WDR62-deficiency Causes Autism-like Behaviors Independent of Microcephaly in Mice / 神经科学通报·英文版

Brain size abnormality is correlated with an increased frequency of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Genetic analysis indicates that heterozygous mutations of the WD repeat domain 62 (WDR62) are associated with ASD. However, biological evidence is still lacking. Our study showed that Wdr62 knockout (KO) led to reduced brain size with impaired learning and memory, as well as ASD-like behaviors in mice. Interestingly, Wdr62 Nex-cKO mice (depletion of WDR62 in differentiated neurons) had a largely normal brain size but with aberrant social interactions and repetitive behaviors. WDR62 regulated dendritic spinogenesis and excitatory synaptic transmission in cortical pyramidal neurons. Finally, we revealed that retinoic acid gavages significantly alleviated ASD-like behaviors in mice with WDR62 haploinsufficiency, probably by complementing the expression of ASD and synapse-related genes. Our findings provide a new perspective on the relationship between the microcephaly gene WDR62 and ASD etiology that will benefit clinical diagnosis and intervention of ASD.

Effects of modified thoracic nerve block on postoperative analgesia and early recovery of breast cancer patients after modified radical mastectomy / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To investigate the effect of modified thoracic nerve block on postoperative analgesia and early recovery of breast cancer patients after modified radical mastectomy.Methods:Sixty female breast cancer patients who were scheduled to undergo modified radical mastectomy in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2019 to December 2019 were selected, and the patients were all American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into three groups: improved group [third rib approach serratus anterior plane block (SAPB)+pectoralis major muscle superficial anterior cutaneous branch of intercostal nerve block combined with general anesthesia, STG group], SAPB combined with general anesthesia group (SG group) and general anesthesia+postoperative intravenous controlled analgesia pump group (GP group), with 20 cases in each group. VAS scores at 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h after surgery, 15-item quality of recovery scale (QoR-15) scores at 1 d before and 24 h after surgery, sleep duration on the night after surgery, intraoperative opioid dosage, the time between stop medication and awakening, postoperative flurbiprofen ester dosage, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, puncture site infection, pneumothorax, infection and other adverse reactions were recorded.Results:The VAS scores at 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h, 24 h in the STG group were lower than those in the SG group and GP group, the VAS scores at 2 h, 12 h and 24 h after surgery in the SG group were lower than those in the GP group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The QoR-15 score at 24 h in the STG group was higher than that in the SG group and the GP group [(137.85±2.81) points vs. (134.80± 2.72) points, (133.80±5.16) points], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The sleep duration on the night after surgery in the STG group and the SG group was longer than that in the GP group [(6.03±0.90) h, (5.48±1.12) h vs. (3.85±1.76) h], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The intraoperative opioid dosage and the time between stop medication and awakening in the STG group and the SG group were lower than those in the GP group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The postoperative flurbiprofen ester dosage and the incidence rates of nausea, vomiting and dizziness in the STG group were lower than those in the SG group and the GP group, and the SG group was lower than the GP group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:The modified thoracic nerve block can relieve early postoperative pain, reduce the amount of intraoperative opioids, and improve the quality of patients' early recovery without increasing adverse reactions.

Investigation of microbial community involved in fermentation of Massa Medicata Fermentata / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to clarify the microbial diversity, dominant species and the change of community structures in the fermentation of Liushenqu(Massa Medicata Fermentata), and explore the material foundation of its pharmacodynamics effect. On the basis of standardizing the fermentation process, Massa Medicata Fermentata was prepared by screening and optimizing the recipes and the standard formula issued by the Ministry. The community structure and growth process of fungi and bacteria in the samples at five time points(0, 17, 41, 48, 65 h) in the fermentation process of Massa Medicata Fermentata were analyzed by using isolation and culture of eight different media and high-throughput DNA sequencing technology. The results indicated that the samples of the two recipes pre-sented high microbial diversity at the initial fermentation stage, with Aspergillus spp. as the dominant species. As the fermentation process goes forward, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and Rhizopus oryzae soon became dominant species from 17 h after fermentation commencement point to the fermentation end, while the other species were inhibited at a lower level from 17 h. The species diversity of bacteria in the initial fermentation samples was also high, and Enterobacter was the dominant species. Enterobacter cloacae, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Cronobacter sakazakii became dominant bacterial species 17 h after fermentation commencement, while the species diversity was decreased. Our results will be a scientific basis for promoting the fermentation process of Massa Medicata Fermentata by using pure microbial cultures.

Study on Protective Effect of Huayu Qutan Decoction on Vascular Dementia / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the protective effect of Huayu Qutan decoction on vascular dementia (VD) gerbils and to explore whether its mechanism is related to Calcium ion-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ)/cyclic adenosine effect element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway. Method: Forty healthy gerbils were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, low, medium and high dose groups (5.35, 10.7, 21.4 g·kg-1) of removing blood stasis and expelling phlegm. Eight gerbils in each group were divided into model group and removing blood stasis and expelling phlegm group. Gerbils were given corresponding drugs twice a day after operation. Water maze experiment was conducted 21 days later to investigate the spatial learning and memory ability of gerbils. The expression of p-CaMKⅡ/CaMKⅡ, p-CREB/CREB and BDNF in the hippocampus of gerbils were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Result: Compared with sham operation group, the incubation period and the number of platform trips of gerbil in the model group were significantly reduced, p-CaMKⅡ/CaMKⅡ, p-CREB/CREB, and BDNF protein expression were significantly reduced (PPPConclusion: Huayu Qutan decoction improves the learning and memory abilities of gerbils with vascular dementia, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of CaMKⅡ/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.