OBJECTIVE To study the effects of the Mongolian medicine Sugemule-4 on the metabolism of insomnia rats， and to preliminarily explore its possible mechanisms for improving insomnia. METHODS The rat model of chronic stress insomnia was established by tail clipping stimulation and intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenyl alanine solution. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， diazepam group （positive control， 0.92 mg/kg）， and Sugemule-4 group （5.2 g/kg）， with 6 rats in each group. Since the 7th day of tail clipping stimulation， the Sugemule-4 group and diazepam group began to be intragastrically administered with relevant medicine； the normal group and model group were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of distilled water， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. The learning and memory abilities of rats were tested using a water maze experiment， and the non-invasive sleep activity monitoring system was used to monitor the 24- hour sleep time of rats. A metabolomics study was conducted on rat serum and hippocampal tissue by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The multivariate statistical analysis method was adopted to analyze the differential metabolites in serum and hippocampal tissue of rats， and screen for differential metabolites and metabolic pathways among those groups. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the escape latency of rats in the model group was significantly increased， the times of crossing platforms were significantly reduced， and the percentage of average 24-hour sleep time was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the levels of the above indicators were significantly reversed in the diazepam group and Sugemule-4 group （P＜0.05）. Metabolomics studies found that a total of 9 differential metabolites were identified in rat serum and hippocampal tissue， including 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid， canine urate， canine urinary quinolinic acid， 5-hydroxytryptamine， phenol sulfate， 1-carboxyethyltyrosine， 3-（4-hydroxyphenyl） lactate， N-acetyl tyrosine， tyrosine and phenol sulfate， mainly involving 2 metabolic pathways of tryptophan and tyrosine.CONCLUSIONS Sugemule-4 can improve the sleep time and behavioral performance of insomnia rats， and its mechanism may be associated with affecting amino acid metabolic pathways such as tryptophan and tyrosine.

Polycomb chromobox (CBX) proteins regulate gene transcription by maintaining chromatin states, which guide a variety of biological processes. Now, epigenetic regulation of innate immune response is an emerging field. However, the role of CBX proteins in innate immunity remains unclear. We confirmed that the expression of CBX family proteins, especially Cbx2, was decreased in macrophages upon viral infection, and then we investigated the role of Cbx2 in the antiviral immune response. Silencing or knockdown of Cbx2 in macrophages inhibited virus-induced production of IFN-β. Furthermore, heterozygous Cbx2 knockout were susceptible to VSV challenge. Mechanistically, Cbx2 binds to and recruits Jmjd3 to the Ifnb promoter, leading to demethylation of H3K27me3 and increased transcription of IFN-β. Together, our study reveals a non-traditional function of a Cbx protein and adds new insight into the epigenetic regulation of antiviral innate immunity.

Objective: Alport syndrome was an inherited kidney disease caused by the mutation of COL4A3, COL4A4, or COL4A5. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect the mutations on these genes for the molecular diagnosis of Alport syndrome. Methods: A 6-year-old girl found accidentally with microscopic hematuria at the age of 4. The clinical data and blood sample of the family including proband, parents, brothers, and sisters were collected. Whole exome sequencing was conducted using their genomic DNAs. Results: A novel heterozygous frameshift mutation c.1826delC (p.Pro609Glnfs*44) was found in the exon 25 of the COL4A4 (NM_000092) in the proband, the father, and the sister, showing an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of Alport syndrome. This mutation of COL4A4 was confirmed by mutation analysis, and the mutation of c.1826delC was verified by Sanger sequencing. No mutations on COL4A3 and COL4A5 were detected in this family. And the mother and brother are normal wide-type. Conclusions This novel mutation is a valuable addition to the current genetic profile of Alport syndrome, and provide us a better understanding of the disease. Whole-exome sequencing is a power tool to identify the novel mutations of inherited disease and contribute to the molecular diagnosis of disease.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of fixation of distal radius fracture with dorsal instability with locking compression plate (LCP) via radial approach.Methods From September 2009 to October 2012, 21 cases underwent LCP fixation of the distal radius fracture with dorsal instability via radial approach.The study included 14 males and 7 females (mean age, 54.5 years;range, 38-81 years).Twelve cases were injured in traffic accidents, 7 in falls and 2 in high falls.Fracture AO classification was type A3 in 10 cases, type C1 in 8 cases and type C2 in 3 cases.Two cases (one type A3 and one type C1) had malunion.When the lateral column, intermediate column, radial edge and dorsal plane were exposed by radial incision, LCP fixation with bone grafting was performed to restore the height of radial styloid process, ulnar deviation and palmar tilt.According to the GartlandWerley score, wrist joint function was evaluated.Results Mean duration of follow-up was 13.5 months (range, 12 to 24 months).Stage Ⅰ bone union was shown on X-rays, with the healing time of 7.5 weeks.Based on the X-rays at postoperative 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, the shortening of radial styloid process was ≤ 2 mm, mean volar tilt was 12.5°(range, 8°-17°) , mean ulnar tilt was 20.5° (range, 15°-26°), and step-off or gap of the articular surface was ≤ 2 mm.In postoperative wrist motion assay, mean volar flexion was 60°(range, 30°-70°), mean dorsal flexion was 55° (range, 30°-65°), mean radial deviation was 17°(range, 10°-20°), mean ulnar deviation was 25.5° (range, 20°-30°),pronation was 65.5° (range, 60°-70°) , and mean supination was 75.5° (range, 60°-80°).Mean grip strength was 75％ (60％-95％)of the contralateral side.Two cases suffered from pain (one complained of moderate pain and one minor pain occasionally).According to the Gartland-Werley score, 16 cases were rated excellent, 2 good, 2 fair and 1 poor, with the excellent rate of 86％.No complication was found as injury of the superficial branch of radial nerve, infection, nonunion, nail loosening, medium neuritis and tendon injury.Conclusions Lateral column, intermediate column, radial edge and dorsal plane can be shown via the radial approach.LCP fixation combined with bone grafting contributes to fracture anatomical reduction.