INSL5-Deficient Mice Display an Alteration in Glucose Homeostasis and an Impaired Fertility

Insulin-like factor 5 (INSL5), a member of the insulin superfamily, is expressed in the colorectum and hypothalamus. To facilitate studies into the role of INSL5, we generated Insl5(-/-) mice by gene targeting. Insl5(-/-) mice were born in the expected Mendelian ratio, reached normal body weight, but displayed impaired male and female fertility that are due to marked reduction in sperm motility and irregular length of the estrous cycle. Furthermore, Insl5(-/-) mice showed impairment in glucose homeostasis with characteristic elevation of serum glucose levels at an advanced age. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests revealed that the increased blood glucose in Insl5(-/-) mice was due to glucose intolerance resulting from reduced insulin secretion. Morphometric and immunohistological analyses revealed that the Insl5(-/-) mice had markedly reduced average islets area and β-cell numbers. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry showed the expression of INSL5 in enteroendocrine cells in the colorectal epithelium and the presence of its putative receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 4 in pancreatic islet cells. These results suggest the potential role of INSL5 signaling in the regulation of insulin secretion and β-cell homeostasis.     

A multimodal MR-compatible olfactometer with real-time controlling capability

Abstract

Design of an MR-compatible and computer-controlled odour stimuli system is essential in the studies of human olfactory function. Olfactometers are used to deliver odours to the subjects in an objective manner. We present a portable, computer-controlled eight channels olfactometer able to stimulate olfaction by employing liquid odorant stimuli. We used a high-pressure pump to generate medical grade airflow. After passing through solenoid valve-controlled odour reservoirs, odorant stimulus is conveyed to the nasal mask. The odour delivery delay of the device was measured using photo-ionisation detectors. To assess the application of the designed olfactometer, an fMRI experiment was done with 9 healthy subjects. Two odour stimuli (Vanillin and Rose) were presented to each subject in an alternating block design task of odour and non-odour conditions. The response time of each subject was gathered using the response box. Group analysis revealed a significant BOLD signal change in some regions of olfactory and trigeminal networks including the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, inferior frontal gyrus, hippocampus, cingulate gyrus and piriform cortex. The odour delivery delay measured by photo-ionisation detector was 190?ms, and the subjects’ response showed 205?ms for the Vanillin and 243?ms for the Rose odour stimuli. Our portable MR-compatible olfactometer as a stimulation device is capable of creating adequate stimulation suitable for olfactory fMRI experiments.     

In vitro assessment of the trackability of neurovascular intermediate catheters: a comparative analysis

The advent of new flexible intermediate catheters facilitated manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) for treating neurovascular ischaemic diseases. While these catheters are somewhat flexible, most catheters were not designed specifically for aspiration. Trackability is an important property of catheters facilitating catheter advancement in highly tortuous cerebrovasculature. In this study, a novel in vitro trackability test system has been developed using micro pressure transducers and silicone tubes. The exerted force from the catheter tips were quantitatively evaluated while the catheter passed the curved regions. The trackability of three different types of catheters were compared, i.e. Penumbra 054, Concentric DAC 057 and Reverse Reflex. The exerted forces obtained from the first sensor (Sensor 1) during passing the second curve showed the maximum values through the entire transcatheter procedure. When compared, the exerted forces were least for the Penumbra 054 (0.272?±?0.012?N), representing highly trackable systems in highly tortuous vessel navigation.     

睡眠剥夺对限制能量平衡膳食的减重效果及肠道菌群丰度的影响

目的研究睡眠剥夺对单纯性肥胖患者限制能量平衡膳食（CRD）减重效果、生化指标及肠道菌群丰度变化的影响。 方法观察2018年9月至2019年11月徐州医科大学附属淮安医院肥胖门诊筛选的睡眠剥夺组（8例）及正常睡眠组（8例）的单纯性肥胖患者CRD干预12周前后身体形态指标、生化指标及肠道菌群特征的变化。采用单因素方差分析比较组间差异,配对样本t检验比较同组受试者减重前后指标的差异,采用Kruskal-Wallis检验比较肠道菌群组间差异,采用Spearman相关性分析分析临床指标及宿主菌群的相关性。 结果（1）CRD干预后睡眠剥夺组及正常睡眠组的体质量［（83.85±9.30）kg vs （85.88±8.76）kg;（79.23±14.52）kg vs （88.00±13.16）kg］、腰围［（98.60±6.76）cm vs（100.73±6.14）cm;（96.14±11.26）cm vs （101.61±8.52）cm］及基础代谢率［BMR,（1476.25±146.63）kcal vs（1501.75±149.36）kcal;（1427.00±228.02）kcal vs （1477.38±229.98）kcal］均较干预前下降,差异均具有统计学意义（t=2.898、3.895,P=0.023、0.006;t=3.694、3.103,P=0.008、0.017;t=3.599、5.994,P=0.009、0.001）。（2）睡眠剥夺组患者CRD干预后,体质量变化值［（2.02±1.97）kg vs （8.76±6.36）kg］、体脂肪量变化值［（0.55±1.93）kg vs （5.25±5.10）kg］、体脂肪面积变化值［（-3.25±14.41）cm² vs （36.13±48.94）cm²］、BMR变化值［（25.50±20.04）kcal vs （50.38±23.77）kcal］及总胆固醇变化值［（-0.06±0.37）mmol/L vs （0.77±0.76）mmol/L］均较正常睡眠组小,组间差异均具有统计学意义（t=2.424、1.692、6.102、0.702、3.802,P=0.013、0.029、0.047、0.040、0.014）;（3）2组干预前后的肠道菌群Alpha多样性未见明显差异,研究期间,正常睡眠组Mollicutes菌与BMR呈稳定负相关关系。 结论CRD干预能有效降低单纯性肥胖患者的体质量、腰围、BMR;睡眠剥夺可能在一定程度上减弱CRD的减重效果,影响血脂的代谢;单纯性肥胖人群CRD干预过程中,Mollicutes菌可能是影响CRD减重效果的原因之一。     

Should we change our approach to resuscitating victims of femoral fracture?A clinical experience in a busy trauma hospital in Shiraz,Iran

Purpose Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening event worldwide.Severe brain trauma accompanying femoral fractures can trigger inflammatory responses in the body and increase pre-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1.The primary treatment in these cases is hydration with crystalloids,which has both benefits and complications.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fluid therapy on the hemodynamics,coagulation profiles,and blood gases in such patients.Methods In this cross-sectional study,patients were divided into two groups:femoral fracture group and non-femoral group.The hemodynamic status,coagulation profile,and blood gases of patients in both groups were evaluated upon arrival at the hospital and again 2 h later.Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA with repeated data and paired samples t-test.Results A total of 681 trauma patients(605 men and 76 women)participated in this study,including 69(86.3%)men and 11(13.8%)women in femoral fracture group and 536 men(89.2%)and 65 women(10.8%)in non-femoral group.The laboratory parameters were evaluated in response to the equal amount of crystalloid fluid given upon arrival and 2 h later.Blood gases decreased in the fracture group despite fluid therapy(p<0.003),and the coagulation profile worsened although the change was not statistically significant.Conclusion The treatment of multiple-trauma patients with femoral bone fractures should be more concerned with the need for the infusion of vasopressors such as norepinephrine.If there is evidence of clinical shock,excessive crystalloid infusion(limited to 1 L)should be avoided,and blood and blood products should be started as soon as possible.