Understanding the Design of Fear Appeals by Applying the Extended Parallel Process Model: A Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Public Service Announcements.

PURPOSE: Identify how early COVID-19 public health messages incorporated in the tenets of the extended parallel process model (EPPM). SETTING: YouTube videos developed by governmental departments, medical institutions, news organizations, and non-profit organizations in the United States were aggregated. METHOD: This qualitative study conducted a keyword search to identify public service announcements (PSAs). The sample was further refined after searching PSAs that contained fear appeals. A thematic analysis was performed by using the constant comparative method. SAMPLE: A total of forty-three videos was included in the final analysis. RESULT: Two themes emerged regarding messages aimed at arousing the perceived severity of threat. These themes include emphasizing the consequences of being infected and utilizing personal narratives. Perceived susceptibility of threat was aroused by emphasizing that some groups have higher risks than others. Two themes emerged around arousing perceived response efficacy: (1) the authority of professionals; and (2) altruism and personal responsibility. One way was identified to arouse perceived self-efficacy, which is informing the protective measures. CONCLUSION: Multiple strategies were used in PSAs about COVID-19 to arouse fear during the early stages of the pandemic. The utilization of self-efficacy was oversimplified, by not providing details about the rationale for the recommended behavior.

Effect of corneal flap thickness on opaque bubble layer formation in Visumax FS-LASIK using GEE analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate two types of corneal flap thickness on opaque bubble layer (OBL) formation in Visumax femtosecond laser-assisted stromal for situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 203 eyes of 103 patients (32 men and 71 women) who underwent Visumax FS-LASIK between January 2020 and June 2020, and according to corneal flap thickness, they were divided into the 100-µm group (64 eyes) and the 110-µm group (139 eyes). Anterior-segment examination revealed no abnormal findings. Preoperatively, intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), residual stromal thickness (RST), spherical power, cylindrical power, flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), and biomechanical parameters including deformation amplitude (DA) ratio, Integrated Radius, stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), and Ambrosio relational thickness to the horizontal profile (ARTh) were evaluated. Primary outcomes were the incidence of OBL formation in the two groups compared by the Chi-square test and the correlation between the incidence of OBL and the above preoperative data by Spearman's Rho test. Secondary outcomes were the comparisons corrected by the generalized estimating equation (GEE) model. Results: The incidence of OBL formation in the 100-µm group was 59.4 %, which was higher than that in the 110-µm group (23.0 %) with a significant difference (χ2 = 25.635, P < 0.001). The thinner corneal flap thickness (r = -0.355, P < 0.001) and higher spherical power (r = -0.142, P < 0.05) correlated with OBL formation. Higher K1 (r = 0.217, P < 0.01) and K2 (r = 0.198, P < 0.01) also correlated with OBL formation. The results of the GEE correction analysis showed higher rates of OBL formation in the 100-µm group (odds ratio [OR] = 4.704, 95 % CI 1.681-13.161, P < 0.01). Conclusions: OBL was more likely to occur with the 100-µm corneal flap than with the 110-µm corneal flap in Visumax FS-LASIK. The risk of OBL formation in the 100-µm group was 4.704 times higher than that in the 110-µm group.

Brown adipocyte mineralocorticoid receptor deficiency impairs metabolic regulation in diet-induced obese mice.

Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) contributes to energy dissipation and metabolic health. Although mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists have been demonstrated to improve metabolism under obesity, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We aimed to evaluate the role of BAT MR in metabolic regulation. After 8 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, BAT MR KO (BMRKO) mice manifested significantly increased bodyweight, fat mass, serum fasting glucose, and impaired glucose homeostasis compared with littermate control (LC) mice, although insulin resistance and fasting serum insulin were not significantly changed. Metabolic cage experiments showed no change in O2 consumption, CO2 production, or energy expenditure in obese BMRKO mice. RNA sequencing analysis revealed downregulation of genes related to fatty acid metabolism in BAT of BMRKO-HFD mice compared with LC-HFD mice. Moreover, H&E and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that BMRKO exacerbated HFD-induced macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory genes in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). BMRKO-HFD mice also manifested significantly increased liver weights and hepatic lipid accumulation, an increasing trend of genes related to lipogenesis and lipid uptake, and significantly decreased genes related to lipolytic and fatty acid oxidation in the liver. Finally, the level of insulin-induced AKT phosphorylation was substantially blunted in eWAT but not liver or skeletal muscle of BMRKO-HFD mice compared with LC-HFD mice. These data suggest that BAT MR is required to maintain metabolic homeostasis, likely through its regulation of fatty acid metabolism in BAT and impacts on eWAT and liver.

Developmental and cardiac toxicity assessment of Ethyl 3-(N-butylacetamido) propanoate (EBAAP) in zebrafish embryos.

Ethyl 3-(N-butylacetamido) propanoate (EBAAP) is one of the most widely used mosquito repellents worldwide, and is also commonly used to produce cosmetics. Residues have recently been detected in surface and groundwater in many countries, and their potential to harm the environment is unknown. Therefore, more studies are needed to fully assess the toxicity of EBAAP. This is the first investigation into the developmental toxicity and cardiotoxicity of EBAAP on zebrafish embryos. EBAAP was toxic to zebrafish, with a lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of 140 mg/L at 72 hours post fertilization (hpf). EBAAP exposure also reduced body length, slowed the yolk absorption rate, induced spinal curvature and pericardial edema, decreased heart rate, promoted linear lengthening of the heart, and diminished cardiac pumping ability. The expression of heart developmental-related genes (nkx2.5, myh6, tbx5a, vmhc, gata4, tbx2b) was dysregulated, intracellular oxidative stress increased significantly, the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased significantly. The expression of apoptosis-related genes (bax/bcl2, p53, caspase9, caspase3) was significantly upregulated. In conclusion, EBAAP induced abnormal morphology and heart defects during the early stages of zebrafish embryo development by potentially inducing the generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo and activating the oxidative stress response. These events dysregulate the expression of several genes and activate endogenous apoptosis pathways, eventually leading to developmental disorders and heart defects.

Site-selective deuteration at the α-position of enals by an amine and bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane co-catalyzed H/D exchange reaction.

An amine and bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane co-catalyzed hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDE) method via a Michael-retro-Michael pathway for site-selective introduction of deuterium at the α-position of enals using D2O as a deuterium source has been achieved. The mild, operationally simple protocol allows for high yielding and high level deuterium incorporation (up to 99%) for structurally diverse aromatic-derived enals and dienals.

Identification of TCR repertoires in asymptomatic COVID-19 patients by single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing.

The T cell-mediated immune responses associated with asymptomatic infection (AS) of SARS-CoV-2 remain largely unknown. The diversity of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is essential for generating effective immunity against viral infections in T cell response. Here, we performed the single-cell TCR sequencing of the PBMC samples from five AS subjects, 33 symptomatic COVID-19 patients and eleven healthy controls to investigate the size and the diversity of TCR repertoire. We subsequently analyzed the TCR repertoire diversity, the V and J gene segment deference, and the dominant combination of αß VJ gene pairing among these three study groups. Notably, we revealed significant TCR preference in the AS group, including the skewed usage of TRAV1-2-J33-TRBV6-4-J2-2 and TRAV1-2-J33-TRBV6-1-J2-3. Our findings may shed new light on understanding the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 and help identify optimal TCRs for development of novel therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Distinct miRNAs associated with various clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in viral infections, but their associations with SARS-CoV-2 infection remain poorly understood. Here, we detected 85 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) from 2,336 known and 361 novel miRNAs that were identified in 233 plasma samples from 61 healthy controls and 116 patients with COVID-19 using the high-throughput sequencing and computational analysis. These DE-miRNAs were associated with SASR-CoV-2 infection, disease severity, and viral persistence in the patients with COVID-19, respectively. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses of the DE-miRNAs revealed their connections to viral infections, immune responses, and lung diseases. Finally, we established a machine learning model using the DE-miRNAs between various groups for classification of COVID-19 cases with different clinical presentations. Our findings may help understand the contribution of miRNAs to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and identify potential biomarkers and molecular targets for diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Identification of Distinct Immune Cell Subsets Associated With Asymptomatic Infection, Disease Severity, and Viral Persistence in COVID-19 Patients.

The cell-mediated protective and pathogenic immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection remain largely elusive. Here we identified 76 distinct cell subsets in the PBMC samples that were associated with various clinical presentations of COVID-19 using scRNA-seq technology coupled with a deep and comprehensive analysis of unique cell surface markers and differentially expressed genes. We revealed that (TRAV1-2+CD8+)MAIT cells and (NCAM1hiCD160+)NK cells significantly enriched in the asymptomatic subjects whereas (LAG3+CD160+CD8+)NKT cells increased in the symptomatic patients. We also observed that (CD68-CSF1R-IL1BhiCD14+)classical monocytes were positively correlated with the disease severity. Moreover, (CD33-HLA-DMA-CD14+)classical monocytes and (CLEC10A-S100A9lo)pDC were associated with the viral persistence. The GO and KEGG analyses identified enriched pathways related to immune responses, inflammation, and apoptosis. These findings may enhance our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 and help develop novel strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Synthesis of α-Aryl Primary Amides from α-Silyl Nitriles and Aryl Sulfoxides through [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement.

A simple and efficient protocol was developed for the preparation of challenging α-aryl primary amides. This metal-free coupling process was triggered by TfOH-promoted electrophilic activation of α-silyl nitrile to generate keteniminium ion species, followed by reaction with aryl sulfoxide through [3,3]-sigmatrophic rearrangement to provide the target product. To the best of our knowledge, α-silyl nitrile has been rarely used as a pro-electrophilic reagent. Computational investigations confirmed the transient existence of a highly electrophilic keteniminium intermediate.

Implication of human endogenous retrovirus W family envelope in hepatocellular carcinoma promotes MEK/ERK-mediated metastatic invasiveness and doxorubicin resistance.

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs), originating from exogenous retroviral infections of germ cells millions of years ago, have the potential for human diseases. Syncytin-1, an envelope protein encoded by the HERV W family, participates in the contexts of schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and several types of cancers. Nevertheless, there is no report on the expression pattern and potential mechanism of Syncytin-1 in HCC. Here we found Syncytin-1 expression was up-regulated in HCC compared to adjacent non-tumorous tissues, especially in advanced HCC. Syncytin-1 was an independent risk factor to predict vascular invasion, metastasis, larger tumor size, and poor prognosis in HCC patients. Further analysis discovered that Syncytin-1 overexpression positively associated with HCC patients with serum HBsAg positive. Functional experiments in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that Syncytin-1 enhanced cell proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenicity in HCC. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway was involved in HCC. Our clinical data indicated that the levels of phosphorylation MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 were increased in HCC comparing with adjacent non-tumorous tissues. It showed the linear correlation between Syncytin-1 expression and upregulated MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels in HCC. Furthermore, Syncytin-1 activated MEK/ERK pathway in HCC cells. In-depth research showed that the inflammation-activated MEK/ERK pathway was essential in Syncytin-1 promoted hepatocarcinogenesis. Syncytin-1 suppressed doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via MEK/ERK cascade. In conclusion, Syncytin-1 promoted HCC progression and doxorubicin resistance via the inflammation-activated MEK/ERK pathway. Our findings revealed that Syncytin-1 was a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of using human menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in treating severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients: An exploratory clinical trial.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in December 2019 and has subsequently spread worldwide. Currently, there is no effective method to cure COVID-19. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may be able to effectively treat COVID-19, especially for severe and critical patients. Menstrual blood-derived MSCs have recently received much attention due to their superior proliferation ability and their lack of ethical problems. Forty-four patients were enrolled from January to April 2020 in a multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized, parallel-controlled exploratory trial. Twenty-six patients received allogeneic, menstrual blood-derived MSC therapy, and concomitant medications (experimental group), and 18 patients received only concomitant medications (control group). The experimental group was treated with three infusions totaling 9 × 107 MSCs, one infusion every other day. Primary and secondary endpoints related to safety and efficacy were assessed at various time points during the 1-month period following MSC infusion. Safety was measured using the frequency of treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Patients in the MSC group showed significantly lower mortality (7.69% died in the experimental group vs 33.33% in the control group; P = .048). There was a significant improvement in dyspnea while undergoing MSC infusion on days 1, 3, and 5. Additionally, SpO2 was significantly improved following MSC infusion, and chest imaging results were improved in the experimental group in the first month after MSC infusion. The incidence of most AEs did not differ between the groups. MSC-based therapy may serve as a promising alternative method for treating severe and critical COVID-19.

Bifenazate exposure induces cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Bifenazate is a novel acaricide for selective foliar spraying and is widely used to control mites in agricultural production. However, its toxicity to aquatic organisms is unknown. Here, a zebrafish model was used to study bifenazate toxicity to aquatic organisms. Exposure to bifenazate was found to cause severe cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos, along with disorders in the gene expression related to heart development. Bifenazate also caused oxidative stress. Cardiotoxicity caused by bifenazate was partially rescued by astaxanthin (an antioxidant), accompanied by cardiac genes and oxidative stress-related indicators becoming normalized. Our results showed that exposure to bifenazate can significantly change the ATPase activity and gene expression levels of the calcium signaling pathway. These led to heart failure, in which the blood accumulated outside the heart without entering it, eventually leading to death. The results indicated that bifenazate exposure caused cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos through the induction of oxidative stress and inhibition of the calcium signaling pathway.

Effect of artificial liver blood purification treatment on the survival of critical ill COVID-19 patients.

Our aim was to investigate the effect of artificial liver blood purification treatment on the survival of severe/critical patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 101 severe and critical patients with coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled in this open, case-control, multicenter, prospective study. According to the patients' and their families' willingness, they were divided into two groups. One was named the treatment group, in which the patients received artificial liver therapy plus comprehensive treatment (n = 50), while the other was named the control group, in which the patients received only comprehensive treatment (n = 51). Clinical data and laboratory examinations, as well as the 28-day mortality rate, were collected and analyzed. Baseline data comparisons on average age, sex, pre-treatment morbidity, initial symptoms, vital signs, pneumonia severity index score, blood routine examination and biochemistry indices etc. showed no difference between the two groups. Cytokine storm was detected, with a significant increase of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. The serum IL-6 level decreased from 119.94 to 20.49 pg/mL in the treatment group and increased from 40.42 to 50.81 pg/mL in the control group (P < .05), indicating that artificial liver therapy significantly decreased serum IL-6. The median duration of viral nucleic acid persistence was 19 days in the treatment group (ranging from 6 to 67 days) and 17 days in the control group (ranging from 3 to 68 days), no significant difference was observed (P = .36). As of 28-day follow-up,17 patients in the treatment group experienced a median weaning time of 24 days, while 11 patients in the control group experienced a median weaning time of 35 days, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = .33). The 28-day mortality rates were 16% (8/50) in the treatment group and 50.98% (26/51) in the control group, with a significant difference (z = 3.70, P < .001). Cytokine storm is a key factor in the intensification of COVID-19 pneumonia. The artificial liver therapy blocks the cytokine storm by clearing inflammatory mediators, thus preventing severe cases from progressing to critically ill stages and markedly reducing short-term mortality.

Resolution of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection and Pulmonary Pathology With Nebulized DAS181: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections commonly lead to respiratory failure and potentially fatal systemic inflammation and organ failure. Nebulized DAS181, a host-directed biologics with sialidase activity, is an investigational drug with antiviral activities on parainfluenza and influenza under phase 3 and phase 2 development. The objective of this study (NCT04324489) is to investigate the safety and effects of nebulized DAS181 on hypoxic coronavirus disease 2019 patients. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective, open-label, compassionate use. SETTING: Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and Department of Infectious Diseases. SUBJECTS: Patients 18 to 70 years old who met Chinese criteria for severe coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia and required supplemental oxygen but not on mechanical ventilator at screening. INTERVENTIONS: Nebulized DAS181 (4.5 mg) twice a day for 10 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three male coronavirus disease 2019 hypoxic patients with bilateral lung involvement completed DAS181 treatment for 10 days. By day 14, all achieved return to room air (primary endpoint) and their nasopharyngeal swabs were negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Clinical severity improved from severe coronavirus disease 2019 at baseline to moderate or mild disease by day 5, consistent with rapid reduction of inflammatory cytokines by days 2-3 and radiologic improvement by days 5-10. No DAS181-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalation of DAS181 was well tolerated and potential clinical benefit of DAS181 on hypoxic coronavirus disease 2019 is the reduction of supplemental oxygen need. Efficacy and safety, including pharmacokinetics and viral studies of DAS181 in severe, hypoxic coronavirus disease 2019, should be examined by a double-blind, randomized controlled study.

Risk factors and electrocardiogram characteristics for mortality in critical inpatients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. HYPOTHESIS: The possible risk factors that lead to death in critical inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are not yet fully understood. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective study, we enrolled 113 critical patients with COVID-19 from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between February 1, 2020 and March 15, 2020. Patients who survived or died were compared. RESULTS: A total of 113 critical patients with COVID-19 were recruited; 50 (44.3%) died, and 63 (55.7%) recovered. The proportion of patients with ventricular arrhythmia was higher in the death group than in the recovery group (P = .021) and was higher among patients with myocardial damage than patients without myocardial damage (P = .013). Multivariate analysis confirmed independent predictors of mortality from COVID-19: age > 70 years (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.03-3.28), initial neutrophil count over 6.5 × 109 /L (HR 3.43, 95% CI 1.84-6.40), C-reactive protein greater than 100 mg/L (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.04-3.59), and lactate dehydrogenase over 300 U/L (HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.26-6.67). Immunoglobulin treatment (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21-0.73) can reduce the risk of death. Sinus tachycardia (HR 2.94, 95% CI 1.16-7.46) and ventricular arrhythmia (HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.11-7.04) were independent ECG risk factors for mortality from COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Old age (>70 years), neutrophilia, C-reactive protein greater than 100 mg/L and lactate dehydrogenase over 300 U/L are high-risk factors for mortality in critical patients with COVID-19. Sinus tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmia are independent ECG risk factors for mortality from COVID-19.

Clinical study using mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 was identified in December 2019. The symptoms include fever, cough, dyspnea, early symptom of sputum, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is the immediate treatment used for patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Herein, we describe two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan to explore the role of MSC in the treatment of COVID-19. MSC transplantation increases the immune indicators (including CD4 and lymphocytes) and decreases the inflammation indicators (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein). High-flow nasal cannula can be used as an initial support strategy for patients with ARDS. With MSC transplantation, the fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2) of the two patients gradually decreased while the oxygen saturation (SaO2) and partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) improved. Additionally, the patients' chest computed tomography showed that bilateral lung exudate lesions were adsorbed after MSC infusion. Results indicated that MSC transplantation provides clinical data on the treatment of COVID-19 and may serve as an alternative method for treating COVID-19, particularly in patients with ARDS.

Retrospective Study of Risk Factors for Myocardial Damage in Patients With Critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan.

BACKGROUND The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 threatens human health, and the mortality rate is higher in patients who develop myocardial damage. However, the possible risk factors for myocardial damage in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are not fully known. METHODS AND RESULTS Critical type patients were selected randomly from 204 confirmed COVID-19 cases occurring in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February 1, 2020 to February 24, 2020. Univariate analyses were used to compare the 2 groups: the myocardial damage group and the non-myocardial damage group. A total of 82 critical patients with COVID-19 were recruited: 34 with myocardial damage and 48 without myocardial damage. A total of 30 patients died in the myocardial damage group, and 20 died in the non-myocardial damage group. In univariate analysis, the proportion of elderly patients (>70 years old, 70.59% versus 37.50%; P=0.003) and patients with cardiovascular disease (41.18% versus 12.50%; P=0.003) was higher among myocardial damage patients than among non-myocardial damage patients. Multivariate analysis showed that age >70 years old (hazard ratio [HR], 2.44; 95% CI, 1.01-5.40), CRP (C-reactive protein) >100 mg/L (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.94-3.92), lactate dehydrogenase >300 U/L (HR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.03-6.90), and lactic acid >3 mmol/L (HR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.57-6.75) were independent risk factors for myocardial damage in patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Old age (>70 years old), CRP >100 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase >300 U/L, and lactic acid >3 mmol/L are high-risk factors related to myocardial damage in critical patients with COVID-19.

Hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of Ixeris denticulate water extract on liver cirrhosis in experimental rat.

BACKGROUND: To explore the protective effect and mechanisms of Ixeris denticulate water extract (IDWE) in the development of liver cirrhosis in experimental rat. METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group and IDWE (2, 4 and 8 g/kg) treatment groups. Alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin (ALB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue were evaluated, respectively. The liver index, liver morphology and liver histopathological analysis were detected as a supportive data. The liver protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by western blot, and NF-κB p65 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: The result showed that a significantly decrease in the levels of serum AST, ALT and serum inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in IDWE-treated rats. The levels of serum ALB and SOD in liver tissue were markedly increased after IDWE treated, compared with model rats. Furthermore, IDWE-treated group also exhibited a down-regulated protein expression of NF-κB p65 and Bax, up-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: IDWE could effectively alleviate the course of liver cirrhosis in rat model, which may be a potent hepatoprotective agent in clinical therapy in the future.

Exposure to Oxadiazon-Butachlor causes cardiac toxicity in zebrafish embryos.

Oxadiazon-Butachlor (OB) is a widely used herbicide for controlling most annual weeds in rice fields. However, its potential toxicity in aquatic organisms has not been evaluated so far. We used the zebrafish embryo model to assess the toxicity of OB, and found that it affected early cardiac development and caused extensive cardiac damage. Mechanistically, OB significantly increased oxidative stress in the embryos by inhibiting antioxidant enzymes that resulted in excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), eventually leading to cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, OB also inhibited the WNT signaling pathway and downregulated its target genes includinglef1, axin2 and ß-catenin. Reactivation of this pathway by the Wnt activator BML-284 and the antioxidant astaxanthin rescued the embryos form the cardiotoxic effects of OB, indicating that oxidative stress, and inhibition of WNT target genes are the mechanistic basis of OB-induced damage in zebrafish. Our study shows that OB exposure causes cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos and may be potentially toxic to other aquatic life and even humans.