BACKGROUND:Neuromuscular junction structure has defects in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, mainly presenting acetylcholine receptor structure fragmentation and the reduction of spine-like processes on thepostsynaptic membrane. It is generaly recognized that the structural defects are induced by structural damage of muscle cels and muscle fiber necrosis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the reasons of damage on neuromuscular junction in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. METHODS: We introduced Duchenne muscular dystrophy models of male mdx mice and male Dko mice. After gene identification, they were used for tests. Male C57BL/6 mice were selected as normla controls. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to detect pathological changes in muscles. Neuromuscular junction structure was revealed using immunofluorescence staining. The differences in dystrophin expression, pathological features and neuromuscular junction structure were compared in mouse models of two kinds of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The introduced mouse models were accorded with the requirement of our experiment in aspects of genotype and protein expression levels. The number of acetylcholine receptor was apparently reduced in the neuromuscular junction of two kinds of mouse models. Although dko mouse muscles presented more obvious inflammatory infiltration and muscle fiber damage compared with mdx mice, but there was no significant difference in the damage to neuromuscular junction between them, and acetylcholine receptor fragmentation was identical. The evidence suggested that structural damage of neuromuscular junction and inflammatory pathological response are independent events. There is no direct relationship between them. Dystrophin gene deficiency is the main cause of the fragmentation of the acetylcholine receptor.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of gestational isoflurane exposure on postnatal memory and learning and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), neuropeptide Y(NPY) expression in the hippocampus of pups.

METHODSTwelve maternal Sprague-Dawley rats at gestation d 18(E18) were randomly divided into isoflurane group (n=6) and control group (n=6). Rats in isoflurane group were exposed to 1.3 % isoflurane for 6 h. For control group, animals breathed in 30 % oxygen and air mixed gas at the same condition. Spatial learning and memory of the offspring were determined with the Morris Water Maze(MWM) after postnatal 4 weeks. The changes of GAP-43 and NPY expression in the hippocampal CA1 region of the pups were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn MWM training, the escape latency to platform of the pups in isoflurane group was significantly longer, and the time spent in the third quadrant and times of original platform crossing were less than those of control animals (P<0.05). The number and optical density of GAP-43 and NPY positive neurons in the hippocampus of pups decreased significantly in the isoflurane group compared with the controls (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONIsoflurane exposure in pregnant rats significantly impairs the spatial memory and learning of their pups at a juvenile age, which may be associated with the down-regulation of GAP-43 and NPY in the hippocampus.

Animals ; Female ; GAP-43 Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isoflurane ; pharmacology ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Neuropeptide Y ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The short-circuit current (I(SC)) technique was used to examine the effects of cAMP-evoking agents, forskolin/IBMX, and a Chinese medicinal formula, Huoxiang-zhengqi liquid (HZL) on HCO(3)(-) secretion by intact porcine distal airway epithelium. The freshly isolated airway epithelial tissue displayed a transepithelial basal current of (94.9±8.2) μA/cm(2), 16.6% and 62.7% of which was inhibited by amiloride (epithelial Na(+) channel blocker, 100 μmol/L) and NPPB (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl(-) channel blocker, 100 μmol/L). Substitution of Cl(-) with impermeable gluconate(-) in the K-H bath solution resulted in a basal current of (54.0±6.7) μA/cm(2), which could be abolished by further removal of HCO(3)(-) in the solution, indicating HCO(3)(-) secretion under unstimulated conditions. Application of forskolin/IBMX (10 μmol/L/100 μmol/L) stimulated an increase of (13.8±1.9) μA/cm(2) in I(SC) which could be blocked by Cl(-) channel inhibitor DPC. With Cl(-) and Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) substitution, forskolin/IBMX evoked an increase of (7.3±0.5) μA/cm(2) in HCO(3)(-)-dependent, DPC-inhibitable I(SC) (I(HCO(3))). Noticeably, basolateral application of HZL (10 μL/mL) in normal K-H solution evoked an I(SC) of (15.9±2.4) μA/cm(2). The EC(50) of this I(SC) was (6.1±1.4) μL/mL. When substituting Cl(-), HZL stimulated an increase of (7.4±1.9) μA/cm(2) in I(HCO(3)), suggesting HZL-induced HCO(3)(-) secretion. After pretreating the epithelial tissues with forskolin/IBMX in Cl(-)-free K-H solution, HZL induced a further increase of (8.4±0.9) μA/cm(2) in I(HCO(3)), and pretreating tissues with HZL did not significantly affect the subsequent forskolin/IBMX-induced I(HCO(3)) response, indicating that HZL- and forskolin/IBMX-induced I(HCO(3)) responses appeared to be independent and be most likely mediated via different cellular mechanisms. Our results suggest that HCO(3)(-) can be secreted by porcine distal airway epithelium under unstimulated and stimulated conditions, and the stimulatory effect of HZL on HCO(3)(-) secretion in the distal airway epithelium shows HZL to be a hopeful new agonist for distal airway HCO(3)(-) secretion that could be of therapeutic significance.
Amiloride ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bicarbonates ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Colforsin ; pharmacology ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Respiratory System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Swine

Objective:To compare the effects of spinal orthosis and exercise training on psychological status and quality of life in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods:From July, 2017 to Febrary, 2018, 55 AIS patients aged ten to 16 years were enrolled. According to the individual's choice, they were divided into exercise group (n = 25) and orthosis group (n = 30). The Cobb's angle, apex vertebral rotation (AVR), trunk shift (TS) and apex vertebral translocation (AVT) were measured before, three months and six months after intervention. They were also evaluated with Scoliosis Research Society Patient Questionnaire-22 (SRS-22) before and six months after intervention. Results:Six months after intervention, the scores of function/activity level, pain, self-image/appearance and treatment satisfaction were better in the exercise group than in the orthosis group (t > 2.137, P < 0.05). Three months and six months after intervention, the Cobb's angles reduced significantly in both groups (t > 4.461, P < 0.001); six months after intervention, the Cobb's angle was smaller in the orthosis group than in the exercise group (t = 2.548, P < 0.05). Three months and six months after intervention, TS, AVR and AVT improved in both groups (t > 2.338, P < 0.05); six months after intervention, they were better in the orthosis group than in the exercise group (t > 2.259, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Single exercise training is effective on AIS patients with Cobb's angle between 25° to 40°, especially for psychological status and the quality of life, however, it isn't as better as orthotics treatment for deformity correction.

OBJECTIVETo analyze etiology of hospitalized hypertensive patients in the department of hypertension from 1999 to 2008.

METHODSThis retrospective study was performed to analyze the etiology of hospitalized hypertensive patients in department of hypertension and to show the distribution change of hypertension from 1999 to 2008.

RESULTS(1) There were 5867 (75.1%) patients with essential hypertension and 1942 (24.9%) patients with secondary hypertension (SH). (2) The prevalence rate of SH increased significantly during the 10 years (χ(2) = 387.621, P < 0.001) and was higher in 2008 than in 1999 (39.3% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and primary aldosteronism (PA) in 2008 increased 38.3 and 1.8 times respectively than in 1999 (χ(2) = 304.025, P < 0.001; χ(2) = 42.845, P < 0.001) and other SH remained unchanged. (3) The prevalence of PA complicated with OSAS increased significantly in recent five years (χ(2) = 26.376, P < 0.001). Incidence of OSAS was 23.9% in PA patients and incidence of PA was 6.7% in OSAS patients.

CONCLUSIONSWith the insights gained on hypertension mechanism and the development of new diagnostic technology, percent of diagnosed SH increased remarkably in recent years in hospitalized hypertensive patients in our department of hypertension. OSAS and PA are the leading causes of SH.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Hospitals, Special ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

An ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of 11 kinds of aminoglycosides (AGs), including paromomycin, spectinomycin, tobramycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, hygromycin B, apramycin, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin,amikacin and neomycin in aquatic products. Samples were extracted by phosphate buffer solution, and purified on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) solid phase extraction column. After separated by Obelisc R chromatographic column, AGs were detected by UPLC-MS/MS. It showed a good linearity relationship in the AGs concentration range of 1.0-1000 ng/mL with the correlation coefficient R2>0.994. The limit of detection (LOD,S/N≥3) was ranged from 1.0 μg/kg to 10.0 μg/kg,and the limit of quantitation (LOQ,S/N≥10) was ranged from 2.0 μg/kg to 20.0 μg/kg. Besides, the average recoveries presented 78.4%-109.6% with the relative standard deviation (RSD, n=6) of 2.3%-14.9%. This method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of 11 kinds of AGs with high sensitivity in aquatic products.

Aim To investigate the mechanism and search for potential biomarkers of ovalbumin ( OVA ) -induced asthma in mice base on lipidomics. Methods A BALB/c mouse model of asthma was prepared by OVA. TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ levels in BALF and IgE level in serum were measured by ELISA. The inflammatory changes in mouse lung tissue were observed using HE staining. Lipid mediators ( LMs) in lung tissue and serum were quantified with UPLC-MS/ MS strategy. Results IgE level in serum and TNF-α, IFN-γ levels in BALF were higher (P <0.05) of asthmatic mice.Typical inflammatory manifestations were seen in lung tissue of asthmatic mice. A total of 57 lipid mediators were quantified with UPLC-MRM. LMs metabolic profiles differed significantly in serum and lung tissue between asthmatic and normal mice, 17 significantly different LMs were found in lung tissue and 6 LMs were found in serum, and the differential metabolites were produced through the cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and cytochrome P450 oxidase (P450) metabolic pathways. Conclusions OVA-induced allergic asthma can cause disorder of lip-id mediators, LMs and cytokines are involved in the occurrence and development of asthma. The differential LMs have potential research value as biomarkers for the development of allergic asthma.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features as well as BRAF V600E and MYD88 L265P mutation status of nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma (NMZL). Methods: Thirty-two cases of NMZL were diagnosed from September 2009 to February 2021 at the Henan Provincial People's Hospital and Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences. The clinicopathologic characteristics were obtained and analyzed. BRAF V600E and MYD88 L265P mutation status were identified using PCR and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Results: There were 20 males and 12 females patients with a median age of 69 years (ranging 36-82 years). The most prevalent clinical manifestation was multiple lymph nodes enlargement in head and neck (22/32, 68.8%), followed by inguinal (12/32, 37.5%), axillary (11/32, 34.4%), mediastinum (5/32, 15.6%) and retroperitoneal lymph nodes (4/32, 12.5%). Most of the patients were in Ann Arbor stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ (21 cases). The morphologic features included diffuse (24/32, 75.0%), nodular (5/32, 15.6%), interfollicular (2/32,6.3%) and perifollicular (1/32,3.1%) types. The tumor cells showed monocyte-like, centrocyte-like, small lymphocyte-like and plasma cell-like differentiation. Immunophenotyping revealed diffuse expression of CD20 in all tumor cells, whereas CD43 (11/32, 34.4%), bcl-2 (20/32, 62.5%), MNDA (13/32, 40.6%) and CD5 (2/32, 6.3%) were partially expressed. Ki-67 proliferation index varied from 10% to 40%. BRAF V600E mutation was found in two cases (2/32, 6.3%), but MYD88 L265P mutation was not detected. Eighteen patients survived and three died at the end of follow-up period which ranged 6 to 110 months. Conclusions: The morphologic features of NMZL varies across individuals, it should be differentiated from various B-cell lymphomas; however immunological biomarkers with high specificity for NMZL are still lacking. No MYD88 L265P mutation is found in NMZL. Some cases may harbor BRAF V600E mutation and yet the prevalence remains indeterminate; further researches are warranted.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/pathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of mature T/NK cell lymphomas with aberrant CD20 or CD79α expression. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 641 cases of mature T/NK cell lymphoma diagnosed from January 2014 to December 2020 was performed, and 14 cases of CD20-positive and one case of CD79α-positive mature T/NK-cell lymphoma were identified. Histological examination, immunohistochemical characterization, in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded early RNA (EBER), and PCR testing for immunoglobulin and T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements were performed. Clinicopathological characteristics of these lymphomas were analyzed. Results: There were 13 males and 2 females, with a median age of 56 years. There were 8 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), 3 cases of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL), 2 cases of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) and 2 cases of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). Twelve cases were stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ lymphomas. The prognosis was overall poor. The histology, immunophenotype and TCR gene rearrangement were not significantly different from the corresponding types of lymphoma. Ki-67 proliferation index was over 70% in all cases. The expression of CD20 or CD79α was weak and heterogeneous. All 15 case of Ig gene rearrangement were polyclonal. Conclusions: Mature T/NK cell lymphoma with abnormal expression of CD20 or CD79α is rare, commonly found in advanced stage, and associated with poor prognosis. The expression of CD20 or CD79α in these cases is weaker than the corresponding mature T/NK cell lymphomas, while its proliferation index is higher. Histomorphology, extensive immunoprofiling and molecular detection are required for accurate diagnosis.
Antigens, CD20 ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications* ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics* ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/pathology* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; Retrospective Studies

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. The physiologically based extraction test (PBET) digestion in vitro/Caco-2 cell model was established to investigate the bioaccessible contents of Pb, Cd and As in decoction of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. The target-organ toxicity dose modification of HI method (TTD) was used to evaluate the cumulative risk caused by the combined exposure of the total levels of Pb, Cd and As in Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm. and the bioaccessible contents in the decoction. The results showed that the total contents of Pb, Cd and As in 4 batches of samples were in the range of 2.901-3.872, 1.299-1.800 and 0.062-0.216 mg·kg^-1, respectively. After transportation by Cacco-2 cells, the bioaccessible contents of Pb, Cd, and As in the decoction were in the range of 0.045-0.080, 0.070-0.112 and 0.004-0.018 mg·kg^-1. The results of risk assessment showed that calculated by the total amounts of heavy metals in the Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm., for the end points of nervous system, the cumulative risks of co-exposure of heavy metals in 3 batches of samples were of concern. After decoction and transportation by Caco-2 cells, for the end points of cardiovascular system, blood, nervous system, kidney and testis, the TTD modification of HI values of all batches of samples were less than 1, and the health risks were acceptable. The study provided methodology basis for a more objective assessment of the health risks of heavy metals and harmful elements in traditional Chinese medicine and for a more scientific limit standard of heavy metals and harmful elements.