The Effect of Different Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurements Using Ultrasound to Assess Intracranial Pressure in Patients With Acute Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a promising, noninvasive invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement method. This study aims to analyze the differences in ONSD between the left and right eyeballs and the differences in ultrasonic measurement between the transverse and sagittal planes. METHODS: Data from a total of 50 eligible patients with various types of brain injury who were admitted to our hospital from May 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed. An ONSD assessment was then performed using Philips B-mode ultrasound, measuring ONSD 3 mm posterior to the eyeballs. The left and right ONSDs in the transverse and sagittal planes were measured. Intraparenchymal fiber optic sensors and catheters were inserted into the ventricles and connected to an external pressure transducer to measure ICP. RESULTS: A total of 164 sonographic measurements of ONSD were performed in 50 patients with brain injury in a prospective observational study. Statistically significant differences were found in ONSD between the transverse and sagittal planes. The difference in the left ONSD between the transverse and sagittal planes was 0.007 ± 0.030 cm (P = 0.003). The Spearman rank correlation test showed that the correlation coefficient between ICP and left/right ONSD in the transverse/sagittal planes was 0.495 vs 0.546 and 0.559 vs 0.605, respectively. The results showed that the areas under the curve of ONSD in the transverse and sagittal planes were 0.843 and 0.805, respectively. Medcalc software was used to compare the areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve, and the results showed that ONSD in the sagittal plane is generally better than in the transverse plane (P = 0.0145). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that ONSD in the sagittal plane is superior to the transverse plane regarding the comprehensive efficacy of ICP, and unilateral measurement is sufficient.

Why anticoagulant studies on sepsis fail frequently --- start with SCARLET.

The Sepsis Coagulopathy Asahi Recombinant LE Thrombomodulin (SCARLET) trial has many defects, and thus cannot be the terminator of recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM). On the contrary, it provides sufficient evidence for further research. Based on analysis focusing on the failure of SCARLET and several previous anticoagulant studies, it is most important for new studies to grasp the following two points: (1) The enrolled cases should have sufficient disease severity and a clear standard for disseminated intravascular coagulation; (2) Heparin should not be used in combination with the investigated drugs. Multiple post-hoc analyses show that no combination of heparin will not increase the risk of thromboembolism. In fact, the combination of heparin can mask the true efficacy of the investigated drug. Due to the complexity of sepsis treatment and the limitations of clinical studies, the results of all treatment studies should be repeatedly verified, rather than be determined at one stroke. Some research conclusions contrary to disease physiology, pharmacology and clinical practice may be deceptive, and should be cautious rather than be simply accepted. On the other hand, the dissenting voices in the "consensus" scene are often well discussed by the authors and should be highly valued.

Can optic nerve sheath diameter assessment be used as a non-invasive tool to dynamically monitor intracranial pressure?

This study aims to detect whether the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) can be used to dynamically monitor intracranial pressure (ICP). Adult patients undergoing invasive ICP monitoring on the day of admission are included in this study. For each patient, the ONSD is first measured in the supine position and then in the 30° head-up position. Subsequently, a dynamic test is conducted on 16 patients. The ONSD is measured in the supine position once a day for three consecutive days starting on the day of admission. There is a strong correlation between the ONSD and ICP values in the supine position on admission (r = 0.799), and when patients are changed from the supine to the 30° head-up position, the ICP and ONSD values decrease correspondingly. However, the change in ICP is not strongly correlated with the change in ONSD (r = 0.358). In the dynamic test, a good agreement between the ICP and ONSD only exists in three patients (18.8%), and three patients have completely different profiles for ICP and ONSD. These results suggest that the changes in the ONSD and ICP values are not closely correlated after dynamic observation. Therefore, measurement of the ONSD may not be a suitable tool to dynamically monitor ICP.

Multiple organ dysfunction due to a rare complication of Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum: A case report.

A 19-year-old male patient who suffered from sudden and repeated multiple organ dysfunction syndrome one month after the bar removal procedure of Nuss surgery for pectus excavatum was admitted to our department. With organ function supportive treatment, the etiology was finally identified to be a bone spur located at the inner border of the left costa due to repeated friction between the implanted steel bar and the rib, which damaged the heart repeatedly and induced the consequent acute cardiac tamponade. After operation, the patient was successfully managed and discharged. Follow-ups till three years indicated a good recovery.

Sox genes in Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are involved in ovarian development and oogenesis.

The alligator weed flea beetle, Agasicles hygrophila is a monophagous natural enemy of the invasive alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides. Oogenesis plays a vital role in the process of individual development and population continuation of oviparous insects. Sox is an ancient and ubiquitous metazoan gene family that plays a key regulatory role in various physiological processes, including oogenesis, which is closely related to fecundity. In this study, two Sox genes AhDichaete and AhSox3 were cloned and characterized, and then the expression profiles of AhDichaete and AhSox3 were qualified by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The result showed that these two Sox genes were expressed significantly higher in ovary, especially in the adult developmental stage. Furthermore, the functions of AhDichaete and AhSox3 in A. hygrophila females were studied using RNA interference (RNAi). Fewer offsprings were produced when AhDichaete and AhSox3 RNAi females mated with wild-type males. Moreover, dsAhSox3 injection reduced the hatching rate of eggs but injection with dsAhDichaete did not. Further study of the reproductive system of AhDichaete and AhSox3 RNAi females showed that yolk protein deposition reduction in the ovarioles, then the expression of vitellogenin gene AhVg2 in ovaries was decreased. These results indicate that AhDichaete and AhSox3 play an important regulatory role in the process of ovarian development and oogenesis by affecting yolk synthesis in the ovary of A. hygrophila.

Investigation of myocardial dysfunction using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in a genetic positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Chinese family.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported four heterozygous missense mutations of MYH7, KCNQ1, MYLK2, and TMEM70 in a single three-generation Chinese family with dual Long QT and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotypes for the first time. However, the clinical course among the family members was various, and the potential myocardial dysfunction has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the echocardiographic and electrocardiographic characteristics in a genetic positive Chinese family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and further to explore the association between myocardial dysfunction and electric activity, and the identified mutations. METHODS: A comprehensive echocardiogram - standard two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography - and electrocardiogram were obtained for members in this family. RESULTS: As previously reported, four missense mutations - MYH7-H1717Q, KCNQ1-R190W, MYLK2-K324E, and TMEM70-I147T - were identified in this family. The MYH7-H1717Q mutation carriers had significantly increased left ventricular mass indices, elevated E/e' ratio, deteriorated global longitudinal stain, but enhanced global circumferential and radial strain compared with those in non-mutation patients (all p<0.05). The KCNQ1-R190W carriers showed significantly prolonged QTc intervals, and the MYLK2-K324E mutation carriers showed inverted T-waves (both p<0.05). However, the TMEM70-I147T mutation carriers had similar echocardiography and electrocardiographic data as non-mutation patients. CONCLUSIONS: Three of the identified four mutations had potential pathogenic effects in this family: MYH7-H1717Q was associated with increased left ventricular thickness, elevated left ventricular filling pressure, and altered myocardial deformation; KCNQ1-R190W and MYLK2-K324E mutations were correlated with electrocardiographic abnormalities reflected in long QT phenotype and inverted T-waves, respectively.

Distribution of the Multidrug Resistance Gene cfr in Staphylococcus Isolates from Pigs, Workers, and the Environment of a Hog Market and a Slaughterhouse in Guangzhou, China.

Bacteria harboring cfr, a multidrug resistance gene, have high prevalence in livestock in China and might be transmitted to humans through direct contact or via contaminated food products. To better understand the epidemiology of cfr producers in the food chain, the prevalence and genetic analysis of Staphylococcus isolates recovered from pigs, workers, and meat-handling facilities (a slaughterhouse and a hog market in Guangzhou, China) were examined. Twenty (4.5%) cfr-positive Staphylococcus isolates (18 Staphylococcus simulans, 1 S. cohnii, and 1 S. aureus) were derived from pigs (16/312), the environment (2/52), and workers (2/80). SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of 26 staphylococcal strains (22 S. simulans and 4 S. cohnii), including previously reported cfr-carrying staphylococci of animal food origin, exhibited 19 major pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns (A-S). Clonal spread of cfr-carrying staphylococci among pigs, workers, and meat products was detected. The genetic contexts of cfr in plasmids (pHNKF3, pHNZT2, and pHNCR35) obtained from S. simulans of swine or human origin were similar to that of Staphylococcus species isolated from human clinics and animal-derived food. The cfr-carrying S. aureus strain isolated from floor swabs of the hog market was spa-type t889 and belonged to the ST9 clonal lineage. In summary, both clonal spread and horizontal transmission via mobile elements contributed to cfr dissemination among staphylococcal isolates obtained from different sources. To monitor potential outbreaks of cfr-positive bacteria, continued surveillance of this gene in animals at slaughter and in animal-derived food is warranted.

Trade-offs between survival, longevity, and reproduction, and variation of survival tolerance in Mediterranean Bemisia tabaci after temperature stress.

The invasive Mediterranean Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has emerged as one of the most common agricultural pests in the world. In the present study, we examined the cross-tolerance, fitness costs, and benefits of thermal tolerance and the variation in the responses of life history traits after heat-shock selection. The results showed that survival and longevity of Mediterranean B. tabaci were decreased significantly after direct or cross temperature stress and that the number of eggs per female was not reduced significantly. Furthermore, heat-shock selection dramatically increased the survival of Mediterranean B. tabaci within two generations, and it did not significantly affect the egg number per female within five generations. These results indicated that there was a trade-off between survival, longevity, and reproduction in Mediterranean B. tabaci after temperature stress. The improvement in reproduction was costly in terms of decreased survival and longevity, and there was a fitness consequence to temperature stress. In addition, heat tolerance in Mediterranean B. tabaci increased substantially after selection by heat shock, indicating a considerable variation for survival tolerance in this species. This information could help us better understand the thermal biology of Mediterranean B. tabaci within the context of climate change.

Increased survival and prolonged longevity mainly contribute to the temperature-adaptive evolutionary strategy in invasive Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Middle East Asia Minor 1.

With increasing global climate change, analyses of stress-inducing conditions have important significance in ecological adaptation and the biological distribution of species. To reveal the difference in temperature-adaptive strategy between Turpan and Beijing populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) under high-temperature stress conditions, we compared thermal tolerance and life history traits between Beijing and Turpan populations of MEAM1 after exposure to different heat shock treatments for different times. The experimental design reflected the nature of heat stress conditions suffered by MEAM1. The results showed that eggs, red-eyed pupae, and adults of the Turpan population were more heat tolerant than those of the Beijing population under the same stress conditions. Additionally, it was found that longevity and F1 adult survival rate were significantly higher in the Turpan population than in the Beijing population after heat shock stress, but egg number and F1 female ratio were not significantly different between Turpan population and Beijing population. Overall, it was suggested that heat tolerance and longevity traits were the most relevant for climate characteristics and not reproductive traits, and improved heat tolerance and prolonged longevity were important adaptive strategies that helped MEAM1 to survive in harsh high-temperature conditions such as Turpan arid desert climate. The present results provided further insight into the modes of heat tolerance and the ways in which survival and longevity traits respond to environmental selection pressures.

MAPK/NF-κB signaling mediates atrazine-induced cardiorenal syndrome and antagonism of lycopene.

Atrazine (ATZ) is the most prevalent herbicide that has been widely used in agriculture to control broadleaf weeds and improve crop yield and quality. The heavy use of ATZ has caused serious environmental pollution and toxicity to human health. Lycopene (LYC), is a carotenoid that exhibits numerous health benefits, such as prevention of cardiovascular diseases and nephropathy. However, it remains unclear that whether ATZ causes cardiorenal injury or even cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and the beneficial role of LYC on it. To test this hypothesis, mice were treated with LYC and/or ATZ for 21 days by oral gavage. This study demonstrated that ATZ exposure caused cardiorenal morphological alterations, and several inflammatory cell infiltrations mediated by activating NF-κB signaling pathways. Interestingly, dysregulation of MAPK signaling pathways and MAPK phosphorylation caused by ATZ have been implicated in cardiorenal diseases. ATZ exposure up-regulated cardiac and renal injury associated biomarkers levels that suggested the occurrence of CRS. However, these all changes were reverted, and the phenomenon of CAR was disappeared by LYC co-treatment. Based on our findings, we postulated a novel mechanism to elucidate pesticide-induced CRS and indicated that LYC can be a preventive and therapeutic agent for treating CRS by targeting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

5-Hydroxytryptamine levels in the pulmonary arterioles of broilers with induced pulmonary hypertension and its relationship to pulmonary vascular remodelling.

This experiment was performed to explore the relationship between 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in pulmonary arterioles and in pulmonary vascular remodelling in broilers. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was induced by injecting cellulose microparticles intravenously. Pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) morbidity, right ventricle/total ventricle weight ratio (RV/TV), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), vessel wall area to vessel total area ratio (WA/TA) and mean tunica media thickness in pulmonary arterioles (mMTPA) were measured. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region proteins (Ag-NORs) and 5-HT content in pulmonary arterioles were determined. The results showed that injecting cellulose microparticles intravenously in broilers could successfully increase the PHS morbidity, significantly elevate RV/TV, PCV and HB, significantly increase mMTPA and WA/TA, and significantly increase the argyrophilic particles in smooth muscle cell nucleoli, PCNA-positive cells in the medial layer, and the 5-HT content in pulmonary arterioles. Correlation analysis showed that the level of 5-HT was strongly positively correlated with PCNA and Ag-NORs. The results indicated that the increase of 5-HT in the tunica media could possibly promote the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in pulmonary arterioles and thus the occurrence of pulmonary vascular remodelling.

Effects of high-gossypol cotton on the development and reproduction of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MEAM1 cryptic species.

Use of plant secondary metabolic compounds is an important method for insect pest control. In this study, the survival, development, and reproduction of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MEAM1 cryptic species were compared over two consecutive generations on three cotton cultivars of different gossypol levels. Both cotton cultivar and generation significantly affected the fitness of the whitefly. In both generations, the immature development times on the low-gossypol cultivar ZMS13 were significantly longer than those on the high-gossypol cultivar M9101 or medium-gossypol cultivar HZ401. The female fecundity and rate of population increase of the whitefly ranked in the following order: ZMS13 > HZ401 > M9101. On each cultivar, the immature development time was shorter and the immature survival rate was higher in the second generation than those in the first generation. Rate of increase was also higher in the second generation. These results demonstrated that the fitness of B. tabaci MEAM1 cryptic species on the low-gossypol cotton cultivar ZMS13 was higher than that on the medium- or high-gossypol cultivar. The comparison of the life histories of B. tabaci MEAM1 cryptic species on different cotton varieties is important for the development of an integrated pest management program of the whitefly by using plant secondary metabolic compounds.

Lycopene ameliorates atrazine-induced spatial learning and memory impairments by inhibiting ferroptosis in the hippocampus of mice.

Atrazine (ATR) is a commercially available herbicide that is used worldwide. The intensive use of ATR poses potential risks to animals' and humans' health. Lycopene (LYC) is an anti-oxidative phytochemical that normalizes health hazards triggered by environmental factors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of ATR on the hippocampus and its amelioration by LYC. Male mice were exposed to ATR (50 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/d) and/or LYC (5 mg/kg/d) for 21 days. The results showed that ATR exposure induced hippocampus-dependent learning and memory impairments. ATR-induced ferroptosis in hippocampal cells affects the homeostasis of lipid metabolism, whereas LYC ameliorates the neurotoxic effects of ATR in the hippocampus. LYC inhibited ATR-induced ferroptosis by increasing the expression of HO-1, Nrf2 and SLC7A11. Therefore, this study established that LYC ameliorates ATR-induced spatial learning and memory impairments by inhibiting ferroptosis in the hippocampus and also provides a novel approach for the treatment in contradiction of environmental pollutants.

Characterization and Functional Analysis of OcomOBP7 in Ophraella communa Lesage.

The olfactory system plays a key role in various insect behaviors, and odorant-binding proteins participate in the first step of the olfactory process. Ophraella communa Lesage is an oligophagous phytophagous insect that is a specific biological control agent for Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. The leaf beetle must identify and locate A. artemisiifolia through olfaction; however, its odorant-binding protein (OBP) function has not yet been reported. In this study, OcomOBP7 was cloned, and its tissue expression profile and binding ability were analyzed using RT-qPCR and fluorescence binding assays, respectively. Sequence analysis demonstrated that OcomOBP7 belongs to the classical OBP family. The RT-qPCR results showed that OcomOBP7 was specifically expressed in the antennae, indicating that OcomOBP7 may be involved in chemical communication. The fluorescence binding assay showed that OcomOBP7 has an extensive binding ability to alkenes. The electroantennography experiments showed that O. communa antennal response to α-pinene and ocimene decreased significantly after interference because the two odors specifically bound to OcomOBP7. In summary, α-pinene and ocimene are odorant ligands corresponding to OcomOBP7, indicating that OcomOBP7 is involved in the chemical recognition of A. artemisiifolia. Our study lays a theoretical foundation for research into O. communa attractants, which is helpful for the better biological control of A. artemisiifolia by O. communa.

[Sedation with stimulative circadian rhythm in mechanically ventilation patients in intensive care unit].

OBJECTIVE: To sedate the mechanically ventilation patients in intensive care unit (ICU) with stimulative circadian rhythm, and evaluate whether the protocol has advantages in recovering natural circadian rhythm, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay after weaning of sedation. METHODS: A prospective random control trial was conducted. One hundred and twenty ventilated patients in ICU were randomly assigned to four groups: circadian rhythm (CR), daily interruption (DI), continuous sedation (CS) or demand sedation (DS) group, each n = 30. Given more complications, DS group was deleted after recruiting 10 cases and 90 patients were admitted ultimately. Patients' age, gender, body weight, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) scores, sedatives dosages, daily arousal time, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, complications (ventilator-associated pneumonia, barotrauma with intrathoracic drain tube) and untoward reactions (accidental extubation, reintubation, tracheotomy, death) were recorded, the biochemical indicators were determined, as well as number of nurses on duty at 10:00 and 22:00. RESULTS: The patients' sex ratio, age, body weight, APACHEII scores, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay showed no difference among CR, DI and CS groups. The total sedatives dosages (mg: 5466.7 ± 620.4) and average sedatives dosages [mg×h(-1) ×kg(-1): 2.19 ± 0.61] in CS group were significantly higher than those in CR group (4344.5 ± 816.0, 1.00 ± 0.51) and DI group (4154.3 ± 649.4, 1.23 ± 0.62, all P < 0.01), and there was no difference between CR group and DI group. Daily arousal time in the CR group (hours: 4.40 ± 1.30) was significantly lengthened compared with that in DI group (0.59 ± 0.26) and CS group (0.15 ± 0.02, both P < 0.05). The complications showed no differences in each group, but incidences of the untoward reactions in DI group (2 cases) were significantly increased compared with that in CR group (1 case) and CS group (0 case, P = 0.0477). After weaning of sedation, patients with normal circadian rhythm were significantly more in CR group than that in CS group (19 vs. 9, P = 0.0339). Among CR group, DI group and CS group, there were significant differences in the numbers of nurses on duty in the daytime (1.65, 1.41, 1.14, all P < 0.01), but there was no difference in the night. The biochemistry index showed no difference in each group. CONCLUSIONS: It demonstrated that sedation with stimulative circadian rhythm be helpful to create circadian rhythm after weaning of sedation. While complications and untoward reactions did not increase, as well as duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay. Therefore, the clinical applicability of this sedative strategy was highlighted.

Lycopene Ameliorate Atrazine-Induced Oxidative Damage in the B Cell Zone via Targeting the miR-27a-3p/Foxo1 Axis.

Lycopene, a natural bioactive component, has potential to reduce the risk of environmental factors inducing chronic diseases. It is important to explore lycopene's health benefits and its mechanism. The uncontrolled use of atrazine in agriculture causes critical environmental pollution issues worldwide. Exposure to atrazine through water and food chains is a risk to humans. In this study, mice were orally treated with lycopene and/or different concentrations of atrazine for 21 days to explore the influence of atrazine on the spleen and the role of lycopene's protection in atrazine exposure. The work found that atrazine exerted its toxic role in the B cell zone of the spleen by inducing Foxo1 deficiency. Atrazine caused ROS generation and Pink1/Parkin dysfunction via inducing Foxo1 deficiency, which led to apoptosis in the B cell zone. Additionally, the work revealed that lycopene ameliorates atrazine-induced apoptosis in the B cell zone of the spleen via regulating the miR-27a-3p/Foxo1 pathway. The finding also underscored a novel target of lycopene in maintaining homeostasis during B cell maturation.

Atrazine-induced oxidative damage via modulating xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors and cytochrome P450 systems in cerebrum and antagonism of lycopene.

Atrazine (ATR) is a widely used herbicide with biologically toxic effects that can lead to neurotoxicity. Lycopene (LYC) is an antioxidant with chemoprotective properties. However, little know about the mechanisms of preventative interventions about LYC alleviated ATR-induced neurotoxicity. Male mice were treated with distilled water (C), 5 mg/kg BW/day LYC (L), 50 and 200 mg/kg BW/day ATR (A1, A2), respectively and LYC + ATR (A1+L, A2+L). ATR promoted oxidative stress and inflammatory damage, as showed by the effects on MDA, H2O2, IL-6 and TNF-α accumulation, and IL-10, SOD, CAT and GSH depletion, which caused neuronal swelling and mitochondrial vacuolar degeneration. ATR disrupted the CYP450s balance via increasing contents of CYP450 and cytochrome B5, enhancing activities of NCR and ERND and activating NXRs and NXRs-related transcription factors. However, all these effects were reversed by LYC pretreatment. Collectively, these data indicated that LYC inhibited ATR-induced oxidative damage through modulating xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors and CYP450s.

Scanning Electron Microscopic Analysis of Antennal Sensilla and Tissue-Expression Profiles of Chemosensory Protein Genes in Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Ophraella communa is an efficient biocontrol agent used against the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia. It is an herbivorous insect that feeds on specific plants; the olfactory functions of this insects plays an important role in their search for host plants. There are no reports on O. communa sensilla types, morphology, or chemosensory protein (CSP) genes. In this study, we observed the external structure and distribution of antennal sensilla in adult O. communa antennae by scanning electron microscopy; moreover, we cloned 11 CSPs (CSP1-CSP11) and elucidated their tissue-expression profiles using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Six types of sensilla were identified: sensilla trichodea (including two subtypes), sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica (including two subtypes), sensilla styloconica, sensilla coeloconica, and Böhm bristles. Both male and female antennae had all six types of sensilla, and no sexual dimorphism was noted in sensillar types or distribution. We also found that the expression levels of CSP2, CSP3, CSP4, CSP6, and CSP7 in male and female antennae were higher than those in other tissues, which suggests that these five CSPs may be related to olfactory function in O. communa. Ultimately, our results lay the foundation for interpreting the olfactory functions of adult O. communa.

Lycopene ameliorates atrazine-induced pyroptosis in spleen by suppressing the Ox-mtDNA/Nlrp3 inflammasome pathway.

Nlrp3 is a vital integration point of diverse extracellular stimuli and cellular stress. However, the inappropriate activation of Nlrp3 results in the progression of autoinflammatory and metabolic disorders. Atrazine, which is used widely in the agricultural sector, is toxic to humans. Herein, this study found that atrazine could induce oxidative stress and the expression of Nfkb and IRF1 in spleen, promoting the ox-mtDNA formation. Also, production and release of ox-mtDNA stimulated the Nlrp3 inflammasome. Lastly, atrazine induced pyroptosis in spleen, mediating the activation of Nlrp3 inflammasome. In addition, lycopene, a kind of carotenoid, is natural bioactive component in fruits and vegetables, which is applied toward reducing oxidative stress. It was found that lycopene could ameliorate the pyroptosis induced by atrazine via the inhibition of ox-mtDNA production. The results also provided evidence that lycopene had a potential role in the prevention of Nlrp3 inflammasome activation by depleting the ox-mtDNA.

A mixed-method evaluation of the relationship between Oxford classification scores and longitudinal changes in proteinuria in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Oxford Classification scores and longitudinal changes in proteinuria in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: The study was a single-center retrospective cohort study involving 358 patients with primary IgAN who were treated at the Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, China, between January 2011 and May 2021. Multivariate linear regression and generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs), adjusted for traditional risk confounders, were used to evaluate the correlation between scores for mesangial hypercellularity (M), endocapillary hypercellularity (E), segmental glomerulosclerosis (S), tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T), and crescents (C) (known as the Oxford Classification MEST-C score system), with proteinuria/creatinine ratio (PCR) at the time of renal biopsy and longitudinal changes in PCR, respectively. Results: The median PCR was 1061 mg/g, and it increased on average by 68.82 mg/g per year in these patients. Among patients with renal insufficiency, compared with patients without relative lesions, those with E present (E1) (1153.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 188.99-2117.89 mg/g) and C > 0 (C1/2) (1063.58; 95% CI, 185.25-1941.90 mg/g) were associated with increased PCR levels at the time of renal biopsy. What's more, S present (S1) (194.96; 95% CI, 54.50-335.43 mg/g per year) was associated with the fastest PCR increase; C > 0 (C1/2) (147.59; 95% CI, 8.32-286.86 mg/g per year) and T >25% (T1/2) (77.04; 95% CI, 7.18-146.89 mg/g per year), were also correlated with a faster PCR increase. In patients with normal kidney function, associations between S1 (55.46; 95% CI, 8.93-101.99 mg/g per year) and E1 (94.02; 95% CI, 21.47-166.58 mg/g per year) and PCR change could be observed. Additionally, in patients with overweight/obesity, S1 (156.09; 95% CI, 52.41-259.77 mg/g per year), E1 (143.34; 95% CI, 35.30-251.38 mg/g per year), T1/2 (116.04; 95% CI, 22.58-209.51 mg/g per year), as well as C1/2 (134.03; 95% CI, 41.73-226.32 mg/g per year) were associated with noticeably quicker PCR increase. Conclusions: Overall, E1 and C1/2 were independently associated with raised proteinuria levels at the time of renal biopsy, and S1, E1, T1/2, C1/2 were independently associated with a longitudinal increase in proteinuria in the patients with IgAN, especially in those with renal insufficiency or overweight/obesity, suggesting that currently available treatments might not be satisfactory, and weight control might be beneficial. Individual therapy development might benefit from the use of the Oxford Classification system.