Clinical outcomes of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring distinct subtypes of EGFR mutations and receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors: brain metastasis and de novo T790M matters

Background

The clinical features, survival outcomes and patterns of treatment failure of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring distinct subtypes of EGFR mutations and receiving first-line EGFR tyrosine kinases inhibitor (TKIs) are not fully understood.

Methods

Consecutive metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients receiving first-line EGFR-TKIs from October 2010 to March 2020 were enrolled and classified into two main groups based on the EGFR mutation subtypes: common mutation (L858R or exon 19 deletion), uncommon mutation (other EGFR mutations).

Results

Of the 1081 patients included, 74 (6.8%) harbored uncommon mutations. The baseline characteristics were generally balanced between the two groups, except that bone metastasis developed less frequently in patients with uncommon mutations (p = 0.02). No significant difference of survival outcomes was found between the two groups, except that among patients with baseline brain metastasis, the intracranial time to progression was significantly shorter in patients with uncommon mutations. Nine of the 17 patients with de novo T790M mutation received Osimertinib, whose overall survival tended to be longer than the remaining 8 patients without Osimertinib treatment (p = 0.08). The patterns of treatment failure were generally consistent between the two groups, except which patients with uncommon mutations had a higher risk developing progressive disease in the brain.

Conclusion

First-line EGFR-TKIs seemed to be less effective in controlling and preventing brain metastasis in patients with uncommon EGFR mutations and Osimertinib was associated with promising efficacy in patients with de novo T790M mutation, which warranted further validation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09245-5.

The Rationale and Design of Behavioral Interventions for Management of Agitation in Dementia in a Multi-Site Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Agitation and aggression are common in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and pose a significant burden on patients, caregivers, and the healthcare systems. Guidelines recommend personalized behavioral interventions as the first-line treatment; however, these interventions are often underutilized. The Standardizing Care for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Quality of Life in Dementia (StaN) study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier # NCT0367220) is a multisite randomized controlled trial comparing an Integrated Care Pathway, that includes a sequential pharmacological algorithm and structured behavioral interventions, with treatment-as-usual to treat agitation in dementia in long-term care and inpatient settings.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the rationale and design of structured behavioral interventions in the StaN study.

METHODS

Structured behavioral interventions are designed and implemented based on the following considerations: 1) personalization, 2) evidence base, 3) dose and duration, 4) measurement-based care, and 5) environmental factors and feasibility.

RESULTS

The process to design behavioral interventions for each individual starts with a comprehensive assessment, followed by personalized, evidence-based interventions delivered in a standardized manner with ongoing monitoring of global clinical status. Measurement-based care is used to tailor the interventions and to integrate them with pharmacotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Individualized behavioral interventions in patients with dementia may be challenging to design and implement. Here we describe a process to design and implement individualized and structured behavioral interventions in the context of a multisite trial in long-term care and inpatient settings. This process can inform the design of behavioral interventions in future trials and in clinical settings for the treatment of agitation in dementia.

Brain metastases, patterns of intracranial progression, and the clinical value of upfront cranial radiotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors

Background

Despite the emergence of programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BMs), knowledge gaps remain regarding the impact and timing of cranial radiotherapy for patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

Methods

Data were collected from 461 consecutive patients who received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy for metastatic NSCLC at three institutions between June 2017 and September 2020. Intracranial progressive disease (PD) at the original disease sites, new sites, or both sites were classified as original-site PD (OPD), new-site PD (NPD), and original-and-new-site PD (ONPD), respectively. Patients with baseline BMs were categorized based on whether they received upfront cranial radiotherapy (uCRT) at any time point between the introduction of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and the first subsequent progression.

Results

Of the 461 patients enrolled, 110 (23.9%) had BMs at baseline. The presence of BMs did not show independent prognostic value for progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). During a median follow-up of 13.2 months, 96 patients with BMs developed PD, of whom 53 (55.2%) experienced intracranial PD. OPD, NPD, and ONPD were observed in 50.9%, 18.9%, and 30.2% of patients, respectively. Patients who received uCRT exhibited a longer median OS than those with BMs who did not receive uCRT (25.4 vs. 14.6 months, HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.29–0.91, P=0.041); this survival advantage was more prominent in patients with 1–4 BMs (median OS, 25.4 vs. 17.0 months, HR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22–0.81, P=0.024), and uCRT was independently associated with OS among these patients.

Conclusions

The presence of BMs at baseline was not associated with poorer OS in patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Intracranial progression on PD-l/PD-L1 inhibitors predominately occurred at the original BM sites. The use of uCRT may improve OS, especially in NSCLC patients with 1–4 BMs.

Protective effect of baicalin against arsenic trioxide-induced acute hepatic injury in mice through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

Baicalin (BA) is a kind of flavonoid that is isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which has been verified to have hepatoprotective effects in some diseases. However, the role of BA in acute hepatic injury induced by arsenic trioxide (ATO) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective action of BA on acute hepatic injury induced by ATO and to probe its possible mechanism. Mice were pretreated with BA (50, 100 mg/kg) by gavage. After 7 h, ATO (7.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to induce liver injury. After 7 days of treatment, serum and hepatic specimens were collected and assayed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of BA. Pathological sections and the liver function index indicated that ATO caused significant liver injury. The fluorescence of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress indicators showed that ATO also increased oxidative stress. The inflammatory markers in ATO-induced mice also increased significantly. Staining of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and apoptotic factor assay showed that apoptosis increased. However, with BA pretreatment, these changes were significantly weakened. In addition, BA treatment promoted the expression of proteins related to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results suggest that BA can ameliorate acute ATO-induced hepatic injury in mice, which is related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, thereby reducing inflammation and apoptosis. The mechanism of this protection is potentially related to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

HY5: A Pivotal Regulator of Light-Dependent Development in Higher Plants

ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5), a bZIP-type transcription factor, acts as a master regulator that regulates various physiological and biological processes in plants such as photomorphogenesis, root growth, flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation, nutrient acquisition, and response to abiotic stresses. HY5 is evolutionally conserved in function among various plant species. HY5 acts as a master regulator of light-mediated transcriptional regulatory hub that directly or indirectly controls the transcription of approximately one-third of genes at the whole genome level. The transcription, protein abundance, and activity of HY5 are tightly modulated by a variety of factors through distinct regulatory mechanisms. This review primarily summarizes recent advances on HY5-mediated molecular and physiological processes and regulatory mechanisms on HY5 in the model plant Arabidopsis as well as in crops.

Genetic Architecture and Candidate Genes for Pubescence Length and Density and Its Relationship With Resistance to Common Cutworm in Soybean

Soybean pubescence plays an important role in insect resistance, drought tolerance, and other stresses. Hence, a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying pubescence is a prerequisite to a deeper understanding of insect resistance and drought tolerance. In the present study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of pubescence traits was performed using a high-density inter-specific linkage map of one recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, designated NJRINP. It was observed that pubescence length (PL) was negatively correlated with pubescence density (PD). A total of 10 and 9 QTLs distributed on six and five chromosomes were identified with phenotypic variance (PV) of 3.0-9.9% and 0.8-15.8% for PL and PD, respectively, out of which, eight and five were novel. Most decreased PL (8 of 10) and increased PD (8 of 9) alleles were from the wild soybean PI 342618B. Based on gene annotation, Protein ANalysis THrough Evolutionary Relationships and literature search, 21 and 12 candidate genes were identified related to PL and PD, respectively. In addition, Glyma.12G187200 from major QTLs qPL-12-1 and qPD-12-2, was identified as Ps (sparse pubescence) before, having an expression level of fivefold greater in NN 86-4 than in PI 342618B, hence it might be the candidate gene that is conferring both PL and PD. Based on gene expression and cluster analysis, three and four genes were considered as the important candidate genes of PL and PD, respectively. Besides, leaves with short and dense (SD) pubescence, which are similar to the wild soybean pubescence morphology, had the highest resistance to common cutworm (CCW) in soybean. In conclusion, the findings in the present study provide a better understanding of genetic basis and candidate genes information of PL and PD and the relationship with resistance to CCW in soybean.

Cardioprotective effects of alantolactone on isoproterenol-induced cardiac injury and cobalt chloride-induced cardiomyocyte injury

OBJECTIVES

Alantolactone (AL) is a compound extracted from the roots of Inula Racemosa that has shown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease. However, the cardioprotective mechanism of AL against hypoxic/ischemic (H/I) injury is still unclear. This research aimed to determine AL's ability to protect the heart against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI injury in vivo and cobalt chloride (CoCl2) induced H/I injury in vitro.

METHODS

Electrocardiography (ECG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assays in addition to histological analysis of the myocardium were used to investigate the effects of AL in vivo. Influences of AL on L-type Ca2+ current (ICa-L) in isolated rat myocytes were observed by the patch-clamp technique. Furthermore, cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress injury, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular Ca2+ concentration were examined in vitro.

RESULTS

The results indicated that AL treatment ameliorated the morphological and ECG changes associated with MI, and decreased levels of LDH, CK, and cTnI. Furthermore, pretreatment with AL elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and suppressed ROS production. AL prevented H/I-induced apoptosis, mitochondria damage, and calcium overload while reducing ICa-L in a concentration and time dependent fashion. The 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) and maximal inhibitory effect (Emax) of AL were 17.29 μmol/L and 57.73 ± 1.05%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

AL attenuated MI-related injury by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, calcium overload, and mitochondria damage. These cardioprotective effects may be related to the direct inhibition of ICa-L.

The Perks of Doing Housework: Its Impacts on Physical Health, Mental Well-Being, Cognitive Performance, and Survival

Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the effects of doing housework. While some earlier studies have found no association between performing heavy housework and health, other studies have found various benefits of doing housework, including body leanness and lower mortality rate. This study examined the effects of housework on older adults’ survival over a period of 14 years, and investigated the underlying mechanisms. A total of 2,768 older adults in Hong Kong (female: 47.29%; age: 65-98) from a longitudinal survey study were included in the current analyses. Linear regression analysis revealed that doing more housework was significantly associated with surviving more days (β = 45.36, SE = 6.40, p < .001). We then examined whether the association between housework and survival was mediated by physical health, mental health and/or cognitive functioning using a parallel mediation model with multiple mediators. Results showed a significant partial mediating effect of physical health (β = 1.20, SE = .53, p = .003), a marginally significant partial mediating effect of cognitive functioning (β = 1.35, SE = .70, p = .054) and no mediating effect of mental health. All the analyses remained consistent after controlling for sex, education, marital status, subjective social status and living arrangement. These results suggest that doing housework may benefit survival by improving physical and cognitive functioning. Our findings have implications for better understanding factors that influence mortality, developing accessible physical activity interventions for older adults, and supporting aging in place.

Overall survival benefit of Osimertinib and clinical value of upfront cranial local therapy in untreated EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis

Osimertinib, as a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), showed more potent efficacy against brain metastasis (BM) in untreated EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the FLAURA study. However, the overall survival (OS) benefit of Osimertinib and clinical value of cranial local therapy (CLT) in these patients remain undetermined. Here we conducted a retrospective study involving untreated EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with BMs receiving first-line osimertinib or first-generation EGFR-TKIs. Upfront CLT was defined as CLT performed before disease progression to the first-line EGFR-TKIs. Pattern of treatment failure and survival outcomes were extensively investigated. Among the 367 patients enrolled, first-generation EGFR-TKI was administered in 265, osimertinib in 102 and upfront CLT performed in 140. Patients receiving osimertinib had more (p<0.001) and larger BMs (p=0.003) than those receiving first-generation EGFR-TKIs. After propensity score matching (PSM), osimertinib was found to prolong OS (37.7 months vs. 22.2 months, p=0.027). Pattern of failure analyses found that 51.8% of the patients without upfront CLT developed their initial progressive disease (PD) in the brain and 59.0% of the cranial PD occurred at the original sites alone, suggesting potential clinical value of upfront CLT. Indeed, upfront stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and/or surgery was associated with improved OS among those receiving first-generation EGFR-TKIs (p=0.019) and those receiving osimertinib (p=0.041). In summary, compared with first-generation EGFR-TKIs, osimertinib is associated with improved OS in untreated EGFR-mutant NSCLC with BMs. Meanwhile, upfront SRS and/or surgery may provide extra survival benefit, which needs to be verified in future studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Protective effects of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid against myocardial infarction: Involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway activation and inhibiting Ca2+ influx via L-type Ca2+ channels

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) is a component extracted from licorice. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 18β-GA on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced acute myocardial infarction in rats and mice. Two consecutive days of subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg/day) resulted in acute myocardial infarction. We examined the pathological changes, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and expression of apoptosis in mouse hearts. The expressions of phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K (p-PI3K) and Akt (p-Akt) were determined by western blotting. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to observe the L-type Ca2+ currents, and the Ion Optix detection system was used for cell contraction and Ca2+ transient in isolated rat cardiac ventricular myocytes. In ISO-induced myocardial infarction, the J-point, heart rate, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde, glutathion, and reactive oxygen species decreased in mice after 18β-GA treatment. 18β-GA improved ISO-induced morphologic pathology, inhibited the inflammatory pathway response and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and inhibited PI3K/Akt signaling. 18β-GA could significantly inhibit ICa-L, myocardial contraction, and Ca2+ transient. This study demonstrates that 18β-GA has cardioprotective effects on acute myocardial infarction, which may be related to inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway, and reducing cell contractility and Ca2+ concentration via L-type Ca2+ channels.

Based on Activation of p62-Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway, Hesperidin Protects Arsenic-Trioxide-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Mice

Background: Hesperidin (HES) is a flavonoid glycoside found in the tangerine peel and has antioxidant properties. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an anti-tumour drug; however, its serious cardiotoxicity limits its clinical application. In addition, the protection of HES against ATO-induced cardiotoxicity has not been explored.

Objective: The study aims to investigate and identify the underlying effect and mechanism of HES on ATO-induced cardiotoxicity.

Methods: Fifty mice were randomly assigned to five groups. Mice were orally given HES:100 or 300 mg/kg/day concurrently and given ATO intraperitoneal injections: 7.5 mg/kg/day for 1 week. Blood and heart tissues were collected for examination. Evaluated in serum was the levels of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). In addition, evaluated in heart tissues were the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Caspase-3, cleaved-Caspase-3, p62, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The heart tissues were also examined for histopathology and mitochondrial ultrastructure.

Results: Compared with the ATO group, the HES treatment groups reduced the levels of CK, LDH, cTnI, ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, Bax, Caspase-3, cleaved-Caspase-3 and Keap1 and enhanced the levels of SOD, GSH, CAT, Bcl-2, p62 and Nrf2.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that HES protects against ATO-induced cardiotoxicity, through inhibiting oxidative stress, and subsequent inflammation and apoptosis. The underlying results are closely related to the regulation of the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 signalling pathway.

[Analysis of components of proteins from Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the components of proteins from Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid using the shotgun method, and to identify the active components with potential regulatory effects for immune dysregulation diseases.

METHODS

The E. granulosus cyst fluid was collected aseptically from the hepatic cysts of patients with cystic echinococcosis, and characterized by liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) following digestion with trypsin. The protein data were searched using the software MaxQuant version 1.6.1.0 and the cellular components, molecular functions, and biological processes of the identified proteins were analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO) method.

RESULTS

The E. granulosus cyst fluid separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) had a relative molecular mass of 25 to 70 kDa. LS-MS/MS analysis identified 37 proteins, including 32 known proteins and 5 unknown proteins. At least 4 proteins were preliminarily found to exhibit potential regulatory effects for immune dysregulation diseases, including antigen B, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), thioredoxin peroxidase (TPX) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH). GO enrichment analysis showed that the identified proteins had 149 molecular functions and were involved in 341 biological processes.

CONCLUSIONS

E. granulosus cyst fluid has a variety of protein components, and four known proteins are preliminarily identified to be associated with immune dysregulation diseases.

Improved approach for evaluating saturated surface infiltration capacity of interlocking-block permeable pavements

Different infiltration tests of permeable pavements provide different measurements of the infiltration capacity. These measurements often do not represent the fundamental flow properties, and hence cannot be directly compared. This presents an undesirable obstacle to the sharing of experience and to obtaining a better understanding of the infiltration performances of different permeable pavements. This problem is especially acute in the case of interlocking-block permeable pavements (IBPPs), owing to the presence of joints and the different sizes, shapes, and laying patterns of paving blocks. To overcome this problem, the present study proposed a new approach for evaluating the infiltration capacity of an IBPP while retaining the same measuring devices in use today. This approach makes use of a finite-volume computational fluid dynamic method to develop a simulation model for an infiltration test. Once calibrated to define the hydraulic parameters of the IBPP being tested, the model can be applied to calculate the saturated infiltration capacity of the IBPP under actual rainfall conditions. The model also permits the calculation of a conventional infiltration capacity measurement, such as the average infiltration rate in mm/h as measured by a particular infiltration test, or the time required to drain the tested water depth. Thus, the proposed approach provides a meaningful common basis for comparing the infiltration capacities of different permeable pavements, including porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and IBPPs.

Identification and Integrated Analysis of circRNA and miRNA of Radiation-Induced Lung Injury in a Mouse Model

Background

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a main threat to patients who received thoracic radiotherapy. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of RILI is of great importance. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to act as a regulator of multiple biological processes, and the circRNA-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA axis could play an important role in the signaling pathway of many human diseases including radiation injury.

Methods

First, the circRNA and miRNA of RILI in a mouse model were investigated. The mice received 12 Gy of thoracic irradiation, and the irradiated lung tissues at 48 hours after irradiation were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) compared with normal lung tissues. Then, Gene Ontology analysis of the target mRNAs of the significantly differently expressed circRNAs was performed.

Results

In the irradiated group, inflammatory changes in lungs were observed; 21 significantly up-regulated and 33 down-regulated significantly miRNAs were identified (p < 0.05). Among 27 differentially expressed circRNAs, 10 were down-regulated and 17 were up-regulated in the irradiated group [log2 (fold change) > 1 or < −1, p<0.05]. These differentially expressed miRNAs took part in a series of cellular processes, such as positive regulation of alpha-beta T-cell proliferation, interstitial matrix, collagen fibril organization, chemokine receptor activity, cellular defense response, and B-cell receptor signaling pathway. The differentially expressed circRNAs were related to Th1 and Th2 differentiation pathways, and the predicted mRNAs were verified.

Conclusion

This study revealed immune-related molecular pathways play an important role in the early response after radiotherapy. In the future, research on the target mechanism and early intervention of circRNAs with associated miRNAs such as circRNA5229, circRNA544, and circRNA3340, could benefit the treatment of RILI.

Ferulic acid attenuates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through inhibition of the ROCK/NF-κB signaling pathways

Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural polyphenol compound existing in many plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of FA on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced by high-cholesterol and high-fat diet (HCHF) and its possible mechanism. Rats were fed HCHF for 12 weeks to establish NASH model. FA improved liver coefficients and had no effect on body weight changes. FA could reduce serum alanine transferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST) activities. FA attenuated the increase of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels caused by NASH, improved the liver pathological damage induced by NASH, and inhibited the progression of liver fibrosis. FA prevented the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and attenuated the decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Meanwhile, FA significantly restored the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In addition, we also found that FA inhibited the activity of ROCK and the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in the liver of NASH rats. Overall, FA has a hepatoprotective anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects in NASH rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ROCK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

[8]-Gingerol exerts anti-myocardial ischemic effects in rats via modulation of the MAPK signaling pathway and L-type Ca2+ channels

Myocardial ischemia (MI) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Therefore, it is urgent to seek the treatment to protect the heart. [8]‐Gingerol (8‐Gin), one of the most active ingredients in ginger, has antioxidant, cardiotonic, and cardiovascular protective properties. The present study elucidated the cardioprotection effects and underlying mechanisms of 8‐Gin in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced MI. ISO (85 mg/kg/d) was subcutaneously injected for 2 consecutive days to induce acute MI model in rats. Electrocardiography, oxidative stress levels, calcium concentrations, and apoptosis degree were observed. The effects of 8‐Gin on L‐type Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca‐L), contraction, and Ca²⁺ transients were monitored in rat myocytes via patch‐clamp and IonOptix detection systems. 8‐Gin decreased J‐point elevation and heart rate and improved pathological heart damage. Moreover, 8‐Gin reduced the levels of CK, LDH, and MDA, ROS production, and calcium concentrations in myocardial tissue, while increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH. In addition, 8‐Gin down‐regulated Caspase‐3 and Bax expressions, while up‐regulated Bcl‐2 expression. 8‐Gin produced a marked decrease in the expression of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 proteins. 8‐Gin inhibited I_Ca‐L, cell contraction, and Ca²⁺ transients in isolated rat myocytes. The results indicate that 8‐Gin could exert anti‐myocardial ischemic effects, which may be associated with oxidative stress reduction, cardiomyocytes apoptosis inhibition through MAPK signaling pathway, and Ca²⁺ homeostasis regulation via I_Ca‐L modulation.

Baicalin Rescues Cognitive Dysfunction, Mitigates Neurodegeneration, and Exerts Anti-Epileptic Effects Through Activating TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 Pathway in Rats

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of anti-epileptic mechanisms of baicalin (BA) on cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic rats.

Methods

First, PTZ-induced epileptic rats were administered intraperitoneally a sub-convulsive dose of PTZ (40 mg/kg) daily, and the seizure susceptibility (the degree of seizures and latency) was evaluated using Racine’s criterion. Then, classical behavioral experiments were performed to test whether BA ameliorated cognitive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration was assessed using Fluoro Jade-B (FJB), and NeuN staining was used to determine whether BA offered a neuroprotective role. After BA had been proven to possess anti-epileptic effects, its possible mechanisms were analyzed through network pharmacology. Finally, the key targets for predictive mechanisms were experimentally verified.

Results

The epileptic model was successfully established, and BA had anti-epileptic effects. Epileptic rats displayed significant cognitive dysfunction, and BA markedly ameliorated cognitive dysfunction. Further, we also discovered that BA treatment mitigated neurodegeneration of the hippocampus CA3 regions, thereby ameliorated cognitive dysfunction of epileptic rats. Subsequent network pharmacology analysis was implemented to reveal a possible mechanism of BA in the anti-epileptic process and the TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 pathway was predicted. Finally, experimental studies showed that BA exerted an anti-epileptic effect by activating the TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 pathway in PTZ-induced epileptic rats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, BA had a protective effect against PTZ-induced seizures. BA improved cognitive dysfunction and exerted a neuroprotective action. The anti-epileptic effects of BA may be potentially through activation of the TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 pathway.

Investigation of the ameliorative effects of baicalin against arsenic trioxide-induced cardiac toxicity in mice

Baicalin (BA), a kind of flavonoids compound, comes from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (a kind of perennial herb) and has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system through anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis actions. However, the therapeutic effects and latent mechanisms of BA on arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced cardiac toxicity has not been reported. The present research was performed to explore the effects and mechanisms of BA on ATO-induced heart toxicity. Male Kunming mice were treated with ATO (7.5 mg/kg) to induce cardiac toxicity. After the mice received ATO, BA (50 and 100 mg/kg) was administered for estimating its cardioprotective effects. Statistical data demonstrated that BA treatment alleviated electrocardiogram abnormalities and pathological injury caused by ATO. BA could also lead to recovery of CK and LDH activities to normal range and cause a decrease in MDA levels and ROS generation, augmentation of SOD, CAT, and GSH activities. We also found that BA caused a reduction in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, BA attenuated ATO-induced apoptosis by promoting the expression of Bcl-2 and suppressing the expression of Bax and caspase-3. TUNEL test result demonstrated BA caused impediment of ATO-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, BA treatment suppressed the high expression of TLR4, NF-κB and P-NF-κB caused by ATO. In conclusion, these results indicate that BA may alleviate ATO-induced cardiac toxicity by restraining oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, and its mechanism would be associated with the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

8-Gingerol Ameliorates Myocardial Fibrosis by Attenuating Reactive Oxygen Species, Apoptosis, and Autophagy via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway

8-gingerol (8-Gin) is the series of phenolic substance that is extracted from ginger. Although many studies have revealed that 8-Gin has multiple pharmacological properties, the possible underlying mechanisms of 8-Gin against myocardial fibrosis (MF) remains unclear. The study examined the exact role and potential mechanisms of 8-Gin against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MF. Male mice were intraperitoneally injected with 8-Gin (10 and 20 mg/kg/d) and concurrently subcutaneously injected with ISO (10 mg/kg/d) for 2 weeks. Electrocardiography, pathological heart morphology, myocardial enzymes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, degree of apoptosis, and autophagy pathway-related proteins were measured. Our study observed 8-Gin significantly reduced J-point elevation and heart rate. Besides, 8-Gin caused a marked decrease in cardiac weight index and left ventricle weight index, serum levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (CK and LDH, respectively), ROS generation, and attenuated ISO-induced pathological heart damage. Moreover, treatment with 8-Gin resulted in a marked decrease in the levels of collagen types I and III and TGF-β in the heart tissue. Our results showed 8-Gin exposure significantly suppressed ISO-induced autophagosome formation. 8-Gin also could lead to down-regulation of the activities of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), Caspase-9, and Bax protein, up-regulation of the activity of Bcl-2 protein, and alleviation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, 8-Gin produced an obvious increase in the expressions of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins. Our data showed that 8-Gin exerted cardioprotective effects on ISO-induced MF, which possibly occurred in connection with inhibition of ROS generation, apoptosis, and autophagy via modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Baicalin ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression through the BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can activate the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) cascade revealing an important role in antidepressant effects. Here, we studied the neuroprotective effect of baicalin (BA) in mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced via a BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway. Depression was induced via six weeks of CUMS in male ICR mice, and drug therapy was given simultaneously for the last three weeks. Cognitive dysfunctions were then evaluated via sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), Morris water maze test (MWM), tail suspension test (TST), and novelty suppressed feeding test (NSF). Western blot and real-time PCR were then used to detect the relative expression of ERK, CREB, p-ERK, and p-CREB. Integrated optical density (IOD) tests of p-ERK and p-CREB were then evaluated via immunofluorescence. The behavior results showed that the cognitive dysfunctions increased in the CUMS group versus the control (CON) group (p < 0.01). There were decreases in fluoxetine (FLU) and BA groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The protein ratios of p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB and ERK mRNA, and CREB mRNA expression decreased in the CUMS group (p < 0.01) and markedly increased in the FLU and BA groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The IOD value of the p-ERK and p-CREB in the CUMS group was decreased versus the CON group (p < 0.01), and these changes were improved via BA and FLU treatment (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). This study indicated that BA can improve cognitive functions and has antidepressant effects in mice, which may be associated with activation of the BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus.

10-Gingerol alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cardiomyocyte injury through inhibition of the Wnt5a/Frizzled-2 pathway

10-Gingerol (10-Gin), an active ingredient extracted from ginger, has been reported to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. However, 10-Gin has not been proved to offer protection against cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of 10-Gin against H/R-induced injury and its potential mechanisms in cardiomyocytes. A H/R injury model of H9c2 cardiomyocytes was established using 600 μmol/L CoCl2 to induce hypoxia in the cells for 24 hr and then reoxygenated for 3 hr. 10-Gin was pretreated with H9c2 cardiomyocytes for 24 hr to assess its cardiomyocyte protection. Our results showed that 10-Gin improved the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes in the H/R model and decreased the activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and the generation of reactive oxygen species. By intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) fluorescence, we found that 10-Gin could significantly reduce the [Ca2+]i concentration. 10-Gin administration increased the activities of antioxidase and reduced malondialdehyde content and inflammatory cytokine levels. 10-Gin also reduced the apoptosis levels. Importantly, 10-Gin administration decreased the gene and protein expressions of Wnt5a and Frizzled-2. In conclusion, 10-Gin alleviates H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury, which is associated with the antioxidation, anti-inflammation, antiapoptosis action, and reduction of [Ca2+]i overload by suppressing the Wnt5a/Frizzled-2 pathway.

Influence of Crocetin, a Natural Carotenoid Dicarboxylic Acid in Saffron, on L-Type Ca2+ Current, Intracellular Ca2+ Handling and Contraction of Isolated Rat Cardiomyocytes

Crocetin is a major bioactive ingredient in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and has favorable cardiovascular effects. Here, the effects of crocetin on L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca-L), contractility, and the Ca²⁺ transients of rat cardiomyocytes, were investigated via patch-clamp technique and the Ion Optix system. A 600 µg/mL dose of crocetin decreased I_Ca-L 31.50 ± 2.53% in normal myocytes and 35.56 ± 2.42% in ischemic myocytes, respectively. The current voltage nexus of the calcium current, the reversal of the calcium current, and the activation/deactivation of the calcium current was not changed. At 600 µg/mL, crocetin abated cell shortening by 28.6 ± 2.31%, with a decrease in the time to 50% of the peak and a decrease in the time to 50% of the baseline. At 600 µg/mL, crocetin abated the crest value of the ephemeral Ca²⁺ by 31.87 ± 2.57%. The time to half maximal of Ca²⁺ peak and the time constant of decay of Ca²⁺ transient were both reduced. Our results suggest that crocetin inhibits L-type Ca²⁺ channels, causing decreased intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and contractility in adult rat ventricular myocytes. These findings reveal crocetin's potential use as a calcium channel antagonist for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Age Differences in State Curiosity: Examining the Role of Personal Relevance

OBJECTIVES

Curiosity, or the desire for novel information and/or experience, is associated with improved well-being and more informed decisions, which has implications on older adults' (OAs') adoption of novel technologies. There have been suggestions that curiosity tends to decline with age. However, it was rarely studied under specific contexts, and there were relatively limited attempts to enhance OAs' curiosity. Under the theoretical framework of selective engagement theory, we examined age differences of curiosity in the context of learning a novel technology and investigated the moderating role of personal relevance.

METHOD

This study utilized a pretest-posttest experimental design with a total of 50 younger adults (YAs) and 50 OAs from Hong Kong to measure their trait curiosity, perceived personal relevance, and state curiosity toward robots after interacting with a robot.

RESULTS

OAs showed significantly lower trait curiosity than YAs, but OAs showed a higher level of state curiosity toward a robot than YAs when they perceived an increase in personal relevance after interacting with the robot.

CONCLUSION

Findings replicated previous findings that trait curiosity declined with age, but they also illustrated the distinctions between trait and state curiosity in the context of aging and highlighted the potential role of personal relevance in enhancing curiosity of OAs.