[Mechanism of programmed cell death in follicular atresia].

Apoptosis and autophagy of follicular granulosa cells play an important regulatory role in the process of ovarian follicular atresia in animals. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis and pyroptosis are also involved in the process of ovarian follicular atresia. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death caused by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Studies have confirmed that autophagy- and apoptosis-mediated follicular atresia also have typical characteristics of ferroptosis. Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory cell death dependent on Gasdermin protein, which can regulate ovarian reproductive performance by regulating follicular granulosa cells. This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of several types of programmed cell death independently or interactively regulating follicular atresia, in order to expand the theoretical research on follicular atresia mechanism and provide the theoretical reference for the mechanism of programmed cell death-induced follicular atresia.

Effects of Spermidine on Mouse Gut Morphology, Metabolites, and Microbial Diversity.

Spermidine is a class of biologically active organic small molecules that play an important role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The specific objective of this study was to explore the effects of spermidine on intestinal morphology, metabolites, and microbial diversity in mice. We showed that 0.3 mmol/L of spermidine significantly promoted the growth of ileal villi (p < 0.05), and 3.0 mmol/L of spermidine significantly increased the body weight of mice and promoted the growth of jejunum villi (p < 0.05). The 16S rDNA sequencing results indicated that 3.0 mmol/L of spermidine affected the balance of the intestinal flora by increasing the abundance of intestinal Lactic acid bacteria and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (Turicibacter and Alistipes). Additionally, spermidine affects the levels of microbial metabolites such as succinic acid and Pantetheine. In summary, spermidine affects intestinal morphology and regulates intestinal flora and metabolites, and this study has provided a new understanding of spermidine's effects on the intestinal tract.

[Myocardial injury and inflammatory response after interventional therapy in children with congenital heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study myocardial injury and inflammatory response within 7 days after interventional therapy in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: A total of 77 children with CHD, including 12 cases of ventricular septal defect (VSD), 14 cases of atrial septal defect (ASD), 14 cases of pulmonary stenosis (PS) and 37 cases of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), were enrolled. The levels of myocardial enzyme (AST, CK and CKMB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and CRP in serum were measured before operation, immediately after operation, and 6 hrs, 24 hrs, 72 hrs and 7 days after operation. RESULTS: Serum AST levels in the VSD group were significantly higher than the other CHD groups immediately after operation, and 6 hrs and 24 hrs after operation (P<0.05). There were significant differences in serum CK and CKMB levels among the four CHD groups immediately and 6 hrs after operation (P<0.05), and the highest serum CK and CKMB levels were found in the VSD group. Serum CRP levels in the PDA group were significantly higher than the other CHD groups 72 hrs and 7 days after operation (P<0.05). Compared with before operation, serum AST levels increased significantly in all four CHD groups 6 and 24 hrs after operation groups (P<0.05). Serum CK and CKMB levels increased significantly in the VSD group immediately and 6 hrs after operation (P<0.05). Serum cTnI levels increased significantly in the VSD, PDA and PS groups immediately and 6 hrs after operation (P<0.05). The PDA group showed increased CRP levels 24 hrs, 72 hrs and 7 days after operation (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Minor myocardial injury can be noted within 7 days after interventional therapy in children with CHD and mainly occurs between immediately and 24 hrs after operation. The injury is more significant in VSD cases. The interventional therapy does not cause significant inflammation.