Genetic analysis of an infant death due to a paternally derived FOXF1 somatic-gonadal mosaic variant / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the genetic characteristics and cause of death for an infant with alveolar capillary dysplasia and pulmonary vein misalignment (ACD/MPV).@*METHODS@#An infant with ACD/MPV diagnosed at the Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University in September 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the infant were collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to detect genetic variants in the skin tissue, and Sanger sequencing was performed for verifying the candidate variants in the parents. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to determine the mosaicism ratio of the variant in different germ layer-derived samples from the father.@*RESULTS@#The infant had died within 2 days after birth due to hypoxemia and respiratory distress. WES revealed that she has harbored a c.433C>T nonsense variant in exon 1 of the FOXF1 gene, which was unreported previously. Sanger sequencing has verified the variant in the infant, with her mother's locus being the wild-type and a minor variant peak noted in her father. ddPCR indicated that the mosaic ratio of the c.433C>T variant in the father's sperm was 27.18%, with the mosaic ratios of the variant in tissues originating from the three germ layers ranging from 11% to 28%.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.433C>T variant derived from the paternal germline and somatic mosaicism of the FOXF1 gene had probably predisposed to the neonatal death of this infant. ddPCR is an effective method for detecting mosaic variants.

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products inhibits myocardial fibrosis of ischemia/reperfusion mice / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effect of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) on inflammation in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion ( I/R ) mice and its mechanism. Methods Myocardial I/R injury model was conducted by left anterior descending ligation for 30 minutes and reperfusion for 2 weeks in male C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks. The mice were randomly divided into four groups with five C57BL/6 mice in each group. The cardiac function was detected by echocardiography, the inflammatory cells infiltration was observed by HE staining, the myocardial fibrosis was detected by Masson and Sirius red staining, the expression of galectin-3 was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with the sham group, the cardiac function decreased, the inflammatory cells infiltrated increased among the myocardial tissue, the percentage of myocardial fibrosis area increased, and the expression of galectin-3 increased in I/R groups. After exogenous sRAGE treatment, the cardiac function of mice was significantly improved, the inflammatory cells infiltration decreased, the myocardial fibrosis area decreased, and the expression of galectin-3 decreased as well. Conclusion sRAGE may reduce inflammatory cells infiltration in mice heart by inhibiting the expression of galectin-3, and then alleviating myocardial fibrosis during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Effect of sleep duration and quality on hypertension incidence in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence of hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and elderly people, and to explore the association of sleep duration and sleep quality with the incidence of hypertension. Methods Our data were collected from the 2011 and 2015 China health and retirement longitudinal study(CHARLS),a total of 6 047 middle-aged and elderly individuals aged 45 years and over were included in this study, sleep duration were measured as self-reported average sleep time in the past month. Sleep quality was evaluated using the self-made questionnaire. The association of sleep duration and sleep quality with the incidence of hypertension was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results After four years of follow-up,1 151 peoples developed hypertension, and the cumulative incidence rate was 19.03%. Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal sleep time or poor sleep quality had no effect on the incidence of hypertension. The results remained unchanged in the subgroup analysis of sex and age. Further investigation of the association of different combinations of sleep duration and quality in relation to hypertension indicated that the combined effect of sleep time and sleep quality on hypertension was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Conclusion There is no sufficient evidence supporting correlation between sleep time and sleep quality with the incidence of hypertension in the middle-aged and the elderly in China, and age and sex had no effect on the correlation.

A Cross-sectional Study of Cancer Knowledge and Beliefs Among Faith-based Chinese in the USA Versus Taiwan / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined cancer knowledge, beliefs, and practice among faith-based Chinese in the USA versus Taiwan to gain better understandings on how environment and culture might play a role for tailored cancer education programs. METHODS: A self-administered survey included a validated 10-item Cancer Screening Belief Scale (CSBS), an 8-item Cancer Screening Knowledge Test (CSKT), and a 14-item cancer Warning Signs Test (CWST) was administered. Participants were recruited from 9 Chinese churches (5 in the USA and 4 in Taiwan). RESULTS: A total of 372 Chinese participated, 50% lived in the USA and 50% in Taiwan. Mean age was 44.31 (standard deviation, 14.74), 60% males, and majority had college education (85%). Taiwan participants scored higher on both CSKT (6.13 vs. 5.52; p < 0.001) and CWST (6.80 vs. 5.38; p < 0.001). Although perceived screening benefits and barriers were similar, Taiwan participants endorsed higher on screening norms (11.67 vs. 10.82; p < 0.001). Taiwan participants also indicated more doctor recommending cancer screenings (42.1% vs. 29.6%; p=0.015), USA participants were more likely to have had annual health exams (65.4% vs. 48.9%; p=0.002). Regression results showed that those resided in the USA were 2.38 times more likely to report annual health exams. Married status (odds ratio [OR], 2.85), college education (OR, 2.38), doctor’s recommendation (OR, 2.87), no family cancer history (OR, 2.47), and those with lower barriers were significant factors on annual health exams. CONCLUSIONS: Taiwan participants scored higher on cancer knowledge and screening norms, while more USA participants reported annual health exams. Taiwan’s universal healthcare might play a role on the different healthcare seeking patterns.

A Cross-sectional Study of Cancer Knowledge and Beliefs Among Faith-based Chinese in the USA Versus Taiwan / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES@#This study examined cancer knowledge, beliefs, and practice among faith-based Chinese in the USA versus Taiwan to gain better understandings on how environment and culture might play a role for tailored cancer education programs.@*METHODS@#A self-administered survey included a validated 10-item Cancer Screening Belief Scale (CSBS), an 8-item Cancer Screening Knowledge Test (CSKT), and a 14-item cancer Warning Signs Test (CWST) was administered. Participants were recruited from 9 Chinese churches (5 in the USA and 4 in Taiwan).@*RESULTS@#A total of 372 Chinese participated, 50% lived in the USA and 50% in Taiwan. Mean age was 44.31 (standard deviation, 14.74), 60% males, and majority had college education (85%). Taiwan participants scored higher on both CSKT (6.13 vs. 5.52; p < 0.001) and CWST (6.80 vs. 5.38; p < 0.001). Although perceived screening benefits and barriers were similar, Taiwan participants endorsed higher on screening norms (11.67 vs. 10.82; p < 0.001). Taiwan participants also indicated more doctor recommending cancer screenings (42.1% vs. 29.6%; p=0.015), USA participants were more likely to have had annual health exams (65.4% vs. 48.9%; p=0.002). Regression results showed that those resided in the USA were 2.38 times more likely to report annual health exams. Married status (odds ratio [OR], 2.85), college education (OR, 2.38), doctor’s recommendation (OR, 2.87), no family cancer history (OR, 2.47), and those with lower barriers were significant factors on annual health exams.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Taiwan participants scored higher on cancer knowledge and screening norms, while more USA participants reported annual health exams. Taiwan’s universal healthcare might play a role on the different healthcare seeking patterns.

Analysis of autoantibody screening results of different gestational thyroid / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To discuss the effect of autoantibodies positive on maternal and infant combined with literature by investigating the positive rate of different gestational thyroid autoantibodies,so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.Methods A total of 549 cases of pregnant women were divided into early pregnancy group (178 cases),middle pregnancy group(192 cases),late pregnancy group (179 cases).The level of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb),thyroglobuhn antibody (TGAb),thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb),thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined by electrochemiluminescence.And compared with 200 healthy people (control group).Results The positive rate of TPOAb was 18.54％ (33/178),the positive rate of TGAb was 19.66％ (35/178),the positive rate of TRAb was 0.56％ (1/178) in early pregnancy group.The positive rate of TPOAb was 15.62％ (30/192),the positive rate of TGAb was 16.15％ (31/192),the positive rate of TRAb was 0.52％ (1/192) in middle pregnancy group.The positive rate of TPOAb was 16.20％ (29/179),the positive rate of TGAb was 16.76％ (30/179),the positive rate of TRAb was 0.56％ (1/179) in late pregnancy group.The median TPOAb TGAb and the positive rate in early pregnancy group was higher than that in middle pregnancy group,late pregnancy group and control group,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).The median TPOAb,TGAb and the positive rate in middle pregnancy group was higher than that in late pregnancy group and control group,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion More attention should be paid to gestational thyroid autoantibodies incidence,take the necessary intervention should be of high risk pregnant women.

Solution space of pharmacokinetics and its application on mice brain with 18F-FECNT / 中华核医学杂志

Objective To forward the concept of solution space of pharmacokinetics for studying radiophannaceutical distributions in animal models. Methods On the basis of special solutions of differential equations of pharmacokinetics, the solution space was established using the characteristics of linearly independent particular solutions and used to express the pharmacokinetics of pharmaceuticals in vivo. 0. 2 ml (7.4 MBq) 2β-carbomethoxy-3β- (4-corophenyl)-8-(2-18F-fluoroethyl) nortropane (18F-FECNT) was injected through tail vein into normal mice. The mice were sacrificed by decapitation at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min post-injection. Brain tissues were removed and weighed, and radioactivity was counted with the γ-counter. The solution space theory was used to study pharmacokinetics of 18F-FECNT in brain tissues of mice. Results The result showed that all solutions of pharmacokinetics models, based on differential equations, were included in the solution space. The solution of any organ or tissue could be linearly expressed by bases of the solution space. When the dimension number of the solution space was no more than 3, the solution could be directly expressed with coordinate picture. By this rule in our theory, the quantity of 18F-FECNT in brain tissues of mice changed with time, which was accorded with the experiment. The coordinates of striatum, frontal cortex, temporal cortex, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in the solution space were ( 10.13, 1.49), (4.27, 0. 84), (4.48, 0.81 ), (2.89, 0.98), (3.65, 0. 83),(3.55, 0. 98) and (2.03, 1.25 ), respectively. Conclusion The theory of solution space could be used to study pharmacokinetics of 18 F-FECNT in mice brain.

Identification of factors associated with YMDD mutation in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving lamivudine treatment / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify factors associated with YMDD mutation in patients with chronic hepatitis B before and after lamivudine treatment in Zunyi region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>53 patients with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled in this study, HBV DNA,HBV markers, ALT, AST, TBil, albumin in the serum were examined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after lamivudine treatment. HBV genotype and YMDD mutation were determined by sequencing before lamivudine treatment. YMDD mutation was checked again if serum HBV DNA rebound to more than 1 x 10(4) copies/ml after the initial decrease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HBV genotype in Zunyi region is constitute of B, C and B+C genotype. YMDD mutation occurred in 18 cases after lamivudine treatment, the rate of YMDD mutation was 15.1%, and 34.0% after 1 year and 2 years treatment. There are four types of mutation: rtL180M/M204V, rtL180M/M204I, rtM204I, rtL180M. rtM204V mutation in C gene was always accompanied by rtL180M mutation (100%). The rate of rtL180M/M204V mutation in genotype C group was significantly higher than that in genotype B group (77.8% to 25.0%), the same was true for the rtL180M/ M204I mutation (22.2% to 12.5%). There was no point mutation in genotype C group. The point mutation of rtM204I and rtL180M appeared only in genotype B group. Gender, nation, family history of hepatitis B and HBeAg were not associated with YMDD mutation (P more than 0.05), while the mutation rate was associated with the disease course and severity of disease. YMDD mutation did not occur in patients with low HBV DNA level (less than 10(5) copies/ml).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YMDD mutation after lamivudine therapy is associated with HBV genotype and P gene mutation type, and prolonged treatment increases the the mutation rate. In order to reduce the incidence of YMDD mutation, patients with shorter disease course, lower HBV DNA level, more serious liver damage should be treated with lamivudine.</p>

HPV caused pathological changes in genital system of mice / 病毒学报

The recombined adenovirus DNA was transfected into 293 cells for packing and amplification of replication-deficient Ad-CMV-E6/E7, Ad-K14 -E6/E7 virus was purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation , recombined adenovirus Ad-CMV-E6/E7, Ad-K14 -E6/E7 were used as experimental group, while pAd-CMV and pAdtrack-K14 were used as control group. Four of them were injected through one main vein of nude mice tail respectively. These mice were then treated with 0.05 mg 17beta-estradiol over 12 weeks. Mice were anaesthesiaed with 2.5% Avertint and the vagina, mammary gland, ovaries and uterus were dissected and fixed in 3.75% paraformaldehyde overnight at 4 degrees C. Paraffin-embedded sections, HE staining and identification of P53 and Bcl-2 protein via immunohistochemistry were performed. The expression of E6/E7 was verified by RT-PCR in different tissue of nude mice. HE staining showed evident hyperplasy in cervix-uterus transformation zone of experimental group 2. The expression of mutant P53 and Bcl-2 were higher than control group via immunohistochemical S-P method in uterus stroma-cell. Western blotting also showed that E6 protein was expressed. The expression of E6/E7 was higher than control group by human cytokeratin promoter 14 and hyperlasy changes were detected in epithelial tissue of cervix-uterus transformation zone.

Effect of phalloidin on electrophysiological changes induced by stretch of myocardial infarcted hearts in rats / 生理学报

The present study aimed to explore whether the stretch of ischemic myocardium could modulate the electrophysiological characteristics via mechanoelectric feedback (MEF), as well as the effect of phalloidin on the electrophysiological changes. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (n=9), phalloidin group (n=7), myocardial infarction (MI) group (n=9), MI + phalloidin group (n=7). The acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was conducted by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 30 min in isolated rat heart. The volume alternation of a water-filled latex balloon in the left ventricle produced the stretch of myocardium. After perfused on Langendorff, the isolated hearts were stretched for 5 s by an inflation of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mL separately and the effect of stretch was observed for 30 s, including the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), ±dp/dt(max), monophasic action potential duration at 90% repolarization (MAPD90), and occurrence of premature ventricular beats (PVB) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). The stretch caused an increase of MAPD(90) in both control and MI rats (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, MAPD(90) in MI group increased more significantly than that in the control group at the same degree of stretch (P<0.05, P<0.01). Phalloidin (1 μmol/L) had no effect on MAPD(90) in basal state. After stretch, MAPD(90) in phalloidin group slightly increased but was not significantly different from that in the control group. However, phalloidin reduced MAPD(90) in infarcted myocardium, especially when ΔV=0.3 mL (P<0.05). The incidence rates of PVB and VT in MI group were higher than that in the control group (both P<0.01). And there was no significant difference in the incidence rates of PVB and VT between phalloidin group and control group. Phalloidin inhibited the occurrence of PVB and VT in infarcted hearts (both P<0.01). LVSP and +dp/dt(max) in MI group obviously decreased (P<0.01 vs control). With application of phalloidin, LVSP slightly, but not significantly increased in infarcted hearts, while -dp/dt(max) significantly increased (P<0.05). It is suggested that MI facilitates the generation and maintenance of malignant arrhythmias, while phalloidin obviously inhibits the occurrence of arrhythmias.

Toxicity of acrylamide on male reproduction / 中华男科学杂志

Acrylamide is a common chemical material, extensively used in industry and scientific experiments. Recently, it has been reported that starchy food cooked at high temperature can produce acrylamide. Acrylamide monomer has several toxic effects and the extensive concern for its toxicity has arisen with the finding of acrylamide formation in some processed foods. Researches have shown that acrylamide monomer can cause reproductive toxicity, including toxic effects on male reproductive behavior, male reproductive endocrine function and spermatogenesis. The mechanisms may include the effects of acrylamide on Leydig cells, the formation of motor protein/ chromosomal/DNA alkylation and damage by oxidative stress.

Subchronic exposure to acrylamide affects reproduction and testis endocrine function of rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of subchronic exposure to acrylamide on the reproduction and testis endocrine function of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of equal number, exposed to acrylamide at the dose of 0, 4, 10 and 18 mg/(kg x d) respectively for 9 weeks, and then subjected to the determination of the hindlimb landing foot splay, sperm vitality and morphology, the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the testis homogenate, and the levels of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in the serum and testis homogenate. Based on the primary Leydig cell culture models exposed to acrylamide of 0, 0.1, 0.75, 4 and 8 mmol/L, the activity of Leydig cells was measured by the CCK-8 method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Following acrylamide exposure, the hindlimb landing foot splay increased markedly with dose increase (P < 0.01). The rates of sperm vitality were (6.86 +/- 5.46)%, (65.43 +/- 5.16)%, (60.86 +/- 4.26)% and (46.86 +/- 2.73)% in the exposed groups, significantly lower than in the control (P < 0.01); the rates of abnormal sperm were (39.00 +/- 10.95)%, (35.43 +/- 7.54)%, (45.71 +/- 13.28)% and (56.71 +/- 17.01)%, significantly increased in the 10 and 18 mg/(kg x d) groups (P < 0.05); ACP activities were (82.93 +/- 11.05), (73.52 +/- 8.77), (77.67 +/- 3.04) and (68.56 +/- 3.09) U/g prot, showing a decreasing tendency, while ALP activities were (0.96 +/- 0.15), (1.07 +/- 0.22), (1.12 +/- 0.22) and (0.74 +/- 0.10) U/g prot, displaying a tendency of first increasing and then decreasing. Both ACP and ALP activities were inhibited significantly in the 18 mg/(kg x d) group as compared with the control (P < 0.05). A marked reduction was noted in T levels in the serum, (13.44 +/- 4.76), (7.69 +/- 3.84), (5.23 +/- 1.42) and (1.36 +/- 0.86) ng/ml, as well as in the testis homogenate, (4.95 +/- 1.64), (3.01 +/- 0.76), (2.44 +/- 0.91) and (0.85 +/- 0.49) ng/mg prot, (P < 0.01), but no significant changes were observed in 17beta-E2 levels. After 24 hours exposure to acrylamide, the optical densities were 0.82 +/- 0.06, 0.56 +/- 0.07, 0.44 +/- 0.06, 0.26 +/- 0.03 and 0.45 +/- 0.21, showing an evident inhibition of the activity of Leydig cells at the dose of 0.1, 0.75, 4 and 8 mmol/L (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Subchronic exposure to acrylamide could affect the normal development of sperm, cause changes of the activity of some enzymes in the testis and significantly influence hindlimb motor coordination. Acrylamide directly damages Leydig cells and affects the endocrine function of the testis.</p>

Effect and mechanism of recombinant hirudin on fibrinolysis / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the effect of recombinant hirudin (rH) on tPA-induced fibrinolysis and the possible mechanism of its action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of rH on thrombin-fibrin complex (Th-Fn) was detected by 99mTc labeled rH. In the in vitro clot lysis, tPA as plasminogen activator, and recalcified plasma as plasminogen resource were used to study the influence of rH on fibrinolysis by detecting TAFIa, D-Dimer and FXIII.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In a canine model of femoral artery thrombosis, a clear radioactivity strip was imaged in 30 - 60 min on a part image, and the femoral vein thrombosis developed at 30 min. rH efficiently inhibited clot regeneration. Addition of TM could inhibit clot lysis obviously, and CPI could shorten the delay of clot lysis which due to TAFIa. There was a dose-dependent relationship with TM concentration and TAFI activation. FXIII activation was inhibited by low concentration of rH ( < or = 0.2 u x mL(-1)), and the level of fibrinolysis product, D-Dimer, increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>rH could inhibit the thrombin binding to fibrin. rH inhibited the activation of TAFI and FXIII by combining with thrombin which resulted in enhancement of thrombolysis.</p>

Study on rapid generation of dendritic cells from K562 cell line induced by A23187 alone / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore a simple, rapid and efficient way to generate dendritic cells from leukemic cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>K562 cells were cultured with calcium ionosphere A23187 alone, A23187 plus GM-CSF, or a DC differentiation cocktail consisting of GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-alpha, respectively. The expression of surface markers of induced DCs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The K562-DCs stimulating the proliferation of allo-genetic naive T cells and inducing cytotoxicity of T cells were determined by MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Microscopic examination revealed that under all the three culture conditions, K562 cells became displaying DC morphology. At 72 hours in the two culture systems containing A23187, there were higher proportions of cells with dendritic morphology [(69.5 +/- 17.2)% and (73.1 +/- 13.9)%, respectively] than that in the cocktail system [(28.5 +/- 12.3)%] (P < 0.05). And the same did when cultured for 7 days [(69.5 +/- 17.2)%, (73.1 +/- 13.9)% respectively vs (51.2 +/- 10.7)%, P < 0.05]. In the 7-day cultures, the percentage of CD1a expressing cells was lower [(8.2 +/- 2.3)% and (10.3 +/- 5.1)% vs (17.2 +/- 1.6)%, respectively] while the CD83 expressing cells was higher [(85.6 +/- 8.8)% and (82.4 +/- 9.1)% vs (77.4 +/- 12.9)%, respectively] compared with that in the cocktail system (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the allogeneic T cell proliferation response and induced T cell cytotoxicity between A23187 containing and cocktail groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A23187 treatment is a simple, rapid and efficient in vitro strategy for inducing dendritic cell from leukemic cells.</p>

Effects of lactation, lactation-cessation and lactation-cessation-lactation paradigms on hypothalamic orexin-A immunoreactive neurons in rats / 生理学报

Orexin-A is a novel neuropeptide produced by neurons mainly located in lateral hypothalamic area that potently facilitates appetite and food intake. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible change in orexin-A immunoreactivity in suckling-induced hyperphagia. By using immunohistochemistry and image analysis techniques we examined orexin-A-like immunoreactivity in a series of rat brain sections corresponding to the hypothalamus in groups of non-lactating, lactating, lactating with overnight cessation of suckling, lactating and cessation followed by resumed short-term sucklings. Long-term lactation significantly increased daily food intake on day 3 (81%) and day 11 (180%) postpartum compared to that in non-lactating postpartum rats, whereas daily food intake was significantly decreased by overnight cessation of suckling on day 11 postpartum in long-term lactating rats (45%). Moreover, long-term lactating rats on day 12 postpartum exhibited significantly greater number and higher mean staining intensity of orexin-A immunoreactive neurons than those of non-suckling postpartum rats (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). Overnight cessation of lactation in rats on day 12 postpartum significantly decreased both the number and mean staining intensity of orexin-A immunoreactive neurons compared to those in long-term lactating group of rats (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively), similar to the levels in the non-lactating postpartum rats. Resumed lactation for 2 and 5 h after overnight cessation of lactation significantly increased the number (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively) and mean staining intensity (P<0.05) of orexin-A immunoreactive neurons compared to those in the rats without resumed lactation. Both long-term lactation and short-term resumed suckling enhanced orexin-A immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus in rats, and overnight cessation of lactation down-regulated the increased orexin-A immunoreactivity induced by long-term lactation. Suckling may regulate orexin-A expression in the hypothalamus and the increased orexin-A may be involved in hyperphagia in lactating rats, suggesting the possibility of the existence of some neural-humoral links between suckling and hypothalamic orexin-A-immunoreactive neurons.

The treatment with allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for benzene-induced severe aplastic anemia / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of treatment with allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for benzene-induced severe aplastic anemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HLA-compatible sibling (pregnancy) allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (Allo-PBSCT) was successfully performed for a patient with severe aplastic anemia caused by benzene poisoning. 9.41 x 10(8) nucleated cells/kg, 12.49 x 10(6) CD(34) positive cells/kg and CFU-GM 8.2 x 10(5)/kg were infused. The patient was treated with cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg), total body radiation (8 Gy) and anti-lymphocyte globulin (60 mg/kg) before transplantation. Donor buffy coat cells (9.02 x 10(8) nucleated cells/kg, 10.62 x 10(6) CD(34) positive cells/kg, 6.3 x 10(5) CFU-GM/kg) were infused again on day 18 after transplantation to prevent from graft failure. Graft versus host disease prophylaxis consisted of both methotrexate and cyclosporin A.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lowest ANC was 0, the lowest platelet was 3 x 10(9)/L after transplantation. The patient achieved an ANC of greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L from 21st day, and the platelet of greater than 50 x 10(9)/L from 28th day after transplantation. Grade I cGVHD was found the fourth month after grafting. Examination of recipient's bone marrow cells showed a normal 46, XX (presumably marrow donor) karyotype. Blood group changed from B to O.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first case reported in China showing a successful treatment of benzene-induced severe aplastic anemia with allo-PBSCT. Allo-PBSCT may be an effective remedy for this kind of patients.</p>