Optimal time point for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict stroke-associated pneumonia.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at the population receiving thrombolytic therapy and to explore the optimal time point for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). METHODS: We assessed patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke. Blood parameters were sampled before thrombolysis (within 30 min after admission) and within 24-36 h after thrombolysis, respectively. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of SAP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between admission blood parameters and the event of SAP. We also used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess the discriminative ability of blood parameters measured at different times in predicting SAP. RESULTS: Among the 388 patients, SAP occurred in 60 (15%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was significantly associated with SAP (NLR before IVT: aOR = 1.288; 95%CI = 1.123-1.476; p < 0.001; NLR after IVT: (aOR = 1.127, 95%CI = 1.017-1.249; p = 0.023). The ROC curve showed that the predictive ability of NLR after IVT was better than NLR before IVT, not only in predicting the occurrence of SAP but also in predicting short-term and long-term functional outcomes, hemorrhagic transformation, and 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: Increased NLR measured within 24-36 h after IVT has a significant predictive effect on the occurrence of SAP and can be used to predict short-term and long-term poor functional outcomes, hemorrhagic transformation, and 1-year mortality.

The time-dependent expression of α7nAChR during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats.

The study on time-dependent expression of α7 nicotine acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) was performed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats. Furthermore, co-localization of α7nAChR with macrophage or myofibroblast marker was detected by double immunofluorescence. A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into control and contusion groups (3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days post-injury). In the uninjured controls, α7nAChR positive staining was observed in the sarcolemma and sarcoplasm of normal myofibers. In wounded specimens, a small number of polymorphonuclear cells, a number of macrophages and myofibroblasts showed positive reaction for α7nAChR in contused zones. Morphometrically, the average ratios of α7nAChR-positive cells were over 50 % from 3 to 10 days after contusion, and exceeded 60 % at 5 and 7 days post-injury. Besides, the positive ratios of α7nAChR were <50 % at the other posttraumatic intervals. By Western blotting analysis, the average ratio of α7nAChR protein expression maximized at 7 days after injury, which was >2.13. Similarly, the relative quantity of α7nAChR mRNA expression peaked at 7 days post-wounding as compared with control by real-time PCR detection, showing a relative quantity of >2.65. In conclusion, the expression of α7nAChR is upregulated and temporally distributed in macrophages and myofibroblasts during skeletal muscle wound healing, which might be closely involved in inflammatory response and fibrotic repair after injury. Moreover, α7nAChR is promising as a useful marker for wound age determination of skeletal muscle.

Ganoderic acid A mitigates dopaminergic neuron ferroptosis via inhibiting NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in Parkinson's disease mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ganoderma lucidum, a renowned tonic traditional Chinese medicine, is widely recognized for the exceptional activity in soothing nerves and nourishing the brain. It has been extensively employed to alleviate various neurological disorders, notably Parkinson's disease (PD). AIM OF THE STUDY: To appraise the antiparkinsonian effect of GAA, the main bioactive constituent of G. lucidum, and clarify the molecular mechanism through the perspective of ferritinophagy-mediated dopaminergic neuron ferroptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PD mouse and cell models were established using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), respectively. Cell viability, behavioral tests and immunofluorescence analysis were performed to evaluate the neurotoxicity, motor dysfunction and dopaminergic loss, respectively. Biochemical assay kits were used to determine the levels of iron, lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total ROS and glutathione (GSH). Western blot and immunofluorescence were applied to detect the expressions of nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), p62 and LC3B. Additionally, NCOA4-overexpressing plasmid vector was constructed to verify the inhibitory effect of GAA on the neurotoxicity and ferroptosis-related parameters in PD models. RESULTS: GAA significantly mitigated MPP+/MPTP-induced neurotoxicity, motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuron loss (p＜0.01 or p＜0.05). In contrast to MPP+/MPTP treatment, GAA treatment decreased the levels of iron, MDA, lipid and total ROS, while increasing the GSH level. GAA also reduced the levels of NCOA4 and LC3B, and enhanced the expressions of FTH1 and p62 in PD models (p＜0.01 or p＜0.05). However, the protective effect of GAA against the neurotoxicity, NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis in PD model was abolished by the overexpression of NCOA4 (p＜0.01). CONCLUSION: GAA exerted a protective effect on PD, and this effect was achieved by suppressing dopaminergic neuron ferroptosis through the inhibition of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy.

KRT17 Promotes the Activation of HSCs via EMT in Liver Fibrosis.

Background and Aims: Although activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a central role in the development of liver fibrosis, the mechanism underlying the activation of HSCs remains unclear. Keratin 17 (KRT17), a member of the intermediate filament family, can regulate tumor cell proliferation and migration. The current study aimed to elucidate the role of KRT17 in the activation of HSCs and the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis. Methods: The expression of KRT17 was determined using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray. Western blotting and qRT-PCR assays were used to determine the KRT17 expression in fibrotic liver tissues obtained from human subjects and mice. LX-2 cells were treated with TGF-ß1 recombinant protein and adipocyte differentiation mixture (MDI) mix to induce and reverse LX-2 cell activation, respectively, in order to explore the correlation between KRT17 and HSC activation. Additionally, cell proliferation and migration abilities of LX-2 cells transfected with KRT17-overexpressing plasmid or small interfering RNA were determined using CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell, and wound healing assays. Finally, rescue assay was used to explore the role of KRT17 in HSC activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results: The expression of KRT17 was higher in the human and mouse fibrotic liver tissues than in healthy liver tissues, and it was positively correlated with HSC activation. Upregulated KRT17 enhanced proliferation, migration, HSC activation and EMT in LX-2 cells, while knockdown of KRT17 reversed these effects. TGF-ß1 recombinant protein accelerated KRT17-mediated EMT, HSC activation and proliferation, while TGF-ß1 inhibitor counteracted the effect of KRT17 in vitro. Conclusions: KRT17 promoted HSC activation, proliferation and EMT in hepatic fibrosis probably via TGF-ß1 signaling, and KRT17 might serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Acupoint Injection Decreases Anesthetic Cosumption during Combined Spinal-Epidural and Patient-Controlled Epidural Labor Analgesia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore if acupoint injection can improve analgesic effects or delivery outcomes in parturients who received combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA) and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for labor analgesia. METHODS: A total of 307 participants were prospectively collected from July 2017 to December 2019. The participants were randomized into the combined acupoint injection with CSEA plus PCEA group (AICP group, n=168) and CSEA plus PCEA group (CP group, n=139) for labor analgesia using a random number table. Both groups received CSEA plus PCEA at cervical dilation 3 cm during labor process, and parturients of the AICP group were implemented acupoint injection for which bilateral acupoint of Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected in addition. The primary outcome was Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and the secondary outcomes were obstetric outcomes and requirement of anesthetics doses. Safety evaluations were performed after intervention. RESULTS: The VAS scores were significantly lower in the AICP group than in the CP group at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min after labor analgesia (all P<0.05). The latent phase of the AICP group was shorter than that of the CP group (P<0.05). There were less additional anesthetics consumption, lower incidences of uterine atony, fever, pruritus and urinary retention in the AICP group than those in the CP group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupoint injection combined CSEA plus PCEA for labor analgesia can decrease the anesthetic consumption, improve analgesic quality, and reduce adverse reactions in the parturients. (Registration No. ChiMCTR-2000003120).

[Comparative proteomics analysis of human adenomyosis].

OBJECTIVE: To set up the proteomic protein profiling of adenomyotic tissue and normal uterine muscle and identify the abnormally expressed proteins in adenomyotic tissue. METHODS: Samples of adenomyotic tissue (adenomyosis group) and age-matched healthy uterine muscle (control group) were collected from totally 10 patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy for adenomyosis and cervical diseases at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2007 to October 2007. The proteomics profiling of adenomyotic tissue and normal uterine tissue were established using two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and gel staining method. The differently expressed protein spots were detected by gel comparison using image analysis software and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). RESULTS: In Coomassie blue stained gels there were on average (512 +/- 36) spots and compared with the reference gel the matching rate was 83.7%. In silver stained gels there were (762 +/- 54) spots and compared with the reference gel the matching rate was 81.1%. Compared with normal uterine muscle, there were 15 protein spots disregulated in adenomyotic tissue. Among them 10 protein spots were successfully identified by mass spectrometry. The functions of these disregulated proteins included cell skeleton, oxidation, apoptosis and immune reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative proteomics analysis is a useful approach for the study of adenomyosis. Compared with normal uterine muscle there are abnormalities in cell skeleton, oxidation, apoptosis and immune reaction. These life processes may participate in pathophysiology of adenomyosis.

[Study on soluble guanylate cyclase in pulmonary hypertension rat model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mRNA and protein expressions of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and its enzyme activity in pulmonary hypertension rat model which was reproduced by hypoxia and hypercapnia. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into hypoxic and hypercapnic group (HH group) and control group (C group). The protein expressions of sGC alpha(1) and sGC beta(1) subunits in medial and small pulmonary arteries was measured by immunohistochemistry method with a polycolonal antibody. The mRNA expression of sGC alpha(1) subunit of lung tissue was detected by in situ hybridization using sGC oligonuclear probe. Basal sGC enzyme activity and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-stimulated sGC activity in lung homogenates were assayed with enzyme kinetic analysis. RESULTS: The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), the ratio of right ventricle/left ventricle + septum [RV/(LV + S)] and the ratio of right ventricle/body weight (RV/BW) were significantly higher in HH group than those in C group. The protein expressions of sGC alpha(1) and sGC beta(1) subunits and mRNA expressions of sGC alpha(1) subunit were significantly decreased in the small and medium pulmonary arteries in HH group as compared with those in C group (P < 0.01). Basal sGC enzyme activity in HH group (32.03 +/- 7.17 pmol cGMP synthesized.mg protein(-1).min(-1)) was significantly lower than that in C group (114.76 +/- 18.37 pmol cGMP synthesized.mg protein(-1).min(-1), P < 0.01). The SNP significantly increased the sGC enzyme activity but the SNP-stimulated sGC enzyme activity of lung homogenates in HH group was significantly lower than that in C group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The mRNA and protein expressions of sGC subunits and their enzyme activities in lung tissue of pulmonary hypertension rat model were reduced.

[A study of genetic polymorphism of the STR locus D7S2846, D19S400 and D18S535 in Han population in Wenzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To study genetic polymorphism of D7S2846, D19S400 and D18S535 in Han population in Wenzhou. METHODS: DNA was extracted with chelex-100 method from EDTA-blood samples of 194 unrelated individuals in Wenzhou and amplified with PCR technique. The PCR products were analyzed by PAG vertical electrophoresis and silver-stain. RESULTS: 6 alleles and 15 genotypes of D7S2846, 10 alleles and 36 genotypes of D19S400, 8 alleles and 26 genotypes of D18S535 was observed. The heterozygosities of the three loci are 0.644, 0.724 and 0.772; The power of discriminating are 0.854, 0.940 and 0.938. CONCLUSION: The heterozygosities of the three loci are high and the frequencies was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05), so the three loci can be used in forensic medicine and in other genetic researches.

[Polymorphism of STR loci D12S391/D18S865 in Wenzhou Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the polymorphism and forensic efficiency values of STR loci D12S391/D18S865 METHODS: Population studies on D12S391 and D18S865 were carried out in a sample of 454 unrelated Wenzhou Han individuals using PCR followed by PAGE and silver stain detection. RESULTS: 11/7 alleles and 50/21 genotypes of D12S391/D18S865 were respectively observed among the 454 unrelated individuals. The genotype frequency matched the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, The heterozygotes (H) in D12S391/D18S865 were 0.7974/0.7379, Power of Exclusion were 0.9566/0.9077, polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.8260/0.7279 respectively. CONCLUSION: D12S391 and D18S865 were high polymorphic loci and the frequencies were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.5), so the two loci can be used in forensic medicine and in other genetic research areas.

Time-dependent expression and distribution of Egr-1 during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats.

Recent studies have shown that early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) plays an important role in regulation of inflammation and tissue repair, but little is known about its expression after trauma to skeletal muscles. A preliminary study on time-dependent expression and distribution of Egr-1 was performed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blotting during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats. An animal model of skeletal muscle contusion was established in 45 Sprague-Dawley male rats. Samples were taken at 6 h, 12 h, 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days and 21 days post-injury, respectively (5 rats in each posttraumatic interval). 5 rats were employed as control. In the uninjured controls, Egr-1 positive staining was observed in the sarcoplasm and nuclei of normal myofibers. In wounded specimens, a small number of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), a number of mononuclear cells (MNCs), fibroblastic cells (FBCs) and regenerated multinucleated myotubes showed positive reaction for Egr-1 in contused zones. By morphometric analysis, an increase in Egr-1 expression was verified at inflammatory phase after contusion, which reached a peak in the regenerated phase overlapping with the fibrotic phase during skeletal muscle wound healing. The expression tendency was further confirmed by Western blotting assay. By immunofluorescent staining for co-localization, the Egr-1-positive MNCs and FBCs in wounds were identified as macrophages and myofibroblasts. The results demonstrate that the expression of Egr-1 is up-regulated and temporally distributed in certain cell types after trauma to skeletal muscles, which may be closely involved in inflammatory response, fibrotic repair and muscle regeneration during skeletal muscle wound healing.