Objective:To evaluate the role of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in hydrogen sulfide (H 2S)-induced inhibition of inflammatory responses in the brain tissues of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Methods:Fifty-four wild-type C57BL/6J mice and thirty-six Nrf2 -/-C57BL/6J mice, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=18 each) using a random number table method: wild-type sham operation group (wild-type Sham group), wild-type SAE group, wild-type SAE+ NaHS group, Nrf2 -/-SAE group, and Nrf2 -/-SAE+ NaHS group.After the model of SAE was established by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized mice.NaHS 50 μmol/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 3 h after the model was successfully established.The mice were sacrificed at 24 h after surgery, and brain tissues were obtained for examination of the phathological changes and for determination of the number of viable neurons, the expression of NLRP3 (by Western blot), contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and percentage of Iba-1 + CD86 + , Iba-1 + CD206 + and Iba-1 + cells (by flow cytometry). Results:Compared with wild-type Sham group, NLRP3 expression was significantly up-regulated, contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and percentage of Iba-1 + CD86 + and Iba-1 + cells were increased, and the percentage of Iba-1 + CD206 + cells and neuron survival rate were decreased in wild-type SAE group ( P<0.05). Compared with wild-type SAE group, NLRP3 expression was significantly down-regulated, contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, percentage of Iba-1 + and Iba-1 + CD86 + and neuron survival rate were decreased, and the percentage of Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was increased in wild-type SAE+ NaHS group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in each parameter between Nrf2 -/-SAE group and Nrf2 -/-SAE+ NaHS group ( P>0.05). Compared with wild-type SAE+ NaHS group, NLRP3 expression was significantly up-regulated, the percentage of Iba-1 + and Iba-1 + CD86 + and contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased, and the percentage of Iba-1 + CD86 + cells and neuron survival rate were decreased in Nrf2 -/-SAE+ NaHS group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Nrf2 signaling pathway is involved in H 2S-induced inhibition of inflammatory responses in the brain tissues of mice with SAE.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on the mitochondrial function in brain tis-sues of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE).Methods Two hundred and sixty-eight healthy male C57 mice,aged 6 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were divided into 4 groups(n＝67 each)using a ran-dom number table method: sham operation group(group SH),sham operation plus hydrogen gas group(group SH+H2),group SAE,and SAE plus hydrogen gas group(group SAE+H2).Sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized mice.The mice in group SH+H2 and group SAE+H2 inhaled 2％hydrogen gas for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation,respectively.The postoperative 7-day sur-vival rate was recorded.Brain tissues were obtained at 24 h after operation to count the normal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region.At 6,12 and 24 h after operation,hippocampal mitochondria were isolated for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)by fluorescence spectrophotometry and ATP con-tent by a bioluminescence assay.Y-maze(spontaneous alternation)test was performed at days 3,5 and 7 after operation.Results Compared with group SH,the 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased,the number of normal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region,MMP,mitochondrial ATP content and sponta-neous alternation percentage in Y-maze test were significantly decreased in group SAE and group SAE+H2(P＜0.05).Compared with group SAE,the 7-day survival rate,the number of normal neurons in hipp-ocampal CA1 region,MMP,mitochondrial ATP content and spontaneous alternation percentage in Y-maze test were significantly increased in group SAE+H2(P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hy-drogen reduces SAE is probably associated with improving mitochondrial function in brain tissues of mice.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on the mitochondrial function in brain tissues of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Methods: Two hundred and sixty-eight healthy male C57 mice, aged 6 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=67 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group SH), sham operation plus hydrogen gas group (group SH+ H₂), group SAE, and SAE plus hydrogen gas group (group SAE+ H₂). Sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized mice.The mice in group SH+ H₂ and group SAE+ H₂ inhaled 2% hydrogen gas for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation, respectively.The postoperative 7-day survival rate was recorded.Brain tissues were obtained at 24 h after operation to count the normal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region.At 6, 12 and 24 h after operation, hippocampal mitochondria were isolated for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by fluorescence spectrophotometry and ATP content by a bioluminescence assay.Y-maze (spontaneous alternation) test was performed at days 3, 5 and 7 after operation. Results: Compared with group SH, the 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the number of normal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region, MMP, mitochondrial ATP content and spontaneous alternation percentage in Y-maze test were significantly decreased in group SAE and group SAE+ H₂ (P<0.05). Compared with group SAE, the 7-day survival rate, the number of normal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region, MMP, mitochondrial ATP content and spontaneous alternation percentage in Y-maze test were significantly increased in group SAE+ H₂ (P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen reduces SAE is probably associated with improving mitochondrial function in brain tissues of mice.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on mitochondrial biosynthesis in the hippocampus of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Method: Two hundred and twenty-four healthy clean-grade male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups (n=56 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group SH), sham operation plus hydrogen group (group SH+ H₂), group SAE, and SAE plus hydrogen group (group SAE+ H₂). The model of SAE was established by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized mice.Group SH+ H₂ and group SAE+ H₂ inhaled 2% hydrogen for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation, respectively.Twenty mice were selectde to record the postoperative 7-day survival rate.The remaining animals were sacrificed at 24 h after operation, and brain tissues were taken for examination of the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region (with a light microscope) and for determination of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (by fluorescence spectrophotometry) and ATP content (by a bioluminescence assay). The apoptosis rate was calculated.The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) in hippocampus was determined by Western blot at 6, 12 and 24 h after operation. Results: Compared with group SH, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons was increased, the contents of MMP and ATP were decreased, and the expression of PGC-1α was up-regulated in SAE and SAE+ H₂groups (P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group SH+ H₂(P>0.05). Compared with group SAE, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly increased, and the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons was decreased, the contents of MMP and ATP were increased, and the expression of PGC-1α was up-regulated (P<0.05), and the pathological changes of hippocampal tissues were significantly attenuated in group SAE+ H₂. Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen mitigates SAE may be related to promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis in mice.

Objective T o observe the changes of cystathionine β-synthase (C B S ) expression in the cere-bral cortex after brain contusion at different tim es. Methods A n experim ental m odel of traum atic brain injury (T B I) in m ice w as established by an im proved w eight-drop device. T hen W estern blotting and im m unohistochem ical exam ination w ere used to detect the C B S expression in cerebral cortex around in-jury at different tim e points (1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d). Results T he results of W estern blotting revealed that the expression level of C B S w as dow n-regulated and reached its low est level at the 3rd days after injury, and then restored to norm al level after 7 days. T he results of im m unohistochem istry show ed that C B S w as present in the norm al brain cortex. C B S expression gradually decreased at the 3rd days after injury, and then restored to norm al level after 7 days. Conclusion C B S has the potential to be a reference index for tim e estim ation after brain contusion in forensic practice.

The zinc finger protein A20 exists in many kinds of ceils in the body and plays multiple roles in physiological and pathological processes such as regulation of immune response,inflammatory diseases and cancers by inhibiting cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and restricting NFKB signaling pathway.Recently,the role of A20 in generation and development of tumors draws wide attention,hence,we summarized recent research progress of the relation between A20 and cancer in this review.

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the surgical outcomes of simple discectomy and instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (iPLIF) in patients with lumbar disc herniation and Modic endplate changes. Our hypothesis was that iPLIF could provide better outcome for patients with refractory lumbar disc herniation and Modic changes (LDH-MC).

METHODSNinety-one patients with single-segment LDH-MC were recruited. All patients experienced low back pain as well as radicular leg pain, and low back pain was more severe than leg pain. Forty-seven patients were treated with discectomy and 44 were treated with iPLIF. The outcomes of both low back pain and radicular leg pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) as well as the clinical outcome related to low back pain using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were assessed before and 18 months after surgery, respectively.

RESULTSBoth low back and leg pain were significantly improved 18 months after simple discectomy and iPLIF. Compared to patients undergoing simple discectomy, low back pain was significantly reduced in patients undergoing iPLIF, but there was no significant difference in leg pain between two groups. Solid fusion was achieved in all patients who underwent iPLIF.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with LDH-MC, iPLIF can yield significantly superior outcome on the relief of low back pain compared to simple discectomy. Simple discectomy can relieve radicular leg pain as efficient as iPLIF. Accordingly, iPLIF seems to be a reliable treatment for patients with LDH-MC and predominant low back pain.

Adult ; Diskectomy ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Low Back Pain ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; standards

Objective To compare the characteristics in initial sandplay of college students with high and low gregarious personality,to validate the psychological assessment function of the initial sandplay.Methods Used the 16-PF as the tool to selected the 56 students as the high gregarious group,and 36 students as the low gregarious group.Results On selection of toys,the proportions of high gregarious group were significantly higher than those in low gregarious group in total numbers,plants and daily necessities ((27.77 ± 11.01)vs (20.94 ± 8.76),(7.30 ±6.43)vs(3.25 ±2.85),(3.66 ±2.86)vs(2.25 ±2.57)),and significantly lower in religion toys (0.30 ± 0.47) vs (0.86 ± 1.09).On operation process,the proportion of starting with toys in high gregarious group was significantly higher than that in low gregarious group (94.6％ vs 25％).Their attitudes towards sand were random touch(28.6％ vs 5.6％) and indifference(62.5％ vs 41.7％).They used more grass(55.4％ vs 27.8％),more real characters(83.9％ vs 50％),fewer virtual characters(55.4％ vs 83.3％) and more dynamic changes in creation(14.3％ vs 0％),more applied by the social scene (39.3％ vs 0％).On the theme of sandplay,the high gregarious group was fewer appear by the empty,neglect,injury ((3.6％ vs 19.4％),(0％ vs 8.3％),(0％ vs 8.3％) respectively,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The results show that the high and low gregarious personality have significantly characteristics in initial sandplay.Sandplay is valuable to be a personality assessment tool.

The antibody against AT1-EC2 plays a role in some kinds of inflammatory vascular diseases including malignant hypertension, preeclampsia, and renal-allograft rejection, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In order to investigate the changes of NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species in the aorta in a mouse model which can produce AT1-EC2 antibody by active immunization with AT1-EC2 peptide, 15 mice were divided into three groups: control group, AT1-EC2-immunized group, and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. In AT1-EC2-immunized group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, the mice were immunized by 50 μg peptide subcutaneously at multiple points for 4 times: 0, 5, 10, and 15 days after the experiment. In AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, valsartan was given at a dose of 100 mg/kg every day for 20 days. After the experiment, the mice were sacrificed under anesthesia and the aortas were obtained and frozen in liquid nitrogen for the preparation of frozen section slides and other experiments. The titer of AT1-EC2 was assayed by using ELISA. The level of NOX1 mRNA in the aorta was determined by using RT-PCR. The expression of NOX1 was detected by using Western blotting. Confocal scanning microscopy was used to assay the α-actin and NOX1 expression in the aortic tissue. The O(2)∸ production was detected in situ after DHE staining. The mice produced high level antibody against AT1-EC2 in AT1-EC2-immunized group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group, and the level of NOX1 mRNA in the aortic tissues was 1.6±0.4 times higher and the NOX1 protein expression was higher in AT1-EC2-immunized group than in control group. There were no significant differences in the level of NOX1 mRNA and protein expression between control group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. The expression and co-localization of α-actin and NOX1 in AT1-EC2-immunized group increased significantly as compared with those in control group, and the O(2)∸ production increased about 2.7 times as compared with control group. There were no significant differences between control group and AT1-EC2-immunized and valsartan-treated group. It is concluded that active immunization with AT1-EC2 can activate NOX1-ROS, and increase vascular inflammation, which can be inhibited by AT1 receptor blocker valsartan. This may partially explain the mechanism of the pathogenesis of inflammatory vascular diseases related to antibody against AT1-EC2.
Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NADPH Oxidases ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Vaccination ; methods

ObjectiveTo summarize the characteristics in initial sandplay of the interpersonal sensitivity (IS) in college students,and validate the psychological assessment function of the initial sandplay.MethodsThe research selected the 32 IS college students and 36 healthy students by the symptom checklist 90(SCL-90).All the 68 students applied the initial sandplay operation.The initial sandplay encoding of information was collected by coding table,and analyzed by t test,Chi-square test.ResultsOn selection of toys,the IS group was significantly lower in total,buildings,plants ( ( 18.63 ± 10.93 ) vs ( 29.81 ± 12.25 ),( 1.47 ± 1.52 ) vs ( 2.39 ± 1.68 ),( 3.41 ±4.39) vs(9.72 ±6.67) ),and significantly more in the others( (0.13 ±0.33) vs(0.00 ± 0.00) ).On space utilization,the IS group was lower than the non-IS group in all fields except the left middle and the middle.On operation process,the IS group on attitude to the sand was untouch(59.4％ vs 22.2％ ),less exposed the blue bottom (71.9％ vs 30.6％ ),less use the bridge(68.8％ vs 38.9％ ),more dissatisfaction with the own sandbox(43.8％vs 2.8％ ),more warfare and abstract scene( ( 18.8％ vs 0％ ),(21.9％ vs 2.8％ ) ),and less family and society scene( ( 12.5％ vs 27.8％ ),(25％ vs 41.7％ ) ).On the theme of sandplay,the is group was more appeared by the confusion,empty,split,limit,neglect,injury,threat theme( (25％ vs 5.6％ ),(37.5％ vs 0％ ),(31.3％ vs 0％ ),(40.6％ vs 5.6％ ),(37.5％ vs 2.8％ ),( 15.6％ vs 0％ ),(50％ vs 5.6％ ) ),and less appeared by the integrate,flow and energy theme ((12.5％ vs 38.9％),(3.1％ vs 50％),(28.1％ vs 58.3％)).ConclusionThe results show that the IS group has significantly characteristics in initial sandplay.Sandplay is valuable to be a clinical psychological assessment.