Acute kidney injury caused by the intraperitoneal injection of Bothrops jararaca venom in rats

Abstract

We examined the ability of Bothrops jararaca venom (12.5?mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) to cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. Blood urea and creatinine (AKI biomarkers, in g dL^?1) were elevated after 2?h in venom-treated rats (urea: from 0.41?±?0.1 to 0.7?±?0.03; creatinine from 46.7?±?3.1 to 85?±?6.7; p?<?0.05; n?=?3 each), with no change in circulating reduced glutathione. Venom-treated rats survived for ～6?h, at which point platelets were reduced (×10³ µL^?1; from 763.8?±?30.2 to 52.5?±?18.2) whereas leukocytes and erythrocytes were slightly increased (from 4.7?±?0.3 to 6.6?±?0.1?×?10³?µL^?1 and from 8.38?±?0.1 to 9.2?±?0.09?×?10⁶?µL^?1, respectively; p?<?0.05); blood protein (5.2?±?0.4?g dL^?1) and albumin (2.7?±?0.1?g dL^?1) were normal, whereas blood and urinary urea and creatinine were increased. All parameters returned to normal with antivenom given 2?h post-envenomation. The i.p. injection of venom caused AKI similar to that seen with other routes of administration.     

Effect of Vitamin B Complex Treatment on Macrophages to Schwann Cells Association during Neuroinflammation after Peripheral Nerve Injury

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) triggers a complex multi-cellular response involving the injured neurons, Schwann cells (SCs), and immune cells, often resulting in poor functional recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the treatment with vitamin B (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12) complex on the interaction between macrophages and SCs during the recovery period after PNI. Transection of the motor branch of the femoral nerve followed by reconstruction by termino-terminal anastomosis was used as an experimental model. Isolated nerves from the sham (S), operated (O), and operated groups treated with the B vitamins (OT group) were used for immunofluorescence analysis. The obtained data indicated that PNI modulates interactions between macrophages and SCs in a time-dependent manner. The treatment with B vitamins complex promoted the M1-to M2-macrophage polarization and accelerated the transition from the non-myelin to myelin-forming SCs, an indicative of SCs maturation. The effect of B vitamins complex on both cell types was accompanied with an increase in macrophage/SC interactions, all of which correlated with the regeneration of the injured nerve. Clearly, the capacity of B vitamins to modulate macrophages-SCs interaction may be promising for the treatment of PNI.     

An Activatable NIR‐II Nanoprobe for In Vivo Early Real‐Time Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most dangerous acute diseases resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Current methods remain limited with respect to early diagnosis and real‐time feedback on the pathological process. Herein, a targeted activatable fluorescent nanoprobe (V&A@Ag₂S) in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) is presented for in vivo optical imaging of TBI. Initially, the fluorescence of V&A@Ag₂S is turned off owing to energy transfer from Ag₂S to the A1094 chromophore. Upon intravenous injection, V&A@Ag₂S quickly accumulates in the inflamed vascular endothelium of TBI based on VCAM1‐mediated endocytosis, after which the nanoprobe achieves rapid recovery of the NIR‐II fluorescence of Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs) owing to the bleaching of A1094 by the prodromal biomarker of TBI, peroxynitrite (ONOO^?). The nanoprobe offers high specificity, rapid response, and high sensitivity toward ONOO^?, providing a convenient approach for in vivo early real‐time assessment of TBI.     

Numerical simulation of the consequences of a mechanical action on a human brain under a skull injury

A two-dimensional mathematical model of the mechanical response of a human head to a shock action is proposed. It describes the spatial distribution of the mechanical loads on the brain. Some numerical results obtained using the grid characteristic methods on unstructured triangular grids are presented.     

Formant frequency development: 15 to 36 months

Developmental characteristics of formant I (FI) and formant 2 (F2) are reported for spontaneous vocalizations produced by four young children. Each child was systematically sampled at between 15 and 36 months of age. Results indicated that both F1 and F2 remained relatively unchanged prior to 24 months of age. Significant decreases in average F1 and F2 occurred between 24 and 36 months. When F1 and F2 values were categorized according to tongue elevation and tongue advancement, the most significant changes were associated with high/back articulations. The pattern of formant frequencies noted in the present group of children appears to reflect developmental changes in vocal tract growth and reconfiguration.     

Zerumbone Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain Symptoms via Cannabinoid and PPAR Receptors Using In Vivo and In Silico Models

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition persisting past the presence of any noxious stimulus or inflammation. Zerumbone, of the Zingiber zerumbet ginger plant, has exhibited anti-allodynic and antihyperalgesic effects in a neuropathic pain animal model, amongst other pharmacological properties. This study was conducted to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying zerumbone’s antineuropathic actions. Research on therapeutic agents involving cannabinoid (CB) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) is rising. These receptor systems have shown importance in causing a synergistic effect in suppressing nociceptive processing. Behavioural responses were assessed using the von Frey filament test (mechanical allodynia) and Hargreaves plantar test (thermal hyperalgesia), in chronic constriction injury (CCI) neuropathic pain mice. Antagonists SR141716 (CB₁ receptor), SR144528 (CB₂ receptor), GW6471 (PPARα receptor) and GW9662 (PPARγ receptor) were pre-administered before the zerumbone treatment. Our findings indicated the involvement of CB₁, PPARα and PPARγ in zerumbone’s action against mechanical allodynia, whereas only CB₁ and PPARα were involved against thermal hyperalgesia. Molecular docking studies also suggest that zerumbone has a comparable and favourable binding affinity against the respective agonist on the CB and PPAR receptors studied. This finding will contribute to advance our knowledge on zerumbone and its significance in treating neuropathic pain.     

人/椅弹射救生系统穿盖过程的数值模拟

拟针对战斗机微爆索预破碎座舱盖弹射救生系统中人/椅系统穿盖过程中弹射通道的畅通性,座舱盖的破坏模式以及人体重要部位的冲击损伤程度。考虑微爆索在舱盖内表面沿中央和四周2种不同的切割布局,建立人/椅系统撞击舱盖的解耦模型,采用非线性动态显式算法对穿盖过程进行了数值模拟。模拟结果表明:第2种布局较第1种布局更有利于形成畅通的弹射通道,也有助于减轻人体的损伤,同时给出2种布局切割槽深度的临界值。研究结果可为弹射救生系统的优化设计和安全生产提供可靠依据。     

Detection of Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Fluorescence Analysis of Intestinal Samples

The aim of this study was to evaluate endogenous fluorescence of small intestine samples and compare them with the histopathological results. The autofluorescence of intestinal homogenates and histopathological injury index after 1h of mesenteric or portal ischemia, and 1 or 24 hours of reperfusion was analysed. Our results revealed two maximum peaks on the EEM. Increase of the intestinal histopathological injury index was accompanied with significant increase of fluorescence intensities in both zones. Close correlation between autofluorescence and histopathological results was found. Autofluorescence can be used was revealed suggesting use of autofluorescence as a new diagnostic method of intestinal injury.     

2010年广州市黄埔区鱼珠街7岁以下儿童意外伤害分析

为分析2010年广州市黄埔区鱼珠街7岁以下儿童意外伤害情况并探讨其发生原因及相关因素，收集鱼珠街社区7岁以下儿童意外伤害报告卡，整理资料，分析了意伤害发生情况和各种伤害比例及其相关因素。结果表明，7岁以下儿童伤害中3—5岁儿童意外伤害最多见；意外伤害以跌伤发生率最高；可见意外伤害是可避免的，应加强健康教育工作，做好家长和孩子的安全宣教工作，提高安全知识与自我保护能力，最大限度降低社区的儿童意外伤害发生率。