Correlation analysis of vitamin D level and anti-Müllerian hormone in infertile female and the role in predicting pregnancy outcome / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) among infertile females and their predictive impacts on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer pregnancy outcome.@*METHODS@#Totally 756 infertile females treated with assisted reproductive technology were enrolled and divided into three groups according to their vitamin D levels (group A with serum 25(OH)D≤10 μg/L, group B with serum (10-20) μg/L, and group C with serum ≥20 μg/L). The serum AMH levels were detected. The differences among the groups were analyzed, as well as the correlation between vitamin D levels and serum AMH levels in various infertility types (fallopian tube/male factor, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovulation disorders excluded PCOS, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, and others). Also, the predictive roles of vitamin D and AMH in pregnancy outcome in all the infertile females were discussed.@*RESULTS@#(1) 87.7% of the enrolled females were insufficient or deficient in vitamin D. (2) The serum AMH levels in the three groups with different vitamin D levels were 1.960 (1.155, 3.655) μg/L, 2.455 (1.370, 4.403) μg/L, 2.360 (1.430, 4.780) μg/L and there was no significant difference in serum AMH levels among the three groups (P>0.05). (3) Serum 25(OH)D and AMH levels presented seasonal variations (P < 0.05). (4) There was no prominent correlation between the serum AMH level and serum 25(OH)D level in females of various infertility types after adjusting potential confounding factors [age, body mass index (BMI), antral follicle count (AFC), vitamin D blood collection season, etc.] by multiple linear regression analysis (P>0.05). (5) After adjusting for confounding factors, such as age, BMI, number of transplanted embryos and AFC, the results of binary Logistics regression model showed that in all the infertile females, the serum AMH level was an independent predictor of biochemical pregnancy outcome (P < 0.05) while the serum 25(OH)D level might not act as a prediction factor alone (P>0.05). In the meanwhile, the serum 25(OH)D level and serum AMH level were synergistic predictors of biochemical or clinical pregnancy outcome (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the current diagnostic criteria, most infertile females had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, but there was not significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D and ovarian reserve. While vitamin D could not be used as an independent predictor of pregnancy outcome in infertile females, the serum AMH level could predict biochemical pregnancy outcome independently or jointly with vitamin D.

Quality evaluation of Commelina communis from different origins based on multicomponent content determination combined with chemometrics / 中国中药杂志

This research established a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin in Commelina communis to conduct content difference analysis and quality evaluation of 62 batches of C. communis from different origins. The HPLC content determination was performed on a Dikma Platisil ODS chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid(14∶86) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 348 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The differences in origins and quality of 62 batches of C. communis were studied by chemometrics. The results showed that the determination of four components mani-fested a good linear relationship in the range of mass concentration(r>0.999 9), and the average recovery rate was 96.17%-103.0%. The relative standard deviations(RSDs) of precision, stability, and repeatability were all less than 2.0%. The content of four components from high to low was isoorientin>isovitexin>orientin>vitexin. Forty-seven batches of C. communis with clear origins were classified into six categories by chemometrics. C. communis from different origins had different qualities. Generally, C. communis from Western China, Central China, and South of China had superior qualities. The HPLC method established in this study is specific, simple, and efficient, which provides references for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of C. communis. The chemometrics shows that the qualities of C. communis from different origins are largely different. Isoorientin can be used as an index to determine the content of C. communis, and its content limit should be set no less than 0.023%.

Analysis of C2ORF71 gene variant in a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).@*METHODS@#Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variant in the proband. Candidate variants were determined by taking consideration of clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband and his parents.@*RESULTS@#The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.8G>A (p.Cys3Tyr) and c.958_959insA (p.Arg320Glnfs*29) in the C2ORF71 gene, which has derived from his father and mother, respectively. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the ACMG guidelines, they were predicted to be likely pathogenic and pathogenic, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The novel compound heterozygous variants of the C2ORF71 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RP in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of C2ORF71 gene mutations and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.

Effect of Danggui Shaoyaosan on TLR4/MyD88/JNK Signaling Pathway on Rats with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore<italic> </italic>the efficacy and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan on rats of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. Method:Sixrty SPF SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group，essentiale （0.144 g·kg^-1） and low， middle and high-dose of Danggui Shaoyaosan groups （2.44， 4.88， 9.76 g·kg^-1）. High fat diet were fed to bulid the NAFLD model， and each treatment group was given corresponding drugs at the same time. After 8 weeks， the serum and liver tissue were collected to detect the contents or activities of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartic acid aminotransferase （AST）， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>） and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in serum， the contents of TC， TG and free fatty acid （FFA） in liver tissue， Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to observe the gene and protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid different factory 88 （MyD88） and c-Jun n-terminal kinase （JNK） and the protein expression of phosphorylation JNK（p-JNK） in liver tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Oil red staining to observe the pathological morphological changes of liver. Result:Compared with control group， the contents or activities of TC， TG， ALT， AST and TNF-<italic>α</italic> in serum， the contents of TC， TG and FFA in liver and the gene and protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， JNK， and the protein expression of p-JNK in liver tissue of model group were distinctly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the content of IL-10 was significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， the contents or activities of TC， TG， ALT， AST and TNF-<italic>α</italic> in serum， the contents of TC， TG and FFA in liver and the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88 and JNK， and the protein expression of p-JNK in liver tissue of Danggui Shaoyaosan groups were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the content of IL-10 in serum of Danggui Shaoyaosan groups was distinctly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， HE staining and Oil red staining show that the degree of liver steatosis was alleviated obviously by Danggui Shaoyaosan. Conclusion:Danggui Shaoyaosan has a better treatment on NAFLD by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/JNK pathway and alleviating the inflammation response.

Risk prevention of neuraxial labor analgesia / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

Labor pain threatens the health of mother and infant seriously and it accounts for the biggest part of non-medical indications of cesarean section in our country.Neuraxial labor analgesia is the most effective and commonly used therapy for pain relief during labor and delivery without increasing the rate of cesareansection.However,it can cause some side effects and complications like supine position syndrome,inadequate anesthesia and fever.To strengthen the process management of labor analgesia,clear assignment of responsibility,carring out education and training and developing complication treatment plan are important measures to prevent risks.

Mutation analysis of a family affected with isolated proteinuria / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic features of a family affected with isolated proteinuria.@*METHODS@#Clinical data of the family was collected. Mutations of 191 renal disease-related genes in the proband were screened with next generation sequencing (NGS). Sanger sequencing was used to verify suspected mutations in his family members and 100 healthy controls. The impact of the mutation was predicted with online software SIFT. Frequency of the mutation was searched in databases including 1000 Genomic Project, ESP and ExAC.@*RESULTS@#NGS and Sanger sequencing showed that the proband harbored compound heterozygous mutations of ADCK4 gene including c.748C>G (p.Asp250His) and c.1041G>T (p.Cys347*), which were respectively inherited from his mother and father whom were both non-symptomatic.@*CONCLUSION@#The proband may have ADCK4-associated glomerulopathy due to the compound heterozygous mutations of the ADCK4 gene.

Neuroprotective effects of saffron on chronic focal cerebral ischemia through inhibiting glial scar formation in rats / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To explore the neuro-protective effects of saffron (Crocus satius L.) on chronic focal cerebral ischemia in rats.METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:sham control group,MCAO group,edaravone group and saffron 30,100,300 mg·kg-1groups.Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).Saffron was administered orally by once daily from 2 h to 42 d after ischemia. At 42 d after cerebral ischemia, neurological deficit score, spontaneous activity test,elevated plus maze test,marble burying test and novel objective recognition test were used to evaluate the effects of saffron on the behevioural change. Infarct volume, survival neuron density, activated astrocyte number, and the thickness of glial scar were also detected. GFAP expression and inflammatory cytokine contents in ischemic peripheral region were detected by Western blot and ELISA,separately.RESULTS Saffron(100,300 mg·kg-1)improved the body weight decrease, neurological deficit and spontaneous activity. Saffron (30-300 mg·kg- 1) increased the traveled distance ratio and total time in open arm, decreased the buried marble number, which indicated that saffron could ameliorate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Saffron (100, 300 mg·kg-1)improved the learning and memory function,which manifested by increased discrimination ratio(DR)and discrim-ination index (DI) in T2test. The results of toluidine blue found saffron treatment (100, 300 mg·kg-1) decreased the infarct volume and increased the neuron density in cortex and hippocampal.The activated astrocyte number,the thickness of glial scar and GFAP expression in ischemic peripheral region decreased after saffron. Saffron (100, 300 mg·kg-1) decreased the contents of IL-6 and IL-1β, increased the content of IL-10 in ischemic peripheral region.CONCLUSION Saffron exerted neuro-protective effects on chronic focal cerebral ischemia,which could be related with inhibiting the activation of astrocyte and glial scar,following with the decrease of inflammatory reaction.

Study of laser speckle blood flow imaging based on de-correlation algorithm / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the application of de-correlation algorithm to laser speckle blood flow imaging technique and study the blood flow velocity.Methods The principle and algorithm were analyzed for de-correlation laser speckle blood flow imaging.A laser speckle imaging platform was established,and de-correlation laser speckle blood flow imaging algorithm was used to execute microfluidic target experiment and animal experiment.De-correlation algorithm was applied to obtaining blood flow image and velocity curve of microfluidic target.Cross-correlation curve on the original speckle images were got with cross-correlation algorithm,and the original images corresponding to the peak points were selected to undergo computation with de-correlation algorithm,so that the minute information could be augmented on the blood vessel.Results The de-correlation laser speckle blood flow imaging algorithm could be used to obtain the blood flow information and velocity information during microfluidic target experiment and the animal experiment.Conclusion The de-correlation laser speckle blood flow imaging algorithm is feasible in laser speckle imaging,and has good application prospects.

Effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure on placental development in pregnant mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure on the growth and development of placenta, uterine natural killer (uNK) cell number and angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnant mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From day 1 of pregnancy, pregnant mice were exposed daily to DEHP by oral gavage at 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg for 13 consecutive days. The uterine and placental tissues were then harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemistry to examine the effect of DEHP exposure on the growth and development of the placenta and angiogenesis and uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the mice exposed to 500 mg/kg DEHP, but not those exposed to 125 and 250 mg/kg, showed significantly reduced number of embryo implantation (P<0.05). DEHP exposure significantly increased the rate of abortion. DEHP exposure at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg significantly and dose-dependently lowered the placental weight compared with that in the control group (0.0637±0.0133, 0.0587±0.0176, 0.0524±0.0183 g vs 0.0786±0.0143 g, respectively; P<0.01), and significantly reduced the total area of the placenta and area of spongiotrophoblasts. DEHP exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the number of fetal vascular branches, and collapse and atresia of blood vessels. The mice exposed to DEHP at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg had significantly lowered numbers of uNK cells (83.2±10.3, 60.7±12.4, and 50.4±14.5/HP, respectively) as compared with the control group (105.1±14.2/HP) at the maternal-fetal interface (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DEHP exposure significantly affects the growth and development of the placenta in mice possibly by suppressing angiogenesis and reducing uNK cell number at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy.</p>

Screening of Active Fractions from Huanglian Jiedu Decoction against Primary Neuron Injury after Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the protective effect of active fractions of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on primary cortical neuron injury after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/reperfusion (R) injury. Methods Using macroporous resin method, HJDFE30, HJDFE50, HJDFE75, and HJDFE95 with 30%, 50%, 75%, and 95% alcohol were respectively prepared. Then the content of active components in different HJD fractions was determined with reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The OGD/R injury model was induced by sodium dithionite on primary cortical neurons in neonate rats. MTT assay was used to observe the effect of four fractions (HJDFE30, HJDFE50, HJDFE75, and HJDFE95) and seven index components of HJD on the neuron viability.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RP-HPLC showed active component(s) contained in HJDFE30 was geniposide; baicalin, palmatine, berberine, and wogonside contained in HJDFE50; baicalin, berberine, baicalein, and wogonin contained in HJDFE75. The neuron viability was decreased after OGD for 20 min and reperfusion for 1 h, (P <0. 01), and significantly increased after administered with HJD, HJDFE30, HJDFE50, and HJDFE75 (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Geniposide, baicalin, baicalein, palmatine, wogonside, and wogonin could increase the cortical neuron viability (P <0. 05, P <0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HJDFE30, HJDFE50, and HJDFE75, as active fractions of HJD, had protective effect on primary cortical neuron injury after OGD/R. Furthermore, geniposide, baicalin, and baicalein were main active components of HJD.</p>

Identification of proteins interacting with the circadian clock protein PER1 in tumors using bacterial two-hybrid system technique / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify protein-protein interaction partners of PER1 (period circadian protein homolog 1), key component of the molecular oscillation system of the circadian rhythm in tumors using bacterial two-hybrid system technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human cervical carcinoma cell Hela library was adopted. Recombinant bait plasmid pBT-PER1 and pTRG cDNA plasmid library were cotransformed into the two-hybrid system reporter strain cultured in a special selective medium. Target clones were screened. After isolating the positive clones, the target clones were sequenced and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen protein coding genes were identified, 4 of which were found to contain whole coding regions of genes, which included optic atrophy 3 protein (OPA3) associated with mitochondrial dynamics and homo sapiens cutA divalent cation tolerance homolog of E. coli (CUTA) associated with copper metabolism. There were also cellular events related proteins and proteins which are involved in biochemical reaction and signal transduction-related proteins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Identification of potential interacting proteins with PER1 in tumors may provide us new insights into the functions of the circadian clock protein PER1 during tumorigenesis.</p>

Flow cytometric analysis of circulating microvesicles derived from myocardial Ischemic preconditioning and cardioprotection of Ischemia/reperfusion Injury in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a flow cytometric method to detect the alteration of phenotypes and concentration of circulating microvesicles (MVs) from myocardial ischemic preconditioning (IPC) treated rats (IPC-MVs), and to investigate the effects of IPC-MVs on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Myocardial IPC was elicited by three.cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Platelet-free plasma (PFP) was isolated through two steps of centrifugation at room temperature from the peripheral blood, and IPC-MVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from PFR PFP was incubated with anti-CD61, anti-CD144, anti-CD45 and anti-Erythroid Cells, and added 1, 2 µm latex beads to calibrate and absolutely count by flow cytometry. For functional research, I/R injury was induced by 30-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion of LAD. IPC-MVs 7 mg/kg were infused via the femoral vein in myocardial I/R injured rats. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and ST-segment of electro-cardiogram (ECG) were monitored throughout the experiment. Changes of myocardial morphology were observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The activity of plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was tested by Microplate Reader. Myocardial infarct size was measured by TTC staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total IPC-MVs and different phenotypes, including platelet-derived MVs (PMVs), endothelial cell-derived MVs (EMVs), leucocyte-derived MVs (LMVs) and erythrocyte-derived MVs (RMVs) were all isolated which were identified membrane vesicles (<1 Vm) with corresponding antibody positive. The numbers of PMVs, EMVs and RMVs were significantly increased in circulation of IPC treated rats (P<0.05, respectively). In addition, at the end of 120-min reperfusion in I/R injured rats, IPC-MVs markedly increased HR (P<0.01), decreased ST-segment and LDH activity (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The damage of myocardium was obviously alleviated and myocardial infarct size was significantly lowered after IPC-MVs treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method of flow cytometry was successfully established to detect the phenotypes and concentration alteration of IPC-MVs, including PMVs, EMVs, LMVs and RMVs. Furthermore, circulating IPC-MVs protected myocardium against I/R injury in rats.</p>

Correlation Study on Chinese Medical Syndrome Types of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Patients, Hp, and IL-1β Polymorphism / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between Chinese medical (CM) syndrome types of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) patients and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, polymorphisms of IL-1B, and IL-1β.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 192 CAG patients and 202 healthy subjects (as the healthy control group) were recruited in this case-control study. The Hp infection was tested by 13C-urea breath test and colloidal gold-labeled assay (GICA). The concentration of peripheral blood IL-1β was measured by ELISA. The polymorphisms of IL-1B gene in the promoter region were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pi-Wei weakness syndrome (PWWS) was dominant in CAG patients (31.77%, 61/192 cases). The Hp infection ratio in CAG patients was 53.65% (103/192 cases), of which, Pi-Wei damp-heat syndrome(PWDHS, 64.86%, 24/37 cases) and Gan-Wei disharmony syndrome (GWDS, 66.67%, 24/36 cases) were dominant. Compared with the health control group, the plasma concentration of IL-1β was obviously elevated in CAG patients with PWDHS, GWDS, and static blood obstructing collaterals syndrome (SBOCS) (all P < 0.05). Additionally, there was no difference in the distribution of polymorphisms in the promoter region of IL-1 B gene between the CAG patients and the healthy control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence risk of CAG was not associated with IL-1B polymorphism. But CM syndrome types of CAG patients was associated with Hp infection and peripheral blood IL-1β levels.</p>

Microvesicles derived from hypoxia/reoxygenation-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells impair relaxation of rat thoracic aortic rings / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of microvesicles (MVs) derived from hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat thoracic aortic rings.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>H/R injury model was established to induce HUVECs to release H/R-EMVs. H/R-EMVs from HUVECs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from the conditioned culture medium. H/R-EMVs were characterized using 1 μm latex beads and anti-PE-CD144 by flow cytometry. Thoracic aortic rings of rats were incubated with 2.5, 5, 10, 20 μg/ml H/R-EMVs derived from H/R-treated HUVECs for 4 hours, and their endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) or endothelium-independent relaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was recorded in vitro. The nitric oxide (NO) production of ACh-treated thoracic aortic rings of rats was measured using Griess reagent. The expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS, Ser-1177) in the thoracic aortic rings of rats was detected by Western blotting. Furthermore, the levels of SOD and MDA in H/R-EMVs-treated thoracic aortic rings of rats were measured using SOD and MDA kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>H/R-EMVs were induced by H/R-treated HUVECs and isolated by ultracentrifugation. The membrane vesicles (< 1 μm) induced by H/R were CD144 positive. ACh-induced relaxation and NO production of rat thoracic aortic rings were impaired by H/R-EMVs treatment in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The expression of total eNOS (t-eNOS) was not affected by H/R-EMVs. However, the expression of p-eNOS decreased after treated with H/R-EMVs. The activity of SOD decreased and the level of MDA increased in H/R-EMVs treated rat thoracic aortic rings (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ACh induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of thoracic aortic rings of rats was impaired by H/R-EMVs in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanisms included a decrease in NO production, p-eNOS expression and an increase in oxidative stress.</p>

Application of locomotor activity test to evaluate functional injury after global cerebral ischemia in C57BL/6 mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the application of locomotor activity test in functional injury after global cerebral ischemia (GCI) in C57BL/6 mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>GCI was induced by bilateral carotid arteries occlusion for 30 min in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were divided into sham group, GCI group and minocycline group. Saline or minocycline (45 mg/kg) was i.p. injected once daily for 6 d after ischemia. At Day 6 after ischemia, locomotor activity was recorded for 1 h in open field test. Total distance, central distance, central distance ratio, periphery distance, periphery distance ratio, central time and periphery time were used to evaluate the behavior characteristics of locomotor activity in C57BL/6 mice after ischemia. The survival neuron density was detected by Nissl staining in hippocampus, cortex and striatum.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with sham group, total distance, central distance and central time increased and periphery time decreased in C57BL/6 mice after GCI (Ps<0.05). However, minocycline significantly reduced the central distance and central time and increased the periphery time (Ps<0.05). Neurons were damaged in hippocampus, cortex and striatum after GCI, which manifested by decreased neurons and the most serious damage in hippocampal CA1 region. Minocycline significantly improved the neuron appearance and increased the neuron number in hippocampus and striatum (P<0.001 or P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Locomotor activity in open field test can objectively evaluate the behavior injury after GCI in mice. Central distance and central time can be used as indexes of quantitative assessment.</p>

Influence of object material and inter-trial interval on novel object recognition test in mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of novel object recognition (NOR) test in assessment of learning and memory ability in ICR mice in different experimental conditions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty male ICR mice were randomly divided into 10 groups: 4 groups for different inter-trial intervals (ITI: 10 min, 90 min, 4 h, 24 h), 4 groups for different object materials (wood-wood, plastic-plastic, plastic-wood, wood-plastic) and 2 groups for repeated test (measured once a day or every 3 days, totally three times in each group). The locomotor tracks in the open field were recorded. The amount of time spent exploring the novel and familiar objects, the discrimination ratio (DR) and the discrimination index (DI) were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with familiar object, DR and DI of novel object were both increased at ITI of 10 min and 90 min (P<0.01). Exploring time, DR and DI were greatly influenced by different object materials. DR and DI remained stable by using identical object material. NOR test could be done repeatedly in the same batch of mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NOR test can be used to assess the learning and memory ability in mice at shorter ITI and with identical material. It can be done repeatedly.</p>

Screening of pathogenic genes in Chinese patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable cardiac disease predominantly caused by mutations in desmosomal protein genes. Previous genetic analyses of the Chinese ARVC population are limited to small size and restriction to a single gene. This study was aimed to investigate the genotype in a large series of Chinese patients with ARVC through comprehensively screening nine ARVC-causing genes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 unrelated ARVC patients and 300 age, gender and ethnicity matched healthy controls were genetically tested with multiplexing targeted resequencing for nine previously reported ARVC-causing genes, including plakophilin-2, desmoplakin, desmoglein-2, desmocollin-2, plakoglobin, transforming growth factor beta-3, transmembrane protein 43, desmin and Lamin A/C.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-nine mutations were identified in 64% of the patients, among which, 93% were located in desmosomal protein genes. Plakophilin-2 mutations accounted for 54% of the total and 58% of the desmosomal mutations, with a truncating mutation type making up about 2/3 of the plakophilin-2 mutations. Only four mutations were found in non-desmosomal genes; two in transmembrane protein 43 and two in transforming growth factor beta-3. Two of them (one of each gene) appeared as single missense mutations. No mutation was identified in desmin or Lamin A/C. Multiple mutations were found in 23% of the patients, with plakophilin-2 being found in 57% of the multi-mutation carriers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Plakophilin-2 was the most common gene mutation that was identified in Chinese ARVC patients. Non-desmosomal genes should be added to desmosomal protein genes when performing molecular genetic screening in patients with suspected ARVC.</p>

Comparison of behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs between two strains of mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs between two strains of mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Kunming (KM) and ICR mice were injected intraperitoneally with caffeine (3, 10, 30, 100 mg/kg), ephedrine (3, 10, 30, 100 mg/kg), diazepam (1, 3,1 0 mg/kg) and chloral hydrate (10, 30, 100 mg/kg), respectively. Ten min after injection, the locomotor activity in the open field was recorded for 2 h. The total distance, the distance ratio to total distance and the time in central region were analyzed for each drugs. Thirty min after injection, the latent time in the passive avoidance test was measured in a shuttle box.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Caffeine and diazepam prolonged the latent time, and ephedrine and chloral hydrate decreased the latent time, but there were no differences between the two strains. The two strains of mice exhibited significant differences in the total distance after injection of ephedrine 10 mg/kg, diazepam 3 mg/kg and chloral hydrate 100 mg/kg. Compared to KM mice, ICR mice exhibited an increase in the distance ratio and the time in central region after injection of ephedrine 10-100 mg/kg, but a decrease after diazepam 3-10 mg/kg.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>KM and ICR mice show no differences in latent time, but significant differences in the total distance, the distance ratio and the time in central region in the locomotor activity. Therefore, selection of mouse strains is important in the study of psychoactive drugs.</p>

Protective effect of intranasal cilostazol administration on chronic injury after cerebral ischemia in mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of cilostazol administrated intranasally on chronic injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Focal cerebral ischemia in mice was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Cilostazol was administrated intranasally or intraperitoneally 1 h, 4 h and 7 h after the operation; then twice a day from the second day for 2 weeks. The neurological deficit scoring and the inclined board testing were performed within 35 d after ischemia. The survival rate, infarct volume and neuron density were assessed 35 d after ischemia.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Intranasal cilostazol at 0.3 mg/kg increased the survival rate. Intranasal cilostazol (0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg) and intraperitoneal cilostazol (10 mg/kg) significantly attenuated neurological deficit, reduced infarct volume, and increased the survival neuron density in the border of ischemia region.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cilostazol administered intranasally demonstrates protective effects on chronic cerebral ischemia in mice.</p>

Protective effects of Huanglian-Jiedu-Tang on chronic brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Chinese herb medicine Huanglian-Jiedu-Tang (HJDT) on chronic brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of right middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 15 min. HJDT (at dosage of 2 g/kg or 4 g/kg, qd, orally) was administered for 21 d from d 7 before ischemia until d 14 after ischemia. The sham and ischemic controls were administered with normal saline orally. The neurological deficit scoring and the inclined board testing were performed within 35 d after ischemia. The survival rate, the infarct volume and the neuron density were assessed 35 d after ischemia.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>HJDT increased the survival rate at dose of 4 g/kg; significantly reduced the neurological deficits, infarct volume and cerebral atrophy at doses of 2 and 4 g/kg after ischemia; and significantly increased the neuron density in the ischemic hippocampal CA1 region, striatum and cortex at dose of 4 g/kg but only increase the density in hippocampal CA1 region at dose of 2 g/kg.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese herb medicine HJDT has neuroprotective effects on chronic brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.</p>