Maternal exposure to hyperbaric oxygen at the preimplantation stages increases apoptosis and ectopic Cdx2 expression and decreases Oct4 expression in mouse blastocysts via Nrf2-Notch1 upregulation and Nf2 downregulation.

BACKGROUND: The environmental oxygen tension has been reported to impact the blastocyst quality and cell numbers in the inner cell mass (ICM) during human and murine embryogenesis. While the molecular mechanisms leading to increased ICM cell numbers and pluripotency gene expression under hypoxia have been deciphered, it remains unknown which regulatory pathways caused the underweight fetal body and overweight placenta after maternal exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). RESULTS: The blastocysts from the HBO-exposed pregnant mice revealed significantly increased signals of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear Nrf2 staining, decreased Nf2 and Oct4 expression, increased nuclear Tp53bp1 and active caspase-3 staining, and ectopic nuclear signals of Cdx2, Yap, and the Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) in the ICM. In the ICM of the HBO-exposed blastocysts, both Nf2 cDNA microinjection and Nrf2 shRNA microinjection significantly decreased the ectopic nuclear expression of Cdx2, Tp53bp1, and Yap whereas increased Oct4 expression, while Nrf2 shRNA microinjection also significantly decreased Notch1 mRNA levels and nuclear expression of N1ICD and active caspase-3. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that maternal exposure to HBO at the preimplantation stage induces apoptosis and impairs ICM cell specification via upregulating Nrf2-Notch1-Cdx2 expression and downregulating Nf2-Oct4 expression.

Single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic gastrectomy versus conventional multi-port laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: We compared short-term perioperative outcomes after single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (SILG+1) and conventional multi-port laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (C-LAG) for gastric cancer. METHODS: The work was conducted between August 2017 and October 2019. A total of 90 patients with early or advanced gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed: 43 patients of which underwent SILG+1, and 47 of which underwent C-LAG, respectively. These were divided into two groups: the total gastrectomy group (SILT+1 and C-LATG) and the distal gastrectomy group (SILD + 1 and C-LADG). The demographics, tumor characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and short-term complications of all enrolled patients were summarized and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean incision length in SILT+1 group was 5.40 cm shorter than that in C-LATG group (3.15 ± 0.43 vs. 8.55 ± 2.72, P < 0.001). This comparison between the SILD + 1 and the C-LADG group produced comparable results. The SILT+1 group underwent a 56.32 min longer operation than the C-LATG group (273.03 ± 66.80 vs. 216.71 ± 82.61, P = 0.0205). SILG+1 group had better postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) and cosmetic score than those of the C-LATG group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in preoperative demographics or 30-day postoperative complication rates between the SILG+1 and C-LAG groups. Tumor-related index, including mass size, histological type, number of retrieved lymph nodes, pathological tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and proximal and distal edges were all equivalent between the SILG+1 and the C-LAG group. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of SILG+1 with D1+ or D2 lymphadenectomy for the treatment of early and advanced gastric cancers, compared with C-LAG.

A Confidential QR Code Approach with Higher Information Privacy.

In present times, barcode decoders on mobile phones can extract the data content of QR codes. However, this convenience raises concerns about security issues when using QR codes to transmit confidential information, such as e-tickets, coupons, and other private data. Moreover, current secret hiding techniques are unsuitable for QR code applications since QR codes are module-oriented, which is different from the pixel-oriented hiding manner. In this article, we propose an algorithm to conceal confidential information by changing the modules of the QR Code. This new scheme designs the triple module groups based on the concept of the error correction capability. Additionally, this manner can conceal two secret bits by changing only one module, and the amount of hidden confidential information can be twice the original amount. As a result, the ordinary data content (such as URL) can be extracted correctly from the generated QR code by any barcode decoders, which does not affect the readability of scanning. Furthermore, only authorized users with the secret key can further extract the concealed confidential information. This designed scheme can provide secure and reliable applications for the QR system.

Combined effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) to the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus.

With wide use of nanoparticles, co-exposure of aquatic organisms to nanoparticles and organic pollutants often takes place in the environment. However, the combined effects are still rarely understood. In this study, in order to study the interaction and biological effects of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which acts as a typical surfactant, the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus was exposed to nZVI and LAS individually and in combination for 96 h. According to the inhibition rate of the algae, the toxic effects were investigated by dose-response analysis. Then the combined effect of nZVI and LAS was evaluated using three evaluation models including toxicity unit (TU), additional index (AI), and mixture toxicity index (MTI). The results showed that the 96 h IC50 of nZVI and LAS to Scenedesmus obliquus was 2.464 mmol L-1 and 0.332 mmol L-1, respectively. When nZVI coexisted with LAS at toxic ratio 1:1, the 96 h IC50 value was 1.658 mmol L-1 (shown with nZVI), and the partly additive effect of nZVI mixed with LAS was confirmed. However, when the toxic ratio of nZVI:LAS was 4:1, it showed synergistic effect. In addition, when nZVI mixed with LAS at toxic ratio 1:4, the joint effect is antagonistic effect. In addition, the content of chorophyll in Scenedesmus obliquus, especially the content of chlorophyll a, was decreased with the increase of mixture dose. However, the protein levels did not show significant changes at different mixture doses.

Dramatic changes in the excited-state behaviour of the green fluorescent protein chromophore by a strong π-donating group through significantly lowering the excited-state potential energy surface with photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer.

A strong π-donating group like p-NMe2 dramatically changes the excited-state behavior of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore, such as realizing charge-transfer absorption and executing significant photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), which makes a planar first singlet (S1) excited-state minimum disappear and significantly lowers the S1 excited-state potential energy surface (PES), leading to barrierless τ-torsion and φ-torsion excited-state relaxation and eliciting the φ-torsion S1 excited-state minimum. This finding is critical since a strong π-donating group like p-NMe2 may do the same things to other fluorophores.

Taiwanin C elicits apoptosis in arecoline and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide-induced oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and hinders proliferation via epidermal growth factor receptor/PI3K suppression.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSSC) is a major life-threatening disease with high incidence in the Southeast Asian countries. Chronic exposure to arecoline causes genetic changes in the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, induces proliferation through activation of the EGF receptor and promotes downstream COX-2 expression. Taiwanin C, a podophyllotoxin derived from Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata is known to inhibit COX activity and to hinder PGE2 production in macrophages. In this study a tumor cell line T28 and a non-tumor cell line N28 derived from mice OSCC models were used to study the effect of Taiwanin C on PGE2 associated COX-2 expression and cell cycle regulators. Taiwanin C activated p21 protein expression, down-regulated cell cycle regulatory proteins, elevated apoptosis and down-regulated p-PI3K/p-Akt survival mechanism in T28 oral cancer cells. Our results therefore emphasize the therapeutic potential of Taiwanin C against arecoline-induced oral cancer.

Pyrazole synthesis via a cascade Sonogashira coupling/cyclization of N-propargyl sulfonylhydrazones.

An efficient approach for the preparation of pyrazoles via a Pd(ii)/Cu(i)-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling/cyclization of N-propargyl sulfonylhydrazones has been established. In this study, we firstly report the strategic use of a Sonogashira reaction to construct pyrazole rings in a one step operation. With a broad range of functional group tolerance, bioactive 3-CF3 pyrazoles can also be synthesized easily through this domino coupling/cyclization sequence.

Insights into Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer: An Alternative Model for Excited State Proton Transfer of Green Fluorescence Protein.

The excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) that occurs in the o-sulfonamide analogue ( o-TsABDI) of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore provides an alternative model to get insights into the excited state proton transfer (ESPT) related photophysics of GFP. In this article, we explored the ESIPT-related photophysics of o-TsABDI by electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra in a wide polarity range of solvents, cis- trans photoisomerization experiment, and Coulomb-attenuating method (CAM)/time-dependent (TD) density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We found that the whole ESIPT process involves four steps. The first step is photoexcitation of o-TsABDI, which does not involve charge transfer (CT). The second step is ESIPT and accompanying electron transfer from the n orbital of the sulfonamide nitrogen to the half-filled π orbital of the 4-benzylideneimidazolone moiety. The third step is fluorescence emission of the zwitterionic o-TsABDI and accompanying CT from the π* orbital of the 4-benzylideneimidazolone moiety to the half-filled n orbital of the sulfonamide nitrogen. The last step involves irreversible and barrierless proton recombination. In contrast to the isolated GFP chromophore and its p- and m-amino analogues, the S1 excited state of o-TsABDI does not relax by way of cis- trans photoisomerization through the S1/S0 conical intersection CI(I) by rotating around the I-bond, but follows the ESIPT pathway. The low fluorescence quantum yield of the zwitterionic o-TsABDI might be due to (1) the fluorescence that involves the low-probability π* → n charge transfer and (2) nonradiative relaxation through the S1/S0 conical intersection CI(P″) by rotating around the P-bond.

Hypoxia and hyperoxia differentially control proliferation of rat neural crest stem cells via distinct regulatory pathways of the HIF1α-CXCR4 and TP53-TPM1 proteins.

BACKGROUND: Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) are a population of adult multipotent stem cells. We are interested in studying whether oxygen tensions affect the capability of NCSCs to self-renew and repair damaged tissues. NCSCs extracted from the hair follicle bulge region of the rat whisker pad were cultured in vitro under different oxygen tensions. RESULTS: We found significantly increased and decreased rates of cell proliferation in rat NCSCs (rNCSCs) cultured, respectively, at 0.5% and 80% oxygen levels. At 0.5% oxygen, the expression of both hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α and CXCR4 was greatly enhanced in the rNCSC nuclei and was suppressed by incubation with the CXCR4-specific antagonist AMD3100. In addition, the rate of cell apoptosis in the rNCSCs cultured at 80% oxygen was dramatically increased, associated with increased nuclear expression of TP53, decreased cytoplasmic expression of TPM1 (tropomyosin-1), and increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation of S100A2. Incubation of rNCSCs with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) overcame the inhibitory effect of 80% oxygen on proliferation and survival of rNCSCs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show for the first time that extreme oxygen tensions directly control NCSC proliferation differentially via distinct regulatory pathways of proteins, with hypoxia via the HIF1α-CXCR4 pathway and hyperoxia via the TP53-TPM1 pathway. Developmental Dynamics 246:162-185, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Using activated attapulgite as sorbent for solid-phase extraction of melamine in milk formula samples.

In this study, a simple solid-phase extraction (SPE) approach by using activated attapulgite as sorbent was successfully developed for the determination of melamine in milk formula samples. Crucial factors impacting the extraction efficiency, including sample solvent, elution solvent, and sample loading volume, were investigated. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the sample loading volume was up to 200 mL and the adsorption capacity of the melamine gave rise to 1154 µg g(-1). Excellent linear calibration curves (r (2) > 0.999) were achieved, and then the limit of detection (S/N = 3) and the limit of quantification (S/N = 10) were found to be 0.15 and 0.5 ng mL(-1), respectively. The recoveries of the melamine spiked in four milk formula samples at three concentration levels ranged from 83.5 to 111.0 % with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10.2 %. Furthermore, RSDs of batch to batch (n = 4) of the acidified attapulgite used in this developed method were in the range of 2.3∼7.3 %. In comparison to the commercial Oasis MCX, the acidified attapulgite sorbent even outperformed (at least in terms of reproducibility) for melamine analysis in real food samples. Because of its simplicity, the newly developed SPE method based on acidified attapulgite nanoparticles should provide a promising tool for daily monitoring of doped melamine in milk formula or other complex matrices.

A novel ionic liquid-modified organic-polymer monolith as the sorbent for in-tube solid-phase microextraction of acidic food additives.

A novel ionic liquid-modified organic-polymer monolithic capillary column was prepared and used for in-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) of acidic food additives. The primary amino group of 1-aminopropyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride was reacted with the epoxide group of glycidyl methacrylate. The as-prepared new monomer was then copolymerized in situ with acrylamide and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-8000 and PEG-10,000 as porogens. The extraction performance of the developed monolithic sorbent was evaluated for benzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, cinnamic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 3-(trifluoromethyl)-cinnamic acid. Such a sorbent, bearing hydrophobic and anion-exchange groups, had high extraction efficiency towards the test compounds. The adsorption capacities for the analytes dissolved in water ranged from 0.18 to 1.74 µg cm(-1). Good linear calibration curves (R(2) > 0.99) were obtained, and the limits of detection (S/N = 3) for the analytes were found to be in the range 1.2-13.5 ng mL(-1). The recoveries of five acidic food additives spiked in Coca-Cola beverage samples ranged from 85.4 % to 98.3 %, with RSD less than 6.9 %. The excellent applicability of the ionic liquid (IL)-modified monolithic column was further tested by the determination of benzoic acid content in Sprite samples, further illustrating its good potential for analyzing food additives in complex samples.

Anti-cancer agent piperlongumine is an inhibitor of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 channel in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the association between the anticancer activities of piperlongumine (PL) and its potential target, transient receptor potential melastatin 7 channel (TRPM7), in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: The expression levels and electrical characteristics of TRPM7 as well as cell viability in response to various PL treatments were investigated in the OSCC cell line Cal27. RESULTS: PL treatment resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent reduction in TRPM7 mRNA and protein expression in Cal27 cells. Furthermore, PL treatment inhibited TRPM7-like rectifying currents in Cal27 cells; however, this inhibition was less effective than that of the TRPM7 antagonist waixenicin A. Rapid perfusion and washout experiments revealed an immediate inhibitory effect of PL on TRPM7-like currents. The antagonistic effect of PL occurred within 1 min and was not completely reversed following washout. Notably, the extracellular Ca2+ concentration still influenced PL-induced changes in the TRPM7-like current, indicating that PL can directly but gently antagonize the TRPM7 channel. Functional changes in TRPM7 correlated with the observed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of PL in Cal27 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PL exhibits potent inhibitory effects on TRPM7 and exerts its anti-cancer effects by downregulating TRPM7 expression and antagonizing channel currents.

Advance Care Planning Affects End-of-Life Treatment Preferences Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study explored the effects of advance care planning interventions on end-of-life treatment decisions among patients with heart failure. The study design was a randomized controlled trial. An intervention involving a motivational video, a cartoon version educational brochure, and a guided discussion was implemented. A total of 82 hospitalized patients with heart failure were recruited. Half of the participants received the intervention, and the other half received routine care. The Life Support Preferences Questionnaire was the primary measurement instrument. Before the advance care planning intervention, a significant difference between the experimental and control groups was observed in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation score but not the total, antibiotics, surgery, and artificial nutrition and hydration scores. In the experimental group but not in the control group, significant differences were observed between pretest and posttest total, antibiotics, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, surgery, and artificial nutrition and hydration scores. Significant differences in mean score changes were observed in total and each treatment score between the experimental and control groups. The advance care planning intervention led participants to select fewer medical treatments. This intervention may be suitable for societies where people are unfamiliar with advance care planning and may feel uncomfortable discussing death.

Synthesis, photophysical properties, and application of o- and p-amino green fluorescence protein synthetic chromophores.

The o- and p-amino green-fluorescence-protein synthetic chromophores (GFPSCs) were synthesized from the corresponding o- and p-nitro protecting group. Among the four protecting groups of the o-amino group, the o-nitro protecting group is the only choice to synthesize the o-amino GFPSCs. The first singlet excited states of o- and p-amino GFPSCs carry significant charge-transfer character through the mechanism of photoinduced charge transfer (PCT). The o-amino GFPSCs can serve as wavelength-ratiometric fluorescence sensors that selectively recognize Cr(3+) in aqueous medium through a PCT mechanism.

Twisting-based spectroscopic measure of solvent polarity: the P(T) scale.

The P(T) scale, which is correlated well with the E(T)(30), Y, and Z scales, is the first twisting-based spectroscopic measure of solvent polarity. It is based on two combined mechanisms: (1) the solvent-dependent intramolecular charge-transfer absorption that displays a regular hypsochromic band shift in polar solvents and (2) overcoming the intramolecular hydrogen-bond of o-1 by its differentiated solvation in polar solvents, causing a C-C bond to twist that leads to a regular hypsochromic shift of its lowest energy electronic absorption band.

Ectopic expression of Fgf3 leads to aberrant lineage segregation in the mouse parthenote preimplantation embryos.

BACKGROUND: Parthenogenetic mammalian embryos were reported to die in utero no later than the 25-somite stage due to abnormal development of both embryonic and extraembryonic lineages. Interestingly, it has been shown that parthenogenetic ICM cells tend to differentiate more into primitive endoderm cells and less into epiblast and ES cells. Hence we are interested in studying the molecular mechanisms underlying lineage defects of parthenotes. RESULTS: We found that parthenote inner cell masses (ICMs) contained decreased numbers of Sox2(+) /Nanog(+) epiblast cells but increased numbers of Gata4(+) primitive endoderm cells, indicating an unusual lineage segregation. We demonstrate for the first time that the increased Gata4 level in parthenotes may be explained by the strong up-regulation of Fgf3 and Fgfr2 phosphorylation. Inhibition of Fgfr2 activation by SU5402 in parthenotes restored normal Nanog and Gata4 levels without affecting Fgf3, indicating that Fgf3 is upstream of Fgfr2 activation. In parthenote trophectoderm, we detected normal Cdx2 but ectopic Gata4 expression and reduced Elf5 and Tbr2(Eomes) levels. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our work provides for the first time the insight into the molecular mechanisms of the developmental defects of parthenogenetic embryos in both the trophectoderm and ICM.

Analysis of predictive parameters for extubation in very low birth weight preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation is the primary treatment for preterm infants with respiratory failure. Prolonged intubation may lead to complications; thus, early extubation is desirable. No standard criteria exist for determining the appropriateness of extubating very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. This study explored the predictors of successful extubation in preterm VLBW infants. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 60 preterm VLBW infants who underwent their first extubation in the neonatal intensive care unit in a regional hospital in Hsinchu, Taiwan, between January 2017 and November 2020. Successful extubation was defined as having no requirement of reintubation within 3 days of extubation. Potentially predictive variables, including demographics, prenatal characteristics, and ventilator parameters were compared between a successful extubation group and failed extubation group. RESULTS: Of the 60 infants, 47 (78.33%) underwent successful extubation. The successful extubation group had higher Apgar scores at 1 (7 vs. 6, P = 0.02) and 5 min (9 vs. 7, P = 0.007) than those of the failed extubation group. Ventilator inspiratory pressure and mean airway pressure were significantly lower at 24, 16, 8, and 1 h before extubation and upon its completion in the successful extubation group. The areas under a number of the receiver operating characteristic curve curves in this study were moderate, specifically, 0.72, 0.74, and 0.69. Statistical analysis revealed an association between ventilator parameters before 1 h extubation (IP > 17.5cmH2O, MAP >7.5 cmH2O, RSS >1.82) and extubation failure (odds ratio 1.73, 2.27, 2.46 and 95% confidence interval:1.16-2.6, 1.26-4.08, 1.06-5.68, respectively). CONCLUSION: Higher Apgar scores at birth, lower ventilator inspiratory pressure, and mean airway pressure 24, 16, 8, and 1 h and 1 h RSS prior to extubation are associated with successful extubation in VLBW preterm infants.

Knockdown of FGFR3 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

The FGF/FGFR signaling axis deregulation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family is closely related to tumorigenesis, tumor progression and drug resistance to anticancer therapy. And fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is one member of this family. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of siRNA-induced knockdown of FGFR3 on the biological behaviors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The expression levels of FGFR3 were determined in three intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines RBE, HUCCT1 and HCCC9810 cell lines by Western blot. FGFR3 expression in RBE cell line was knocked down by siRNA. Our study found that knockdown of FGFR3 inhibited the migration, invasion and proliferation of ICC cells using Wound healing assay, Transwell migration and invasion assays and Cell proliferation assay. And significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of MMP2, cyclinD1, and NCadherin, but had no significant effect on MMP9, cyclinD3, vimentin, E-cadherin protein. In addition, we found that ERK/c-Myc presumably is its signaling pathway by bioinformatics analysis and Western blot verification. To sum up, knockdown of FGFR3 inhibited the migration, invasion and proliferation of ICC cells. It demonstrated that FGFR3 probably becomes a therapeutic target for ICC and increases the proportion of potentially curable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients treated with FGFR inhibitors.

Structure Composition and Intracellular Transport of Clathrin-Mediated Intestinal Transmembrane Tight Junction Protein.

Tight junctions (TJs) are located in the apical region of the junctions between epithelial cells and are widely found in organs such as the brain, retina, intestinal epithelium, and endothelial system. As a mechanical barrier of the intestinal mucosa, TJs can not only maintain the integrity of intestinal epithelial cells but also maintain intestinal mucosal permeability by regulating the entry of ions and molecules into paracellular channels. Therefore, the formation disorder or integrity destruction of TJs can induce damage to the intestinal epithelial barrier, ultimately leading to the occurrence of various gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, a large number of studies have shown that TJs protein transport disorder from the endoplasmic reticulum to the apical membrane can lead to TJs formation disorder, in addition to disruption of TJs integrity caused by external pathological factors and reduction of TJs protein synthesis. In this review, we focus on the structural composition of TJs, the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles containing transmembrane TJs from the Golgi apparatus, and the transport process from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane via microtubules and finally fusion with the plasma membrane. At present, the mechanism of the intracellular transport of TJ proteins remains unclear. More studies are needed in the future to focus on the sorting of TJs protein vesicles, regulation of transport processes, and recycling of TJ proteins, etc.

Relationships of Low Serum Levels of Interleukin-10 With Poststroke Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Clinical Acute Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationships among interleukin (IL)-10 levels, anxiety, and cognitive status after stroke remain controversial. We aimed to determine the associations of serum IL-10 levels with poststroke anxiety (PSA) and poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). METHODS: We recruited 350 patients with stroke, of whom only 151 completed a 1-month follow-up assessment. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the cognitive status and anxiety, respectively. Serum IL-10 levels were measured within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS: IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the PSA group than in the non-PSA group, and they were negatively associated with HAMA scores (r=-0.371, p<0.001). After adjusting for all potential confounders, IL-10 levels remained an independent predictor of PSA (odds ratio=0.471, 95% confidence interval=0.237-0.936, p=0.032). IL-10 levels were strongly correlated with behavior during interviews, psychic anxiety, and somatic anxiety. Patients without PSCI had higher IL-10 levels were higher in non-PSCI patients than in PSCI patients, and they were positively associated with MMSE scores in the bivariate correlation analysis (r=0.169, p=0.038), and also with memory capacity, naming ability, and copying capacity. However, IL-10 did not predict PSCI in the univariable or multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Low IL-10 levels were associated with increased risks of PSA and PSCI at a 1-month follow-up after stroke. Serum IL-10 levels may therefore be helpful in predicting PSA.