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Background: Ischemic mitral regurgitation is a common clinical problem of coronary artery disease, developing acutely after myocardial infarction in up to 19 % of patients. It may be chronic condition being found approximately in 3 % of patients undergoing coronary angiography, or may less commonly occur as a regional episode of ischemia.Aim of the Work: We reviewed outcomes of the most problematic subgroup of patients in terms of surgical approach—patients with moderate IMR. We evaluated the effectiveness of CABG with or without repair MVr with regard to changes in functional class, postoperative MR, LV function and short term survival benefit.Patients and Methods: Between July 2017 and June 2020, a cohort of sixty patients with ischemic heart disease associated with moderate chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. The study was carried out in the department of cardiac surgery and other multicenters after obtaining the approval of the local ethical committee and a fully-informed written consent from each patient.Results: After our study evaluation, we found that patients who were offered the combined approach of CABG with repair, showed more improvement as to clinical and echocardiographic parameters, compared to those who were offered the CABG alone procedure. We also found that a worse preoperative LV function is the reason that leads to the persistence or progression of the IMR pathology towards severer grades in the CABG only patients.Conclusion: The efficacy of adding MVR to CABG is well demonstrated by the improvement of NYHA functional class and LVEF over the early (3 months) & late (6 months) postoperative follow-up periods.

The oxidative stress facing fish during intensive production brings about diseases and mortalities that negatively influence their performance. Along with that, the increased awareness of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3-PUFAs) health benefits has been triggered the introduction of alternative additives in aqua feed that cause not only modulation in fish immune response but also fortification of their fillet. In this context, the role of microalgae mix (NSS) containing Nannochloropsis oculate and Schizochytrium and Spirulina species, which were enriched with bioactive molecules, especially EPA and DHA, was assessed on Nile tilapia’s performance, fillet antioxidant stability, immune response, and disease resistance. Varying levels of NSS (0.75%, 1.5%, and 3%) were added to Nile tilapia’s diet for 12 weeks and then a challenge of fish with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) was carried out. Results showed that groups fed NSS, especially at higher levels, showed an improved WG and FCR, which corresponded with enhanced digestive enzymes’ activities. Higher T-AOC was detected in muscle tissues of NSS3.0% fed fish with remarkable reduction in ROS, H2O2, and MDA contents, which came in parallel with upregulation of GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD genes. Notably, the contents of EPA and DHA in fillet were significantly increased with increasing the NSS levels. The mean log10 counts of pathogenic Vibrio and Staphylococcus species were reduced, and conversely, the populations of beneficial Lactobacillus and Bacillus species were increased more eminent after supplementation of NSS3.0% and NSS1.5%. Moreover, regulation of the immune response (lysozyme, IgM, ACH50, NO, and MPO), upregulation of IL-10, TGF-β, and IgM, and downregulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, HSP70, and COX-2 were observed following dietary higher NSS levels. After challenge, reduction in A. hydrophila counts was more prominent, especially in NSS3.0% supplemented group. Taken together, the current study encourages the incorporation of such microalgae mix in Nile tilapia’s diet for targeting maximum performance, superior fillet quality, and protection against A. hydrophila.

Background Pediatric pyeloplasty in ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is indicated in renal impaired drainage or renal function deterioration. The improvement of renal function after pediatric pyeloplasty is still controversial in poorly functioning kidneys. Past studies on poorly functioning kidneys had a variable SRF specification, and these studies often had a limited number of patients so that they did not achieve statistical significance. The study aims to detect the renal functional improvement after pediatric Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty (AHP) with split renal function (SRF) less than 20% (poor renal function). Results A retrospective study included 46 pediatric patients with unilateral UPJO who underwent open AHP with SRF < 20% on a renal isotope scan from August 2012 to October 2018. Success was defined based on either improvement in symptoms, improvement in drainage on postoperative renography, and/or improvement or stability in SRF on the renal scan done 6 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter. Deterioration of SRF by more than 5% was deemed to be deterioration. An increase in SRF of more than 5% was deemed to be an improvement. A total of 46 patients with a mean age of 32 months with poor renal function on isotope renogram (SRF < 20%) were included. All patients had an obstructive pattern on the preoperative radionuclide scans. The median preoperative SRF was 9.26%. The mean (range) follow-up was 30 months. The success rate was 91.3%. Three patients underwent redo pyeloplasty, whereas a secondary nephrectomy was necessary for one. The remaining (42) patients showed stability or improvement of SRF with no further symptoms. Renal scintigraphy at 6 and 12 months after surgery revealed significantly increased SRF compared to preoperative one. Conclusion Poorly functioning renal unit with SRF < 20% can show functional improvement and recoverability after pediatric pyeloplasty.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary bovine lactoferrin (BLF) or chitosan nanoparticles (CHN) alone or in combinations on serum biochemical indices, antioxidative capacity, transcriptomic responses, non-specific immunity, and resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish were fed on the basal diet with no supplements and served as control (CTR), and six other experimental diets containing different levels of BLF (800 and 1200 mg per kg diet), CHN (500 and 1000 mg per kg diet), and their combinations (400 mg BLF plus 250 mg CHN per kg diet, and 600 mg BLF plus 500 mg CHN per kg diet) for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, serum, and tissue specimens (liver and kidney) were collected, fish in all groups were challenged with A. hydrophila and then observed for another ten days to calculate the RPS. Compared to the CTR group, no significant differences were recorded in TP, ALB, GLO, BUN, and CREAT values among all treatments. Serum LYZ, ALT, AST, and ALP enzyme activities were significantly increased in all experimental groups over the CTR (P 0.05), and their highest values were recorded in the combined treatments. Moreover, dietary supplementation with CHN (1000 mg/kg) and combined treatments significantly increased the SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px enzyme activities compared to other groups (P 0.05). The highest mRNA expression levels of IGF-1 gene in liver, and IL-1β, and IFN-γ genes in kidneys were found in CHN (1000 mg/kg) group and combined treatments more than other groups. Interestingly, no, or mild histopathological alterations were noticed in the hepatopancreas and posterior kidney of the treated groups. A significantly higher RPS was identified in the combined treatments challenged with A. hydrophila compared with the CTR group. This study exemplifies the positive impacts of dietary supplementation with BLF or CHN alone or combinations on the antioxidative status, immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antiproliferative drug used widely in chemotherapy, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. Despite this, its long-term administration causes testicular adverse effects. Carvacrol is a phytochemical derived from aromatic plants of the genera Oregano. It is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects and to inhibit the growth of a variety of cancer cells. The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant effect of carvacrol on MTX-induced testicular damage. Twenty-four adult rats were randomly divided into four groups, six rats each, as follows: Control, Carvacrol (40mg/kg b.w. daily orally), MTX (25 mg/kg b.w single shot I/P) and Carvacrol and MTX. Testicular biomarkers, redox status and Nrf2 gene expression tests were assessed after 15 days. MTX caused alterations in testosterone hormone and total and prostatic acid phosphatases. Furthermore, testicular 8-OHdG and MDA were increased while reduced GSH was decreased indicating testicular oxidative damage. Concomitant administration of carvacrol was able to restore the adverse effects of MTX. This was observed in the revised levels of the mentioned parameters nearly to normal in comparison to the control and MTX groups. In the present study, we report that carvacrol ameliorates MTX-induced testicular damage by protection from oxidative stress, decrease in DNA damage, and enhancement of serum testicular biomarkers.

Gastric ulceration is a multifactorial disease defined as a defect in the gastric wall that extends through the muscularis mucosae into the deeper layers of the wall. The most common cause of gastric ulceration is alcohol consumption. In the current study, rats were gavaged by ethanol to investigate the protective (before ethanol) and curative (after ethanol) ability of Commiphora myrrh (myrrh) oil and extract against gastric ulcer oxidative alterations induced by ethanol. Myrrh significantly improved ulcer index, histomorphology, and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) impaired by ethanol. In addition, myrrh improved the antioxidant potential of gastric mucosa through enhancement of nuclear factor related to erythroid 2 (Nrf2), total glutathione (GSH), reduced GSH, and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), along with significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Amelioration of gastric oxidative stress by myrrh enables gastric mucosa to counteract the ethanol’s inflammatory and apoptotic processes leading to improved gastric proliferation and healing. Interestingly, myrrh extract showed better protective and curative effects than myrrh oil against gastric ulceration.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are more commonly utilised in medicine, however they have negative effects on the majority of organs, including the reproductive system. AgNPs were reported to be able to reach the testes due to their small size, which allows them to pass through blood testicular barriers. The goal of this study was to see if LA (alpha lipoic acid) or GB (ginkgo biloba) might protect adult rat testes after intraperitoneal injection of AgNPs. Forty male healthy adult Wister albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (10 rats each); control, AgNPs-intoxicated group intraperitoneally injected AgNPs 50 mg/kg b.w, 3 times a week, LA + AgNPs group intoxicated with AgNPs and orally gavaged with 100 mg LA/kg b.w, and GB + AgNPs group injected with AgNPs and orally given GB extract 120 mg/kg b.w were continued for 30 consecutive days. Biochemical changes in testicular tissue (testosterone, ACP, and Prostatic acid phosphatase), oxidative indices in testicles tissues, mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic (BAX) and anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) biomarkers, histological, and immunohistochemical changes were studied. Significant decrease in serum testosterone level and elevation in ACP and PACP enzyme activity in AgNPs treated group than in the control. In addition, lowering in tGSH, GSH GR, GPx and elevation MDA and GSSG were observed in AgNPs treated group than control. Decreasing in mRNA expression thirodexin-1 (Txn-1), transforming growth factor-1β (TGF-1β), anti-apoptic (BCL-2) and elevation the expression of proapoptic biomarkers (BAX) in the testis homogenates of rats exposed to silver nanoparticles. Strong positive action to BAX and lowering the action of Ki-67antibody were observed. Because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, co-treatment with LA or GB may be beneficial in reducing the harmful effects of AgNPs on the testicles.

Coliform mastitis is a worldwide serious disease of the mammary gland. Curcumin is a pleiotropic polyphenol obtained from turmeric, but it is hydrophobic and rapidly eliminated from the body. However, nanoformulation of curcumin significantly improves its pharmacological activity by enhancing its hydrophobicity and oral bioavailability. Our study aimed to investigate the possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of nanocurcumin as a prophylactic against LPS-induced coliform mastitis in rat model, where LPS was extracted from a field strain of Escherichia coli (bovine mastitis isolate). The study was conducted on twenty lactating Wistar female rats divided into four equal groups, and the mastitis model was initiated by injection of LPS through the duct of the mammary gland. The results showed that nanocurcumin significantly attenuated the lipid peroxidation (MDA), oxidized glutathione, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), and the gene expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65, and HMGB1. Meanwhile, it improved the reduced glutathione level and Nrf2 activity and preserved the normal alveolar architecture. These findings suggested that nanocurcumin supplementation can be a promising potential protective approach for coliform mastitis.

Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) therapy has diverse health benefits but high doses or prolonged therapy might induce oxidative cellular injuries especially in the brain. Therefore, we conducted the current study to investigate the protective role of quercetin supplementation against the oxidative alterations induced in the brains of rats due to IONPs. Forty adult male albino rats were allocated into equal five groups, the control received a normal basal diet, the IONP group was intraperitoneally injected with IONPs of 50 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) and quercetin-treated groups had IONPs + Q25, IONPs + Q50 and IONPs + Q100 that were orally supplanted with quercetin by doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg quercetin/kg B.W. daily, respectively, administrated with the same dose of IONPs for 30 days. IONPs induced significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Consequently, IONPs significantly induced severe brain tissue injuries due to the iron deposition leading to oxidative alterations with significant increases in brain creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Furthermore, IONPs induced significant reductions in brain epinephrine, serotonin and melatonin with the downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA) mRNA expressions. IONPs induced apoptosis in the brain monitored by increases in caspase 3 and decreases in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) expression levels. Quercetin supplementation notably defeated brain oxidative damages and in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, quercetin supplementation during IONPs is highly recommended to gain the benefits of IONPs with fewer health hazards.

Acrylamide (ACR) is an unsaturated monomer that entered in various fields however, it is a potent neurotoxic. The present study target is to explore the neuroprotective efficacy of allicin and melatonin on ACR-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty-six male adult rats were non-selectively separated into six groups: placebo, allicin (20 mg/kg b.w daily per os), melatonin (10 mg/kg b.w 3 times/week per os), ACR (50 mg/kg b.w daily per os), ACR + allicin and ACR + melatonin with the same doses. The assessment of brain biomarkers, neurotransmitters, antioxidative status, Nrf2 signalling pathway, and histopathological analyses were performed following 21 days. ACR exposure enhanced the brain lipid and DNA oxidative damage as well as a reduction in the GSH levels. The obvious brain oxidative injuries was contributed to distinct brain dysfunction that was assured by alteration of brain neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and acetylcholinesterase), and pathological brain lesions. Furthermore, ACR exposure increased hydroxy deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and amyloid protein (AB-42). Finally, the mRNA transcripts of brain Keap-1, Nrf2, and NF-kB were up regulated after ACR intoxication. Interestingly, allicin and melatonin alleviated the ACR-induced brain damage assessed by normalization of the mentioned analyses. The present study demonstrated the protective role of both allicin and melatonin on ACR-prompted neuropathy by alleviation of redox imbalance and enhancement of neurotransmitters as well as relieving DNA damage and anti-inflammatory effect.

Aging is an oxidative stress-associated process that progresses with age. Our aim is to delay or attenuate these oxidative alterations and to keep individuals healthy as they age using natural compounds supplementation. Therefore, we conducted the present study to investigate the protective potentials of quercetin against D-galactose (D-gal)-associated oxidative alterations that were induced experimentally in male Wistar rats. Forty-five rats were randomly allocated into five groups of nine rats each. The groups were a control group that was reared on a basal diet and injected subcutaneously with 120 mg D-gal dissolved in physiological saline solution (0.9% NaCl) per kg body weight daily and quercetin-treated groups that received the same basal diet and subcutaneous daily D-gal injections were supplemented orally with 25, 50, and 100 mg of quercetin per kg body weight for 42 days. Pancreatic and renal samples were subjected to histopatholgical, immunohistochemical, and relative mRNA expression assessments. Aging (p53, p21, IL-6, and IL-8), apoptotic (Bax, CASP-3, and caspase-3 protein), proliferative (Ki67 protein), antiapoptotic (Bcl2 and Bcl2 protein), inflammatory (NF-&kappa, B, IL-1&beta, and TNF-&alpha, ), antioxidant (SOD1), and functional markers (GCLC and GCLM genes and insulin, glucagon, and podocin proteins) were determined to evaluate the oxidative alterations induced by D-gal and the protective role of quercetin. D-gal caused oxidative alterations of the pancreas and kidneys observed via upregulations of aging, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers and downregulated the antiapoptotic, proliferative, antioxidant, and functional markers. Quercetin potentially attenuated these aging-related oxidative alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we can conclude that quercetin supplementation is considered as a promising natural protective compound that could be used to delay the aging process and to maintain human health.

phytobiotics were introduced to poultry industries for enhancement of immunity and growth performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of propolis and ginger aqueous extract on body weight gain and immune-related organ weight. 100 one day old chicks were allocated into five groups; control, ginger-treated, propolis-treated, ginger/propolis-treated, and vaccinated untreated groups for 35 days. At the end of experiment, the body weight and immune-related organ weight were recorded. The result showed that the treated groups with ginger, propolis, and ginger/propolis non significantly increased the body weight and the weight of spleen and thymus gland alongside with non-significant decrease in the bursa of fabricius weight. This study concluded that ginger and propolis could be considered as growth promoter used for enhancement of growth in broiler chickens.

The entry of immune cells into the central nervous system (CNS) for immune surveillance occurs during normal physiological conditions, although it is difficult to detect. However, during CNS autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, immune cells extensively invade the CNS. Understanding the mechanisms of immune cell migration and entry into the CNS provides a plan for the development of novel therapeutics. A goal would be to target specific molecules and/or pathways, and thereby modulate inflammatory cell migration into the CNS, which ideally could suppress disease progression without compromising beneficial immune surveillance. In the present review, we highlight the key mechanisms that directly or indirectly traffic and pass immune cells, particularly T cells to the CNS. We illuminate and focus on the following matters: T-cell licensing, regional neural stimulations, gut–CNS communications and integrin-mediated cell adhesion. We discuss currently approved drugs that target T-cell migration to the CNS.

Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate our experience in tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in distal and midpenile hypospadias reoperation. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study in which we reviewed the medical records of 56 patients who underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in distal and midpenile hypospadias reoperation. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty was performed using a surgical technique like the primary tubularized incised plate repair based on the Snodgrass’s method. We recorded complications and functional outcomes of redo procedures. Results: We reviewed 56 patients who ranged in age from 2–16 years (mean 7.02±3.8 years). The overall complication rate was 33.9% ( n=19). Eight patients (14.3%) had fistula, six had meatal stenosis (10.7%), four had dehiscence (7.1%), and one had neourethral stenosis (1.8%). The complications occurred in 13 of mid-penile cases representing 50% of mid-penile cases but occurred in six cases of distal-penile cases (20%). The success rate of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty reoperation was 94.6% after repair of fistula and meatal stenosis by simple closure of fistula and meatoplasty. Conclusion: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty is a safe and effective alternative procedure for hypospadias reoperations. The outcome is favorable if the urethral plate has no scars and with distal meatal location. The complication rate increases if the third redo is done and with midpenile meatal location.

Lipase ZC12, a cold-adapted lipase derived from Psychrobacter sp. ZY124, can be effectively activated by Ca

This study aimed to explore some fertility biomarkers in seminal plasma (SP) and blood of rams with different field fertility, based on their conception and lambing rates. Ejaculates were collected from fertile (n = 20) and subfertile (n = 10) Ossimi rams by electroejaculation for 16 replicates. Each ejaculate was analyzed for volume and sperm characteristics before centrifugation at 12,000 × g for 30 min at 4 °C to collect SP. Blood samples were collected from all rams and centrifuged to collect serum which was frozen stored at – 30 °C until analysis. Seminal and serum levels of superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide, testosterone, thyroxin and malondialdehyde as well as seminal fructose and serum glucose were determined. Ovine SP proteins were extracted and separated by gel electrophoresis. Both ejaculate volume (P

Bovine coliform mastitis is a global serious disease of the mammary gland (MG). The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of nanocurcumin on inflammatory and redox alterations caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced mastitis in a rat model. Twenty early lactating albino rats were allocated into four identical groups; control, nanocurcumin (35mg/kg bwt orally), LPS (30ug through the duct of the MG), LPS+ nanocurcumin treated group. After 15 days rats were euthanized and MG tissue was collected for determination of inflammatory and oxidative indices. LPS significantly elevated the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, while reduced the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and nuclear factor erythroid-2 factor2 (Nrf2), with up-regulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Nanocurcumin post-treatment ameliorated the damaging impact induced by LPS on MG tissue as denoted by a low level of MDA, GSSG, pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as improved level of GSH and Nrf2 and the down-regulation of TLR4, NF-κB and HMGB1 mRNA transcription. Our findings suggested that nanocurcumin could be a promising potential therapeutic approach for LPS induced mastitis.

Objective To identify the criteria of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) users and to analyse the knowledge, attitude, and practices of PDE5i use amongst Saudi men. Subjects and methods A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia between January and April 2015. Sexually active adult men were interviewed using a website questionnaire designed by the authors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results In all, 1008 men participated in the survey with 378 (37.5%) reporting use of PDE5i. Of those using PDE5i, 144 (38.1%) reported erectile dysfunction and 234 (61.9%) reported normal erection (recreational users). We found several demographic features, including high education level, health field occupation, high income, smoking, and increased frequency of sexual intercourse amongst the PDE5i users. Most of the PDE5i users (92.3%) had knowledge about PDE5i and 84.1% of them bought it without medical prescription. The most commonly used PDE5i was tadalafil (46.1%) and most of the users (79.9%) reported improvement in their sexual activity after PDE5i usage. Amongst the recreational users, the main reasons for PDE5i usage were curiosity (38.5%) and improving self-confidence (25.6%). Of them, 69.2% reported benefits from PDE5i usage, mainly in the form of enhancement of erection (36.7%) and increasing erection duration (31.2%). Conclusion PDE5i use appears to be frequent in Saudi Arabia. Most of the users had knowledge about PDE5i and claimed to get benefits from it, even if used as a recreational drug.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive inflammatory autoimmune demyelinating disease of the brain and spinal cord. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the standard treatment of MS, however they have several drawbacks like oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study was designed to evaluate some possible antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and immune modulatory effects of Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) when used either alone or as an add-on therapy with dexamethasone for treatment of a relapsing-remitting (RR) experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of MS. This experiment was performed on 50 female Sprague Dawley rats divided into; normal control group, untreated EAE group, EAE group treated by dexamethasone, EAE group treated by ALCAR, and EAE group treated by both dexamethasone and ALCAR. The clinical score of the motor deficit of EAE was recorded daily. At the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed and the brain and spinal cord were processed for assessment of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and caspase-3 activity. Histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2 and CD4+ T cell were carried out. Combination of both dexamethasone and ALCAR provided marked antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects represented by significant decrease in MDA, caspase-3 and significant increase in GSH, Bcl-2 expression, and it also exhibited marked immunosuppressive effect represented by significant decrease in CD4+ T cells expression with significant improvement in clinical outcome when compared to untreated EAE group or to dexamethasone treated group. These findings pave the way for using ALCAR as an adjuvant therapy during long-term use of dexamethasone in MS.

Dietary supplementation with melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed extract (MSE) has been proposed as an anti-obesity strategy. However, it remains unclear how MSE modulates energy balance. We tested the hypothesis that dietary MSE reduces energy intake and/or increases physical activity and metabolic thermogenesis in brown and white adipose tissue (BAT and WAT) in mice. Twenty-four C57BL/6 J mice were provided with normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with 1% MSE added, for 17 weeks. Food intake, spontaneous locomotor activity, hepatic triglyceride (TG) content, and blood parameters were examined. Mitochondrial thermogenesis-associated molecule and inflammatory marker expression levels in BAT and WAT were examined by quantitative PCR and western blotting. Dietary MSE did not affect energy intake or spontaneous locomotor activity, but significantly suppressed HFD-induced fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance score and hepatic TG content were both lower in the MSE-supplemented HFD-fed group than in the HFD-fed group, indicating reduced insulin resistance and a less fatty liver. Dietary MSE upregulated thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV protein expression in BAT; this was closely associated with sirtuin 1 mRNA induction. mRNAs of adipose inflammatory markers, such as monocyte chemotactic 1 and interleukin-1, were induced by HFD but suppressed by MSE. Considering that UCP1 protein expression is the most physiologically relevant parameter to assess the thermogenic capacities of BAT, our results indicate that dietary MSE supplementation induces BAT thermogenesis and reduces obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance.

High-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) is a late inflammatory mediator released from inflammatory cells when stimulated, resulting in exaggerating septic symptoms. We recently demonstrated that full-length adiponectin, a potent anti-inflammatory adipokine, inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced HMGB1 release. However, the effects of adiponectin on HMGB1-induced exaggerating signals currently remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adiponectin on the pro-inflammatory function of HMGB1 in RAW264 macrophage cells. The treatment of RAW264 cells with HMGB1 significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and C-X-C motif chemokine 10. HMGB1-induced cytokine expression was markedly suppressed by a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist and slightly suppressed by an antagonist of the receptor for advanced glycation end products. A prior treatment with full-length or globular adiponectin dose-dependently suppressed all types of HMGB1-induced cytokine expression, and this suppression was abolished by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, but not by the haem oxygenase (HO)-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX. Both forms of adiponectin also reduced the mRNA expression of TLR4. These results suggest that full-length and globular adiponectin suppress HMGB1-induced cytokine expression through an AMPK-mediated HO-1-independent pathway.

Impact of stress on diseases including gastrointestinal failure is well-known, but molecular mechanism is not understood. Here we show underlying molecular mechanism using EAE mice. Under stress conditions, EAE caused severe gastrointestinal failure with high-mortality. Mechanistically, autoreactive-pathogenic CD4+ T cells accumulated at specific vessels of boundary area of third-ventricle, thalamus, and dentate-gyrus to establish brain micro-inflammation via stress-gateway reflex. Importantly, induction of brain micro-inflammation at specific vessels by cytokine injection was sufficient to establish fatal gastrointestinal failure. Resulting micro-inflammation activated new neural pathway including neurons in paraventricular-nucleus, dorsomedial-nucleus-of-hypothalamus, and also vagal neurons to cause fatal gastrointestinal failure. Suppression of the brain micro-inflammation or blockage of these neural pathways inhibited the gastrointestinal failure. These results demonstrate direct link between brain micro-inflammation and fatal gastrointestinal disease via establishment of a new neural pathway under stress. They further suggest that brain micro-inflammation around specific vessels could be switch to activate new neural pathway(s) to regulate organ homeostasis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25517.001

Introduction Airway management is a core stone and remains a challenge of every anesthetist. Visual control may facilitate tracheal intubation. Rigid video-laryngoscopes are emerging among the devices suggested as alternatives to direct laryngoscopy. Among the many alternative devices to choose for tracheal intubation, semi-rigid fibrescopes and lighted stylets can alternate rigid laryngoscopy in endotracheal intubation. Aim of the work The aim of the study was to clarify the efficacy and hemodynamic responses associated with tracheal intubation using trachlight technique (blind object) compared to SensaScope technique in patients subjected to elective surgery. Patients and methods Thirty patients were randomly allocated to either the trachlight (TL) or SensaScope (SS) group, (15 patients in each group). All endotracheal intubations were performed after induction of general anesthesia. Evaluation of technique, performance, duration of intubation, number of attempts at intubation, success rate of intubation with each device, hemodynamic changes [heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP)] and oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) were recorded. Results The duration of the intubation procedures was shorter in the SS group (64.86 ± 54.166 s) than in the TL group (68.53 ± 50.89 s) but without statistical significance, while no significant difference in the numbers of intubation attempts between the two groups. HR and MAP showed transient increase without statistical significance between both groups. Conclusion The endotracheal intubation was effectively using either trachlight or SensaScope, while the SensaScope (SS) group showed shorter time and attenuation of the hemodynamic changes produced by tracheal intubation without significant postoperative complications except 13% complaining of hoarseness of voice after extubation.

High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) is a late inflammatory mediator that exaggerates septic symptoms. Adiponectin, an adipokine, has potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, possible effects of adiponectin on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced HMGB1 release are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of full length adiponectin on HMGB1 release in LPS-stimulated RAW 264 macrophage cells. Treatment of the cells with LPS alone significantly induced HMGB1 release associated with HMGB1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol. However, prior treatment with adiponectin suppressed LPS-induced HMGB1 release and translocation. The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin- (IL-) 10 similarly suppressed LPS-induced HMGB1 release. Adiponectin treatment decreased toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression and increased heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1 mRNA expression without inducing IL-10 mRNA, while IL-10 treatment decreased TLR2 and HMGB1 mRNA expression and increased the expression of IL-10 and HO-1 mRNA. Treatment with the HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP completely prevented the suppression of HMGB1 release by adiponectin but only partially inhibited that induced by IL-10. Treatment with compound C, an AMP kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, abolished the increase in HO-1 expression and the suppression of HMGB1 release mediated by adiponectin. In conclusion, our results indicate that adiponectin suppresses HMGB1 release by LPS through an AMPK-mediated and HO-1-dependent IL-10-independent pathway.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Dornier lithotripter S II system in the treatment of ureteral calculi. Patients and Methods: A total of 97 cases which consists of 54 males and 43 females with ureteral stones were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Mean age was 42.6 years. Inclusion criteria were solitary radiopaque ureteral stones of radiological stone size of ≤1 cm. The stones were not impacted, with normal kidney functions. Procedure time, number of shocks, energy used, number of sessions and complications were reported. The outcome of ESWL was also recorded. Results: Stones were in the abdominal (upper ureter) in 50% of patients, in pelvic (middle ureter) in 47% of patients. All patients had unilateral stones and the mean stone size in maximum length was) 10 mm). Good dye excretion passing the stone was noted in all patients. Mild hydronephrosis was found in 85% of cases. A total of 49 cases were treated by a single session, while in 35% of cases two sessions were enough and 16% received three sessions. The average number of shocks per session was 3125. The average number of shocks per patient was 5962.5 shocks and average energy was 204.3 Joules. The overall stone-free rate 3 months after lithotripsy was 94%. After a single session of lithotripsy, 49 patients (49%) became stone-free. Stone free rates after ESWL for upper, middle ureteral stones were 94%, 95.7% respectively. Additional procedures were needed in only 6 cases (6%) to render patients stone-free after lithotripsy. No serious complications occurred. Conclusion: The Dornier lithotripter S II is very effective in the treatment of ureteral calculi with no major complications.