Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1: A Mediator for High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Gluconeogenesis and Glucose Intolerance in Fish.

BACKGROUND: Sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) 1 is considered to be a crucial regulator for lipid synthesis in vertebrates. However, whether SREBP1 could regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis under high-fat diet (HFD) condition is still unknown, and the underlying mechanism is also unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine gluconeogenesis-related gene and protein expressions in response to HFD in large yellow croaker and explore the role and mechanism of SREBP1 in regulating the related transcription and signaling. METHODS: Croakers (mean weight, 15.61 ± 0.10 g) were fed with diets containing 12% crude lipid [control diet (ND)] or 18% crude lipid (HFD) for 10 weeks. The glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, hepatic gluconeogenesis-related genes, and proteins expressions were determined. To explore the role of SREBP1 in HFD-induced gluconeogenesis, SREBP1 was inhibited by pharmacologic inhibitor (fatostatin) or genetic knockdown in croaker hepatocytes under palmitic acid (PA) condition. To explore the underlying mechanism, luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were conducted in HEK293T cells. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance or Student t test. RESULTS: Compared with ND, HFD increased the mRNA expressions of gluconeogenesis genes (2.40-fold to 2.60-fold) (P < 0.05) and reduced protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation levels (0.28-fold to 0.34-fold) (P < 0.05) in croakers. However, inhibition of SREBP1 by fatostatin addition or SREBP1 knockdown reduced the mRNA expressions of gluconeogenesis genes (P < 0.05) and increased AKT phosphorylation levels (P < 0.05) in hepatocytes, compared with that by PA treatment. Moreover, fatostatin addition or SREBP1 knockdown also increased the mRNA expressions of irs1 (P < 0.05) and reduced serine phosphorylation of IRS1 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SREBP1 inhibited IRS1 transcriptions by binding to its promoter and induced IRS1 serine phosphorylation by activating diacylglycerol-protein kinase Cε signaling. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the role of SREBP1 in hepatic gluconeogenesis under HFD condition in croakers, which may provide a potential strategy for improving HFD-induced glucose intolerance.

Oleic and palmitic acids induce hepatic angiopoietin-like 4 expression predominantly via PPAR-γ in Larimichthys crocea.

Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is a potent regulator of TAG metabolism, but knowledge of the mechanisms underlying ANGPTL4 transcription in response to fatty acids is still limited in teleost. In the current study, we explored the molecular characterisation of ANGPTL4 and regulatory mechanisms of ANGPTL4 in response to fatty acids in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Here, croaker angptl4 contained a 1416 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 471 amino acids with highly conserved 12-amino acid consensus motif. Angptl4 was widely expressed in croaker, with the highest expression in the liver. In vitro, oleic and palmitic acids (OA and PA) treatments strongly increased angptl4 mRNA expression in croaker hepatocytes. Moreover, angptl4 expression was positively regulated by PPAR family (PPAR-α, ß and γ), and expression of PPARγ was also significantly increased in response to OA and PA. Moreover, inhibition of PPARγ abrogated OA- or PA-induced angptl4 mRNA expression. Beyond that, PA might increase angptl4 expression partly via the insulin signalling. Overall, the expression of ANGPTL4 is strongly upregulated by OA and PA via PPARγ in the liver of croaker, which contributes to improve the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of ANGPTL4 in fish.

Glycerol monolaurate improved intestinal barrier, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response and microbiota dysbiosis in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) fed with high soybean oil diets.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a potential candidate for regulating metabolic syndrome and inflammatory response. However, the role of GML in modulating intestinal health in fish has not been well determined. In this study, a 70-d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of GML on intestinal barrier, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response and microbiota community of large yellow croaker (13.05 ± 0.09 g) fed with high level soybean oil (SO) diets. Two basic diets with fish oil (FO) or SO were formulated. Based on the SO group diet, three different levels of GML 0.02% (SO0.02), 0.04% (SO0.04) and 0.08% (SO0.08) were supplemented respectively. Results showed that intestinal villus height and perimeter ratio were increased in SO0.04 treatment compared with the SO group. The mRNA expressions of intestinal physical barrier-related gene odc and claudin-11 were significantly up-regulated in different addition of GML treatments compared with the SO group. Fish fed SO diet with 0.04% GML addition showed higher activities of acid phosphatase and lysozyme compared with the SO group. The content of malonaldehyde was significantly decreased and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased in 0.02% and 0.04% GML groups compared with those in the SO group. The mRNA transcriptional levels of inflammatory response-related genes (il-1ß, il-6, tnf-α and cox-2) in 0.04% GML treatment were notably lower than those in the SO group. Meanwhile, sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA V4-V5 region showed that GML addition changed gut microbiota structure and increased alpha diversity of large yellow croaker fed diets with a high level of SO. The correlation analysis results indicated that the change of intestinal microbiota relative abundance strongly correlated with intestinal health indexes. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that 0.02%-0.04% GML addition could improve intestinal morphology, physical barrier, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response and microbiota dysbiosis of large yellow croaker fed diets with a high percentage of SO.

NIS-Promoted Selective Amino-Diazidation and Amino-Iodoazidation of O-Homoallyl Benzimidates: Synthesis of Vicinal Diazido 1,3-Oxazines and Vicinal Iodoazido 1,3-Oxazines.

Amines, especially those with multi-nitrogen moieties, are widespread in natural products and biologically active compounds. Thus, the development of direct and efficient methods to introduce multiple nitrogen-containing fragments into compounds in one step is highly desirable yet challenging. Herein, we report an NIS-promoted selective amino-diazidation and amino-iodoazidation of O-homoallyl benzimidates with NaN3. By using this protocol, a variety of vicinal diazido-substituted 1,3-oxazines and vicinal iodoazido-substituted 1,3-oxazines were directly synthesized in a controllable manner. Preliminary mechanistic investigations revealed that the reaction operates through a NIS-promoted four-step cascade process. The developed method has the merits of metal-free, excellent functional group compatibility, simple operation, and mild conditions.

Comparison of Postoperative Pain in 70 Women with Breast Cancer Following General Anesthesia for Mastectomy with and without Serratus Anterior Plane Nerve Block.

BACKGROUND [color=black]This study was conducted at a single center and aimed to compare postoperative pain in 70 women with breast cancer following general anesthesia for mastectomy with and without serratus anterior plane (SAP) block.[/color] MATERIAL AND METHODS [color=black]A total of 70 breast cancer patients who met the criteria were randomly divided into the general anesthesia combined with SAP block group (group S) and the general anesthesia only group (group G). Perioperative anesthetic drug dosage, the visual analog scale (VAS) score at different time points, and the patient's satisfaction with analgesia 24 h after surgery, and incidence of postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) were statistically analyzed in the 2 groups.[/color] RESULTS [color=black]Compared with group G, group S had lower intraoperative remifentanil dosages (P=0.003), a lower total amount of sufentanil via analgesia pump during the 24-h postoperative period (P<0.001), and lower VAS scores at 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h after surgery, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Compared with group G, group S had a shorter first flatus time, got out of bed sooner, had a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting (P<0.05), and lower incidence of PMPS at 3 and 6 months after the operation (P<0.05).[/color] CONCLUSIONS [color=black]At a single center, preoperative SAP block can significantly reduce postoperative pain after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.[/color].

Activation of the Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) Suppresses Linoleic Acid-Induced Inflammation in the Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

BACKGROUND: High linoleic acid (LA) intake leads to inflammation that adversely influences health in fish. However, whether the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) could be an effective target for regulating LA-induced inflammation remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of FXR in the regulation of LA-induced inflammation in large yellow croakers. METHODS: Large yellow croakers (initial weight of 10.03 ± 0.02 g) were allocated to 4 groups and fed a fish oil diet (6% FO), a soybean oil diet (6% SO), or the SO diet supplemented with 300 or 900 mg chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA)/kg for 10 wk. The cultured kidney cell line PCK and primary hepatocytes from large yellow croakers were stimulated by LA (50 µM) after pretreatment with an FXR ligand (GW4064 or CDCA) or transfection with fxr-small interfering RNA (siFXR). mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes in the head kidney and liver tissues, PCK cells, and primary hepatocytes was determined by qPCR. The luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and immunoprecipitation assay were conducted in HEK 293T cells to determine the transcriptional activity of P65 and protein interactions between P65 and FXR or the small heterodimer partner (SHP). RESULTS: Proinflammatory genes were 93-1180% higher in the SO group compared with the FO group. CDCA supplementation decreased mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes by 17-87% while increasing fxr and shp expression by 120-460%. In PCK cells and primary hepatocytes, ligand-mediated activation of FXR decreased the LA-induced expression of proinflammatory genes by 18-67%, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of FXR increased the LA-induced expression of proinflammatory genes by 64-96%. FXR bound to the promoter of shp and regulated its mRNA expression. Both FXR and SHP could bind to P65 to suppress the transcriptional activity of P65. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that FXR has anti-inflammatory properties in large yellow croakers by directly and indirectly suppressing NFκB activity.

Reduced amino acid Schiff base containing ruthenium(III) complexes: Synthesis, characterization, DNA interaction, and in vitro cytotoxicity.

A number of reduced amino Schiff base ligands and corresponding ruthenium(III) complexes were designed and prepared based on the fact that amino acids not only possess multiple coordinate atoms but also improve the solubility of drugs in the body. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA was analyzed with spectroscopic methods of ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, circular dichroism spectra, and DNA melting experiments, and DNA viscosity measurements, indicating that the complexes bind to DNA primarily in the grooving mode. With respect to the ligands, the cytotoxicity in vitro of the complexes against Hela, A549, and MCF-7 cells was much enhanced, with most of the IC50 values less than 50 µM or even comparable with those of cisplatin.

Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Nutritional Regulation of Elovl6 in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 6 (Elovl6) is a key enzyme in fatty acid synthesis, which participates in converting palmitate (C16:0) to stearate (C18:0). Although studies of Elovl6 have been carried out in mammals, the nutritional regulation of elovl6 in fish remains poorly understood. In the present study, the cloning and nutritional regulation of elovl6 were determined in large yellow croaker. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the full-length cDNA of elovl6 was 1360 bp, including an open reading frame of 810 bp encoding a putative protein of 269 amino acid that possesses the characteristic features of Elovl proteins. The transcript level of elovl6 was significantly increased in the liver of croaker fed the diets with soybean oil (enriched with 18: 2n-6, LA) or linseed oil (enriched with 18: 3n-3, ALA) than that in croaker fed the diet with fish oil (enriched with 20: 5n-3 and 22: 6n-3). Correspondingly, the elovl6 expression in croaker's hepatocytes treated with ALA or LA was remarkably increased compared to the controls. Furthermore, the transcription factors including hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein ß (CEBPß), retinoid X receptor α (RXRα), and cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) greatly enhanced promoter activity of elovl6 in large yellow croaker, and the expression of transcription factors is consistent with the changes of elovl6 expression in response to fatty acids in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, this study revealed that elovl6 expression in large yellow croaker could be upregulated by dietary ALA or LA via the increased transcriptional expression of transcription factors including hnf1α, cebpß, rxrα, and creb1.

Synthesis characterization and cytotoxicity studies of platinum(II) complexes with reduced amino pyridine schiff base and its derivatives as ligands.

A series of reduced amino pyridine Schiff base platinum(II) complexes were prepared as potential anticancer drugs, and characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and molar conductivity. UV and CD results showed the binding mode between these compounds and salmon sperm DNA may be intercalation. The cytotoxicity of these complexes was validated against A549, Hela, and MCF-7 cell lines by MTT assay. Some complexes exhibited better cytotoxic activity than cisplatin against Hela and MCF-7 cell lines.

A stable Zr(IV)-MOF for efficient removal of trace SO2 from flue gas in dry and humid conditions.

Obtaining suitable adsorbents for selective separation of SO2 from flue gas still remains an important issue. A stable Zr(IV)-MOF (Zr-PTBA) can be conveniently synthesized through the self-assembly of a tetracarboxylic acid ligand (H4L = 4,4',4'',4'''-(1,4-phenylenebis(azanetriyl))tetrabenzoic acid) and ZrCl4 in the presence of trace water. It exhibits a three-dimensional porous structure. The BET surface area is 1112.72 m2/g and the average pore size distribution focus on 5.9, 8.0 and 9.3 Å. Interestingly, Zr-PTBA shows selective adsorption of SO2. The maximum uptake reaches 223.21 cm3/g at ambient condition. While it exhibits lower adsorption uptake of CO2 (30.50 cm3/g) and hardly adsorbs O2 (2.57 cm3/g) and N2 (1.31 cm3/g). Higher IAST selectivities of SO2/CO2 (21.9), SO2/N2 (912.7), SO2/O2 (2269.9) and SO2/CH4 (85.0) have been obtained, which reveal its' excellent gas separation performance. Breakthrough experiment further confirms its application for flue gas deep desulfurization both in dry and humid conditions. Furthermore, the gas adsorption results and mechanisms have also been studied by theoretical calculations.

Differences in diacylglycerol acyltransferases expression patterns and regulation cause distinct hepatic triglyceride deposition in fish.

Triglyceride (TAG) deposition in the liver is associated with metabolic disorders. In lower vertebrate, the propensity to accumulate hepatic TAG varies widely among fish species. Diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT1 and DGAT2) are major enzymes for TAG synthesis. Here we show that large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) has significantly higher hepatic TAG level than that in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed with same diet. Hepatic expression of DGATs genes in croaker is markedly higher compared with trout under physiological condition. Meanwhile, DGAT1 and DGAT2 in both croaker and trout are required for TAG synthesis and lipid droplet formation in vitro. Furthermore, oleic acid treatment increases DGAT1 expression in croaker hepatocytes rather than in trout and has no significant difference in DGAT2 expression in two fish species. Finally, effects of various transcription factors on croaker and trout DGAT1 promoter are studied. We find that DGAT1 is a target gene of the transcription factor CREBH in croaker rather than in trout. Overall, hepatic expression and transcriptional regulation of DGATs display significant species differences between croaker and trout with distinct hepatic triglyceride deposition, which bring new perspectives on the use of fish models for studying hepatic TAG deposition.

Optimal dietary lipid levels alleviated adverse effects of high temperature on growth, lipid metabolism, antioxidant and immune responses in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.).

Fish physiological health is often negatively impacted by high-temperature environments and there are few studies on how dietary lipids affect fish growth and physiology when exposed to heat stress. The main objective of this research was to examine the impact of dietary lipid levels on growth and physiological status of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) and determine if dietary lipid concentration could alleviate the possible adverse effects of heat stress. Five diets containing 6.81%, 9.35%, 12.03%, 14.74%, and 17.08% lipid, respectively, were formulated and fed to turbot (initial weight 5.13 ± 0.02 g) under high-temperature conditions (24.0-25.0 °C). Meanwhile, the diet with 12.03% lipid (considered by prior work to be an optimal dietary lipid level) was fed to turbot of the same size at normal temperature. Results suggested that, among the different dietary lipid levels under high-temperature conditions, fish fed the optimal lipid (12.03%) exhibited better growth compared to non-optimal lipid groups, as evidenced by higher weight gain and specific growth rate. Simultaneously, the optimal lipid diet may better maintain lipid homeostasis, as attested by lower liver and serum lipid, along with higher liver mRNA levels of lipolysis-related genes (pgc1α, lipin1, pparα, lpl and hl) and lower levels of synthesis-related genes (lxr, fas, scd1, pparγ, dgat1 and dgat2). Also, the optimal lipid diet might mitigate oxidative damage by improving antioxidant enzyme activity, decreasing malondialdehyde levels, and up-regulating oxidation-related genes (sod1, sod2, cat, gpx and ho-1). Furthermore, the optimal lipid may enhance fish immunity, as suggested by the decrease in serum glutamic-oxalacetic/pyruvic transaminase activities, down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes and up-regulation of anti-inflammation genes. Correspondingly, the optimal lipid level suppressed MAPK signaling pathway via decreased phosphorylation levels of p38, JNK and ERK proteins in liver. In summary, the optimal dietary lipid level facilitated better growth and physiological status in turbot under thermal stress.

[Combined inflating lung and insufflating calf pulmonary surfactant under general anesthesia in the treatment of postoperative intractable atelectasis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of combined inflating lung and insufflating calf pulmonary surfactant under general anesthesia for treating postoperative intractable atelectasis. METHODS: From August 2006 to January 2013, 15 patients with obstinate postoperative atelectasis receiving pressure control lung expansion were enrolled. The bronchial cannula was intubated into the affected side to assist the expanding of the lung, and the calf pulmonary surfactant was insufflated selectively. The chest auscultation and computed tomography (CT) scan was performed at 1 d and 5 d after the procedure respectively, to evaluation the effect. The airway pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded before the treatment, during the treatment and after the treatment.Monitoring arterial blood gas before and after treatment. RESULTS: After the expansion of the lung and insufflation of calf pulmonary surfactants, the iconographic scan showed that collapsed alveolar was reinflated in 12 (80.0%) patients at 1 d after the treatment and in 14 patients(93.3%) at 5 d after the procedure.There were not notable vital sign change and complications during the treatment.At after the treatment, 1, 3, 5 and 7 d after the treatment, PaO2 was higher (P < 0.05), and there were not significantly difference in the PaCO2 and pH (P > 0.05) . CONCLUSION: Combined pressure control lung expansion with selectively insufflating calf pulmonary surfactant under general anesthesia may be an effective therapy for postoperative intractable atelectasis.

Research Progress on Serratus Anterior Plane Block in Breast Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Breast surgery, especially radical mastectomy, is often accompanied by moderate to severe acute pain, which significantly reduces postoperative quality of life. Effective pain management can accelerate patient recovery. Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a new type of fascial plane block technique, which can better target the nerve network innervating the chest wall and breast and provide good analgesia in the anterolateral chest wall. Current clinical research evidence indicates that SAPB has significant benefits in breast surgery. Further research avenues for this technology include optimal local anesthetic dosing strategy, the type of SAPB which is more suitable for breast surgery, comparison of SAPB and pectoral nerve block II (PECS II) in breast surgery, and high-quality randomized controlled study with outcomes of chronic pain or cancer prognosis.

Advances in the application of different anesthetic methods and drugs in interventional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Currently, interventional therapy has been widely used in clinical practice as a treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The limitations of interventional therapy lie mainly in the intolerable pain felt by the patients during the treatment process. Hence, the selection of the anesthetic methods and drugs, as well as the precise control of the dosages, are particularly crucial before the initiation of the treatment. Moreover, different anesthetic methods and drugs may also affect the patient's recovery differently. To better comprehend the current status of various anesthetic methods and drugs used in interventional therapy for HCC, this study reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of different anesthetic methods and drugs.

Regulation of Δ6Fads2 Gene Involved in LC-PUFA Biosynthesis Subjected to Fatty Acid in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Δ6 fatty acyl desaturase (Δ6Fads2) is regarded as the first rate-limiting desaturase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) from 18-carbon fatty acid in vertebrates, but the underlying regulatory mechanism of fads2 has not been comprehensively understood. This study aimed to investigate the regulation role of fads2 subjected to fatty acid in large yellow croaker and rainbow trout. In vivo, large yellow croaker and rainbow trout were fed a fish oil (FO) diet, a soybean oil (SO) diet or a linseed oil (LO) diet for 10 weeks. The results show that LO and SO can significantly increase fads2 expression (p < 0.05). In vitro experiments were conducted in HEK293T cells or primary hepatocytes to determine the transcriptional regulation of fads2. The results show that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) can up-regulate fads2 expression. GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) can up-regulate fads2 expression in rainbow trout but showed opposite effect in large yellow croaker. Furthermore, C/EBPα protein levels were significantly increased by LO and SO (p < 0.05), gata3 expression was increased in rainbow trout by LO but decreased in large yellow croaker by LO and SO. In conclusion, we revealed that FO replaced by LO and SO increased fads2 expression through a C/EBPα and GATA3 dependent mechanism in large yellow croaker and rainbow trout. This study might provide critical insights into the regulatory mechanisms of fads2 expression and LC-PUFA biosynthesis.

Multifunctional luminescent Zr(IV)-MOF for rapid and efficient detection of vanillin, CrO42- and Cr2O72- ions.

Fast and efficient detection of pollutants in the food or wastewater is an urgent need for protecting human health and ecological environment. Herein, a luminescent Zr(IV)-MOF (HBU-20) has been conveniently synthesized. It could be used as a fluorescent probe for detection of vanillin, CrO42-, and Cr2O72- in aqueous medium. All the fluorescence response time is less than 10 s and the detection limits of vanillin, CrO42- and Cr2O72- achieve 0.38 µM, 0.065 µM and 0.0089 µM, respectively. Interestingly, common anions, cations and amino acids in the solution can not affect the fluorescence detection. Meanwhile, the fluorescence detection process can be successfully implemented even under strong acid or strong alkaline conditions. Further research shows that the inner filter effect (IFE) plays a major role in the sensing process. The rapid and sensitive fluorescence responses indicate that the compound is a promising multifunctional probe for sensing toxic substance. The results can provide an important reference for the design of new fluorescent probes.

Environmental adaptation in fish induced changes in the regulatory region of fatty acid elongase gene, elovl5, involved in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis.

Fish are the main source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) for human consumption. In the process of evolution via natural selection, adaptation to distinct environments has likely driven changes in the endogenous capacity for LC-PUFA biosynthesis between marine and freshwater fishes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive changes in this metabolic pathway are poorly understood. Here, we compared the transcriptional regulation of elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 5 (Elovl5), which is one of the critical enzymes in LC-PUFA biosynthesis pathway, in marine large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Comparative transcriptomic and absolute mRNA quantification analyses revealed that the expression of elovl5 in rainbow trout was markedly higher than that in large yellow croaker. Correspondingly, the number of chromatin accessible areas in the regulatory region of elovl5 in rainbow trout was higher than in large yellow croaker, which revealed that chromatin accessibility in the regulatory region of elovl5 in rainbow trout was higher. Furthermore, the differences in sequence and activity of the elovl5 promoter were observed between rainbow trout and large yellow croaker, and transcription factors including CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ß (CEBPß), GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) and upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2) displayed different regulatory roles on elovl5 expression between the two species. We propose that changes in the gene regulatory region driven by natural selection likely play a key role in differences in elovl5 expression and the activity of Elovl5, which may influence the LC-PUFA biosynthesis capacities of rainbow trout and large yellow croaker. These findings may also provide opportunities to improve the quality of aquatic products and, consequently, human health.

Activation of farnesoid X receptor suppresses ER stress and inflammation via the YY1/NCK1/PERK pathway in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Unfolded protein responses from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have been implicated in inflammatory signaling. The vicious cycle of ER stress and inflammation makes regulation even more difficult. This study examined effects of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in ER-stress regulation in large yellow croakers. The soybean-oil-diet-induced expression of ER stress markers was decreased in fish with FXR activated. In croaker macrophages, FXR activation or overexpression significantly reduced inflammation and ER stress caused by tunicamycin (TM), which was exacerbated by FXR knockdown. Further investigation showed that the TM-induced phosphorylation of PERK and EIF2α was inhibited by the overexpression of croaker FXR, and it was increased by FXR knockdown. Croaker NCK1 was then confirmed to be a regulator of PERK, and its expression in macrophages is increased by FXR overexpression and decreased by FXR knockdown. The promoter activity of croaker NCK1 was inhibited by yin-yang 1 (YY1). Furthermore, the results show that croaker FXR overexpression could suppress the P65-induced promoter activity of YY1 in HEK293t cells and decrease the TM-induced expression of yy1 in macrophages. These results indicate that FXR could suppress P65-induced yy1 expression and then increase NCK1 expression, thereby inhibiting the PERK pathway. This study may benefit the understanding of ER stress regulation in fish, demonstrating that FXR can be used in large yellow croakers as an effective target for regulating ER stress and inflammation.

Efficacy of Intercostal Nerve Block for Pain Control After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: We aimed to assess the efficacy of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) for pain relief after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods: An electronic search of the databases of PubMed, Science Direct, BioMed Central, CENTRAL, Embase, and Google Scholar was conducted. All types of studies conducted on adult patients undergoing PCNL, comparing ICNB with control or any other anesthetic method, and reporting postoperative pain outcomes were included. Results: Six studies were included. Studies compared ICNB with peritubal (PT) infiltration and with control. Pooled analysis of ICNB vs. PT infiltration indicated no difference between the two groups for pain scores at 6-8 h (MD -0.44; 95% CI -3.41, 2.53; I2 = 99%; p = 0.77), 12 h (MD -0.98; 95% CI -4.90, 2.94; I2 = 99%; p = 0.62) and 24 h (MD 0.16; 95% CI -0.90, 1.21; I2 = 88%; p = 0.77). Time for first analgesic demand was also not significantly different between the two groups. Meta-analysis of ICNB vs. control indicated statistical significant difference in pain scores between the two groups at 8 h (MD -1.55; 95% CI -2.60, -0.50; I2 = 47%; p = 0.04), 12 h (SMD -2.49; 95% CI -4.84, -0.13; I2 = 96%; p = 0.04) and 24 h (SMD -1.22; 95% CI -2.12, -0.32; I2 = 88%; p = 0.008). The total analgesic requirement in morphine equivalents was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: ICNB may be effective in reducing postoperative pain after PCNL. However, its efficacy may not be greater than PT infiltration. Current evidence is from a limited number of studies. Further, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to provide robust evidence.