Drug dependence has been a severe social and health problem,which has caused serious economic losses and social disorder in China.The critical problem in drug dependence is repeated relapse even after detoxification.We have been contributed to the research of neurobiological mechanisms,clinical characteristics,and interventions of craving after withdrawal from addicting drugs.We have systemati-cally studied the change of drug seeking behavior and craving after withdrawal from cocaine,and further investigated the neural anatomic pathway,long-term neuroplasticity,and neural signal pathways which involved in the change of drug seeking behavior.According to the situation of dug abuse in China,we investigated the characteristics in the expression of incubation of craving after withdrawal from opiate.We have primarily found the neural anatomic pathways and neural plasticity mechanisms which contribute to the process.We have also demonstrated the psychological characteristics and neurobiological mechanisms of craving induced by opiate and its long-term maintenance resulting from learning and memory,chronobiology and imaging.Our findings have provided evidence for effective inventions on preventing relapse after abstinence in addicts.Abstract:SUMM ARY Drug dependence has been a severe social and health problem,which has caused serious e-conom ic losses and social d isorder in China.The critical problem in drug dependence is repeated relapse even after detoxification.W e have been contributed to the research of neurobiologicalmechanisms,clini-cal characteristics,and interventions of craving afterwithdrawal from add icting drugs.W e have systemati-cally stud ied the change of drug seeking behavior and craving afterwithdrawal from cocaine,and further investigated the neural anatom ic pathway,long-term neuroplasticity,and neural signal pathways which involved in the change of drug seeking behavior.Accord ing to the situation of dug abuse in China,we in-vestigated the characteristics in the expression of incubation of craving after withdrawal from opiate.W e have primarily found the neural anatom ic pathways and neural plasticity mechanisms which contribute to the process.W e have also demonstrated the psychological characteristics and neurobiologicalmechanisms of craving induced by opiate and its long-term maintenance resulting from learning and memory,chrono-biology and imaging.Our find ings have provided evidence for effective inventions on preventing relapse after abstinence in add icts.

AIM: To explore the effects of fluctuant high blood glucose and stable high blood glucose on apoptosis and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in glomerular endothelial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells in diabetic rats. METHODS: 24 SD rats were divided into 3 groups: control group, stable high blood glucose group and fluctuant high blood glucose group. Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ, and the fluctuant high blood glucose animal model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of aspart and glucose at different time points every day. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL), and immunohistochemistry was used to detect apoptosis associated gene bax and bcl-2 expression in kidney. RESULTS: After 4 experimental weeks, a significant increase in cell apoptosis, up-regulation of Bax protein expression in kidney tubular epithelial cell and down-regulation of Bcl-2 in glomerular endothelial cell in fluctuant high blood glucose rats were observed compared with stable high blood glucose rats.CONCLUSION: Fluctuant high blood glucose induces more apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells than that in stable high blood glucose diabetic rats.

Objective To explore the effects of oscillating blood glucose on apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells of diabetic rats and the role of oxidative stress.Methods Renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were cultured in vitro with stable high glucose or oscillating high glucose,and MTF assay was applied to the neasurement of cell proliferation.Streptozotocin induced diabetic model was established with SD rats and the oscillating high blood glucose animal model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of insulin and glucose at different time points every.day.12 weeks later 24 h urine protein (24hUP),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine (Scr),superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA)were determined. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL),and immunohisto-chemistry was used to detect apoptosis associated gene Bax,Bcl-2,and NOX-4 expression in kidney.Changes in ultrastructure were observed.Results Oscillating high glucose may inhibit renal cells proliferation obviously when comparing with stable high glucose.In the rats with oscillating blood glucose rather than those with stable high blood glucose,there was a significant increase of BUN,Scr,24hUP,and MDA and a decrease of SOD[ (21.50 ± 1.72 vs 12.50 ± 1.85 )mmol/L,(97.51 ± 7.84 vs 82.12 ± 11.48 ) μmol/L,( 1.57 ± 0.09 vs 1.04 ± 0.12 ) mg/24 h,( 23.50 ± 1.87 vs 14.82 ± 2.96) nmol/ml,( 17.22 ± 1.12 vs 21.11 ± 1.80) U/ml,all P＜0.05 ] ; cell apoptosis was intensified with the up-regulation of Bax and NOX-4 protein expression and down-regulation of Bcl-2 in glomerular endothelial cells; and more severe pathological damages were observed.ConclusionComparing with stable high blood glucose,oscillating high blood glucose induces more apoptosis and less proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells and the mechanism may be related to the increased oxidative stress.

AIM: To investigate the effect of ligustrazine on hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) system in pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxic hypercapnia in rats. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (C), hypoxic hypercapnia group (HH), and hypoxic hypercapnia+ligustrazine group (HH+L). The change of hemodynamics was measured. The ratio of vessel wall area and total area of arteriae pulmonalis were observed under light microscope. The apoptosis of arteriae pulmonalis was tested with TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the apoptosis index was calculated. Plasma level of hydrogen sulfide and activity of hydrogen sulfide generating enzymes in homogenates of rat lung tissue were evaluated by sensitive modified sulfide electrode method. Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) mRNA in lung tissues was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The level of mean pulmonary arterial pressure, the ratio of vessel wall area/total area and the right ventricle/left ventricle+septum were significantly higher in HH group than those in C group, and the value was obviously lower in HH+LTZ group than that in HH group (all P<0.01). The mean carotid arterial pressure of 3 groups had no significant difference (P>0.05). The apoptotic index of arteriae pulmonalis in HH group and HH+LTZ group was significantly lower than that in C group, and that in HH+LTZ group was significantly higher than that in HH group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Plasma level of H_2S, the activity of H_2S generating enzymes in homogenates of rat lung tissue, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) mRNA in lung tissues in HH group were significantly lower than those in C group (all P<0.01), and those in HH+LTZ group were significantly lower than those in HH group (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ligustrazine up-regulates the expression of cystanthionine-γ-splitting enzyme (CSE), enhances the activity of CSE and increases the level of H_2S to prevent pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxic hypercapnia.

ObjectiveTo understand the relationship between mycoplasm load in bronchoalveolar lavage lfuid (BALF) with the status of Th1/Th2 immune response in children withMycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP).MethodsThe levels of IL-4, IFN, IL-8 , TNF-α in BLAF and total IgE, ECP in serum from 90 children with MPP were measured by ELISA.MP DNA in BALF was detected quantitatively by lfuorescent real-time PCR. Children with MPP (n=90) were divided into two groups of low MP-DNA load (n=24) and high MP-DNA load (n=26) according to the copies of MP DNA in BALF. The cytokines in BALF, and total IgE and ECP in serum were compared between the two groups. The relationship between the levels of cytokines in BLAF and the copies was evaluated.ResultsThe levels of IL-4 and the IL-4/IFN ratio in BALF from the high DNA-load group were signiifcantly higher than that of the low group (t=4.280, 2.076, allP<0.05). The level of IL-4 was signiifcantly correlated with the copies of MP-DNA in BALF from children with MPP (r=0.509,P<0.05). The percentage of total IgE and ECP positive result in serum from the high DNA-load group is higher than that of the low group. (χ2=24.638, 6.392,allP<0.05).Conclusion Infection with high-load MP in children may cause the imbalance of Th1/Th2. And the Th2 cytokines response seems predomi-nant.

MicroRNA-125b (miR-125b) has been proved to be closely related to a variety of cancers in recent years, such as lung cancer, digestive system cancers, blood cancers, etc. miR-125b plays a key role in the occurrence and development of cancers, which can evaluate the therapeutic effects of various treatment methods of cancers by detecting the expression of miR-125b, and can assist in the diagnosis of cancers. It is of great significance to explore the mechanism of miR-125b in cancers for the treatment.

BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder characterized primarily by cognitive impairment.Acupuncture is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine therapy for treating Alzheimer's disease,but its mechanism is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"on the Notch signaling pathway,β-amyloid protein(Aβ)and synaptic plasticity in 5xFAD mice. METHODS:Sixteen male,6-month-old 5xFAD mice,SPF-grade,were randomly divided into the electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"group(electroacupuncture group)and the model group,with eight mice in each group.Eight SPF-grade,male,6-month-old C57BL/6 mice were used as the wild control(wild)group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"intervention,5 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks.The model group and the wild group did not receive electroacupuncture intervention.The Morris water maze was used to preliminarily assess their learning and memory abilities.Thioflavin S staining was performed to detect Aβ plaque deposition.Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were used to measure the expression levels of transmembrane receptor protein Notch-1,Notch 1 intracellular domain(NICD),hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes 1),hairy and enhancer of split 5(Hes 5),synaptophysin(SYN),postsynaptic density protein-95(PSD-95),and Aβ. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,the wild group and the electroacupuncture group showed shortened escape latency,increased platform crossing times,and longer target quadrant dwell time(P<0.05).Compared with the wild group,the model group had significantly increased deposition of Aβ plaques,while electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"inhibited the deposition of Aβ plaques in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice(P<0.05).Compared with the wild group,the model group had decreased mRNA levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue of mice,and increased mRNA levels of Aβ(P<0.05).Electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"increased the mRNA levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue,and decreased the mRNA level of Aβ(P<0.05).Compared with the Wild group,the model group had decreased protein expression levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5 in the hippocampal tissue of mice,and increased protein expression levels of Aβ(P<0.05).Electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"upregulated the protein expression levels of SYN,PSD-95,Notch 1,NICD,Hes 1,and Hes 5,and inhibited the protein expression of Aβ(P<0.05).To conclude,electroacupuncture with"Zhi San Zhen"can improve the learning and memory abilities of 5xFAD mice,possibly by inhibiting the deposition of Aβ protein and activating the Notch signaling pathway in the hippocampus to enhance synaptic plasticity.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shanghai and to investigate the risk factors for disease progression to severe cases. Methods The clinical data of 292 adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 21 severe patients and 271 mild patients. The demographic characteristics, epidemiological history, history of underlying diseases and laboratory examinations were compared between the two groups. Measurement data were compared using t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The count data were compared using hi-square test. The binary logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors for the progression of patients to severe cases. Results Among the 292 patients, 21 were severe cases with the rate of 7.2% (21/292). One patient died, and the mortality rate was 4.8% in severe patients. The severe patients aged (65.0±15.7) years old, 19 (90.5%) were male, 11 (52.4%) had underlying diseases, 7 (33.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The mild patients aged (48.7±15.7) years old, 135 (49.8%) were male, 74 (27.3%) had underlying diseases, 36 (13.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The differences between two groups were all significant statistically ( t =-4.730, χ 2 =12.930, 5.938 and 4.744, respectively, all P <0.05). Compared with the mild patients, the levels of absolute numbers of neutrophils, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, serum cystatin C, C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin , D -dimer, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP), serum myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), serum troponin I (cTnI) in severe patients were all significantly higher ( U =2 091.5, 1 928.0, 1 215.5, 729.0, 1 580.5, 1 375.5, 917.5, 789.5, 1 209.0, 1 434.0, 638.0, 964.5, 1 258.0 and 1 747.5, respectively, all P <0.05), while the levels of lymphocyte count, albumin, transferrin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count, CD8 + T lymphocyte count and CD4 + T lymphocyte count in severe patients were all significantly lower ( U =1 263.5, t =4.716, U =1 214.0, 962.0, 1 167.5 and 988.0, respectively, all P <0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that the albumin (odds ratio ( OR )=0.806, 95% CI 0.675-0.961), CRP ( OR =1.016, 95% CI 1.000-1.032), serum myoglobin ( OR =1.010, 95% CI 1.004-1.016), CD3 + T lymphocyte count ( OR =0.996, 95% CI 0.991-1.000) and CD8 + T lymphocyte count ( OR =1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.010) at admission were independent risk factors for the progression of COVID-19 patients to severe illness (all P <0.05). Conclusions Severe cases of patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai are predominantly elderly men with underlying diseases. Albumin, CRP, serum myoglobin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count and CD8 + T lymphocyte count could be used as early warning indicators for severe cases, which deserve more clinical attention.

The ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a newly discovered β Coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). How long the adaptive immunity triggered by SARS-CoV-2 can last is of critical clinical relevance in assessing the probability of second infection and efficacy of vaccination. Here we examined, using ELISA, the IgG antibodies in serum specimens collected from 17 COVID-19 patients at 6-7 months after diagnosis and the results were compared to those from cases investigated 2 weeks to 2 months post-infection. All samples were positive for IgGs against the S- and N-proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, 14 samples available at 6-7 months post-infection all showed significant neutralizing activities in a pseudovirus assay, with no difference in blocking the cell-entry of the 614D and 614G variants of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, in 10 blood samples from cases at 6-7 months post-infection used for memory T-cell tests, we found that interferon γ-producing CD4
Adaptive Immunity/physiology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood* ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes/physiology* ; Time Factors ; Viral Proteins/immunology*