Objective To investigate the expressions of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the bacterial meningitis in rats and to explore the molecular mechanism for brain edema caused by bacterial meningitis.Methods Totally 40 of 3-week-old-Sprague-Dawley healthy rats,body weight 60-80 g,male or female,were divided into a normal control group(n =10),and infection groups:24 hours after injection(n =10),48 hours after injection(n =10),and 5 days after injection(n =10).The expressions of AQP4 in the brain were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods respectively after 24 hours,48 hours,5 days of inoculation.Results Mortality rate:no rats in the control group and the infection group after 24 hours were dead.Two rats in the infection group after 48 hours and 4 rats in the infection group after 5 days were dead because of serious sickness,with the mortality rates 20％ and 40％,respectively.AQP4 expression was slightly positive under light microscope,and the positive cells mainly surrounded glial cells and blood vessels,while neurons were not dyed.Immunohistochemical staining showed that AQP4 expression in the model group increased with the severity of edema;compared with the control group,the AQP4 expression in the brain tissues increased in different periods after rats were infected,and the differences between groups were statistically significant (F--91.84,P ＜ 0.01).Western blot analysis showed that after the brain received streptococcus pneumoniae injection,expression of AQP4 began to increase in 24 hours after streptococcal injection,and reached to the peak in 48 hours,but decreased in 5 days,but the expression still remained higher than that of the normal control group.Each group had statistically significant difference(F =14.23,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Expression of AQP4 in the models with bacterial meningitis may increase initially and decrease later.It suggests that AQP4 plays a protective role during the development of infectious brain edema.

Objective To investigate the expressions of Occludin in brain after bacterial meningitis and to discuss possible molecular mechanism of bacterial meningitis when brain edema occurs. Methods The models of bacterial meningitis and normal control were constructed via inoculating intracisternally with strain Ⅲ streptococcus pneumoniae and the same volume of normal saline solution, respectively. The expression of Occludin in brain was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods respectively and 24 h, 48 h and 5 days after inoculation. Results (1) Loeffler neurologic deficit score (NDS) in 24 h, 48 h and 5 d decreased significantly when compared with that of control group (P < 0.05). (2) After the brain received streptococcus pneumoniae injection, expression of Occludin began to decrease at 24 h and touch the bottom at 48 h,then increase at the 5th day, but still remained lower than that in control group, which indicated statistical difference (P < 0.05). Conclusions Expression of Occludin in the models of bacterial meningitis decreased firstly and then increased regularly. It suggests that Occludin plays a protective role during the development of infectious brain edema.

Objective: To investigate the changes and clinical significance of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and procalcitonin (PCT) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with viral encephalitis or bacterial meningitis(BM). Methods: A total of 42 cases of children with viral encephalitis(viral encephalitis group), 36 cases of children with BM(BM group), and 20 cases of children with non-nervous system injury(control group) were selected from September 2016 to June 2018 at the Third Hospital of Zhengzhou University.The serum and CSF levels of VE-cadherin and PCT levels of the 3 groups were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The levels of VE-cadherin in the serum of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group at the acute phase were (5.60±1.17) mg/L, (7.08±1.01) mg/L and (2.52±0.68) mg/L respectively, and the levels of VE-cadherin in CSF of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group were (6.00±1.09) mg/L, (6.97±1.11) mg/L and(1.93±0.88) mg/L, respectively.The levels of PCT in the serum of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group at the acute phase were (0.26±0.11) μg/L, (0.82±0.17) μg/L and (0.27±0.13) μg/L, respectively, and the levels of PCT in the CSF of viral encephalitis group, BM group and control group were (0.25±0.11) μg/L, (0.72±0.14) μg/L, (0.28±0.17) μg/L, respectively.As a result, the levels of VE-cadherin and PCT in the serum and CSF of BM group showed significant increase, compared with viral encephalitis group and control group in the acute phase(F=124.94, 163.21, 151.62, 127.37, all P<0.01). The levels of VE-cadherin in the serum and CSF of viral encephalitis group were also significantly higher than that of control group (all P<0.01), but there was no difference between viral encephalitis group and control group about the levels of PCT in the serum and CSF (all P>0.05). The levels of VE-cadherin in the serum of viral encephalitis group and BM group after treatment were (2.34±0.81) mg/L and (2.67±1.29) mg/L, and were(2.55±0.92) mg/L and(2.39±0.74) mg/L in the CSF.The levels of PCT in the serum of viral encephalitis group and BM group after treatment were (0.25±0.11) μg/L, (0.30±0.17) μg/L, and the levels of PCT in the CSF of viral encephalitis group and BM group were(0.22±0.10) μg/L and (0.27±0.12) μg/L.After effective treatment, the levels of VE-cadherin, PCT in serum and CSF of BM group and viral encephalitis group were almost equal, and the difference was not statistically significant(F=1.83, 0.76, 2.72, 3.89, all P>0.05). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the ROC curve of VE-cadherin in serum and CSF was 0.896 and 0.912, and was 0.670 and 0.668 of PCT respectively. Conclusions VE-cadherin may be involved in the early stage of intracranial infection, and it may be helpful in differentiation of virus or bacterial infection with PCT.VE-cadherin has a good diagnostic value for intracranial infection.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze variation of ISL1 gene and explore its functional characteristics in relation with congenital heart defect (CHD). METHODS: Clinical data and peripheral blood samples of 194 CHD patients and 232 healthy controls were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. The coding exons and flanking intronic regions of the ISL1 gene were sequenced. Expression plasmid for the wild-type ISL1 gene ISL1-pcDNA3.1 was constructed, and the corresponding variants were obtained by site-specific mutagenesis. The gene expression plasmid was transfected into CHO cells with liposome, and the functional characteristics of ISL1 variant were studied by double luciferase reporter gene analysis. RESULTS: A novel variant of the ISL1 gene c.499C>T (p.Q167X) was detected in a patient with sporadic CHD. Functional study showed that the variant has lost its transcriptional activation function for the MEF2C promoter. CONCLUSION A novel variant of the ISL1 gene related to CHD has been identified. The defect of ISL1 gene may underlay the pathogenesis for a proportion of CHD.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features and PLGL gene variation characteristics of children with CHIME syndrome. Methods:The medical records of one patient who was diagnosed with CHIME syndrome in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in October 2018 were analyzed.Foreign and domestic databases were searched with " CHIME syndrome or PIGL gene" as the keywords, so as to review clinical features of CHIME syndrome and PIGL gene variation characteristics. Results:(1) The boy, 1 year old and 3 months, developed seizures at the age of 7 months, when he received rehabilitation due to developmental delay.Physical examination showed that the boy had facial dysmorphisms, including high forehead, ocular hypertelorism, low and flat nasal root, broad nose tip, full lips, overfolded helices, cleft palate, developmental delay, dry skin, erythematous papular rash on the neck, and indirect inguinal hernia. Conductive deafness was revealed by the hearing test and retinal defect was found in fundus examination.Whole exome sequencing test identified PIGL(NM_004278)gene compound hybrid variation.The frameshift variation c. 26delT was present in one allele, combined with a synonymous variation c. 333C>T in the opposite allele.(2) A total of 9 CHIME syndrome patients were retrieved from the databases.No cases were reported in China.All 9 patients had craniofacial dysmorphism, epilepsy, conductive deafness, development delay and retinal defect.Eight patients had ichthyosiform skin, 6 patients had congenital heart disease and 4 patients had renal malformation.There were 6 different kinds of PIGL gene variations in patients, including 7 missense variants, 4 frameshift variants, 3 deletion variants, 2 nonsense variants, 1 splice variant, and 1 synonymous variant. All of the missense variants were c. 500T>C (p.Leu167Pro), which was the most common site. Conclusions:CHIME syndrome is mainly manifested by nervous system and dermal system abnormalities, and often involves multiple systems. PIGL gene variation is the cause of CHIME syndrome, and c. 500T>C (p.Leu167Pro) is the most common site.

Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a case of early-onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by the UBA5 gene mutation and to review relevant literatures. Methods:The clinical characte-ristics and genetic data of a child with the UBA5 gene mutation in the Department of Pediatrics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical characteristics and gene variation characteristics of the disease were reviewed in the domestic and foreign databases. Results:(1) The female patient presented infantile spasms at the age of 4 months.Electroencephalogram(EEG) suggested hypsarrhythmia and she was not responsive to a variety of anti-epileptic drugs.Besides, the patient showed severe cognitive and motor development delay, hypotonia, and microcephaly.The results of whole exome sequencing showed that the compound heterozygous mutation of UBA5 gene: exon 3 c. 214C>T (p.R72C) and exon 9 c. 844_c.845 insA (p.Y282Xfs*1), her father carries c. 214C>T mutation and her mother carries c. 844_c.845 INSA mutation.(2) To December 2020, a total of 15 cases of early-onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by the UBA5 gene mutation have been reported abroad.The main clinical manifestations were uncontrollable spasms, abnormal EEG findings, hypotonia, severe cognitive and movement disorders, microcephaly, and brain atrophy.A total of 11 mutation sites of the UBA5 gene were found, all belonging to the autosomal recessive inheritance, of which c. 1111G>A was the most common. Conclusions:The UBA5 gene mutation can lead to early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, which belongs to the autosomal recessive inheritance.It is featured by the early onset, uncontrollable seizures and poor long-term prognosis.

Objective To establish in vivo and in vitro the characteristic chromatograms of Mongolian medicine compound formula-Shudage-4,and affiliate and identify in vitro chemical compositions of Shudage-4 and its compositions in vivo absorbed into blood.Methods Wistar rats were intragastrically given Shudage-4 and its different single medicinal,and then serum samples were prepared and determined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The HPLC characteristic chromatograms of in vitro samples of Shudage-4 and its different single medicinal and Shudage-4 medicated serum were established and analyzed.The chemical compositions in vitro of Shudage-4 and its compositions in vivo absorbed into blood after taken by rats were compared,affiliated and identified.Results There were totally 64 peaks found after analyzing in vitro HPLC characteristic chromatograms of Shudage-4.There were 23 chemical compositions absorbed into blood,and 17 in vitro ones absorbed directly into blood and 6 speculated as new metabolites.These 23 chemical compositions were all derived from different were derived from Gaoliangjiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum,Galangal Rhizome),peak 14,from Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae,Common Aucklandia Root) and peak 13,from Shichangpu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii,Grassleaf Sweetflag Rhizome).The peaks 15,20,21 and 22 were derived from Gaoliangjiang,Muxiang and Shichangpu,peaks 6,10,17,18 and 19,from Gaoliangjiang and Shichangpu,peaks 7 and 16,from Gaoliangjiang and Muxiang,peak 11,from Muxiang and Shichangpu,and peaks 4,5,8 and 12,from the whole formula of Shudage-4,from which 7 chemical compositions were identified.Conclusion The chemical compositions and metabolites in blood may be the active principles of Shudage-4 with direct effects in vitro,which are derived respectively from different single medicinal in Shudage-4.

Objective To assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping in quantitative evaluation of cartilage repair following matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT). Methods Six patients (with 9 plug cartilages) following MACT underwent MRI on a 3.0 Tesla MR scan system at 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. The full-thickness and zonal areas (deep and superficial layers) T2 values were calculated for the repaired cartilage and control cartilage. Results The mean T2 values of the repaired cartilage after MACT were significantly higher than that of the control cartilages at 3 and 6 months (P<0.05), but not at 12 months (P=0.063). At 6 and 12 months, the T2 values of the superficial layers were significantly higher than those of the deep layers in the repaired cartilages (P<0.05). The zonal (deep and superficial layers) T2 values of the repaired cartilages decreased significantly over time at 6 and 12 months as compared to those at 3 months after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion MRI T2 mapping can serve as an important modality for assessing the repair of the articular cartilage following MACT.

Objective To assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping in quantitative evaluation of cartilage repair following matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT). Methods Six patients (with 9 plug cartilages) following MACT underwent MRI on a 3.0 Tesla MR scan system at 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. The full-thickness and zonal areas (deep and superficial layers) T2 values were calculated for the repaired cartilage and control cartilage. Results The mean T2 values of the repaired cartilage after MACT were significantly higher than that of the control cartilages at 3 and 6 months (P<0.05), but not at 12 months (P=0.063). At 6 and 12 months, the T2 values of the superficial layers were significantly higher than those of the deep layers in the repaired cartilages (P<0.05). The zonal (deep and superficial layers) T2 values of the repaired cartilages decreased significantly over time at 6 and 12 months as compared to those at 3 months after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion MRI T2 mapping can serve as an important modality for assessing the repair of the articular cartilage following MACT.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features, imaging characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of a case with central nervous system infection caused by Exophiala dermatitidis, as well as to review the related literature.

METHODAssociated literature and clinical data of an 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed as central nervous system infection caused by Exophiala dermatitidis in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and hospitalized twice from 2012 to 2014 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTThe boy was 8 years old with the chief complaint of dizziness for 2 months, intermittent fever for 1 month accompanied with spasm twice. He was diagnosed as bile ducts space-occupying lesions 2 years ago, when the pathological diagnosis was fungal infection. The boy was treated with irregular anti-fungal therapy. Then the boy developed nervous symptoms, impaired consciousness and abnormal physical activity that developed gradually. After hospitalization the cerebral MRI of the boy showed space-occupying lesions accompanied with edema of surrounding area. Filamentous fungi was found by brain biopsy, which was culture positive for Exophiala dermatitidis. After diagnosis the boy was treated with amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole and 5-Fu, as well as symptomatic treatment. The state of the boy was improved gradually. Two months later, the boy could communicate with others normally and move personally. The lesions and edema seen on the MRI was decreased moderately. Accordingly, the boy was treated with oral voriconazole maintenance treatment for about 1 year and 4 months after discharge. During this period, the state of him was stable without symptoms. The lesions shown by MRI did not disappear but decreased on regular examination. However, recently the disease of the boy progressed again, with dizziness, neck pain, headache and progressive nervous symptoms (intermittent spasm, inability to cough, and impaired consciousness). The boy died at last, even with the active treatment at the second hospitalization. Exophiala dermatitidis was culture-positive again in his CSF, and was confirmed by PCR successfully.

CONCLUSIONThe central nervous system infection caused by Exophiala dermatitidis is rare. Clinical features of this disease were similar to those of other fungal CNS infection, cerebral MRI of which could show the similar lumpy lesions. Diagnosis of the disease should be based on pathology and culture.

Amphotericin B ; administration & dosage ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; pathology ; Central Nervous System Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; microbiology ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Exophiala ; isolation & purification ; Fatal Outcome ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Radiography ; Voriconazole ; administration & dosage