Objective To explore the expression and role of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the hippocampus of a rat model of post‐traumatic stress disorder （PTSD） induced by single prolonged stress （SPS）. Methods Forty-five rats were randomly assigned into control group （n = 15） or PTSD group （n = 30； 15 each were examined on days 4 and 7 after modeling，respectively）. PTSD was induced by SPS，which was recognized internationally. The Morris water maze test was carried out to measure the spatial memory of the rats. The morphological changes of the hippocampus were examined with Nissl staining. The expression of TLR4，MyD88，and downstream nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） was determined by Western blot. Results Compared with the control group，the PTSD group showed a significantly prolonged mean escape latency （P<0.05）； sparsely arranged and lightly stained neurons and a reduced number of Nissl bodies within cytoplasm in the hippocampus； and significantly increased protein expression of TLR4，MyD88，and NF-κB on days 4 and 7 after SPS stimulation （all P<0.05）. Conclusion SPS can impair the spatial memory of rats，which may be associated with the up-regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB in the hippocampus. The activation of TLR4/MyD88 signaling may be one of important molecular mechanisms in the development of SPS-induced PTSD.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods Rats were divided into a sham group, MCAO group, and MCAO+TAK group. Cerebral cortices were removed on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 post surgery. Morphological staining and Western blotting were used to detect pathological changes and TLR4 and P-IKKα/β expression in brain tissues. Results The pathological changes in the MCAO+TAK group were more severe than in the MCAO group on day 1 post surgery. However, the MCAO group exhibited more severe damage at the other time points. TLR4 expression was lowest in the cerebral cortices of the sham group. On day 1 and 14 post surgery, TLR4 expression was lower in the MCAO group than in the MCAO+TAK group, while on day 3 and 7 post surgery, TLR4 expression was higher in the MCAO group than in the MCAO+TAK group. P-IKKα/β expression was highest in the cerebral cortices of the MCAO group at all time points except for day 1. Conclusion TLR4 may alleviate cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats on day 1 post surgery; however, TLR4 may exacerbate ischemia repeifusion injury 3 to 14 days post surgery. The mechanism may be due to the effect of P-IKKα/β expression in the cerebral cortex.

Objective:To analyze the positive detection rate, main genotypes of β-thalassemia in western region of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (referred to as Guangxi).Methods:Retrospective analysis of 26 189 individuals who underwent gene testing for thalassemia at the Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities from January 2013 to December 2019. Using the crossing breakpoint PCR (Gap-PCR) and reverse dot blot (RDB) techniques to detect Chinese common type of 7 kinds of α-thalassemia and 17 kinds of β-thalassemia genotypes, high-throughput sequencing(Sanger) was performed for suspected rare β-thalassemia. Gap-PCR was used for suspected deletion β-thalassemia types.Results:β-thalassemia was diagnosed in 4 495 (17.16%) of 26 189 samples. A total of 6 177 alleles of 20 types of β-thalassemia were detected, mainly CD17 (2 712 cases, 43.90%) and CD41-42 (2 240 cases, 36.26%), including 7 rare alleles: Gγ +( Aγδβ) 0, SEA-HPFH, Hb New York, Hb G-Taipei, Hb Hezhou, Hb G-Coushatta and IVS-Ⅱ-81. There were 3 903 case (86.83%) heterozygous, 273 case (6.07%) double heterozygous, and 319 case (7.10%) homozygous among 4 495 β-thalassaemia subjects. A total of 48 genotypes were detected. The two most common genotypes were CD17/β N (1 890 cases, 42.05%) and CD41-42/β N (1 212 cases, 26.96%), accounted for 69.01% (3 102/4 495). Seven rare genotypes were detected: Gγ +( Aγδβ) 0/β N in 3 cases, Hb New York/β N in 3 cases, Hb G-Taipei/β N in 2 cases, SEA-HPFH/β N, Hb Hezhou/β N, Hb G-Coushatta/β N and IVS-Ⅱ-81/β N in 1 case each. A total of 1 041 cases (3.97%, 1 041/26 189) of 116 types of αβ-thalassemia were detected, mainly -- SEA/αα composite CD17/β N (144 cases, 13.83%), followed by -α 3.7/αα composite CD17/β N (112 cases, 10.76%). Conclusions:Western region of Guangxi is a high prevalence area of β-thalassemia, CD17/β N and CD41-42/β N are the main genotypes. The variation spectrum of β-thalassemia is complex and diverse, with rich genotype.