Vascular cognitive impairment(VCI)includes a range of illnesses from mild cognitive impairment to dementia,attributable to cerebrovascular factors.Although appropriate animal models are needed to allow clinicopathological research and drug development,there are currently no animal models that can perfectly simulate the pathogenesis of VCI.At present,carotid artery and vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion are the main method for VCI modeling;however,increasing numbers of non-surgical method have recently emerged,providing new ideas and prospects for the study of this disease.In this paper,we consider the construction method,model mechanisms,and model characteristics of non-surgical animal models of VCI,to provide a reference to help researchers choose the most suitable animal model.

Ginsenoside Rc,a dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenoid saponin primarily derived from Panax ginseng,has garnered significant attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties.This review outlined the sources,putative biosynthetic pathways,extraction,and quantification techniques,as well as the pharmacokinetic properties of ginsenoside Rc.Furthermore,this study explored the pharmaco-logical effects of ginsenoside Rc against metabolic syndrome(MetS)across various phenotypes including obesity,diabetes,atherosclerosis,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,and osteoarthritis.It also highlighted the impact of ginsenoside Rc on multiple associated signaling molecules.In conclusion,the anti-MetS effect of ginsenoside Rc is characterized by its influence on multiple organs,multiple targets,and multiple ways.Although clinical investigations regarding the effects of ginsenoside Rc on MetS are limited,its proven safety and tolerability suggest its potential as an effective treatment option.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus with hydrocephalus. METHODS: The fetus was found to have hydrocephalus upon ultrasonography duringthe second trimester. Following induced abortion, fetal tissue was collected for the extraction of DNA and whole exome sequencing.Sanger sequencing was used to verify the suspected variants in the family. RESULTS: The fetus was found to harbor a hemizygous c.620A>G (p.Tyr207Cys) variant of the L1CAM gene (OMIM 308840),for which his mother and sister were heterozygous carriers. The same variant was not found in his father, uncle and grandparents.Based on the standards and guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PM1+PM2+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION The hemizygous c.620A>G (p.Tyr207Cys) variant of the L1CAM gene probably underlay the hydrocephalus in this fetus.
Adult ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus/genetics* ; Male ; Mutation ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Objective To observe the effect of combining acupuncture with transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating post-stroke dysphagia of oral stage.Methods Thirty-nine stroke survivors with dysphagia of oral stage were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=19) and a control group (n =20).Both groups were given basic supportive treatment and rehabilitation,including rTMS for 4 weeks.The experimental group additionally received acupuncture.Modified barium swallowing impairment profiles (MBSImPs) and oral transit time (OTT) were used to assess both groups after the intervention.Results There were no significant differences between the two groups before the treatment.After the treatment the average MBSImP score (8.26±2.92) and OTT (12.79±2.54)s were significantly better in the experimental group compared to before the treatment and compared to the control group's averages.In the control group a significant improvement was observed only in the average MBSImP score (10.60±4.09),but not in the average OTT.Conclusions Acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has positive effects on poststroke dysphagia of the oral stage.It is worthy of application and popularization.

The mechanism underlying CD4CD25Foxp3regulatory T cells (Tregs) promoting the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) was elucidated in the present study. Forty-eight cases of colorectal carcinomas, 22 cases of colon polyps and 21 cases of normal colorectal tissues were collected. The correlation among Foxp3, IL-10 and Stat3, and the clinical relevance of these three indexes were analyzed. The results showed that the levels of Foxp3 expressed in infiltrating CD4CD25Foxp3Tregs, and IL-10 and Stat3 in CRC tissues were all significantly higher than those in polypus tissues and normal colon tissues (P< 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the expression level of Foxp3 was positively correlated with Stat3 at mRNA level (r=0.526, P=0.036), and was positively correlated with IL-10 at protein level (r=0.314, P=0.030). The Foxp3 expressed in CD4CD25Foxp3Tregs was correlated with the histological grade, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of CRC (P<0.05 for all). The IL-10 expression was correlated with the histological grade and TNM stage (both P<0.05). The Stat3 expression was correlated with the lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (both P<0.05). It was concluded that CD4CD25Foxp3Tregs can inhibit tumor immunity in combination with some other related inhibitory cytokines and that Foxp3 expression in CD4CD25Foxp3Tregs correlates with CRC progression.
Adult ; Aged ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; pathology ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity ; genetics ; Interleukin-10 ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; immunology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

Objective To observe the effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke. Methods 146 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into trial group (n=73) and control group (n=73). The trial group accepted Three-in-one Acupuncture, while the control group accepted rehabilitation, for 4 weeks. They were assessed with Neurological Deficit Score (NDS), Functional Comprehensive Assessment (FCA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment. They were followed up for a year. Results The NDS decreased since 7 days after treatment in the trial group (P<0.05), while it decreased since 21 days in the control group (P<0.05). The NDS was less in the trial group than in the control group 7 and 14 days after treatment (P<0.05). The FCA score increased since 21 days after treatment in both groups, and the BI score increased since 14 days after treatment in both groups (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference between the trial group and the control group (P>0.05). The rate of improvement was 87.9% in the trial group, similar with 84.1% in the control group (P>0.05). The recurrence rate was 11.54% in the trial group, less than 25.49% in the control group in a year (P<0.05). Conclusion Three-in-one Acupuncture is as effective as rehabilitation on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, more quickly and with less recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of genes (CYP17, CYP19 and SULT1A1) involved in estrogen metabolism and susceptibility to breast cancer in Chinese women.

METHODSA case-control study was performed. PCR-base restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and short tandem repeat polymorphism (STRP) assays were used to detect the polymorphism distribution of CYP17, CYP19 and SULT1A1 in 213 breast cancer cases and 430 matched controls. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the OR, multivariate adjusted OR and 95% CI of each and all three genes and estrogen exposure factors on the risk of breast cancer. Relationship between polymorphisms and clinic-pathological features was also assessed.

RESULTSThe frequency of A2 allele of CYP17 was 49.8% in cases and 49.1% in controls (P > 0.05). The frequency His allele of SULT1A1 in cases (13.6%) was significant higher than that of controls (9.5%) (P = 0.03). There was also significant difference in the frequencies of (TTTA)10 allele CYP19 which was 12.4% in cases and 8.2% in controls (P = 0.02). Multigenic model indicated that there was an increased risk of breast cancer with more numbers of high-risk genotypes in a dose-response effect (trend P = 0.05). Data from multivariate analysis showed that the allele of SULT1A1 His and CYP19 (TTTA)10 was positively associated with the risk of breast cancer. Other well-established risk factors as higher estrogen exposure including total years of menstrual, early menarche etc, and women with a higher BMI and WHR were all served as independent risks.

CONCLUSIONThis study indicated that the polymorphisms of estrogen-metabolizing genes were related to breast cancer.

Aromatase ; genetics ; Arylsulfotransferase ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the impacts of denervation on the morphology and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) of prostate of the adolescent rats.

METHODSAdolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into group A and group B. The right pelvic ganglion denervation was performed in group B with the help of surgical microscope, and group A received a sham operation. Five weeks later, the ventral prostates were obtained for morphologic observation, apoptosis detection and the evaluation of nNOS expression.

RESULTSA 30.8% reduction of right ventral prostate (RVP) fresh weight was found in group B. After denervation, histological features showed an overall decrease in the numbers of cells and cell height, and apoptosis indexes (AI) was significantly higher than that in group A (P <0.01), while the expression of nNOS decreased apparently (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe study indicates that denervation can cause apoptosis of the prostatic, and affect the prostate growth of the adolescent rat. During this process, nNOS plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Denervation ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; biosynthesis ; Prostate ; cytology ; innervation ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation

BACKGROUNDEndogenous estrogen plays a very important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of breast cancer. The enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of estrogen have been proposed to contribute to this effect. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of genes responsible for estrogen biosynthesis (CYP17, cytochrome P450c17a and CYP19, aromatase cytochrome P450) and estrogen sulfation of inactivation (SULT1A1, sulfotransferase1A1) and the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women.

METHODSThis study involved 213 breast cancer patients and 430 matched controls. PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and short tandem repeat polymorphism (STRP) assays were used to detect the mononucleotide transition of CYP17 and SULT1A1 and tandem repeat polymorphism of CYP19. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine OR and 95% CI of each and all three high-risk genotypes, of all three genotypes combined, and of estrogen exposure factors. The relationship between each high-risk genotype and clinicalpathological characteristics were also assessed.

RESULTSThe frequency of A2 allele of CYP17 was 49.8% in cases and 49.1% in controls (P = 0.82). The frequency of His allele of SULT1A1 was significantly higher in cases (13.6%) than in controls (9.5%) (P < 0.05). There was also significant difference of the (TTTA) 10 allele of CYP19 which was 12.4% in cases and 8.2% in controls (P < 0.05). When the CYP17 A2 allele, CYP19 (TTTA) 10 and SULT1A1 His allele were considered as the "putative high-risk" genotype, there was an increased risk of breast cancer with the number of high-risk genotypes in a dose-response effect (trend, P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the SULT1A1 genotype remained the most significant determinant for breast cancer, with OR = 2.37 (95% CI 1.23-4.74), followed by CYP19, with OR = 1.75 (95% CI 1.27-3.56). The (TTTA) 10 allele of CYP19 was associated with tumor size, and the His allele of SULT1A1 associated with status of lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSThis study supports the hypothesis that breast cancer can be initiated by estrogen exposure and that estrogen metabolizing genes are involved in this mechanism. This multigenic model is useful for identifying individuals who are at higher risks of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aromatase ; genetics ; Arylsulfotransferase ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics