by flow cytometry), and expression of NMDA receptor subtypes GluN2A, GluN2B and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, and the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, and the [Ca 2+ ] i and neuronal necroptosis rate in the hippocampus were increased at each time point after anesthesia, and the expression of GluN2A, GluN2B and RIP1 was up-regulated( P<0.05), and the pathologic changes were accentuated in S group and S+ M group.Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened, and the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased, and the [Ca 2+ ] i and neuronal necroptosis rate in the hippocampus were decreased at each time point after anesthesia, and the expression of GluN2A, GluN2B and RIP1 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathologic changes were attenuated in group S+ M. Conclusions:NMDA receptors are involved in the process of cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged mice, and the mechanism may be related to the promotion of necrptosis in hippocampal neurons.

Objective:To evaluate the role of RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway in multiple exposures to sevoflurane-induced long-term cognitive impairment in neonatal rats.Methods:Sixty SPF healthy neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex, aged 6 days, weighing 12-20 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), multiple exposures to sevoflurane group (group S) and RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway inhibitor Y-27632 group (group Y). Group S and group Y inhaled 3% sevoflurane for 2 h at days 6, 7 and 8 after birth.In group Y, Y-27632 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected before sevoflurane anesthesia.The spontaneous activity was evaluated by open field test on day 35 after birth.The cognitive function was detected by Morris water maze test at day 36 after birth.The rats were sacrificed after Morris water maze test, and the hippocampal tissues were isolated for determination of the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) (by flow cytometry) and expression of phosphorylated RhoA (p-RhoA), ROCK2 and cleaved-caspase-3 (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons (with a transmission electron microscope). Results:There was no significant difference in movement speed, distance and time of stay in the open field center in the open field test among the three groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of p-RhoA, ROCK2 and cleaved-caspase-3 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological injury to hippocampal neurons was found in group S. Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and [Ca 2+ ] i were decreased, the expression of p-RhoA, ROCK2 and cleaved-caspase-3 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological injury to hippocampal neurons was attenuated in group Y. Conclusions:The mechanism by which multiple exposures to sevoflurane induces long-term cognitive impairment is related to activation of RhoA/Rock2 signaling pathway and induction of apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons in neonatal rats.

Objective:To evaluate the role of 1, 4, 5-inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R) in necroptosis of hippocampal neurons induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats.Methods:Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18 months, weighing 500-600 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S) and sevoflurane anesthesia + IP3R antagonist group (group S+ I). S and S+ I groups inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 5 h. In group S+ I, IP3 receptor antagonist 2-APB 3 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 10 min before sevoflurane inhalation, and the equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide was intraperitoneally injected in group C and group S. Morris water maze test was used to test the cognitive function on the day after the end of sevoflurane anesthesia.Then the animals were sacrificed and the brain tissues were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes after HE staining and Nissl staining (with a light microscope) and for determination of the free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) and rate of necroptosis of hippocampal neurons (by flow cytometry) and expression of IP3R, receptor-interacting protein kinase-1 (RIPK1), receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (p-MLKL) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the times of crossing the platform were reduced, the time of staying at the target quadrant was shortened, the [Ca 2+ ] i and necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were increased, and the expression of IP3R, RIPK1, RIPK3 and p-MLKL in hippocampal neurons was up-regulated in group S and group S+ I ( P<0.05). Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the times of crossing the platform were increased, the time of staying at the target quadrant was prolonged, the [Ca 2+ ] i and necroptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were decreased, and the expression of IP3R, RIPK1, RIPK3 and p-MLKL in hippocampal neurons was down-regulated in group S+ I ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sevoflurane induces cognitive dysfunction may be related to the imbalance of calcium homeostasis caused by activation of IP3R and thus inducing programmed necrosis in aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of pre-infusion of young rat plasma on cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane in aged rats and the role of extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway.Methods:One hundred and twenty SPF healthy male Wistar rats, aged 18 months, weighing 550-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S), young rat plasma group (group P) and ERK inhibitor SL327 group (group SL). The teated plasma 100 μl from 3-month-old young rats was injected via the tail vein in group P and group SL, while the equal volume of normal saline was given via the tail vein in group C and group S, twice a week, for 4 weeks.In S, P and SL groups, 3% sevoflurane was inhaled for 3 h at the end of injection, and ERK inhibitor SL327 50 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein before anesthesia in group SL.The cognitive function was evaluated by Morris water maze test at 1 day before anesthesia and at 3 and 7 days after anesthesia.The rats were sacrificed, and their hippocampi were isolated for determination of the expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), p-CREB, synapsin, synapsin Ⅰ and synaptophysin and for examination of the ultrastructure of neurons (by transmission electron microscopy). The number of synapses was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, synapsin, synapsin Ⅰ and synaptophysin was down-regulated, and the number of synapses was decreased at each time point after anesthesia in the other 3 groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, synapsin, synapsin Ⅰ and synaptophysin was up-regulated, and the number of synapses was increased at each time point after anesthesia in P and SL groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group P, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the expression of p-ERK, p-CREB, synapsin, synapsin Ⅰ and synaptophysin was down-regulated, and the number of synapses was decreased in group SL ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Pre-infusion of young rat plasma can reduce cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane in aged rats, and the mechanism is related to activation of ERK-CREB signaling pathway and improvement of synaptic plasticity.