Autophagy prevents autophagic cell death in Tetrahymena in response to oxidative stress

Autophagy is a major cellular pathway used to degrade long-lived proteins or organelles that may be damaged due to increased reactive oxygen species（ROS） generated by cellular stress. Autophagy typically enhances cell survival, but it may also act to promote cell death under certain conditions. The mechanism underlying this paradox, however, remains unclear. We showed that Tetrahymena cells exerted increased membranebound vacuoles characteristic of autophagy followed by autophagic cell death（referred to as cell death with autophagy） after exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine or 3-methyladenine significantly augmented autophagic cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide. Blockage of the mitochondrial electron transport chain or starvation triggered activation of autophagy followed by cell death by inducing the production of ROS due to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. This indicated a regulatory role of mitochondrial ROS in programming autophagy and autophagic cell death in Tetrahymena. Importantly, suppression of autophagy enhanced autophagic cell death in Tetrahymena in response to elevated ROS production from starvation, and this was reversed by antioxidants. Therefore, our results suggest that autophagy was activated upon oxidative stress to prevent the initiation of autophagic cell death in Tetrahymena until the accumulation of ROS passed the point of no return, leading to delayed cell death in Tetrahymena.

Crotalaria ferruginea extract attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways

Objective:To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Crotalaria ferruginea extract(CFE)and its mechanism.Methods:An intratracheal lipopolysaccharide(LPS)instillationinduced acute lung injury(ALI)model was used to study the antiinflammatory activity of CFE in vivo.The LPS-induced shock model was used to analyze the effect of CFE on survival.LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell model was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of CFE in vitro and the effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)or nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathways.Results:CFE administration decreased the number of inflammatory cells,reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1),interleukin-6(IL-6),and interferon-γ,and diminished protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice.CFE also reduced lung wet-to-dry weight ratio,myeloperoxidase,and lung tissue pathological injury.CFE preadministration improved the survival rate of mice challenged with a lethal dose of LPS.CFE reduced LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells to produce nitric oxide,TNF-α,MCP-1,and IL-6.Furthermore,CFE inhibited nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of NF-κB P65,extracellular signal-regulated kinase,c-Jun N-terminal kinases,and P38 MAPKs.Conclusions:CFE exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced ALI mice,LPS-shock mice,and RAW264.7 cells,and its mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.Crotalaria ferruginea may be a useful therapeutic drug for the treatment of ALI and other respiratory inflammations.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy misdiagnosed as acute myocardial infarction under the Chest Pain Center model:A case report

BACKGROUND With the spread and establishment of the Chest Pain Center in China,adhering to the idea that“time is myocardial cell and time is life”,many hospitals have set up a standardized process that ensures that patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)who meet emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)guidelines are sent directly to the DSA room by the prehospital emergency doctor,saving the time spent on queuing,registration,payment,re-examination by the emergency doctor,and obtaining consent for surgery after arriving at the hospital.Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute disease that is triggered by intense emotional or physical stress and must be promptly differentiated from AMI for its appropriate management.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old female patient was taken directly to the catheterization room to perform PCI due to 4 h of continuous thoracalgia and elevation of the ST segment in the V3–V5 lead,without being transferred to the emergency department according to the Chest Pain Center model.Loading doses of aspirin,clopidogrel and statins were administered and informed consent for PCI was signed in the ambulance.On first look,the patient looked nervous in the DSA room.Coronary angiography showed no obvious stenosis.Left ventricular angiography showed that the contraction of the left ventricular apex was weakened,and the systolic period was ballooning out,showing a typical“octopus trap”change.The patient was diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.Five days later,the patient had no symptoms of thoracalgia,and the serological indicators returned to normal.She was discharged with a prescription of medication.CONCLUSION Under the Chest Pain Center model for the treatment of patients with chest pain showing ST segment elevation,despite the urgency of time,Takotsubo cardiomy-opathy must be promptly differentiated from AMI for its appropriate management.

Acute coronary artery stent thrombosis caused by a spasm:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute stent thrombosis(AST)is a serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).The causes of AST include the use of stents of inappropriate diameters,multiple overlapping stents,or excessively long stents;incomplete stent expansion;poor stent adhesion;incomplete coverage of dissection;formation of thrombosis or intramural hematomas;vascular injury secondary to intraoperative mechanical manipulation;insufficient dose administration of postoperative antiplatelet medications;and resistance to antiplatelet drugs.Cases of AST secondary to coronary artery spasms are rare,with only a few reports in the literature.CASE SUMMARY A 55-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of back pain for 2 d.He was diagnosed with coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction(AMI)based on electrocardiography results and creatinine kinase myocardial band,troponin I,and troponin T levels.A 2.5 mm×33.0 mm drugeluting stent was inserted into the occluded portion of the right coronary artery.Aspirin,clopidogrel,and atorvastatin were started.Six days later,the patient developed AST after taking a bath in the morning.Repeat coronary angiography showed occlusion of the proximal stent,and intravascular ultrasound showed severe coronary artery spasms.The patient’s AST was thought to be caused by coronary artery spasms and treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.Postoperatively,he was administered diltiazem to inhibit coronary artery spasms and prevent future episodes of AST.He survived and reported no discomfort at the 2-mo follow-up after the operation and initiation of drug treatment.CONCLUSION Coronary spasms can cause both AMI and AST.For patients who exhibit coronary spasms during PCI,diltiazem administration could reduce spasms and prevent future AST.

Gastrointestinal discomforts and dietary intake in Chinese urban elders:A cross-sectional study in eight cities of China

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal(GI)discomforts are common in the elderly population;however,whether such discomforts are associated with dietary intake has not been studied.AIM To evaluate GI discomforts in Chinese urban elders and the associated factors.METHODS The gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS)was used to identify GI discomforts in 688 elders from eight cities of China.The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and one time of 24 h dietary recall were used to access the food intake,identify dietary pattern,and calculate the nutrients intake.RESULTS About 83%of studied elders experienced at least one of GI discomforts in the past 6 mo;dyspepsia was the most commonly reported(66.7%),followed by reflux(44.8%),abdominal pain(35.9%),constipation(35.8%),and diarrhea(34.7%).Female gender,lower education level,and lower family income were associated with a higher GSRS score.Participants who were diagnosed with a GI-related disease had a higher score of constipation,but a lower score of reflux.Chronic diseases were positively associated with certain GI discomforts.Three dietary patterns were identified by the method of principal component analysis,which were characterized as high intake of salt and tea;more frequent intake of tubers,fruits,aquatic products,and soybeans;and high intake of cereal,vegetables,and meat,respectively.However,no associations between dietary patterns and GSRS score were found.The elders with a higher GSRS score had significantly lower intake of bean products.The elders whose GSRS score was≥21 and 18-20 decreased their bean production intake by 7.2(0.3,14.3)g/d and 14.3(1.2,27.3)g/d,respectively,compared with those who had a GSRS score≤17.There were no differences in other food categories,calories,or nutrients intake among elders with different GSRS scores.CONCLUSION GI discomforts are common in Chinese urban elders.GI discomforts might be associated with the choice of food.

The mechanism and research progress of non-drug analgesic labor

Non-drug analgesic labor is of great significance to protect,promote and support natural labor.The purpose of this paper is to review the mechanism of non-drug analgesia,the significance of non-drug analgesia delivery,and the methods of non-drug analgesia delivery,so as to provide reference for the research of clinical non-drug analgesia delivery and promote the development of non-drug analgesia delivery.