Objective·To investigate the effect of early postoperative administration of zoledronic acid on fracture healing and functional recovery in elderly patients with osteoporotic femoral intertrochanteric fracture treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation(PFNA)surgery,and explore other potential prognostic factors.Methods·A total of 174 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures of 80 years old or above who underwent PFNA treatment in Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January,2016 to February,2022,were divided into experimental group(n=26)and control group(n=148)according to whether they received zoledronic acid early after surgery.All patients were followed up twice at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery.The patients in the experimental group were matched with the control group by propensity score matching(PSM)at a ratio of 1:3(the matching factors included age,gender,fracture type,and body mass index).General characteristics,as well as fracture healing and functional recovery at the two follow-up visits were compared between the two groups after matching.Subsequently,Logistic regression was used to explore the potential prognostic factors on fracture healing at 12 weeks after surgery.Results·PSM resulted in 25 patients in the experimental group and 65 patients in the control group,and there were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups.The fracture healing rates at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery in the experimental group(16.0%and 96.0%,respectively)were higher than those in the control group(1.5%and 73.8%),and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Harris hip function score in the experimental group at 12 weeks was significantly higher than that of the control group(P=0.019).The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that good surgical reduction(OR=12.52,95%CI 2.67?58.74,P=0.001),early postoperative administration of zoledronic acid(OR=10.14,95%CI 1.01?102.09,P=0.049),and higher serum albumin level(OR=1.15,95%CI 1.02?1.29,P=0.025)were the favorable factors of early fracture healing,while unstable fracture(OR=0.10,95%CI 0.03?0.31,P=0.000)was the unfavorable factor.Conclusion·For elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric femoral fractures treated with PFNA surgery,early postoperative administration of zoledronic acid can promote fracture healing and lead to better functional recovery;in addition,good surgical reduction and higher serum albumin levels are favorable factors for fracture healing,whereas unstable fracture presents as a hindrance to the healing process.

Objective:To evaluate the role of the autophagy in hydrogen-induced reduction of myocardial injury in septic mice.Methods:A total of 192 clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 6 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation plus hydrogen group (group Sham+ H 2), sepsis group (group S), sepsis plus hydrogen group (group S+ H 2), sepsis plus bafilomycin A1 group (group S+ BafA1) and sepsis plus hydrogen plus bafilomycin A1 group (group S+ H 2+ BafA1). Sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) after anesthesia. The mice inhaled 2% hydrogen for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after operation in group Sham+ H 2, group S+ H 2 and group S+ H 2+ BafA1. Bafilomycin A1 1 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h after operation in S+ BafA1 and S+ H 2+ BafA1 groups. Twenty mice in each group were selected to record the 7-day survival rates after operation. Then the mice were sacrificed at 24 h after operation to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissues which were scored and detect the serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and determine the level of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 B (LC3B) and P62 (by Western blot). LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰratio was calculated. Results:Compared with group Sham, the 7-day survival rate after operation was significantly decreased, the serum cTnI concentrations and pathological scores of myocardial tissues were increased, the expression of P62 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), no significant change was found in LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰratio ( P>0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group Sham+ H 2 ( P>0.05). Compared with group S, the 7-day survival rate after operation was significantly increased, the serum cTnI concentrations and pathological scores of myocardial tissues were decreased, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰratio was increased, and the expression of P62 was down-regulated in group S+ H 2, and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰratio was significantly decreased, and the expression of P62 was up-regulated in group S+ BafA1 ( P<0.05). Compared with group S+ H 2, the 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the serum cTnI concentrations and pathological scores of myocardial tissues were increased, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰratio was decreased, and the expression of P62 was up-regulated in group Sham+ H 2 ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which hydrogen alleviates myocardial damage may be related to promoting autophagy in septic mice.

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.

Acute pancreatitis often progresses rapidly, and if it is not controlled in time, it may lead to multiple organ injury and even death due to organ failure. At present, there is still a high proportion of patients with acute pancreatitis who died due to liver failure. The liver and the pancreas are interrelated physiologically and affect each other pathologically. This article elaborates on the molecular mechanism of liver injury in acute pancreatitis from the six aspects of the physiological relationship between the pancreas and the liver, cytokines, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, microcirculation disturbance, and intestinal flora translocation.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between phosphorylation of Tau protein and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) containing 18 kDa fragments and investigate the mechanism of neuronal damage induced by sevoflurane.Methods:Primary neurons (ApoE3 and ApoE2 genotypes, 24 dishes for each genotype) of fetal mice cultured until the 5th day were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: ApoE3 control group (A3C group), ApoE3 sevoflurane group (A3S group), ApoE2 control group (A2C group) and ApoE2 sevoflurane group (A2S group). Neurons were treated with 21% oxygen + 5% carbon dioxide + 4.1% sevoflurane for 4 h in A3S and A2S groups, while the neurons were only treated with 21% oxygen + 5% carbon dioxide in A3C and A2C groups.The cell proteins were then extracted to detect the expression of full-length ApoE and ApoE, AT8 and PHF1 containing 18 kDa fragments (by Western blot), expression of ApoE mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction), and concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the supernatant (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with A2C group, the expression of ApoE mRNA and full-length ApoE in neurons was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of AT8 and PHF1 and concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatant in A2S group ( P>0.05). Compared with A3C group, the expression of ApoE mRNA, full-length ApoE, and ApoE, AT8 and PHF1 containing 18 kDa fragments was up-regulated, and the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatant were increased in A3S group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Sevoflurane may promote phosphorylation of Tau proteins and increase inflammatory responses through up-regulating the expression of ApoE containing 18 kDa fragments, thus leading to neuronal damage.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on activation of A1 astrocytes in the hippocampus of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:A total of 164 clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=41 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation plus hydrogen group (group Sham+ H 2), group SAE and SAE plus hydrogen group (group SAE+ H 2). The SAE model was established by cecal ligation and perforation.Group Sham+ H 2 and group SAE+ H 2 inhaled 2% hydrogen starting from 1 and 6 h after operation, respectively.Twenty mice in each group were selected to observe the 7-day survival rate after operation.The remaining mice were sacrificed at 12 h after operation, and brain tissues were removed for examination of the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region (with a light microscope) and for determination of the apoptosis in neurons (by TUNEL), co-expression of hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and complement C3 (by immunofluorescence staining), expression of A1 astrocyte marker C3 (by Western blot), and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The abnormal cell ratio and apoptosis rate were calculated.Six mice in each group were selected at 7 days after operation to perform Y-Maze paradigm. Results:Compared with group Sham, the 7-day survival rate after operation was significantly decreased, the abnormal cell ratio and apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were increased, the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were increased, the expression of C3 was up-regulated, the number of cells coexpressing GFAP and C3 was increased, the exploration time spent in the novel arm in Y-Maze paradigm was shortened, and the preference index was decreased in group SAE ( P<0.05). Compared with group SAE, the 7-day survival rate after operation was significantly increased, the abnormal cell ratio and apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons were decreased, the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 were decreased, the expression of C3 was down-regulated, the number of cells coexpressing GFAP and C3 was decreased, the exploration time spent in the novel arm in Y-Maze paradigm was prolonged, and the preference index was increased in group SAE+ H 2 ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in each parameter mentioned above between Sham group and Sham+ H 2 group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which hydrogen improves SAE may be related to inhibiting activation of A1 type astrocytes in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on mitochondrial dynamics in hippocampus of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:A total of 224 clean-grade healthy male C57 mice, weighing 20-25g, aged 6-8 weeks, were divided into 4 groups ( n=56 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham operation + hydrogen group (group Sham+ H 2), SAE group and SAE + hydrogen group (group SAE+ H 2). Sepsis was produced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Sham+ H 2and SAE+ H 2 groups inhaled 2% hydrogen for 1 h starting from 1 and 6 h after CLP, respectively.The postoperative 7-day survival rate was recorded.Brain tissues were obtained at 24 h after operation for examination of the pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region (with a light microscope) and for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (by fluorescence spectrophotometry) and ATP content (by a bioluminescence assay) in hippocampal tissues.At 6, 12 and 24 h after operation, hippocampal mitochondria were isolated for determination of the expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and the mitochondrial fusion proteins mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with group Sham, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly decreased, the contents of MMP and ATP were decreased, the expression of Drp1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was down-regulated( P<0.05), the pathological changes were aggravated in hippocampal CA1 region in SAE and SAE+ H 2 groups, and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group Sham+ H 2 ( P>0.05). Compared with group SAE, the postoperative 7-day survival rate was significantly increased, the contents of MMP and ATP were increased, the expression of Drp1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Mfn2 was up-regulated( P<0.05), the pathological changes were attenuated in hippocampal CA1 region in group SAE+ H 2. Conclusion:The mechanism by which hydrogen improves mitochondrial function is probably associated with promoting mitochondrial fusion and inhibiting mitochondrial fission in hippocampus of mice with SAE.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglia and the role of autophagy.Methods:The BV-2 microglial cells cultured in vitro were seeded in 6- or 96-well plates and were divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), group LPS, hydrogen-rich medium group (group H) and autophagy inhibitor 3-methylpurine group (group 3-MA). In group C, cells were cultured in MEM culture medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum for 24 h. In group LPS, LPS was added at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml, and cells were incubated for 24 h. In group H, LPS was added at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml, the culture medium was replaced with a hydrogen-rich medium at a final concentration of 0.6 mmol/L, and cells were incubated for 24 h. In group 3-MA, 3-methylpurine was added at a final concentration of 2 mmol/L, and the subsequent treatment was similar to those previously described in group H. The cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay.The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The percentage of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) +, Iba-1 + CD86 + and Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅰ (LC3 Ⅰ), LC3Ⅱ, Beclin-1 and p62 was detected by Western blot, and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ was calculated. Results:There was no significant difference in the cell survival rate among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β and percentage of Iba-1 +, Iba-1 + CD86 + and Iba-1 + CD206 + cells were significantly increased in LPS, H and 3-MA groups, the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Beclin-1 expression was significantly down-regulated, and p62 expression was up-regulated in LPS and 3-MA groups, and the ratio of LC3LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and Beclin-1 expression was significantly up-regulated, and p62 expression was down-regulated in group H ( P<0.05). Compared with group LPS, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, the concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β were increased, the percentage of Iba-1 + and Iba-1 + CD86 + cells were decreased, the percentage of Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was increased, the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Beclin-1 expression was up-regulated, and p62 expression was down-regulated in group H ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the above indexes in group 3-MA ( P>0.05). Compared with group H, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, the concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β were decreased, the percentage of Iba-1 + and Iba-1 + CD86 + cells was increased, the percentage of Iba-1 + CD206 + cells was decreased, the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and Beclin-1 expression was down-regulated, and p62 expression was up-regulated in group 3-MA ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which hydrogen reduces LPS-caused inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglia is related to enhancing autophagy and inhibiting microglial activation.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on intestinal injury in severely burned rats.Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group Sham), sham plus dexmedetomidine group (group Sham+ Dex), severe burn group (group Burn), and severe burn plus dexmedetomidine group (group Burn+ Dex). Forty percent total body surface area of III degree burn model was developed in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats.Dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused for 4 h at a rate of 5 μg·kg -1·h -1 starting from 3 h after establishing the model in Sham+ Dex group and Burn+ Dex group.The small intestinal tissues were removed for examination of the pathological changes which were scored and for determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and expression of occludin and ZO-1 protein (by Western blot). The serum concentrations of 4-kD-FITC were measured at 90, 180, 360 and 720 min after establishing the model. Results:Compared with Sham group, the pathological scores of intestinal tissues, contents of TNF-α and HMGB1, serum concentrations of 4-kD-FITC at each time point were significantly increased, and the expression of occludin and ZO-1 was down-regulated in Burn group and Burn+ Dex group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in Sham+ Dex group ( P>0.05). Compared with Burn group, the pathological scores of intestinal tissues, contents of TNF-α and HMGB1, serum concentrations of 4-kD-FITC at each time point were significantly decreased, and the expression of occludin and ZO-1 was up-regulated in Burn+ Dex group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Dexmedetomidine can reduce intestinal injury in severely burned rats, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting inflammatory responses in the intestine.

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.