OBJECTIVE To screen for mutations in a Chinese pedigree affected with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. METHODS The proband and nine family members were enrolled for the analysis of CACNA1S and SCN4A gene mutations. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. The coding regions of the two genes were amplified with PCR and subjected to Sanger sequencing. Potential impact of suspected mutations was predicted with Bioinformatics software. The mutations were also verified among 100 healthy controls. RESULTS The proband and 5 family members (including 5 males and 1 female) had presented with episodes of flaccid paralysis accompanied by low serum potassium. Genetic testing has identified a c.664C>T (p.Arg222Trp) mutation in the proband, which has been reported previously. The same mutation was identified in other 5 affected members from the family. No mutation of the CACNA1S gene was detected. CONCLUSION The c.664C>T mutation of the SCN4A gene probably underlies the hypokalemic periodic paralysis in this family. All patients from the family have shown a complete penetrance of the disease.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of exosomes derived from remote ischemic conditioning on neurological dysfunction after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat model of cardiac arrest and the relationship with glycocalyx protection.Methods:Exosomes were isolated from the blood of healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats using ultracentrifugation after undergoing remote ischemic conditioning for use as intervention drugs. Nanoparticle tracking analysis technology was used for exosome detection. Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups ( n=12 each) :Sham group, Control group and Exosome group. Cardiac arrest was induced by asphyxia for 7 min in the Control and Exosome groups. Placebo or exosomes (1×10 10 Particles) were infused intravenously at 5 min after the rats had returned of spontaneous circulation. Neuropsychological deficit score (NDS), open field test, Y maze and Morris water maze were used to assess neurological outcomes. The levels of plasma Hyaluronic acid (HA) and syndecan-1 (Sdc-1) were detected by Elisa. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by Western blot. Results:After undergoing remote ischemic conditioning, the plasma levels of exosomes were elevated in rats compared to normal rats. Compared with the control group, the behavioral experiment of rats in the exosomes group were significantly improved, as evidenced by an increase in horizontal locomotor distance (5.86±2.89 vs. 17.53±5.51, P< 0.05), an increase in the correct rate of spontaneous alternation (13.29±15.07 vs. 42.63±10.25, P< 0.05), and a shortening of avoidance latency (25.83±8.54 vs. 13.49±4.55, P< 0.05). Plasma HA and Sdc-1 levels were significantly lower 24 h after resuscitation (HA: 26.34±9.83 vs. 14.84±6.26, P< 0.05; Sdc-1: 0.05±0.03 vs. 0.02±0.02, P<0.05), along with significantly lower MMP-2/9 levels in hippocampal tissue. Conclusions:Exosomes extracted from the plasma of rats undergoing remote ischemic conditioning can improve neurological dysfunction after cardiac arrest in rats, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of metalloproteinases and the reduction of endothelial glycocalyx degradation.

Objective:To investigate the predicting value of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and albumin (Alb) ratio on prognosis of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).Methods:A total of 107 patients with IHCA and spontaneous circulation recovery (ROSC) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University during January 1, 2017 and September 30, 2020 were selected as the subjects and divided into the survival group and death group according to the survival condition on day 14 after IHCA. The correlation between ratio of high sensitivity C-reactive protein/albumin (hs-CRP/Alb) and the prognosis of patients was analyzed.Results:No statistical significant differences were found between the survival and death groups in sex, age, medical history, ECG monitoring, recovery ventilation mode, percentage of first monitoring of heart rate and pre-resuscitation Alb (all P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences in the percentage of non-cardiogenic CA and adrenaline dose > 5 mg, time of CPR, concentrations of blood lactic acid, Alb, hs-CRP, and ratio of hs-CRP/Alb (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that percentage of adrenaline dose > 5 mg, concentration of blood lactic acid, time of CPR, and ratio of hs-CRP/Alb were independent risk factors for predicting death. ROC curve analysis showed that hs-CRP/Alb ratio, and concentration of hs-CRP and Alb had predictive value on the death of patients with IHCA; the areas under the curves of hs-CRP/Alb ratio, hs-CRP and Alb concentration were 0.876, 0.864 and 0.745, respectively. The predictive efficiency of hs-CRP/Alb ratio was better than that of hs-CRP concentration or Alb concentration. Conclusions:hs-CRP/Alb ratio has predictive value for the prognosis of patients with IHCA and the predictive value is superior to that of hs-CRP and Alb concentration.