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Delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) is a prevalent perioperative neurological complication in older patients and has common characteristics such as acute cognitive dysfunction, impaired memory, and inattention. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exo) are enclosed by a lipid bilayer contain proteins, DNA, miRNA, and other components, which are important mediators of intercellular communication. It has been reported that exosomes could play an important role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, nerve injury, and other neurological diseases. In this study, we examined the effects of MSCs-Exo on dNCR aged mice after exploratory laparotomy and evaluated their potential regulatory mechanisms. We found that MSCs-Exo treatment ameliorated cognitive impairment in dNCR aged mice. MSCs-Exo inhibit hippocampus ferroptosis and increase the expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in dNCR aged mice. Interestingly, the above effects of MSCs-Exo on dNCR aged mice were abolished by SIRT1 selective inhibitor EX-527. In conclusion, these findings indicated that MSCs-Exo can ameliorate cognitive impairment by inhibiting hippocampus ferroptosis in dNCR aged mice via activating SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, providing a potential avenue for the treatment of dNCR.

The present study highlights the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on angiotensin II (Ang II)–activated atrial fibroblasts as well as the associated potential mechanism from the metabonomics perspective. Metabolic profile analysis performed an optimal separation of the Ang II and control group, indicating a recovery impact of Sal B on Ang II–activated fibroblasts (FBs). We found that metabolite levels in the Ang II + Sal B group were reversed to normal. Moreover, 23 significant metabolites were identified. Metabolic network analysis indicated that these metabolites participated in purine metabolism and FoxO signaling pathway. We found that Sal B activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, which further promoted FoxO1 activation and increased miR-148a-3p level. We further verified that Sal B modulate the abnormal AMP, phosphocreatine, glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Ang II–stimulated FBs. Collectively, Sal B can protect the Ang II–activated FBs from fibrosis and oxidative stress via AMPK/FoxO1/miRNA-148a-3p axis. Graphical abstract

Agarose is a promising tool for encapsulating areas as a kind of neutral polysaccharide. The purpose of this work is to expand the application of agarose. In this work, agarose microparticles for encapsulating microorganisms were introduced to the stomach through a novel water-in-water (w/w) emulsification method. Sequencing techniques were performed for the identification and characterization of bacteria, and drug-susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori through gel microdroplets growth assay and traditional Oxford cup method was conducted. Results indicated the presence of three phyla, eight genera, and more than 30 species in the samples. The correlation values of the traditional Oxford cup and GMD methods were 87.5% and 90%, respectively. The proposed encapsulation technology as efficient substitution for traditional Oxford cup method promised to be applicable for the isolation and cultivation of gastric flora. Compared to other methods, this new method showed advantages when mainly due to time simplicity of the whole process. The direct drug susceptibility test based on the novel encapsulation technology is a promising tool for the rational and flexible use of drugs in clinical practice. Furthermore, this work was an early exploration for the combination of encapsulation technology and agarose.