Association and prediction of subjective sleep quality and postoperative delirium during major non-cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD) is an acute form of brain dysfunction that can result in serious adverse consequences. There has been a link between cognitive dysfunction and poor sleep. The present study aimed to determine the association and prediction of subjective sleep quality and postoperative delirium during major non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four patients, aged 60 years or older, were scheduled for elective laparotomy or orthopaedic procedures. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and sleep log were used to assess perioperative subjective sleep quality in participants. Nursing Delirium Screening Checklist (NU-DESC) was used for screening, and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) was used to diagnose POD during the first seven days following surgery. The association between subjective sleep quality and POD was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Thereafter, the prediction performance of subjective sleep quality was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: All assessments were completed on 119 patients who had an average PSQI score of 7.0 ± 2.4 before surgery. 23 patients (19.3%) suffered from POD. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of POD was closely related to age, BMI, PSQI and operation time. After adjusting for related factors, there was a statistically significant association between PSQI and POD occurrence (OR = 1.422, 95%CI 1.079-1.873, per 1-point increase in PSQI). The ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal PSQI cutoff value was 8.0 for predicting POD, and the area under the ROC (AUROC) value of PSQI was 0.741 (95%CI 0.635 to 0.817). The AUROC of the model developed by the multivariate logistic regression analysis was 0.870 (95%CI 0.797 to 0.925). CONCLUSIONS: The study found that preoperative subjective sleep quality was strongly associated with POD during major non-cardiac surgery. Additionally, PSQI combined with age, BMI, and operation time improved POD prediction.

Biofilm-overproducing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens P29ΔsinR decreases Pb availability and uptake in lettuce in Pb-polluted soil.

In this study, one mutant strain P29ΔsinR with increased biofilm production was constructed from a biofilm-producing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain P29. Then, the effect of strain P29 and its biofilm-overproducing mutant strain P29ΔsinR on Pb availability and accumulation in lettuce and the associated mechanisms were characterized in the Pb-contaminated soil. The live strains P29 and P29ΔsinR increased the dry masses of roots and edible tissues by 31-74% compared to the controls. The live strains P29 and P29ΔsinR reduced the Pb uptake in the roots by 36-52% and edible tissues by 24-43%, Pb bioconcentration factor by 36-52%, and rhizosphere soil available Pb content by 12-25%, respectively, compared to the controls. The live strains P29 and P29ΔsinR increased the pH, proportion of biofilm-producing bacteria by 46-154%, contents of polysaccharides by 99-139% and proteins by 32-57%, and gene relative abundances of epsC by 7.1-10.2-fold, tasA by 10.3-10.8-fold, and sipW by 6.5-26.1-fold, which were associated with biofilm formation and Pb adsorption in the rhizosphere soils, respectively, compared to the controls. Furthermore, the mutant strain P29ΔsinR showed higher ability to reduce Pb availability and uptake in lettuce and increase the pH, proportion of biofilm-producing bacteria, polysaccharide and protein contents, and relative abundances of these genes. These results showed that the biofilm-overproducing strain P29ΔsinR induced lower Pb availability and accumulation in the vegetable and more biofilm-producing bacteria, polysaccharide and protein production, and Pb-immobilizing related gene abundances in the Pb-contaminated soil.

Biofilm-overproducing Bacillus subtilis B12ΔYwcc decreases Cd uptake in Chinese cabbage through increasing Cd-immobilizing related gene abundance and root surface colonization.

Biofilm-producing bacteria can decrease Cd uptake in vegetables, but mechanisms underlying this effect are poorly characterized. In this study, two mutant strains B12ΔYwcc and B12ΔSlrR were constructed from a biofilm-producing Bacillus subtilis strain B12. Then, the impacts of strain B12 and its high biofilm-producing mutant strain B12ΔYwcc and low biofilm-producing mutant strain B12ΔSlrR on Cd availability and uptake in Chinese cabbage and the related mechanisms were investigated in the Cd-polluted soil. Strain B12 and its mutants B12ΔYwcc and B12ΔSlrR increased the dry biomasses of edible tissues by 54%-130% compared with the controls. Strain B12 and its mutant B12ΔYwcc reduced the soil available Cd content by 36%-50% and root and edible tissue Cd contents by 23%-50% compared with the controls. Furthermore, the mutant strain B12ΔYwcc reduced the edible tissue Cd content by 40% and increased the polysaccharide content by 23%, invertase activity by 139%, and gene copies of the cumA by 4.5-fold, epsA by 7.1-fold, and cadA by 4.3-fold, which were involved in Cd adsorption in the rhizosphere soils, respectively, compared with strain B12. The polysaccharide content and cumA, epsA, and cadA gene copy numbers showed significantly reverse correlations with the available Cd content. Notably, the mutant strain B12ΔYwcc showed better ability to colonize the vegetable root surface than strain B12. These findings demonstrated that the biofilm-overproducing mutant strain B12ΔYwcc increased the polysaccharide production and Cd-immobilizing related cumA, epsA, and cadA gene copies, resulting in lower Cd availability and accumulation in Chinese cabbage in the Cd-polluted soil.

Serum Phosphorylated Neurofilament Heavy Subunit-H, a Potential Predictive Biomarker for Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Subjects Undergoing Hip Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which refers to a cognitive impairment subsequent to surgical procedures, is a common complication in the elderly subjects. This study aimed to investigate potential risk factors for POCD in elderly subjects undergoing hip joint arthroplasty. METHODS: Consecutive elderly osteoarthritis patients who were scheduled to undergo hip arthroplasty under epidural anesthesia were enrolled into this single-center, prospective observational study. Serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunit-H (pNF-H) was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. A level of >70.5 pg/mL was accepted as pNF-H positivity. Neuropsychological assessment at baseline (1 day before the surgery) and postoperative day 7 was conducted. POCD was defined according to the calculated Z scores. Risk factors for POCD were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In final, 287 patients were enrolled, and 55 had suffered POCD within postoperative 7 days with an incidence of 19.2%. The final multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a higher pNF-H positivity was the only independent risk factor for POCD (odds ratio: 2.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.21-3.29, P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed an increased preoperative serum pNF-H expression was an independent risk factor for POCD development in elderly subjects undergoing hip joint arthroplasty, suggesting the close association between anatomical damage in central nervous system and POCD.

Inhibiting EZH2 rescued bupivacaine-induced neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord dorsal root ganglia in mice.

PURPOSE: In the present work, we intended to explore the function of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in modulated anesthetic reagent bupivacaine-induced neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord dorsal root ganglia (DRG). METHODS: Murine DRG explant was treated with 5 mM bupivacaine in vitro to induce neuronal apoptosis, which was examined by a TUNEL assay. Protein and mRNA expressions of EZH2 in bupivacaine-treated DRG were examined by western blot and qRT-PCR assays. EZH2 was downregulated by siRNA in bupivacaine-treated DRG. Its functional role in protecting bupivacaine-induced neuronal apoptosis was examined. In addition, apoptotic protein caspase-9 and EZH2-associated signaling pathway, and tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC) were further investigated, by western blot assay, in EZH2-downregulated and bupivacaine-injured DRG. RESULTS: In vitro treatment of bupivacaine-induced DRG neuronal apoptosis, and upregulated EZH2 at both protein and mRNA levels. SiRNA transfection successfully downregulated EZH2, as confirmed by western blot and qRT-PCR assays. Examination of TUNEL assay showed that EZH2 downregulation rescued bupivacaine-induced DRG neuronal apoptosis. Moreover, in bupivacaine-injured DRG, EZH2 downregulation reduced caspase-9, whereas upregulated TrkC and phosphorylated-TrkC (p-TrkC). CONCLUSION: EZH2 is upregulated, whereas inhibiting EZH2 exerted rescuing effect in anesthetics (bupivacaine)-induced spinal cord DRG. The possible downstream target of EZH2 inhibition may interact with caspase and TrkC signaling pathways.

Identification and characterization of a novel carboxylesterase (FpbH) that hydrolyzes aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize a novel aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) herbicide-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase from Aquamicrobium sp. FPB-1. RESULTS: A carboxylesterase gene, fpbH, was cloned from Aquamicrobium sp. FPB-1. The gene is 798 bp long and encodes a protein of 265 amino acids. FpbH is smaller than previously reported AOPP herbicide-hydrolyzing carboxylesterases and shares only 21-35% sequence identity with them. FpbH was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and the product was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The purified FpbH hydrolyzed a wide range of AOPP herbicides with catalytic efficiency in the order: haloxyfop-P-methyl > diclofop-methyl > fenoxaprop-P-ethyl > quizalofop-P-ethyl > fluazifop-P-butyl > cyhalofop-butyl. The optimal temperature and pH for FpbH activity were 37 °C and 7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FpbH is a novel AOPP herbicide-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase; it is a good candidate for mechanistic study of AOPP herbicide-hydrolyzing carboxylesterases and for bioremediation of AOPP herbicide-contaminated environments.

Catellibacterium nanjingense sp. nov., a propanil-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge, and emended description of the genus Catellibacterium.

A novel facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, Gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated Y12(T), was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater bio-treatment facility. The strain was able to degrade about 90% of added propanil (100 mg l(-1)) within 3 days of incubation. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-4.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5%), at 10-40 °C (optimum 28 °C) and at pH 5.5-10.0 (optimum pH 7.0). Vesicular internal membrane structures and photoheterotrophic growth were not observed. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and the major cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C(18:1)ω6c and/or C(18:1)ω7c). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Y12(T) was 63.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain Y12(T) was a member of the genus Catellibacterium, as it showed highest sequence similarities to Catellibacterium caeni DCA-1(T) (99.1%) and <96.0% similarities with other species of the genus Catellibacterium. Strain Y12(T) showed low DNA-DNA relatedness values with C. caeni DCA-1(T). Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic properties, strain Y12(T) represents a novel species of the genus Catellibacterium, for which the name Catellibacterium nanjingense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y12(T) (=CCTCC AB 2010218(T) =KCTC 23298(T)). An emended description of the genus Catellibacterium is also presented.

Sphingobium jiangsuense sp. nov., a 3-phenoxybenzoic acid-degrading bacterium isolated from a wastewater treatment system.

A non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated BA-3T, was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater treatment facility. The strain was able to degrade about 95 % of 100 mg 3-phenoxybenzoic acid l(-1) within 2 days of incubation. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl], at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 10-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain BA-3T was a member of the genus Sphingobium; it showed highest gene sequence similarity to Sphingobium qiguonii X23T (98.2 %), and similarities of <97.0 % with strains of other Sphingobium species. The polar lipid pattern, the presence of spermidine and ubiquinone Q-10, the predominance of summed feature 8 (C18:1ω6c and/or C18:1ω7c) in the cellular fatty acid profile and the DNA G+C content also supported affiliation of the isolate to the genus Sphingobium. Strain BA-3T showed low DNA-DNA relatedness values (21.3±0.8 %) with Sphingobium qiguonii X23(T). Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain BA-3T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium jiangsuense sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is BA-3T (=CCTCC AB 2010217T= KCTC 23196T=KACC 16433T).

Sphingobacterium wenxiniae sp. nov., a cypermethrin-degrading species from activated sludge.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated rod capable of degrading cypermethrin, designated LQY-18(T), was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant in China. Strain LQY-18(T) grew at 8-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 (97%) and the major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)ω6c and/or C(16:1)ω7c), iso-C(15:0) and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium of the phylum Bacteroidetes and showed low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with recognized members of the genus Sphingobacterium. The closest neighbour was Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) (92.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain LQY-18(T) (=ACCC 05410(T)=CCTCC AB 2010005(T)=KCTC 23009(T)) should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium wenxiniae sp. nov. is proposed.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 and the Effects of Meteorological Factors in Hospitalized Children With Lower Respiratory Tract Infection.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between meteorological factors and Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) infection among hospitalized children. Methods: All hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections were tested for viral pathogens and enrolled, at the second affiliated hospital of Wenzhou medical university, between 2008 and 2017. Meteorological data were directly obtained from Wenzhou Meteorology Bureau's nine weather stations and expressed as the mean exposure for each 10-day segment (average daily temperatures, average daily relative humidity, rainfall, rainfall days, and wind speed). The correlation between meteorological factors and the incidence of HPIV-3 was analyzed, with an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA), generalized additive model (GAM), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Results: A total of 89,898 respiratory specimens were tested with rapid antigen tests, and HPIV-3 was detected in 3,619 children. HPIV-3 was detected year-round, but peak activities occurred most frequently from March to August. The GAM and LASSO-based model had revealed that HPIV-3 activity correlated positively with temperature and rainfall day, but negatively with wind speed. The ARIMA (1,0,0)(0,1,1) model well-matched the observed data, with a steady R2 reaching 0.708 (Ljung-Box Q = 21.178, P = 0.172). Conclusion: Our study suggests that temperature, rainfall days, and wind speed have significant impacts on the activity of HPIV-3. GAM, ARIMA, and LASSO-based models can well predict the seasonality of HPIV-3 infection among hospitalized children. Further understanding of its mechanism would help facilitate the monitoring and early warning of HPIV-3 infection.

Description of Catellibacterium caeni sp. nov., reclassification of Rhodobacter changlensis Anil Kumar et al. 2007 as Catellibacterium changlense comb. nov. and emended description of the genus Catellibacterium.

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated DCA-1(T), was isolated from activated sludge collected from a butachlor wastewater treatment facility. The strain was able to degrade about 85 % of 100 mg butachlor l(-1) within 5 days of incubation. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-6 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 1 % (w/v) NaCl] and at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 15-35 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C). Vesicular internal membrane structures and photoheterotrophic growth were not observed. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and the major cellular fatty acids were C(18 : 1)ω7c and 11-methyl C(18 : 1)ω7c. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain DCA-1(T) was 62.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain DCA-1(T) was a member of the family Rhodobacteraceae and was related most closely to the type strain of Catellibacterium aquatile (96.5 % sequence similarity). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the suggestion that strain DCA-1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Catellibacterium, for which the name Catellibacterium caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCA-1(T) ( = CGMCC 1.7745(T)  = DSM 21823(T)). In addition, based on the characterization data obtained in this study, it is proposed that Rhodobacter changlensis should be reclassified as Catellibacterium changlense comb. nov. (type strain JA139(T)  = DSM 18774(T)  = CCUG 53722(T)  = JCM 14338(T)). An emended description of the genus Catellibacterium is also presented.

Sphingobium wenxiniae sp. nov., a synthetic pyrethroid (SP)-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge in an SP-manufacturing wastewater treatment facility.

A synthetic pyrethroid (SP)-degrading bacterial strain, designated JZ-1(T), was isolated from activated sludge of a SP-manufacturing wastewater treatment facility and studied using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JZ-1(T) belonged to the genus Sphingobium, showing highest sequence similarities to Sphingobium faniae DSM 21829(T) (98.6 %), Sphingobium cloacae JCM 10874(T) (98.5 %), Sphingobium vermicomposti DSM 21299(T) (97.4 %) and Sphingobium ummariense CCM 7431(T) (96.9 %). The polar lipid pattern, the presence of spermidine and ubiquinone Q-10, the predominance of the cellular fatty acids C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(19 : 0) cyclo ω8c, 11 methyl C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(16 : 0) and C(14 : 0) 2-OH, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA also supported the affiliation of the strain with the genus Sphingobium. Strain JZ-1(T) showed low DNA-DNA relatedness values with S. faniae DSM 21829(T) (30.2 %), S. cloacae JCM 10874(T) (23.3 %), S. vermicomposti DSM 21299(T) (10.9 %) and S. ummariense CCM 7431(T) (7.9 %). Based on its phylogenetic position and its phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain JZ-1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium wenxiniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JZ-1(T) ( = CGMCC 1.7748(T)  = DSM 21828(T)).

Comamonas zonglianii sp. nov., isolated from phenol-contaminated soil.

A bacterial strain, designated BF-3(T), was isolated from phenol-contaminated soil and investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, non-sporulating, non-motile, short rods. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BF-3(T) formed a monophyletic branch at the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Comamonas; it showed highest sequence similarities to Comamonas aquatica LMG 2370(T) (96.8 %), C. nitrativorans DSM 13191(T) (96.4 %), C. odontotermitis LMG 23579(T) (96.4 %), C. kerstersii LMG 3475(T) (96.3 %), C. koreensis KCTC 12005(T) (96.1 %) and C. terrigena LMG 1253(T) (96.0 %). The major cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)/C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(17 : 0) cyclo and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH). Based on the phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, whole-cell fatty acid composition and biochemical characteristics, strain BF-3(T) was clearly distinct from type strains of other recognized species of the genus Comamonas and, as such, represents a novel species of the genus Comamonas, for which the name Comamonas zonglianii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BF-3(T) (=CCTCC AB 209170(T) =DSM 22523(T)).

Methylopila jiangsuensis sp. nov., an aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium.

The taxonomic status was determined of an aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic strain, JZL-4(T), isolated from activated sludge. The cells were gram-negative, asporogenous, colourless, motile, short rods. The strain utilized methanol, methylamine, formate and a variety of polycarbon compounds, but not methane, dichloromethane or CO(2)/H(2), as carbon and energy sources. C(1) compounds were assimilated via the isocitrate lyase-negative serine pathway. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 6.5-7.5 and 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were C(18 : 1)ω7c and C(18 : 0). The major phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME); PME, the main phospholipid of strain JZL-4(T), was absent or present in only minor amounts in Methylopila capsulata IM1(T), Methylopila helvetica DM9(T) and Albibacter methylovorans DM10(T). The major ubiquinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content of strain JZL-4(T) was 70.4 mol% (T(m)). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain showed high sequence similarities to M. capsulata IM1(T) (97.2 %), A. methylovorans DM10(T) (94.9 %) and M. helvetica DM9(T) (94.1 %), and showed less than 94 % similarity to strains of other species with validly published names. Strain JZL-4(T) had a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (34 %) with M. capsulata IM1(T). On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain JZL-4(T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Methylopila, with the name Methylopila jiangsuensis sp. nov. The type strain is strain JZL-4(T) ( = ACCC 05406(T)  = DSM 22718(T)  = VKM B-2555(T)).

Rhodanobacter xiangquanii sp. nov., a novel anilofos-degrading bacterium isolated from a wastewater treating system.

A Gram-staining-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated BJQ-6(T), was isolated from activated sludge of a waste-water treatment plant in Jiangsu Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BJQ-6(T) belonged to the genus Rhodanobacter, and shared 98.7% similarity with Rhodanobacter lindaniclasticus LMG 18385(T) and <97% similarities with other Rhodanobacter species. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (17.6%), iso-C16:0 (19.3%), and Summed feature 9 (isoC17:1 ω9c and/or C16:0 10-methyl) (25.8%). The DNA G+C content of strain BJQ-6(T) was 64.8 mol%. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, strain BJQ-6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Rhodanobacter, for which the name Rhodanobacter xiangquanii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BJQ-6(T) (=CCTCC AB 2010106(T) =KCTC 23100(T)).

[Curcumin down-regulates CX3CR1 expression in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG in neuropathic pain rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of curcumin on the behavior of chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rats and the CX3CR1 expression in spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). METHOD: Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) Sham operation group (Sham); 2) Chronic constrictive injury group (CCI); 3) Curcumin treated group (Cur), administrated with curcumin 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) ip for 14 days after CCI; 4) Solvent contrast group (SC), administrated with an equal volume of solvent for 14 days after CCI. Paw thermal withdrawal (PTWL) and paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) were measured on 2 pre-operative and 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 post-operative days respectively. The lumbar segments L4-5 of the spinal cord and the L4, L5 DRG were removed at 3, 7, 14 days after surgery. The expression of CX3CR1 was determined by immunohistochemical staining. RESULT: Compared with Sham group, PTWL and PMWT in CCI group were significantly lower on each post-operative day (P<0.01), which reached a nadir on the 3rd day after CCI (PTWL was 6.5 +/- 1.1, PMWT was 22.6 +/- 5.1), and the expression of CX3CR1 were markedly increased in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG. In Cur group, PTWL were higher than in CCI group on 7, 10, 14 post-operative day (P<0.05), and PMWT were higher than those in CCI group on 10 and 14 post-operative day (P<0.05). The administration of curcumin could significantly attenuate the activation of CX3CR1 induced by CCI. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that curcumin ameliorates the CCI-induced neuropathic pain, probably by attenuating the expression of CX3CR1 in spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia.

Preoperative Circulating MiR-210, a Risk Factor for Postoperative Delirium Among Elderly Patients with Gastric Cancer Undergoing Curative Resection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a very common complication in elderly patients with gastric cancer (GC) and associated with poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) serve as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression via targeting mRNAs and play important roles in the nervous system. This study aimed to investigate the potential predictive role of miRNAs for POD. METHODS: Elderly GC patients who were scheduled to undergo elective curative resection were consequently enrolled in this study. POD was assessed at 1 day before surgery and 1-7 days after surgery following the guidance of the 5th edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V, 2013). The demographics, clinicopathologic characteristics and preoperative circulating miRNAs by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were compared between patients with or without POD. Risk factors for POD were assessed via univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 370 participants were enrolled, of which 63 had suffered from POD within postoperative 7 days with an incidence of 17.0%. Preoperative miR-210 was a predictor for POD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921, a cut-off value of 1.67, a sensitivity of 95.11%, and a specificity of 92.06%, (P<0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression model, the relative expression of serum miR-210 was an independent risk factor for POD (OR: 3.37, 95%CI: 1.98-5.87, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the present study highlighted that preoperative miR-210 could serve as a potential predictor for POD in elderly GC patients undergoing curative resection.

Comparison of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine versus Esmolol for Attenuation of Hemodynamic Response to Tracheal Intubation after Rapid Sequence Induction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The present study aims to investigate whether intravenous dexmedetomidine shows superiority to esmolol for hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation after rapid sequence induction. In the present meta-analysis, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for trials comparing dexmedetomidine with esmolol for the attenuation of the hemodynamic response to intubation. Ten trials were selected in the present meta-analysis. Compared to esmolol, the use of dexmedetomidine maintains stable heart rates (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 1 min, 3 min, and 5 min after tracheal intubation. Dexmedetomidine causes less hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation after rapid sequence induction compared with esmolol.

The Investigation of Hippocampus-Dependent Cognitive Decline Induced by Anesthesia/Surgery in Mice Through Integrated Behavioral Z-Scoring.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing major surgeries may experience certain cognitive decline, which is known as postoperative delirium (POD) or postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). We employed integrated behavioral Z-scoring introduced by Guilloux et al. (2011) to investigate the effects of fracture fixation under anesthesia on hippocampus-dependent memory in mice. METHODS: ICR mice (12-14 months) underwent stabilized tibial fracture operation under sevoflurane anesthesia. They were subjected to a battery of successive hippocampus-dependent tests following surgery, including open field test (OF), novel object recognition (NOR), fear conditioning test (FC), and Morris water maze (MWM). The integrated behavioral Z-scoring was applied to assess the hippocampus-dependent memory after anesthesia/surgery, and the association between the integrated behavioral Z-scores and hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines was explored. RESULTS: Mice after anesthesia/surgery were found to have impaired hippocampus-dependent memory in NOR, FC, and MWM but with different degrees in these aspects as represented by P-value and effect size. The integrated memory Z-scores based on principal parameters of the above three tests can reduced the variability and increase the comprehensiveness of behavioral results. However, we found no statistic associations between hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines and the integrated Z-scores, as the elevated cytokines quickly return to normal on postoperative day 3 and/or day 7. CONCLUSION: The integrated Z-score methodology could facilitate the interpretation of the anesthesia/surgery induced cognitive decline in mice and robustly quantify the behavioral phenotyping of hippocampus-dependent memory.

Fast Green FCF Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior and Downregulates TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB Signal Pathway in the Mouse Hippocampus.

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder and new anti-depressive treatments are still in urgent demand. Fast Green FCF, a safe biocompatible color additive, has been suggested to mitigate chronic pain. However, Fast green FCF's effect on depression is unknown. We aimed to investigate Fast green FCF's effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive-like behavior and the underlying mechanisms. Pretreatment of Fast green FCF (100 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 7 days) alleviated depressive-like behavior in LPS-treated mice. Fast green FCF suppressed the LPS-induced microglial and astrocyte activation in the hippocampus. Fast green FCF decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Myd88) and suppressed the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. Fast green FCF also downregulated hippocampal tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6, but did not alter the level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of LPS-treated mice. The molecular docking simulation predicts that Fast green FCF may interact with TLR4 and interrupt the formation of the TLR4-MD2 complex. In conclusion, the anti-depressive action of Fast green FCF in LPS-treated mice may involve the suppression of neuroinflammation and the downregulation of TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signal pathway in mouse hippocampus. Our findings indicate the potential of Fast green FCF for controlling depressive symptoms.