Objective To investigate effect of mild hypothermia on changes of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and synaptophysin mRNA level after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and determine hypothermia-induced neuroprotection.Methods Forty-five SD rats were allocated into mild hypothermia group,TBI group and sham operation group with 15 rats per group according to the random number table.Left-side fluid percussion impact was performed to induce models of TBI.Rats were exposed to hypothermia environment (32-35℃) for 6 hours in mild hypothermia group after TBI.Rats in sham operation group were treated by only drilling on left side of the head,rather than hitting.To evaluate function outcome,modified neurological severity score (mNSS),SEP and synaptophysin mRNA level were measured at 6 hours,24 hours and 7 days postinjury.Results The mNSS in mild hypothermia group lowered compared with TBI group,especially at 24 hours and 7 days (P ＜ 0.05).SEP in mild hypothermia group was significantly shortened at 6 and 24 hours compared with TBI group (P ＜ 0.05),but SEP revealed no significant difference among the 3 groups at 7 days (P ＞ 0.05).Level of synaptophysin mRNA in mild hypothermia group increased at 6 hours postinjury compared with TBI group [(0.08 ± 0.02) vs (0.12 ±0.04)],with further increase at 7 days postinjury[(0.06 ± 0.01) vs (0.33 ± 0.10)] (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The shortage of nerve conduction time of the injured side and promotion of nerve regeneration suggest the neuroprotective role of mild hypothermia following TBI.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impacts of neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation on spinal pathology and ultrastructure after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats and probe into the protective role of tacrolimus (FK506) on neural regeneration.MethodsCompressive SCI at T8 was induced in the adult SD rats,which were randomly assigned to the control group,FK506 group,NSCs group and NSCs + FK506 group.The differences of neural regeneration in each group were compared at days 7,14,28 and 56 after injury by motor evoked potentials ( MEP),HE staining,immunohistochemical staining,ultrastructure observation and image analysis of the myelinated fiber. ResultsThe MEP latency in the NSCs + FK506 group was significantly shorter than that in other groups at day 28 ( P ＜ 0.05 ).HE staining revealed that only local necrosis presented in the NSCs + FK506 group at day 56.More BrdU and NF-200 positive cells were detected with immunohistochemical staining in the other three groups as compared with the control group.Moreover,the positive cells in the NSCs + FK506 group also outnumbered the FK506 group and NSCs group.Electron microscope scan showed edema under the membrane of large myelin sheath in the control group,and classic new myelin sheath and neuraxis in the NSCs + FK506 group at day 56.The regeneration of the nerve fiber in the NSCs + FK506 group was better than that of other three groups (P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionAfter NSCs transplantation for SCI rats,the early combination use of FK506 can improve the pathology and ultrastructure of the regenerative nerve fiber and is conducive to nerve regeneration.

Objective To investigate effect of taurine on respiration chain enzyme activity of mitochondria 24 hours after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods Fifty-six SD rats were divided into sham group,TBI group,taurine treatment group,and taurine prevention group according to the random number table,with 14 rats per group.Fluid percussion brain injury models were used.Via the caudal vein,normal saline was administered to animals in sham and traumatic brain injury groups immediately after injury,while taurine (200 mg/kg)was administered to animals in taurine treatment group after injury and in taurine prevention group 4 days before injury.Brains were harvested 24 hours postinjury for assays of HE staining and electron microscopy.Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ-Ⅴ activities were detected.Results TBI group presented swelling neurocytes,cell loss,karyopyknosis,shortened even vanished process,and inflammation cell infiltration at the edge of necrosis in HE staining.By contrast,morphological improvement was significant in taurine treatment group but only some neurons were intact in taurine prevention group.Swelling mitochondria and broken or vanished mitochondrial crests were seen in TBI group under the electron microscope.However,normal or minor swelling mitochondria was seen in taurine treatment group and cytoplasm slightly porous and absence of mitochondrial crests were seen in taurine prevention group.Activities of complex Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅴ were significant lower in TBI group (32.52±2.41,4.68 ±0.15,2.49 ±0.73) compared to those in sham group (34.03 ±0.46,5.04 ±0.29,3.20±0.68) and in taurine treatment group (33.95±0.85,5.12-±0.23,3.53 ±0.48) (P＜0.05).And complex Ⅰ in taurine prevention group was significantly enhanced as well (34.44 ± 0.36,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Taurine may protect the brain tissues and mitochondrial structure from impairment in TBI rats by improving mitochondrial enzymes activity and reducing secondary energy loss.

Objective To investigate the effect of taurine transporter in the process of protection of brain edema in rats with severe traumatic head injury. Methods A total of 24 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Except the control rats (Group Sham), all other three groups were subjected to lateral fluid percussion head injury. The TBI (Traumatic brain injury) models (Group TBI) and surgical control rats (Group Sham) were injected with saline through caudal vein after surgery, while the Taurine prevention and Taurine treatment models (Group Pre Tau and Group Tau) were injected with 120 g/L taurine solution before or after surgeries respectively. Water content in each brain, mRNA and protein expres?sion of aquaporin 4 and taurine transporter in the injured rat brain hemispheres were all evaluated over the time course of the study (7 d) in each group. Results Compared with rats in Group Sham, water content in each brain increase, mRNA tran?scription and protein expression of AQP4 were both up regulated but the mRNA transcription and protein expression of TauT were both down-regulated in rats in TBI group. Compared with rats in TBI group, brain water content, mRNA transcription and protein expression of AQP4 all decrease while mRNA transcription and protein expression of TauT all increase in rats in Pre tau and Tau groups. There is no statistical difference of TauT expression between rats in pre-tau group and Tau group. Conclusion Taurine exert its neuron protection role through draining water content from brain and down regulating expres?sion of AQP4 but rising expression of TauT after TBI.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of microRNA (miRNA) in peripheral venous blood for depressive disorder.Methods Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify expression level of miRNAs in peripheral blood of non-specific mental retardation children,which were aberrantly expressed in depressive disorder patients,and then Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC)curve was employed to confirm the sensitivity and specificity of abnormal miRNA expression in depressive disorder and non-specific mental retardation.Results MiR-1972,miR-26b,miR-4485,miR-4498 and miR-4743 were upregulated significantly in case group of depressive disorder(P＜0.05),meanwhile miR-4485 and miR-4743 in aforementioned 5 miRNAs also upregulated significandy in patients of non-specific mental retardation(P＜0.05),but miR-26b showed no significant difference between case group of non-specific mental retardation and the control group (P＞0.05).The ROC curve of miR-26b in depressive disorder patients and their control group showed that the sensitivity and specificity were 0.609,0.664 respectively,and the area square under the curve was 0.614(P=0.021).The ROC curve of miR-26b in patients of depressive disorder and non-specific mental retardation indicated that the sensitivity and specificity were 0.784 and 0.471,and area square under the curve was 0.643 (P=0.003).Conclusion miR-26b probably have diagnostic value for depressive disorder,which may comorbidity with non-specific mental retardation.But genetic and psychosocial mechanism of comorbidity still needs further exploration.

Objective:To explore a simple and effective clinical method for improving facial sagging while performing maxillofacial contouring surgery.Methods:From October 2020 to October 2021, 50 patients with mandibular angle and malar surgery in the Plastic Surgery Department of Sichuan Friendship Hospital were selected, aged 30-43 years, with the average age of 37 years, including 44 females and 6 males. Maxillofacial contouring surgery was performed under transnasal intubation general anesthesia, the interorgual jaw groove incision was performed with a swing saw for bilateral long arc osteotomy, and the maxillary gingival groove incision and sideburn skin incision were performed for zygomatic osteotomy reduction and zygomatic arch incision. A small incision about 3 mm long was taken 1 cm from the edge of the temporal hair; a special conical cannula stripper was used to perform subcutaneous tunnel peeling to the zygomatic fat pad and masseter muscle ligament, anterior appendage ligament, then a two-way barb line was placed through the casing to lift vertically upwards, pierce above the posterior papillae of the ear, and the excess thread was cut off.Results:Following-up for 3-12 months, all recipients recovered well after surgery, the skin of the middle and lower parts of the postoperative body was lifted to varying degrees, the cheek fat pad was lifted, the jaw contour line was clearer, and the nasolabial fold was significantly improved as compared with that before the operation.Conclusions:At the same time as facial contouring surgery, the use of minimally invasive tunnel separation and lifting technique can effectively improve the skin sagging in the middle and lower parts, and it is simple and effective, and the clinical application effect is good.

OBJECTIVE To identify differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of anxiety patients and predict their target genes and function by bioinformatics analysis. METHODS The miRNA expression profiles were determined using an Affymetrix array. To validate the results, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis in a larger cohort was employed. The targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by Target Scan, miRBD, and DIANA-microT-CDS, and the results were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis using FunNet. RESULTS MicroRNA microarray chip analysis has identified 7 miRNAs were detected with significant changes in expression in PBMCs of anxiety patients. qRT-PCR analysis has confirmed that the expression levels of 5 miRNAs (has-miR-4484, has-miR-4505, has-miR-4674, has-miR-501-3p and has-miR-663) were up-regulated. Intersecting the genes by Target Scan, miRBD, and DIANA-microT-CDS has predicted 195 targets. GO analysis showed that biological processes regulated by the predicted target genes have included diverse terms. Some terms, e.g., nervous system development, nerve growth factor receptor signaling pathway, neuron migration, dendrite development, regulation of neuron projection development, midbrain development, regulation of excitatory postsynaptic membrane potential, gliogenesis, dendrite morphogenesis, etc. have direct relationship with the central nervous system and brain functions. Pathway analysis showed that a significant enrichment in several pathways related to neuronal brain functions such as glutamatergic synapse, axon guidance, calcium signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, gap junction, long-term potentiation and VEGF signaling pathway, etc. Among the five microRNAs, has-miR-4484, has-miR-4505, has-miR-4674 and has-miR-501-3p may have more important regulatory functions. CONCLUSION Five miRNAs (has-miR-4484, has-miR-4505, has-miR-4674, has-miR-501-3p and has-miR-663) are up-regulated in PBMCs of anxiety patients and may be closely involved in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorder.
Anxiety Disorders ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; analysis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between the genotype and phenotype of 18q deletion syndrome with chromosome microarray analysis (CMA).

METHODSEight cases with 18q deletion syndrome were selected, including two affected fetuses and six children patients. DNA was extracted and hybridized with Affymetrix CytoScan TM 750K arrays following the manufacturer's standard protocol. The data was analyzed with a special software package.

RESULTSCMA analysis identified pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) on 18q in all cases, which ranged from 6.612 Mb to 22.973 Mb. NFATC1, GALR1, MBP, SALL3 and TSHZ1 are likely to be causative genes for congenital heart disease, psychological, growth retardation, and cleft palate.

CONCLUSIONCMA can precisely locate the breakpoints of 18q and facilitate definition of the genotype-phenotype correlations, which is useful for prognosis.

Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosome Disorders ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microarray Analysis

PURPOSE: An older female predominance has been reported among chronic cough patients in Western countries, which is considered to be associated with a higher cough sensitivity in females. However, the characteristics of Chinese chronic cough patients remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the age and sex distribution as well as their relationship with cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin in Chinese chronic cough patients. METHODS: We analyzed the demographic features of 1,882 consecutive chronic cough patients who attended our cough clinic in Guangzhou, China. Cough sensitivity to capsaicin, which was defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin causing 5 coughs or more (C5), was measured in 539 of the 1,882 patients and 68 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.0 ± 13.7 years and patients aged <50 years accounted for more than two-thirds of the study population. Around 87% of the patients were never-smokers. The proportion of females (51.5%) was almost equal to that of males (48.5%). The pattern of the age and sex distribution was consistently reflected within most common causes of chronic cough, while a female predominance was shown in patients with cough-variant asthma and patients aged ≥50 years. Female patients had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than male patients (log C5: 1.58 ± 0.84 vs. 2.04 ± 0.84 μmol/L, P = 0.001), and patients aged ≥50 years had higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin than patients aged <50 years. CONCLUSIONS: In China, patients with chronic cough have a roughly equal sex distribution and a middle-aged predominance, irrespective of a higher cough sensitivity to capsaicin in females and older patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02591550
Age Distribution ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Capsaicin ; China ; Cough ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Reflex ; Sex Distribution

BACKGROUNDMany researches demonstrate that the secondary brain injury which is caused by autoimmune attack toward brain antigens plays an important role in surgical brain injury (SBI). Although traditional immunosuppression can reduce autoimmune attack, it will lower the body immunity. Immune tolerance, by contrast, not only does not lower the body immunity, but also could lighten autoimmunity. This study used thymus tolerance to develop an immune system that is tolerant to autologous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and autologous brain tissue so that autoimmune injury can be suppressed following the disruption of the blood-brain barrier, thereby reducing brain damage.

METHODSEighty experimental rabbits were divided into five groups by random number table method: 16 in SBI group (group A), 16 in SBI+CSF drainage group (group B), 16 in SBI+CSF drainage+PBS injection group (group C), 16 in SBI+CSF drainage+CSF intrathymic injection group (group D), and 16 in SBI+brain homogenate intrathymic injection group (group E). Rabbits' CSF was drained in group B; was drained and injected PBS into thymus in group C; was drained and injected CSF into thymus in group D; and was injected brain homogenate in group E. Half of the rabbits in each group were phlebotomized on 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th days to observe the changes in IL-l, TGF-β by ELISA test, and CD4CD25 regulatory T cells ratio by flow cytometry, and in other animals brain tissues were taken on 7th day for exploring FasL expression by RT-PCR. The least significant difference (LSD) test was used to make paired comparisons; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe levels of FasL, TGF-β, and the ratios of CD4CD25 regulatory T cells in groups D and E were apparently higher than those in other three groups (P < 0.05). Likewise, the levels of IL-1 in these two groups were lower than the other three groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the ratios of CD4CD25 regulatory T cells and the levels of TGF-β in groups B and C were higher than those in group A, but the level of IL-1 was lower than that in group A (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups B and C, and groups D and E.

CONCLUSIONThymic injection of CSF and brain homogenate may be able to reduce inflammation after SBI, so thymus immune tolerance may be a useful therapy to treat SBI.

Animals ; Autoantigens ; administration & dosage ; Brain ; surgery ; Brain Injuries ; etiology ; therapy ; Immune Tolerance ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Thymus Gland ; immunology