Objective To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction(BYHWD)on protein kinase B1 (AKT1)and c-Jun amino terminal kinase 1/2(JNK1/2)in rats after focal cerebral ischemia. Methods According to the random number table method,48 Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly allocated to four groups:normal control group,sham-operated group,model group,traditional BYHWD group(each n=12). The rat model of right focal cerebral ischemia was established by the method of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). The rats in BYHWD group were ingested with the decoction of BYHWD 14.2 g/kg after 2 hours of the operation(the main ingredients of BYHWD including astragalus mongholicus 120 g,Chinese angelica 6 g,radix paeoniae rubra 4.5 g, rhizoma ligustici wallichii 3 g,safflower 3 g,peach kernel 3 g,earthworm 3 g),once a day for 7 days. Other groups of animals were given the same amount of normal saline orally. After operation,on the 7th day,the animals were killed,and their brains were taken out. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)assay was used to detect AKT1 mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was applied to measure JNK1/2 protein expression. Results Compared with normal control and sham-operated groups,the level of AKT1 mRNA expression〔absorbance(A)〕was decreased obviously(0.48±0.08 vs. 0.63±0.11,0.61±0.09,both P<0.05),and the number of JNK1/2 positive cells(cell/mm2)was increased significantly(34.13±4.57 vs. 16.15±1.09,16.23±2.05,both P<0.05)in model group;compared with model group,the AKT1 mRNA expression in brain tissue(0.93±0.11)and the number of JNK1/2 positive cells(45.04±5.68)was increased significantly in BYHWD group,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion BYHWD can up-regulate expressions of AKT1 mRNA and JNK1/2 positive cells in ischemic brain tissue that is one of the mechanisms in the protection of brain.

Objective:To establish Crx-iCreERT2 fluorescent reporter human embryonic stem cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and 3D retinal organoid culture.Methods:The target site sequence of H9 cell line was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SgRNAs were designed by CRISPR/Cas9 technique and their activity was detected.The most optimal sgRNA was selected according to the factors such as activity and specificity.After identification of the target vectors by restriction enzyme and sequencing, the target vectors were transferred to the H9 cell line by electroporation.P2A-tdTomato-P2A-iCreERT2 was inserted between Exon4 and 3’-untranslated region of hES-ZLM-001 gene.Knockin positive clones were obtained after drug treatment, enrichment of positive clones.Primers were designed to perform PCR on the target region, and homozygous de-resistant knockin positive cell clones were selected according to the sequencing results and peaks.The 1-A07 cell line was cultured, and then flow cytometry for the proportion of OCT4 positive cells, immunofluorescence for three stem cell molecular markers including SOX2, NANOG, SSEA4, karyotype analysis were carried out to confirm whether the 1-A07 cell line could be used for further experiments.Retinal organoids were obtained by three-dimensional (3D) culture technology and the expression of molecular markers was detected by immunofluorescence at different developmental stages of retinal organoids. Results:The target site sequence of H9 cell line was consistent with that given by Genebank and Ensembl.Sixteen sgRNAs were designed according to the target site sequence of H9 cell line, and finally sgRNA8 and sgRNA12 were selected.The sgRNAs and recombinant plasmids were transfected into the H9 cell line by electroporation, and four homozygous de-resistant knockin positive cell clones were obtained by PCR.Crx-iCreERT2 fluorescent reporter human embryonic stem cell lines were successfully obtained.In 1-A07 cell line, the proportion of OCT4 positive cells was about 98.7% by flow cytometry, and the expression of three stem cell markers was positive by immunofluorescence, and the karyotype was normal 46, XX.The results showed that the 1-A07 cell line could be used for further experiments.The Crx-iCreERT2 fluorescent reporter human embryonic stem cell lines were differentiated into tdTomato positive retinal organoids by 3D culture technology.BRN3A positive ganglion cells, CALBINDIN positive horizontal cells and CHAT positive amacrine cells appeared on day 30 of differentiation.RECOVERIN positive photoreceptors arose on day 45 of differentiation.PKCα positive bipolar cells presented on day 90 of differentiation.Ganglion cells were shown in the deep layer of retinal organoids, and horizontal cells, amacrine cells and bipolar cells in the middle layer, and photoreceptors in the top layer.Conclusions:Crx-iCreERT2 fluorescent reporter human embryonic stem cell lines are successfully established and can be differentiated into retinal organoids that express tdTomato red fluorescence through 3D culture technology.Those retinal organoids contain the same types of neurons as normal human retinas, and follow a certain temporal and spatial developmental sequence similar to the developmental rules of normal human retinas.Crx-iCreERT2 fluorescent reporter human embryonic stem cell line is a powerful tool for researching retinal development and diseases and can be applied in treatments for blindness.

Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness of intervention protocols with or without rehabilitation approaches for burn patients.To explore the pros and cons of the two treatment programs,especially in terms of efficacy.Methods Data on 164 burn patients hospitalized in four hospitals in Hunan Province were collected and compared in terms of the therapeutic interventions employed,the direct medical costs and the effects obtained at the end of the first two months of hospitalization.The patients were divided into an early rehabilitation therapy group and a control group,based on the interventions they received.Results The average total direct medical cost of the early rehabilitation group was significantly lower than that of the control group [((￥)59 380.80 ±196.87) versus ((￥)67 471.62 ±217.23)].The average Vancouver scar scale (VSS) results in the early rehabilitation group were significantly better than those of the controls,but their Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Barthel index scores were not.The average cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E) of the early rehabilitation group as judged by these scores was lower than that of the control group.Conclusion Early rehabilitation can improve the therapy of burns patients and reduce subsequent expenditures.It is a cost-effective approach to treating burns patients.

Objective To evaluate the constancy of CT numbers of SIEMENS Sensation Open CT-simulator by analyzing the CT numbers of seven materials obtained from quality assurance(QA)tests. Methods QA tests for SIEMENS Sensation Open CT-simulator were performed with the Catphan504 phantom monthly. The CT images were obtained using three scan protocols(HeadSeq,RT_Head,and RT_Abdomen)for the CTP404 module in the phantom. The DoseLab software was used to analyze the 72 CT images acquired from January 2014 to December 2015,and the CT numbers(Y)of seven materials were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed on the Y data. The mean,standard deviation,maximum, minimum,and range values of Y for seven materials were calculated in three scan protocols. Results The standard deviation values of air,polymethylpentene,low-density polyethylene,polystyrene,acrylic acid, polyoxymethylene resin(Delrin),and polytetrafluoroethylene(Teflon)were as follows:(1)HeadSeq:0.54, 0.60,0.82,0.58,0.75,0.66,and 1.83 HU;(2)RT_Head:0.08,0.69,0.86,0.66,0.80,0.89,and 2.49 HU;(3)RT_Abdomen:0.11,0.61,0.76,0.72,0.78,0.96,and 2.56 HU.According to the statistical data, the constancy of CT numbers of the SIEMENS Sensation Open CT-simulator was in good condition in two years. Conclusions The variation of CT numbers of Teflon is the biggest among the seven materials. The relative values of CT numbers between different scan protocols vary with the relative electron density of materials.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of iron deposition in the substantia nigral (SN) subregions on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and the change of swallow tail sign (STS) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) of different disease stages.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 53 patients with RRMS (case group) diagnosed at the First Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The case group was divided into 0-5 years subgroup, 6-10 years subgroup, and >10 years subgroup according to the disease duration; another 37 age-and gender-matched healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group during the same period. All subjects underwent MRI and QSM reconstruction. First, the SN was divided into four subregions: rostral anterior-SN (aSNr), rostral posterior-SN (pSNr), caudal anterior-SN (aSNc), and caudal posterior-SN (pSNc) on the QSM, and the quantitative susceptibility value (QSV) of each subregion was measured, and then the STS of the SN was observed and scored on the susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) generated by post-processing. ANOVA was used to compare the differences in the QSV of each subregion of SN among the groups, and the probability of abnormal STS was compared using the χ 2 test. Spearman′s test was used to analyze the correlation between the QSV of each subregion of SN and the STS score. Results:The differences in QSV of aSNr, pSNr, aSNc, and pSNc were statistically significant among the 0-5 years subgroup, 6-10 years subgroup,>10 years subgroup of RRMS patients and the control group ( P<0.05). The QSV of aSNr, pSNr, and aSNc in 0-5 years subgroup was higher than those in the control group ( P was 0.039, 0.008, 0.039, respectively). The QSV of aSNr, aSNc, and pSNc in the 6-10 years subgroup were higher than those in the 0-5 years subgroup ( P was <0.001, 0.020, 0.015, respectively). The QSV of the aSNc, pSNc in >10 years subgroup were lower than those in the 6-10 years subgroup ( P=0.037, 0.006). The QSV of aSNr, pSNr in >10 years subgroup were higher than those in the control group ( P was <0.001, 0.001). There were 7 cases of abnormal STS in the 0-5 years subgroup, 11 cases in the 6-10 years subgroup, 12 cases in >10 years subgroup, and 9 cases in the control subgroup, and there was a statistically significant difference in the probability of abnormal STS among the subgroups of the RRMS patients and the control subgroup (χ 2=16.20, P=0.011). Both the scores of STS in the 6-10 years subgroup and >10 years group were positively correlated with the QSV in pSNc ( r s=0.65, P=0.006; r s=0.48, P=0.045). Conclusions:In RRMS patients, SN iron deposition is concentrated on aSNr, pSNr, and aSNc in the 0-5 years subgroup and on aSNr, aSNc and pSNc in the 6-10 years subgroup. The QSVs of all SN subregions have a downward trend in >10 years subgroup compared with that in the 6-10 years subgroup. Both the QSVs of the pSNc in the 6-10 years group and >10 years group are positively related to STS scores. These help explore the potential progression pattern of SN iron deposition in RRMS patients and the cause of abnormal STS in RRMS patients.

Objective:To investigate the changes in structural brain network topology and microstructural damage in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to analyze its correlation with cognitive function.Methods:Clinical and imaging data of 114 patients with MS (MS group) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May 2021 to September 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. In addition, 71 volunteers were recruited as a healthy control group (HC group) during the same period. All subjects were performed on cognitive assessment and 3D-T 1 magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo, 3D-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) scans. GRETNA software was used to obtain network topology attributes, and global attributes included global efficiency, local efficiency, and small-world attributes [clustering coefficient(Cp), shortest path length(Lp), normalized Cp(γ), normalized Lp, and small-world index (σ)]. Local attributes included betweenness centrality (BC), degree centrality (DC), nodal clustering coefficient (NCp), nodal efficiency, nodal local efficiency (NLe) and nodal shortest path length. The DKI parameter map generated by the post-processing software was used to extract the DKI parameter values of the brain region with abnormal local topology of the brain structure network. The differences of global attributes, local attributes and DKI parameter values [kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA), mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK) and axial kurtosis (AK) values] were analyzed by independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and corrected by false discovery rate (FDR). Spearman or Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between abnormal brain structure network topology attributes and cognitive scale scores in the MS group. Results:Both the MS group and the HC group structure network showed small-world attributes, and the γ and σ values of the MS group were significantly lower than those in the HC group (FDR correction, P<0.05). Compared with the HC group, BC, DC, NCp and NLe broadly reduced in the MS group, mainly involving in bilateral frontal, temporal, precuneus, amygdala, and thalamus (FDR correction, P<0.05). After FDR correction, compared with the HC group, the KFA, MK, RK and AK values of 23 brain regions with abnormal local attributes of the network in the MS group were significantly changed in several brain regions (FDR correction, P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed, after FDR correction, the DC value of the right putamen in MS patients was positively correlated with the digit span test (DST) scores ( r=0.318 ,P=0.001). Conclusion:There are extensive changes in the structural brain network of MS patients, accompanied by varying degrees of microstructural damage, and the reduction of degree centrality in the basal ganglia putamen region is associated with cognitive impairment.