Analysis of Changes in BDNF Levels Before and After Bariatric Surgery in Obese Patients

Objectives:The rate of obesity has been increasing globally,so is the number of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.The relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and body weight has been highlighted in recent years,but there are few related studies in China.The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of BDNF in obese patients before and after bariatric surgery and to provide evidence for obesity-related mechanisms.Methods:The BDNF levels in 44 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)before and 4.5 months after surgery.SPSS 27.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:Among the 44 patients,30 were female and 14 were male.The body mass index(BMI)decreased significantly after bariatric surgery(P<0.001);the serum BDNF of the patients significantly increased(P<0.001)after surgery.There was no significant difference in BDNF among patients with different degrees of obesity before and after surgery(P>0.05).There were no significant differences in BMI and BDNF levels between different sexes before and after surgery(P>0.05).Conclusion:The BDNF levels of obese patients increased significantly after bariatric surgery,which proved that bariatric surgery has an effect on BDNF levels.

Regional Features and Seasonality of Land–Atmosphere Coupling over Eastern China

Land-atmosphere coupling is a key process of the climate system, and various coupling mechanisms have been proposed before based on observational and numerical analyses. The impact of soil moisture（SM） on evapotranspiration（ET） and further surface temperature（ST） is an important aspect of such coupling. Using ERA-Interim data and CLM4.0 offline simulation results, this study further explores the relationships between SM/ST and ET to better understand the complex nature of the land-atmosphere coupling（i.e., spatial and seasonal variations） in eastern China, a typical monsoon area. It is found that two diagnostics of land-atmosphere coupling（i.e., SM-ET correlation and ST-ET correlation） are highly dependent on the climatology of SM and ST. By combining the SM-ET and ST-ET relationships, two ＂hot spots＂ of land-atmosphere coupling over eastern China are identified： Southwest China and North China. In Southwest China, ST is relatively high throughout the year, but SM is lowest in spring, resulting in a strong coupling in spring. However, in North China, SM is relatively low throughout the year, but ST is highest in summer, which leads to the strongest coupling in summer. Our results emphasize the dependence of land-atmosphere coupling on the seasonal evolution of climatic conditions and have implications for future studies related to land surface feedbacks.

Optimal compatible doses and effects of ephedrine and naloxone on neural plasticity in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats

BACKGROUND： Ephedrine promotes neural plasticity in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ephedrine has been combined with naloxone in some studies, and it has been confirmed that their combination has synergistic effects on increasing neural plasticity following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of ephedrine combined with various doses of naloxone on neural plasticity and to find an optimal dose of naloxone in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by analyzing growth associated protein-43 （GAP-43）, synaptophysin and β-endorphin expression in the hippocampal CA3 area. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This immunohistochemical, randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Chongqing Research Institute of Pediatrics, China from September 2007 to June 2008. MATERIALS： Ephedrine hydrochloride injection and naloxone hydrochloride injection were respectively purchased from Shandong Lvliang Pharmaceutical Factory, China and Sichuan Jingwei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China. A total of 192 healthy adult Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish models of left middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture occlusion method. METHODS： At 2 hours following cerebral ischemia, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with 1.5 mg/kg/d ephedrine （ephedrine group）, with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg/kg/d naloxone （low, moderate and high doses of naloxone groups）, with 1.5 mg/kg/d ephedrine ＋ 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg/kg/d naloxone （ephedrine ＋ low, moderate and high doses of naloxone groups）, and with 0.5 mL saline （model group）, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： GAP-43, synaptophysin and β -endorphin expression were detected in the hippocampal CA3 area using immunohistochemistry 1-4 weeks after surgery. Sensorimotor integration in rats was assessed using the beam walking test. RESULTS： GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression was greater in the ephedrine group, and in the ephedrine ＋ moderate and high doses of naloxone groups compared with the model group. GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression was greatest in the ephedrine ＋ high dose of naloxone group at 2 and 3 weeks alter surgery. β -endorphin expression was significantly lower in the ephedrine group, and in the ephedrine ＋ moderate and high doses of naloxone groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05）. β -endorphin expression was persistently low in the ephedrine ＋ high dose of naloxone group. At 1-3 weeks after surgery, the beam walking test score was significantly higher in the ephedrine group and ephedrine ＋ various doses of naloxone groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. The score was higher in the ephedrine ＋ moderate and high doses of naloxone groups than in the ephedrine group （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the score was increased as the dose of naloxone increased in the ephedrine ＋ various doses of naloxone groups. CONCLUSION： Ephedrine promotes GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression, inhibits /3 -endorphin expression in the hippocampal CA3 area, and improves motor function in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Naloxone does not have the above-mentioned effects. During combined treatment with ephedrine and naloxone, however, the above-described effects are enhanced with an increased dose of naloxone. The combination of ephedrine （1.5 mg/kg/d） and naloxone （0.3 mg/kg/d） can produce optimal therapeutic efficacy in treatment of cerebral ischemic injury.

Easily manageable prognostic factors in 152 Chinese elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients:a single-center retrospective study

We retrospectively investigated the prognostic factors of acute myeloid leukemia（AML） in 152 Chinese patients with de novo AML who were older than 60 years of age and who received treatment at our hospital.Log-rank test showed that 6 parameters including older age,higher white blood cell（WBC） counts,lactate dehydrogenase（LDH）and bone marrow（BM） blasts at diagnosis,unfavorable risk cytogenetics,and non-mutated CEBPα were significant adverse prognostic factors of overall survival（OS） for elderly AML patients（P = 0.0013,0.0358,0.0132,0.0242,0.0236 and 0.0130,respectively）.Moreover,older age and higher LDH were significant adverse predictors for relapse-free survival（RFS）（P = 0.0447 and 0.0470,respectively）.Univariate analysis revealed similar results for OS to those of the log-rank test and only higher LDH at diagnosis was a significant adverse predictor for RFS（P = 0.028,HR：1.979,95%CI：1.075-3.644）.In multivariate analysis,we identified 2 trends towards independent prognostic factors for OS,including BM blasts at diagnosis（P = 0.057,HR：1.676,95%CI：0.984-2.854）and mutation status of CEBPα（P = 0.064,HR：4.173,95%CI：0.918-18.966）.Our data indicated that older age,gender and a previous history of hematologic diseases resulted in lower complete remission rate（P = 0.012,0.051 and 0.086,respectively）.We further developed an easy scoring system for predicting prognosis and response to induction therapy in older AML patients.Patients who had lower scores showed significantly longer OS and RFS（P = 0.0006 and 0.1001,respectively） and higher CR rate（P = 0.014）.Our research is limited by its retrospective nature and the results from our study need to be further validated by prospective randomized clinical trials.

Effects of exogenous ganglioside-1 on learning and memory in a neonatal rat model of hypoxia-ischemia brain injury

BACKGROUND： Exogenous ganglioside-1 （GM1） can cross the blood-brain barrier and play a protective role against hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage. OBJECTIVE： To examine the possible mechanisms of exogenous GM1 protection in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage in a neonatal rat model by measuring changes in brain mass, pathological morphology, growth-associated protein-43 expression, and neurobehavioral manifestations. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized block-design study was performed at the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of the Pediatric Research Institute, Children＇s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from August 2005 to August 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 36 neonatal, 7-day-old, Sprague Dawley rats were used in this experiment. The hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage model was established by permanently occluding the right carotid artery, followed by oxygen inhalation at a low concentration （8% O2, 92% N2） for 2 hours, METHODS： All rats were randomly divided into the following groups： GMI, model, and sham operation, with 12 rats each group. Rats in the GM 1 and model groups received hypoxic/ischemic-induced brain damage. Rats in the GM1 group received injections of GM1 （i.p., 20 mg/kg） at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours following models established, and rats in the model group were administered （i.p.） the same amount of saline. The right carotid artery was separated, but not ligated, in the sham operation group rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 1 week after surgery, expression of growth-associated protein-43, a marker of neural development and plasticity, was detected in the hippocampal CA3 region by immunohistochemistry. Brain mass was measured, and the pathological morphology was observed. At 4 weeks after surgery, behavioral changes in the remaining rats were tested by Morris water maze, and growth-associated protein-43 expression was measured. RESULTS： （1） In the GMI and sham operation groups, growth-associated protein-43 expression was greater in the hippocampal CA3 region compared to the model group 1 week after surgery （P 〈 0.05）. In all three groups, brain weight of the right hemisphere was significantly less than the left hemisphere, in particular in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. In the GMI group, the weight difference between two hemispheres, as well as the extent of damage in the right hemisphere, was less than the model group （P 〈 0.01 ）. In the sham operation Uoup, brain tissue consisted of integrated structures and ordered cells. In the model group, the cerebral cortex layers of the right hemisphere were not defined, neurons were damaged, and neurons were disarranged in the hippocampal area. In the GM1 group, neurons were dense in the right cerebral cortex and hippocampal area, with no significant change in glial proliferation. （2） The average time of escape latency in the GM1 group was shortened 4 weeks alter surgery, and significantly less than the model group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, the frequency platform passing in the GMI group was significantly greater than the model group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Exogenous GM1 may reduce brain injury and improve learning and memory in hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain damage rats. This protection may be associated with increased growth-associated protein-43 expression, which is involved in neuronal remodeling processes.

Macrophage-derived exosomal miR-342-3p promotes the progression of renal cell carcinoma through the NEDD4L/CEP55 axis

Due to its difficulty in early diagnosis and lack of sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy,renal cell carcinoma(RCC)remains to be a frequent cause of cancer-related death.Here,we probed into new targets for its early diagnosis and treatment for RCC.microRNA(miRNA)data of M2-EVs and RCC were searched on the Gene Expression Omnibus database,followed by the prediction of the potential downstream target.Expression of target genes was measured via RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.M2 macrophage was obtained viaflow cytometry with M2-EVs extracted.The binding ability of miR-342-3p to NEDD4L and to CEP55 ubiquitination was studied with their roles in the physical abilities of RCC cells assayed.Subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse models and lung metastasis models were prepared to observe in vivo role of target genes.M2-EVs induced RCC growth and metastasis.miR-342-3p showed high expression in both M2-EVs and RCC cells.M2-EVs carrying miR-342-3p promoted RCC cell abilities to proliferate,invade and migrate.In RCC cells,M2-EV-derived miR-342-3p could specifically bind to NEDD4L and consequently elevate CEP55 protein expression via suppressing NEDD4L,thereby exerting tumor-promoting effects.CEP55 could be degraded by ubiquitination under the function of NEDD4L,and miR-342-3p delivered by M2-EVs facilitated the RCC occurrence and development by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.In conclusion,M2-EVs promote RCC growth and metastasis by delivering miR-342-3p to suppress NEDD4L and subsequently inhibit CEP55 ubiquitination and degradation via activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,strongly driving the proliferative,migratory and invasive of RCC cells.

Treatment of traumatic globe dislocated completely into the maxillary sinus

Dear Sir, I am Dr. Bei Xu, from Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China. I want to present a rare case of the treatment of traumatic globe dislocated completely into the maxillary sinus. A 46-year-old female was admitted to emergency unit due to traffic accident, presenting disturbance of consciousness for nine hours.

基于顶空进样气相色谱-质谱联用和非靶标代谢组学分析人参、西洋参和三七经蒸制后挥发性成分的转化

人参是全世界范围内广受欢迎的滋补品,经蒸制后补益效果更佳。先前对人参蒸制的研究主要集中在所含的皂苷,但对其挥发性成分研究较少。本研究建立了顶空进样气相色谱-质谱联用结合非靶标代谢组学方法,对人参、西洋参和三七在蒸制过程中挥发性成分的变化进行整体性表征。通过优化GC-MS色谱分离条件,采用HP-5MS弹性石英毛细管柱在38分钟内实现对人参、西洋参和三七生品及蒸制品(1-10 h)中挥发性成分的表征。从人参、西洋参和三七中分别鉴定出了106、106和105种挥发性成分。多元统计分析可以描述不同蒸制时间介导的人参、西洋参和三七的转化轨迹。最终,通过基于GC-MS的非靶标代谢组学分析,发现人参、西洋参和三七蒸制过程中分别有13、16和14种差异成分。值得注意的是,其中异戊醇、2-正戊基呋喃、正己醛、丁香烯和(-)-马兜铃烯可以区分人参的生品和炮制品;α-蒎烯、2-正戊基呋喃、己酸、2,3-丁二醇和丙酮酸可以区分西洋参生品和炮制品;莎草烯、糠醛、Δ-杜松烯、羟基丙酮和1-戊醇可以区分三七生品和炮制品。本研究所建立的气相色谱-质谱联用方法可以揭示中药中挥发性成分的变化,为进一步探讨中药炮制机理提供一种实用的分析工具。

Evolution and final closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean

Mongol-Okhotsk Orogenic Belt is the last main orogen that constructs modern tectonic framework of northeastern Asia. It has recorded the long-term evolution of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean(MOO) from its Early Paleozoic initial opening,through the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic subduction, to its Mesozoic final closure, leading to the amalgamation of the Siberian Craton(SIB) and North China-Amuria Block(NCC-AMB). Opening of the MOO can be traced to the early stage of the Early Paleozoic. Northward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab beneath the southern margin of the SIB initiated in the Silurian, whereas the southward subduction beneath the northern margin of the NCC-AMB started in the Late Devonian. The bidirectional subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk oceanic slab resulted in pulse arc magmatism, with three main peaks in the earliest Carboniferous, Late Permian, and Late Triassic-Early Jurassic. In the Late Triassic, the collision between the AMB and Western Mongolian Blocks led to the bending of the Western Mongolian Blocks, which caused the initial closure of the MOO in its western segment. Due to the clockwise rotation of the SIB and counterclockwise rotation of the NCC-AMB, the MOO showed a scissor-like closure from west to east. The final closure of the MOO occurred in the Middle-Late Jurassic, which also resulted in the formation of the Mongol Orocline. Since then, the amalgamation of blocks in northeastern Asia has finished, and the northeastern Asian continent went into the intraplate evolutional stage.

Fabrication plate-like BaBi_(4)Ti_(4)O_(15) single-crystalline particles by the molten salt synthesis method

Plate-like single-crystalline BaBi_(4)Ti_(4)O_(15) particles were synthesized by the molten salt synthesis(MSS)method.The effects of sintering temperature,holding time,and NaCl-KCl molten salt content on the phase structure and morphology of plate-like BaBi_(4)-Ti_(4)O_(15) particles were investigated.The results show that plate-like BaBi_(4)Ti_(4)O_(15) particles can be synthesized when the sintering temperature is above 800°C.The size of particles increases with increasing sintering temperature and molten salt content.Largely anisotropic plate-like BaBi_(4)Ti_(4)O_(15) particles with diameter≥10μm and thickness of~0.3μm can be obtained under the optimum process parameters.The crystal structure of BaBi_(4)Ti_(4)O_(15) was determined as A21am by TEM,which should be attributed to the Bi3+and Ba2+diffusing into[TiO6]octahedrons.

Conglomerates and sandstones from the Yintun Formation in Northern Liaoning Province： Implications for the Huronian Glaciation and reconstruction of the Columbia supercontinent

New U-Pb zircon geochronology data suggest that the Yintun Formation is younger man ~ 1895 Ma and is late Paleoproterozoic.The Yintun Formation may represent the first sedimentary cover of the North China Craton(NCC)based on its stratigraphic sequence and the ages of its sediments.Gravels in the conglomerates from the lower member of the Yintun Formation are characterized by obvious glacial origins.It is possible that these glacial gravels are the re-deposited sedimentary products of the Huronian Glaciation from the Indian continent.This can also provide sedimentary evidence for the relative location of the Indian continent and the NCC in the reconstruction of the Columbia supercontinent.

Effect of repeated gonadotropin stimulation on ovarian reserves and proliferation of ovarian surface epithelium in mice

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated ovarian stimulation(OS)on the ovarian follicular population and morphology in female mice and its influence on the embryo’s developmental ability,and the profile of the ovarian surface epithelium(OSE).A total of 75 mice were enrolled in this experiment and randomly assigned into three groups:repeated ovarian stimulated group[n=25;receiving 5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin(PMSG)and human chorionic gonadotro-pin(hCG)at 6 day intervals for 5 cycles];single ovarian stimulated group(n=25;receiving 5 IU PMSG and hCG for 1 cycle),and control group(n=25;without additional treatment).The follicle number at various stages and the morphologies were recorded respectively in the three groups.The harvested oocytes or embryos,cleavage rate,good quality embryo rate,and blastocyst production rate were counted and calculated,and the proliferations of ovarian surface epithelium were evaluated respectively.In the three groups,the single ovarian stimulation treatment significantly increased the mean number of ovarian oocytes or embryos(39.25�10.77 one-cell embryos/female);on the other hand,repeated gonadotropin stimulation obtained the lowest mean number(5.15�2.81 eggs/female,P<0.01).Repeated ovarian stimulation also tended to decrease normal follicles of primary follicles(66.67%)and secondary follicles(72.86%),and got the lowest cleavage rate(67.47%),lowest good quality embryo rate(2.41%),and lowest blastocyst production rate(0).The OSE cells adjacent to the antral follicles and corpus luteum(CL)in the repeated ovarian stimulated group(81.8%)had a significantly higher proliferation rate than the other groups.The proliferation rate of the OSE in the single ovarian stimulated group(56.4%)was signifi-cantly higher than that in the control group(37.5%)(P<0.01).In conclusion,single ovarian stimulation may produce more oocytes/embryos.However,repeated gona-dotropin stimulation may have a negative effect on the ovarian follicular quality,the number of mature retrieved oocytes,and the embryo quality,even increasing the chance of ovarian cancer.

Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis is a Critical Dilemma for Patients and Physicians During Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The combination of radiotherapy(RT)and chemotherapy is associated with a high cure rate but an increased risk of radiation-induced oral mucositis(RIOM)in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).As a dose-limiting complication,RIOM remains a critical dilemma for patients and physicians,potentially leading to radiation interruptions and compromised tumor control.In this review,we discuss and analyze the pathological mechanisms and factors affecting prevention/treatment of RIOM.RT may induce RIOM via a positive feedback loop,consequently amplifying superoxide production,the immunoinflammatory response,dysbacteriosis,infection,and epithelial basal cell death.Routine interventions for RIOM focus on oral care,oral-pain relief,nutritional support,and infection control;however,recent novel and effective methods have been proposed according to the pathological mechanisms and influencing factors.Some patients with low-recurrence-risk NPCs may be treated with reduced-dose RT,reduced-dose chemotherapy,or RT alone(without chemotherapy)to prevent severe RIOM.Furthermore,traditional herbal medicine extracts,such as Kangfuxin and honey,may help to control RIOM.In addition to the routine application of antibiotics to treat oral dysbacteriosis and hormones to suppress immune inflammatory responses,edaravone and GC4419 can also be used to scavenge oxygen free radicals and reduce superoxide ions to protect the oral mucosa and limit the occurrence of RIOM.