AIM: To construct recombinant lentiviral vector with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of CREB gene, and to investigate the effect of CREB gene silencing on mitochondrial morphology and cell apoptosis in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced cortical neurons.METHODS: Three lentiviral vectors pLentiLox3.7 (PLL) inserted shRNA fragments targeting CREB gene were co-transfected with the packaging plasmids psPAX2 and pMD2.G to the 293T cells, and the virus particles, which was infected with the primary cortical neurons, was encapsulated.The protein expression of CREB was detected by Western blot.The mitochondrial morphology, cell apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were evaluated by the methods of MitoTracker red, TUNEL and Western blot in OGD/R induced cortical neurons after CREB gene silencing.RESULTS: The pLL-CREB-shRNA1 was the most effective shRNA, which inhibited 80% CREB gene expression in the cortical neurons.The mitochondrial was appeared dot and fragment morphology in OGD/R induced cortical neurons with transfected pLL-CREB-shRNA1 plasmid.In addition, the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased, the expression of Bax, and the apoptosis of the neurons were increased by tranfected with pLL-CREB-shRNA1.CONCLUSION: CREB shRNA recombinant lentiviral vector specifically inhibits the expression of CREB gene.CREB gene silencing promotes the cell apoptosis and mitochondrial morphological changes in the cortical neurons induced by OGD/R.

Objective The alm of this study was to determine the solubility and permeability of daldzin and daldzein and the interaction of these two components.Methods With the method inChinese Pharmacopoeia and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model we tested the solubility and permeability of daldzin, daldzein and their interaction.Results In pH 7.4 K-R buffer the solubility of daldzin was 6 times than daldzein and both the solubility of these two components were enhanced when they were determined together. In small intestine of rat, the permeability of daldzein was 3 times than daldzin. Daldzin could enhance the permeability of daldzein but the daldzein manifested an opposite trend.Conclusion When compared to daldzin, daldzein owned a lower solubility but a better permeability. When used together, both the solubility and permeability of daldzein would be enhanced. The solubility of daldzin could be enhanced slightly but its permeability would be reduced.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of calcium,phosphorus and magnesium in blood and compare the differences in seven areas of Heilongjiang province,and then estimate calcuim-phosphorus metabolism of beef cattle in seven beef cattle farms to provi detheoretical foundation for the prevention of calcium phosphorus metabolism diseases of beef cattle.Seven beef cattle farms of Daqing,Shuangyashan,Jiusan and Mudanjiang in Heilongjiang province were selected as the survey sites,which were recorded as group A (both grazing and stall-feeding in Shuangyashan),group B (stall-feeding mode in Shuangyashan),group C (stall-feeding mode in Daqing),group D (grazing mode in Jiusan),group E (both grazing and stall-feeding in Daqing),group F (both grazing and stall-feeding in Daqing) and group G (stall-feeding mode in Mudanjiang).Then the concentrations of Ca,Mg,P,free fatty acid (NEFA),glucose (Glc) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) in the blood were compared to estimate the calcuim-phosphorus metabolic states.Results showed that the concentrations of calcium,magnesium and phosphorus in the plasma of 65 beef cattle in seven survey sites were within the normal range,and there was no significant difference in calcium concentration among seven sites.The P contents in group C and G were significantly higher those that in group A and B(P＜0.01),which in group C was significantly higher than those in group D,E and F (P＜0.01),which in group G was significantly higher than those in group D,E and F(P＜0.01).NEFA content in group B was significantly higher than that in group D (P＜0.05),and there was no difference among other groups.The concentration of Glc in group A was significantly higher than that in group E (P＜0.05),which in group B was significantly higher than those in group A and D,and was very significantly higher than those in group E,F and G (P＜0.01),which in group C was very significantly higher than those in group A,D,E,F and G (P＜0.01),which in group C was significantly higher than those in group A,D,E,F and G (P＜0.01),which in group D was significantly higher than that in group E (P＜0.05),and which in group F was significantly higher than that in group E (P＜0.05).The concentration of BHBA in group C,D and E were significantly higher than that in group A (P＜0.01),which in group C was significantly higher than that in group B (P＜0.05),which in group D and E was significantly higher than that in group B (P＜0.01),which in group C was significantly higher than that in group G (P＜0.01),which in group D was significantly higher than those in group F and G (P＜0.01),and in group E was highly significantly higher than that in group F and G (P＜0.01).Overall,there were not calcuim-phosphorus metabolic disorders within the seven beef cattle farms which were selected,but it is also necessary to strengthen feeding management and health care to prevent the occurrence of nutrition and metabolic diseases.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in children and to analyze the efficacy of lamotrigine (LTG) add-on therapy for DRE in children of different seizure type, syndrome and etiological category.Methods:All cases of DRE patients treated with LTG or other antiseizure medication (ASM) adjunctive therapy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2019 to April 2020 were collected.The LTG add-on therapy group was treated with LTG add-on therapy, and the control group was treated with other ASM add-on therapy.The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 134 cases meeting the requirement of research were collected, including 98 cases in the LTG add-on therapy group and 36 cases in the control group.For seizure of focal onset and unknown origin, there was statistical difference in efficacy between the LTG add-on therapy group and the control group ( Z=-2.48、-2.11, P<0.05), but for generalized DRE in children, there was no statistical difference in efficacy between the two groups ( Z=-0.39, P>0.05). There was a significantly statistical difference in curative effect between the LTG add-on therapy group and the control group for childhood DRE which could not be classified as any epileptic syndrome ( Z=-3.99, P<0.01), but there was no statistical difference in efficacy between the two groups for West syndrome and benign epilepsy accompanied by central temporal spikes ( Z=-0.94、-1.22, P>0.05). For childhood intractable epilepsy with unknown etiology, there was statistical difference in efficacy between the LTG add-on therapy group and the control group ( Z=-1.96, P<0.05), and for childhood intractable epilepsy with structural etiology, there was significantly statistical difference in efficacy between the two groups ( Z=-3.07, P<0.01), but there was no statistical difference in the efficacy for childhood intractable epilepsy with genetic etiology between the two groups ( Z=-1.02, P>0.05). Conclusion:The efficacy of LTG add-on therapy is significantly better than others for childhood DRE with seizure of focal onset or unknown origin, childhood DRE unclassified to any syndrome, and childhood DRE with structural etiology and unknown origin, especially with structural etiology.

Objective:To analyze clinical and imaging features of Sturge-Weber syndrome in children.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 27 children with Sturge-Weber syndrome in Xuzhou Children′s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University from July 2013 to December 2019, and analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among the 27 children, 17 were males and 10 were females. Their age at the clinic visit ranged from 2 days to 10 years and 7 months, and averaged 2.54 years. All the 27 patients presented with facial port-wine stains of varied color from light red to purple red, which were all distributed across the facial midline, including 21 with predominantly unilateral port-wine stains and 6 with bilateral symmetrical port-wine stains. There were 17 patients with ocular choroidal vascular malformations, including 14 with congenital glaucoma, 5 with high intraocular pressure, and 1 with optic nerve atrophy accompanied by transient blindness. Neurological impairment occurred in 12 patients, and all manifested as epilepsy. All the 27 children underwent imaging examination, and abnormalities were found in 20. Among the 10 patients with abnormal computed tomography images, local calcification was observed in 8, and local thickening of the skull on the side affected by skin lesions in 8; 13 of 14 patients with abnormal magnetic resonance imaging scan results had signs of brain atrophy, 9 showed enhanced gyrus-like blood vessel formation by enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and 5 showed decreased branches of the anterior and middle cerebral artery on the affected facial side by magnetic resonance angiography.Conclusions:Children with Sturge-Weber syndrome are clinically characterized by predominantly unilateral port wine stains on the face, some of whom are accompanied by epilepsy, glaucoma or mental retardation, and imaging examinations mainly show local calcification, brain atrophy, local thickening of the skull plate, enhanced gyrus-like blood vessel formation, etc. Early definite diagnosis and comprehensive systemic treatment are needed to reduce disability and mortality rates in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome, and long-term follow-up should be considered.

【Objective】 To investigate the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index in young and middle-aged patients with ischemic stroke. 【Methods】 A total of 268 patients were divided into two groups, namely low TyG index group (n=134) and high TyG index group (n=134). Characteristics of the study population and metabolism risk factors (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, UA) were collected from biochemical test results. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between metabolism risk factors and TyG index. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for RC and TyG index. 【Results】 Compared with the low TyG index group, significant differences were observed for BMI, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, SBP, DBP, FBG, TC, TG, LDL-C, RC, UA, and TyG index in high TyG index group. No significant differences were observed in age, gender, smoking status, or drinking status, HDL-C between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that significant linear associations were observed between BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, RC, UA and TyG index. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the RC, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, TC, LDL-C, and UA were significantly associated with the risk of increased level of TyG index. After adjusted analysis by RC, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, TC, LDL-C, and UA, only RC was significantly associated with an increased risk of increased level of TyG index. 【Conclusion】 Remnant cholesterol was associated with an increased risk of elevated TyG index level in young and middle-aged patients with ischemic stroke.

【Objective】 To investigate the associations between thyroid hormone sensitivity indices in euthyroid patients with hypertension and the risk of ischemic stroke, as well as gender difference in this association. 【Methods】 We selected 760 hypertensive patients admitted to the Geriatric Neurology Department and outpatient clinic in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University between April 2021 and May 2022. We collected their basic characteristics, blood biochemical parameters, thyroid indices, and brain magnetic resonance imaging information. All the patients were divided into two groups based on the clinical manifestations and brain magnetic resonance imaging: hypertension combined with ischemic stroke (n=526) and control (n=234) groups. Independent sample t-tests or non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in thyroid hormone sensitivity indicators between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum thyroid indices and ischemic stroke. Multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis was made to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for thyroid indices and ischemic stroke. 【Results】 There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, TC, LDL-c, HDL-c, systolic blood pressure, FT3/FT4, TFQI, and PTFQI (all P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in weight, smoking, drinking, history of diabetes, TG, FBG, diastolic blood pressure, TSHI, or TT4RI (all P>0.05). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between FT3/FT4 and ischemic stroke (P<0.05), but a positive correlation of TFQI and PTFQI with ischemic stroke (P<0.05) in euthyroid patients with hypertension. Logistic regression analysis showed that FT3/FT4 was significantly associated with ischemic stroke in euthyroid patients with hypertension (P=0.001), with OR (95% CI) of 0.001 (0.000, 0.058). After stratifying by gender, Logistic regression analysis found that FT3/FT4, TFQI, and PTFQI were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in female patients, with OR (95% CI) of 0.000 (0.000, 0.001), 3.132 (1.415, 6.930), and 3.010 (1.406, 6.445), respectively. 【Conclusion】 Lower serum FT3/FT4 ratio is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in euthyroid patients with hypertension, and the significant association of TFQI and PTFQI with the risk of ischemic stroke is found in females.

【Objective】 To investigate the association of thyroid indices with the prevalence of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged euthyroid population. 【Methods】 For this retrospective study, 620 euthyroid patients aged from 18 to 65 years were divided into ischemic stroke group (n=308) and non-ischemic stroke group (n=312). The characteristics of the study population; serum thyroid indices, i.e., free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), were collected from biochemical test results. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for thyroid indices and ischemic stroke. 【Results】 Compared with non-ischemic stroke group, significant differences were observed in age, gender, weight, smoking status, drinking status, history of hypertension and diabetes, SBP, DBP, FBG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, FT3, FT4, FT3/FT4, TFQI, and PTFQI in ischemic stroke patients (all P<0.05). No significant differences were observed for TG, TSH, TSHI, or TT4RI between the two groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower FT3 [OR (95% CI) =0.722 (0.547~0.955) , P=0.022] and FT3/FT4 ratio [OR (95% CI) =0.723 (0.600~0.870) , P=0.001] , FT4 [OR (95% CI) =1.099 (1.011~1.194) , P=0.026] were significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. After stratified analysis by hypertension, FT4 [OR (95% CI) =1.133 (1.021~1.257) , P=0.019] , lower FT3/FT4 ratio [OR (95% CI) =0.723 (0.600~0.870) , P=0.003] , TFQI [ OR (95% CI) =1.854 (1.026~3.350) , P=0.041] , and PTFQI [OR (95% CI) =1.871 (1.065~3.288) , P=0.029] were significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients combined with hypertension, while after stratified analysis by diabetes, we only found that lower FT3/FT4 ratio [OR (95% CI) =0.730 (0.559~0.953) , 0.704 (0.536~0.944) , P=0.021] and FT4 [OR (95% CI) =1.170 (1.025~1.335) , P=0.026] were significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients combined with diabetes. 【Conclusion】 FT3, FT4, and FT3/FT4 ratio are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged euthyroid population; TFQI and PTFQ are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in patients combined with hypertension.

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) has been investigated in basic studies, with satisfactory effects on insulin resistance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This translational approach aimed to explore the effect and underlying mechanism of LGZG in clinical setting. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was performed. A total of 243 eligible participants with NAFLD were equally allocated to receive LGZG (two groups: standard dose and low dose) or placebo for 12 weeks on the basis of lifestyle modifications. The primary efficacy variable was homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Analyses were performed in two populations in accordance with body mass index (BMI; overweight/obese, BMI ⩾ 24 kg/m²; lean, BMI < 24 kg/m²). For overweight/obese participants, low-dose LGZG significantly decreased their HOMA-IR level compared with placebo (-0.19 (1.47) versus 0.08 (1.99), P = 0.038). For lean subjects, neither dose of LGZG showed a superior effect compared with placebo. Methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing and real-time qPCR found that the DNA N6-methyladenine modification levels of protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3A (PPP1R3A) and autophagy related 3 (ATG3) significantly increased after LGZG intervention in overweight/obese population. Low-dose LGZG effectively improved insulin resistance in overweight/obese subjects with NAFLD. The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of DNA N6-methyladenine modification of PPP1R3A and ATG3. Lean subjects may not be a targeted population for LGZG.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy* ; Overweight/drug therapy* ; Insulin Resistance ; Obesity/drug therapy* ; China ; DNA/therapeutic use*