A successful experience using labetalol and hemodialysis to treat near-fatal caffeine poisoning: A case report with toxicodynamics.

Caffeine poisoning is relatively rare, and a near-fatal caffeine overdose is highly uncommon. We present an 18-year-old male who attempted suicide with 295 mg/kg pure caffeine powder (lethal oral dose: 150-200 mg/kg) and was successfully rescued. He presented with seizures, refractory supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension for 6 h with no response to medications and cardioversion. Even with the high level of caffeine, labetalol, which is seldom administered as a treatment for caffeine poisoning-induced tachycardia, successfully relieved refractory tachycardia. Then, hemodialysis ultimately eliminated serum caffeine and completely alleviated caffeine-related central nervous system toxicity. We discuss the clinical symptoms, management and toxicodynamics based on the concentration of caffeine and its metabolites in serum and urine.

LncRNA SNHG14 promotes OGD/R-induced neuron injury by inducing excessive mitophagy via miR-182-5p/BINP3 axis in HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) is associated with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) injury. This work aims to explore the role of SNHG14 in CI/R injury. METHODS: HT22 (mouse hippocampal neuronal cells) cell model was established by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment. The interaction among SNHG14, miR-182-5p and BNIP3 was verified by luciferase reporter assay. Flow cytometry, western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to examine apoptosis, the expression of genes and proteins. RESULTS: SNHG14 and BNIP3 were highly expressed, and miR-182-5p was down-regulated in the OGD/R-induced HT22 cells. OGD/R-induced HT22 cells exhibited an increase in apoptosis. SNHG14 overexpression promoted apoptosis and the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-9 in the OGD/R-induced HT22 cells. Moreover, SNHG14 up-regulation enhanced the expression of BNIP3, Beclin-1, and LC3II/LC3I in the OGD/R-induced HT22 cells. Furthermore, SNHG14 regulated BNIP3 expression by sponging miR-182-5p. MiR-182-5p overexpression or BNIP3 knockdown repressed apoptosis in OGD/R-induced HT22 cells, which was abolished by SNHG14 up-regulation. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that lncRNA SNHG14 promotes OGD/R-induced neuron injury by inducing excessive mitophagy via miR-182-5p/BINP3 axis in HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells. Thus, SNHG14/miR-182-5p/BINP3 axis may be a valuable target for CI/R injury therapies.

[MEK inhibitor PD0325901 significantly boosts ssODN-mediated HDR efficiency in porcine fetal fibroblasts].

There are two major pathways, homology-directed repair (HDR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), involved in double-strand break (DSB) repair. Single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ssODN)-mediated homologous recombination repair is commonly used for animal site-directed genome editing, with great scientific and practical value. To improve ssODN-mediated HDR efficiency in the pig genome, we investigated the effect and molecular mechanism of mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD0325901 on the HDR efficiency in porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs). The results showed that PD0325901 obviously increased the percentage of G2 and S phase cell populations and reduced the cell population ratio in the G1 phase of PFFs, and promoted the expression of HDR repair factor. At the optimal concentration of 250 nmol/L, PD0325901 increased the repair efficiency of ssODN-mediated GFP reporter vector by 58.8% and the directed editing efficiency of PFF DMD and ROSA26 locus by 48.16% and 17.64%, respectively. The results show that MEK inhibitor PD0325901 significantly promotes the efficiency of ssODN-mediated homologous-directed repair in the porcine genome, thus offering a new idea to generate genetically modified pigs more effectively.

Propofol inhibited autophagy through Ca2+/CaMKKß/AMPK/mTOR pathway in OGD/R-induced neuron injury.

BACKGROUND: The neuroprotective role of propofol (PPF) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) has recently been highlighted. This study aimed to explore whether the neuroprotective mechanisms of PPF were linked to its regulation of Ca2+/CaMKKß (calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase ß)/AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)/autophagy pathway. METHODS: Cultured primary rat cerebral cortical neurons were treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation (OGD/R) to mimic cerebral I/R injury in vitro. RESULTS: Compared with the control neurons, OGD/R exposure successfully induced neuronal I/R injury. Furthermore, OGD/R exposure notably caused autophagy induction, reflected by augmented LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and Beclin 1 expression, decreased p62 expression, and increased LC3 puncta formation. Moreover, OGD/R exposure induced elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). However, PPF treatment significantly antagonized OGD/R-triggered cell injury, autophagy induction, and [Ca2+]i elevation. Further investigation revealed that both autophagy induction by rapamycin and [Ca2+]i elevation by the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin significantly reversed the PPF-mediated amelioration of OGD/R-triggered cell injury. Importantly, ionomycin also significantly abrogated the PPF-mediated suppression of autophagy and CaMKKß/AMPK/mTOR signaling in OGD/R-exposed neurons. Additionally, activation of CaMKKß/AMPK/mTOR signaling abrogated the PPF-mediated autophagy suppression. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that PPF antagonized OGD/R-triggered neuronal injury, which might be mediated, at least in part, via inhibition of autophagy through Ca2+/CaMKKß/AMPK/mTOR pathway.

[Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages by sinomenine through regulating heme oxygenase-1 expression and autophagy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of sinomenine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages and the underlying mechanisms.
 Methods: The mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with sinomenine and/or LPS with or without heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor Znpp. Real-time PCR, ELISA, immunofluenscence, and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6, the release of TNF-α and IL-6, the protein expression of HO-1 and autophagy, respectively.
 Results: Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression and release of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were increased, the green fluorescence of autophagy-related protein LC3 was accumulated and the protein expression of HO-1 was increased in RAW264.7 cells after LPS treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, sinomenine treatment could reduce the mRNA expression and release of TNF-α and IL-6, accompanied by increasess in green fluorescence aggregation of LC3 and HO-1 production (P<0.05). HO-1 inhibitor Znpp could weaken the ability of sinomenine through suppressing TNF-α and IL-6 expression and decreasing the aggregation of LC3 green fluorescence (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Sinomenine could alleviate LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages, which might be related to HO-1 mediated autophagy. This study provides an experimental and theoretical basis for the clinical application of sinomenine in prevention and treatment of inflammation.

[Role of autophagy in ameliorating sepsis-induced acute lung injury by allicinin in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate roles of autophagy in ameliorating sepsis-induced acute lung injury by allicinin in mice.
 Methods: A total of 152 male Balb/c mice (8-week old) were randomly divided into a sham group, a septic model group, an allicin treatment group, and an autophagy inhibition group. Septic mouse model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mice in the allicin treatment group were given allicin (30 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal injection) at 6 and 12 h, while those in the autophagy inhibition group were given autophagy inhibitor 3-MA (15 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal injection) at half an hour after allicin administration. Mice in the model and sham group were administered with the same amount of saline. Twenty mice in each group were randomly chosen to observe the 7 d survival rate. The other 12 mice were killed at 24 h, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (n=6) and lung tissues (n=6) were collected. ELISA was used to detect the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the BALF. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was preformed to show the morphological changes in the lung tissues. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the lung tissues were examined. The expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 was determined by immunohistochemical analysis.
 Results: Compared with the sham group, the 7 d survival rate and lung SOD activity were decreased in the CLP group (P<0.05); the lung morphological damage score, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the BALF, MDA content in the lung, and expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 were increased greatly in the CLP group (P<0.05). Compared with the CLP group, the 7 d survival rate, lung SOD activity and the expressions of LC3B and Beclin-1 were increased significantly in the allicin treatment group (P<0.05); the lung morphological damage scores, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the BALF and MDA content in the lung were decreased obviously in the allicin treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with the allicin treatment group, the 7 d survival rate, lung SOD activity, and the expressions of LC3B and Beclin-1 were decreased in the 3-MA group (P<0.05); the lung morphological damage scores, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the BALF, and MDA content in the lung were increased significantly in the 3-MA group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Allicin may ameliorate sepsis-induced acute lung injury in mice by enhancing the level of autophagy.

[Role of local citrate anticoagulation in continuous blood purification to patients at high risk of bleeding in ICU].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of citrate anticoagulant-based continuous blood purification in patients at high risk of bleeding. 
 Methods: One hundred and fifty-two patients at high risk of bleeding were divided into local citrate group (group A, n=68) and heparin group (group B, n=84). Clotting function, change of pH, ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion, ionized calcium, activated clotting time (ACT) and complications were monitored before and during treatment. 
 Results: Compared to the group A, the incidence of clotting in filter and chamber, the degree of bleeding or fresh bleeding were significantly reduced in the group B (P<0.05). ACT of post-filter at 4, 8 and 12 h during the treatment in the group A was significantly extended compared with that without treatment (P<0.05), while there was no significant change in group B (P>0.05). The pH value, the levels of ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion and ionized calcium during the treatment were maintained in normal range in both group A and group B.
 Conclusion: Local citrate-based continuous blood purification can achieve effective anticoagulation and decrease the incidence of bleeding. It is an ideal choice for patients at high risk of bleeding.

IAVPGEVA: Orally Available DPP4-Targeting Soy Glycinin Derived Octapeptide with Therapeutic Potential in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

IAVPGEVA, an octapeptide derived from soybean 11S globulin hydrolysis, also known as SGP8, has exhibited regulatory effects on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis in vitro. Studies using MCD and HFD-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) models in mice show that SGP8 attenuates hepatic injury and metabolic disorders. Mechanistic studies suggest that SGP8 inhibits the JNK-c-Jun pathway in L02 cells and liver tissue under metabolic stress and targets DPP4 with DPP4 inhibitory activity. In conclusion, the results suggest that SGP8 is an orally available DPP4-targeting peptide with therapeutic potential in NASH.

lncRNA IGF2-AS Regulates Nucleotide Metabolism by Mediating HMGA1 to Promote Pyroptosis of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Sepsis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and its high mortality and pathological complexity hinder early accurate diagnosis. We aimed to investigate lncRNA IGF2-AS and HMGA1 effects on pyroptosis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in sepsis patients and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Blood samples from sepsis patients and healthy subjects were collected, and EPCs were isolated and identified. We constructed cell lines that knocked down lncRNA IGF2-AS, HMGA1, and TYMS. Furthermore, lncRNA IGF2-AS was overexpressed. Subsequently, dNTP treatment with different concentrations was performed to investigate lncRNA IGF2-AS and HMGA1 effects on pyroptosis of EPCs in sepsis patients. Finally, exosomes were isolated from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to detect lncRNA IGF2-AS expression, and the influence of MSC-derived exosomal lncRNA IGF2-AS on sepsis was preliminarily discussed. RESULTS: Compared with Healthy group, lncRNA IGF2-AS, HMGA1, and TYMS were highly expressed in Sepsis group. Compared with si-NC group, si-lncRNA IGF2-AS group had increased proliferation ability, decreased pyroptosis, decreased HMGA1, RRM2, TK1, and TYMS expressions. lncRNA IGF2-AS played a regulatory role by binding HMGA1. Compared with si-NC group, the proliferation ability of si-HMGA1 group increased, pyroptosis decreased, and RRM2, TK1, and TYMS expressions also decreased. Compared with si-NC group, pyroptosis in si-TYMS group was reduced. In addition, HMGA1 was related and bound to TYMS. After overexpressing lncRNA IGF2-AS, dNTP level decreased, while the proliferation increased and pyroptosis decreased with higher concentration of dNTP. In addition, we found that EPCs took up MSC-exosomes. Compared with supernatant group, lncRNA IGF2-AS was expressed in exosomes group. Compared with EPCs group, EPCs+exosomes group had increased lncRNA IGF2-AS expression and increased pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA IGF2-AS regulated nucleotide metabolism by mediating HMGA1 to promote pyroptosis of EPCs in sepsis patients. This study provided important clues for finding new therapeutic targets for sepsis.

Metabolites extracted from microorganisms as potential inhibitors of glycosidases (α-glucosidase and α-amylase): A review.

α-Glucosidase and α-amylase are the two main glycosidases that participate in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Inhibitors of these two enzymes are considered an important medical treatment for carbohydrate uptake disorders, such as diabetes and obesity. Microbes are an important source of constituents that have the potential to inhibit glycosidases and can be used as sources of new drugs and dietary supplements. For example, the α-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose, isolated from Actinoplanes sp., has played an important role in adequately controlling type 2 diabetes, but this class of marketed drugs has many drawbacks, such as poor compliance with treatment and expense. This demonstrates the need for new microorganism-derived resources, as well as novel classes of drugs with better compliance, socioeconomic benefits, and safety. This review introduces the literature on microbial sources of α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors, with a focus on endophytes and marine microorganisms, over the most recent 5 years. This paper also reviews the application of glycosidase inhibitors as drugs and dietary supplements. These studies will contribute to the future development of new microorganism-derived glycosidase inhibitors.

Continuous Color-Tunable Light-Emitting Devices Based on Compositionally Graded Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Alloys.

The diverse series of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials has been employed in various optoelectronic applications, such as photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, and lasers. Typically, the detection or emission range of optoelectronic devices is unique to the bandgap of the active material. Therefore, to improve the capability of these devices, extensive efforts have been devoted to tune the bandgap, such as gating, strain, and dielectric engineering. However, the controllability of these methods is severely limited (typically ≈0.1 eV). In contrast, alloying TMDCs is an effective approach that yields a composition-dependent bandgap and enables light emissions over a wide range. In this study, a color-tunable light-emitting device using compositionally graded TMDC alloys is fabricated. The monolayer WS2 /WSe2 alloy grown by chemical vapor deposition shows a spatial gradient in the light-emission energy, which varies from 2.1 to 1.7 eV. This alloy is incorporated in an electrolyte-based light-emitting device structure that can tune the recombination zone laterally. Thus, a continuous and reversible color-tunable light-emitting device is successfully fabricated by controlling the light-emitting positions. The results provide a new approach for exploring monolayer semiconductor-based broadband optical applications.

Propofol Protects against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Down-Regulating Long Noncoding RNA SNHG14.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) injury is a serious central nervous system disease. Propofol (PPF) exerts a neuroprotective effect in CI/R injury; the underlying cause is still unclear. Here, we cultured mouse hippocampal neuron (HT22 cells) in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) conditions to mimic CI/R injury in vitro. PPF treatment promoted cell viability and reduced apoptotic cells in the OGD/R-treated HT22 cells, which was effectively abrogated by SNHG14 overexpression. Moreover, we constructed a CI/R injury mouse model on C57BL/6J mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R), followed by administration of PPF. PPF reduced neuronal damage and loss, enhanced glial cell hyperplasia, and ameliorated cerebral cortex tissue damage and brain infarct in MCAO/R-induced mice. SNHG14 overexpression aggravated MCAO/R-induced CI/R injury in mice. Furthermore, SNHG14 promoted the expression of Atg5 and Beclin 1 via competitively binding miR-30b-5p, which contributed to activate autophagy and apoptosis in HT22 cells. In addition, the levels of p-p38 and p-SP1 were reduced in the OGD/R-treated HT22 cells in the presence of PPF. SP1 interacted with the promoter of SNHG14 and elevated the expression of SNHG14. PPF treatment inhibited the SP1-mediated up-regulation of SNHG14. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that PPF inhibits SNHG14 expression though the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. SNHG14 promotes Atg5 and Beclin 1 expression by sponging miR-30b-5p and thus activates autophagy and aggravates CI/R injury.

Multi-Omics Analysis of Anlotinib in Pancreatic Cancer and Development of an Anlotinib-Related Prognostic Signature.

Aberrant regulation of angiogenesis involves in the growth and metastasis of tumors, but angiogenesis inhibitors fail to improve overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients in previous phase III clinical trials. A comprehensive knowledge of the mechanism of angiogenesis inhibitors against pancreatic cancer is helpful for clinical purpose and for the selection of patients who might benefit from the inhibitors. In this work, multi-omics analyses (transcriptomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics profiling) were carried out to delineate the mechanism of anlotinib, a novel angiogenesis inhibitor, against pancreatic cancer cells. The results showed that anlotinib exerted noteworthy cytotoxicity on pancreatic cancer cells. Multi-omics analyses revealed that anlotinib had a profound inhibitory effect on ribosome, and regulated cell cycle, RNA metabolism and lysosome. Based on the multi-omics results and available data deposited in public databases, an anlotinib-related gene signature was further constructed to identify a subgroup of pancreatic cancer patients who had a dismal prognosis and might be responsive to anlotinib.

Spatial Control of Dynamic p-i-n Junctions in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Light-Emitting Devices.

Emerging transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) offer an attractive platform for investigating functional light-emitting devices, such as flexible devices, quantum and chiral devices, high-performance optical modulators, and ultralow threshold lasers. In these devices, the key operation is to control the light-emitting position, that is, the spatial position of the recombination zone to generate electroluminescence, which permits precise light guides/passes/confinement to ensure favorable device performance. Although various structures of TMDC light-emitting devices have been demonstrated, including the transistor configuration and heterostructured diodes, it is still difficult to tune the light-emitting position precisely owing to the structural device complexity. In this study, we fabricated two-terminal light-emitting devices with chemically synthesized WSe2, MoSe2, and WS2 monolayers, and performed direct observations of their electroluminescence, from which we discovered a divergence in their light-emitting positions. Subsequently, we propose a method to associate spatial electroluminescence imaging with transport properties among different samples; consequently, a common rule for determining the locations of recombination zones is revealed. Owing to dynamic carrier accumulations and p-i-n junction formations, the light-emitting positions in electrolyte-based devices can be tuned continuously. The proposed method will expand the device applicability for designing functional optoelectronic applications based on TMDCs.

Tanshinone IIA attenuates sepsis-induced immunosuppression and improves survival rate in a mice peritonitis model.

BACKGROUND: The importance of sepsis-induced immunosuppression and its contribution to mortality has recently emerged. In this study we examined the effects of Tanshinone II-A (TSN), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, on immunosuppression in experimental peritonitis induced septic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sepsis was achieved by means of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). TSN at different doses (5, 15 and 45 mg/kg, i.p.) were used at different time-points (0, 3, 6 and 12 h) after CLP to evaluate its effect on the survival of septic mice. In parallel experiments, mice given TSN at optimal dose and time-point were euthanized to collect peritoneal macrophages, blood and tissue samples at 24 h after the CLP. RESULTS: TSN improved the survival of septic mice in a dose- and time-dependent manner. TSN reduced CLP-induced serum biochemical parameters and protected organs from histopathological injuries. CLP-induced apoptosis and decreased percentages of splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were reversed in TSN-treated mice. Moreover, CLP-induced formation of regulatory T cells (Treg) in the spleen was abolished in TSN-treated mice. CLP greatly decreased the levels of interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-2 in the spleen, while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased after CLP. TSN completely reversed these alterations and elicited a more-balanced Th1/Th2 response. Moreover, TSN promoted macrophage phagocytotic activity and improved bacterial clearance of septic mice. Lastly, TSN abolished CLP-triggered increase in serum HMBG1 level. And HMGB1 neutralization could increase the percentages of splenic CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes and decreased the Treg population. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our data suggest that TSN exerts immune modulatory effect and might be a useful strategy to ameliorate immunosuppression in polymicrobial sepsis.

Cryogenic free-form extrusion bioprinting of decellularized small intestinal submucosa for potential applications in skin tissue engineering.

A novel strategy of cryogenic 3D bioprinting assisted by free-from extrusion printing has been developed and applied to printing of a decellularized small intestinal submucosa (dSIS) slurry. The rheological properties, including kinetic viscosity, storage modulus (G'), and loss modulus (G″), were appropriate for free-from extrusion printing of dSIS slurry. Three different groups of scaffolds, including P500, P600, and P700, with filament distances of 500, 600, and 700 µm, respectively were fabricated at a 5 mm s-1 working velocity of the platform (V xy) and 25 kPa air pressure of the dispensing system (P) at -20 °C. The fabricated scaffolds were crosslinked via 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) which resulted in a polyporous microstructure. The variations in the filament diameter and pore size were evaluated in the initial frozen state after printing, the lyophilized state, and after immersion in a PBS solution. The Young's modulus of the P500, P600, and P700 scaffolds was measured in wet and dry states for EDC-crosslinked scaffolds. The cell experiment results showed improved cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation both on the surface and within the scaffold, indicating the biocompatibility and suitability of the scaffold for 3D cell models. Further, gene and protein expression of normal skin fibroblasts on dSIS scaffolds demonstrated their ability to promote the production of some extracellular matrix proteins (i.e. collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin) in vitro. Overall, this study presents a new potential strategy, by combining cryogenic 3D bioprinting with decellularized extracellular matrix materials, to manufacture ideal scaffolds for skin tissue engineering applications.

Diversity and predictive metabolic pathways of the prokaryotic microbial community along a groundwater salinity gradient of the Pearl River Delta, China.

Almost half of the groundwater in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) contains salt water originally derived from paleo-seawater due to the Holocene transgression, which then generates intense physicochemical gradients in the mixing zone between freshwater and saltwater. Although some studies have been conducted on the hydrological and geochemical characteristics of groundwater in the PRD to monitor the intrusion of seawater, little attention has been paid to the microbial community of this particular region. In this study, we implemented a high-throughput sequencing analysis to characterize the microbial communities along a salinity gradient in the PRD aquifer, China. Our results indicated that the microbial community composition varied significantly depending on the salinity of the aquifer. The presence of abundant anaerobic microorganisms of the genera Desulfovibrio and Methanococcus in certain saltwater samples may be responsible for the gas generation of H2S and CH4 in the stratum. In saline water samples (TDS > 10 g/L), the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis found two biomarkers that usually live in marine environments, and the aquifers of the PRD still contained large quantity of saltwater, indicating that the impact of the paleo-seawater has lasted to this day. The predictive metagenomic analysis revealed that the metabolic pathways present in the groundwater samples studied, included the degradation of pesticides and refractory organics (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), atrazine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), matter cycling (methane, nitrogen and sulfur), and inorganic ion and mineral metabolites. This study can help enhance our understanding of the composition of the microbial assemblages and its implications as an environmental indicator in an aquifer affected by saltwater intrusion.

Expression of microRNA-23b in patients with sepsis and its effect on leukocytes and the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1.

The expression of microRNA-23b in peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with sepsis was investigated to assess the correlations with leukocyte, E-selectin, ICAM-1 and disease severity. The expression of microRNA-23b in peripheral blood leukocytes from 87 patients with sepsis, 50 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and 50 normal controls were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and stability of microRNA-23b was evaluated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect E-selectin and ICAM-1. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scoring system was used to assess the severity of sepsis patients. Correlation analysis was performed between microRNA-23b and the total number of white blood cells (WBC), E-selectin, ICAM-1, and SOFA scores. Compared with the normal control group, the expression level of microRNA-23b in the sepsis group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and WBC and E-selectin were significantly increased (P<0.05). ICAM-1 level in the sepsis and the SIRS groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and it is also higher in the sepsis group than in the SIRS group. In the sepsis group, the expression level of microRNA-23b in the death group was significantly lower than that in the survivor group (P<0.05), while the level of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and SOFA scores were significantly higher in the death group than in the survivor group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in WBC between the groups (P>0.05). The expression level of microRNA-23b in patients with sepsis was significantly negatively correlated with SOFA scores, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 (r=-0.633, -0.585, and -0.439, respectively, P<0.05). The expression of microRNA-23b in peripheral blood of patients with sepsis is related to the manifestation of the inflammatory state, and can be used to judge the severity and prognosis of patients with this disease.

[Study on safety of apnea test in clinical determination of brain death].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the occurrence of severe complications such as hypotension, pulmonary artery hypertension as well as hypercapnia during apnea test in the affirmation of brain death and to investigate the possible effective prophylactic interventions. METHODS: Conventional apnea test was performed in 15 clinically suspected brain death patients. Stable circulation was achieved by adjusting preload only (n=4) or combined with titrating norepinephrine (NE, n=11). Blood gas was respectively analyzed before apnea test, 10 minutes after 100% fraction of oxygen (FiO(2)) ventilation, at each 2-minute interval after disconnecting ventilator and 5 minutes after reventilation. Hemodynamic parameters and dosage of NE were recorded at the same time points. Plasma concentration of lactate was measured before and at the end of apnea test. RESULTS: Spontaneous breath occurred in 1 case among 15 suspected brain death patients. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) reached higher than 60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) within 8 minutes in positive apnea test patients (P<0.01). pH significantly decreased (P<0.05), but partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) maintained higher than 100 mm Hg during the test. Heart rate (HR) and mean artery pressure (MAP) slightly lowered (P>0.05), but pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) markedly elevated (P<0.05) at the end of the test in comparison with their base lines. On the other hand, HR and MAP increased in the negative apnea test case after ventilator disconnection. Severe arrhythmia events did not occur in all the cases. There was no change in the dosage of NE infusion, the range of which was 0.10-0.60 microg.kg(-1).min(-1) with the mean level of (0.23+/-0.17) microg.kg(-1).min(-1). The trend of HR, MAP, PAP and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) alterations was the same in patients no matter whether or not NE was used. HR, MAP and PAWP lowered, while PAP enhanced. Plasma lactate level was not significantly altered at the end of the test compared with the base line (from (1.41+/-0.05) mmol/L to (1.47+/-0.07) mmol/L). CONCLUSION: Adequate oxygenation could be maintained during conventional apnea test. The risk of inducing severe hypotension is low in non brain death patients. Based on adequate preload, low dose of NE infusion could prevent patients with high risk circulation instability from severe hypotension.

Comparison of bone marrow tissue- and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of sepsis in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to regulate the systemic inflammatory response and sepsis-induced immunologic injury pre-clinically. However, whether MSCs from different sources elicit identical effects remains to be elucidated. The present study compared the effect of bone marrow­derived MSCs (BMSCs) and adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ADMSCs) in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­induced sepsis. SPF BALB/c mice were induced with an injection of LPS (10 mg/kg; 1 mg/ml) via the tail vein. To compare the effect of MSCs on the septic mice, either saline, BMSCs or ADMSCs were injected via the tail vein 5 min following the administration of LPS. The survival rates and body temperatures of the mice were observed regularly up to 48 h. The serum levels of pro­inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor­α, interleukin (IL)­6 and IL­8, anti­inflammatory cytokines, including IL­2, IL­4 and IL­10, and biochemical markers, including lactate, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase and aspertate aminotransferase, were analyzed at 6 h. The BMSCs and ADMSCs significantly reduced mortality rates, body­temperature fluctuations, serum levels of biochemical markers and the majority of cytokines. However, the levels of IL­8 in the BMSC and ADMSC groups were increased and decreased, respectively. These findings suggested that BMSCs and ADMSCs ameliorated sepsis-associated organ injury and mortality, and had a similar regulatory effect on pro­ and anti­inflammatory cytokines despite the different MSC sources. Therefore, BMSCs and ADMSCs may serve as novel treatment modalities for sepsis.