The anoxic electrode-driven fructose catabolism of Pseudomonas putida KT2440

Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) is a microorganism of interest for various industrial processes, yet its strictly aerobic nature limits application. Despite previous attempts to adapt P. putida to anoxic conditions via genetic engineering or the use of a bioelectrochemical system (BES), the problem of energy shortage and internal redox imbalance persists. In this work, we aimed to provide the cytoplasmic metabolism with different monosaccharides, other than glucose, and explored the physiological response in P. putida KT2440 during bioelectrochemical cultivation. The periplasmic oxidation cascade was found to be able to oxidize a wide range of aldoses to their corresponding (keto-)aldonates. Unexpectedly, isomerization of the ketose fructose to mannose also enabled oxidation by glucose dehydrogenase, a new pathway uncovered for fructose metabolism in P. putida KT2440 in BES. Besides the isomerization, the remainder of fructose was imported into the cytoplasm and metabolized. This resulted in a higher NADPH/NADP+ ratio, compared to glucose. Comparative proteomics further revealed the upregulation of proteins in the lower central carbon metabolism during the experiment. These findings highlight that the choice of a substrate in BES can target cytosolic and periplasmic oxidation pathways, and that electrode-driven redox balancing can drive these pathways in P. putida under anaerobic conditions.

SPR sensor based on Bessel-like beam

A proposal toward the enhancement in the sensitivity of a fiber-based surface plasma resonance (SPR) refractive index (RI) sensor is explored experimentally using a Bessel-like beam as the input source. We splice a section of single-mode fiber and a section of multimode fiber to construct the Bessel-like beam, which contains a series of concentric rings for the consistency of the resonance angle configuration to improve the performance of the SPR sensor. We fabricate a dual-truncated-cone (DTC) structure of the fiber to excite and receive the SPR signals. The larger the number of concentric rings, the higher the sensitivity. The number of concentric ring is determined by the length of the multimode fiber. When the grinding angle of the DTC-sensing probe is 15^° and the length of the multimode fiber is 500 µm, the maximum testing average sensitivity is 6908.3 nm/RIU, which is more sensitive than the previous SPR sensor introduced by the Gaussian beam as the input source in multimode fibers.

Technical-scale biophotovoltaics for long-term photo-current generation from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

A carbon-free energy supply is essential to sustain our future. Biophotovoltaics (BPV) provides a promising solution for hydrogen supply by directly coupling light-driven water splitting to hydrogen formation using oxygenic photoautotrophic cyanobacteria. However, BPV is currently limited by its low photon-to-current efficiency, and current experimental setups at a miniaturized scale hinder the rational investigation of the process and thus system optimization. In this article, we developed and optimized a new technical-scale (~250 ml working volume) BPV platform with defined and controllable operating parameters. Factors that interfered with reproducible and stable current output signals were identified and adapted. We found that the classical BG11 medium, used for the cultivation of cyanobacteria and also in many BPV studies, caused severe interferences in the bioelectrochemical experiments. An optimized nBG11 medium guaranteed a low and stable background current in the BPV reactor, regardless of the presence of light and/or mediators. As proof-of-principle, a very high long-term light-dependent current output (peak current of over 20 µA) was demonstrated in the new set-up over 12 days with living Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 cells and validated with appropriate controls. These results report the first reliable BPV platform generating reproducible photocurrent while still allowing quantitative investigation, rational optimization, and scale-up of BPV processes.

Unusual glomus tumor of the bladder: a rare case report and literature review

Background

Glomus tumor (GT), which are neoplasms of the glomus body, usually occur in the extremities, particularly under the nail bed. GT occurring in the bladder is very rare and has been reported as sporadic. In the present study, a rare case of bladder GT is reported and its clinical and histopathological characteristics are summarized by literature review.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old woman presented with intermittent gross hematuria for 2 years. Urinalysis displayed hematuria. The bladder ultrasound showed an avascular and homogeneous isoechoic polypoid mass with a maximum diameter of 6 mm at the right lateral wall of bladder. The bladder endoscopic examination showed a polypoid lesion, with a smooth surface, located in the right lateral wall. Then, a transurethral resection was performed, its histopathological features indicated a benign GT.

Conclusions

GT arising in the bladder is extremely rare, and only four cases have been identified in studies reported in English. It is difficult to diagnose bladder GTs according to their clinical features. The gold standard method used for their diagnosis is histopathology. However, it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis for bladder mass.

Activity in projection neurons from prelimbic cortex to the PVT is necessary for retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory

Previous work has shown that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is an important region that is involved in the conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory. However, the upstream neural circuits that activate the PVT to participate in the conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory remain unknown. In the present work, we find that the conditioned context activates projection neurons from the prelimbic cortex (PrL) to the PVT, and the inhibition of PrL-PVT projection neurons inhibits the conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory; the conditioned context induces an increase in Arc expression, intrinsic excitability, and glutamate output in PrL-PVT projection neurons in morphine-withdrawn mice. These results suggest that the activity of PrL-PVT projection neurons is necessary for the retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory, and the conditioned context causes a plastic change in the activity in these projection neurons during the withdrawal memory retrieval.

Overexpression of SP1 restores autophagy to alleviate acute renal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion through the miR-205/PTEN/Akt pathway

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major kidney disease with poor clinical outcome. SP1, a well-known transcription factor, plays a critical role in AKI and subsequent kidney repair through the regulation of various cell biologic processes. However, the underlying mechanism of SP1 in these pathological processes remain largely unknown.

Methods

An in vitro HK-2 cells with anoxia-reoxygenation injury model (In vitro simulated ischemic injury disease) and an in vivo rat renal ischemia-reperfusion injury model were used in this study. The expression levels of SP1, miR-205 and PTEN were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein expression levels of SP1, p62, PTEN, AKT, p-AKT, LC3II, LC3I and Beclin-1 were assayed by western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, and the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The secretions of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. The targeted relationship between miR-205 and PTEN was confirmed by dual luciferase report assay. The expression and positioning of LC-3 were observed by immunofluorescence staining. TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis and immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the expression of SP1 in renal tissue after ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Results

The expression of PTEN was upregulated while SP1 and miR-205 were downregulated in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Overexpression of SP1 protected renal tubule cell against injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion via miR-205/PTEN/Akt pathway mediated autophagy. Overexpression of SP1 attenuated renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Conclusions

SP1 overexpression restored autophagy to alleviate acute renal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion through the miR-205/PTEN/Akt pathway.

The effect of parenting styles on enforcement of oral health behaviours in children

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between parenting styles and parental attitudes towards oral health practices in children.

METHODS

Parents of children aged 4-6 years presenting to four public dental clinics completed the Parenting Styles Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) and a questionnaire on parental attitudes, child diet and oral hygiene practices. Child oral health was evaluated using Plaque Index (PI) and dmft-Index.

RESULTS

Three hundred and eighty-nine children (mean age: 62.3 ± 9.8 months) were recruited. The median dmft was 4 (IQR = 9) and median PI was 1.5 (IQR = 0.8). An authoritative parenting style was observed in 95.1% of parents. Authoritative parents were more likely to monitor sweets/snacks intake (P = 0.004) and less inclined to offer sweets/snacks in exchange for good behaviour (P = 0.04) than permissive parents. However, actual between-meal snacking frequency did not differ between styles (P = 0.43). Permissive parents were less likely to ensure bedtime toothbrushing (P = 0.001) or brush thoroughly when busy or tired (P = 0.03) compared to authoritative parents; these attitudes were associated with higher frequencies of actual omission of bedtime toothbrushing (P = 0.006) in their children. A higher frequency of omitting bedtime toothbrushing significantly predicted a permissive parenting style (OR = 12.1, P = 0.009). Parenting styles were not associated with dmft (P = 0.72) and/or PI (P = 0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Authoritative parenting was associated with positive attitudes regarding both preventive dietary and oral hygiene practices. Actual oral hygiene practices were more ideal in children with authoritative parents, but parenting styles had no impact on actual dietary habits.

IRF4 overexpression promotes the transdifferentiation of tregs into macrophage-like cells to inhibit the development of colon cancer

Background

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is a transcription factor from the IRF factor family that exerts regulatory functions in the immune system and oncogenesis. However, the biological role of IRF4 in colon cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IRF4 participates in the immune response in colon cancer.

Methods

We compared the expression of IRF4, the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and macrophages in the colon cancer tissues and paracancerous colon tissues from colon cancer patients. Colon cancer mouse model was established by inoculation with colon cancer cells (SW480) as a xenograft tumor, and we observed tumor growth of colon cancer. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of IRF4 in transdifferentiation of Tregs into macrophage-like cells and the effect of IRF4 on colon cancer cells were investigated in vitro.

Results

IRF4 was severely down-regulated in the colon cancer tissues. Colon cancer tissues exhibited an increase in the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and macrophages. Furthermore, IRF4 overexpression repressed proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells (SW480 and HT116 cells). Moreover, IRF4 up-regulation ameliorated tumor growth of colon cancer by promoting the transdifferentiation of Tregs into macrophage-like cells through inhibition of BCL6 expression. Exosomes derived from colon cancer cells repressed IRF4 expression in Tregs by transmitting miR-27a-3p, miR-30a-5p and miR-320c.

Conclusions

IRF4 overexpression promoted the transdifferentiation of Tregs into macrophage-like cells to inhibit the occurrence and development of colon cancer. Thus, IRF4 may be a potential target for colon cancer treatment.

Effect of Auricularia auricula fermentation broth on the liver and stomach of mice with acute alcoholism

In this paper, the protective effect of Auricularia auricula (A. auricula) fermentation broth on the liver and stomach of mice with acute alcoholism was studied. The A. auricula fermentation broth was prepared by adding Bacillus subtilis, lactic acid bacteria, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to A. auricula solution. The changes of physical and chemical indexes during the fermentation of A. auricula were monitored, and the results showed the content of polysaccharides and protein in the two kinds of fermentation broth after the fermentation was completed. Furthermore, the characteristic structures of active substances such as proteins, polysaccharides and phenolics were found in the A. auricula fermentation by structural analysis. Antioxidant activity test results showed that the A. auricula fermentation broth had a strong ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals. Cell experiments showed that the fermentation broth of A. auricula could significantly enhance the activity of NRK cells and protect NRK cells from H₂O₂ damage. Animal experiments showed that the A. auricula fermentation broth had protective effects on the liver and stomach of mice with acute alcoholism, and significantly reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) in serum. These results indicated that the A. auricula fermentation broth had protective effects on the liver and stomach of mice with acute alcoholism, and could be used as a potential functional food to prevent liver and stomach damage caused by acute alcoholism.

Protein corona formation of human serum albumin with carbon quantum dots from roast salmon

When food-borne nanoparticles enter biological systems, they can interact with various proteins to form protein coronas, which can affect their physicochemical properties and biological identity. In this study, the protein corona formation of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from roast salmon with human serum albumin (HSA) was explored. Furthermore, the biological identity of the HSA-CQD coronas, in relation to cell apoptosis, energy, glucose and lipid metabolism and acute toxicity in mice, was also investigated. The HSA-CQD coronas were formed between HSA and CQDs via a static binding mechanism, and the binding site of CQDs on HSA was located at both Sudlow's site I and site II. After entering the cytoplasm, the HSA-CQD coronas became localized in the lysosomes and autolysosomes. Importantly, the HSA coronas reduced the cytotoxicity of the CQDs from 18.65% to 9.26%, and the energy metabolism was rectified by changing from glycolytic to aerobic metabolism. The glucose and lipid metabolite profile of cells exposed to the HSA-CQD coronas differed from that of those treated with CQDs, indicating that the HSA-CQD coronas rectified metabolic disturbances caused by CQDs. Histopathological and blood biochemical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the treated and control mice after a single CQDs dose of 2000 mg per kg body weight. Overall, the results confirmed the formation of protein coronas between HSA and food-borne fluorescent CQDs, and could be helpful for evaluating the safety of fluorescent CQDs in cooked food items.

[Comparison of the disposable circumcision stapler, disposable prepuce ligator and traditional surgical method in circumcision]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects and complications of the disposable circumcision stapler, disposable prepuce ligator and traditional surgical method in circumcision.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 327 cases of phimosis or redundant prepuce treated by circumcision with the disposable circumcision stapler (the DCS group, n = 133), disposable prepuce ligator (the DPL group, n = 105) or traditional surgical method (the TS group, n = 89) in our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020. We compared the three surgical methods in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, pain score, satisfaction of the patients with the penile appearance and incidence rates of incision edema, hematoma, infection and dehiscence.

RESULTS

The DCS and DPL groups, compared with the TS group, showed significantly shorter operation time (［9.72 ± 2.17］ and ［10.57 ± 2.31］ vs ［36.13 ± 6.85］ min, P < 0.01), less intraoperative blood loss (［2.07 ± 0.96］ and ［2.53 ± 1.46］ vs ［14.33 ± 4.92］ ml, P < 0.01) and higher appearance satisfaction score (4.07 ± 0.80 and 3.93 ± 0.96 vs 3.13 ± 1.06, P < 0.05). The DCS and TS groups, in comparison with the DPL group, exhibited markedly lower pain score (1.87 ± 0.99 and 2.27 ± 1.16 vs 3.87 ± 1.30, P < 0.01) and the rates of postoperative incision hematoma (3.01% and 2.25% vs 9.52%, P < 0.05), and infection and dehiscence (2.45% and 2.04% vs 8.07%, P < 0.05). The postoperative rate of incision edema was remarkably lower in the DCS than in the DPL and CS groups (10.2% vs 20.2% and 23.5%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Circumcision with the disposable circumcision stapler, with the advantages of simple operation, short operation time, less bleeding, less pain, satisfactory appearance, and lower incidence of complications, deserves clinical application and promotion.

A Highly Sensitive "on-off" Time-Resolved Phosphorescence Sensor Based on Aptamer Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles for Cadmium Detection in Food Samples

Cadmium contamination is a severe threat to food safety. Therefore, the development of sensitive and selective cadmium detection strategies is urgently required. The elimination of background autofluorescence generated from the food matrix is critical to the optical assay for cadmium detection. Herein, a time-resolved phosphorescence sensor based on an "on-off" strategy was developed for cadmium determination in food samples. The phosphorescence nanoparticles were used as a luminous material to minimize the interference of background autofluorescence. The cadmium-binding aptamer was immobilized onto the magnetic beads and combined with a black hole quencher 1 (BHQ1) with complementary DNA as the target recognition element. With the presence of cadmium, the cadmium-binding aptamer bound to cadmium specifically and resulted in the release of BHQ1. The free BHQ1 remained in the solution after magnetic separation and quenched the phosphorescence. The phosphorescence intensity was negatively related to the concentration of cadmium. Under optimal conditions, the time-resolved phosphorescence sensor showed a linear response to cadmium concentration within a range from 0.05 to 5 ng mL-1 and with a detection limit of 0.04 ng mL-1. This "on-off" time-resolved phosphorescence sensor was successfully applied for cadmium detection in spring water and clam samples, which provided a rapid and straightforward method.

Asymptomatic long-segmental type A aortic dissection diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography: A case report and literature review

Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening disease. Patients usually experience severe pain in the chest, back, or abdomen, but some patients report a variety of other symptoms without pain. Completely asymptomatic AD is sporadic and probably under-recognized. The present study aimed to (a) report an extremely rare case of asymptomatic long-segmental type A AD, wherein exaggeratedly low diastolic blood pressure and broad pulse pressure were the primary signs, and (b) summarize the clinical characteristics of asymptomatic AD through the literature review.

[Primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate: A case report and review of the literature]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on one case of primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate and reviewed the relevant published literature.

RESULTS

The patient, aged 83 years old and diagnosed with primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, was treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin preoperatively, injected with 5-fluorouracil into the cutting edge of the tumor intraoperatively, and pathologically confirmed with high-grade invasive primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin. No recurrence or metastasis was observed during 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate is rare and highly malignant. If the tumor is localized, the patient needs to be treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy preoperatively, injection with anti-tumor drugs into the cutting edge of the tumor intraoperatively, and adjuvant chemotherapy and regular follow-up postoperatively.

Cytochrome c Reductase is a Key Enzyme Involved in the Extracellular Electron Transfer Pathway towards Transition Metal Complexes in Pseudomonas Putida

Mediator-based extracellular electron transfer (EET) pathways can balance the redox metabolism of microbes. However, such electro-biosynthesis processes are constrained by the unknown underlying EET mechanisms. In this paper, Pseudomonas putida was studied to systematically investigate its EET pathway to transition metal complexes (i. e., [Fe(CN)6 ]3-/4- and [Co(bpy)3 ]3+/2+ ; bpy=2,2'-bipyridyl) under anaerobic conditions. Comparative proteomics showed the aerobic respiratory components were upregulated in a bioelectrochemical system without oxygen, suggesting their potential contribution to EET. Further tests found inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase activity by NaN3 and NADH dehydrogenase by rotenone did not significantly change the current output. However, the EET pathway was completely blocked, while cytochrome c reductase activity was inhibited by antimycin A. Although it cannot be excluded that cytochrome c and the periplasmic subunit of cytochrome c oxidase donate electrons to the transition metal complexes, these results strongly demonstrate that cytochrome c reductase is a key complex for the EET pathway.

The Influence of Cochlear Implant-Based Electric Stimulation on the Electrophysiological Characteristics of Cultured Spiral Ganglion Neurons

Background

Cochlear implant-based electrical stimulation may be an important reason to induce the residual hearing loss after cochlear implantation. In our previous study, we found that charge-balanced biphasic electrical stimulation inhibited the neurite growth of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and decreased Schwann cell density in vitro. In this study, we want to know whether cochlear implant-based electrical stimulation can induce the change of electrical activity in cultured SGNs.

Methods

Spiral ganglion neuron electrical stimulation in vitro model is established using the devices delivering cochlear implant-based electrical stimulation. After 48 h treatment by 50 μA or 100 μA electrical stimulation, the action potential (AP) and voltage depended calcium current (I Ca) of SGNs are recorded using whole-cell electrophysiological method.

Results

The results show that the I Ca of SGNs is decreased significantly in 50 μA and 100 μA electrical stimulation groups. The reversal potential of I Ca is nearly +80 mV in control SGN, but the reversal potential decreases to +50 mV in 50 μA and 100 μA electrical stimulation groups. Interestingly, the AP amplitude, the AP latency, and the AP duration of SGNs have no statistically significant differences in all three groups.

Conclusion

Our study suggests cochlear implant-based electrical stimulation only significantly inhibit the I Ca of cultured SGNs but has no effect on the firing of AP, and the relation of I Ca inhibition and SGN damage induced by electrical stimulation and its mechanism needs to be further studied.

Effects of fluorescent carbon dots from the baked lamb on energy and lipid metabolism

Food-borne carbon dots (CDs) may cause health risks due to their unique properties. However, previous efforts were mainly focused on the characterization of their physicochemical properties, their effects on cellular metabolism are not entirely revealed. Herein, the features and potential toxicity of CDs from lamb baked for 15, 30, and 45 min were evaluated, their cytotoxicity increased with the extension of baking time. Furthermore, the metabolic responses of PC12 cells after exposure to CDs from lamb baked for 45 min were investigated. The CDs perturbed purine metabolism, causing reactive oxygen species accumulation. Meanwhile, the CDs down-regulated glycolysis and TCA cycle, led to a significant decrease in ATP. Additionally, the CDs induced triglyceride accumulation, mainly through enhanced fatty acid biosynthesis. The adverse effects of CDs from baked lamb involved the perturbation of energy production, purine metabolism, and triglyceride biosynthesis, which provided additional information about the risks of CDs from food items.

Morphine selectively disinhibits glutamatergic input from mPFC onto dopamine neurons of VTA, inducing reward

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons presynaptic glutamate release plays a very important role in the mechanism of morphine. Previously, a study from our lab found that morphine disinhibited glutamatergic input onto the VTA-DA neurons, which was an important mechanism for the morphine-induced increase in the VTA-DA neuron firing and related behaviors (Chen et al., 2015). However, what source of glutamatergic inputs is disinhibited by morphine remains to be elucidated. Using optogenetic strategy combined with whole-cell patch-clamp, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and chemical genetic approach combined with behavioral methods, our results show that: 1) morphine promotes glutamate release from glutamatergic terminals of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons projecting to VTA-DA neurons but does not on those from glutamatergic terminals of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurons projecting to VTA-DA neurons; 2) different response of glutamatergic neurons projecting to VTA-DA neurons from the mPFC or the LH to morphine is related to the expression of GABA_B receptors at terminals of these neurons; 3) inhibition of projection neurons from the mPFC to the VTA significantly reduces morphine-induced locomotor activity increase and conditioned place preference but inhibition of projection neurons from the LH to the VTA does not. These results suggest that morphine selectively promotes glutamate release of the glutamatergic input from mPFC onto VTA-DA neurons by removing the inhibition of the GABA_B receptors in this glutamatergic input from mPFC.

A Conditioning-Strengthened Circuit From CA1 of Dorsal Hippocampus to Basolateral Amygdala Participates in Morphine-Withdrawal Memory Retrieval

Conditioned context-induced retrieval of drug withdrawal memory contributes to drug relapse. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is an important brain region that is involved in conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory. However, the upstream pathways of the activation of the BLA by conditioned context remains to be studied. The present results show that the CA1 of dorsal hippocampus is an upstream brain region of the activation of the BLA during conditioned context-induced morphine withdrawal memory retrieval; the indirect connection from the CA1 of dorsal hippocampus to the BLA is enhanced in mice with conditioned place aversion (CPA); the postrhinal cortex (POR) is a brain region that connects the CA1 of dorsal hippocampus and the activation of the BLA during conditioned context-induced retrieval of morphine-withdrawal memory. These results suggest that a conditioning-strengthened indirect circuit from the CA1 of dorsal hippocampus to the BLA through the POR participates in morphine withdrawal memory retrieval.

Transient sublethal hypoxia in neonatal rats causes reduced dendritic spines, aberrant synaptic plasticity, and impairments in memory

Hypoxic/ischemic insult, a leading cause of functional brain defects, has been extensively studied in both clinical and experimental animal research, including its etiology, neuropathogenesis, and pharmacological interventions. Transient sublethal hypoxia (TSH) is a common clinical occurrence in the perinatal period. However, its effect on early developing brains remains poorly understood. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of TSH on the dendrite and dendritic spine formation, neuronal and synaptic activity, and cognitive behavior of early postnatal Day 1 rat pups. While TSH showed no obvious effect on gross brain morphology, neuron cell density, or glial activation in the hippocampus, we found transient hypoxia did cause significant changes in neuronal structure and function. In brains exposed to TSH, hippocampal neurons developed shorter and thinner dendrites, with decreased dendritic spine density, and reduced strength in excitatory synaptic transmission. Moreover, TSH-treated rats showed impaired cognitive performance in spatial learning and memory. Our findings demonstrate that TSH in newborn rats can cause significant impairments in synaptic formation and function, and long-lasting brain functional deficits. Therefore, this study provides a useful animal model for the study of TSH on early developing brains and to explore potential pharmaceutical interventions for patients subjected to TSH insult.

Bone mineral density is negatively correlated with ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Newer epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of ulcerative colitis might be increasing rapidly. Furthermore, osteoporosis in ulcerative colitis patients has gained great attention, but the epidemiologic evidence remains controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to explore the association between bone density and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Two investigators used PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases to identify all studies published before August 2019. Depending on the outcomes, investigators divided these studies into four groups (OR, SMD [BMD], SMD [z-score] and SMD [t-score]). To address the use of steroids, which is a major confounding factor in this analysis, another subgroup analysis of studies of steroid-free patients was conducted. Additionally, heterogeneity, sensitivity and stratified analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 cross-sectional studies that involved 1154 participants were included in the present meta-analysis, and three of them were included in the steroid-free subgroup analysis. The pooled OR was 6.41 (95% CI 2.59-15.87) and the pooled SMD (BMD), SMD (t-score) and SMD (z-score) were - 0.24 (95% CI - 0.44 to - 0.04), - 0.55 (95% CI - 0.72 to - 0.37), and - 0.38 (95% CI - 0.56 and - 0.19), respectively. Since steroids are a significant confounder, the pooled SMD of the steroid-free subgroup was - 0.55 (- 0.85 to - 0.25), which revealed a strong negative relationship between bone density and ulcerative colitis in steroid-free patients. Additionally, other subgroup analyses also revealed a strong relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis provides evidence for the potential association between ulcerative colitis and decreased bone density. It is essential for clinicians to consider bone mineral density in ulcerative colitis patients regardless of steroid-therapy.

Metastatic patterns and survival outcomes in patients with stage IV colon cancer: A population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to delineate the patterns of distant metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma (CAC) and evaluate the survival differences by metastatic patterns.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we extracted patients diagnosed with stage IV CAC between 2010 and 2016. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted with log-rank tests to compare overall survival (OS) of patients with different metastatic patterns. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the effects of different metastatic patterns on survival outcomes in terms of OS and disease-specific survival (DSS).

RESULTS

A total of 26 170 patients were analyzed. The 3- and 5-year OS were 20.7% and 10.5%, respectively, for patients with stage IV CAC. The most common distant metastatic site was the liver, followed by the lung, bone, and brain, but the frequency differed greatly by histology subtypes. The site of metastasis was a significant prognostic factor for OS and DSS in patients with stage IV CAC, independent of the number of metastatic sites and other clinical and demographic prognostic factors. Using liver-only metastasis as reference, lung-only metastasis was associated with better OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.94) and DSS (HR = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.64-0.88). Older age, black race, unmarried status, grade III/IV tumors, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, proximal colon, elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), no surgery of the primary site, and no chemotherapy were independent predictors of poor OS.

CONCLUSIONS

The site of distant metastasis and number of metastasis site were independent prognostic factors for survival of patients with stage IV CAC. This study highlights the need for diverse treatment strategies for patients with different metastatic patterns.

Hydrogen evolution reaction from bare and surface-functionalized few-layered MoS2 nanosheets in acidic and alkaline electrolytes

Hydrogen is considered as an ideal and sustainable energy carrier because of its high energy density and carbon-free combustion. Electrochemical water splitting is the only solution for uninterrupted, scalable, and sustainable production of hydrogen without carbon emission. However, a large-scale hydrogen production through electrochemical water splitting depends on the availability of earth-abundant electrocatalysts and a suitable electrolyte medium. In this article, we demonstrate that hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of electrocatalytic materials can be controlled by their surface functionalization and selection of a suitable electrolyte solution. Here, we report syntheses of few-layered MoS₂ nanosheets, NiO nanoparticles (NPs), and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using scalable production methods from earth-abundant materials. Magnetic measurements of as-produced electrocatalyst materials demonstrate that MoS₂ nanoflakes are diamagnetic, whereas surface-functionalized MoS₂ and its composite with carbon nanotubes have strong ferromagnetism. The HER performance of the few-layered pristine MoS₂ nanoflakes, MoS₂/NiO NPs, and MoS₂/NiO NPs/MWCNT nanocomposite electrocatalysts are studied in acidic and alkaline media. For bare MoS₂, the values of overpotential (η₁₀) in alkaline and acidic media are 0.45 and 0.54 V, respectively. Similarly, the values of current density at 0.5 V overpotential are 27 and 6.2 mA/cm² in alkaline and acidic media, respectively. The surface functionalization acts adversely in the both alkaline and acidic media. MoS₂ nanosheets functionalized with NiO NPs also demonstrated excellent performance for oxygen evolution reaction with anodic current of ~60 mA/cm² and Tafel slope of 78 mVdec^-1 in alkaline medium.