Comparative efficacy of targeted structural patterns of electroencephalography neurofeedback in children with inattentive or combined attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effects of three courses of different structural patterns of electroencephalography neurofeedback on predominantly inattentive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-PI) and combined ADHD (ADHD-CT). METHODS: Thirty-eight ADHD-PI and ADHD-CT children were selected and completed three courses of different structural patterns of electroencephalography neurofeedback according to their ADHD type. Before and after each course, relative power value of electroencephalography, including θ, ß, α, SMR and their ratios (θ/ß, θ/α), and eighteen integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test (IVA/CPT) quotients were obtained and compared. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, and p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: After one course, θ, three IVA/CPT quotients in both types and two comprehensive quotients in ADHD-CT changed significantly (all p < .05). After two courses, θ/α, θ/ß and five IVA/CPT quotients in both types, θ and α in ADHD-PI, four comprehensive quotients, and four respond control quotients in ADHD-CT varied significantly compared to before treatment and after one course (all p < .05). After three courses, α, ß, θ, θ/α, θ/ß and ten IVA/CPT quotients in both types changed significantly compared to before treatment and after one course (all p < .05). In addition, six IVA/CPT quotients in both types after three courses were significantly higher than those after two courses (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: Different structural patterns of electroencephalography neurofeedback targeted for ADHD-CT and ADHD-PI were both effective and feasible. Three courses of EEG neurofeedback were most effective.

The WNT/ß-catenin signalling pathway induces chondrocyte apoptosis in the cartilage injury caused by T-2 toxin in rats.

We investigated whether the WNT/ß-catenin signalling pathway is involved in paediatric Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and T-2-toxin-induced cartilage injury in rats to better understand the mechanism of KBD. One hundred twenty-two children were selected and assigned to the case (31), internal control (41), and external control (50) groups. The serum ß-catenin and bone morphogenetic protein 2（BMP2）levels in each group were measured and compared. Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to three groups, which received no intervention, T-2 toxin, or solvent. After 18 weeks, the expression of LDL receptor related proteins 5 (LRP5), ß-catenin, BMP2, BAX, BCL2, APAF1, and caspase 9 was measured and compared. The serum BMP2 levels were significantly elevated in the children with KBD and in the rats treated with T-2 toxin. In the T-2 toxin group, LRP5 and ß-catenin expression was reduced, whereas BAX, APAF1, and caspase 9 expression was increased. In conclusion, the WNT/ß-catenin signalling pathway is suppressed in KBD, which induces chondrocyte apoptosis, leading to cartilage injury. Therefore, BMP2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of KBD.

Antioxidant effect of quercetin against acute spinal cord injury in rats and its correlation with the p38MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway.

AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between quercetin (Que) and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling pathway and to explore its regulating effect on secondary oxidative stress following acute spinal cord injury (SCI), so as to elucidate the protective effects and mechanism associated with Que treatment during acute SCI. MAIN METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-surgery, SCI, Que, methylprednisolone (MP), and specific p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 treatment groups. Acute SCI models were established in rats by a modified Allen's method. Real-time PCR analysis, western blot assay and immunohistochemistry for molecular changes in the p38MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway, determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reflecting the levels of secondary oxidative stress, and functional or behavioral data, reflecting changes induced by Que and control treatments post-SCI were performed. KEY FINDINGS: Que significantly increased Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores and inclined plane test scores in SCI rats similar to the positive control drug, MP. Que significantly inhibited increases in phosphorylated-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) and iNOS expression and reduced the rate of iNOS-positive cells in rats with SCI, similar to the effects of SB203580. In addition, both Que and SB203580 reduced MDA content and enhanced SOD activity in SCI rats, with Que effects being stronger. SIGNIFICANCE: These experimental findings indicate that in SCI rats, Que has protective effects on the spinal cord by the potential mechanism of inhibiting the activation of p38MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway and thus regulating secondary oxidative stress.

First trimester, second trimester, and integrated screening for Down's syndrome in China.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of first trimester, second trimester, and integrated screening for Down's syndrome. SETTING: Two prenatal diagnosis centres in China. METHODS: A total of 11,966 pregnant women (≥18 years) were screened over 21 months. First trimester screening (11-13 weeks) comprised measurement of serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (ß-hCG) and pregnancy-associated protein-A concentrations, and fetal nuchal translucency thickness. Second trimester screening (15-20 weeks) comprised measurement of ß-hCG and alpha fetoprotein concentrations. Computer software was used to calculate the risk of carrying a Down's syndrome fetus. RESULTS: The overall incidence of Down's syndrome was 0.2% (23/11,966). When the false-positive rate was fixed at 5%, detection rates for first trimester, second trimester, and integrated screening were 73.9%, 69.6%, and 82.6%, respectively. When the false-positive rate was fixed at 3%, detection/sensitivity rates for first trimester, second trimester, and integrated screening were 65.2%, 56.5%, and 73.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that integrated screening was the most effective means of screening for Down's syndrome in a Chinese population.

EEG characteristics and visual cognitive function of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Using visual and auditory continuous performance tests (CPT) and EEG, cognitive function and EEG power were investigated in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). CPT and EEG were conducted for 44 ADHD children and 44 healthy controls of comparable age and sex. The EEG power tests include relative power of theta, alpha, and beta, and theta/beta and theta/alpha ratios. ADHD patients showed significantly higher theta relative power, lower beta relative power, and higher theta/beta ratio (p<0.05). ADHD patients showed a significantly lower score of auditory CPT (p<0.05). The EEG power characteristics were correlated significantly with the visual attention function in ADHD children (p<0.01). Higher-order level cognitive dysfunction affects ADHD pathogenesis. Cortical hypoarousal effects on several mechanisms including the fronto-striatal circuitry may be implicated in the inhibition of prepotent and premature responses.

[First trimester and second-trimester integrated screening for Down's syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of first and second-trimester integrated screening so as to provide an efficient screening protocol for Down's syndrome. METHODS: Using the dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay (DELFIA), the freeßhCG (beta human chorionic gonadotropin), PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein-A) and NT (nuchal translucency) value of type B ultrasound were assayed in the pregnancy serum during the first trimester (11-13W(+6) d) and free ßhCG and AFP (alpha fetoprotein) during the second trimester(15-20W(+6) d). By the risk calculation software, the risks during both trimesters and their integrated risk were calculated for each patient respectively. Amniocentesis and venepuncture were employed for diagnosing the high-risk patients (> 1/270). Electronic network follow-up was carried out after delivery. RESULTS: In a total of 4237 pregnant women, 98 were found to carry a high risk during the first trimester, 241 during the second trimester and 101 during the integrated screening respectively. And 2, 3 and 4 cases were diagnosed with Down's symptom at a detection rate of 50%, 75% and 100% and a detection efficiency of 1:50, 1:80 and 1:25 respectively. CONCLUSION: Integrated screening is superior to either the first or second-trimester screening. With a lower false positive rate and a higher detection rate, it reduces the chance of invasive puncture. Advanced type B ultrasonic technology is needed to improve the first-trimester diagnostic efficiency and to develop a better integrated screening protocol.