Aim To study ethanol-induced changes in the development and neuronal number of visual cortex in C57BL /6 mice. Methods Female mice were fed with ethanol during pregnancy . The neuron density (ND) and cortical thickness (CT) in visual cortex of off spring mice were measured at either P0, P7 and P14 with hematoxylin and eosin (H.E) and Nissl staining. Results Embryonic death and malformationswere found in the ethanol-treated groups. Malformations, such as microcephaly,anencephaly and myeloschisis with spinabifida, etc were found in late-term embryos. The malformation rate was 12%. Compared with control group, the development of visual cortex in ethanol-treated groups was delayed, and its lamination was in disorder. The neuron polarity was disturbed. Neuron loss was found after ethanol exposure. At various ages, the neuron density in ethanol-treated groups was lower than that in control group(P

Objective To study ethanol-induced the neuroapoptosis of visual cortex in offspring mice. Methods Pregnant female mice were fed by intubating alcohol daily,beginning on E5(embryonic,E) and continuing through the pup's birth.The neuroapoptosis in P0,P7 and P14 visual cortex was visualized by Caspase-3 activity immunohistochemistry and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining. Results Usually,the pup's birth days would delay one or two days after ethanol exposure.Moreover,ethanol induced reabsorption of fetus and malformations,such as microcephaly,anencephaly and myeloschisis with spinabifida and so on,were found in the study.Apoptosis index in ethanol treatment groups was obviously higher than that in control at either P0,P7 or P14(P

[Objective] The present study was to evaluate the association of serum total cholesterol level and prognosis in patients with acute left heart failure and associated mechanisms.[Methods] Sixty-eight patients due to acute episode of left heart failure prospectively enrolled,and baseline data and biochemical parameters were collected.After discharge,patients were follow-up for 1 month and they were divided into two groups (with and without cardiovascular events).Differences between groups were evaluated and the association of serum total cholesterol level and cardiovascular events were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.[Results] The mean age was 57.3 ± 12.6 years old and 52 cases were male patients accounting for 76.5 ％.Among these patients,46 had a diagnosis of coronary heart disease (67.6 ％),10 rheumatic heart disease (14.7 ％),12 dilated cardiomyopathy (17.7％),38hypertension (55.9％) and 24 diabetes mellitus (35.3％).After 1 month's follow up,39 patients (57.4％) had experienced cardiovascular events,36 cases were re-hospitalized,and 3 died from heart failure.Compared to those with cardiovascular events,event free individuals were younger and were less likely smokers (P ＜ 0.05).In addition,event free group had lower serum levels of N-terminal pro-BNP and C-reactive protein (P ＜ 0.05) while serum levels of total cholesterol and albumin were significantly higher (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in medication between these two groups.After adjusted for age,gender,smoking,systolic blood pressure,serum albumin level,diabetes,hypertension and medications,increased total cholesterol level was independently associated with better prognosis with odds ratio of 0.91 (95 ％ confidence interval 0.80-0.96).Further adjusted for C-reactive protein,the association was attenuated to non-significance,with odds ratio of 0.97 (95 ％ confidence interval 0.87-1.09).[Conclusion] Adequate serum total cholesterol level was beneficial for improving short-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with left heart failure and the potential mechanisms might be related to cholesterol effects on improving nutritional status and anti-inflammation.

Objective To observe the efficacy of mesalazine combined with probiotics in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Methods 60 patients with ulcerative colitis who were admitted to our hospital from May 2015 to May 2017 were selected randomly. These patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment method: mesalamine com bined with probiotic group(combination therapy group, n=30) and mesalamine alone treatment group (n=30). The clinical symptom score, endoscopic score, serum CRPlevel, clinical efficacy, incidence of adverse reactions and recurrence in both groups were statistically analyzed. Results Compared with those before treatment, the clinical symptom score, en doscopic score and serum CRPlevel were significantly lower in both groups after treatment(P＜0. 05); After treatment, clinical symptom score, endoscopic score and serum CRPlevel were significantly lower in the combination therapy group than those in the treatment alone group(P＜0. 05). The total effective rate in the combination therapy group was 93. 3％(28/30), significantly higher than 63. 3％(19/30) in the treatment alone group(P＜0. 05). The recurrence rate was 13. 3％ (4/30), significantly lower than that of 33. 3％(10/30) in the treatment alone group(P＜0. 05). However, the incidence rates of adverse reactions in the two groups was 6. 7％(2/30) and 10. 0％(3/30) respectively, which were not significantly different(P＞0. 05). Conclusion The efficacy of mesalazine combined with probiotics in the treatment of ulcerative colitis is more significant than that of mesalazine alone. At the same time, it is also more effective in improving the clinical symptoms, reducing the serum CRPlevel and recurrence rate in the patients, and will not increase the patients' adverse reactions to a great extent, so it is worthy of promotion and application in clinical settings.

OBJECTIVETo analyze potential mutations of the NOTCH3 gene in two Chinese families featuring cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarct and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

METHODSThe two probands and related family members and 100 healthy controls were recruited. Potential mutations of the NOTCH3 gene were screened by PCR and direct sequencing. PolyPhen-2 and SIFT software were used to predict the protein function.

RESULTSThe conditions of both probands were adult-onset, with main clinical features including recurrent transient ischemic attacks and/or strokes, cognitive impairment. MRI findings suggested multiple cerebral infarcts and severe leukoencephalopathy. A heterozygous mutation c.328C>T (p.Arg110Cys), which was located in exon 3 of the NOTCH3 gene and known as a causative mutation, was identified in proband 1. A novel heterozygous mutation c.1013 G>C (p.Cys338Ser) located in exon 6 of the NOTCH3 gene was identified in the proband 2, which was not reported previously. The same mutations were not detected among the 100 unrelated healthy controls. Function analysis suggested that heterozygous mutation c.1013G>C can severely affect the functions of NOTCH3 protein.

CONCLUSIONTwo heterozygous missense mutations in the NOTCH3 gene have been identified in two families affected with CADASIL. The novel heterozygous Cys338Ser mutation in exon 6 of the NOTCH3 gene probably underlies the CADASIL.

Adult ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; CADASIL ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Receptor, Notch3 ; genetics

Objective:To investigate and analyze disease status and risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy and puerperium in our country.Methods:Clinical datas were collected from 575 patients diagnosed with VTE during pregnancy and puerperium and hospitalized in nine medical institutions in our country from January 1, 2015 to November 30, 2019, and retrospectively analyzed it′s disease status and risk factors.Results:(1) The proportion of VTE in pregnancy and puerperium was 50.6% (291/575) and 49.4% (284/575), respectively. Four patients died, the mortality rate was 0.7% (4/575). The cause of death was pulmonary embolism. (2) The location of VTE during pregnancy and puerperium was mainly in the lower limb vascular (76.2%, 438/575), followed by pulmonary vessels (7.1%, 41/575). (3) In the risk factors of VTE, cesarean section accounted for 32.3% (186/575), maternal advance age accounted for 27.7% (159/575), braking or hospitalization during pregnancy accounted for 13.6% (78/575), other risk factors accounted for more than 5% were previous VTE, obesity, preterm birth, assistant reproductive technology conception and so on, pre-eclampsia and multiple pregnancy accounted for 4.9% (28/575) respectively. In addition, some patients with VTE did not have any of the above risk factors, and the incidence rate was as high as 23.1% (133/575).Conclusions:The occurrence of VTE during pregnancy and puerperium is related to multiple risk factors, and could lead to matemal death, It is very necessary to screen VTE risk factors for all pregnant women, to make corresponding prevention and control measures.

Exosomes are spherical microvesicles(30-100 nm)secreted by a variety of cells and contain a variety of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs.These molecules into exosomes can be transferred to adjacent cells and distant tissues or cells by exosomes to develop full effects.Exosomes-released microRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD)by regulating the abnormal expression of amyloid β-protein(Aβ)and p-Tau protein, initiating the inflammatory response by interacting with toll-like receptors.In addition, exosomal microRNAs can be used as a potential therapeutic target for AD.Exosomes as good carriers have great research values.This review summarized the literatures related to the role of exosomal microRNAs in the development of AD and the potential therapeutic effect on AD.A large amount of evidence indicates that expression disorder of exosomal microRNA plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD and can be used as a new potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of AD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mutation of small sequence changes in microRNA-7 gene in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: We analyzed miR-7 variants in 225 PD patients from Chinese Han group by DNA sequence. RESULTS: None of the patients had miR-7 variants. CONCLUSION MiR-7 variation is not associated with PD in Chinese patients.
Aged ; Base Sequence ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics

Objective:To explore the changing characteristics of self-efficacy, social support, psychological stress in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) receiving conservative treatment at different treatment stages and their correlations with the recovery of lower back function.Methods:A total of 116 patients with acute OVCFs who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University were selected from January 2017 to May 2019. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Questionnaire, General Self Efficacy Scale (GSES) , Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to assess the lower back function, self-efficacy, social support and psychological stress of OVCFs patients. Questionnaires were filled out during outpatient reexamination or in-home follow-up, and the evaluation time was at the time of treatment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after conservative treatment. Analysis of variance and SNK- q test were used to explore the characteristics of each score over time, and linear regression analysis was used to explore the effects of GSES, PSSS, and PSS on ODI. Results:With the prolongation of treatment time, ODI, GSES, PSSS and PSS scores of OVCFS patients under conservative treatment showed a downward trend, and the scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment were lower than those at 1 month after conservative treatment ( P<0.05) . The scores at 6 and 12 months after conservative treatment were lower than those at 3 months after conservative treatment ( P<0.05) . The scores at 12 months after conservative treatment were lower than that those at 6 months after conservative treatment ( P<0.05) . GSES, PSSS (total score, in-family support, out-of-family support) and PSS were independent influencing factors of ODI at one month after treatment ( P<0.05) . GSES, PSSS (total score, in-family support) and PSS were the influencing factors of ODI at 3 months after treatment ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The self-efficacy and social support of conservatively treated patients with OVCFs are positively correlated with their lower back function, while psychological stress will reduce lower back function of such patients. It is suggested to add these non-physical factors to the rehabilitation nursing model and take appropriate intervention measures.

Objective:To study the influence of the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on the visual function of patients with type 2 diabetes, to provide scientific basis for the early prevention and control of DR.Methods:This study was designed as a cross-sectional study, recruiting already-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients in four community health service centers in Guizhou Province between February and September 2022. Employing the Chinese version of the Visual Function Index-14 (VF-14), assess the participants′ near vision, visual adaptation, subjective visual perception, and stereo vision, with higher scores indicating poorer visual function. Categorize the severity of each eye′s damage into no diabetic retinopathy (DR), mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and use a 5-level DR grading system to evaluate the overall severity of diabetic retinopathy in both eyes. Employing linear regression analysis to investigate the linear relationship between DR and visual function index. Local weighted regression evaluates the nonlinear relationship between the DR composite score and the scores of visual function, with a steeper slope indicating poorer visual function for that level.Results:A total of 542 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated, including 244 (45.02%) males, 298 (54.98%) females, and 162 (29.89%) patients with DR. After adjusting for confounders, compared with those without DR, patients with binocular DR Had overall scores ( β=0.136, P=0.003), near vision ( β=0.163, P<0.001), visual adaptation ( β=0.092, P=0.042), subjective vision ( β=0.120, P=0.009) and stereo vision ( β=0.094, P=0.044) were higher than those without DR. There were no differences in visual functions between DR And monocular DR. The local weighted regression curve showed that near vision (slope: 23.78) and overall score (slope: 58.37) increased sharply from mild to moderate NPDR in both eyes. Visual adaptation (slope: 5.37, 7.72), subjective vision (slope: 6.53, 7.93), stereovision (slope: 0.74, 0.91) increased slowly in mild to moderate NPDR in both eyes and in moderate to severe NPDR/PDR in both eyes. Conclusion:Binocular DR is associated with impaired visual function, but there is no difference between monocular DR And non-DR visual function. The early damage of DR To visual function is mainly manifested in near vision. In the prevention and control of DR, more attention should be paid to visual function, especially the change of near vision, and retinal damage should not be assessed solely by visual status.