BACKGROUND: Tiantai I consists of gastrodia, Chinese angelica root, areca seed. It has been considered as the roles of invigorating the liver, nourishing marrow, heightening the intelligence and causing resuscitation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Tiantai Ⅰ on the abilities of learn ing and memory and the activity of central cholinergic system in mice withspontaneous Alzheimer disease. DESIGN: A randomized control observation. SETTING: Shenzhen Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine. MATERIALS: Male Kunming mice of 13 months old were raised to 21 months old, of which 52 with spontaneous Alzheimer disease werescreened. They were randomly divided into blank control group, westerndrug control group, Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groups, 13 mice in eachgroup. Another 13 aged mice with normal learning and memory abilitieswere selected as the normal control group at the same time. METHODS: Mice in the western drug control group were treated with0.6 mg/Kg Hydergine, those in the Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groupswere given intragastric administration of Tiantai Ⅰ of 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg, respectively, and those in the normal control group and blank control groupwere given double distilled water of the same volume. The learning andmemory results were examined by the step-down test. Freezing sections ofbrain tissue were prepared, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) fiber was showedaccording to the Hedreen method, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was detected with Burt and Silver methods, the automatic image analysissystem for biomedical application was applied in the quantitative analysisof AChE fiber and ChAT activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Effect of Tiantai Ⅰ on the abilities of learning and memory in mice with Alzheimer disease; ② AChE fiberarea density in temporal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region; ③ ChAT ac tivity in Meynert nuclei of basal forebrain. RESULTS: ① Tiantai Ⅰ in ameliorating the abilities of learning and mem ory in mice with spontaneous Alzheimer disease: The error times in theTiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groups, normal control group and westerndrug control group were obviously fewer than that in the blank controlgroup (5.08±2.18, 3.77±1.48, 3.25±1.27, 6.17±3.12, 9.31±3.65, P ＜ 0.05). ② AChE fiber area density: The AChE fiber area densities in temporalcortex were obviously higher in the Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 and 20.41 g/kg groups, normal control group and western drug control group than in the blankcontrol group (20.19±4.18, 25.01±6.44, 26.38±6.52, 19.44±4.33, 14.36±3.21, P ＜ 0.05). The AChE fiber area densities in hippocampal CA1 region were obviously higher in the Tiantai Ⅰ 20.41 g/kg groups and nor mal control group than in the blank control group, western drug controlgroup and Tiantai Ⅰ 6.80 g/kg group (13.88±3.07, 14.11±4.36, 6.57±2.30, 10.13±2.94, 9.63±2.40, P ＜ 0.05). ③ ChAT activity: It was obviously high er in the TiantaiI 20.41 and 6.80 g/kg groups, western drug control groupand normal control group than in the blank control group (0.683±0.179, 0.589±0.179, 0.552±0.173, 0.705±0.141, 0.354±0.131, P ＜ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tiantai Ⅰ can significantly improve the disturbances oflearning and memory in mice with spontaneous Alzheimer disease, and itcan increase the activity of central cholinergic system in a dose-dependentmanner.

Objective To investigate the early diagnostic and the prognostic value of amplitude integrated e-lectroencephalography(aEEG)in neonates with hypoxic - ischemic encephalopathy( HIE). Methods The medical data subjects were admitted to the Department of Neonatology,Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2012 to December 2013. Ninety term infants with HIE were divided into 3 groups(mild,moderate and severe),and they were investigated respectively by aEEG monitoring within 12 hours after birth,and all of the infants accepted cranial magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)on 3 to 7 days after birth. The outcomes by MRI were divided into 3 groups(mildly abnor-mal,moderately abnormal and severely abnormal). The findings of aEEG monitoring were divided into 3 groups(nor-mal,mildly abnormal and severely abnormal),the correlation between the findings of aEEG and the severity of HIE was analyzed. The correlation between the results of aEEG and severity of MRI were analyzed. Behavior evaluation of infants with HIE were applied by Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment(NBNA)score on 7 d,14 d,28 d after birth and prognostic evaluation of children with HIE was conducted based on Children's Development Center of China infants intelligence development test at 12 months of age. Results (1)Among 90 term infants with HIE,44 cases(48. 9% ) had mild HIE,29 cases(32. 2% )moderate and 17 cases(18. 9% )severe HIE;49 cases(54. 4% )had mildly ab-normal MRI,23 cases(25. 6% )moderately abnormal MRI and 18 cases(20. 0% )severely abnormal MRI;43 cases (47. 8% )had normal aEEG,25 cases(27. 8% )mildly abnormal and 22 cases(24. 4% )severely abnormal aEEG. (2)The findings of aEEG classification were correlated with the severity of HIE(r = 0. 970 7,P ﹤ 0. 001). The findings of aEEG classification were correlated with the severity of MRI(r = 0. 933 5,P ﹤ 0. 001).(3)NBNA score with severe-ly abnormal aEEG was obviously lower than that with the mildly abnormal aEEG. NBNA score on 7 d after birth:(14. 1 ± 4. 2)scores vs(32. 2 ± 2. 3)scores,on 14 d after birth:(17. 8 ± 5. 6)scores vs(33. 4 ± 2. 1)scores,on 28 d after birth:(18. 9 ± 8. 4)scores vs(34. 6 ± 2. 6)scores,and the difference was statistically significant(all P ﹤0. 05).(4)The infants with HIE were followed at 12 months of age. The development quotient mental development in-dex(MDI)and psychomotor development index(PDI)with severely abnormal aEEG were obviously lower than that with the mildly abnormal aEEG[MDI(65. 1 ± 4. 1)scores vs(89. 1 ± 6. 7)scores,PDI(67. 5 ± 10. 1)scores vs(90. 7 ± 8. 3)scores],the difference was statistically significant(all P ﹤ 0. 05). Conclusion It is indicated that aEEG can early evaluate the severity of HIE and help predict its neurological outcome.

BACKGROUND: The synaptic plasticity of central nerves is the key basis of behavior-dependent learning and memory, there have been few reports about weather the Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of Alzheimer disease is through enhancing synaptic plasticity to improve learning and memory.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of tiantai No. 1 recipe on learning and memory function and synaptic plasticity of spontaneous Alzheimer disease models.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled trial.SETTING: Institute of Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine of Shenzhen.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed at the grade Ⅱ Laboratory of Institute of Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine of Shenzhen City. The experimental animals were mice of Kunming strain.METHODS: Totally 52 Kunming mice, aged 21 months, with spontaneous Alzheimer disease (memory impairment) were chosen, and at random divided into 4 groups: senile dementia, western drug control, tiantai No. 1recipe 6.80 g/kg and 20.41 g/kg groups; besides 13 mice with normal learning and memory power were chosen as normal senile group. Hydergine 0.6 mg/kg was given for mice in western drug control group, tiantai No. 1recipe 6.80 g/kg and 20.41 g/kg were respectively given for mice in tiantai No. 1 recipe 6.80 g/kg and 20.41 g/kg groups. The medicines above were all prepared into 0.5 mL solution and given by gavage, for consecutive 60 days. The mice in normal senile and senile dementia groups were given double distilled water of the same volume. The learning memory power was tested by jumping stand; ultrathin cerebral section of hippocampal CA1 region was examined with transmission electron microscope,and some parameters of synaptic plasticity was also quantitatively detected with automatic micrographic analysis system.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The effect of tiantai No. 1 recipe in different doses on learning and memory of spontaneous Alzheimer disease mice. ② Observation of synapse with electron microscope and quantitative examination stereologically.RESULTS: All animals involved in the trial entered the final result analysis without any loss. ① The effect of tiantai No. 1 recipe in different doses on learning and memory of spontaneous Alzheimer disease mice: The error numbers of learning and memory in tiantai No. 1 recipe 6.80 g/kg and 20.41 g/kg groups were smaller than that in senile dementia group,and the error number of learning in tiantai No. 1 recipe 6.80 g/kg group was smaller than that in tiantai No. 1 recipe 20.41 g/kg group. The escape latent periods of learning training was smaller than that in senile dementia group and the safe platform latent periods of memory in tiantai No. 1 recipe 6.80 g/kg and 20.41 g/kg groups were longer than that in senile dementia group, and the safe platform latent period of memory in tiantai No. 1 recipe 6.80 g/kg group was smaller than that in 20.41 g/kg group. ② Observation of synapse with electron microscope and quantitative examination stereologically: Compared with the mice in normal senile group, for mice in senile dementia group, there occurred degenerative phenomena: the number of synapses reduced, a part of synaptic clefts were not clear, the synaptic junction was interrupted, and he sizes of synaptic vesicles were different; in the rest groups there were also degenerative phenomena, however the degrees were milder than those in the model group. Tiantai No. 1 recipe could remarkably raise the number density and sectional density of synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region, and the increased extents in 20.41 g/kg tiantai No.1 recipe was larger than those in 6.80 g/kg tiantai No. 1 recipe.CONCLUSION: Tiantai No. 1 recipe can remarkably improve their learning and memory impairments, which may be related with that it promotes re-generation of synapse and improves the plasticity of cerebral synapses;and the action presented a relationship of dose-effect.

BACKGROUND: The theory of free radical on onset of Alzheimer disease(AD) and the relationship between oxidative damage and onset of AD have made anti-oxidative drugs become the hot topic in researches. Whether does the action of natural Chinese herbs on anti-injury of oxygenic free radical produce intervention on AD?OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of developed and researched tiantai I,the natural Chinese herb, on learning and memory function and metabolism of oxygenic free radical in the model of spontaneous AD.DESIGN: Completely randomized experimental study based on the experimental animals.SETTING: Clinical Institute of Chinese-Western integration of City-grade.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in 2nd grade Animal Experimental Room of Clinical Institute of Chinese-Western integration in Shenzhen. Kunming male mice of clean grade were employed, at the age of 13 months, mass weighted varied from 40 to 50 g and from Experimental Animal Center of Zhongshan Medical University(Qualified No. 95A07).INTERVENTIONS: When the experimental animals were bred till 21 months, AD mice were screened from the aged animals according to International Universal Standards and Methods. The experimental animals were randomized into blank control, western-drug control, the small dosage of tiantai I group(small dosage group), the large dosage of tiantai I group(large dosage group) and learning and senile normal-memory group(senile normal group) in addition. In western-drug control, hydergine 0.6 mg/kg was administrated, and in small and large groups, tiantai I of 6. 80 g/kg and 20.41 g/kg were administrated respectively, continuously for 60 days. The double-distilled water of equal dosage was infused in both blank control and senile normal group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Step-down test was applied to determine learning and memory scores. Froze sections of brain tissue were prepared and immuno-histological-chemical method was used to display the superoxidative dismutase(SOD) activity in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Ultrathin section of brain tissue in hippocampal CA1 was prepared and transmission electron microscope(TEM) was used to observe cellular lipofuscin in neuron. Automatic image analysis system for biomedical application was used to determine in quantity SOD and lipofuscin.RESULTS: Learning and memory of AD mice were significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.01 ) . Tiantai I improved significantly learning and memory disturbance of mice in the model of spontaneous AD( P ＜ 0.05- 0.01),markedly enhanced SOD activity in central cerebral cortex and hippocampus ( P ＜ 0.05 - 0.01 ) and reduced cellular lipofuscin content of neuron( P＜ 0.05 -0.01 ). In addition, it provided certain of quantitative reaction.CONCLUSION: For the mice with spontaneous senile dementia, learning and memory as well as SOD activity of neuron in relevant cerebral areas are decreased remarkably and lipofuscin is increased significantly. Tiantai I acts significantly in pharmacodynamics on anti-injury of oxygenic free radical,increases significantly SOD activity, decreases lipofuscin content and improves the ultrastructure of neuron in cortex and hippocampus in AD mice.

Objective To explore the relationship between T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the Notch signaling pathway.Methods Human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia SupT1 cells were infected with the lentiviral vector made up specific Notch1-shRNA gene and nonspecific Notch1-shRNA gene.The inhibitive rate of SupT1 cells was detected by CCK-8.The rates of early apoptotic cells (Annexin V+/ 7-AAD-) and late apoptotic cells (Annexin V+/7-AAD+) were analyzed by flow cytometry and the expression levels of Notch1 receptor gene and downstream target genes were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (QT-PCR).Results The cell inhibition rates of Notch1 interference group,control group and empty vector group at 96 h were 0.902±0.013,0,and 0.486±0.084,respectively,and it was increased obviously in Notch1 interference group (both P ＜ 0.05).The cell early apoptosis rates of the three groups were (15.27±0.31) ％,(5.57±0.25) ％,(5.80±0.20) ％,respectively.The cell early apoptosis rate of Notch1 interference group was increased obviously compared with the control group and empty vector group (both P ＜ 0.05).While the cell late apoptosis rates had no significant difference among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).The mRNA expression levels of Notch1 receptor gene and its target genes (Hesl,c-myc,NF-κB) at 48 h,72 h and 96 h were higher than those in the control group and empty vector group (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The specificity of Notch1-shRNA can effectively decrease the Notch1 mRNA expression,and reduce the expression level of downstream target genes.Notch1 cut can inhibit the proliferation of SupT1 cells,and promote the early apoptosis.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of renal transplantation in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced end-stage nephropathy.Methods The clinical data of 408 cases who underwent renal transplantation in our center from 2009 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into DM group (n =82) and non-DM group (n =326).The postoperative infection,delayed graft function (DGF),adverse events,and the survival rate of patients/kidneys were comparatively analyzed.Results The incidence of postoperative infection,DGF and adverse events was significantly higher in DM group than in non-DM group (23.2％ vs.15.6％,P =0.04;17.1％ vs.8.6 ％,P =0.04;13.4％ vs.8.3 ％,P =0.03).No significant difference was found in the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rate of patients and kidneys between the two groups after operation (P＞ 0.05).Conclusion The incidence of postoperative infection,DGF and adverse events is higher in DM patients.The DM does not affect the survival rate of patients/kidneys through appropriate treatment.It is important to prevent complications in DM patients after renal transplantation.

Objective:To summarize the clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome of neonatal pseudo-Bartter syndrome caused by maternal hyperemesis gravidarum.Methods:This retrospective study collected the clinical data of a set of premature twins with pseudo-Bartter syndrome who were admitted to Hebei Children's Hospital in September 2022. Clinical features of the cases were summarized with descriptive analysis.Results:The twins born with a gestational age of 30 +3 weeks required tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation due to premature birth and respiratory distress. They were transferred to our hospital 2 h after birth. The mother suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum and even had severe vomiting complicated by hypokalemia 3 d before delivery. The blood gas analysis of the twins at 2 h after birth showed severe metabolic alkalosis, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia and hyperlactatemia. Hyperglycemia appeared at 6 h after birth, and scleredema neonatorum at 24 h after birth. No significant abnormalities were found in the tandem mass spectrometer analysis of blood or urine samples. Whole-exome sequencing showed no abnormalities in the genes related to the phenotype. The twins were diagnosed with neonatal pseudo-Bartter syndrome. After symptomatic and supportive treatment, metabolic alkalosis and electrolyte disorders in the twins were completely resolved 4 d after birth. They were cured and discharged 51 d after birth without recurrence. Follow-up revealed no abnormalities in the physical or neurological development of the twins at 11 months after birth. Conclusions:Maternal hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to neonatal pseudo-Bartter syndrome, characterized by severe metabolic disorders as well as respiratory and circulatory dysfunction at the early stage after birth. Timely diagnosis and treatment are conducive to good prognosis in the affected neonates.

Recently, more research about the plant bioreactor expressing genes encoding human proteins was reported. In the present study, the cDNA of the human gene keratinocyte growth factor 2 (KGF2) was replaced with plant preferred codons by PCR, and the modified full-length cDNA was cloned into the plant expression vector pCAMBIA-YO containing the oil-body promoter. The fusion construct pCAMBIA-YO-KGF2 was transformed into Brassica napus by Agrobacterium tumefacien-mediated cotyledon transformation method. The transgenic seedlings were identified by PCR, Southern and western blot analysis all showed that KGF2 gene was successfully expressed in in transgenic Brassica napus.
Brassica napus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Rhizobium ; genetics ; Transformation, Genetic

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and etiological results of neonatal central nervous system(CNS) infection and provide basis for optimization of pathogen detection strategy for CNS infection.Methods:We collected the clinical and laboratory data of hospitalized neonates with clinical diagnosis of CNS infection in the neonatal department at Hebei Provincial Children′s Hospital, from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.The clinical manifestations of the enrolled neonates, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)pathogens detected by conventional and molecular biological detection techniques were analyzed.Laboratory characteristics of different kinds of pathogen were compared.Results:A total of 101 eligible neonates were enrolled.The median gestational age was 38.8(36.2, 39.6)weeks, with a prematurity rate 26.7%.There were 68 boys.The median age of onset was 9(2, 14)days.Blood culture was positive in 19(18.8%) cases, including 17 cases of bacteria and two cases of fungus.Positive findings were found in CSF specimens of 33(32.7%)cases by various methods including 13 bacteria, 19 viruses and one fungi.Streptococcus group B and Escherichia coli were the first two bacteria in CSF.Enterovirus was the most common virus in CSF.In terms of detection methods of CSF pathogens, seven cases(7/101, 6.9%) were detected by CSF culture, two cases(2/21, 9.5%)by smear, 22 cases(22/45, 48.9%)by single-virus targeted/multiplex polymerase chain reaction and four cases(4/7, 57.1%)by metagenomic next-generation sequencing.The CSF white blood cell counts, protein levels and blood C-reactive protein levels were higher in the cases with bacteria/fungi detection from CNS infection than in those with virus detection( P<0.05). Almost all neonates(98/101, 97.0%)were clinically cured or significantly improved before discharge.Two neonates were discharged against medical advice and one neonate was transferred to the other hospital after clinical improvement. Conclusion:Combined use of conventional and molecular biological detection techniques can significantly improve the etiological positive rate of neonatal CNS infection.Viral infection is not rare in the neonatal population.Our study demonstrated the spectrum of organism causing neonatal CNS infection, which provided a basis for the optimization of pathogen detection strategy.

Objective To investigate the mutations of epigenetic regulation factor ASXL1 gene in myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS).Methods Mutation analysis of ASXL1 gene in 53 de novo MDS patients and 20 healthy persons was performed by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)followed by sequence analysis at DNA level.The clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared in MDS patients with ASXL1 gene mutation and ASXL1 wild type.ASXL1 mutation in mRNA level was detected by using reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR)followed by sequence analysis.Results ASXL1 gene mutations were observed in 9 cases(16.9%)of 53 MDS patients.6 mutation types were detected,including 4 frameshift mutations types(2 cases with p.Glu635ArgfsX15,3 cases with p.Gly646TrpfsX12,1 case with p.Ala640GlyfsX14 and 1 case with p.Gly790TrpfsX10)and 2 nonsense mutation types(1 case with p.Gln1063X and 1 case with p.Gln695X).All the mutations were heterozygous,and p.Gly790TrpfsX10 and p.Gln695X were new mutation types.In addition,a single nucletide polymorphism(SNP)p.Gly652Ser was also detected in 4 cases with MDS.5 cases of p.G652S SNP and 1 case of p.Leu1173Leu SNP were detected in 20 healthy people.Frameshift mutation(p.Gly646TrpfsX12)could be detected at mRNA level by using RT-PCR.Differences were not observed in red blood cell counts,white blood cell counts,platelet counts,hemoglobin levels,reticulocyte,neutrophil granulocyte,the peripheral blood lymphocytes percentage,T-cell subsets in the peripheral blood,the proportion of primitive cell in the marrow and MDS types between the patients with ASXL1 gene mutation and ASXL1 wild type patients(P >0.05).Conclusion There is a high frequency of ASXL1 gene mutation in MDS patients,which can be detected at mRNA level.