Microglial surveillance plays an essential role in clearing misfolded proteins such as amyloid-beta, tau, and α-synuclein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. However, due to the complex structure and ambiguous pathogenic species of the misfolded proteins, a universal approach to remove the misfolded proteins remains unavailable. Here, we found that a polyphenol, α-mangostin, reprogrammed metabolism in the disease-associated microglia through shifting glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, which holistically rejuvenated microglial surveillance capacity to enhance microglial phagocytosis and autophagy-mediated degradation of multiple misfolded proteins. Nanoformulation of α-mangostin efficiently delivered α-mangostin to microglia, relieved the reactive status and rejuvenated the misfolded-proteins clearance capacity of microglia, which thus impressively relieved the neuropathological changes in both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease model mice. These findings provide direct evidences for the concept of rejuvenating microglial surveillance of multiple misfolded proteins through metabolic reprogramming, and demonstrate nanoformulated α-mangostin as a potential and universal therapy against neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective:To prepare a drug release system of drug-loaded cross-linked decellularized corneal stromal lenticules and evaluate its drug release characteristics in vitro. Methods:Lenticules were obtained during femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery in Chongqing Aier Ophthalmology Hospital.Decellularized corneal stromal lenticules were prepared using high concentration sodium chloride (NaCl) combining nuclease.The decellularized corneal stromal lenticules were randomly divided into normal group, 0.5% levofloxacin group, 3% levofloxacin group and 5% levofloxacin group, with 4 lenticules in each group.The lenticules did not receive any treatment in the normal group, and drug-loading those were soaked in different doses of levofloxacin solution for three hours according to grouping.In the crosslinking test, 12 decellularized corneal stromal lenticules were randomly divided into non-crosslinking group, 0.01 mmol 1-(3-dimethylamino) propylimine (EDC) group, 0.05 mmol EDC group and 0.25 mmol EDC group.The lenticules for cross-linking were soaked in different contents of mixed solution of EDC with N-hydroxysuccinyl (NHS) for four hours respectively according to grouping, and then in 3% levofloxacin solution for three hours.Only 3% levofloxacin solution soaking was carried in the non-crosslinking group.High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to detect the drug release concentration of the lenticules, and spectral scanning method was performed to measure light transittance of the lenticules.The surface ultrastructure of the decellularized lenticules among different cross-linking groups was examined and compared with scanning electron microscope.The use of the human corneal lenticules was approved by an Ethics Committee of Chongqing Aier Ophthalmology Hospital (No.2019012). Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before surgery.Results:The release concentrations of decellularized corneal stroma lenticules were significantly different at 1 day, 7, 14, and 21 days among 0.5%, 3%, and 5% levofloxacin group ( P<0.05) or also among the 0.01 mmol EDC, 0.05 mmol EDC, and 0.25 mmol EDC cross-linked groups ( P<0.01). The drug release concentrations in 0.05 mmol EDC group were the highest at various time points, and the release time of the three cross-linked groups lasted until 21 days after release concentrations of decellularized corneal stroma lenticules.The drug release concentrations in cross-linked groups and non-crosslinking group were gradually declined with the prolong of drug-loading time, showing a significant difference at different time points ( P<0.05). The transmittance of the lenticules was (88.68±1.19)% and (91.55±1.16)% in the non-crosslinking group and normal group, respectively, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). The average transmittance of the lenticules was significantly reduced in the drug-loaded groups compared with the normal group ( P<0.05). The smaller collagen fiber voids and closely arranged collagen fibers were displayed in the cross-linking groups under the scanning electron microscope with the best effect in the 0.25 mmol EDC group. Conclusions:EDC/NHS cross-linking can improve the drug-loading effect of decellularized corneal stromal lenticules probably by lessening collagen fiber voids.The drug-loaded cross-linked decellularized corneal stromal lenticules have a good drug release effect in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo analyze a fetus with abnormal cardiac ultrasound by using various techniques and explore its genotype-phenotype correlation.

METHODSLymphocytes derived from umbilical cord blood sample were subjected to G-banding analysis. Short tandem repeats quantitative fluorescence PCR (STR-QF-PCR) was used for analysis of fetal DNA as an auxiliary test. Low-coverage whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to detect chromosomal deletion/duplication which exceeded 100 kb in size.

RESULTSThe karyotype of the fetus was 47,XN,+mar. As detected by STR-QF-PCR, the copy number of GATA178F11 locus on chromosome 18 was 4, and the duplicated fragment was derived from the mother. WGS suggested that the fetus to be 46,XN,dup(18p11.21p11.32).seq [GRCh37/hg19](10 001-15 378 887)× 4, with the duplicated fragment spanning approximately 15.38 Mb.

CONCLUSIONThe cardiac malformation of the fetus may be attributed to the partial duplication of chromosome 18p. Combined cytogenetic and molecular methods can facilitate prenatal detection of genetic abnormalities.

Objective To evaluate the necessity and feasibility by using two different PCR-based techniques for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia. Methods 509 specimens for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia were detected respectively by single tube multiplex PCR(STMP),reverse dot blot(RDB)or probe melting curve assay(PMCA)for commonα-thalassemia orβ-thalassemia mutations in double-blind tests. Samples with different detection results were confirmed with DNA sequencing analysis. Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia results were verified or followed up after birth. Results In detectingα-thalassemia andβ-thalassemia,there was one case in STMP + RDB and another case PMCA indicating differentiating results. The detection sensitivity of STMP + RDB was higher than that of PMCA,and its difference can be used as an indication for maternal blood contamination. Conclusion The two PCR methods with different principles were necessary and feasible for the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia. The two methods were complementary to each other ,which can ensure the reliability of the prenatal diagnosis results and reduce the defects of single technique. It is worthy to be popularized in clinical application.

Objective:To study the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B, Bcl-2 associated K and TNF-αproteins to discuss the effects of NF-κB and Bak proteins in the pathogenesis of UC.Methods:Eighty clean grade of adult Sprague-Dawley( SD) rats were used,male and female in half and then rando mly selected sixty as the model group,another twenty as the control group.SD rats model were manufactured by a compound method:Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid ( TNBS )+ethanol.We observed and assessed colonic mucosa by the general morphology and histological changes.To applicated immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR methods to detected the protein and mRNA expression levels of NF-κB,Bak and TNF-αin the model groups and the control group and to analysed their relationships.Results:The successful rate of making model was 97%.The number of inflammatory cells in the model groups more than the control(P<0.01).Group immunohistochemical and RT-PCR,NF-κB and TNF-αproteins and mRNA in UC colon epithelium cells and inflammatory cells were higher than the control(P<0.01).Bak protein in inflammatory cells were lower than the control(P<0.01),but there was no statistical significance in epithelial cells(P>0.05).The expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-αincreased as the histological grade increased(P<0.05),however,the expression level of Bak decreased(P<0.05).NF-κB in colonic mucosa of rats with UC had a significantly positive correlation with that of TNF-α(r=0.892,P<0.01),and negatively correlated with that of Bak(r=-0.793,P<0.01).Conclusion:The levels of NF-κB and Bak may be related to the occurrence and development of UC.

Genotype ; Humans ; beta-Thalassemia

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of acupuncture on the level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in adrenal gland and the content of corticosterone (CORT) in plasma in rats withchronic emotional stress anxiety, and to explore the partial action mechanism of acupuncture on anxiety disorder.

METHODSThirty-two healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, after 7 days of feeding and domestication, were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rats), a model group (11 rats) and an acupuncture group (11 rats). The rats inthe model group and acupuncture group were treated with unpredictable chronic emotional stress (CES) method toestablish the model of anxiety. Rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6)and "Shenmen" (HT 7), once every other day, 30 minutes each time. The model establishment and treatment lasted 15 days. Rats in the blank group were treated with identical immobilization but no treatment was given. Theelevated plus maze was used to test the behavioral changes of rats with anxiety; the level of CORT in plasma wasdetected by ELISA, and the expression level of CNP and ANP in adrenal cortex and medulla was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTS(1) The percentage of open-arms time in total time (OT%) in elevated plus maze in the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank group (P<0. 05); the OT% in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.01). (2) The content of CORT in plasma in the model group was higher than that in the blank group (P<0. 05), while that in the acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0. 05). (3) The expression of ANP in adrenal medulla and cortex in the model group was lower than that in the blank group (P<0. 01), while the expression of CNP in adrenal medulla and cortex in the model group was higher than that in the blank group (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONThe effects of acupuncture against anxiety are likely to be related to the regulation on the expression of ANP and CNP in adrenal medulla, affecting the release of CORT and inhibition on the activity !f hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis).

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adrenal Glands ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anxiety ; blood ; psychology ; therapy ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; blood ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; Corticosterone ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; blood ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Psychological

Studies have found that depression is closely related to the hyperactivity of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which is manifested in increases in HPA axis-related hormones CRH, ACTH and CORT contents. Traditional Chinese medical acupuncture can down-regulate HPA axis levels to produce a marked antidepressant effect. However, at present there is no HPA axis mechanism analysis of the antidepressant effect of acupuncture. From two aspects: the relationship between depression and HPA axis, and clinical and animal mechanism studies of the antidepressant effect of acupuncture by regulating the HPA axis, an analysis has been made to provide a more powerful scientific basis and the idea of further in-depth study for clinical acupuncture treatment of depression.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable, innocuous and sensitive new index to measure cardiac autonomic nervous function. Anxiety disorder is often accompanied by autonomic nerve dysfunction and its main sign is abnormal HRV. Acupuncture can affect HRV indices, correct abnormal HRV and improve cardiac autonomic nerve dysfunction to relieve anxiety. This article sorts out and analyzes recent years’ studies on abnormal HRV in anxiety disorder, the effect of acupuncture on HRV and acupuncture regulation of abnormal HRV in anxiety disorder to provide a therapeutic basis for clinical acupuncture intervention in abnormal HRV in anxiety disorder.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of the probe melting curve analysis‐based PCR assay for the detection of three types of αT .Methods A total of 149 blood and prenatal archival DNA samples (6 of which were amniotic fluid samples)with three knownαT genes ,which included 63 carriers with Hb CS ,22 cases with Hb QS ,43 individuals with Hb WS and 1 double heter‐ozygote with Hb CS and Hb WS) as well as 20 samples with normalα‐globin gene sequence that had been confirmed by RBD com‐bined with DNA sequencing were selected to test the specificity of probe melting curve analysis by blind analysis .Results The probe melting curve analysis accurately detected 100 of the DNA samples previously characterized by S RBD combined with DNA sequencing .Conclusion Probe melting curve analysis‐based PCR assay for the detection ofαT is featured with rapidity and accuracy and can be applied to clinical and prenatal diagnosis .