Objective To observe hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy(mTLE)patients with different outcomes after surgery.Methods A total of 69 unilateral mTLE patients who underwent resection of epileptogenic lesion on the affected side were retrospectively enrolled.Based on Engel classification 1 year after surgery,the patients were divided into seizure free(SF)group and non-seizure free(NSF)group.Functional connectivity gradient analysis was employed to extract principal gradient explaining the highest variance on preoperative resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI),then the whole-brain gradient characteristics and principal gradient values within specific functional networks were compared between groups.Results Principal gradient connected default mode network(DMN)with sensorimotor network(SMN)along a continuous axis.Compared to SF group,NSF group showed a contracted gradient range at both ends(DMN and SMN)of the functional network and weakened hierarchical differentiation,and principal gradient value of DMN was higher,while that of SMN was lower than those in SF group(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mTLE patients with different outcomes after surgery mainly present as enhanced DMN and weakened SMN in NSF ones,and the latter two might serve as important neuroimaging markers for evaluating postoperative seizure recurrence.

Objective To observe hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy(mTLE)patients with different outcomes after surgery.Methods A total of 69 unilateral mTLE patients who underwent resection of epileptogenic lesion on the affected side were retrospectively enrolled.Based on Engel classification 1 year after surgery,the patients were divided into seizure free(SF)group and non-seizure free(NSF)group.Functional connectivity gradient analysis was employed to extract principal gradient explaining the highest variance on preoperative resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI),then the whole-brain gradient characteristics and principal gradient values within specific functional networks were compared between groups.Results Principal gradient connected default mode network(DMN)with sensorimotor network(SMN)along a continuous axis.Compared to SF group,NSF group showed a contracted gradient range at both ends(DMN and SMN)of the functional network and weakened hierarchical differentiation,and principal gradient value of DMN was higher,while that of SMN was lower than those in SF group(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mTLE patients with different outcomes after surgery mainly present as enhanced DMN and weakened SMN in NSF ones,and the latter two might serve as important neuroimaging markers for evaluating postoperative seizure recurrence.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of zinc ions on human umbilical vein endothelial cells biological functions. Methods: The primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured with the ECM medium, and cells were divided into 8 groups: the control group(routine culture,n=3), 20 μmol/L zinc group(20 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 40 μmol/L zinc group(40 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3),80 μmol/L zinc group(80 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 100 μmol/L zinc group(100 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 200 μmol/L zinc group(200 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3),300 μmol/L zinc group(300 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 500 μmol/L zinc group(500 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3). The cell proliferation curve was derived from real time cell analysis (RTCA). The viability value was obtained via CCK-8 reagent, and the migration distance was tested by scratch-wound assay while the adhesion function was detected by RTCA. Results: (1)After 18 hours, RTCA showed that the proliferation cell indexes were 4.5±0.6, 3.7±0.4, 3.6±0.3, 2.5±0.4, and 2.5±0.4 in the 20, 40, 80, 100, and 200 μmol/L zinc groups, as compared with 3.5±0.3 in the control group (all P<0.05). Proliferation cell indexes were 0 in both of the 300 μmol/L and 500 μmol/L zinc groups. (2)After 96 hours, the viability were 1.21±0.05, 1.10±0.03, 0.99±0.05, 0.62±0.02, 0.45±0.04, 0.11±0.01, and 0.12±0.06, respectively in the 20, 40, 80, 100, 200, 300, and 500 μmol/L zinc groups, as compared with 0.75±0.05 in the control group (all P<0.05). (3)After 12 hours, the migration distances were (0.56±0.11),(0.96±0.07),(0.49±0.02), and (0.29±0.01)mm in the 20, 40, 80, and 100 μmol/L zinc groups, as compared with (0.24±0.04)mm in the control group (all P<0.05). (4)After 18 hours, the adhesion cell index were 0.40±0.05, 0.31±0.01, 0.38±0.05, and 0.40±0.03 in the 20, 40, 80, and 100 μmol/L zinc groups, as compared with 0.24±0.04 in the control group (all P>0.05). Conclusions Zinc ions at lower concentration (≤80 μmol/L) can promote proliferation, viability and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but the adhesion function was not significantly affected by zinc ions. Zinc ions at higher concentration (≥200 μmol/L) can inhibit the cellular function of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

The objectives of this study were to prepare pitavastatin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles(PLGA), to characterize their pharmaceutical properties, to conduct in vitro drug-release from the nanoparticles, and to observe the effects on the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells. Both pitavastatin-loaded PLGA and blank PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using emulsion-solvent diffusion method with PLGA being carrier materials. Morphology of the nanoparticles was observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and particle size was analyzed by laser nanometer particle size analyzer. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were assayed using high-performance liquid phase. Impact of blank and pitavastatin-loaded nanoparticles on the viability of endothelial progenitor cells was investigated by CCK8 method. Pitavastatin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles exhibited the structure with spherical shape, smooth surface and average diameter of(230. 1±45)nm. The drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were(10. 00±1. 83)% and(35. 54±5. 40)%, respectively. In vitro sustained-release of pitavastatin from the nanoparticles was found. The blank PLGA nanoparticles had no effect on the viability of the endothelial progenitor cells in different concentrations. Compared with pitavastatin group, pitavastatin-loaded nanoparticles(0. 01 μmol/L, 0. 1 μmol/L)had more effects on the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells. In conclusion, emulsion-solvent diffusion method is applicable in preparation of pitavastatin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles with good shape and sustained-release of interest. Pitavastatin-loaded nanoparticles could significantly improve proliferation of the endothelial progenitor cells.