Objective To investigate the effects of different duration of sevoflurane anesthesia in the neonatal period on the long?term cognitive function and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in rats. Methods Twenty?four pathogen?free healthy Sprague?Dawley rats of both sexes, aged 7 days, weighing 12-16 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table: control group ( group C) , sevoflu?rane anesthesia for 2 h group ( group S1 ) , and sevoflurane anesthesia for 6 h group ( group S2 ) . Group S1 and group S2 inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 2 and 6 h, respectively. Morris water maze test was performed at 30 days after the end of anesthesia ( postnatal day 37) to assess the cognitive function. After the end of the test, the rats were sacrificed, and hippocampi were isolated for determination of the expression of brain?de?rived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) , postsynaptic density?95 ( PSD?95) and synapsin 1 in hippocampal tis?sues by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the escape latency on 4th and 5th days of the test in group S1 and on 2nd-5th days of the test in group S2 was significantly prolonged, and the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly decreased, and the time of staying at the platform quadrant was significantly shortened in S1 and S2 groups, the expression of BDNF, PSD?95 and synapsin 1 in hipp?ocampal tissues was significantly down?regulated in group S2 (P<0?05), and no significant change was found in the expression of BDNF, PSD?95 and synapsin 1 in hippocampal tissues in group S1 ( P>0?05) . Compared with group S1 , no significant change was found in the escape latency and frequency of crossing
the original platform (P>0?05), the time of staying at the platform quadrant was significantly shortened, and the expression of BDNF, PSD?95 and synapsin 1 in hippocampal tissues was significantly down?regula?ted in group S2 ( P<0?05) . Conclusion Short?time and long?time sevoflurane anesthesia both can induce long?term cognitive dysfunction in the neonatal period, and the severity is aggravated with prolonged anes?thesia; the partial mechanism is related to inhibition of the synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons of rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on spinal purinergic receptor 2X-4 (P2X4)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Twenty-four pathogenfree adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-220 g,aged 8 weeks,were allocated into 3 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:control group (C group),DNP group and DNP plus dexmedetomidine group (DNP+D group).Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal 1％ streptozotocin 60 mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol/L 3 days later.In group DNP+D,dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 6 consecutive weeks starting from 3 days after the model was successfully established.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and sciatic nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) were measured at 2,4 and 6 weeks after injection of dexmedetomidine.The rats were sacrificed at 6 weeks after injection of dexmedetomidine,and the L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for examination of the pathological changes (with a light microscope) and for determination of P2X4,NLRP3 and interleukin-lbeta (IL-1β3) expression (by Western blot).The sural nerve was obtained for examination of the ultrastructure by electron microscopy.Results Compared with group C,the MWT was significantly decreased at 2,4 and 6 weeks after injection of dexmedetomidine,the SNCV was decreased at 6 weeks after injection of dexmedetomidine,the expression of P2X4,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the spinal cord was up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of the spinal cord and sural nerve were marked in DNP and DNP+D groups.Compared with group DNP,the MWT was significantly increased at 2,4 and 6 weeks after injection of dexmedetomidine,the SNCV was increased at 6 weeks after injection of dexmedetomidine,the expression of P2X4,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the spinal cord was down-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes of the spinal cord and sural nerve were significantly attenuated in group DNP+D.Conclusion The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine mitigates DNP is probably related to inhibition of P2X4/NLRP3 pathway in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) 8344 A>G (m.8344A>G) mutation is the common mutation associated with mitochondrial myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome. Herein we report a rare case with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes/MERRF/Leigh (MELAS/MERRF/Leigh) overlap syndrome caused by m.8344A>G mutation. METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of the patient were collected and an open muscle biopsy was carried out. We further employed molecular genetic analyses to detect mtDNA mutation in the proband and his mother. And then a clinical and neuroimaging follow-up was performed. RESULTS: This patient was a 25-year-old male, who developed exercise intolerance since the age of 6. At age 10, he suffered from acute episodes of hemianopia, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed occipital stroke-like lesions and cranial magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) revealed a lactate peak corresponding to the lesion. After that the patient presented slowly progressive psychomotor decline. He had myoclonic seizures and cerebellar ataxia since the age of 12. At age 21, he was admitted to our hospital because of confusion and cranial MRI revealed symmetrical lesions in bilateral posterior putamen, thalami and midbrain. Then repeated MRI showed progression of original lesions and new frontal multiple stroke-like lesions. Symptomatic and rehabilitation treatment relieved his condition. Follow-up cranial MRI at age 24 showed the lesions in basal ganglia and thalami diminished, and the midbrain lesions even completely vanished. Muscle pathology indicated the presence of numerous scattered ragged-red fibers (RRF), suggestive of a mitochondrial disorder. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) detected the m.8344A>G mutation of the MT-TK gene encoding mitochondrial transfer RNA for lysine in the patient's blood. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of the whole mitochondrial genome identified that the proportion of m.8344A>G was 90%, and no other mtDNA mutation was detected. Sanger sequencing further identified this mutation both in the proband and his mother's blood, although the mutation load was much lower in his mother's blood with approximately 10% heteroplasmy. CONCLUSION The present study is the first to describe a patient with m.8344A>G mutation in association with the MELAS/MERRF/Leigh overlap syndrome, which expands the phenotypic spectrum of the m.8344A>G mutation.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Adult ; Child ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies ; Mutation ; Stroke ; Young Adult

Objective:To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) in rabbits with atherosclerosis.Methods:Thirty-six male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a simvastatin group according to the random number table method,with 9 rabbits in each group.Rabbits in the model group,the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were modeled by high fat feeding method which took 12 weeks.After verification of the successful model,rabbits in the normal group were not treated,in the model group were bundled,in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion,and those in the simvastatin group were treated with simvastatin,all for a total of 4 weeks.At the end of the experiment,the aorta and liver were observed for pathological changes;serum and liver were used to detect lipid levels;Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect LXRα protein and mRNA expression levels,respectively.Results:Compared with the normal group,the structure of aorta was disordered,the wall was rough and thick,the intima was unsmooth,and the vascular smooth muscle cells were arranged closely and disorderly in the model group,which was consistent with the characteristics of the rabbit model of aortic atherosclerosis.Compared with the model group,the aortic structure was clear,the degree of hepatocyte degeneration was reduced,the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly decreased (all P＜0.01),the high-density lipoprotein level was elevated (P＜0.01),and the total liver cholesterol was decreased significantly (P＜0.01) in the rabbits of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group;compared with the model group,the protein (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05) and mRNA (P＜0.01) expressions of rabbit LXRα in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were increased.Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can improve the aortic and hepatic lesions,regulate blood lipid and liver lipid levels,increase the expression of liver cholesterol reverse transport nuclear receptor LXRα,promote reverse cholesterol transport in the rabbits with aortic atherosclerosis,therefore produces an antiatherogenic effect.

OBJECTIVETo study the risk factors of male infertility.

METHODCase control study including 94 cases and control group with a ratio of 1 to 1.

RESULTSThe risk factors of male infertility were long time heavy smoking habit (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.95 - 6.10), illegal sexual intercourse (OR = 7.29, 95% CI: 2.54 - 20.89), growing vegetable under plastic in higher temperature (OR = 6.73, 95% CI: 1.91 - 23.69), contact with benzene chemicals (OR = 20.53, 95% CI: 4.67 - 90.25) and having Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection (OR = 5.55, 95% CI: 2.28 - 13.53).

CONCLUSIONMale infertility was resulted from many factors repeatedly acting on men for long time. In order to prevent male infertility, issues as environmental pollution, occupational protection need to be improved while bad working condition and risky behavior should be changed.

Adult ; Benzene ; toxicity ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Pollution ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Ureaplasma Infections ; complications ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

Bletilla striata has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for several centuries. In recent years, the quality and quantity of wild B. striata plants have declined sharply due to habitat deterioration and human over-exploitation. Therefore, it is of great urgency to evaluate and protect B. striata wild plant resource. In this study, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were applied to assess the level and pattern of genetic diversity in twelve populations of B. striata. The results showed a high level of genetic diversity (PPB = 90.48%, H = 0.349 4, I = 0.509 6) and moderate genetic differentiation among populations (G(st) = 0.260 9). Based on the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA), twelve populations gathered in three clusters. The cluster 1 included four populations. There are Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Xuancheng and Hangzhou. The seven populations which come from Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Jiangxi Province and Guizhou Province belonged to the cluster 2. The cluster 3 only contained Wenshan population. Moreover, Mantel test revealed significant positive correlation between genetic distances and geographic distances (r = 0.632 9; P < 0.000 1). According to the results, we proposed a series of conservation consideration for B. striata.
China ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation ; Genetics, Population ; Orchidaceae ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare and distinct variant of DLBCL. It is classified as a unique subtype of DLBCL in the 2008 WHO classification of lymphomas. No standard and effective therapeutic regi-men is available for ALK+DLBCL because it shows a more aggressive clinical course and frequent relapse. Therefore, a standardized and individualized treatment is needed to benefit more patients diagnosed with ALK+DLBCL through a multiple disciplinary team. This arti-cle presents a case of an ALK+DLBCL patient who relapsed after transplantation and was successfully treated with the ALK kinase inhibi-tor Crizotinib.

Purpose To observe the effect of Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1),a necroptosis inhibitor,on the inflammation in unilateral ureter obstruction mice.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,unilateral ureter obstruction operation group and UUO + Nec-1 treatment group,and the mice were sacrificed at 7th day after operated.Scr and BUN were measured.The pathological changes in the kidney were observed by HE staining.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of necroptosis-related indicators RIP1,RIP3,MLKL and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1.Results Compared with sham operation group,the expression of RIP1,RIP3 and MLKL protein increased in the renal tissue of UUO mice,accompanied with increased expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1.Nec-1 treatment significantly decreased above-mentioned protein expression in UUO mice,and also reduced renal interstitial inflammation and renal tubal injury according to HE staining.Scr and BUN levels suggested improved renal function.Conclusion Nec-1 could relieve the inflammatory reaction in renal tissue of the UUO mice by inhibiting necroptosis,which may be a new target for the treatment of secondary inflammation.

Objective To explore the relationship between the incidence of hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers and brain injury.Methods The incidence of 86 infants of diabetic mothers combined with hypoglycemia as well as the relationship time of persistent hypoglycemia of infants were studied.And the association of the incidence and degree of brain injury with the time of persistent hypoglycemia,complication of other diseases and symptomatic hypoglycemia was also investigated.Results Seventy-five cases of temporary hypoglycemia(87.2%),and 11 cases of frequent hypolycemia(12.8%)were observed in the study.In the group of unsatisfactory maternal blood glucose control cases,the incidence of frequent hypoglycemia was 19.4%;in the group of satisfactory maternal blood glucose control cases,the incidence of frequent hypoglycemia was 8%.The overall incidence of the brain injury and the incidence of severe brain injury in the group of frequent hypoglycemic cases were higher than those in the group of temporary hypoglycemic cases.The incidence of brain injury in cases complicated with other diseases(77.4%) and in those with clinical symptoms(81.2%) were significantly higher than those in without other diseases(48.5%) and clinical symptoms(57.4%)(Pa

Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Phenotype ; Trisomy