Objective To explore the levels of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) of children with convulsion,and its significance to the diagnosis of neuronal damage was evaluated.Methods Sixty patients were enrolled,and they were divided into 4 groups:non-nervous system disease group,peripheral nervous system disease group,brief convulsion group,and prolonged/status convulsion group.The levels of NSE in serum and CSF were detected in 4 groups,and the electroencephalography(EEG) and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging(CT/MRI) examinations were taken to observe the changes in patients with convulsion.Results The levels of NSE in serum and CSF of children with convulsion increased significant,especially in the prolonged/status convulsion group.Changes of NSE levels in serum and CSF were similar.Meanwhile,significant changes were found in EEG between the brief convulsion group and prolonged/status convulsion group;but no significantly changes were found in CT/MRI between the 2 groups.Conclusions NSE detection might be valuable to the diagnosis for neuronal damage in early time.The changes of NSE levels are similar to those in EEG,which are more sensitive than the changes in CT/MRI.It is very important to combine the NSE detection in serum or CSF and EEG examination in early time after convulsion for judgement to the neuronal damage and prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of arecoline on hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes rats and to elucidate its possible mechanism.

METHODSForty five Wistar rats were fed with high fructose diet for 12 weeks to induce type 2 diabetic rat model. rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8): control group, model group and model group were treated with different dose (0, 0.5, 1, 5 mg/kg) of arecoline. After 4 weeks, the fasting blood glucose, blood lipid and insulin level measured , mRNA expression of liver constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the protein expression of p-AKT and glucose transporter4 (GLUT4) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS1.5 mg/kg arecoline could significantly decrease the level of fasting blood glucose, blood lipid, blood insulin level and liver G6Pase, PEPCK, IL-6, TNF-alpha mRNA level in type 2 diabetes rats. 1.5 mg/kg arecoline also could significantly increase CAR, PXR mRNA level and p-AKT and GLUT4 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONArecoline improved hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes rats by increasing the mRNA levels of CAR and PXR leading to the creased glucose metabolism and inflammation related genes expression.

Animals ; Arecoline ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; metabolism ; Glucose-6-Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism ; Receptors, Steroid ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the effect of BML-111 on NF-κB pathway during acute lung injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in rats.Methods Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (group HSR),BML-111 group,and BML-111 + BOC-2 (lipoxin A4 receptor antagonist) group (group BOC-2).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium.Hemorrhagic shock was induced by blood letting and maintained for 30 min.The animals were then resuscitated for 30 min by infusion of the shed blood and lactated Ringer's solution.In group BOC-2,BOC-2 (50 μg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before blood letting.In BML-111 and BOC-2 groups,BML-111 (1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally at the beginning of resuscitation.The rats were sacrificed at 2 h after the end of resuscitation and lungs were removed for determination of pathological changes,myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity,intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression (by immunohistochemistry),tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) content (by ELISA),and NF-κB p65 and IκB-α expression (by Western blot).Results Compared with group S,the MPO activity,ICAM-1 expression,and TNF-α content were significantly increased,NF-κB p65 expression was up-regulated,and IκB-α expression was down-regulated in group HSR.Compared with group.HSR,the MPO activity,ICAM-1 expression,and TNF-α content were significantly decreased,NF-κB p65 expression was down-regulated,IκB-α expression was up-regulated,and pathological changes of lung were attenuated in group BML-111.Compared with group BML-111,the MPO activity,ICAM-1 expression,and TNF-α content were significantly increased,NF-κB p65 expression was up-regulated,and lκ:B-α expression was down-regulated,and pathological changes of lung were aggravated in group BOC-2.Conclusion BML-1 11 inhibits activation of NF-κB pathway and inflammatory responses,thus mitigating acute lung injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in rats.

The aim of this study was to fabricate biomatrix/polymer hybrid scaffolds using an electrospinning technique. Then tissue engineered heart valves were engineered by seeding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) onto the scaffolds. The effects of the hybrid scaffolds on the proliferation of seed cells, formation of extracellular matrix and mechanical properties of tissue engineered heart valves were investigated. MSCs were obtained from rats. Porcine aortic heart valves were decellularized, coated with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) using an electrospinning technique, and reseeded and cultured over a time period of 14 days. In control group, the decellularized valve scaffolds were reseeded and cultured over an equivalent time period. Specimens of each group were examined histologically (hematoxylin-eosin [HE] staining, immunohistostaining, and scanning electron microscopy), biochemically (DNA and 4-hydroxyproline) and mechanically. The results showed that recellularization was comparable to the specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls. The specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls revealed comparable amounts of cell mass and 4-hydroxyproline (P>0.05). However, the specimens of hybrid scaffolds showed a significant increase in mechanical strength, compared to the controls (P<0.05). This study demonstrated the superiority of the hybrid scaffolds to increase the mechanical strength of tissue engineered heart valves. And compared to the decellularized valve scaffolds, the hybrid scaffolds showed similar effects on the proliferation of MSCs and formation of extracellular matrix. It was believed that the hybrid scaffolds could be used for the construction of tissue engineered heart valves.

OBJECTIVETo explore the surgical method and clinical curative effect of Ilizarov technique combined with limited surgical treatment for neurotrophic malnutrition equinovarus accompanied with weight-bearing area ulcer.

METHODSFrom July 2004 to December 2011, 21 cases of neurological disorders equinovarus with skin ulcer in weight-bearing area were treated including 14 males and 7 females with an average age of 21.3 years old ranging from 8 to 32 years. Among them,19 cases with talipes equinovarus were on account of spina bifid and 2 cases on account of spinal cord injury of lumbar sacral segment. Nine cases were on the left foot and 12 cases were right foot. The ulcer area in out-below side of the fifth metatarsal bone was in 6 cases, in basement of the fifth metatarsal bone in 5 cases,in lateral of calcaneocuboid joint 2 cases, and in lateral of subtalar joint in 8 cases. Surgical procedure included plantar medial release technique, tendo-chilles lengthenning, and three-joint partial osteotomy. During operation,the skin and soft tissue of ulcer were resected and the incision was sutured when the ulcer was in the lateral of subtalar joint, and ankle Ilizarov external fixation for extension was installed after correcting talipes equinovarus partially. For the legacy skin ulcer in weight-bearing area,the Shenrg-ji cream (Chinese characters) was used after operation for one time per day until the wound healed. Adjusting Ilizarov external fixation for correcting residual deformity until it is satisfaction. During this process weight-bearing walking was keeping.

RESULTSAll cases were followed up from 6 to 52 months with an average of 28 months. All ulcers were healing and no recurrence. The ulcer healing time was 14 to 36 days postoperative (26 days in average). Eighteen deformity feet were corrected satisfactorily, and recovered fully plantar foot, 3 feet appeared mild deformity after 1 year. Ankle joint activity appeared limited in 15 cases and got completely rigidity in 6 cases. The AOFAS increased from preoperative 34.0±7.2 to 86.0±8.5 postoperatively; 8 feet got excellent, 10 good,3 fair.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of Ilizarov technique combined with limited operation and the Sheng-ji cream in correction of the talipes equinovarus with skin ulcer in weigh-bearing area on account of neurotrophic malnutrition is satisfactory, the surgical method is simple and the treating course in security, and serious complications can be avoided.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Clubfoot ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Foot Ulcer ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male

Primary mitochondrial disease is the most common inborn error of metabolism and is highly heterogeneous in terms of clinical manifestations and inheritance pattern. It has high mortality and disability rates. Multiple systems are often involved in this disease, and it is necessary to perform comprehensive evaluation and multidisciplinary management. The Mitochondrial Medicine Society issued the standard for the management of patients with primary mitochondrial disease: consensus statements from the Mitochondrial Medicine Society in 2017. The statements provided recommendations based on such consensus to guide the management and care of patients. This article interprets and summarizes the screening of organs and systems commonly involved in primary mitochondrial disease and the management of patients according to the consensus.
Consensus ; Humans ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Societies, Medical

Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) received input from multiple cortical and subcortical areas, and integrated relevant information to other cortical and subcortical areas. mPFC play an important role in neuropsychiatric events such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as in neuropsychiatric processes such as cognitive, social, and reward behaviors. This article reviews the role and molecular mechanism of the neural circuitry in the medial prefrontal cortex in neuropsychiatric diseases, especially the recent research progress.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of allogeneic leukocyte immunization combined with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for treatment of infertility induced by habitual abortion.

METHODSAllogeneic leukocyte immunization was performed in 9 patients with infertility induced by habitual abortion, with another 9 patients undergoing IVF-ET without habitual abortion as the control group. All the patients were treated with long GnRH-a protocols. The infertility patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion history were immunized with lymphocytes from the husband for before IVF-ET and after clinical pregnancy.

RESULTSThe fertilization rates of the immunotherapy group and control group were 81.3% and 82.2%, respectively, showing no significant difference (P>0.05). Five patients in each group had clinical pregnancy, and a twin pregnancy occurred in the control group. The embryo implantation rates were also comparable between the two groups (22.7% vs 28.6%, P>0.05). All the fetuses resulted from IVF-ET developed normally and were healthily delivered.

CONCLUSIONAllogeneic leukocyte immunotherapy along with IVF-ET is effective for treatment of infertility resulting from recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Abortion, Habitual ; physiopathology ; Adoptive Transfer ; methods ; Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo study the pharmacokinetics of m-nifedipine (m-Nif) in Beagle dogs.

METHODSThe Beagle dogs were divided into two groups. m-Nif was intravenously administered to the Beagle dogs in group 1 at the dose of 0. 288 mg x kg(-1), and it was orally administered to the Beagle dogs in group 2, 3 and 4 at the dose of 1.152, 3.456 and 10.370 mg x kg(-1), respectively. m-Nif in plasma was detected by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 3P97 software.

RESULTSWhen m-Nif was intravenously administered, the plasma concentration-time curve was fit to a two-compartment model and T1/2beta was 117 min. When m-Nif was orally administered, the plasma concentration-time curve was fit to a one-compartment model. T1/2 (Ke) and Cmax were 147 min and 20 microg x L(-1); at the low dose of 1.152 mg x kg(-1). T1/2 (Ke) was 122 min and Cmax was 36 microg x L(-1) at the middle dose of 3.456 mg x kg(-1). T1/2 (Ke) was 144 min and Cmax was 69 microg x L(-1) at the high dose of 10.37 mg x kg(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt was showed that the speed of elimination of m-Nif was high in Beagle dogs. The absolute bioavailability of m-Nif given orally was very low.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Dogs ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isomerism ; Nifedipine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics