Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine and mianserine in the treatment of senile depression. Methods:68 senile depressive patients were randomly divided into two groups: 35 in mirtazapine group, 33 in mianserine group. The period of observation was 8 weeks, Efficacy and safety were assessed with HAMD and TESS scales at baseline, week 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 after treatment. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, the response rate and significant response rate were respectively 91.4% and 74.3% in mirtazapine group, 87.9% and 72.7% in mianserine group, the difference between groups were not statistically significant. The reduction of HAMD scores after treatment in both group were statistically significant (P 0.05). The common side effectives of mirtazapine were drowsiness, dizziness, increased appetite and weight gain; The common side reactions of mianserine were dizziness, nausea, drowsiness. All the side effects were mild. Conclusions:Mirtazapine and mianserine are equally effective and safe in treating senile depression.

AIM: To investigate the effects of stress on the opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability pore (PTP) in rat heart and explore the possible molecular mechanism underlying PTP opening. METHODS: Stress animal model was established. After strained for differnet time, all rats were killed and PTP opening degree were examined by spectrophotometer. Bcl-2, Bax expression levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Stress induced PTP opning, Bcl-2 expression inhibition and Bax level elevation in myocardial mitochondria. CONCLUSION: PTP opening was the important mitochondrial mechanism of stress-induced heart injury. Decrease in Bcl-2 expression and increase of Bax level may be an important molecular basis for PTP opening.

A novel method based on cross sensitivity of cataluminescence (CTL) on nano-Ti3CeY2O11 was proposed for simultaneous determination of formaldehyde, benzene and sulfur dioxide in air.The relations between the concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene and sulfur dioxide and their CTL intensities were respectively ascertained at three wavelengths.The accurate concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene and sulfur dioxide can be calculated by superimposed total CTL intensities.The three analysis wavelengths are 420 nm, 535 nm and 680 nm.The surface temperature of the sensitive materials is 280℃.The carrier gas flow rate is 130 mL/min.The detection limits (3σ) are 0.04 mg/m3 for formaldehyde, 0.05 mg/m3 for benzene and 0.10 mg/m3 for sulfur dioxide, respectively.The linear ranges of CTL intensity versus analyte concentration are 0.08-75.60 mg/m3 for formaldehyde, 0.1-101.40 mg/m3 for benzene and 0.3 to 115.00 mg/m3 for sulfur dioxide.The recoveries of 12 testing standard samples by this method are 96.4%-103.7% for formaldehyde, 97.8%-102.5% for benzene and 97.2%-103.3% for sulfur dioxide.Common coexisting substances, such as acetaldehyde, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methanol, ethanol and carbon dioxide, do not disturb the determination.The relative deviation of CTL signals of continuous 200 h detection for gaseous mixture containing formaldehyde, benzene and sulfur dioxide is less than 2%, which shows the longevity of the nanometer composite oxide to formaldehyde, benzene and sulfur dioxide.This method makes full use of the cross sensitive phenomenon, and can realize the on-line analysis of formaldehyde, benzene and sulfur dioxide in air.

Background and purpose: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the dominating obstacle to the chemotherapy. There is strong evidence that the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) signaling pathway is involved in MDR phenotype, however, the mechanism of MDR occurrence is still unknown. This study tended to investigate the regulating effect of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and its downstream target genes in P-glycoprotein (P-gp) (ABCB1 gene encoding)-mediated MDR in human colon carcinoma HCT-116/L-OHP cells. Methods:Pretreatment with PI3K selective inhibitor LY294002 (20μmol/L) for 2 h, the sensitivity of L-OHP was evaluated by the CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8) assay in HCT-116/L-OHP cells, and the expressions of P-gp, LRP, MRP-2, Akt, p-Akt, IκB and p-IκB were evaluated by Western blot. The activity of ABCB1 promoter was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis (CHIP). Results: After inhibiting the activity of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, the IC50 value of L-OHP decreased from(157.48±16.73)μg/mL to (53.68±3.18)μg/mL in HCT-116/L-OHP cells, and the reversal index was 2.93 (P<0.01). The expressions of P-gp, p-Akt and p-IκB were down-regulation compared with the concrol group (P<0.01), but the expressions of LRP, MRP-2, Akt and IκB didn't change signiifcantly. CHIP result has conifrmed that NF-κB protein could bind to the region of ABCB1 gene promoter in HCT116/L-OHP cells. Conclusion:Blocking of PI3K/Akt/NF-kB signal pathway could increase the drug sensitivity to MDR cells, inhibit the phosphorylation of p-Akt and p-IκB, and reversing ABCB1/P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in colon carcinoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutation in a pedigree affected with autosomal recessive non-syndromic deafness. METHODS: Mutation analysis was carried out by next generation sequencing, and suspected mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A heterozygous c.235delC mutation of the GJB2 gene, together with compound heterozygous mutations of the OTOF gene [c.1194T>A (p.D398E) and c.2180A>G (p.N727S)] were detected in the proband. The sister of the proband (also had hearing loss) has carried a heterozygous c.235delC mutation in the GJB2 gene, in addition with a heterozygous c.2180A>G(p.N727S) mutation of the OTOF gene. By Sanger sequencing, a heterozygous IVS1+2T>A mutation was further detected in the non-coding region of the GJB2 gene in both sisters. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous c.235delC and IVS1+2T>A mutations of the GJB2 gene probably account for the hearing loss in the two sisters, among which IVS1+2T>A is considered as a novel pathogenic mutation of the GJB2 gene.
Connexins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of mifepristone combined with oral or vaginal misoprostol for termination of pregnancy between 8 and 16 weeks of gestation. Methods This was a randomized, multi-center, open clinical trial. A total of 625 women at 8-16 weeks of gestation were randomized to receive 200 mg oral mifepristone followed by either oral misoprostol 400 μg every 3 hours or vaginal misoprostol 400μg every 6 hours for a maximum of 4 doses 36-48 hours later. There were 417 women in oral group with 198 at 8-9 weeks and 219 at 10-16 weeks, while 208 women in vaginal group with 99 at 8-9 weeks and 109 at 10-16 weeks. The outcome measures were the success abortion rate, induction to abortion interval, the amount of bleeding, reoccurrence of menstruation and adverse events. Results Abortion rate was significantly higher in vaginal group [98.1% (202/206)] than that in oral group [94.0%(390/415), P=0.023]; concerning termination of pregnancy at 8-9 weeks and 10-16 weeks respectively, there were no significant differences between oral and vaginal groups (P=0.156, P=0.073). The induction to abortion interval was no significant difference in oral and vaginal group in different gestational weeks ( P=0.238, P=0.273). The average induction to abortion interval was (4.1 ± 6.6) hours and (6.0 ± 4.5) hours respectively in terminating 8-9 weeks and 10-16 weeks of gestation. Concerning the amount of bleeding within 2 hours of placenta expulsion, there was significant difference between oral group [(63±46) ml] and vaginal group [(55 ± 45) ml] in terminating 8-9 weeks of gestation (P=0.047), while there was no significant difference between groups in terminating 10-16 weeks of gestation [oral group (76 ± 52) ml versus vaginal group (76 ± 61) ml, P=0.507]. The reoccurrence of menstruation was about 37 days in both oral and vaginal groups. Two cases of incomplete abortion were serious adverse events (SAE) relating to treatment. The common adverse events (AE) of nausea and vomiting were significantly higher in oral group [57.2% (239/417), 36.3% (151/417)] than those in vaginal group [45.4% (94/208), 26.1% (54/208); P=0.005, 0.011]. Conclusion Oral or vaginal misoprostol combined with mifepristone, is effective and safe for termination of pregnancy between 8 and 16 weeks of gestation.

Objective: To carry out genetic testing for a family with two pregnancies affected with hydrops fetalis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of the fetus. Methods: DNA was extracted from fetal tissue as well as peripheral blood samples from the couple. Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were carried out to screen potential mutation. Suspected mutation was validated with PCR and Sanger sequencing. Results: The manifestation of fetal echocardiography was consistent with DCM. No obvious abnormality was found by SNP array analysis. A hemizygous c. 481G>A (p.G161R) mutation of the TAZ gene was detected in the male fetus by NGS and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation was inherited from his mother. Conclusion Barth syndrome due to the c. 481G>A mutation of the TAZ gene probably underlies the recurrent hydrops fetalis and fetal DCM in this family.

Objective To investigate the value of prenatal diagnosis in identifying the etiology and predicting the prognosis of fetal pleural effusion (FPE).Methods Forty-two cases of FPE were recruited in this study from January 2012 to September 2016.Ultrasound scan and genetic tests were performed on all fetuses.Seven fetuses with severe FPE were given pleurocentesis.Pregnancy outcomes of all the fetuses were followed up.Results FPE was commonly accompanied with other abnormalities,such as ascites,hydrops,hydramnion,hygroma colli,abnormal posturing,joint contractures,arrhythmia and micromandible.Chromosomal abnormality was detected in 11 fetuses (26.2％),of which ten were further confirmed by karyotype analysis,including six with 45,X,three trisomy 21 and one trisomy 18,and one was detected with a 9.83 Mb uniparental disomy (UPD) located at 12q24.21q24.31 by gene chip.One fetus was diagnosed with--SEA/--SEA thalassemia.All of the 12 families decided to terminate the pregnancies after genetic counseling.Among the other 30 fetuses,seven with severe FPE and normal karyotype underwent pleurocentesis.Five of the seven cases were with favorable outcomes,one with progressive hydrops was aborted and one neonate with severe hydrops died after birth.Spontaneous regression of FPE with good outcome was found in two cases.Parents of the other 21 fetuses chose to terminate the pregnancies.Conclusions Prenatal diagnosis is important to identify the etiology and predict the outcome of FPE.Chromosomal abnormality is a relatively common cause of FPE,and 45,X and trisomy 21 are the most common abnormalities.Intrauterine intervention is beneficial for FPE without chromosomal or other definite genetic abnormalities.Genetic test may be of great value for pregnant counseling.

OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic mutations among patients with hearing loss but without common GJB2, SLC26A4, 12 SrRNA mutations. METHODS: Thirty-three patients were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Four patients were found to harbor previously known pathogenic variations, and four were found to carry suspicious pathogenic variations, which yielded a detection rate of 24.2%. CONCLUSION NGS can improve the detection rate for mutations underlying congenital hearing loss and improve the efficiency and accuracy of the diagnosis.
Connexins ; Deafness ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters

OBJECTIVE: To carry out genetic testing for a family with two pregnancies affected with hydrops fetalis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of the fetus. METHODS: DNA was extracted from fetal tissue as well as peripheral blood samples from the couple. Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were carried out to screen potential mutation. Suspected mutation was validated with PCR and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The manifestation of fetal echocardiography was consistent with DCM. No obvious abnormality was found by SNP array analysis. A hemizygous c.481G>A (p.G161R) mutation of the TAZ gene was detected in the male fetus by NGS and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation was inherited from his mother. CONCLUSION Barth syndrome due to the c.481G>A mutation of the TAZ gene probably underlies the recurrent hydrops fetalis and fetal DCM in this family.
Barth Syndrome ; genetics ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; genetics ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Transcription Factors ; genetics