Objective To observe the relationship between 5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)-like immunoreactive terminals and the vestibulo-parabrachial nucleus projection neurons which may express 5-HT1A receptor in the vestibular nuclear complex(VNC). Methods Retrograded-tract tracing technique combined with double labeling of immunofluorescence histochemical was used,and the stained sections were observed under a confocal laser-scanning microscope. Results Following injection of tetramethylrhodamine(TMR) into the parabrachial nucleus, many retrogradely labeled neurons were observed bilaterally within VNC,but with an ipsilateral predominance.Immunofluorescence histochemical staining showed that many neurons expressed(5-HT1A) receptor-like immunoreactivity and a large number of 5-HT immunostained fibers or terminals were found in the medial,spinal,superior,lateral vestibular nucleus(MVe,SpVe,SuVe,LVe),X nucleus and Y nucleus.Confocal laser-scanning microscopy revealed that some TMR-labeled neurons were 5-HT_1AR immunopositive,and some of the cell bodies or dendrites of TMR/5-HT1AR double-labeled neurons were closely apposed by 5-HT-like immunoreactive terminals.Conclusion The present study suggests that 5-HT may modulate vestibular signals along the VNC-parabrachial nucleus pathway via 5-HT1A receptor.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of n-butanol extract from the roots of Potentilla anserina (NP) on hypoxic hippocampal neurons in neonatal rats.Methods Primary cultured hippocampal neurons were pretreated with different concentration of NP (0.25,0.0625,and 0.0156 mg/mL) before incubation in a low oxygen (0.1％) environment for 4 h.Cell viability was evaluated by Trypan blue staining assay.Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released by neurons into the medium was measured.The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cell cytosol was determined using nitroblue tetrazolium.Morphological changes and mitochondrial function were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results Hypoxic injury could decrease the cells viability of neuron,enhance LDH release (P ＜ 0.05),decrease SOD activity,and increase mitochondrial injury.Pretreatment with NP significantly increased cell viability,decreased LDH release (P ＜ 0.05),promoted SOD activity (P ＜ 0.05),and remarkably improved cellular ultra-microstructure compared with the model group.Conclusion NP could protect the primary hippocampal neurons from hypoxic injury by attenuating mitochondrial cell death.

Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma interleukin ( IL)-17 level and IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) expression in the thymus of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods The blood samples of 63 patients (38 with glucocorticoid treatment, 25 with thymus removal) who admitted to Henan Provincial People′s Hospital between 2010 and 2014 were collected at three different stages: pre-treatment, 1 week post-treatment and 1 month post-treatment.The blood samples of 42 healthy controls were also collected.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the levels of IL-17 in plasma.Twenty-five thymus tissues from MG patients and another 12 thymus tissues from patients with congenital heart disease who had surgery therapy were also collected.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of IL-17R.The possible correlation between the expression of IL-17 and IL-17R with MG was analyzed.Results Before treatment, the levels of IL-17 in the plasma were much higher in all the MG patients ( both ocular and generalized) when compared to the healthy controls ( controls (3.2 ±0.7) pg/ml, MG patients (8.5 ±1.7) pg/ml, t =2.450, P <0.01; generalized type patients (9.7 ±1.4) pg/ml, t =2.532, P <0.01).In the patients with glucocorticoid treatment, IL-17 levels began to reduce after 1 week treatment and a statistically significant difference was found when compared to the pre-treatment samples (pre-treatment (8.3 ±1.2) pg/ml, 1 week after treatment (6.3 ±0.7) pg/ml, t=2.052, P<0.05) and healthy controls (t =1.933, P<0.05).One month after the glucocorticoid treatment, the levels of IL-17 decreased to the normal level (1 month after treatment (3.9 ±0.6) pg/ml, t=2.630, P <0.01, compared to the pre-treatment; t =1.395, P >0.05, compared to the healthy controls).In the surgery therapy cases, the IL-17 levels were also reduced after the thymus removal ( pre-surgery (8.8 ±1.4) pg/ml, 1 week after surgery (5.3 ±0.7) pg/ml, t=1.950, P<0.05;1 month after surgery (3.0 ±0.4) pg/ml, t=2.683, P<0.01).In the thymus tissues of the MG patients, the mRNA levels of IL-17R were much higher than that of the controls ( relative level 2.31 folds, t =2.682, P <0.01).Meanwhile, a positive correlation was found between the plasma IL-17 levels and the relative IL-17R levels in thymus tissues ( r =0.945 4, P <0.01 ).Furthermore, IL-17 was positively correlated with quantitative myasthenia gravis scores (QMGS) either pre-treatment (r =0.798 1, P <0.01) or post-treatment (r=0.906 5, P<0.01).And IL-17R was positively correlated with QMGS pre-treatment (r=0.775 5, P<0.01).Conclusions IL-17 is increased in the plasma of MG patients (both ocular and generalized) , and is decreased upon the glucocorticoid treatment or surgery therapy, suggesting that it can be used as a parameter to determine the therapeutic effects.IL-17R is increased in the thymus tissues of MG patients, suggesting that it can potentially be used as a pathological diagnosis parameter.

OBJECTIVETo study the clonality of uterine leiomyomas, especially the relationship between different nodules in multinodular cases.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from fresh tissue samples and digested through incubation with Hpa II and amplified through nested polymerase chain reaction for phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) gene. The products were treated with Bst XI and resolved on agarose gels.

RESULTSAmong the 103 cases examined, 32 (31%) carried the polymorphic Bst XI site at the PGK locus. Eighty-nine tumors from the 29 cases were subjected to the cloning assay. Loss of polymorphism at the PGK locus was found in all tumor nodules, indicating the monoclonality of the tumor. The relationship between multiple tumors was also assessed by comparing their inactivated alleles. Seven nodules from a leiomyosarcoma were found to have originated from a single cell. However, the relationship was found to be more complicated, as demonstrated in 15 cases of multiple leiomyomas. The same inactivated allele was found in all nodules of 8 cases and in most nodules in 2 cases, while totally different inactivation patterns were observed in 5 cases. The difference was not associated with cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONSClonality analysis can be applied to define the clonality of focal or nodular lesions. Uterine leiomyomas are of clonal origin. Multiple uterine leiomyomas may be subtyped into fully independent and aggressive types as well as a mixed type of both.

Base Sequence ; Clone Cells ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; Deoxyribonuclease HpaII ; metabolism ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; genetics ; pathology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of alcohol extract of Potentilla anserina against myocardial apoptosis induced by acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion by arteria coronaria ligation and the effect on the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in myocardial apoptosis signal pathway.

METHODMale SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the diltiazem group (30 mg x kg(-1)) and P. anserine alcohol extract intervention groups (0.9, 1.8, 3.6 g x kg(-1)). Rat acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model was established by ligating left anterior descending. Apoptosis of myocardial cells were detected by TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay). The expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Semi-quantitative analysis was made for the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTAccording to TUNEL results, after I/R injury-induced myocardial apoptosis, the apoptotic index (AI) of model group was (31.5 +/- 3.6)%. All P. anserine alcohol extract intervention groups showed obvious inhibition of ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis. In the model group, myocardial apoptosis caused increased expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 mRNA and proteins. After the administration of P. anserine alcohol extract, 1.8, 3.6 g x kg(-1) dose groups showed notable decrease in Caspase-9 mRNA (P < 0.05), while the 0.9 g x kg(-1) dose group showed no significant difference with the model group. Alcohol extract of P. anserina in all dosages showed inhibitory effect on the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in myocardial cells compared with model group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that administration of all dosages of alcohol extract of P. anserina could significantly reduce Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein expressions after I/R injury (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe administration with alcohol extract of P. anserina can protect the myocardial tissue from apoptosis after acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats and inhibit the expressions of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 mRNA and proteins.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Potentilla ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To evaluate the potential value of next-generation sequencing ( NGS) as a diagnostic method for listeria infection in central nervous system ( CNS ) . Methods To identify the potentially pathogenic microorganisms ( PPMs) of the five patients with CNS infection in the Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2017 to November 2017, blood or cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) was detected not only using common laboratory tests , including routine , biochemical, cytologic, culture and Gram-staining methods, etc, but also using the BGISEQ-100 sequencing platform to identify the PPMs of CSF .Concomitantly , we collected concurrent clinical data , then performed a comprehensive analysis of their clinical , laboratory , and auxiliary examination data .Results Of the five cases (male :female: 1:4, age ranges: 26 -61 years), the disease mainly occurred in summer.Three patients received immunosuppressants treatment before infection , and three patients had gastrointestinal syndrome in the prodromal period .Infection of CNS led to fever , headache and meningeal irritation sign in all the patients.The medical imaging examinations showed the invasion of meninges , brainstem, and the periventricular gray matter.The cell count of CSF was more than 500 ×106/L.NGS techniques showed listeria genome sequence ranged from 57 to 2611, and the coverage of listeria varied from 0.23％ to 14.00％, and PCR results supported the existence of listeria .Conclusion NGS is beneficial to make the diagnosis of listeria infection in CNS , and can help guide early treatment .

Objective To observe the effects oftelmisartan (TEL) on learning and memory functions of animal models of Alzheimer's disease combined with hypertension.Methods Seventy male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly assigned into 7 groups:control group,sham-operated group,model group,low TEL group (1 mg/[kg· d]),high TEL group (10 mg/[kg· d]),low TEL+GW9662 group (Tel 1 mg/[kg·d]+GW 1 mg/[kg·d]),and high TEL+GW9662 group (Tel 10 mg/[kg·d],GW 10 mg/[kg·d],n=10);the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats in the later 5 groups were injected with beta-amyloid peptide 1-42 (Aβ1-42);rats in the sham-operated group were given the same volume of normal saline,and those in the control group did not give any treatment.The learning and memory abilities of these rats were detected by Morris Maze test;microglia level and casepase-3 expression were assessed by immunohistochemical stainning.Results Constant-bearing navigation indicated that as compared with the model group,the high TEL+GW9662 group,control group and sham-operated group had significantly shorten escape latency on the 3rd d of experiment (P＜0.05),and as compared with the model group,the low TEL group,high TEL group and high TEL+GW9662 group had significantly shorten latency (P＜0.05).Spatial probe test showed that the times of crossing the platform,target quadrant residence time in the low TEL group,high TEL group and high TEL+GW9662 group were significantly larger/longer than those in the model group (P＜0.05).The casepase-3 expression and microglia level in the CA1 area of model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05);The Ibal and caspase-3 expressions in the low TEL group,high TEL group and high TEL+GW9662 group were significantly weaker than those in the model group (P＜0.05).Conclusion TEL has preventive effect on cognitive decline in rat models of Alzheimer's disease complicated with hypertension,and can be restrained by GW9662,which suggests that these benefits might be partly resulted from PPAR-γ activation and intracranial infection inhibitation.

Objective To analyze the clinical and electrophysiological features in a family with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and assess the probable causative gene mutations for the family. Methods To identify the nosogenesis of the proband with weakness and atrophy in the double lower proximal limbs, clinical data of his 12 family members were collected, and the proband and his mother were selected for clinical examinations, including laboratory tests, electromyogram (EMG), F-wave, H-reflex, X-ray of the spine and double lower limbs, brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging, etc. Moreover, human whole exome sequencing was performed on blood sample from the proband, then its deleterious effects were assessed according to the Standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants, a joint consensus recommendation of the American College of Medical Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP). Subsequently, the strong pathogenic mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing. Results Familial investigation showed seven of 12 family members presented with weakness in the double lower proximal limbs. Among them, three had the main manifestation of atrophy in the double lower proximal limbs, one had high arched foot as the main presentation, and the others had weakness in the double lower proximal limbs. EMG studies showed the abnormal results in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. The strong pathogenic mutation in DYNC1H1 gene (exon8, c.2327C＞T, p.P776L) was identified from the proband according to ACMG and AMP guidelines. Sanger sequencing revealed six patients had this variant and it was passed mainly from his maternal grandmother. Conclusions A pathogenic mutation of the DYNC1H1 p.P776L in six Chinese pedigrees which cosegregated with SMA was identified. There existed individual differences in clinical presentations. This finding may have important implications for the study of SMA in Chinese patients.

Objective:To explore any effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the recovery of neurological functioning and the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and inflammatory factors after ischemic stroke.Methods:Sixty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a sham stimulation group and an observation group, each of 16. All mice except those of the normal control group received middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture method to model an ischemic stroke. After the modeling the observation group was given 1Hz rTMS daily for 7 consecutive days, while the sham stimulation group was given sham rTMS. After the intervention, Zea-Longa scores were used for all of the groups, and the size of the cerebral infarct was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The expression of NLRP3 around the cerebral infarction was detected using immunofluorescence, while that in the brain tissue was measured using Western blotting. The expression of interleukin-1β and IL-18 in the brain tissue was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Compared with the normal control group, a significant increase was observed in the other groups′ average neurological function impairment scores. Expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the model and sham stimulation groups also increased, with large cerebral infarcts in the cortex and hippocampus. Compared with the sham stimulation and model groups, there was a significant decrease in the average neurological dysfunction scores, the area of cerebral infarction in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the observation group.Conclusions:Low-frequency rTMS can promote the recovery of damaged nerve function after an ischemic stroke, at least in mice. It can reduce the size of cerebral infarction, and inhibit neuronal pyroptosis, which is closely related to the down-regulation of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 expression.

Objective:To investigate the prognoses of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM) and explore their influencing factors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. The clinical data, imaging features and treatment plans of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with LM admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to June 2021 were collected. Overall survival (OS) was used as the prognostic evaluation criterion and patients were divided into good prognosis group (OS≥6 months) and poor prognosis group (OS<6 months) accordingly. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors for prognoses of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with LM. These patients were grouped according to different Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores and different treatment methods, and survival curves were drawn to compare their OS.Results:A total of 173 pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with LM were enrolled in the study, including 75 with good prognosis and 87 with poor prognosis. There were significant differences in the KPS scores, pulmonary adenocarcinoma lesion controlled status, giving third generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy or not, giving systemic chemotherapy and/or whole brain radiotherapy or not between the two groups ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that KPS scores and pulmonary adenocarcinoma lesion controlled status were independent influencing factors for prognoses ( OR=4.186, 95%CI: 1.583-11.070, P=0.004; OR=4.198, 95%CI: 1.499-11.760, P=0.006). Survival curves showed median OS of 8.2 months for all patients ( 95%CI: 6.5-9.8). The OS in patients with low-risk(KPS scores≥60) was significantly higher than that in patients with high-risk(KPS scores<60), that in patients accepted TKI treatment was significantly higher than that in patients not accepted TKI treatment, and that in patients accepted TKI and systemic chemotherapy was significantly higher than that in patients accepted TKI alone ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with high KPS scores and controlled pulmonary adenocarcinoma can have relatively good prognosis; TKI treatment and combination therapy may prolong OS of these patients.