Animals ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics ; metabolism ; p21-Activated Kinases ; genetics

Objective To analyse MMACHC mutations for 45 pedigrees with combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocyctinuria by Sanger sequencing, and to discuss the utility of prenatal genetic diagnosis for these pedigrees.Method Peripheral blood was collected from 45 probands and their parents from 2012-2015 in Genetic Counselling Clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, and the DNA were extracted from the blood.Then the coding sequence of MMACHC gene was amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were further sequenced to detect mutations for each pedigree.For 12 families, chorionic villus sampling was performed on the pregnant women to make prenatal genetic diagnosis.Result There were 14 distinct mutations detected in the 45 pedigrees, and the most frequent mutations are c.609G>A(W203X),c.658-660delAAG(K220del)and c.80A>G (Q27A).Two of those mutations have not been reported before:one is a splicing site mutation c.81+1G>A;while the other is a missense mutation c.665A>G,p.Y222C.Most mutations were found in exon 4.Among the 12 pedigrees who received prenatal diagnosis, 2 fetuses were normal, 7 fetuses were carriers of heterozygous mutation, and the other 3 fetuses were patients with compound heterozygous mutation or homozygous mutation.The couples whose fetuses were normal or carriers continued the gestation, while the couples whose fetuses were patients decided to terminate the pregnancy.After delivery, the outcome of the fetuses was the same as the prenatal diagnose results.Conclusion Two novel mutations of MMACHC were identified and prenatal genetic diagnosis helps to avoid the delivery of combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocyctinuria patients.

To study the protective effect of astragalus saponin extracts (AS) on kidneys of diabetic rats. Totally 32 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were divided into AS high and low dose groups, the positive control group and the model group (DM group) and orally administered with 50 mg x- kg(-1) x d(-1) AS 200, 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) valsartan, 10 mL x kg(-1) x d(1) physiological saline, respectively. Another 8 healthy rats were collected in the normal control group (NC group, physiological saline 10 mL x kg(-1). d(-1)). All rats were treated for consecutively 6 weeks. After the administration, the body weight was measured every week, the concentration of blood glucose was monitored on week 2, 4 and 6. The total urine and total urinary protein (U-TP) in 24 h were measured by the metabolic cage method on week 6; At the end of week 6, blood samples were collected from hearts to detect blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA) , total cholesterol (CH) triglyceride (TG) by biochemical methods. Kidneys were collect to calculate the kidney hypertrophy index and observe the pathological sections. The laboratory results show that in the DM group, the blood glucose, metabolic cost in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly higher than that in the NC group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) , with significant pathological changes; After the intervention with AS, the metabolic value in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly lower in the high dose group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the kidney hypertrophy index, BUN, Scr, UA, TG in the low dose group were also significantly lower (P < 0.05), with slight reduction in renal pathological changes in both groups. In conclusion, Astragalus saponin extracts have a certain protective effect on kidneys of diabetic rats.
Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Uric Acid ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDAdipose-derived stromal cell (ADSC) differentiation into neural cells in vitro is becoming widely studied. However, there are few reports on astrocytes following differentiation, and particularly on maturation and electrophysiology. In this study, we used various methods to determine ADSC-derived astrocyte maturity.

METHODSChemical induction with isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) was used to differentiate adult ADSCs into astrocytes followed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe morphology and transmission electron microscopy for cellular ultrastructure assessment. Immunofluorescence was used to detect expression of neural stem cell marker nestin as well as glial markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100. In addition, we measured membrane potentials in bis-(1,3-dibarbituric acid) trimethine oxanol-labeled ADSCs and astrocytes by stimulation with a high potassium solution under an inverted fluorescence microscope. Finally, cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSTypical astrocyte morphology was shown by HE staining after 48-hour differentiation. Glial fibril was observed with transmission electron microscopy. GFAP and S-100 were not expressed in the control group, but were expressed within 24-hour differentiation and reached a maximum at day 14 with no change up to day 28. Nestin was weakly expressed in control cells and also reached a maximum at day 14 with the percentage of positive cells constant until day 21 followed by a decrease. Differentiated cell membrane potentials after stimulation with potassium were slightly increased, and then gradually declined over time. There was no significant membrane potential change in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was 93% and only 5% in S phase.

CONCLUSIONADSCs were differentiated into mature astrocytes with typical characteristics including morphology, ultrastructure, marker protein expression, mature potassium channels and mitotic capacity.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine ; pharmacology ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Adult ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; Barbiturates ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Electrophysiology ; methods ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Young Adult

To study the dynamic change law of bioactive constituents from Polygonum multiflorum, and to explore the optimal harvest period of P. multiflorum. Determination of stilhene glucoside, anthraquinones and catechin from P. multiflorum in different harvest times by MEKC-DAD, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to comprehensive evaluation for bioactive constituents. There are obvious differences among the contents of active ingredients in various collecting periods samples, the content of stilbene glucoside was the highest in November, the total content of combined anthraquinone was the highest in November and December, the content of catechin was the highest in September. The comprehensive evaluation index obtained with principal component analysis showed that the sample collected in November is significantly higher than those with other samples. The optimal harvest period of P. multiflorum is November.
Electrophoresis ; Fallopia multiflora ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective An analysis was conducted to investigate the iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in low-coverage area of iodized salt of Yushu Qinghai province for providing a scientific basis for the development of effective preventive measures. Methods Yushu, Chengduo, Nangqian and Zaduo counties with higher non-iodized salt coverage rate in Yushu Qinghai province were chosen as survey counties in 2009. Three townships were selected in each county, and 2 primary schools were selected in each township and 40 urine samples of children aged 8-10 were collected randomly in each primary school. The content of urinary iodine was analyzed by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometery. Results Median urinary iodine of children aged 8 - 10 in Nangqian and Zaduo was < 100 μg/L. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L in Yushu was over 20%. Median urinary iodine of children aged 10 in Zaduo was 81.5 μg/L, the percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of children aged 9 and 10 was over 20%. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L in children aged 9 and 10 of Yushu was over 20%. Median urinary iodine of girls in Zaduo was 87.1 μg/L, the percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of boys in Zaduo was over 20%. The percentage of median urinary iodine < 50 μg/L of girls in Yushu was over 20%. Conclusions The iodine nutrition level of children aged 8 - 10 in Nangqian, Zaduo and Yushu counties were very low due to the impact of non-iodized salt. We propose salt market in the region to strengthen management and improve the coverage and consumption rates of iodized salt to improve the level of iodine nutrition for effective prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pathogens causing bloodstream infection in hematology patients during treatment and to compare the effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on them, so as to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection. Methods A total of 292 cases with bloodstream infection in hematology wards of the PLA General Hospital were collected from 2017 to 2021, which were divided into HSCT group and N-HSCT group according to whether performed HSCT or not. The epidemiological characteristics and influence of pathogenic bacteria in blood stream infection were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results A total of 362 strains of pathogenic bacteria were collected from 292 cases, including 106 strains in HSCT group (84 cases) and 256 strains in N-HSCT group (208 cases). Bloodstream infections were more common in acute myeloid leukemia (130/392, 44.52%), followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (74/292, 25.34%). The rate of once bloodstream infection in HSCT group was higher than that in N-HSCT Group, but the rate of twice bloodstream infections in N-HSCT group was higher. Gram-negative Bacilli were the most common pathogens (56.08%), with Escherichia coli being absolutely dominant (109/362, 30.11%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (39/362, 10.77%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (107/362, 29.56%) were the most common Gram-positive cocci. The detection rate of fungi in HSCT group (10/106, 9.43%) was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT Group (3.52%). The drug resistance rate of the common pathogenic bacteria was at a high level, and there was a certain proportion of multi-drug resistant strains (except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The resistance rates of CoNS to penicillin, gentamicin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin and rifampicin in HSCT group were higher than those in N-HSCT Group. The resistance rate of Escherichia coli to piperacillin/tazobactam, cephalosporins and etapenem in HSCT group was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT group. Conclusions The pathogens of blood stream infection in hematology patients are complicated and various. It is difficult for clinical diagnosis and treatment to detect multiple infections and multiple pathogens. HSCT patients have a higher risk of fungal bloodstream infection and more multi-drug resistant strains detected. Therefore, the identification of bloodstream infection and multi-drug resistant strains associated with HSCT patients should prompt surveillance.

Serine proteases form one of the most important families of enzymes and perform significant functions in a broad range of biological processes, such as intra- and extracellular protein metabolism, digestion, blood coagulation, regulation of development, and fertilization. A number of serine proteases have been identified in parasitic helminths that have putative roles in parasite development and nutrition, host tissues and cell invasion, anticoagulation, and immune evasion. In this review, we described the serine proteases that have been identified in parasitic helminths, including nematodes (Trichinella spiralis, T. pseudospiralis, Trichuris muris, Anisakis simplex, Ascaris suum, Onchocerca volvulus, O. lienalis, Brugia malayi, Ancylostoma caninum, and Steinernema carpocapsae), cestodes (Spirometra mansoni, Echinococcus granulosus, and Schistocephalus solidus), and trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, and Schistosoma mansoni). Moreover, the possible biological functions of these serine proteases in the endogenous biological phenomena of these parasites and in the host-parasite interaction were also discussed.
Animals ; Cestoda/classification/*enzymology/growth & development/physiology ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Life Cycle Stages ; Nematoda/classification/*enzymology/growth & development/physiology ; Serine Proteases/genetics/*metabolism ; Trematoda/classification/*enzymology/growth & development/physiology

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are mainly used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The inhibitory effect of icariin on the activity of AChE was investigated by inhibition kinetics. The binding interaction and binding sites between icariin and AChE were also studied by using fluorimetry and molecular docking, respectively. The results showed that icariin could potently inhibit the activity of AChE, the IC50 value was determined to be 3.50 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), and the determined IC50 value to tacrine was 0.75 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). Kinetic analyses showed that icariin is a reversible and mixed type AChE inhibitor. The inhibition constants K1 and K(IS) were determined to be 2.67 x 10(-8) and 4.43 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), respectively. Icariin binds selectively to the AChE peripheral anionic site via hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces.
Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Binding Sites ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Bonding ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Kinetics ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Radiosurgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery