BACKGROUND: The degree of neurofilament (NF) phosphorylation is closely correlated with the occurrence of Alzheimer disease (AD), and apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) is a generally acknowledged liability factor for AD, but the effect and mechanism of apoE4 on the NF phosphorylation in neurons are not very clear. It has been reported that in the neurons cultured in vitro and in brain tissue of AD patients, the amino acid residues of apoE4 protein C terminal (272-299) could be truncated by hydrolysis,and produce truncated-apoE4 fragment. The latter interacts with the NF phosphorylation in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are the characteristic pathological changes of AD.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of truncated-apoE4 overexpression on the NF phosphorylation in the cultured neurons.DESIGN: A non-randomized controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in December 2005. The mice neuroma cell strain N2a was provided by Dr. Xu.METHODS: The truncated-apoE4(△272-299) cDNA was subcloned into pEGFP-c3 to form pEGFP-T-apoE4 recombinant. Then pEGFP-c3, pEGFP-apoE4 and pEGFP-T-apoE4 were transfected into N2a cells by lipofectamine2000 respectively. NF phosphorylation was detected by Western blot assay. The activities of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5(CDK-5) were measured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degree of NF phosphorylation and the activities of GSK-3 and CDK-5 were mainly observed.RESULTS: In the transfected groups, the contents of phosphorylated NF were significantly increased, the GSK-3 activities were significantly increased, which were the most significant in the pEGFP-T-apoE4 transfected group (P＜0.05), but the CDK-5 activities were not significantly different from that in th e control group (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in vitro overexpression of truncated-apoE4(△272-299) can lead to NF hyperphosphorylation by activating of GSK-3 but not CDK-5, which may be the underline mechanism of AD induced by truncated-apoE4(△272-299).

Objective To observe effects of auricular-point plaster therapy on children simple obesity.Methods A total of 97 children of simple obesity were treated with auricular-point plaster.Body mass index was measured before and after the treatment.Therapeutic effects and positive changes of auricle were also observed.ResultsBody mass index decreased significantly(P＜0.01)after the treatment as compared to the pre-treatment(t=3.142,P＜0.01).Positive changes of auricle reduced.Auricular-point plaster showed therapeutic effects on obesity in different extents.Conclusion Auricular-point plaster was effective in treating children with simple obesity.

To monitor the trans-differentiation from adult stem cells to germ cells, we analyzed the vasa expression of goat testicular tissues in different ages and constructed the germ cell specific reporting vector pVASA-EGFP. The expression of vasa was verified by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The vector pVASA-EGFP was constructed by molecular technology, then transfected into goat bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by Lipofectamine 2000. Moreover, we observed the expression of the vector through green fluorescent protein (GFP). Immunofluorescence results show that Vasa was expressed in all groups of goat testicular tissues, RT-PCR results show that the levels of vasa mRNA in 3-month group and 10-month group were significantly higher than that in 10-day group. Sequencing and restriction enzyme results show that the vector was successfully constructed. After transfection and RA treatment, GFP expression was observed, which proved the validity of our reporting system. All the results proved that vasa was expressed in different ages in goat testicular tissues, and the vector pVASA-EGFP is efficient in monitoring the trans-differentiation in vitro, which paves the way for further characterization and screening of the trans-differentiation of goat BMSCs.
Animals ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; Germ Cells ; cytology ; Goats ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; Testis ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective:To investigate changes in the circum-maxillary sutures during alternate maxillary expansions and constrictions in a rat model.Methods:Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old)were used and divided into three groups.In maxillary expansion (ME)group (n=9),an expander was activated for 5 d,and then sacrificed.In alternate maxillary expansions and constrictions (Alt-MEC) group (9 animals),an alternate expansion and constriction protocol (5 d expansion and 5 d constriction for one cycle)was conducted for 2.5 cycles (25 d total),and then sacrificed.The control group com-prised 4 animals with no appliances used,each of two sacrificed on day 5 and day 25 ,respectively.Cir-cum-maxillary sutures (mid-palatal,maxillopalatine,premaxillary,zygomaticotemporal,and frontonasal suture)in each group were characterized histologically.Results:Histological findings of circum-maxil-lary sutures:in control group,the normal sutures were divided into 5 zones,the center was polygon mesenchyme zone,the lateral was mature chondrocyte zone,the next lateral was bone tissue.In ME group,the mid-palatal suture was expanded after ME,the fibre and connective tissue were extracted and invaded into cartilage zone.Osteoblast hyperplasia and new bone formation occurred.The orientation of the new bone trabecula was consistent with force.The osteoclast appeared in some area.Findings of other sutures were similar with those of control group,osteogenesis was active in some area without obvious re-construction in Alt-MEC group,mid-palatal suture and other sutures in some area were widened after Alt-MEC with much more osteoblast hyperplasia and new bone formation.Fibre and connective tissue were extracted,distorted or even broken.Sutures in some areas were narrowed with osteoblast cytopenia and osteoclast hyperplasia.Fibre and connective tissue compressed because of the different force and orienta-tion.Osteoclast count results showed that compared with the control group,the number of the osteoclast was increased only in the palatal suture in ME group (P<0.05 ).Other sutures did not show obvious changes (P>0.05).In Alt-MEC group,the numbers of the osteoclast in circum-maxillary sutures were the most,and had statistical significances (P<0.05 ).Conclusion:These results suggested that cir-cum-maxillary sutures were actively reconstructed after Alt-MEC.while only midpalatal suture had active reaction after ME.

Objective To investigate the aggressive signs of benign spinal lesions appearing on medical imaging and their impact on diagnosis.Methods 139 cases of benign spinal lesions with aggressive signs confirmed by pathology of needle aspiration or surgery were reviewed,including 18 cases of osteoblastoma(OB),12 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst(ABC),14 cases of osteoenchondroma (OC),19 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH),15 cases of hemangioma (HA),34 cases of tuberculous spondylitis (TS),and 27 cases of pyogenic spondylitis (PS).All patients underwent radiography,119 cases CT plain scan,75 cases MRI scan,and 57 cases performed all the three imaging modalities.The aggressive signs,including bulging of posterior margin of the vertebral body,pathological compression fractures,ill-defined boundary,abnormal soft tissue mass,bone marrow and soft tissue edema were showed.The benign and malignant misdiagnosis rate,the consistent rate of diagnosis with pathology were statistically analysed.Results Bulging of posterior margin of the vertebral body were found in 2 cases of OB,1 case ABC,3 cases LCH,1 case OC,6 cases HA,6 cases TS,2 cases PS.Pathological compression fracture were found in 6 cases of OB,10 cases ABC,16 cases LCH,4 cases HA,21 cases TS,16 cases PS.Ill defined boundary were found in 3 cases of OB,8 cases HA,34 cases TS,27 cases PS.The abnormal soft tissue around spine were found in 6 cases of OB,2 cases ABC,15 cases LCH,10 cases TS,15 cases PS.Bone marrow and soft tissue edema were found in 5 cases of OB,4 cases ABC,10 cases LCH,4 cases HA,30 cases TS,27 cases PS.For benign and malignant misdiagnosis rate,MRI was better than CT(P＜ 0.05).For accuracy of the consistent rate with pathology,CT was better than MRI(P＜0.05).The integrated application of the three imaging methods could significantly improve diagnostic accuracy (P＜0.05).Conclusion The imaging features benign spinal lesions are various,which may be associated with aggressive signs.A comprehensive method combined with three kinds of imaging methods,is a simple and feasible way to avoid the misdiagnosis.

Metabolic characteristics of 39 human brain tumor tissues, including 15 astrocytomas, 13 fibroblastic meningiomas and 11 transitional meningiomas from 39 individual patients, have been studied using high resolution magic-angle spinning (HRMAS) 1H NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA). With rich metabolite information, 1H NMR spectra showed that the tumor-tissuc metabonome was dominated by lipids, lactate, myo-inositol, ereatine, choline metabolites such as choline, phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine, amino acids such as alanine, glutamate, glutamine, taurine, N-acetyl-aspartate and glutathione. PCA of the tumor NMR spectra clearly showed metabonomic differences between low-grade astrocytomas and meningiomas whereas such differences were more moderate between fibroblastic and transitional meningiomas. Compared with meningiomas, the low-grade astrocytomas had higher levels of glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, myo-inositol and creatine but lower levels of alanine, glutamate, glutamine, glutathione and taurine. The N-acetyl-aspartate level was low but detectable in low-grade astrocytomas whereas it was not detectable in meningiomas. It is concluded that tissue metabonomics technology consisting of HRMAS 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis (MVDA) offers a useful tool (1) for distinguishing different types of brain tumors, (2) for providing the metabolic information for human brain tumors, which are potentially useful for understanding biochemistry of tumor progression.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of modified Sugita and modified Shiraki in the treatment of severely concealed penis in children.Methods:A retrospective study was carried out on 72 children with congenital severely concealed penis, who were treated in the Department of Urology, Xuzhou Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from September 2016 to June 2021.Among them, 32 cases were treated with modified Sugita (modified Sugita group) and 40 cases were treated with modified Shiraki (modified Shiraki group). There was no significant difference in the age, body mass and body mass index between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The operation time, increased length of the exposed part of the penis after operation, score of parental satisfaction half a year after operation (obtained by using the Likert scale) and postoperative complications (classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification) were compared between the 2 groups.Measurement data comparison between groups were performed by t test, counting data were analyzed by Chi- square test. Results:The operative time of the modified Sugita group and the modified Shiraki group were (50.00±8.03) min and (40.30±9.27) min, respectively.The operative time was significantly different between 2 groups ( t=4.107, P<0.05). The increased length of the exposed part of the penis after operation was (1.80±0.30) cm in the modified Sugita group and (1.90±0.33) cm in the modified Shiraki group, and no significant difference was found between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Six months after operation, the parental satisfaction score was (4.60±0.56) points in the modified Sugita group and (4.60±0.59) points in the modified Shiraki group.There was no significant difference in the parental satisfaction score between 2 groups ( P>0.05). In 72 cases, only 5 cases had grade Ⅰ complications.Postoperative complications were also not significantly different between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:After treating severely concealed penis in children with modified Sugita and modified Shiraki, the penis has a good appearance.These two surgeries have high parental satisfaction and low complications.They are easy to implement in clinical practice.The operation time of modified Shiraki is shorter than that of modified Sugita.

Objective:To introduce the application of a modified scrotoplasty for children with webbed penis.Methods:Retrospective study was carried out.The treatment results of 58 children with webbed penis in Department of Urology, the Affiliated Xuzhou Children′s Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from June 2012 to April 2018 were analyzed.A total of 26 children with webbed penis and phimosis were treated with circumcision combined with modified scrotoplasty as modified scrotoplasty group, and 32 children with webbed penis and phimosis were treated with V-Y scrotoplasty as V-Y scrotoplasty group.The curative effect of webbed penis was compared between the two groups.Results:The operation time of V-Y scrotoplasty group and modified scrotoplasty group were (26.0±2.4) min and (28.0±3.2) min; the increased penis length in the horizontal position in the two groups were (0.30±0.06) cm and (0.40±0.06) cm; the score of parents′ satisfaction were (3.80±0.47) scores and (4.70±0.56) scores, there were significant differences in the average operation time, the increased penis length in the horizontal position and the score of parents′ satisfaction between the two groups ( t=2.703, 6.061, 6.652; all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Circumcision combined with modified scrotoplasty is used to repair webbed penis, which results in a good postoperative appearance, high parent satisfaction and easy clinical implementation.

Background/Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and bowel dysfunction. However, the majority of previous neuroimaging studies focus on brain structure and connections but seldom on the inter-hemispheric connectivity or structural asymmetry. This study uses multi-modal imaging to investigate the abnormal changes across the 2 cerebral hemispheres in patients with IBS. Methods: Structural MRI, resting-state functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging were acquired from 34 patients with IBS and 33 healthy controls. The voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity, fractional anisotropy, fiber length, fiber number, and asymmetry index were calculated and assessed for group differences. In addition, we assessed their relevance for the severity of IBS. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the inter-hemispheric functional connectivity of patients with IBS showed higher levels in bilateral superior occipital gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and angular gyrus, but lower in supplementary motor area. The statistical results showed no significant difference in inter-hemispheric anatomical connections and structural asymmetry, however negative correlations between inter-hemispheric connectivity and the severity of IBS were found in some regions with significant difference. Conclusions The functional connections between cerebral hemispheres were more susceptible to IBS than anatomical connections, and brain structure is relatively stable. Besides, the brain areas affected by IBS were concentrated in default mode network and sensorimotor network.

Background/Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and bowel dysfunction. However, the majority of previous neuroimaging studies focus on brain structure and connections but seldom on the inter-hemispheric connectivity or structural asymmetry. This study uses multi-modal imaging to investigate the abnormal changes across the 2 cerebral hemispheres in patients with IBS. Methods: Structural MRI, resting-state functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging were acquired from 34 patients with IBS and 33 healthy controls. The voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity, fractional anisotropy, fiber length, fiber number, and asymmetry index were calculated and assessed for group differences. In addition, we assessed their relevance for the severity of IBS. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the inter-hemispheric functional connectivity of patients with IBS showed higher levels in bilateral superior occipital gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and angular gyrus, but lower in supplementary motor area. The statistical results showed no significant difference in inter-hemispheric anatomical connections and structural asymmetry, however negative correlations between inter-hemispheric connectivity and the severity of IBS were found in some regions with significant difference. Conclusions The functional connections between cerebral hemispheres were more susceptible to IBS than anatomical connections, and brain structure is relatively stable. Besides, the brain areas affected by IBS were concentrated in default mode network and sensorimotor network.