Objective To explore the effects of luteolin on cognition function in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic rats and related mechanism.Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(n=8), a model group(n=12), and groups of 25, 50 mg/kg luteolin(both ofn=11), as well as 100 mg/kg luteolin group(n=8). Those rats were given different doses of luteolin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, daily, intragastric administration) for 36 consecutive days. Similarly, rats of the normal control group and the model group were given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose suspension liquid via intragastric administration. Thirty minutes later, a model of epilepsy was induced using PTZ (40 mg/kg, daily) via intraperitoneal injection except the control group. Learning and memory of rats were evaluated by Morris water maze and novel objective recognition trials(including escape latency and recognition index). The levels of CaM and CaMPK were determined by ELISA methods, and expression of Ras proteins in the hippocampus were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the model group, luteolin treatment groups significantly shorten the escape latency(28.51 ± 3.84 s, 19.77 ± 5.41 s, 14.86 ± 2.76 svs. 37.08 ± 5.18 s) in the Morris water maze, and increased recognition index(18.77% ± 2.02%, 25.06% ± 4.32%, 31.92% ± 2.65%vs. 13.87% ± 2.14%) in the novel objection trial(P<0.05 orP<0.01). Meanwhile, CaM(140.33 ± 13.52 ng/L, 124.26 ± 9.97 ng/L, 113.52 ± 11.57 ng/Lvs. 158.36 ± 10.68 ng/L) and CaMPK(8.25 ± 1.37 ng/ml, 7.69 ± 0.84 ng/ml, 6.74 ± 0.93 ng/mlvs. 9.87 ± 1.02 ng/ml) were significantly decreased(P<0.05 orP<0.01). What’s more, the expression of Ras proteins(0.99 ± 0.08, 0.76 ± 0.07, 0.52 ± 0.07vs. 1.58 ± 0.12) was obviously decreased compared with the model group(P<0.05 orP<0.01).Conclusion Luteolin could effectively improve the cognition dysfunction of epileptic rats, and the mechanism might be relevant to regulate the CaM-CaMPK signaling pathway via down-regulation of CaM, CaMPK, as well as Ras protein.

Objective To compare proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels between premenopausal and postmenopausal women,and to investigate the relationship between serum PCSK9 and metabolic factors.Methods Totally 515 women were enrolled from the study on diabetes of prediction,prevention,and intervention in Nanjing in 2009.Survey,physical examinations,and determination of related metabolic indexes were performed.Serum PCSK9 level was measured by sandwich ELISA.Results Serum PCSK9 level was positively correlated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C),total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride,fasting plasma glucose,body mass index,waist-hip ratio,and age in women (all P＜0.01).PCSK9 level was significantly lower in premenopausal women than that in postmenopausal women [(58.18 ± 25.44 vs 80.91 ± 33.74) ng/ml,P ＜0.01].Conclusion Higher level of PCSK9 exists in postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women.The level of PCSK9 is closely correlated with age,TC,and LDL-C.

Objective To investigate the changes of mestruation patterns and adverse effects during the treatment of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for symptomatic adenomyosis in a prospective cohort study. Methods From December, 2006 to December, 2014, patients of symptomatic adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given LNG-IUS. Before and after placement of IUS, all patients′ parameters were recorded, including carrying status of IUS, symptoms and scores of dysmenorrhea, menstruation scores, biochemical indicators, physical parameters, menstruation patterns and adverse effects. Risk factors for changes of menstruation patterns and adverse effects, and their impact on treatment effects were analyzed. Results Totally 1 100 cases met inclusion criteria, with median age 36 years (range 20-44 years), median follow-up 35 months (range 1-108 months). During follow-up changes of menstruation patterns increased significantly with amenorrhea and shortened-menstruation being the most common manifestations. On 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after the placement of LNG-IUS, 0, 5.8%(43/744), 6.9%(47/682), 10.1%(60/595), 17.3%(87/502), 27.2%(104/383) and 29.6%(82/277) patients achieved amenorrhea respectively (P<0.01). Total and subclassification of adverse effects decreased significantly (P<0.01). Within 12 months and >12 months after placement, abdominal pain and body weight increasing ≥5 kg/year were the most common adverse effects. Changes of menstruation patterns, total and subclassifications of adverse effects were neither dependent on patient parameters, treatment modes and treatment effects, nor could predict future LNG-IUS carrying status (all P>0.05). After taking out of LNG-IUS, most changes of menstruation and adverse effects disappeared. Conclusions During the treatment of LNG-IUS for symptomatic adenomyosis, changes of menstruation patterns increase gradually with amenorrhea and shortened-menstruation being the most common manifestations, while adverse effects decrease significantly. Changes of menstruation patterns or adverse effects neither have any risk factor nor have impact on treatment effects.

Objective To investigate treatment effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis with menorrhea in a prospective study. Methods From December 2006 to December 2014, patients of symptomatic adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in outpatient or inpatient clinics of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given the treatment of LNG-IUS. Before and after placement of LNG-IUS, all the patients′parameters were recorded prospectively, including scores of menstruation blood loss, carrying status of IUS, symptoms and scores of dysmenorrhea, biochemical indicators, physical parameters, menstruation patterns and adverse effects. Changes of pictorial chart scores of menstruation and distribution of anemia during follow-up were analyzed. Results Totally 1 100 women meets inclusion criteria, among which 618 cases (56.18%, 618/1 100) had severe menorrhea, with median follow-up period of 28 months (range 1-60 months), and accumulative carrying rate of 66% at 60 months follow-up. After placement of LNG-IUS, compared with baselines, pictorial chart scores and ratio of menorrhea had decreased significantly (all P<0.01), the scroes of menstruation were 157±34, 94±35, 70±33,67 ± 18, 67 ± 20, 65 ± 19, 66 ± 19, 65 ± 21 at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months respectively. During 24 months after placement of LNG-IUS, pictorial chart scores and distribution of anemia had improved significantly compared with preceding period (all P<0.01). We found no dependent factors predicting improvement of pictorial chart scores of menorrhea, which was neither relevant with simultaneous changes of menstruation patterns nor adverse effects (all P>0.05). Conclusions LNG-IUS is effective for adenomyosis of menorrhea. Improvement of menstruation blood loss is independent on patients characters, menstruation patterns or adverse effects.

Objective To investigate treatment effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis with severe dysmenorrhea in a prospective cohort study. Methods From December 2006 to December 2014, patients of symptomatic adenomyosis diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound in outpatient or inpatient clinics of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given the treatment of LNG-IUS. Before and after placement of LNG-IUS, all the patients′parameters were recorded prospectively, including symptoms and scores of dysmenorrhea, menstruation scores, biochemical indicators, physical parameters, carrying status of LNG-IUS, menstruation patterns and adverse effects. Changes of scores and patterns of pain during follow-up were analyzed. Results Totally 1 100 women meets inclusion criteria, among which 640 cases (58.18%, 640/1 100) had severe dysmeorrhea, with median follow-up period of 35 months (range 1-60 months), and accumulative carrying rate of 65% at 60 months follow-up. After placement of LNG-IUS, scores of pain and ratio of severe dysmenorrhea had decreased significantly compared with baselines (all P<0.01), the scroes of visual analog scale (VAS) were 8.1 ± 0.9, 5.5 ± 2.4, 4.6 ± 2.4, 3.3 ± 2.2, 2.2 ± 2.1, 2.2 ± 1.8, 1.4 ± 1.6 and 1.3 ± 1.3 at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months respectively. During 36 months after placement of LNG-IUS, scores of pain had improved significantly compared with preceding period (all P<0.01). We found no universal dependent factors predicting improvement of pain, which was neither relevant with simultaneous changes of menstruation patterns nor adverse effects (all P>0.05). Conclusion LNG-IUS is effective for adenomyosis of severe dysmenorrhea. Improvement of pain is independent on patients characters, menstruation patterns or adverse effects.

Sialidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by NEU1 gene mutation at 6p21.33. It is characterized by myoclonic, ataxia, epilepsy, and decreased vision. A pair of twins with sialidosis type 1 are reported to enrich clinicians ′ understanding of the disease, so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment. The proband was a 16-year-old male. The main symptom was intermittent limb involuntary trembling for 2 years, with paroxysmal loss of consciousness. Fundus examination showed cherry-red spots. His twin brother had similar symptoms, but the overall performance was mild. Whole exome sequencing results showed that both patients carried compound heterozygous mutations of c.239C>T (p.P80L) and c.803A>G (p.Y268C) in NEU1 gene, which were from their normal phenotype mother and father.

Objective: To observe the changes of peripheral blood picture of CHB with Peg-IFN, and explored the relationship between the changes and decline of HBV DNA, clearance of HBsAg. Methods: Patients with CHB treated with Peg-IFN α-2 a in the Second Division of Liver Disease in Beijing Ditan Hospital were monitored for blood routine examination and Liver function, kidney function, thyroid function of baseline and weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, and weeks 12, 24, and 48 after the end of treatment for chronic hepatitis B, and HBV DNA, HBsAg. Results: The decrease of peripheral blood cells began to occur at week 2 of treatment. For CHB with HBeAg negative patients, white blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophils, hemoglobin and platelets significantly decreased at 2 weeks, while a minimum value occurred at 48 weeks. The recovery was obvious at the end of treatment (48 weeks), and reached pre-treatment levels at 48 weeks after the end of treatment. For CHB with HBeAg positive patients, white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin and platelets significantly decreased at 2 weeks, while a minimum value was found at 36-48 weeks. The recovery was obvious at the end of treatment (48 weeks), and reached pre-treatment levels at 48weeks after the end of treatment. For patients with CHB, hemoglobin declined by more than13.64% at 36th week, which means that the patient would have a predictive significance for decrease of HBV DNA, and drops of more than 0.33% at 2nd week means that the patient would have a predictive significance for clearance of HBsAg. Conclusions During the treatment with interferon, the variation regularity of blood picture for predicting result have a certain effect, which may help predict and monitor the change of blood picture in clinical work.

Objective: To observe the changes of peripheral blood image of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin, and explore the relationship between the changes and serum virological respose (SVR). Methods: Patients with CHC treated with Peg-IFN α-2 a and ribavirin in the Second Division of Liver Disease in Beijing Ditan Hospital were monitored for peripheral blood cells routine examination and Liver function, kidney function, thyroid function at baseline and week 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, and week 12, 24, 48 after the end of treatment for chronic hepatitis C, and HCV RNA. Results: The decrease of peripheral blood cell counts began to appear at week 2 of treatment. For CHC patients without cirrhosis, white blood cells, lymphocyte, hemoglobin and platelets at week 2, while minimum values were seen at week 36, and the neutrophils reached the minimum value to at week 24. Significant recovery of the peripheral blood changes was seen at the end of treatment (48 weeks), and reached pre-treatment levels at week 48 after the end of treatment. For CHC patients with cirrhosis, white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin and platelets significantly decreased at week 2, while neutrophils reached a minimum value at 2 weeks. And hemoglobin and platelets reached a minimum value at 24 weeks, and the white blood cells reached the minimum value at weeks 24-36 besides lymphocyte reached the minimum value at week 36. Significant recovery was seen at the end of treatment (48 weeks), and the blood cell counts reached pre-treatment levels at 48 weeks after the end of treatment. For patients with CHC, hemoglobin decreased by more than 27.47% at week 4, which means that the patient would have a predictive significance for SVR, as well as the of PLT reduction by more than 36.96% at week 8. Conclusions During the treatment with Peg-interferon and ribavirin, the variation of blood picture has some predicting effect, which predicts the result of antiviral treatment.

With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gradually become a hotspot in the research on non-coding RNA. CircRNAs are produced by the covalent circularization of a downstream 3' splice donor and an upstream 5' splice acceptor through backsplicing, and they are pervasive in eukaryotic cells. CircRNAs used to be considered byproducts of false splicing, whereas an explosion of related studies in recent years has disproved this misconception. Compared with the rich studies of circRNAs in animals, the study of circRNAs in plants is still in its infancy. In this review, we introduced the discovery of plant circRNAs, the discovery of plant circRNAs, the circularization feature, expression specificity, conservation, and stability of plant circRNAs and expounded the identification tools, main types, and biogenesis mechanisms of circRNAs. Furthermore, we summarized the potential roles of plant circRNAs as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and translation templates and in response to biotic/abiotic stress, and briefed the degradation and localization of plant circRNAs. Finally, we discussed the challenges and proposed the future directions in the research on plant circRNAs.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Plants/metabolism* ; Protein Biosynthesis/physiology* ; RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; RNA, Plant/metabolism* ; Research/trends* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics*

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of Wang's Yijing decoction combined with conventional therapy on the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） with kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome and its regulating effect on the intestine-brain axis. MethodThe 132 patients from the gynecological clinic of Shanxi Bethune Hospital were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group， with 66 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets and metformin tablets， and those in the observation group were administrated with Wang's Yijing decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. The treatment in both groups lasted for 3 menstrual cycles. The changes in menstrual blood volume， color， and texture， as well as that in the menstrual cycle before and after treatment were scored. Further， the Rosenfield， hirsutism， and kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome were scored before and after treatment. Pelvic ultrasound was performed before and after treatment to compare the bilateral ovarian volume. The levels of anti-mullerian hormone （AMH）， estradiol （E₂）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， testosterone （T）， dihydrotestosterone （DHT）， and sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） were measured before and after treatment， and the free androgen index （FAI） was calculated. After the fasting insulin and fasting blood glucose were examined before and after treatment， the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） was calculated. The levels of ghrelin， glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1）， peptide tyrosine-tyrosine （PYY） in serum and short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs） in fresh stool were measured before and after treatment. ResultThe treatments in both groups lowered the scores of irregular menstruation， Rosenfield， hirsutism， and kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome （P<0.01）， and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， the T， DHT， FAI， AMH， E₂， LH， and FSH levels lowered （P<0.01）， while the SHBG level elevated （P<0.01）. In addition， the AMH， E₂， LH， T， DHT， and FAI in the observation group were lower than those in control group， while the SHBG level presented an opposite trend （P<0.01）. After treatment， the bilateral ovarian volume and HOMA-IR of the two groups decreased （P<0.01）， and were lower in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The treatments in both groups elevated the levels of ghrelin， GLP-1， PYY， and SCFAs （P<0.01）， which were higher in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， the recovery rate in the observation group was 65.57% （40/61）， which was higher than 44.83% （26/58） in the control group （χ²=5.180， P<0.05）. ConclusionWang's Yijing decoction combined with conventional western medicine treatment can regulate the intestine-brain axis， endocrine and metabolic disorders， and sex hormones， adjust the menstrual cycle， and alleviate clinical symptoms， demonstrating good clinical effect for the PCOS patients with kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness syndrome.