Sleep, circadian rhythm and gut microbiota: alterations in Alzheimer's disease and their potential links in the pathogenesis.

ABSTRATCIn recent years, emerging studies have observed gut microbiota (GM) alterations in Alzheimer's disease (AD), even in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Further, impaired sleep and circadian patterns are common symptoms of AD, while sleep and circadian rhythm disruption (SCRD) is associated with greater ß-amyloid (Aß) burden and AD risk, sometimes years before the clinical onset of AD. Moreover, reports have demonstrated that GM and its metabolites exhibit diurnal rhythmicity and the role of SCRD in dampening the GM rhythmicity and eubiosis. This review will provide an evaluation of clinical and animal studies describing GM alterations in distinct conditions, including AD, sleep and circadian disruption. It aims to identify the overlapping and distinctive GM alterations in these conditions and their contributions to pathophysiology. Although most studies are observational and use different methodologies, data indicate partial commonalities in GM alterations and unanimity at functional level. Finally, we discuss the possible interactions between SCRD and GM in AD pathogenesis, as well as several methodological improvements that are necessary for future research.

One-Stage, Limited-Resection Epilepsy Surgery for Bottom-of-Sulcus Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether 1-stage, limited corticectomy controls seizures in patients with MRI-positive, bottom-of-sulcus dysplasia (BOSD). METHODS: We reviewed clinical, neuroimaging, electrocorticography (ECoG), operative, and histopathology findings in consecutively operated patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy and MRI-positive BOSD, all of whom underwent corticectomy guided by MRI and ECoG. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients with a median age at surgery of 10.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 6.0-14.1) years were included. BOSDs involved eloquent cortex in 15 patients. Eighty-seven percent of patients had rhythmic spiking on preresection ECoG. Rhythmic spiking was present in 22 of 24 patients studied with combined depth and surface electrodes, being limited to the dysplastic sulcus in 7 and involving the dysplastic sulcus and gyral crown in 15. Sixty-eight percent of resections were limited to the dysplastic sulcus, leaving the gyral crown. Histopathology was focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIb in 29 patients and FCDIIa in 9. Dysmorphic neurons were present in the bottom of the sulcus but not the top or the gyral crown in 17 of 22 patients. Six (16%) patients required reoperation for postoperative seizures and residual dysplasia; reoperation was not correlated with ECoG, neuroimaging, or histologic abnormalities in the gyral crown. At a median 6.3 (IQR 4.8-9.9) years of follow-up, 33 (87%) patients are seizure-free, 31 off antiseizure medication. CONCLUSION: BOSD can be safely and effectively resected with MRI and ECoG guidance, corticectomy potentially being limited to the dysplastic sulcus, without need for intracranial EEG monitoring and functional mapping. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that 1-stage, limited corticectomy for BOSD is safe and effective for control of seizures.

Karyotype and evolutionary trend analysis of Scutellaria species in Jinyun mountain, Chongqing / 中国中药杂志

Traditional squash method was used to analyze chromosome number and karyotypes of four Scutellaria species in Chongqing Jinyun Mountain Natural Reserve： Scutellaria tsinyunensis, S.yunnanensis, S.franchetiana and S.indica.The result showed that the chromosome numbers were 26 except for S.franchetiana, which had 24 chromosomes.These species were all diploid with metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes.Their karyotypes were symmetrical and primitive.The karyotype formula of S.tsinyunensis is 2n=2x=26=24m+2sm, 1B type, As.k=55.28%; the karyotype formula of S.yunnanensis var.salicifolia is 2n=2x=26=26m, 1B type, As.k=56.11%; the karyotype formula of S.franchetiana is 2n=2x=24=20m+4sm, 2B type, As.k=58.50%; the karyotype formula of S.indica is 2n=2x=24=20m+4sm, 2B type, As.k=58.41%.The results were compared with the reported data of S.baicalensis and S.alaschanica.S.alaschanica is expected to be the most advanced one whereas S.tsinyunensis, and S.yunnanensis var. salicifolia primitive.These results are expected to provide some references to the origin and differentiation of genus Scutellaria.

Effects of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid on seed germination and seedling photosynthetic characteristics of Belamacanda chinensis / 中草药

Objective: To increase the resistance of Belamacanda chinensis seeds and seedlings under the salt stress Methods: We used 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to treat B. chinensis seeds under salt stress (100 mmol/L NaCl). And several physiological indexes of the seeds were measured, such as the proportion of seed germination and the photosynthetic characters of the seedling. Results: The seeds had been damaged heavily by the salt stress (100 mmol/L NaCl); After being treated by ALA (25-100 mg/L), several physiological indexes of the seeds had been recovered, among which the effect of 75 mg/L ALA treatment was the most significant, and every index reached the maximum. The ALA could increase the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids significantly, and enhance the maximum fluorescence (Fm), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII, Fv/Fm), PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv'/Fm'), PSII actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), while decrease the levels of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) coefficient and heat dissipation rate (HDR) significnatly. The proportion of ALA absorbed light in photochemistry (P) was obviously increased, and the fraction of antenna pigment heat dissipation (D) and excess energy (E) for NPQ indicated downtrend. Conclusion: This experiment proved that exogenous ALA could improve the seed germination rate, improve the content of seedlings photosynthetic pigment, promote the reasonable energy distribution, reduce the dissipation of excess excitation energy, improve the efficiency of photosynthetic electron transport, effectively alleviate the damage of seedling, caused by the salt stress, and improve the resistance ability of stress of plant.

Study on relieving effects of exogenous SNP, Spd on Belamcanda chinensis under salt-alkalline stress / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed to provide the theoretical basis for exploiting and utilization of salt-alkaline soil and cultivating Belamcanda chinensis. In this study, we exerted exogenous substances SNP, Spd to relieve the damage of the mixing salt-alkaline stress on B. chinensis seedling which is NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 four kinds of salt molar ratio of 9: 1: 9: 1, salt concentration of 100 mmol x L(-1). The result illustrated that high pH stress is a major factor caused the salt-alkaline stress, the interaction between time and the concentration of each, treatment was observed, what is more, there are synergies between the salt and alkali stress. The content of B. chinensis seedling leaves' membrane peroxidation index (MDA, O2-*) and metabolites (soluble protein, soluble sugars, organic acids) are showing an upward trend in varying degrees under 100 mmol x L(-1) salt-alkaline stress. It is effective to reduce the content of MDA and O2-*. and improve the levels of metabolites, in which the SNP (0.05 mmol x L(-1)) and Spd (0.5 mmol x L(-1)) to alleviate damage effects is the best. Therefore we can hold the conclusion that SNP and Spd can effectively mitigate the damage of B. chinensis seedling on salt-alkaline stress, improve the resistance ability of B. chinensis seedling which can provide the scientific basis for the utilization of salt-alkaline soil, and the cultivation of B. chinensis.

[Application of bionic technology to speciation analysis and bioavailability assessment of nickel in transgenic soybean].

The safety of transgenic food has been paid the most attention to by the public and scientists. Trace metal bioavailability could provide information for safety assessment of transgenic food. The critical functional digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract were simulated by bionic gastrointestinal digestion, metabolism of gut microbiota, and bionic biomembrane adsorption with liposome and then used for the pretreatment of transgenic and general soybeans. Ni speciation in the chyme was defined as affinity-liposome and water soluble Ni. Nickel bioavailability was assessed by the content of affinity-liposome Ni. Water soluble Ni was the main species of nickel complex in the chyme. Nickel bioavailability was 4.1% for transgenic soybean and 3.3% for general soybean, which could be enhanced by gastrointestinal digestion and metabolism of gut microbiota. After transgene, nickel bioavailability was increased 24% but the content of affinity-liposome Ni was 122.3 ng x g(-1) for transgenic soybean, just as 36% as that of general soybean.

Association of the IL-18 gene polymorphism with susceptibility to colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and haplotypes of interleukin-18(IL-18) gene associated with the susceptibility to colorectal cancer(CRC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two SNPs of IL-18 gene promoter -137G/C and -607C/A in 170 patients with CRC and 160 healthy controls matched by age and sex in a Chinese population were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) strategy. Frequency of haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium of IL-18 gene in different groups were analyzed by SHEsis programs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distributions of IL-18 gene -607C/A polymorphism did not differ between CRC patients and healthy controls, but IL-18 gene -137G/C polymorphism was significantly different(P<0.05). The relative risk of C allele for CRC was 1.814 times of the G allele (OR=1.814,95% CI:1.246-2.642). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, IL-18 -137G/C and -607C/A polymorphisms showed strong linkage disequilibrium(|D'|=0.945), frequency of the -137C/-607A haplotype in patients with CRC was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.05). The -137C/-607A haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC(OR=1.637, 95% CI:1.100-2.437).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IL-18 gene -137G/C polymorphism and -137C/-607A haplotype are associated with CRC. -137C allele may be an important genetic susceptibility gene for CRC.</p>

The study of ischemia postconditioning intervention in a rabbit's acute mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury model / 中华普通外科杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect of ischemia postconditioning intervention in a rabbit's acute mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury model.Methods 120 rabbits were divided randomly into Con( only expose SMA by operation),I/R( clamping SMA 30 min,reperfusing 120 min),IpostC1 ( clamping SMA 30 min,3 clamping 30 s/releasing 30 s round,reperfusing 117 min),and IpostC2 (clamping SMA 30 min,3 clamping 60 s/releasing 60 s round,reperfusing 114 min) group (n =30).Levels of MDA and MPO in serum and intestinal tissues were measured. Chiu-6 standard scoring was used to determine the pathology score of injured intestinal mucosae.ResultsCompared with the Con group,MDA and MPO levels in serum and intestinal tissues increased obviously in the three other groups,the same as in the pathology score of injured intestinal mucosae (P ＜ 0.01 ) ; Compared with the I/R group,the MDA and MPO levels in serum and intestinal tissues decreased obviously in the IpostC1 group ( P ＜ 0.01 ),but not in the IpostC2 group ( P ＞ 0.05 ).ConclusionsMDA and MPO levels in serum and intestinal tissues and intestinal mucosal injury decreased obviously in the rabbit's acute mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury model by ischemia postconditioning intervention.

Diameter and length measurement of infrarenal inferior vena cava in Shandong Peninsula adult and its significance / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To measure the diameter and length of infrarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) in Shandong Peninsula adult through digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for better vena cava filter (VCF) choice and placement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From April 2008 to June 2010, 83 discontinuous patients (49 males and 34 females, mean age 56.4 years) with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremity were placed VCF through DSA according to ACCP-8. During operation, diameter and length of infrarenal IVC were measured. At the same time, the renal vein location and the type of the IVC were identified to help the VCF choice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the VCFs were placed successfully, no complications occurred. The diameter of infrarenal IVC was 10 to 26 mm with a mean of (19 ± 5) mm. The average length from beginning of IVC to the lower renal vein was (10.6 ± 2.8) cm. The renal vein was located between the first and second lumbar vertebra, the IVC beginning was located between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebra.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Diameter and length measurement of infrarenal IVC is helpful to the VCF selection and the domestic VCF research. Vena cava angiography is very important to the accurate placement of VCF.</p>

Compared with the effect of thromboembolectomy assisted with intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and traditional method / 中国医师杂志

Objective Compared with the effect of thromboembolectomy assisted with intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and traditional method,evaluate the value of intraoperative DSA on surgical procedures for acute lower limb arterial embolism. Methods Sixeight cases of traditional thromboembolectomy to take on the operation (group A) and 72 cases under the DSA operation (group B)were analyzed during January 2005 to December 2009, Comparing two sets of operation (time, the amount of bleeding and the ankle brachial index changes before and after the surgery , amputations rate). Results The operation time of group B [(76 ±17) min] was less than that of group A [(95 ± 22) min, t =5. 736, P ＜ 0. 01] ; the amount of bleeding of group B [(83 ± 35 ) ml] was significantly less than group A [(102 ± 58 ) ml, t = 2. 362, P ＜ 0. 05]; The difference of ABI in group B after the operation than before (0. 32 ±0. 08) than that in group A(0. 25 ±0. 12) had remarkably improved ( t =2. 33, P ＜0. 05) ;there were 8 patient amputations in group A and 2 in group B ( u = 2. 06 , P＜ 0. 05 ); there were 2 patients died in group A and one in group B ( P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusion Thromboembolectomy assisted with DSA can be accurate assessment of the arteries embolism position, elevate the success rate in the operation ,reduce the rate of amputation saws.