Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A)/β-catenin/zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway regulates neural tube defect (NTD) through intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).Methods:A mouse NTD model was induced using the SAM metabolic disorder inhibitor ethionine. Eighty specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a normal group (36 mice), an ethionine group (46 mice), and an ethionine+SAM group (44 mice). Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ethionine, and ethionine+SAM were respectively injected intraperitoneally on embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), and the mice were sacrificed on E10.5. Embryonic tissues were collected, and the morphology of embryos in each group was observed under a stereomicroscope. The interaction between ethionine and MAT2A was analyzed using Autodock software. The expression levels of MAT2A, β-catenin, ZEB1, and EMT-related proteins in the brain tissues of embryos from the three groups were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Variance analysis was used for intergroup comparisons.Results:(1) Autodock analysis results showed that MAT2A binds to ethionine through covalent bonds, exhibiting a complementary effect, thereby accelerating the expression of MAT2A. (2) After successful construction of the NTD model, normal embryos were plump with well-developed brains. NTD embryos showed delayed development, obvious anencephaly, unclosed neural tubes, and asymmetry. (3) The levels of SAM and SAH in the embryonic tissues of the ethionine group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (1 737.56±95.64 vs. 872.33±205.11, and 89.17±9.50 vs. 51.25±9.48, respectively). The SAM and SAH levels in the ethionine+SAM group was 1 197.00±222.27 and 66.61±12.25, significantly higher than those in the ethionine group ( P<0.017). Compared with the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group, the expression of MAT2A mRNA in the embryonic brain tissue of the ethionine group was significantly upregulated (1.00±0.00, 1.59±0.52, and 2.42±0.53, respectively, F=49.64, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (4) Compared with the normal group, the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine group was reduced, and the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine+SAM group was higher than that in the ethionine group (1.00±0.00, 0.38±0.16, and 0.76±0.10, respectively, F=149.03, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (5) The expression of ZEB1 in the ethionine group was higher than that in the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group (2.91±0.55, 1.00±0.00, and 1.61±0.20, respectively, F=150.01, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (6) The expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the ethionine group were lower than those in the normal group. In contrast, the expression of N-cadherin was higher than that in the normal group. After SAM supplementation, the expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin were upregulated, and the expression level of N-cadherin was downregulated (0.54±0.12, 1.00±0.00, and 0.72±0.14, respectively, F=87.44; 0.53±0.17, 1.00±0.00, and 0.76±0.09, F=87.44; 3.11±0.53, 1.00±0.00, and 2.13±0.56, F=95.54; all P<0.001; pairwise comparisons within the same index group P<0.017]). Conclusions:Ethionine promotes the expression of MAT2A, leading to reduced SAM production. Ethionine regulates the level of ZEB1 by increasing MAT2A and inhibits the EMT process to interfere with methionine cycle metabolism, ultimately resulting in NTD.

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A)/β-catenin/zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway regulates neural tube defect (NTD) through intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).Methods:A mouse NTD model was induced using the SAM metabolic disorder inhibitor ethionine. Eighty specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a normal group (36 mice), an ethionine group (46 mice), and an ethionine+SAM group (44 mice). Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ethionine, and ethionine+SAM were respectively injected intraperitoneally on embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), and the mice were sacrificed on E10.5. Embryonic tissues were collected, and the morphology of embryos in each group was observed under a stereomicroscope. The interaction between ethionine and MAT2A was analyzed using Autodock software. The expression levels of MAT2A, β-catenin, ZEB1, and EMT-related proteins in the brain tissues of embryos from the three groups were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Variance analysis was used for intergroup comparisons.Results:(1) Autodock analysis results showed that MAT2A binds to ethionine through covalent bonds, exhibiting a complementary effect, thereby accelerating the expression of MAT2A. (2) After successful construction of the NTD model, normal embryos were plump with well-developed brains. NTD embryos showed delayed development, obvious anencephaly, unclosed neural tubes, and asymmetry. (3) The levels of SAM and SAH in the embryonic tissues of the ethionine group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (1 737.56±95.64 vs. 872.33±205.11, and 89.17±9.50 vs. 51.25±9.48, respectively). The SAM and SAH levels in the ethionine+SAM group was 1 197.00±222.27 and 66.61±12.25, significantly higher than those in the ethionine group ( P<0.017). Compared with the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group, the expression of MAT2A mRNA in the embryonic brain tissue of the ethionine group was significantly upregulated (1.00±0.00, 1.59±0.52, and 2.42±0.53, respectively, F=49.64, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (4) Compared with the normal group, the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine group was reduced, and the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine+SAM group was higher than that in the ethionine group (1.00±0.00, 0.38±0.16, and 0.76±0.10, respectively, F=149.03, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (5) The expression of ZEB1 in the ethionine group was higher than that in the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group (2.91±0.55, 1.00±0.00, and 1.61±0.20, respectively, F=150.01, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (6) The expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the ethionine group were lower than those in the normal group. In contrast, the expression of N-cadherin was higher than that in the normal group. After SAM supplementation, the expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin were upregulated, and the expression level of N-cadherin was downregulated (0.54±0.12, 1.00±0.00, and 0.72±0.14, respectively, F=87.44; 0.53±0.17, 1.00±0.00, and 0.76±0.09, F=87.44; 3.11±0.53, 1.00±0.00, and 2.13±0.56, F=95.54; all P<0.001; pairwise comparisons within the same index group P<0.017]). Conclusions:Ethionine promotes the expression of MAT2A, leading to reduced SAM production. Ethionine regulates the level of ZEB1 by increasing MAT2A and inhibits the EMT process to interfere with methionine cycle metabolism, ultimately resulting in NTD.

Objective To understand the stability of iodine content in potassium iodide iodized salt and potassium iodate iodized salt during production.Methods The sodium sulfate type brine well rock salt and calcium salt brine well rock salt as raw material were used to produce potassium iodide salt and potassium iodate salt by different iodization methods of before and after fluid bed dryer and then the loss of iodine during production was measured,meanwhile iodine content of powder salt was determined.According to the "Belt Delivery Sampling of Sampling Methods of the Main Products in the Salt Industry" (GB/T 8616-2001),25 standard salt samples and 6-24 powder salt samples were collected in the same batch.The salt iodine content was determined by oxidationreduction titration and direct titration of the "General Test Method in Salt Industry-Determination of Iodine" (GB/T 13025.7-2012).Results For the sodium sulfate type brine well rock salt,there was no statistical difference in iodine loss rate between potassium iodide salt and potassium iodate salt (16.55％ vs.19.60％,x2 =0.01,P ＞ 0.05) by iodization of before fluid bed dryer.The iodine loss rate of potassium iodide salt was 2.17％ and the iodine loss of potassium iodate salt was undetectable and there was no statistical difference between the two (x2 =2.19,P ＞ 0.05)by iodization of after fluid bed dryer.For calcium salt brine well rock salt,the iodine loss rate of potassium iodide was less than that of potassium iodate (20.60％ vs.39.75％,x2 =8.70,P ＜ 0.05) by iodization of before fluid bed dryer and neither of them was lost by iodization of after fluid bed dryer.Conclusions For both sodium sulfate type brine well rock salt and calcium salt brine well rock salt,the iodine loss of iodide iodized salt is not higher than that of potassium iodate during iodization of before or after fluid bed dryer.Since the iodine loss during iodization of before fluid bed dryer is significantly higher than that after fluid bed dryer,adopting iodization of after fluid bed dryer to produce iodized salt should be recommended.

Objective To explore the clinical, radiological features and gene mutation of GALC gene in one child with globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease). Methods The clinical and radiological data of a patient diagnosed with Krabbe disease through next-generation sequencing were retrospectively analyzed. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the results. Results The patient was late infantile form with main manifestations of progressive psychomotor regression and convulsion. Brain MRI showed symmetric long T1 and long T2 signal changes in the white matter next to lateral ventricle angle, posterior limb of internal capsule, and the ministry of corpus callosum. The patient was found to have compound heterozygous mutations of c.1832T>C in exon 15 and c.979T>G in exon 9, which resulted in amino acid changes of p.L611S and p.F327V, respectively. Sanger sequencing results showed that the two heterozygous mutations were correspondingly inherited from his mother and father. Conclusions Next-generation sequencing technology is a useful tool for the detection of GALC gene mutation, which is valuable for definite diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Krabbe disease in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of biotinase deficiency (BTD) manifested as encephalomyelopathy.Methods The clinical data of one child with BTD were retrospectively analyzed.The pertinent literatures were reviewed.Results A six-year-old male child suffered from progressive spastic paralysis of lower limbs for 3 months before admission.A similar symptoms occurred after a cold in 3-year-old.It was easy to peel skin on her hands and she had angular stomatitis.Audio visual evoked potential was detected to be abnormal in other hospital.After hospitalizion,the cerebrospinal fluid examination was normal,and MRI showed long T1 long T2 signals bilateral occipital lobe and basal ganglia region.Because the child represented medulla palsy,and so the tracheal intubation ventilator was administrated to assist ventilation.Urine gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis showed increases of lactic acid,3-hydroxy acid,3-tiglyl glycine,methylcitric acid,and ethylene lactic acid.Serum MS/MS analysis showed that the concentrations of propionyl camitine and 3-hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine were increase obviously.The serum biotinase level was significantly decrease to 0.076 pmol/(min·mm3).The diagnosis of BTD was confirmed.After supplementation biotin,40 mg/d,the ventilator was successfully weaned on the third day,the child walked again after 2 weeks,and the rash was vanished.After 3 weeks,the head MRI showed disappearance of the original lesion,and there was no abnormal in spinal cord.The BTD gene detected by PCR direct sequencing showed a heterozygosis mutation of T172T/C in the second exon and a homozygous mutation of T1413C in the fourth exon,which was confirmed as a pathogenic mutation by pedigree verification and database query.After discharge,the oral administration of biotin 20 mg/d continued,and no abnormality was found in 2 years of follow-up.Conclusions The manifestations of BTD are complex and diverse.The analysis of urine GC/MS and serum MS/MS can assist the diagnosis.The determination of biotinase activity and gene detection of BTD can further confirm the diagnosis.Timely biotin supplementation has significant treatment efficacy.

Objective To explore the clinical,radiological and gene mutation features ofERCC8 gene in one patient with Cockayne syndrome.Methods Clinical and radiological data of a girl diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome through gene detection were retrospectively analyzed.Next-generation sequencing was used to detect genetic cause.Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the candidate variants and detect mutations in her parents and sister.ResuRs The patient showed psychomotor retardation,growth failure,special face,and light sensitivity.Neurological examination revealed noticeable developmental delay,motor impairment,spastic paralysis,and cerebellar ataxia.Brain MRI revealed symmetrical demyelination of bilateral centrum semiovale and periventricular white matter.The cerebellum was atrophic.The patient was found to have compound heterozygous mutations of c.397C＞T(p.Q133X) and c.394_398del(p.L132fs).Sanger sequencing showed these two mutations were inherited from her mother and father respectively.Conclusions Next-generation sequencing technology is a useful tool for the detection of mutation in ERCC8 gene,which is valuable for the diagnosis of Cockayne syndrome.These two mutations expanded the mutation spectrum of Cockayne syndrome in Chinese population.

Cerebral injury is a common disease in the pediatric intensine care unit(PICU)and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Video-electroencephalogram examination can help for the etidogical diagnosis,illness monitoring and prognosis assessment.The article is a review about the applications of video-electroencephalogram in common diseases in NICU and PICU.

Objective To investigate the copy number variants of a developmental delay patient by applying single nucleotide polymorphisms array technique and to analyze the relationship between the clinical manifestation and copy number variants.Methods Single nucleotide polymorphisms array was used to detect genomic copy number variants in a child with development delay and her phenotypic normal parents.Results The patient had a 7. 9-Mb deletion at 8p23.3-p23.1 and a 27.4-Mb duplication at 8p23.1-p11.23, which were conifrmed as pathogenic copy number variants after comparative analysis with database.Conclusions Single nucleotide polymorphisms array could serve as a useful method to diagnose developmental delay patients and analyze pathogenesis.

Objective To analyze the clinical and electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics as well as its evolutionary process of Dravet syndrome (DS) in order to improve early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.Methods Fifty patients with DS were studied including onset age, trigger factors, seizure types on different age stages and relationship with EEG characteristics and its evolution process.Results The average age of seizure onset was ( 5.5 ± 1.9 ) months.The fever sensitivity continuously existed in the entire course of disease.In the early stage, generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) and focal or unilateral seizures were main types.Multi seizure types included myoclonic seizures (MS) and atypical absence occurred later.The onset ages of MS were average (M50) of 16 months.MS never occurred in 26% of the patients.During the first year of life, EEGs were normal in 76% of these patients.The epileptiform discharges only recorded in about 50% of the patients in spite of multi seizure types had presented.After three years ago, both EEG background abnormalities and discharges occurred in more 90% of the all patients.Photosensitivity response with MS occurred in the 28% of 18 patients.Conclusions The clinical and EEG are not parallel progressively process in early stage of DS.The children often express more severe clinical seizures than EEG abnormalities until 2 years of age.Various abnormal EEG manifestation obviously display gradually after 3 years age.Precise recognizing with the clinical and EEG characteristics of DS will help get correct early diagnosis and screen the candidate cases to test SCN1A gene.

OBJECTIVETo study the constituents from the water extractive of Huanglianjiedutang, which is composed of Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Scutellariae, Cortex Phellodendri and Fructus Gardeniae, and provide substances foundation for its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic investigation.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by NMR and MS techniques.

RESULTA flavonoid glucoside identified as wogonin-5-0-beta-D-glucuronide methyl ester (1) was isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble parts in the water extractive of Huanglianjiedutang decoction. Ten compounds were isolated from the butanol soluble parts in the water extractive of Huanglianjiedutang decoction and have been identified as berberine (2), palmatine (3), epiberberine (4), geniposide (5), jatrorrhizine (6), columbamine (7), groenlandicine (tetradehydrocheilanthifoline, 8), wogonoside (9), 3,5-pyridinedicarboxamide (10), and genipin-1-0-beta-D-gentiobioside (11).

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 was a new flavonoid glucoside. On the basis of reported results of the chemical constituents of Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Scutellariae, Cortex Phellodendri and Fructus Gardeniae, it was estimated that berberine,palmatine and jatrorrhizine rised from the Cortex Phellodendri and Rhizoma Coptidis; epiberberine, columbamine and groenlandicine rised from the Rhizoma Coptidis; geniposide and genipin-1-0-beta-D-gentiobioside rised from the Fructus Gardeniae; wogonin-5-0-beta-D-glucuronide methyl ester and wogonoside rised from the Radix Scutellariae.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Solubility ; Water ; chemistry