Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of clonidine adhesive patch in Tourette syndrome (TS) patients with comorbid attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: This study was conducted on a sample of children and adolescents with TS who had comorbid ADHD between May 2012 and March 2015. The patients were diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, and were randomly assigned to four different dose groups: 1.0 mg/week, 1.5 mg/week, 2.0 mg/week and placebo group, and the symptom was evaluated by Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, Version IV (SNAP-IV) and Yale Global Tic Severity Scale scales every 2 weeks. The primary outcome was tic disorders (TD) effective rate at week 8. Results: One hundred and twenty-seven TS patients with comorbid ADHD in 2.0 mg/week (n=35), 1.5 mg/week (n=27), 1.0 mg/week (n=36) and placebo groups (n=29) were included in this subgroup analysis. The TD effective rate of the 2.0 mg, 1.5 mg, and 1.0 mg groups at week 8 were significantly better than that in placebo group (85.7%, 81.5%, and 86.1% vs. 20.7%, all p<0.0001). All groups demonstrated significant improvements in SNAP-IV total scale scores compared to baseline (p=0.0004), with treatment groups showing only a trend for better performance compared to placebo group at week 8, without statistical differences (22.1±15.41, 21.3±11.96, and 21.2±12.48 vs. 26.0±13.37, p=0.3385). A total of 9 adverse reactions occurred, all recovered spontaneously without additional medication. Conclusion Clonidine adhesive patch could safely and effectively reduce the tic symptoms of TS patients with comorbid ADHD, and might be potentially helpful in the ADHD symptoms control.

Objective To investigate the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (hUC-MSC-EV) in the regeneration of fibrotic liver. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the 70% normal liver resection group (Oil+PHx group), 70% liver fibrosis resection group (CCl₄+PHx group) and 70% liver fibrosis resection+mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (MSC-EV) treatment group (CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group), with 8 mice in each group. LX-2 cell lines were assigned into the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β group and TGF-β+MSC-EV group. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in mice after partial liver resection were detected in each group. The expression levels of liver fibrosis and proliferation-related parameters were analyzed in each group. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in LX-2 cells were detected in each group, and their effects on HGF expression in mouse liver were observed. Results Compared with the Oil+PHx group, the serum levels of AST, ALT and LDH were up-regulated, and the degree of fibrosis was more severe, the positive area of Sirius red and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining was larger, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was up-regulated in the CCl₄+PHx group. Compared with the CCl₄+PHx group, the serum levels of AST, ALT and LDH were decreased, the degree of fibrosis was slighter, the positive area of Sirius red and α-SMA staining was decreased, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was down-regulated in the CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Oil+PHx group, the protein expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were lower in the CCl₄+PHx group. Compared with the CCl₄+PHx group, the protein expression levels of Ki67 and PCNA were increased in the CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the PBS group, the expression level of CollagenⅠ mRNA in LX-2 cells was increased, the expression level of α-SMA protein was up-regulated and the expression level of HGF protein was decreased in the TGF-β group. Compared with the TGF-β group, the expression level of CollagenⅠ mRNA in LX-2 cells was decreased, the expression levels of HGF mRNA and protein were increased, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was decreased in the TGF-β+MSC-EV group, the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The expression level of HGF protein in the CCl₄+PHx group was lower than that in the Oil+PHx group, whereas the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The expression level of HGF protein in the CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group was higher than that in the CCl₄+PHx group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions The regenerative capacity of fibrotic liver is weaker than that of normal liver. hUC-MSC-EV may alleviate liver fibrosis and improve liver regeneration by promoting HGF secretion from actived hepatic stellate cells and effectively enhancing the regenerative capacity of fibrotic liver.

Genetic composition plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Especially, inherited and de novo intronic variants are often seen in patients with ASD. However, the biological significance of intronic variants is difficult to address. Here, among a Chinese ASD cohort, we identified a recurrent inherited intronic variant in the CHD7 gene, which is specifically enriched in East Asian populations. CHD7 has been implicated in numerous developmental disorders including CHARGE syndrome and ASD. To investigate whether the ASD-associated CHD7 intronic variant affects neural development, we established human embryonic stem cells carrying this variant using CRISPR/Cas9 methods and found that the level of CHD7 mRNA significantly decreased compared to control. Upon differentiation towards the forebrain neuronal lineage, we found that neural cells carrying the CHD7 intronic variant exhibited developmental delay and maturity defects. Importantly, we found that TBR1, a gene also implicated in ASD, was significantly increased in neurons carrying the CHD7 intronic variant, suggesting the intrinsic relevance among ASD genes. Furthermore, the morphological defects found in neurons carrying CHD7 intronic mutations were rescued by knocking down TBR1, indicating that TBR1 may be responsible for the defects in CHD7-related disorders. Finally, the CHD7 intronic variant generated three abnormal forms of transcripts through alternative splicing, which all exhibited loss-of-function in functional assays. Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the notion that the intronic variant of CHD7 is potentially an autism susceptibility site, shedding new light on identifying the functions of intronic variants in genetic studies of autism.

Objective:To analyze key aspects in cultural integration for cross-region specialists alliances of closed cooperation, for promoting such integration and identifying efficient operation of the practice.Methods:Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. 192 employees of primary hospitals participated in a questionnaire survey about their personal information and hospital culture self-evaluation on 18th February, 2019. Data so collected were subject to descriptive analysis. On February 21, 2019, the deans of the hospitals were invited for in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions were arranged for 7 doctors from the center hospital who had provided medical support for the primary hospital for more than half and a year, and for 5 doctors and 2 head nurses from the obstetric and neonatal department of the primary hospital respectively. The purpose is to understand the direction, key aspects, achievements and challenges of cultural integration between the two hospitals. Content analysis method was used to study recordings and interview documentation.Results:Employees of the primary hospital had a high satisfaction with indicators of organizational citizenship behavior, and the quality of medical care and team orientation, with the self-rated original scoring for the elements of hospital culture being 3.755, 3.754 and 3.698 respectively. On the other hand, they found insufficiencies in the innovation, poor orientation and incentive mechanism, with the self-rated original scoring for the elements of hospital culture being 3.469, 3.391 and 3.297 respectively. The self-rated total scoring was lower among medical technicians and those with bachelor′s degree or above, which were 3.029 and 3.202 respectively. Hospital culture integration is designed to strengthen technical guidance and care for doctors and patients, and to strengthen cooperation and support in HR training, scientific research innovation and spiritual culture construction. The key to integration is acceptance. The current roadblocks for efficient operation of this model come from medical insurance policy, material resources policy, logistics support, informationization management, personnel training and support and performance management.Conclusions:The cultural integration of cross-region specialists alliances of closed cooperation should be realized through the interactions of values, systems, behaviors and material resources dimensions. Government should play a leading and coordinating role and improve supporting measures.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of glutamine (Gln) supplementation on oxidative stress,autophagy response and neurobehavioral outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods TBI animal models were established using Feeney's method.Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation group (group Sham),Sham + glutamine supplementation group (group Sham+ GLN),traumatic brain injury group (group TBI),and TBI + glutamine supplementation group (group TBI+ GLN).We measured rat behavioral outcomes by modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) tests at day 1,3,7 and 14 after TBI.The apoptosis neurons in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by TUNEL staining.The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was tested by ROS kits.Oxidative stress and autophagy related cytokines (HO-1,NQO1,Nrf2,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1) were tested with Western blotting.Results Compared with the TBI group,the neurological function was improved [(9.79±0.43) vs.(8.43±0.30),F =6.775,P =0.010] and the apoptosis rate decreased (19.88％ ± 1.60％ vs.15.35％ ± 1.28％,P =0.013) in the TBI+ GLN group after 7-day treatment.Compared with the Sham group,the protein expression of ROS increased (P=0.000),and the expression of anti-oxidative stress factors (HO-1,NQO1) and Nrf2 pathway significantly decreased in the TBI group.After glutamine supplementation was given,the expression of ROS decreased and the expressions of HO-1 and NQO1 increased.The Nrf2 pathway and autophagy response also were activated with the expressions of Nrf2,LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 increasing.Conclusion Glutamine supplementation can markedly reduce neuron apoptosis and improve neurological outcomes after TBI,thus has the protective effect on nerves by inhibiting TBI-induced oxidative stress response,activating Nrf2 pathway and autophagy response.

Objective To compare the rates of regimen modification between patients with different initial antiretroviral therapy, and to investigate risk factors associated with drug toxicity-related regimen modification.Methods A two-years retrospective cohort study was conducted in 14 060 patients who initiated antiretroviral treatment with Zidovudine (AZT)/Tenofovir disoproxil (TDF)+Lamivudine (3TC)+Efavirenz (EFV) since 2012.There were 5 126 patients initiated TDF+3TC+EFV therapy (TDF group) and 8 934 patients initiated AZT+3TC+EFV therapy (AZT group).Chi-square test was used to compare the rate of first-line regimen modification and the rate of toxicity-related regimen modification between two groups.Cox proportional hazard model was used to investigate the risk factors associated with regimen modification.Results A total of 14 060 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients were observed for a median period of 1.85 person-years.There were 2 795 patients who changed their initial antiretroviral regimen and the rate of initial regimen modification was 19.9%.Two hundred patients who changed their initial regimen due to pregnancy were excluded.There were 2 070 patients in AZT group who changed their initial regimen with a rate of 23.5%.Among them, 1 652 patients changed their regimen due to drug toxicity and the rate was 18.8%.There were 525 patients in TDF group who changed their initial regimen with a rate of 10.4% and the rate of toxicity-related regimen modification was 6.2%.The differences between two groups were statistical significance (χ2=366.68 and 416.89, respectively, both P<0.01).The risk of regimen modification in AZT group were significantly higher than that in TDF group (aHR=2.89, 95%CI: 2.57-3.24).The risk of toxicity-related regimen modification in AZT group was also significantly higher than that in TDF group (aHR=3.85, 95%CI: 3.34-4.45).Conclusions Patients initiated antiretroviral treatment with AZT+3TC+EFV are more likely to change their initial regimen than those who initiated treatment with TDF+3TC+EFV.Female, age >45 years old, BMI<18.5 kg/cm2 and baseline CD4+ T cell count<200/mL were risk factors associated with regimen modification.

Objective To investigate the effects of glutamine (Gln) supplementation on neurologica severity score,brain edema,neuron apoptosis,and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) response after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods TBI rat models were established using modified Feeney's method.Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups with a random number table:sham operation group (Sham group),TBI group,Gln supplementation group (TBI + Gln group) and ERS inducer 2-deoxy-D-glucose group (TBI +Gln + 2-DG group).We measured the rats' neurobehavioral outcomes by modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) on day 1,3,7 and 14 after TBI.Neuron apoptosis was detected using TUNEL staining.Brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method.The apoptosis-related protein (caspase-12,caspase3,and Bcl-2) and ERS-related cytokines [inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1),C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)] expressions in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot.Results Compared with the Sham group,the levels of brain edema,mNSS,apoptosis-related protein (caspase-12,caspase-3,Bcl-2) and ERS-related proteins (IRE-1,CHOP) were significantly increased in the other three groups (all P =0.00).Compared with the TB1 group,the TBI +Gln group showed significant lower brain water content [3 d:(81.39±0.59)％ vs.(83.54±0.52)％,P=0.04;7 d:(74.86±0.38)％ vs.(77.32±0.66)％,P=0.03],improved mNSS (8.63 ±0.22 vs.10.37±0.29,P=0.03),suppressed expressions of apoptosis-and ERS-related proteins (caspase-12,caspase-3,IRE-1,and CHOP)(P =0.01,P ＜ 0.01),and increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (P =0.02).Compared withthe TBI + Gln group,the expression of ERS-related factors (IRE-1 and CHOP),brain edema level,and neurological severity were increased in the TBI + Glu + 2-DG group.Conclusion Glutamine supplementation may have neuroprotection function,demonstrated as reducing brain edema and neuron apoptosis,and improving neurobehaviroal outcomes after TBI,possibly mediated by inhibiting TBI-induced ERS response.

Objective To investigate the effect of autophagy response on neurological functions and the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods Fifty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group,TBI group and TBI+autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (n=18).TBI animal models of the later two groups were established using Feeney's method.Rats in the sham-operated group were only performed bone window opening without knock;rats in the TBI+3-MA group were given intraperitoneal injection of 3-MA(5 mg/kg) 30 min after modeling and rats in the other two groups were given the same volume of normal saline.Three and 7 d after modeling,the protein levels of S100B and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in serum were tested with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA);modified neurologic severity scale (mNSS) was used to detect the movement,sense and reflex functions;brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method.The autophagy related factors (LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1) and MAPKs signaling pathway related factors (c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK],phosphorylated [p]-JNK,extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]1/2,p-ERK1/2,p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK) protein expressions in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by Western blotting.Results As compared with those in the sham-operated group,the brain edema level,mNSS scores,and S100B and NSE protein levels in the TBI group and TBI+3-MA group were significantly increased (P＜0.05);TBI+3-MA group had significantly lower brain edema level,mNSS scores,and S100B and NSE protein levels than TBI group (P＜0.05).The expression levels of autophagy and MAPKs signaling pathway related factors in the TBI group and TBI+3-MA group were significantly higher as compared with those in the sham-operated group (P＜0.05).As compared with the TBI group,TBI+3-MA group had significantly decreased levels of LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin-1 and activation of JNK and p-p38MAPK signaling pathways (P＜0.05).Conclusion Suppressing autophagy response markedly improves neurological outcomes after TBI,possibly mediated by inhibiting activation of JNK and p38MAPK signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA)supplementation on brain edema,autophagy response and neurobehavioral outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats and the related mechanisms.Methods TBI rat models were established using Feeney's method.Seventy-two SD rats were divided into 4 groups using random number table:sham operation group,TBI group,ω-3 PUFA supplementation group (TBI + ω-3 group) and autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine group (TBI + 3-MA group) (all n =18),each group was further divided into 3 sub-groups (n =6) corresponding to 3 time points (days 1,3,and 7 after TBI).On each of the 3 time points,we measured rat behavioral outcomes with modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) tests;brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method.The mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy-related factors (LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1) in TBI cerebral cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry staining,reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot on day 3 after TBI.Results Compared with the sham group,on days 1,3,and 7 after injuary,the TBI group,the TBI + ω-3 group,and the TBI + 3-MA group had significantly higher mNSS scores (TBI group:12.42±0.27vs.1.34±0.32,12.07±0.27vs.1.16±0.29,10.22±0.39vs.1.22±0.30;TBI+ω-3 group:12.05 ±0.23 vs.1.34 ±0.32,11.38 ±0.21 vs.1.16±0.29,8.20 ±0.21 vs.1.22±0.30;TBI +3-MA group:11.93 ±0.20 vs.1.34 ±0.32,11.09 ±0.19 vs.1.16 ±0.29,7.93 ±0.17 vs.1.22 ± 0.30;all P =0.00) and brain water content [TBI group:(79.82 ± 0.61) ％ vs.(71.87 ± 0.43) ％,(83.04±0.42)％ vs.(72.13 ±0.53)％,(75.12 ±0.72)％ vs.(71.78 ±0.38)％;TBI+ω-3 group:(76.81 ±0.63)％ vs.(71.87 ±0.43)％,(79.39 ±0.59)％ vs.(72.13 ±0.53)％,(73.86 ±0.38)％ vs.(71.78 ±0.38)％;TBI+3-MAgroup:(75.98 ±0.49)％ vs.(71.87 ±0.43)％,(77.14 ±0.46)％ vs.(72.13 ±0.53)％,(72.24 ±0.37)％ vs.(71.78 ±0.38)％;all P =0.00].The mRNA and protein expressions of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in the brain were also significantly higher on day 3 in the TBI group,the TBI + ω-3 group,and the TBI + 3-MA group (all P =0.00).Compared with the TB1 group,on day 3 and day 7 after injury,the TBI + ω-3 group and the TBI + 3-MA group had significantly lower mNSS scores (TBI + ω-3 group:11.38±0.21 vs.12.07±0.27,P=0.04,8.20±0.21 vs.10.22±0.39,P=0.01;TBI+3-MA group:11.09±0.19vs.12.07 ± 0.27,P=0.01,7.93 ± 0.17 vs.10.22±0.39,P=0.00).Ondays1,3,and 7,compared with the TBI group,the TBI + ω-3 group and the TBI + 3-MA group had significantly lower brain water content [TBI + ω-3 group:(76.81 ± 0.63) ％ vs.(79.82 ± 0.61) ％,P =0.04,(79.39 ±0.59)％ vs.(83.04±0.42)％,P=0.01,(73.86±0.38)％ vs.(75.12±0.72)％,P=0.03;TBI+3-MAgroup:(75.98 ±0.49)％ vs.(79.82 ±0.61)％,P=0.01,(77.14 ±0.46)％ vs.(83.04 ±0.42)％,P =0.00,(72.24 ± 0.37) ％ vs.(75.12 ± 0.72) ％,P =0.02].On day 3,the TBI + ω-3 group and the TBI + 3-MA group had significantly reduced LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 mRNA expression compared with the TBI group (TBI +ω-3 group:P=0.04,P =0.01;TBI +3-MA group:P =0.01,P =0.00) and protein expression (TBI+ω-3 group:P=0.01,P=0.03;TBI +3-MA group:both P=0.00).Conclusion ω-3 PUFA supplementation could markedly reduce brain edema and improve neurological functions after TBI,showing a neuroprotective effect,possibly through inhibiting TBI-induced autophagy responses.

Objective To investigate the effect of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway on inflammatory response,neuron apoptosis,brain edema,and neurobehavioral outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.Methods Fifty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operated group,TBI group and JNK inhibitor group (n=18).Rats in the later two groups were established TBI animal models by using Feeney's method; rats in the sham-operated group were only opened the bone window without beating.Half h after TBI,intraperitoneal injection of SP600125 (15 mg/kg) was performed in rats of the JNK inhibitor group,while the same volume of solvent was given to rats in the other two groups.One,3 and 7 d after TBI,rat behavioral outcomes were measured by modified neurologic severity scale (mNSS),brain water content was measured with wet-dry weight method,and apoptosis neurons were detected by TUNEL.Three d after TBI,immunohistochemistry staining was used to determine the apoptosis relative proteins (caspase-3 and Bcl-2 associated X protein [Bax]) expressions in the cerebral cortex,real time PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNFα],interleukin [IL]-1α,IL-1β,IL-6),and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of TNFα,IL-1α,IL-1β,IL-6,JNK and phosphorylation-JNK (p-JNK).Results As compared with those in the sham-operated group,the mNSS scores,brain water content and apoptosis rate in TBI group and JNK inhibitor group were significantly higher 1,3 and 7 d after TBI (P＜0.05); the mNSS scores in the JNK inhibitor group was statistically lower than those in the TBI group 3 and 7 d after TBI (P＜0.05),and significantly reduced brain edema and improved neurobehavioral outcomes were noted in the JNK inhibitor group as compared with those in the TBI group 1,3 and 7 d after TBI (P＜0.05).As compared with the TBI group,the JNK inhibitor group had significantly lower caspase-3 expression and increased Bcl-2 expression.As compared with those in the sham-operated group,the TNFα,IL-1α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA and protein expressions and p-JNK protein expression were significantly increased in the TBI group and JNK inhibitor group,and those in the JNK inhibitor group were statistically lower than those in the TBI group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Suppressing activation of JNK signaling pathway can markedly improve the neurological outcomes after TBI,reduce brain edema and neuron apoptosis,which might be mediated by inhibiting TBI-induced cerebral inflammatory response and reducing the expression of TNFα,IL-1α,IL-1β and IL-6.