[ ABSTRACT] AIM: To investigate the role of anterior thalamic nucleus in trigeminal nerve electrostimulation ( TNS)-induced effects on seizures and hippocampal damage.METHODS: The rats were intraperitoneally injected with pilocarpine to induce chronic epilepsy, and then received sham treatment, TNS treatment and TNS treatment after stereotac-tic lesion to the anterior thalamic nucleus.The TNS treatment lasted for 1 month in each group.Another injection of pilo-carpine was conducted to induce seizures, and the severity and duration of seizures were quantitatively evaluated.TUNEL, Fluoro-Jade B ( FJB) and Nissl staining were applied to determine in situ apoptosis, neuronal degeneration and neuron loss in the hippocampal CA1 area respectively.RESULTS:Compared with TNS group, TNS treatment after stereotactic lesion to the anterior thalamic nucleus significantly increased the severity and duration of seizures (P<0.05), and the numbers of TUNEL positive cells, FJB positive cells and lost neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Anterior thalamic nucleus plays a role in TNS-induced reduction of seizures and hippocampal damage.The mechanisms might be due to the chronically activation of the cortex through anterior thalamic nucleus pathway induced by TNS, resulting in the down-regulation of neuronal excitatory susceptibility.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible pathogenesis of EB virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 in inducing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsThe mRNA expression levels of LMP1 and apoptosis-related genes bcl-2,bax in SLE patients and healthy controls were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The serum BAFF levels of SLE patients and normal healthy controls were detected by ELISA.2 test was used for positive rate analysis,2-△△Ct method was used for comparing the gene expression level,and Student-Newman-Kqeuls method was used for pair-wise comparison between the means.Results① The positive rate of LMP1 expression in 67 SLE cases was 25％,which was significantly higher than the 11％ in 65 healthy controls (P＜0.05).② The 2-△Ct value of bcl-2 mRNA expression level of SLE patients was 0.0257,1.41 times to that (0.0183) of healthy controls and the difference was statistically significant.③ The 2-△Ct value of bcl-2 mRNA expression level of LMP1 positive SLE patients was 0.0427,1.98 times to that of LMP1 negative SLE patients (0.0217),the difference was statistically significant.④ The serum BAFF levels of LMP1 positive SLE patients,LMP1 negative SLE patients,LMP1 positive healthy controls and LMP 1 negative healthy controls were ( 106± 15 ),(82± 19),( 68±19),(64±17) μg/L,respectively.There were significant differences between serum BAFF levels of LMPl-positive SLE patients and other groups(P＜0.0l ).There were significant difference between serum BAFF levels of LMP1-negative SLE patients and the control groups (P＜0.01).ConclusionEBV may induce and/or promote SLE by LMP1 through apoptosis-related genes bcl-2 expression and induction of B lymphocytes that produce BAFF,all these mechanisms can prolong the infected auto-reactive B lymphocytes survival.

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) (OMIM #182290) is a rare genetic disorder with a prevalence of 1 in 25 000 live births. Approximately 90% of SMS patients have harbored a 3.7 Mb interstitial 17p11.2 deletion involving the RAI1 gene, while 10% of cases have carried pathogenic variants of the RAI1 gene. SMS is characterized by sleep disturbance, intellectual impairment, developmental delay, craniofacial and cardiovascular anomalies, obesity, self injury, aggressive and autistic-like behaviors. Most SMS patients have sleep disorders such as short total sleep time, frequent night waking, short sleep onset, and early morning waking. The sleep disturbance may aggravate with age and persist throughout life. Three mechanisms have been delineated. The first concern was the abnormal secretion of melatonin, with high levels during daytime and low levels at night. Evaluation of the integrity of the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC)/melanopsin system has found that SMS patients showed dysfunction in the sustained component of the pupillary light responses to blue light. Synchronization of daily melatonin profile and its photoinhibition are dependent on the activation of melanopsin. Dysfunction of the retina-melanin system may be one of the causes of melatonin spectrum disorders. Secondly, dysregulation of circadian rhythm gene expression has also been noted in mice and SMS patients. Finally, there may be association between sleep deprivation symptoms and DNA methylation patterns, which has provided new insights for SMS-associated sleep disorders and symptoms alike. Treatment for SMS-related sleep disorders is administered primarily through medications like melatonin tablets, which can alleviate insomnia-related sleep difficulties, in particular externalizing behavior in children. Researchers are also actively exploring other treatments for SMS currently.
Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; Humans ; Melatonin ; Mice ; Sleep ; Sleep Wake Disorders/genetics* ; Smith-Magenis Syndrome/genetics*

Objective To investigate the effects of rhein on insulin sensitivity of diabetic rats induced by high fat feeding and low dose streptozotocin (STZ), and the possible mechanisms. Methods (1) Fifty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC,n=15) and diabetes group (DM, n=40). The NC rats were fed with regular chow and DM rats were fed with high fat diet. Five weeks later, the DM rats were injected with STZ 30 mg/kg once. The 30 diabetic rats were randomly divided into two subgroups, diabetic control group (DM-C) and diabetic group treated with rhein (DM-T). DM-T rats received intragastric administration of rhein and DM-C rats were given equal doses of solvent. All rats were sacrificed eleven weeks later, the blood sample was collected. The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1C, triglycerides (TG), tolal cholesterol (TC), glycosylated serum protein (GSP) and Fasting insulin (FINS) concentrations were examined.The insulin sensitive index (ISI) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) werecalculated. (2) The PPART and GLUT-2 expression in hepatic tissue were detected by immunohistoehemistry and Western-blot. Results At the end of experiment the FBG [(22.57±3.23 vs 7.11±1.44) mmol/L,P<0.01],HbA1C[(12.49±1.96 vs 8.36±0.84)%, P<0.01], TG [(0.89±0.29 vs 0.58±0.17)nunoL/L,P<0.01],GSP [(57.29±4.14 vs 13.43±2.70)μmoL/L, P<0.01] and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α,(1.365±0.133 vs 1.233±0.159) μg/L, P<0.05] and the liver weight index (0.032±0.004 vs 0.024±0.002, P<0.01) in DM-C rats were higher than those in NC rats. Besides, the ISI of DM-C rats decreased [In(ISI),-5.46±0.61 vs -4.81±0.75, P<0.05] and HOMA-IR elevated [In(HOMA-IR),2.34±0.64 vs 1.70±0.78,P<0.05]. The expression of PPARγ [11 131.7(5 723.1-18 979.4) vs 48 782.1(21 576.7-108 829.5), P<0.01] and GLUT-2 (0.98±0.35 vs 1.29±0.27, P<0.05) of DM-C rats decreased markedly compared with NC rats. Compared with DM-C rats, FBG [(15.94±3.16) mmol/L], HbA1C[(10.51±1.74)%], GSP[(47-31±6.09) μmol/L] in DM-T and the In (HOMA-IR), (1.86±0.30) rats decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and In (ISI), of DM-T rats increased (-4.97±0.29, P<0.05). The expressions of PPARγ [35 156.3(24 554.3-86 660.9)] and GLUT-2 (1.55±0.55) of DM-T rats were up-regulated markedly compared with DM-C rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Rhein decreased FBG, HbA1C and GSP, and improved the insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats, which might be related to the up-regulated expressions of PPARγ and GLUT-2 in hepatic tissue.

Bombyx mori bidensovirus (BmBDV) has been identified as causing chronic densonucleosis in Bombyx mori specifically. The replication mechanism of BmBDV remains unknown. Its genome comprises two single stands DNA (VD1 and VD2). In order to rescue infectious virions in vitro, we obtained the total viral DNA extracted from the BmBDV-infected larvae midguts, subsequently cloned the full-length sequence of BmBDV genome fragments by PCR and constructed recombinant plasmids pMD18T-VD1 and pUC-VD2. The linear genome fragments were obtained by digesting recombinant plasmids with corresponding restriction enzymes, and then collectively transfected BmN cells by the method of liposome-embedding. We determined the replication of the virus gene by PCR with the template of demethylated total DNA extracted from the post-transfect BmN cells. Meanwhile, we collected the total proteins from the post-transfect BmN cells and the larvae midgut of feeding the post-transfect BmN cells to perform Western blotting analysis, and detected the expression of viral genes. Here we firstly confirm that infectious virions can be rescued in BmN cells by linear co-transfect method.
Animals ; Bombyx ; DNA, Viral ; Densovirus ; growth & development ; Larva ; Transfection ; Virion ; Virus Cultivation

Objective To explore the experience and causes of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community,so as to provide references for community nursing workers to identify and intervene the self-neglect behavior of elderly diabetic patients.Methods An interpretative phenomenological method was used to collect data from elderly diabetic patients registered in 3 community health service centers in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province through semi-structured interviews.Van Manen's method was used to analyze qualitative data.Results The experience and reasons of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community were summarized into 4 themes and 10 sub-themes,including neglecting personal health(low sense of self-worth,high level of self-esteem,being afraid of compromising the family),neglecting blood glucose management(weak health awareness,difficulty in blood glucose management),inadequate self-care capacity(poor financial situation,insufficient personal time,diminished mobility)and inadequate perceived support(low social support,insufficient emotional support).Conclusion The experience and reasons of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community are diversified.Community health services and nursing workers should pay attention to the performance of self-neglect behavior of elderly diabetic patients and actively explore effective prevention and intervention measures.

Objective:To determine initial concentrations of ozonated water under different temperatures,attenuation rules ofozonated water under the room temperature (25 ℃),and to inspect the effects ofozonated water under different concentrations on common microorganisms.Methods:The online test method and the plate cultivation method were employed to check the concentrations and killing rates on common microorganisms of ozonated water produced by HZ-2601 B Ozone Water Generating Instrument.Results:The initial concentrations of ozonated water at 20,25,30,35,and 40 ℃ were 4.38,4.26,3.12,2.76,and 1.31 mg/L,respectively.The ozonated water was rapidly attenuated at first 10 min.The concentration ofozonated water still remained at 1.06 mg/L and 0.37 mg/L at 25 and 30 ℃ after 30 min.The average killing rates for Pseudornonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,and Candida albicans in 1.0 mg/L ozonated water for 1 min were 99％,100％,100％,100％,and 100％,respectively.The average killing rates of Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Candida albicans in 0.3 mg/L ozonated water for 1 min were 100％,100％,100％,95％,and 92％,respectively.Conclusion:The initial concentrations of ozonated water produced by HZ-2601 B Ozone Water Generating Instrument decrease with the increase of temperature.Ozonated water under 20-30 ℃ has good sterilization effect on common microorganisms.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of cedilanid in the treatment of severe pneumonia in infants and the value of preventing heart failure.Methods:A total of 80 children with severe pneumonia admitted to Dezhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group received comprehensive treatment, while the observation group was treated with cedilanid (0.01 mg/kg, one-time intravenous injection) on the basis of the control group. The efficacy of both groups was observed after 5 d of treatment. The incidence of heart failure, correction time of heart failure, improvement time of symptoms and signs, and length of hospitalization time were compared between the two groups; the inflammatory markers, myocardial markers and arterial blood gas indexes were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the incidence of heart failure in the observation group was lower than that in the control group: 90.0% (36/40) vs. 72.5% (29/40), 32.5%(13/40) vs. 10.0%(4/40), the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.02, 4.10, P<0.05). The improvement time of symptoms and signs (restlessness elimination, respiratory improvement, heart rate improvement and disappearance of rhonchus in lung) in the observation group were less than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), myocardial troponin I(cTnI), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in the observation group after treatment were lower than those in the control group: (6.15 ± 1.03) μg/L vs. (10.85 ± 2.12) μg/L, (112.02 ± 30.09) ng/L vs. (215.39 ± 55.08) ng/L, (0.68 ± 0.17) μg/L vs. (1.12 ± 0.34) μg/L, (19.05 ± 6.11) U/L vs. (28.97 ± 7.82) U/L, P<0.05. The levels of oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2), blood oxygen saturation (SaO 2) and oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) in the observation group after treatment were higher than those in the control group: (6.15 ± 1.03) μg/L vs. (10.85 ± 2.12) μg/L, (112.02 ± 30.09) ng/L vs. (215.39 ± 55.08) ng/L, (0.68 ± 0.17) μg/L vs. (1.12 ± 0.34) μg/L, (19.05 ± 6.11) U/L vs. (28.97 ± 7.82) U/L, P<0.05. Conclusions:Early application of small dose of cedilanid in infants with severe pneumonia can effectively reduce the occurrence of heart failure, improve the clinical symptoms and blood gas indicators, with significant curative effect, which is worthy of promotion.

Objective:To verify the effect of ozone on Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) colonization in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and its correlation with the patient's status.Methods:A total of 12 patients with moderate or severe AD,aged from 6 to 65 years,were recruited from outpatient of the Third Xiangya Hospital.The treatment sides were showered with ozonated water and smeared with ozonated oil for 7 days (twice a day),while the control sides were washed with warm running water and smeared with base oil.At different time points,the severity scoring ofatopic dermatitis (SCORAD) scores,sleep and pruritus scores were assessed and compared between the two sides.Meanwhile,plate cultivation was used to quantitatively detect the changes ofS.aureus colonization in skin lesions.Results:After 7 days treatment,erythema and pimples were decreased in the treatment sides.The clear skin texture,smooth skin,improved skin lesions were also observed by dermoscopic examination.The results of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) demonstrated that the parakeratosis was improved,the structures were clearer,and the inflammatory cells infiltration was reduced after ozone treatment for 7 days.After ozone treatment for 3 and 7 days,the S.aureus colonization in the treatment sides decreased by (75.55±21.81)％ and (97.24±2.64)％ respectively.Compared to that of control sides,the percentage of S.aureus colony after ozone treatment for 7 days decreased significantly (P＜0.01).After ozone treatment for 7 days,the SCORAD scores,sleep and pruritus scores were significantly decreased (all P＜0.01).There was a linear correlation between the decreasing percentage of S.aureus colony and the declining percentage of SCORAD scores in AD patients.Conclusion:Topical ozone therapy can effectively reduce S.aureus colony in skin lesions and alleviate the severity of AD patients with moderate to severe degree.

Objective To explore the clinical and MRI features of central neurocytoma(CNC).Methods The clinical and MRI data of the pathologically confirmed CNC were retrospectively collected and compared,all the patients had undergone pre-surgery MRI plain and contrast enhanced scans.Patients were divided according to the location of the tumor as intra-lateral ventricle and ex-lateral ventricle group.Results Forty patients were finally enrolled,all tumors were solitary,39 of which were located in the ventricular system,including 2 7 cases located in lateral ventricle and 1 2 in the lateral ventricle,2 in third ventricle,5 in both lateral and third ventricle and 5 involving the whole ventricles;and 1 located in ex-ventricle(left temporal lobe).The tumors showed iso-intense on T1WI and T2WI with varying degrees of cystic degeneration.Hemorrhage was shown in 5 cases,calcification in 2 cases,markedly hyper-vascular enhancements were shown in 36 cases with 26 cases presented visible enhanced vessel sign.The comparison analysis between intra-and ex-lateral ventricle groups revealed that,the patients age,tumor size and Ki-67 expression were higher in ex-lateral ventricle group(P<0.05);hypervascular enhancement (P<0.05),gender ratio,cystic/cystic-solid appearance and vessel sigh(P>0.05)were lower than those in intra-lateral ventricle group.Conclusion CNC is typically located in lateral ventricle,with cystic and necrotic degeneration areas,hypervascular enhancement with visible vessels in solid portion on enhanced MR images;The ex-lateral ventricle CNC is rare,it commonly presents a larger tumor with high Ki-67 expression,and moderate enhancement with less visible vessels on enhanced MRI.