Objective To explore the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)on the brain in microgravity environment.Methods The physiological effects of microgravity were simulated with the hindlimb unloading(HU)mouse model.The animals were divided into 3 groups:the control group(wild-type mice),the hindlimb unloading(HU)group,and the BMSCs treatment group,with six in each.RT-qPCR was adopted to determine the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(Il-6,Il-1β and Tnf-α)in the cerebral cortex;immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the proportions of microglia(IBA-positive)and astrocytes(GFAP-positive);Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of apoptosis-and senescence-related molecules(BAX,BCL-2,p21,and p53).Results Compared with wild-type mice,the expression levels of Il-6,Il-1β and Tnf-α in the cerebral cortex of HU mice were significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expression level of BAX,p21 and p53 was also significantly increased(P＜0.05).However,the expression level of BCL-2 protein were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The proportion of micro-glia(IBA1 positive)and astrocytes(GFAP positive)was increased(P＜0.05);After BMSCs treatment,the expression level of Il-1β in the cerebral cortex of HU mice was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of BAX,p21 and p53 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of BCL-2 protein was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The proportion of microglia(IBA1 positive)and astrocytes(GFAP posi-tive)decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusions BMSCs potentially relieve the detrimental effects of simulated micro-gravity on mouse brain by inhibiting inflammation,apoptosis and cellular senescence.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of different types of neonatal sepsis.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2019, neonates with confirmed sepsis from 5 neonatal centers of central-south China were reviewed. The neonates were assigned into early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) group, and the latter was further subgrouped into hospital-acquired LOS (hLOS) group and community-acquired LOS (cLOS) group. The etiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 580 neonates were enrolled, including 286 (49.3%) in the EOS group and 294 (50.7%) in the LOS group. In LOS group, 147 were in hLOS group and 147 were in cLOS group. The gestational age and birth weight of hLOS group were significantly lower than the other two groups [(32.7±3.6) weeks vs. (37.1±3.7) weeks and (37.7±3.0) weeks, (1 810±717) g vs. (2 837±865) g and (3 024±710) g] ( P<0.05). The common pathogens in EOS and cLOS groups were coagulase-negative staphylococci and Escherichia coli, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was common in hLOS group. Carbapenems usage in the hLOS group was significantly higher than the other two groups [62.6% vs. 28.7% and 16.2%] ( P<0.05). Antibiotics duration in the hLOS group was longer than the other two groups [19 (14, 27) d vs. 15 (12, 20) d and 14 (12, 19) d] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of neonatal sepsis vary among different types of infections, and it is necessary to establish appropriate prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment protocols.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between atherosclerotic plaque characteristics of the middle cerebral artery(MCA)and acute cerebral ischemic symptoms by using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(HR-MRI).Methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical and imaging data was performed in 136 patients[100 males, aged(60.8±11.4)years]with MCA atherosclerotic plaque who underwent HR-MRI.Patients were divided into the acute symptomatic group(n=73)and the non-acute asymptomatic group(n=63)according to whether the patients had acute ischemic symptoms in the MCA territory within two weeks.The basic demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors, MCA plaque enhancement, maximum plaque length, maximum wall thickness, ratio of maximum plaque length to maximum wall thickness and luminal stenosis were compared between the two groups.Binary Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between MCA plaque characteristics and acute ischemic symptoms in the corresponding vascular territory.Results:Compared with the non-acute symptomatic group, the acute symptomatic group had a greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus(50.7% or 30/73 vs. 30.2% or 19/63, χ2=5.882, P=0.015), a higher occurrence of enhanced plaques(87.7 % or 64/73 vs.46.0% or 29/63, χ2=27.118, P<0.001), greater maximum plaque length[(6.7±3.7 mm) vs.(4.9±2.3)mm, t=-3.330, P=0.001], greater maximum wall thickness[(1.5±0.8)mm vs.(1.0±1.0)mm, t=-2.231, P=0.027]and more severe luminal stenosis[(66.4±31.3)% vs. (30.7±25.3) %, t=-7.354, P<0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that MCA enhanced plaque( OR=4.492, 95% CI: 1.762-11.449, P=0.002)and luminal stenosis( OR=1.032, 95% CI: 1.018-1.047, P<0.001)were independently associated with acute ischemic symptoms. Conclusions:Compared with luminal stenosis, MCA enhanced plaque has a stronger correlation with acute ischemic symptoms and significant plaque enhancement may be an important indication of its instability.

Objective To summary the experience of microsurgery of meningioma in skull base treatment. Methods To study the clinical data of 10 cases patients of meningioma in skull base who were subjected to microsurgery by using retrospective analysis. Among the 10 patients, there were 3 cases of meningioma of the olfactory groove. There were 2 cases of sphenoid ridge meningioma, meningioma in the middle cranial fossa, meningioma in the cerebellopontine angle respectively.There was 1 case of meningioma of velarium in temporal lobe. Results In 7 cases, the meningioma was completely removed. And in another 3 cases, the meningioma got subtotal resection. During and after the operation, there were no severe complications observed or death occurrence in all the 10 cases of meningioma patients. Two months post of operation,all patients got a significant amelioration in their symptoms. A total of 9 cases were followed up. There was 1 case of IIa type meningioma recurred. Conclusion To elevate the whole shearing rate of meningioma in skull base and reduce the mortality of it,it is most important for appropriate operative route selection and well mircosugical technique application.

Objective To explore the utilization and effectiveness of ultrasound screening for neural tube defects (NTDs),so that to provide scientific evidences for the secondary prevention of NTDs.MethodsFour hundred and fifty-nine women who delivered or gestated NTDs babies or fetuses were randomly selected from Shandong Province and Shanxi Province,and the related information was collected with structured questionnaire by trained interviewers.Results Of the 459 cases,the ultrasonography utilization rate was 98.7%,and 6 cases (1.3%) never took examinations by ultrasonography during the whole pregnancy period.The total diagnosis rate of ultrasound screening for NTDs was 85.9%,and those of anencephalus,spina bifida and encephalocele were 96.4%,79.6% and 73.8% respectively (P<0.05).The average diagnosis week of NTDs was 24.0 and those of anencephalus,spina bifida and encephalocele were 21.2,27.1 and 24.7 respectively (P<0.05).The detection rates of NTDs before 16 weeks,16-20 weeks,20-24 weeks,24-28 weeks and after 28 weeks were 14.1%,49.4%,46.3%,49.2% and 52.1% respectively (P<0.05).The detection rates of NTDs in hospitals,maternal and child care service centers and family planning centers were 46.4%,52.0% and 28.1% respectively (P<0.05).The detection rate of NTDs by two-dimensional ultrasound equipment was 41.3% and 83.3% by three-dimensional ultrasound equipment (P>0.05).Conclusions The detection rates of NTDs and the subtypes by ultrasonography are low at different pregnant periods and in different medical institutions.It is important to increase the utilization rate of ultrasound screening by pregnant women and improve the NTDs diagnostic level of primary health care institutions,so that to improve the efficacy of secondary prevention strategy for NTDs in China.