While multiple step saccades (MSS) are occasionally reported in the healthy population, they are more evident in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, MSS has been suggested as a biological marker for the diagnosis of PD. However, the lack of clarity on the neural mechanism underlying the generation of MSS largely impedes their application in the clinic. We have proposed recently that MSS are triggered by the discrepancy between desired and executed saccades. Accordingly, brain regions involved in saccadic planning and execution might play a role in the generation of MSS. To test this hypothesis, we explored the role of the prefrontal (PFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in generating MSS by conducting two experiments: electroencephalographic recording and single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation in the PFC or PPC of humans while participants were performing a gap saccade task. We found that the PFC and PPC are involved in the generation of MSS.
Humans ; Parietal Lobe/physiology* ; Saccades/physiology* ; Prefrontal Cortex/physiology* ; Male ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Female ; Electroencephalography ; Adult ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the longitudinal association of plasma Irisin concentrations with changes in blood pressure (BP) levels among children,and to assess the moderating effect of physical activity (PA) or sedentary behavior (SB) on the relationship between Irisin levels and BP. Methods: Based on a cohort study, a cluster sampling method was used to select 3 651 school aged children from five schools in Guangzhou in 2017 at the baseline survey and follow up in 2019. Both at baseline and during follow up, PA and SB were assessed by validated questionnaires, and BP levels were measured by an electronic sphygmomanometer. A final sample of 521 children were enrolled based on the PA and SB at baseline. Plasma Irisin concentrations were measured by ELISA at baseline. Logistic regression analysis was recruited for exploring the associations of plasma Irisin concentrations with changes in BP. Moderating effects of PA and SB on the relationship between Irisin concentrations and BP were estimated using stratified analysis. Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated that there was no significant association between Irisin concentrations and changes in BP levels among children ( OR =0.98, P >0.05). After stratification for SB, Irisin levels in the low SB subgroup were inversely associated with changes in diastolic blood pressure ( OR=0.87, 95%CI=0.77-0.98, P =0.02). In addition, SB level had a moderating effect on the relationship between Irisin levels and the DBP changes ( P =0.01). Conclusion Increased Irisin concentration is associated with the decrease of DBP level among low SB children. Furthermore, SB level shows moderating role in the relationship between Irisin concentrations and changes in DBP levels.

AIM: To explore the possible mechanism of Radix Tetrastigma (RT) on anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The rat model of RA was established by intradermal injection of complete Freund]s adjuvant into the right hind foot of SD rats. RT Extract with different dosage was continuous intragastric administration for 3 weeks, then, the degree of foot swelling, arthritis index score, joint heat and grip of each rat was measured respectively. ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of Interleukin (IL) 6, IL-17, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and rheumatoid factor. Fully automatic hemorheometer was applied to measure hemorheology indexes. The number of CD4

Objective To evaluate the effect and mechanism of cysteine rich protein 61, namely CCN family member 1(CCN1) on the survival of adipose tissues in rats after autologous fat grafting. Methods At 1 week after the establishment of autologous fat grafting rat models, all animals were randomly divided into the CCN1 group (n=20) and control group (n=20). The survival of fat grafts, the morphology of fat graft tissues, the proportion of active adipocytes and the number of new blood vessels of rats were statistically compared between two groups. The levels of differential expressed messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the fat graft tissues of rats were compared between two groups by high-throughput sequencing and subsequently subject to cluster analysis. The expression levels of related proinflammatory cytokines of fat graft tissues of rats were statistically compared between two groups. Results The weight retention rate of adipose tissues in the CCN1 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In the CCN1 group, the integrity of adipocytes was considerably higher, the degree of vesiculation and vacuolation, the degree of inflammatory cell aggregation and the degree of fibrosis were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.000 1). Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the proportion of active adipocytes with uniform morphology was higher in the CCN1 group, whereas the proportion of active adipocytes was lower and the cells were observed in different sizes accompanied by vesiculation in the control group. Compared with the control group, the quantity of new blood vessels was significantly higher, and the expression levels of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) mRNA were remarkably higher in the CCN1 group (all P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that the data at the transcriptome levels significantly differed between two groups. In the CCN1 group, the gene expression levels of cell surface markers, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines related to M1 macrophages tended to decline. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) revealed that the mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1 and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 in the CCN1 group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01-0.05). Conclusions During autologous fat grafting, supplement of exogenous CCN1 may effectively promote the neovascularization of adipose tissues and improve the survival rate of fat graft probably by mediating the transformation of macrophages into M2 phenotype via down-regulating the TLR2 expression level.

Objective: To examine the association of sedentary behaviors with visual acuity among primary school children, and to provide a reference basis for the prevention and control of poor vision. Methods: Using stratified random cluster sampling method, a total of 4 969 students in grade 1-4 were selected from 5 primary schools in Guangzhou in 2017, and then were followed up in 2019. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on children s sedentary behaviors, including doing homework, watching TV, playing computer/video games, and taking the bus/car between home and school. Visual acuity was measured in the baseline and the follow up using a 5 m standard logarithmic visual acuity chart. Multiple linear regression and Logistic regression were conducted to analyze the relationship between sedentary behaviors and visual changes. Results: The two year cumulative incidence of poor vision was 48.74%. Homework time was inversely associated with visual acuity of left eye( β=-0.012, 95%CI =-0.023- -0.002 ). Homework time was positively correlated with poor vision( OR =1.16, 95% CI =1.05-1.27). However, total sedentary time, screen time and bus/car time were not statistically associated with changes in visual acuity( P >0.05). Conclusion Increased homework time was associated with poorer vision in primary school students. Interventions to reduce the academic burden should be taken.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and pathogenic genes of a family with osteosclerosis. Methods: Six patients and six family members from a family in Jiangsu were tested for biochemical parameters, bone metabolic markers, bone mineral density, thoracolumbar anterior lateral slices, skull positive lateral radiographs, and pelvic plain films. Meanwhile, Sanger sequencing was performed to detect gene mutations of the proband and five other family members with high bone mass. The conformation of the mutational low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) protein was predicted by SWISS-MODEL. Results: Four adult patients (one male and three females) were tall, with mandibular enlargement and kyphosis in the center of the lower jaw, and none of the four had fractures. Their X ray examination revealed that the skull and long bone cortex was thickened, while the sella and mandible was enlarged. In addition, the absolute values of bone mineral density at each site of all patients were significantly higher as compared with the standard age- and sex-matched adults or adolescent mean reference values, with Z scores of L2-4, femoral neck and total hip being (6.31±4.03) SD, (6.56±2.36) SD, and (7.19±2.03) SD, respectively. The results of genetic sequencing revealed that all six patients carried a heterozygous mutation (c.331G>T; D111Y) in exon 2 of LRP5 gene, while other family members showed wild type (c.331G>G; D111D). Functional prediction indicated that this mutation was located at the amino acid terminal of exon 2 of LRP5 gene, which encodes the first β-helix-generating region of LRP5 protein. Conclusion The D111Y mutation in LRP5 gene leads to a clinical phenotype characterized by benign increased bone mineral density without increasing the risk of fracture. This mutation may further affect the downstream Wnt signaling pathway by altering the spatial structure of LRP5 protein, thereby promoting maturation and differentiation of osteoblasts and resulting in osteosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to explore the relationship of MS with screen time (ST) among children aged 6-13 years in Guangzhou, China. Methods: A total of 4 523 children aged 6-13 from 5 primary schools in Guangzhou were selected using stratified random cluster sampling method. Questionnaire was used to assess children’s basic demographic characteristics and ST. Children’s height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured objectively, and their blood glucose, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were tested. -Chi-square test was performed to compare the prevalence of MS in children among different ST levels. Logistic regression model was used to explore the association between ST and MS. Results: The prevalence of MS in children was 2.4%, and that among boys (3.0%) was higher than in girls (1.7%, P=0.01). children were classified into three groups according to duration of ST: low ST (less than 1 h), moderate ST (1-2 h), high ST (higher than 2 h, 9.0% of total participants). Prevalence of central obesity, triacylglycerol and MS in high ST group was significantly higher than children with low ST(P<0.05). Children with high level of ST showed higher risks of central obesity (OR=1.43, 95%CI=1.04-1.96) and MS (OR=1.94, 95%CI=1.11-3.40) compared with low-level ST group. Conclusion Higher level of screen time associates with an increased risk of MS in children, which suggest the importance of effective early intervention.

Objective To assess the relationship between plaque burden (PB) and area strain (AS) by intravascular ultrasonic elastography (IVUSE).Methods Forty purebred New Zealand rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet.And the abdominal aorta endothelium was balloon-injured after 2 weeks.At the end of the 12th week,2 plaques with moderate echo from each rabbit were chosen for in situ imaging,and 2 consecutive frames near the end-diastole images in situ were used to construct an IVUS elastogram.Cross-sectional external elastic membrane area (EEMare),lumen area (Lumenarea),plaque area (PA),PB,external elastic membrane volume (EEMvolume),lumen volume (Lumenvolume),plaque volume (PV),plaque volume burden (PVB),maximal plaque thickness (Tmax) and minimal plaque thickness (Tmin),eccentric index (EI),remodeling index (RI) and AS were measured and calculated,respectively.According to the PB,the plaques were divided into low PB group (PB≤40 ％) and high PB group (PB＞ 40 ％).The differences of all above parameters between the two groups were compared,and the relationship between the plaque morphological and mechanical parameters were analyzed.Results PA,PV,PB,PVB,Tmin,Tmax,Lumenarea,Lumenvolume and EI were different between the 2 groups (all P＜0.01).On stepwise multiple regression analysis,the regression equation were built,(Y)=-6.921+10.430X1 +12.207X2((Y):AS,X1:EI,X2:PB,R2 =0.272,P＜0.001).After eliminating the effect of EI on the AS,the lower PB group had obviously smaller AS than higher PB group (P =0.010).Conclusion The PB has effect on plaque mechanical stability.The plaques with higher burden are more vulnerable than those with lower burden.

Objective To assess the relationships between area strain (AS) and eccentric index (EI) of atherosclerotic plaques as seen by intravascular ultrasonic elastography (IVUSE),and to reveal the effect of EI on the plaques stability.Methods Forty purebred New Zealand rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet;the abdominal aorta endothelium was balloon-injured after 2 weeks;at the end of week 12,2 plaques with moderate echo from each rabbit were chosen for in situ imaging,and 2 consecutive frames near the end-diastole images in situ were used to construct an IVUS elastogram.Results The eccentric plaques showed significantly greater area stain (AS) than the centripetal plaques [4.77(2.92,8.01)% vs 3.27(2.15,4.82)%,P=0.029] with smaller plaque area and plaque burden (P<0.05).The plaque AS was positively correlated with EI (r=0.392,P=0.003).The eccentric plaques showed significantly greater AS in the shoulder than in body [4.98(3.17,8.48)% vs 4.64(2.51,5.92)%,P=0.008].Conclusions The EI is one of influential factors on plaque AS.Eccentric plaques may be more vulnerable than centripetal plaques,especially in the shoulder of eccentric plaques which have greater AS than their body.

Objective:To establish an optimal extraction technology for gastrodine in Tianma Gouteng decoctions. Methods: An orthogonal design with extract yield and gastrodine concentration as the indices was carried out to observe the influence of the extraction time, water amount and extract times on the extraction result. Results:The extract times showed significant influence on the extraction percentage of gastrodine. The best extraction parameters were as follows:adding 12-fold water and decocting 3 times with 1. 5h for each time. Conclusion:The established extraction process is feasible, which can be used in the preparation of the effective part for Tianma Gouteng decoctions with gastrodine concentration as the index.