Effects of saponin of Panax pseudo-ginseng var. notoginseng (Burk.) Hoo et Tseng(PnS) on neutrophil (Neu) count, protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the exudate of rat a-cute air pouch synovitis model induced by sc injection of 25 mg/kg carrageenan were investigated by Lowryand test tube dilution methods and thiobarbituric acid spectrophotometry. Its effects on the intracellularcAMP content in and release of O2 from Neu were further assessed by radioimmunoassay and cytochromeC reduction methods respectively. The results showed that PnS 60,120,240 mg/kg ip reduced the migra-tion of Neu and exudation of protein, lowered the content of MDA and inhibited the release of O2- fromNeu; but elevated the cAMP content of Neu in a dose-dependent manner. These results revealed that Pnshas an obvious anti-inflammatory effect and its primary action was related to the increase of cAMP contentin Neu, followed by inhibition of the free radical production.

Objective:To study the astragalus polysaccharides ( APS) effect on immune induced by influenza A virus HA2 eu-karyotic expression vector.Methods: The HA2 encoded by the DNA vaccine vector was efficiently expressed in CHO cells, as determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and fluorescence analysis.60 rats were divided into six groups randomly,which were immunized with normal saline,pEGFP-N1,pHA2/EGFP+different dose of APS by intramuscular injection.The control sera were collected before injection.After injected the 36th day, sera were collected to analyzing IFN-γ, IL-4 and IgG level.Results:IFN-γ,IL-4 and IgG level of pHA2/EGFP+mAPS group was different from that of pEGFP-N1 group or pHA2/EGFP+lAPS group( P<0.05 ).Conclusion: Middle dose of APS could increase immune induced by influenza A virus HA2 eukaryotic expression vector.

Objective:To study whether high dose astragalus polysaccharides( APS) could affect the expression of pNS1/EGFP that included influenza A virus(IAV) non-structure protein 1(NS1) gene in the tissue.Methods:pNS1/EGFP was constructured with NS1 of IAV.Sixty Kunming mice were divided into three groups randomly.Each group of mice was injected separately with one of the following:pEGFP-N1, pNS1/EGFP and pNS1/EGFP+APS in intraperitoneal injection.The mice were injected by intramuscular injection twice with a 3-week interval between injections.The serum samples and muscle samples were obtained on day 14 and day 28 after the booster injection.Sera IL-4,sera IFN-γ,muscle caspase-3 and muscle NS1 expression were measured in ELISA,Western blot or RT-PCR.Results:There were no significant difference among the different groups in day 14 expect that IFN-γof pNS1/EGFP+APS were lower(P<0.05).IFN-γlevel or IL-4 level of pNS1/EGFP+APS were lower compared with other groups in day 28.caspase-3 of pNS1/EGFP+APS were lower compared with other groups in day 28.Conclusion:APS could increase the expression of pNS1/EGFP by decreasing the inflammation and apoptosis.

Objective:To summarize the clinical value of fetoscopy in the prenatal diagnosis and treatment of amniotic band syndrome (ABS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of seven ABS fetuses who underwent prenatal fetoscopic intervention at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2020 to August 2023. Literatures related to fetoscopic treatment of ABS were searched in databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and PubMed. Clinical data were extracted and the characteristics and intervention effects of fetoscopic surgery in the treatment of ABS were summarized.Results:(1) Preoperative evaluation: the gestational age at diagnosis for the seven ABS fetuses was (19.8±4.4) weeks, and the gestational age at fetoscopic intervention was (22.2±2.8) weeks. The indications for fetoscopic intervention included umbilical cord involvement (3 cases), limb amniotic band with circular constriction (2 cases), and unclear visualization of digits (3 cases). (2) Pregnancy outcomes: among the seven ABS fetuses, four cases underwent selective termination of pregnancy due to severe intrauterine limb amputation, and three cases underwent fetoscopic lysis of amniotic bands. Among the latter three cases, one case experienced intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) two weeks after the procedure, and two cases had good postoperative outcomes. (3) Literature review: a total of 40 cases, including 37 cases from 17 articles and three cases from our institution, were included in the analysis. The indications for fetoscopic surgery included limb amniotic band with circular constriction and involvement of the umbilical cord. The success rate of the surgery was 82% (33/40), and 78% (29/37) of the affected limbs retained good functionality. Premature rupture of membranes was the most common complication, with an incidence rate of 48% (16/33). The average interval from the surgery to membrane rupture was (6.1±5.1) weeks, and the average interval from the surgery to delivery was (10.5±4.1) weeks, with an average gestational age at delivery of (33.7±3.6) weeks. The pregnant women were divided into single Trocar group (27 cases) and double Trocar group (13 cases) based on the surgical approach. The success rates in single Trocar group and double Trocar group were 78% (21/27) and 12/13, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2=0.474, P=0.491). The gestational age of delivery in the single Trocar group and double Trocar group was (32.7±3.4) and (35.4±3.2) weeks, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.185, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the success rate of the surgery, incidence of premature rupture of membranes, interval between surgery and membrane rupture, interval between surgery and delivery, and preterm delivery rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Fetoscopy could be used for prenatal assessment and intrauterine treatment of ABS. Fetoscopic lysis of amniotic bands may be an effective method for treating ABS, which helps preserve limb function and prevent intrauterine limb amputation and IUFD.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for cerebral injury in survivors of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) after fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagous vessels(FLOC) and to analyze the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of corrected age.Methods:A total of 136 cases of TTTS receiving FLOC in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2018 to August 2021 were retrospectively selected as the FLOC group, and the survivors were followed up. Neurological development at 12 months of corrected age was assessed using the Griffiths mental development scales-Chinese (GDS-C) from five dimensions with locomotor, personal-social, hearing and language, hand-eye coordination and performance subscales. Eighty-eight fetuses of TTTS pregnancies receiving expectant treatment or amniotic fluid reduction were selected as the non-FLOC group. The perinatal mortality and the incidence of cerebral injury in the two groups were compared, as well as the incidence of cerebral injury between patients undergoing Solomon surgery and selective laser surgery in the FLOC group. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the risk factors for neonatal cerebral injury after FLOC and the factors influencing general developmental quotient score at the corrected age of 12 months. Chi-square test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results:(1) The perinatal mortality rate in the FLOC group was lower than that in the non-FLOC group [14.7% (20/136) vs 26.1% (23/88), χ 2=4.50, P=0.034]. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of neonatal cerebral injury between the two groups [18.7% (23/123) vs 21.8% (17/78), χ 2=0.29, P=0.592], but the incidence of severe cerebral injury in the FLOC group was lower than that in the non-FLOC group [6.5% (8/123) vs 15.4% (12/78), χ 2=4.20, P=0.040]. (2) In the FLOC group, there was no significant difference in the incidence of cerebral injury between donors and recipients, or between Solomon surgery and selective laser surgery [16.4% (10/61) vs 21.0% (13/62), χ 2=0.42; 20.0% (9/45) vs 17.9% (14/78), χ 2=0.08; both P>0.05]. (3) Multivariate analysis showed that neonatal asphyxia ( OR=7.04, 95% CI: 1.45-34.20, P=0.016) and higher preoperative TTTS stage ( OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.10-3.82, P=0.023) were risk factors for neonatal cerebral injury. (4) Fifty-two cases were successfully followed up at the corrected age of 12 months, and the incidence of developmental delay in at least one dimension was 34.6% (18/52). Developmental delay was mainly manifested in locomotor skills and language, accounting for 26.9% (14/52) and 11.5% (6/52). No significant difference in Z value was found between recipients and donors in each dimension (all P>0.05). Solomon surgery, larger gestational age at operation and low birth weight were related to low general developmental quotient score (95% CI:－11.71 to－0.23，－1.99 to－0.47，0.00-0.01，respectively，all P<0.05). Conclusions:The occurrence of cerebral injury in TTTS survivors after FLOC is related to preoperative TTTS staging and intrapartum neonatal asphyxia. Neurodevelopment of survivors is related to birth weight and gestational age at surgery, and there is a higher incidence of mild developmental delay at corrected age of 12 months.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary cerebrovascular disease caused by a NOTCH3 mutation. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unidentified. Here, we generated non-integrative induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fibroblasts of a CADASIL patient harboring a heterozygous NOTCH3 mutation (c.3226C>T, p.R1076C). Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) differentiated from CADASIL-specific iPSCs showed gene expression changes associated with disease phenotypes, including activation of the NOTCH and NF-κB signaling pathway, cytoskeleton disorganization, and excessive cell proliferation. In comparison, these abnormalities were not observed in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) derived from the patient's iPSCs. Importantly, the abnormal upregulation of NF-κB target genes in CADASIL VSMCs was diminished by a NOTCH pathway inhibitor, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for CADASIL. Overall, using this iPSC-based disease model, our study identified clues for studying the pathogenic mechanisms of CADASIL and developing treatment strategies for this disease.