The roles of adenosine signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with multiple etiological factors. Immune disorder contributes to SLE development and is an important clinical manifestation of SLE patients. Immune dysfunction is characterized by abnormal of B cells, T cells, monocyte-macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), in both quantity and quality. Adenosine is a critical factor for human immune homeostasis, which acts as an immunosuppressive signal and can prevent the hyperactivity of human immune system. Adenosine levels are significant decreased in serum from SLE patients. Adenosine level is regulated by the CD39, CD73 and adenosine deaminase (ADA). CD39/CD73/ADA catalyzed the cascade enzymatic reaction, which contained the adenosine generation and degradation. Adenosine affects the function of various immune cells via bind to the adenosine receptors, which are expressed on the cell surface. This review aims to export the changes of immune cells and adenosine signal pathway in SLE, as well as the effect of adenosine signal pathway in SLE development.

Plasma-derived from human umbilical cord blood restores ovarian function and improves serum reproductive hormones levels in mice with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) through cytokines and growth factors.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients experience a decline in ovarian function and a reduction in serum reproductive hormones, leading to a significant impact on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology. Despite the absence of an effective clinical treatment to restore fertility in POI patients, recent research has indicated that cord blood plasma (CBP) derived from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) may offer therapeutic benefits for various degenerative diseases. The primary aim of this study is to explore approaches for enhancing ovarian function and serum reproductive hormones through the administration of CBP in a murine model. Initially, hUCB was utilized to obtain CBP (CBP), which was subsequently analyzed for cytokine and growth factor profiles in comparison to adult blood plasma (ABP) by use of flow cytometry. Subsequently, POI mouse models were established through the induction of 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide, followed by the injection of CBP into the tail. At 7, 14, and 21 days posttreatment, mouse ovaries and blood were collected, and their estrus cycle, body weight, and ovarian weights were evaluated using precise electronic balance. Finally, ovarian morphology and follicle number were assessed through HE staining, while serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by ELISA. Our study revealed that individuals with CBP exhibited significantly lower concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-ß (p < 0.01) and IL-2 (p < 0.05), while displaying elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12P70, IL-17A, IP-10, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.01). Furthermore, CBP demonstrated remarkably higher levels of growth factors, including transforming growth factor-ß1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (p < 0.01) than ABP. Notably, our investigation also revealed that CBP restored the content of serum reproductive hormones, such as AMH, E2, and FSH (p < 0.05), and increased the number of primordial and primary follicles (p < 0.01) and decreased the number of luteal and atretic follicles (p < 0.01) in vivo. Our findings suggested that CBP-secreted cytokines and growth factors could be restored POI ovarian function, enhanced serum reproductive hormones and rescued follicular development in vivo. These findings further support the potential of CBP as a promising strategy in clinical applications for POI related infertility.

Metabolomic analysis of the serum and urine of rats exposed to diazinon, dimethoate, and cypermethrin alone or in combination.

BACKGROUND: Multiple pesticides are often used in combination for plant protection and public health. Therefore, it is important to analyze the physiological changes induced by multiple pesticides exposure. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined toxicity of the widely-used organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides diazinon, dimethoate, and cypermethrin. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were administrated by gavage once daily with the three pesticides individual or in combination for consecutive 28 days. The metabolic components of serum and urine samples were detected by using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics method. Histopathological examination of liver and kidneys and serum biochemical determination were also carried out. RESULTS: The results showed that after the 28-day subacute exposure, serum glutamic transaminase and albumin were significantly increased and blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased in the rats exposed to the mixture of the pesticides compared with the control rats, suggesting that the co-exposure impaired liver and kidney function. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the indicators 14 metabolites were statistically significant altered in the rats after the exposure of the pesticides. The increase in 3-hydroxybutyric acid in urine or decrease of lactate and N-acetyl-L-cysteine in serum could be a potentially sensitive biomarker of the subchronic combined effects of the three insecticides. The reduction level of 2-oxoglutarate and creatinine in urine may be indicative of dysfunction of liver and kidneys. CONCLUSION: In summary, the exposure of rats to pesticides diazinon, dimethoate, and cypermethrin could cause disorder of lipid and amino acid metabolism, induction of oxidative stress, and dysfunction of liver and kidneys, which contributes to the understanding of combined toxic effects of the pesticides revealed by using the metabolomics analysis of the urine and serum profiles.

Plasticity changes in neuromuscular junction morphology and related regulatory proteins in the hibernating ground squirrel.

Skeletal muscle disuse atrophy can cause degenerative changes in neuromuscular junction morphology. Although Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) are a natural anti-disuse animal model for studying muscle atrophy during hibernation, little is known about the morphological and regulatory mechanisms of their neuromuscular junctions. Here, we found that morphological indices of the soleus muscle were significantly lower during hibernation (torpor and interbout arousal) compared with pre-hibernation but recovered during post-hibernation. In the extensor digitorum longus muscle, neuromuscular junction morphology did not change significantly during hibernation. Agrin-Lrp4-MuSK is a key pathway for the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. Our results showed that low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 4 (Lrp4) expression in the soleus (slow muscle) decreased by 46.2% in the interbout arousal group compared with the pre-hibernation group (P = 0.019), with recovery in the post-hibernation group. Compared with the pre-hibernation group, agrin expression in the extensor digitorum longus (fast muscle) increased by 67.0% in the interbout arousal group (P = 0.016). In conclusion, periodic up-regulation in agrin expression during interbout arousal may be involved in the maintenance of neuromuscular junction morphology in the extensor digitorum longus muscle during hibernation. The degenerative changes in neuromuscular junction morphology and the periodic decrease in Lrp4 protein expression in the soleus during hibernation, these changes recovered to the pre-hibernation levels in the post-hibernation group, exhibiting significant plasticity. This plasticity may be one of the important mechanisms for resisting disuse atrophy in hibernating animals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to explore the neuromuscular junction morphology of slow- and fast-twitch muscles in Daurian ground squirrels during different periods of hibernation. Results showed that the neuromuscular junction maintained stable morphology in the extensor digitorum longus muscle. The degenerative changes in neuromuscular junction morphology and the periodic decrease in Lrp4 protein expression in the soleus muscle during hibernation recovered in post-hibernation, exhibiting significant plasticity.

[Correlation between Peripheral Blood Intermediate Monocytes Increased and the Disease Progression of Patients with Diffuse Large BCell Lymphoma].

AbstractObjective: To explore the distribution characteristics and clinical significance of peripheral blood monocyte subgroups in patients with diffuse large Bcell lymphoma(DLBCL). METHODS: The percentage of peripheral blood monocyte subsets of 82 DLBCL patients (including 32 newly diagnosis, 29 remission and 21 relapse) and 30 healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry, and the correlation with the clinical characteristics and its diagnostic value of DLBCL were analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of intermediate monocytes in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL group was higher than that in healthy controls (t=5.888, P<0.01). The proportion in relapsed group was higher than those in newly diagnosed DLBCL group（t=2.106，P=0.04） and remission group （t=6.882， P＜0.01）, and the proportion of intermediate monocytes in newly diagnosed DLBCL group was higher than that in Remission group (t=3.969, P<0.01). With the increase of International Prognostic Index (IPI) score, the percentage of intermediate monocytes in patients with DLBCL increased (r=0.37). Furthermore, when the proportion of intermediate monocytes was 10.91% as the cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity of the whole sample were 90.60% and 9100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The disease progression is related to the increased intermediate monocytes, which can be used as a potential diagnostic index for DLBCL.

Therapeutic Effect of Melatonin in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Hippo Pathway Is Involved.

Objective: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a female reproductive disorder of unknown etiology with no definite pathogenesis. Melatonin (MT) is an endogenous hormone synthesized mainly by pineal cells and has strong endogenous effects in regulating ovarian function. To systematically explore the pharmacological mechanism of MT on POI therapy, a literature review approach was conducted at the signaling pathways level. Methods: Relevant literatures were searched and downloaded from databases, including PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, using the keywords "premature ovarian insufficiency," "Hippo signaling pathways," and "melatonin." The search criteria were from 2010 to 2022. Text mining was also performed. Results: MT is involved in the regulation of Hippo signaling pathway in a variety of modes and has been correlated with ovarian function. Conclusions: The purpose of this review is to summarize the research progress of Hippo signaling pathways and significance of MT in POI, the potential crosstalk between MT and Hippo signaling pathways, and the prospective therapy.

Long-term low-dose exposure of permethrin induces liver and kidney damage in rats.

BACKGROUND: Permethrin is one of the pyrethroid insecticides, which is widely used in agriculture and public health. Although acute toxicity of the insecticide has been studied, the chronic toxicity upon the long-term exposure has not been clear yet. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the organ toxicities of permethrin following its long-term low-dose exposure. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were daily administrated orally with permethrin (75 mg/kg body weight/day, gavage) for 90 days, and then the samples of biofluids (blood and urine) and organs including liver and kidney were collected. The serum and urine samples were measured by biochemical assay and the tissues of kidney and liver were examined and analyzed by histopathological method. RESULTS: The results showed that no change was found in serum and urine biochemical parameters for the toxicity; however, significant changes including hyperchromatic nuclei swollen in the hepatic parenchymal cells and the swelling proximal tubules in the kidneys were observed in the tissue structures of liver and kidneys in the histopathological sections. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that low-dose long-term exposure of permethrin can cause chronic toxicity with slight liver and kidney damage.

Xinfangfangia pollutisoli sp. nov., Isolated from Clopyralid-Contaminated Soil.

With the aim of isolating clopyralid-degrading bacterial species for potential bioremediation, a pale-yellow, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile designated as Clo-40T was isolated from soil which was about 10 years use of clopyralid in Zaozhuang city, Shandong province. Growth occurred within the ranges from 10 to 40 °C and 0-2.5% (w/v) NaCl. Strain could completely degrade 50 mg/L clopyralid within 2 days after induction and formed 3, 6-hydroxypicolinic acid, a major clopyralid metabolite, hydrolyze esculin, and reduce nitrates to nitrites, but could not hydrolyze gelatin. Based on phylogenetic analysis, strain clustered within the genus Xinfangfangia clade and branched with Xinfangfangia humi IMT-291T (97.6%) and Xinfangfangia soli ZQBWT (96.9%). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 4.41 Mbp and G + C content of 67.3%. The average nucleotide ANI values of strain with respect to X. humi IMT-291T and X. soli ZQBWT were 77.5% and 76.9%, respectively. The DDH estimated values between strain Clo-40T and X. humi IMT-291T and X. soli ZQBWT were 20.5% and 20.0%, respectively. The predominant fatty acids (> 5% of the total fatty acids) were C18:1 w7c (42.9%), C16:0 (28.8%), C17:0 cyclo (13.0%), and C14:0 (7.0%). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipid, unidentified glycolipid, and unidentified lipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. Based on data from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses in this study, strain Clo-40T represent a novel species in the genus of Xinfangfangia, for which the name Xinfangfangia pollutisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Clo-40T (= KCTC 92089T = GDMCC 1.2845T).

The associative induction of succinic acid and hydrogen sulfide for high-producing biomass, astaxanthin and lipids in Haematococcus pluvialis.

To obtain higher yield of natural astaxanthin, the present study aims to develop a viable and economic induction strategy for astaxanthin production comprising succinic acid (SA) combined with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS). The biomass (1.33 g L-1), astaxanthin concentration (44.96 mg L-1), astaxanthin content (163.55 pg cell-1), and lipid content (55.34%) were achieved under 1.0 mM SA and 100 µM NaHS treatment. These results were concomitant with enhanced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) but diminished reactive oxide species (ROS). Further study discovered that endogenous H2S could improve astaxanthin and lipid coproduction under SA induction by mediating related gene transcript levels and ROS signalling. Additionally, the concentrations of biomass and astaxanthin increased to 2.14 g L-1 and 66.25 mg L-1, respectively, under the induction of SA and NaHS in a scaled-up bioreactor. Briefly, the work proposed a novel feasible strategy for high yields of biomass and astaxanthin by H. pluvialis.

Effects of rifampicin on antineoplastic drug pyrotinib maleate pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: Pyrotinib (PTN), an irreversible EGFR/HER2 dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for treating HER2-positive breast cancer, is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 isozyme. Rifampicin (RIF) is a strong index CYP3A4 inducer. Therefore, the study aimed to elucidate the effect of RIF on PTN pharmacokinetics (PK) in Chinese healthy volunteers. METHODS: This phase I, open-label study investigated the effects of steady-state RIF administration on single-dose PK of PTN. 18 healthy participants were enrolled in this trial, who received a single oral dose of 400 mg of PTN on days 1 and 13, and were administrated with RIF 600 mg qd on days 6 through 16. RIF was administrated on an empty stomach, PTN were administrated orally in the morning 30 min after the start of the standard meal. Serial PK samples for PTN were collected on days 1 and days 13. Safety assessments were performed via clinical laboratory tests throughout the study. RESULTS: 18 subjects were enrolled and 16 completed the study. RIF significantly reduced PTN exposure: Geometric least-squares mean ratios (90% CI) for PTN + RIF versus PTN alone were 0.04 (0.034,0.049), 0.04 (0.037,0.054), and 0.11 (0.09,0.124) for area under the curve from time zero to time of last quantifiable concentration (AUC0 - t), area under the curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0-∞ ), and maximum observed plasma concentration(Cmax), respectively. PTN alone and co-administered with RIF was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The exposure of PTN was significantly affected by the action of RIF. The findings suggest that concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided during PTN treatment. Concurrent administration of PTN and RIF was well tolerated.

Body fluids from the rat exposed to chlorpyrifos induce cytotoxicity against the corresponding tissue-derived cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to establish an in vitro monitoring approach to evaluate the pesticide exposures. We studied the in vitro cytotoxicity of three different body fluids of rats to the respective corresponding tissue-derived cells. METHODS: Wistar rats were orally administrated daily with three different doses of chlorpyrifos (1.30, 3.26, and 8.15 mg/kg body weight/day, which is equal to the doses of 1/125, 1/50, and 1/20 LD50, respectively) for consecutive 90 days. Blood samples as well as 24-hour urine and fecal samples were collected and processed. Then, urine, serum, and feces samples were used to treat the correspondent cell lines, i.e., T24 bladder cancer cells, Jurkat lymphocytes, and HT-29 colon cancer cells respectively, which derived from the correspondent tissues that could interact with the respective corresponding body fluids in organism. Cell viability was determined by using MTT or trypan blue staining. RESULTS: The results showed that urine, serum, and feces extract of the rats exposed to chlorpyrifos displayed concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity to the cell lines. Furthermore, we found that the cytotoxicity of body fluids from the exposed animals was mainly due to the presence of 3, 4, 5-trichloropyrindinol, the major toxic metabolite of chlorpyrifos. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that urine, serum, and feces extraction, especially urine, combining with the corresponding tissue-derived cell lines as the in vitro cell models could be used to evaluate the animal exposure to pesticides even at the low dose with no apparent toxicological signs in the animals. Thus, this in vitro approach could be served as complementary methodology to the existing toolbox of biological monitoring of long-term and low-dose exposure to environmental pesticide residues in practice.

Research progress of melatonin (MT) in improving ovarian function: a review of the current status.

Melatonin (MT) is an endogenous hormone mainly synthesized by pineal cells, which has strong endogenous effects of eliminating free radicals and resisting oxidative damages. Melatonin (MT) can not only regulate the body's seasonal and circadian rhythms; but also delay ovarian senescence, regulate ovarian biological rhythm, promote follicles formation, and improve oocyte quality and fertilization rate. This review aimd to provide evidence concerning the synthesis and distribution, ovarian function, and role of MT in development of follicles and oocytes. Moreover, the role of MT as antioxidative, participating in biological rhythm regulation, was also reviewed. Furthermore, the effects of MT on various ovarian related diseases were analyzed, particularly for the ovarian aging and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

A fed-batch feeding with succinic acid strategy for astaxanthin and lipid hyper-production in Haematococcus pluviualis.

Effects of succinic acid (SA) in fed-batch feeding mode on astaxanthin and lipids biopoduction of Haematococcus pluvialis against abiotic stresses were explored. By comparison with the control, the initial addition of SA on day 0 increased the production of astaxanthin by 71.61%. More importantly, the maximum values of astaxanthin (35.88 mg g-1) and lipid (54.79%) contents were obtained after supplementation of SA on day 7. Meanwhile, under SA treatment, the chlorophyll, carbohydrate, and protein levels were reduced, but the intracellular levels of SA and reactive oxygen species (ROS), the transcription levels of astaxanthin and fatty acids biosynthesis-, and antioxidant system-related genes were increased. Furthermore, scaling-up cultivation in bioreactor further enhanced the astaxanthin productivity from H. pluvialis. Generally, this study proved the intermittent SA feeding method in fed-batch culture as a potent strategy that facilitated massive astaxanthin and lipids production in algae.

The synergistic effects of opioid and neuropeptide B/W in rat acute inflammatory and neuropathic pain models.

The use of morphine is controversial due to the incidence of rewarding behavior, respiratory depression, and tolerance, leading to increased drug dose requirements, advancing to morphine addiction. To overcome these barriers, strategies have been taken to combine morphine with other analgesics. Neuropeptide B23 and neuropeptide W23 (NPB23 and NPW23) are commonly used to relieve inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. As NPB23 and NPW23 system shares similar anatomical basis with opioid system at least in the spinal cord we hypothesized that NPB23 or NPW23 and morphine may synergistically relieve inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. To test this hypothesis, we demonstrated that µ opioid receptor and NPBW1 receptor (receptor of NPB23 and NPW23) are colocalized in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Secondly, co-administration of morphine witheitherNPB23 or NPW23 synergistically attenuated inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Furthermore, either NPB23 or NPW23 significantly reduced morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and constipation. We also found that phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) following morphine was profoundly potentiated by the application of NPB23 or NPW23. Hence, combination of morphine with either NPB23 or NPW23 reduced dose of morphine required for pain relief in inflammatory and neuropathic pain, while effectively prevented some side-effects of morphine.

Different fuel regulation in two types of myofiber results in different antioxidant strategies in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) during hibernation.

We previously showed that different skeletal muscles in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) possess different antioxidant strategies during hibernation; however, the reason for these varied strategies remains unclear. To clarify this issue, we studied REDD1, FOXO4, PGC-1α, FOXO1 and atrogin-1 proteins to determine the potential cause of the different antioxidant strategies in Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation, and to clarify whether different strategies affect atrophy-related signals. Results showed that the soleus (SOL) muscle experienced intracellular hypoxia during interbout arousal, but no oxidative stress. This may be due to increased PGC-1α expression enhancing antioxidant capacity in the SOL under hypoxic conditions. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle showed no change in oxidative stress, hypoxia or antioxidant capacity during hibernation. The FOXO1 and PGC-1α results strongly suggested differentially regulated fuel metabolism in the SOL and EDL muscles during hibernation, i.e. enhanced lipid oxidation and maintained anaerobic glycolysis, respectively. Atrogin-1 expression did not increase during hibernation in either the SOL or EDL, indicating that protein synthesis was not inhibited by atrogin-1. Thus, our results suggest that different fuel regulation may be one mechanism related to antioxidant defense strategy formation in different kinds of skeletal muscle fibers of Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation.

Integration of physiological and metabolomic profiles to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the stimulatory effect of melatonin on astaxanthin and lipids coproduction in Haematococcus pluvialis under inductive stress conditions.

The effect of melatonin (MT) on the coproduction of astaxanthin and lipids was studied in Haematococcus pluvialis under inductive stress conditions. The contents of astaxanthin and lipids were enhanced by 1.78- and 1.3-fold, respectively. MT treatment upregulated the transcription levels of carotenogenic, lipogenic and antioxidant system-related genes and decreased the levels of abiotic stress-induced reactive oxidative species (ROS). Further metabolomic analysis suggested that the intermediates in glycolysis and TCA cycle facilitate the accumulation of astaxanthin and lipids in algae treated with MT. Meanwhile, MT treatment upregulated the metabolite levels of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt, which might regulate the carbon-nitrogen balance and the antioxidant system. After MT treatment, exogenous linoleic acid, succinate, and GABA further increased the astaxanthin content. This study may help to elucidate the specific responses to MT induction in H. pluvialis and to identify novel biomarkers that may be employed to further promote astaxanthin and lipids coproduction.

A Temporal Examination of Cytoplasmic Ca2 + Levels, Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2 + Levels, and Ca2 + -Handling-Related Proteins in Different Skeletal Muscles of Hibernating Daurian Ground Squirrels.

To explore the possible mechanism of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the maintenance of cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis, we studied changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+, SR Ca2+, and Ca2+-handling proteins of slow-twitch muscle (soleus, SOL), fast-twitch muscle (extensor digitorum longus, EDL), and mixed muscle (gastrocnemius, GAS) in different stages in hibernating Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Results showed that the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+ increased and SR Ca2+ decreased in skeletal muscle fiber during late torpor (LT) and inter-bout arousal (IBA), but both returned to summer active levels when the animals aroused from and re-entered into torpor (early torpor, ET), suggesting that intracellular Ca2+ is dynamic during hibernation. The protein expression of ryanodine receptor1 (RyR1) increased in the LT, IBA, and ET groups, whereas the co-localization of calsequestrin1 (CSQ1) and RyR1 in GAS muscle decreased in the LT and ET groups, which may increase the possibility of RyR1 channel-mediated Ca2+ release. Furthermore, calcium pump (SR Ca2+-ATPase 1, SERCA1) protein expression increased in the LT, IBA, and ET groups, and the signaling pathway-related factors of SERCA activity [i.e., ß-adrenergic receptor2 protein expression (in GAS), phosphorylation levels of phospholamban (in GAS), and calmodulin kinase2 (in SOL)] all increased, suggesting that these factors may be involved in the up-regulation of SERCA1 activity in different groups. The increased protein expression of Ca2+-binding proteins CSQ1 and calmodulin (CaM) indicated that intracellular free Ca2+-binding ability also increased in the LT, IBA, ET, and POST groups. In brief, changes in cytoplasmic and SR Ca2+ concentrations, SR RyR1 and SERCA1 protein expression levels, and major RyR1 and SERCA1 signaling pathway-related factors were unexpectedly active in the torpor stage when metabolic functions were highly inhibited.

Use of the modified Glasgow Coma Scale score to guide sequential invasive-noninvasive mechanical ventilation weaning in patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure.

Sequential invasive-noninvasive ventilation (NIV) improves the outcomes of patients with respiratory failure caused by acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD); however, there is no clear consensus on the optimal timing of the switch to sequential invasive-NIV in these patients. In the present study, a potential role for the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score to guide sequential weaning was investigated. Patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure were prospectively recruited from three study centers (Wenling Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and Changsha Central Hospital) between January 1st 2016 and December 31st 2018. Patients were randomly assigned to group A and B, with the switching point for sequential weaning strategy in the two groups being a modified GCS score ≥13 and 10 points, respectively. Each group included 240 patients. Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable in the two groups. The duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B. However, there were no significant between-group differences with respect to the incidence of re-intubation, ventilator-associated pneumonia, in-hospital mortality or the length of hospital stay. Use of a modified GCS score ≥13 as the switching point for sequential invasive-NIV may help decrease the duration of IMV in patients with AECOPD and respiratory failure.

Mifepristone polymorph with enhanced solubility, dissolution and oral bioavailability.

Mifepristone is one of potent anti-progesterone agents, which binds to progesterone receptors and glucocorticoid receptors. Until now, there are a lot of research focusing on enhancing the solubility and oral bioavailability of Mifepristone. However, poor solubility and oral bioavailability has some undesirable consequences. In this work, Mifepristone in form D was discovered for the first time and characterized by PXRD, TGA, DSC, FT-IR, SEM and SS NMR. Form D was a metastable crystal type which manifested favorable stability under ambient conditions. Form D had better dissolution characteristic compared with commercial Mifepristone in 0.5% SDS solution. In addition, Mifepristone in form D exhibited a 1.43-fold higher peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and 1.46-fold higher area under the curve (AUC) in rats. The work in this paper is a complement to the present understanding of drug polymorphism on the in vitro and in vivo behavior, and establishes the ground work for future development of Mifepristone in form D as a promising drug for the market.