Mimicking partial to total placental insufficiency in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy

Research Progress on the Role of the Interleukin Family in the Pathogenesis of Cerebral Palsy in Children

Cerebral palsy (CP), a common neurological disorder in children, remains a significant research focus. The interleukin (IL) family, pivotal mediators in inflammatory responses, shows increased expression in various neuroinflammatory diseases, markedly influencing their onset and progression. Elevated IL levels in the brains of children with CP, in contrast to healthy peers, reflect similar elevations in neurological conditions linked to CP, indicating a strong association between CP and the IL family. Anti-inflammatory therapies, particularly those targeting ILs, have shown effectiveness in animal models, diverging from traditional CP management methods. This shift suggests IL modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy in pediatric CP. This review consolidates recent findings on the IL family's role in CP, illuminating their evolving relationship.

Rapid lung ventilation MRI using parahydrogen-induced polarization of propane gas

Proton-hyperpolarized contrast agents are attractive because they can be imaged on virtually any clinical MRI scanner, which is typically equipped to scan only protons rather than heteronuclei (i.e., anything besides protons, e.g., 13C, 15N, 129Xe, 23Na, etc.). Even though the lifetime of the proton spin hyperpolarization is only a few seconds, it is sufficient for inhalation and scanning of proton-hyperpolarized gas media. We demonstrate the utility of producing hyperpolarized propane gas via heterogeneous parahydrogen-induced polarization for the purpose of ventilation imaging in an excised rabbit lung model. The magnetization of protons in hyperpolarized propane gas is similar to that of tissue water protons, making it possible to rapidly perform lung ventilation imaging with a 0.35 T clinical MRI scanner. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of rapid (2 s) lung ventilation MRI in excised rabbit lungs using hyperpolarized propane gas with a 1 × 1 mm2 pixel size using a 50 mm slice thickness, and a 1.7 × 1.7 mm2 pixel size using a 9 mm slice thickness.

Targeting NQO1 induces ferroptosis and triggers anti-tumor immunity in immunotherapy-resistant KEAP1-deficient cancers

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, yet the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches remains limited. Resistance to ferroptosis is one of the reasons for the poor therapeutic outcomes in tumors with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) mutations. However, the specific mechanisms by which KEAP1-mutant tumors resist immunotherapy are not fully understood. In this study, we showed that the loss of function in KEAP1 results in resistance to ferroptosis. We identified NAD(P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) as a transcriptional target of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and revealed that inducing NQO1-mediated ferroptosis in KEAP1-deficient tumors triggers an antitumor immune cascade. Additionally, it was found that NQO1 protein levels could serve as a candidate biomarker for predicting sensitivity to immunotherapy in clinical tumor patients. We validated these findings in several preclinical tumor models. Overall, KEAP1 mutations define a unique disease phenotype, and targeting its key downstream molecule NQO1 offers new hope for patients with resistance to immunotherapy.

TPTEP1 impedes the reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism in triple negative breast cancer via miR-1343-3p/SIRT3 axis

Recently, the important role of fatty acid (FA) metabolism in cancers has been highlighted. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is determined as an important regulator in the FA metabolism of cancer cells. We are going to verify whether and how lncRNA transmembrane phosphatase with tensin homology pseudogene 1 (TPTEP1) and SIRT3 may exert certain impact on the FA metabolism in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Firstly, TPTEP1 was verified to be with low expression in TNBC cells. Moreover, down-regulation of TPTEP1 was caused by YY1 transcription factor. Functional assays determined the effects of TPTEP1 on the process of TNBC. The results disclosed that TPTEP1 up-regulation significantly repressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT and the reprogramming of FA metabolism in TNBC. Mechanism experiments detected the regulatory mechanism between TPTEP1 and SIRT3, which turned out that TPTEP1 positively regulated SIRT3 to affect FOXO3a and inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via sponging miR-1343-3p. All in all, TPTEP1 functioned as a tumor suppressor to regulate TNBC progression via the miR-1343-3p/SIRT3/FOXO3a/Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Developing Hyperpolarized Butane Gas for Ventilation Lung Imaging

NMR hyperpolarization dramatically improves the detection sensitivity of magnetic resonance through the increase in nuclear spin polarization. Because of the sensitivity increase by several orders of magnitude, additional applications have been unlocked, including imaging of gases in physiologically relevant conditions. Hyperpolarized 129Xe gas recently received FDA approval as the first inhalable gaseous MRI contrast agent for clinical functional lung imaging of a wide range of pulmonary diseases. However, production and utilization of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas faces a number of translational challenges including the high cost and complexity of contrast agent production and imaging using proton-only (i.e., conventional) clinical MRI scanners, which are typically not suited to scan 129Xe nuclei. As a solution to circumvent the translational challenges of hyperpolarized 129Xe, we have recently demonstrated the feasibility of a simple and cheap process for production of proton-hyperpolarized propane gas contrast agent using ultralow-cost disposable production equipment and demonstrated the feasibility of lung ventilation imaging using hyperpolarized propane gas in excised pig lungs. However, previous pilot studies have concluded that the hyperpolarized state of propane gas decays very fast with an exponential decay T 1 constant of ∼0.8 s at 1 bar (physiologically relevant pressure); moreover, the previously reported production rates were too slow for potential clinical utilization. Here, we investigate the feasibility of high-capacity production of hyperpolarized butane gas via heterogeneous parahydrogen-induced polarization using Rh nanoparticle-based catalyst utilizing butene gas as a precursor for parahydrogen pairwise addition. We demonstrate a remarkable result: the lifetime of the hyperpolarized state can be nearly doubled compared to that of propane (T 1 of ∼1.6 s and long-lived spin-state T S of ∼3.8 s at clinically relevant 1 bar pressure). Moreover, we demonstrate a production speed of up to 0.7 standard liters of hyperpolarized gas per second. These two synergistic developments pave the way to biomedical utilization of proton-hyperpolarized gas media for ventilation imaging. Indeed, here we demonstrate the feasibility of phantom imaging of hyperpolarized butane gas in Tedlar bags and also the feasibility of subsecond 2D ventilation gas imaging in excised rabbit lungs with 1.6 × 1.6 mm2 in-plane resolution using a clinical MRI scanner. The demonstrated results have the potential to revolutionize functional pulmonary imaging with a simple and inexpensive on-demand production of proton-hyperpolarized gas contrast media, followed by visualization on virtually any MRI scanner, including emerging bedside low-field MRI scanner technology.

TUG1 exacerbates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through miR-340-5p-mediated PTEN

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play a substantial role in the process of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). The present work aimed to determine the probable mechanism by which LncRNA TUG1 exacerbates CIRI via the miR-340-5p/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) pathway. After developing a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model, pcDNA-TUG1 together with miR-340-5p agomir were administrated in vivo. Furthermore, the neurologic defects in rats were assessed by a modified neurological severity score. Moreover, 2,3,5-Triphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium chloride stain-step was performed to determine the brain's infarct size. In addition, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR experiments were utilized for gauging the proteomic/genomic expression-profiles. Luciferase reporter assay validated correlations across TUG1, miR-340-5p, together with PTEN. The results indicated relatively reduced miR-340-5p levels in MCAO/R models, while upregulated TUG1 levels. The pcDNA-TUG1-treated rats indicated increasing neurological dysfunction, whereas the miR-340-5p agomir-treated rats showed improvement. Furthermore, miR-340-5p was determined to be the expected and confirmed TUG1 target. All things considered, the findings suggested that PTEN can serve as the target of miR-340-5p. In addition, TUG1 served as a miR-340-5p ceRNA, which promotes PTEN modulation. Furthermore, TUG1 overexpression decreased miR-340-5p's capacity to fend against CIRI. Conclusively, this work proved that in CIRI, targeting the TUG1/miR-340-5p/PTEN regulatory axis is a viable approach for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Distinguishing Laterality in Brain Injury in Rabbit Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Novel Volume Rendering Techniques

INTRODUCTION

Our laboratory has been exploring the MRI detection of fetal brain injury, which previously provided a prognostic biomarker for newborn hypertonia in an animal model of cerebral palsy (CP). The biomarker relies on distinct patterns of diffusion-weighted imaging-defined apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in fetal brains during uterine hypoxia-ischemia (H-I). Despite the challenges posed by small brains and tissue acquisition, our objective was to differentiate between left and right brain ADC changes.

METHODS

A novel aspect involved utilizing three-dimensional rendering techniques to refine ADC measurements within spheroids encompassing fetal brain tissue. 25-day gestation age of rabbit fetuses underwent global hypoxia due to maternal uterine ischemia.

RESULTS

Successful differentiation of left and right brain regions was achieved in 28% of the fetal brains. Ordinal analysis revealed predominantly higher ADC on the left side compared to the right at baseline and across the entire time series. During H-I and reperfusion-reoxygenation, the right side exhibited a favored percentage change. Among these fetal brains, 73% exhibited the ADC pattern predictive of hypertonia. No significant differences between left and right sides were observed in patterns predicting hypertonia, except for one timepoint during H-I. This study also highlights a balance between left-sided and right-sided alterations within the population.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the importance of investigating laterality and asymmetric hemispheric lesions for early diagnosis of brain injury, leading to CP. The technological limitations in obtaining a clear picture of the entire fetal brain for every fetus mirror the challenges encountered in human studies.

Toward Lung Ventilation Imaging Using Hyperpolarized Diethyl Ether Gas Contrast Agent

Hyperpolarized 129Xe gas was FDA-approved as an inhalable contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of a wide range of pulmonary diseases in December 2022. Despite the remarkable success in clinical research settings, the widespread clinical translation of HP 129Xe gas faces two critical challenges: the high cost of the relatively low-throughput hyperpolarization equipment and the lack of 129Xe imaging capability on clinical MRI scanners, which have narrow-bandwidth electronics designed only for proton (1H) imaging. To solve this translational grand challenge of gaseous hyperpolarized MRI contrast agents, here we demonstrate the utility of batch-mode production of proton-hyperpolarized diethyl ether gas via heterogeneous pairwise addition of parahydrogen to ethyl vinyl ether. An approximately 0.1-liter bolus of hyperpolarized diethyl ether gas was produced in 1 second and injected in excised rabbit lungs. Lung ventilation imaging was performed using sub-second 2D MRI with up to 2×2 mm2 in-plane resolution using a clinical 0.35 T MRI scanner without any modifications. This feasibility demonstration paves the way for the use of inhalable diethyl ether as a gaseous contrast agent for pulmonary MRI applications using any clinical MRI scanner.

Development of A New Scoring System in Higher Animals for Testing Cognitive Function in the Newborn Period: Effect of Prenatal Hypoxia-Ischemia

Introduction Enhanced models for assessing cognitive function in the neonatal period are imperative in higher animals. Postnatal motor deficits, characteristic of cerebral palsy, emerge in newborn kits within our prenatal-rabbit model of hypoxia-ischemia (HI). In humans, prenatal HI leads to intellectual disability and cerebral palsy. In a study examining cognitive function in newborn rabbits, we explored several questions. Is there a distinction between conditioned and unconditioned kits? Can the kits discern the human face or the lab coat? Do motorically-normal kits, born after prenatal HI, exhibit cognitive deficits? Methods The conditioning protocol was randomly assigned to kits from each litter. For conditioning, the same human, wearing a lab coat, fed the rabbit kits for 9 days before the cognitive test. The 6-arm radial maze was chosen for its simplicity and ease of use. Normally appearing kits, born after uterine ischemia at 79% or 92% term in New Zealand White rabbits, were compared to Naïve kits. On postpartum day 22/23 or 29/30, the 6-arm maze helped determine if the kits recognized the original feeder from bystander (Test-1) or the lab coat on bystander (Test-2). The use of masks of feeder/bystander (Test-3) assessed confounding cues. A weighted score was devised to address variability in entry to maze arms, time, and repeated-trial learning. Results In conditioned kits, both Naïve and HI kits exhibited a significant preference for the face of the feeder, but not the lab coat. Cognitive deficits were minimal in normal-appearing HI kits. Conclusion The weighted score system was amenable to statistical manipulation.

Transplantation of human neural stem cell prevents symptomatic motor behavior disability in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a ubiquitous brain cell degeneration disease and presents a significant therapeutic challenge. By injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the left medial forebrain bundle, rats were made to exhibit PD-like symptoms and treated by intranasal administration of a low-dose (2 × 105) or high-dose (1 × 106) human neural stem cells (hNSCs). Apomorphine-induced rotation test, stepping test, and open field test were implemented to evaluate the motor behavior and high-performance liquid chromatography was carried out to detect dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid in the striatum of rats. Animals injected with 6-OHDA showed significant motor function deficits and damaged dopaminergic system compared to the control group, which can be restored by hNSCs treatment. Treatment with hNSCs significantly increased the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cell count in the substantia nigra of PD animals. Moreover, the levels of neurotransmitters exhibited a significant decline in the striatum tissue of animals injected with 6-OHDA when compared to that of the control group. However, transplantation of hNSCs significantly elevated the concentration of DA and DOPAC in the injured side of the striatum. Our study offered experimental evidence to support prospects of hNSCs for clinical application as a cell-based therapy for PD.

Spinal motoneurons respond aberrantly to serotonin in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by a variety of factors that damage the developing central nervous system. Impaired motor control, including muscle stiffness and spasticity, is the hallmark of spastic CP. Rabbits that experience hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) injury in utero (at 70%-83% gestation) are born with muscle stiffness, hyperreflexia and, as recently discovered, increased 5-HT in the spinal cord. To determine whether serotonergic modulation of spinal motoneurons (MNs) contributes to motor deficits, we performed ex vivo whole cell patch clamp in neonatal rabbit spinal cord slices at postnatal day (P) 0-5. HI MNs responded to the application of α-methyl 5-HT (a 5-HT1 /5-HT2 receptor agonist) and citalopram (a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor) with increased amplitude and hyperpolarization of persistent inward currents and hyperpolarized threshold voltage for action potentials, whereas control MNs did not exhibit any of these responses. Although 5-HT similarly modulated MN properties of HI motor-unaffected and motor-affected kits, it affected sag/hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih ) and spike frequency adaptation only in HI motor-affected MNs. To further explore the differential sensitivity of MNs to 5-HT, we performed immunostaining for inhibitory 5-HT1A receptors in lumbar spinal MNs at P5. Fewer HI MNs expressed the 5-HT1A receptor compared to age-matched control MNs. This suggests that HI MNs may lack a normal mechanism of central fatigue, mediated by 5-HT1A receptors. Altered expression of other 5-HT receptors (including 5-HT2 ) likely also contributes to the robust increase in HI MN excitability. In summary, by directly exciting MNs, the increased concentration of spinal 5-HT in HI-affected rabbits can cause MN hyperexcitability, muscle stiffness and spasticity characteristic of CP. Therapeutic strategies that target serotonergic neuromodulation may be beneficial to individuals with CP. KEY POINTS: We used whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology to test the responsivity of spinal motoneurons (MNs) from neonatal control and hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) rabbits to 5-HT, which is elevated in the spinal cord after prenatal HI injury. HI rabbit MNs showed a more robust excitatory response to 5-HT than control rabbit MNs, including hyperpolarization of the persistent inward current and threshold voltage for action potentials. Although most MN properties of HI motor-unaffected and motor-affected kits responded similarly to 5-HT, 5-HT caused larger sag/hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih ) and altered repetitive firing patterns only in HI motor-affected MNs. Immunostaining revealed that fewer lumbar MNs expressed inhibitory 5-HT1A receptors in HI rabbits compared to controls, which could account for the more robust excitatory response of HI MNs to 5-HT. These results suggest that elevated 5-HT after prenatal HI injury could trigger a cascade of events that lead to muscle stiffness and altered motor unit development.

Spinal motoneurons respond aberrantly to serotonin in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by a variety of factors that damage the developing central nervous system. Impaired motor control, including muscle stiffness and spasticity, is the hallmark of spastic CP. Rabbits that experience hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury in utero (at 70-80% gestation) are born with muscle stiffness, hyperreflexia, and, as recently discovered, increased serotonin (5-HT) in the spinal cord. To determine whether serotonergic modulation of spinal motoneurons (MNs) contributes to motor deficits, we performed ex vivo whole cell patch clamp in neonatal rabbit spinal cord slices at postnatal day (P) 0-5. HI MNs responded to application of α-methyl 5-HT (a 5-HT 1 /5-HT 2 receptor agonist) and citalopram (a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor) with hyperpolarization of persistent inward currents and threshold voltage for action potentials, reduced maximum firing rate, and an altered pattern of spike frequency adaptation while control MNs did not exhibit any of these responses. To further explore the differential sensitivity of MNs to 5-HT, we performed immunohistochemistry for inhibitory 5-HT 1A receptors in lumbar spinal MNs at P5. Fewer HI MNs expressed the 5-HT 1A receptor compared to age-matched controls. This suggests many HI MNs lack a normal mechanism of central fatigue mediated by 5-HT 1A receptors. Other 5-HT receptors (including 5-HT 2 ) are likely responsible for the robust increase in HI MN excitability. In summary, by directly exciting MNs, the increased concentration of spinal 5-HT in HI rabbits can cause MN hyperexcitability, muscle stiffness, and spasticity characteristic of CP. Therapeutic strategies that target serotonergic neuromodulation may be beneficial to individuals with CP.

Key points

After prenatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI), neonatal rabbits that show hypertonia are known to have higher levels of spinal serotoninWe tested responsivity of spinal motoneurons (MNs) in neonatal control and HI rabbits to serotonin using whole cell patch clampMNs from HI rabbits showed a more robust excitatory response to serotonin than control MNs, including hyperpolarization of the persistent inward current and threshold for action potentials, larger post-inhibitory rebound, and less spike frequency adaptation Based on immunohistochemistry of lumbar MNs, fewer HI MNs express inhibitory 5HT 1A receptors than control MNs, which could account for the more robust excitatory response of HI MNs. These results suggest that after HI injury, the increased serotonin could trigger a cascade of events leading to muscle stiffness and altered motor unit development.

Targeted Perioperative Nursing Combined with Propofol and Fentanyl for Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical effects of targeted perioperative nursing combined with propofol and fentanyl in gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

Patients who were admitted to our hospital for gynecological laparoscopic surgeries from October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Patients in group A received routine propofol and fentanyl. Patients in group B received targeted perioperative nursing on the basis of interventions in group A. The anesthetic effects, clinical indicators, mental health status, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 84 qualified patients were retrieved. The total effective anesthesia rate, extubation time, operation time, consciousness recovery time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, SAS score, SDS score, health status indicators, and adverse events in group B were all significantly better than those in group A (P < 0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusion

Combined intervention (propofol + fentanyl + targeted perioperative care) for gynecological laparoscopic surgery patients has a significant anesthesia effect, which can effectively improve the patient's clinical indicators and mental health status and can also reduce the occurrence of adverse events. It has good safety and can be widely used in clinical practice.

Clinical Study on Blood Pressure Variability, Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Arteriosclerosis Index in Patients with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Treated with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine by Invigorating Kidney and Removing Blood Stasis

Objective

To explore the clinical improvement in blood pressure variability, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and angiosclerosis index in patients with cerebral small vessel disease treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Methods

A randomized controlled study of patients with cerebral small vessel disease who were treated in our hospital from November 1, 2018, to January 31, 2022. The enrolled patients were randomized into 2 groups according to the random numbers: an observation group treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and a control group treated with Western medicine only. Blood pressure variability, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and angiosclerosis index were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were 71 qualified cases in the observation group and 58 qualified cases in the control group. Before treatment, the indicators between the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). After treatment, the mean values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05); the decrease of 24hSBP-coefficient of variation (CV), daytime SBP (dSBP)-CV, 24hSBP-standard deviation (SD), and dSBP-SD in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group; the MoCA scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group ((P < 0.05); the ABI and PWV were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05); TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C in observation group decreased after treatment, and HDL-C increased significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can further reduce the blood pressure variability, especially systolic blood pressure; improve the MoCA score and cognitive function, increase the ankle-brachial index, reduce pulse wave velocity and the degree of arteriosclerosis; and improve lipid metabolism a comprehensive intervention role.

Early Identification of High-Risk Factors for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Objective

To identify simple and accurate pre-endoscopy risk factors for early identification of high-risk upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Methods

Patients who were admitted to Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding were retrieved, and the detailed clinical data of the above patients were collected. Patients with a definite diagnosis of bleeding from esophageal/and gastric varices were assigned to the high-risk group. Patients with bleeding not caused by varices were divided into a high-risk and a low-risk group according to the Forrest grading and scoring standard (high-risk group Forrest Ia-IIb, low-risk group Forrest IIc-III). Univariate analysis, t-test, chi-square test, binary logistic regression, ROC curve (Receiver-operating characteristic curve), etc. were employed for analysis in order to identify some simple and accurate risk factors for high-risk upper digestion tract bleeding before endoscopy.

Results

A total of 916 patients were collected. Three risk factors among the screened risk factors (1) hemoglobin ≤ 85 g/L, (2) vomiting red blood, and (3) “red bloody stool” were analyzed by ROC curve analysis. The specificities of each factor were 78.4%, 94.5%, and 96.7%, respectively, and the sensitivities were 71.8%, 55.9%, and 23.1%, respectively. We also derived a risk prediction scoring system for the three factors that meet the high risk such as (1) hemoglobin ≤ 83 g/L, (2)vomiting red blood, and (3) “red bloody stool.” The area under the ROC curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity were 0.877, 0.904, and 0.746.

Conclusion

Hemoglobin ≤ 85 g/L, vomiting red blood, and red bloody stool were included in a simple scoring standard for predicting high-risk UGIB patients before endoscopy. The new risk prediction scoring system requires only three indicators and has the advantages of high accuracy, short time-consuming, and easy application.

Carbetocin Controls Intraoperative Blood Loss and Thickness of Myometrium in Scar Uterus Cases

Objective

To study the effect of carbetocin on intraoperative blood loss and thickness of myometrium during cesarean section with the scarred uterus at term pregnancy.

Methods

Pregnant women with full-term gestational scar uterus who underwent cesarean section from March 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022, were retrospectively collected and divided into a reference group (using oxytocin) or a study group (using carbetocin). The clinical data of the two groups were retrospectively analyzed, and the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, uterine contraction effect, changes in the myometrium, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 103 pregnant women were retrieved. There were 44 cases in the reference group and 59 cases in the study group. There were significant differences in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, postoperative adverse events, uterine fundus wall thickness, anterior wall thickness, posterior wall thickness, and uterine contraction effect between the two groups (p=0.0001, 0.005, 0.006, 0.001, 0.0004, 0.003, 0.001, and 0.005, respectively). There were no significant differences in estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) between the two groups before the surgery (p=0.596, 0.840, and 0.940, respectively), but there were significant differences after the surgery (p=0.011, 0.001, and 0.005, respectively).

Conclusion

The use of carbetocin in the cesarean section of a full-term scar uterus is significantly effective in shortening the operation time, reducing the amount of intraoperative blood loss, and promoting the recovery of the uterus.

Enhanced nociceptive behavior and expansion of associated primary afferents in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is a movement disorder marked by hypertonia and hyperreflexia; the most prevalent comorbidity is pain. Since spinal nociceptive afferents contribute to both the sensation of painful stimuli as well as reflex circuits involved in movement, we investigated the relationship between prenatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) injury which can cause CP, and possible changes in spinal nociceptive circuitry. To do this, we examined nociceptive afferents and mechanical and thermal sensitivity of New Zealand White rabbit kits after prenatal HI or a sham surgical procedure. As described previously, a range of motor deficits similar to spastic CP was observed in kits born naturally after HI (40 min at ~70%-80% gestation). We found that HI caused an expansion of peptidergic afferents (marked by expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide) in both the superficial and deep dorsal horn at postnatal day (P)5. Non-peptidergic nociceptive afferent arborization (labeled by isolectin B4) was unaltered in HI kits, but overlap of the two populations (peptidergic and non-peptidergic nociceptors) was increased by HI. Density of glial fibrillary acidic protein was unchanged within spinal cord white matter regions important in nociceptive transmission at P5. We found that mechanical and thermal nociception was enhanced in HI kits even in the absence of motor deficits. These findings suggest that prenatal HI injury impacts spinal sensory pathways in addition to the more well-established disruptions to descending motor circuits. In conclusion, changes to spinal nociceptive circuitry could disrupt spinal reflexes and contribute to pain experienced by individuals with CP.

miR-28-5p's Targeting of GAGE12I Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Gastric Cancer in Vitro

GAGE12I is a tumor metastasis-promoting factor, which can induce gastric cancer cells to invade and migrate. We investigated the effect of miR-28-5p targeting GAGE12I on proliferation, invasion, and migration of human gastric cancer cell lines SGC-7901, AGS, and MGC-803. The expression levels of miR-28-5p and GAGE12I were detected by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured by MTT and Transwell chamber. The interaction between miR-28-5p and GAGE12I was investigated by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay. Results showed that the expression of miR-28-5p in human gastric cancer cell lines was lower than that in normal gastric epithelial cells (P < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-28-5p suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and migration (P < 0.05). GAGE12I was confirmed as a target of miR-28-5p. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were decreased in cells transfected with shGAGE12I compared with those of the scrambled group (P < 0.05). Collectively, miR-28-5p negatively regulated GAGE12I and reduced the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells.

A Retrospective Study of Chemotherapy and 3D-Image-Guided Afterloading Intracavitary Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

Aim

To investigate the value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with 3D-image-guided afterloading intracavitary radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

Methods

Patients with cervical cancer admitted to our hospital from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021 were retrieved and analyzed. Cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 3D-image-guided afterloading intracavitary radiotherapy were assigned into the observation group (OG), while cases with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone were assigned into the control group (CG). The short-term effects were determined by RECIST 1.1. Total effective rate (TR) = complete remission (CR) + partial remission (PR). The serum levels of squamous epithelial cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), glycoantigen 125 (CA125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed. In view of the difference between tumor markers and diameters before and after treatment, the correlation between them was analyzed by Pearson test. The adverse events were compared, and the amount of operative bleeding and operation time were evaluated. Cox regression analysis was conducted to assess the influencing factors of 1-year disease-free survival time.

Results

Sixty-seven patients were retrieved, including 30 cases in the OG and 37 cases in the CG. There were no significant differences in age, pathological type, tumor size, FIGO stage, past medical history, or smoking history between the two groups (P > 0.05). The TR of patients in the OG was higher than that in the CG (P < 0.05). The SCC-Ag, CA125, CEA, and VEGF levels in the OG decreased markedly after treatment (P < 0.001). The difference in SCC-Ag, CA125, CEA, and VEGF was positively correlated with the difference in tumor diameter before and after treatment (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events revealed no obvious difference between the OG and CG (P > 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that FIGO stage and treatment regimens were independent prognostic factors for 1-year disease-free survival (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with 3D-image-guided afterloading intracavitary radiotherapy can improve the TR rate and 1-year disease-free survival of LACC patients without increasing the incidence of adverse events.

Clinical Application of Multi-Index Combined Risk Assessment in Early Pregnancy for Screening of Preeclampsia

Objective

To explore the predictive value of single-index screening or multi-index combined screening for preeclampsia.

Methods

From January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy who had been regularly checked in each center since the first trimester (between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation) were retrieved from multiple participating centers. The risk calculation software LifeCycle 7.0 was used to calculate the risk values before 32 weeks, 34 weeks, and 37 weeks of gestation, and through a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the predictive values of pregnancy-associated protein A (PAPP-A), the placental growth factor (PLGF), the mean arterial pressure (MAP), the uterine artery pulsatility index (UTPI), or a combined multi-index were calculated for preeclampsia.

Results

Finally, 22 pregnant women developed preeclampsia, and the area under the ROC curve of the PAPP-A + PLGF + MAP + UTPI combined screening program was greater than that of other screening programs before 37 weeks of gestation (AUC = 0.975, 0.946, or 0.840 for <32 weeks, <34 weeks, or <37 weeks, respectively). At 32 weeks, the Youden index was at its maximum.

Conclusion

PAPP-A + PLGF + MAP + UTPI combined screening is the optimal screening mode for preeclampsia screening before 37 weeks of gestation, and the combined prediction using multiple indicators in early pregnancy is more suitable for predicting the risk of early-onset preeclampsia.

Efficacy Evaluation of High-Volume Hemofiltration in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of high-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) in the treatment of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by sepsis and its effect on serum levels of miR-126, miR-184, and MAP1-LC3.

Methods

From July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021, patients with severe ARDS caused by sepsis who were admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who received conventional treatment were summarized into the control group, and those who received HVHF were summarized into the study group. The treatment effects of the two groups were compared.

Results

Ninety-five qualified patients were retrieved, with 42 patients in the control group and 53 patients in the study group. After treatment, the levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, miR-126, miR-184, and MAP1-LC3 were significantly lower in the study group (P < 0.05 for all), whereas PEF, FRC, TEF25%, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and blood oxygen were significantly higher in the study group (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

HVHF has a good clinical effect on improving patients with severe ARDS caused by sepsis and can improve the pulmonary function of patients.

Elevated Plasma Interleukin-35 as a Prognostic Indicator in Localized Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

The aim of the study is to investigate the prognostic value of plasma interleukin-35 in the surgical treatment of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Material and Methods. Plasma IL-35 levels were measured in patients with ccRCC. The cut-off value of IL-35 was determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the area under the curve (AUC). The effects of the IL-35 and other clinicopathological characteristics on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Result

Sixty-four ccRCC patients admitted to the urology department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were selected, of whom 50 were diagnosed with localized ccRCC. Plasma interleukin-35 levels were significantly higher in patients with ccRCC than that in healthy controls. The cut-off value of IL-35 was 99.7 pg/mL. Multivariate analysis selected by univariate analyses demonstrated that the preoperative IL-35 was an independent prognostic factor for 5-year OS (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.04, p < 0.0001) and 5-year PFS (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.03, p=0.011) in all patients with localized ccRCC.

Conclusion

Current results indicate that preoperative IL-35 is an independent prognostic marker for OS and RFS in patients with localized ccRCC after surgery.

Experimental Models for Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Treatments for Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Representing an important cause of long-term disability, term neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) urgently needs further research aimed at repurposing existing drug as well as developing new therapeutics. Since various experimental in vitro and in vivo models of HIE have been developed with distinct characteristics, it becomes important to select the appropriate preclinical screening cascade for testing the efficacy of novel pharmacological treatments. As therapeutic hypothermia is already a routine therapy for neonatal encephalopathy, it is essential that hypothermia be administered to the experimental model selected to allow translational testing of novel or repurposed drugs on top of the standard of care. Moreover, a translational approach requires that therapeutic interventions must be initiated after the induction of the insult, and the time window for intervention should be evaluated to translate to real world clinical practice. Hippocampal organotypic slice cultures, in particular, are an invaluable intermediate between simpler cell lines and in vivo models, as they largely maintain structural complexity of the original tissue and can be subjected to transient oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and subsequent reoxygenation to simulate ischemic neuronal injury and reperfusion. Progressing to in vivo models, generally, rodent (mouse and rat) models could offer more flexibility and be more cost-effective for testing the efficacy of pharmacological agents with a dose-response approach. Large animal models, including piglets, sheep, and non-human primates, may be utilized as a third step for more focused and accurate translational studies, including also pharmacokinetic and safety pharmacology assessments. Thus, a preclinical proof of concept of efficacy of an emerging pharmacological treatment should be obtained firstly in vitro, including organotypic models, and, subsequently, in at least two different animal models, also in combination with hypothermia, before initiating clinical trials.