Objective　To study the plasticity of hippocampal formation in epilepsy.Methods　The optical density (OD)of synaptophysin positive immunoreactive product was examined by image pattern analysis instrument in hippocampus of pentylenetetrazol induced kindling epileptic rats. The examined areas included CA1,CA3 and the dentate gyrus.Results　The OD of synaptophysin positive immunoreactive product in hippocampal formation of kindling group was higher than the controls,especially in the mossy fiber layer of the area CA3 and the inner molecular layer in the dentate gyrus. Conclusion　The change of synaptophysin resulted from kindling, it also could result in the molecular elements of kindling maintenance.

Objective:To investigate the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) digestive enzyme CD38 in normal and endotoxin-tolerant human monocyte THP-1 cell lines treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods:(1) Normal THP-1 cells: The experiment and control group were treated with 100 ng/ml LPS for 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h or phosphate buffer for 24 h, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot were used to measure the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mRNA, CD38 mRNA and protein. (2) The induced endotoxin-tolerant THP-1 cells: ①The model of endotoxin-tolerant cells was established firstly by treating the THP-1 cells with 100 ng/ml LPS for 24 h. THP-1 cells treated with phosphate buffer were set as blank group. After further stimulating the two groups with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 3 h, mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF were measured by quantitative PCR to determine whether the modeling was successful or not. ②In addition, the expression of CD38 mRNA were detected by quantitative PCR before and 12 h after LPS stimulation, and the expression of CD38 protein of these two groups were detected by western blotting before and 1, 6 h after LPS stimulation. Two independent samples t-test and repeated measurement analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results:(1) In normal THP-1 cells, the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF in the LPS-stimulated cells were significantly higher than those of the control at all time points. And a higher expression level of CD38 mRNA and protein was observed in LPS-stimulated cells from 3 to 24 h compared with the control (mRNA at 3 h: 2.27±0.03 vs 1.00±0.18; protein at 3 h: 1.47±0.14 vs 1.00±0.16, both P<0.05). (2) Endotoxin-tolerant THP-1 cells: ①IL-6 and TNF mRNA levels in the model group were significantly lower than those in the blank group (both P<0.05), indicating that the endotoxin-tolerant THP-1 cell model was established successfully. ②Compared with the same points in the blank group, CD38 mRNA expression was upregulated in the model group before stimulating by LPS (14.18±1.19 vs 1.00±0.13, t=19.007) and 12 h after LPS stimulation (28.33±3.98 vs 7.61±0.88, t=8.803). Moreover, CD38 protein levels before stimulating by LPS (1.54±0.06 vs 1.00±0.10, t=7.796) and 1 h (1.59±0.09 vs 1.07±0.17, t=4.721), 6 h after LPS stimulation (2.48±0.09 vs 1.43±0.12, t=12.233) in the model group were all higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The intra-group comparison showed that in the model group the levels of CD38 mRNA at 12 h and CD38 protein at 6 h after LPS stimulation were significantly higher than those before (both P< 0.05). Conclusions:In both normal and endotoxin-tolerant THP-1 cells, LPS upregulates the expression of CD38, which is an NAD + digestive enzyme, and an indirect indicator of NAD + level in monocyte reinfection at the stage of immunosuppression. This study provides a preliminary reference for further investigation on the applicability of CD38 as a potential biological marker in the clinical diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Objective To explore the changes of expression of platelet PECAM-1,P-selectin in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods The platelet expression levels of PECAM-1,P-selectin in 35 patients with acute cerebral infarction were serially measured with whole blood flow cytometry 24,48 hours and 5,7,14 days after the onset,and were compared with those of 30 normal controls.Results The platelet expression levels of PECAM-1 and P-selectin in patients with cerebral infarction 24 hours after the onset(78.35?10.48,7.75?3.04 respectively)were higher than those of controls(48.89?10.84,2.18?0.83 respectively,all P

Extremely preterm infants (EPIs) are extremely immature in organ development, vulnerable to various comorbidities after birth, and may result in high mortality and disability rates. The short- and long-term prognosis of EPIs is closely related to early management. In-depth collaboration between obstetricians and pediatricians is the key to improving their quality of life. Compared to developed countries, there is much to improve in the Chinese mainland, especially in perinatal collaboration. The attitude towards EPI treatment, prenatal prophylaxis, intrauterine transport, delivery room warmth, respiratory management in the delivery room, breastfeeding, family integrated care, cord blood stem cell therapy, and other issues in the field of perinatal collaboration in China is discussed in this article, to promote the collaborative work in related fields further.

Objective To study the role of partial pressure of oxygen in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension induced by meconium aspiration syndrome. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 58 patients with meconium aspirate and pulmonary hypertension from January 1,2007 to December 31,2016, 28 patients in the death group,and 30 patients in the survival group. Blood gas analysis about two groups of children with mechanical ventilation were collected at four different time points:before mechanical ventilation ( 0 h) ,12 hours after mechanical ventilation,24 hours after mechanical ventilation and 72 hours after mechan-ical ventilation. The 80 mmHg(1 mmHg=0. 133 kPa) in blood gas analysis of the partial pressure of oxygen was used as the boundary point to study the effects about different blood oxygen partial pressures on the length of mechanical ventilation time in the survival group. Results Blood gas analysis showed that there were no significant differences in pH,partial pressure of oxygen,HCO3-,and lactic acid before mechanical ventilation in the two groups,but the pH values were significantly higher in the survival group after 12 h, 24 h,and 72 h of mechanical ventilation(t values:-2. 07,-3. 48,-7. 11;P <0. 05). Partial pressure of oxygen were higher in the surviving group at 12 h,24 h,and 72 h than those in the death group(t values-2. 87,-4. 88,-11. 29; P<0. 05). The HCO3-values of the survival group at 12 h,24 h and 72 h were higher than the death group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values: -3. 90, -5. 60,-5. 76,P<0. 001). The lactic acid of survival group was significantly lower than the death group at 72 h after ventilation (t=5. 12,P<0. 001). Compared with the death group,partial pressure of carbon dioxide in 24 h,72 h decreased significantly in the surviving group(t values:5. 67,7. 60;P<0. 05). In the surviving group,the partial pressure of oxygen was maintained above 80 mmHg in 18 patients and the mechanical venti-lation time was (7. 17 ± 1. 95) d. The partial pressure of oxygen was below 80 mmHg in 12 patients of the surviving group and the mechanical ventilation time was (8. 67 ± 2. 50)d. The difference was statistically sig-nificant(t =12. 02,P <0. 001). Conclusion In the treatment of newborn with pulmonary hypertension caused by meconium aspiration,maintaining a higher pH value and a partial pressure of oxygen higher than 80 mmHg may be beneficial to the recovery of children with pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To investigate the risk factors affecting the prognosis of preterm infants with septic shock. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 114 preterm children with septic shock admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the PLA Army General Hospital from February 2014 to January 2017. According to the outcomes, these cases were divided into two groups, the cured group and the death group (including those died after ineffective treatment and withdrawal of treatment). Clinical data including the general clinical data, perinatal risk factors, clinical features and prognosis of the two groups of children, as well as the occurrence of related complications were statistically analyzed by t-test, Wilcoxon nonparametric test, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability method. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the prognosis. Predictive values of the indicators were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results (1) Among the 114 patients, 87(76.3%) were cured and 27(23.7%) were dead. (2) In the death group, there were more infants complicated with amniotic fluid pollution, anemia and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100×109/L) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher than those in the cured group [29.6% (8/27) vs 8.1% (7/87), χ2=6.618; 22.2% (6/27) vs 5.9% (5/87), χ2=4.665; 59.3% (16/27) vs 23.3% (20/87), χ2=12.546; 36.0 (1.0-80.0) mg/L vs 7.5 (1.0-25.0) mg/L, Z=2.400], while the hemoglobin level was lower [(122.2±43.3) g/L vs (140.5±34.4) g/L, t=2.260] (all P<0.05). (3) The percentages of infants with patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hemorrhage and coagulopathy in the death group were higher than those in the cured group [81.5% (22/27) vs 60.9% (53/87), χ2=3.871; 37.0% (10/27) vs 12.6% (11/87), χ2=6.616;48.2% (13/27) vs 20.7% (18/87), χ2=7.847; all P<0.05]. (4) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that amniotic fluid contamination, coagulopathy, patent ductus arteriosus and CRP level were risk factors for poor prognosis in neonates (all P<0.05). (5) A total of 77 pathogens were isolated from the 114 infants with 66 in the cured group and 11 in the death group. Pathogens of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi in the cured and death groups accounted for 37.9% (25/66) vs 3/11, 37.9% (25/66) vs 6/11, and 24.2% (16/66) vs 2/11, respectively. No significant difference in pathogen distribution was observed between the two groups. (6) The area under the ROC curve of CRP was 0.649 (P=0.024). When the cut-off value of CRP was set at 31 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting adverse outcomes in preterm infants with septic shock were 0.802 and 0.556, respectively, and the Yoden index was 0.358. The area under the ROC curve of thrombocytopenia was 0.708 (P<0.001). When the platelet level was set at 94×109/L, its sensitivity and specificity were 0.767 and 0.593, respectively, and the Yoden index was 0.360. Conclusions Amniotic fluid contamination, patent ductus arteriosus, coagulopathy and elevated CRP are important risk factors for death in preterm infants with septic shock. Thrombocytopenia and persistently elevated CRP has predictive values for the prognosis of preterm infants with sepsis shock.

Objective To investigate the long-term safety and effectiveness of withdrawal of hepatitis B immuneglobulin (HBIG) and/or nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B-related diseases after successful vaccination. Methods Baseline data of 76 liver transplant recipients undergoing hepatitis B immune reconstitution after receiving hepatitis B vaccines were retrospectively analyzed. The vaccination and response, the follow-up results of respondents with HBIG and/or NAs withdrawal, and the reinfection of HBV after withdrawal of HBIG and/or NAs were analyzed. Results The time interval from liver transplantation to hepatitis B vaccination was 26 (20, 40) months. The time interval from vaccination to response was 15 (8,27) months. Initially, 76 recipients withdrew HBIG, and 36 recipients withdrew HBIG and NAs. During the follow-up, 12 of 76 recipients who withdrew HBIG resumed use of HBIG, and 16 of 36 recipients who withdrew HBIG and NAs resumed use of NAs. The withdrawal time of HBIG and NAs was 135 (98,150) and 133 (34,149) months, respectively. Sixteen respondents did not receive booster, and 36 respondents received boosters on a regular basis. The time interval between the first booster and HBIG withdrawal was 44 (11,87) months. No significant differences were observed in baseline data between the respondents with and without boosters (all P>0.05). During the follow-up, 9 recipients were lost to follow-up, 5 were re-infected with HBV, 3 died, and 1 recipient developed graft loss and underwent secondary liver transplantation. Among 5 recipients re-infected with HBV, 4 cases had virus mutation. Significant differences were found between re-infected and uninfected patients regarding withdrawal of NAs and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive before transplantation (both P<0.05). Conclusions Long-term withdrawal of HBIG is feasible and safe for recipients with successful hepatitis B immune reconstitution after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related diseases. Nevertheless, whether antiviral drugs can be simultaneously withdrawn remains to be validated.

BACKGROUNDHemifacial spasm (HFS) is a facial nerve disorder characterized by episodic involuntary ipsilateral facial muscle contraction. Information on Chinese patients with HFS has not been well-characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical feature and the treatment status of HFS across China.

METHODSA cross-sectional study including 1003 primary HFS patients had been carried out in 15 movement disorder clinics in China in 2012. The investigated information was acquired from questionnaires and medical records including demographic data, site of onset, aggravating and relieving factors, treatments prior to the investigation, etc.

RESULTSIn this study, the ratio of male to female was 1.0:1.8, the mean age at onset was (46.6 ± 11.5) years. About 1.0% patients were bilaterally affected. The most often site of initial onset was the orbicularis oculi muscle. The most often affected sites were orbicularis oculi, zygomatic, and orbicularis oris muscles. Stress/anxiety and relaxation were most often aggravating and relieving factors, respectively; 2.3% patients had family history, 28.4% cases were combined with hypertension, and 1.4% patients were with trigeminal neuralgia. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection was the most commonly used treatment, followed by acupuncture and oral medication. BTX-A maintained the highest repeat treatment ratio (68.7%), while 98.4% patients gave up acupuncture. The mean latency of BTX-A effect was (5.0 ± 4.7) days, the mean total duration of the effect was (19.5 ± 11.7) weeks, and 95.9% patients developed improvements no worse than moderate in both severity and function. The most common side effect was droopy mouth.

CONCLUSIONSThe onset age of HFS in China is earlier than that in western countries. The most often used two treatments are BTX-A injection and acupuncture, while the latter kept the poor repeat treatment ratio because of dissatisfactory therapeutic effect.

Adult ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; therapeutic use ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hemifacial Spasm ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Agents ; therapeutic use