The relationship between fine motor skills and executive function in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the relationship between fine motor skills and executive function in school aged boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) aged 6-10 years, so as to provide a reference for promoting executive function.@*Methods@#From November 2022 to May 2021,65 boys with ADHD were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Beijing and a public elementary school in Beijing, and 65 boys with typical development according to age and sex were recruited as controls. Children s fine motor skills were assessed using the movement assessment battery for children, second version (MABC-2), and children s inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were assessed using the Stroop color word test (SCWT), Rey osterrich complex figure test (ROCFT) and trail making test (TMT), respectively. Independent samples t-tests were used to analyze the differences between the two groups, and Pearson correlation analysis and stratified regression analysis were used to explore the relationship between fine motor skills and executive functioning in boys with ADHD.@*Results@#In the fine motor skills test, boys with ADHD scored significantly lower (8.68±3.62) than control boys (11.22±2.27)( t =4.80, P <0.05); in the executive function test, the results of SCWT, ROCFT, and TMT tests were significantly worse in boys with ADHD than in normal boys ( t =-4.53-4.42, P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the fine motor skill scores of boys with ADHD were negatively correlated with the number of word sense errors ( r =-0.35) and color errors ( r =-0.42), and positively correlated with memory scores for delayed structure ( r =0.30) and detail ( r =0.25), which were negatively correlated with TMT-A ( r =-0.34),TMT-B reaction time ( r =-0.26), number of errors ( r =-0.43) ( P <0.05). Stratified regression analysis showed that fine motor skill scores of boys with ADHD were predictive of test results for inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility, with explanatory rates of 15%, 7%, and 19%, respectively.@*Conclusion@#Fine motor skills in boys with ADHD are correlated with executive functions, and fine motor skills could predict inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility to some extent. The development of fine motor skills in boy with ADHD could promote their executive functions.

A Comparison of Intracerebral Transplantation of RMNE6 Cells and MSCs on Ischemic Stroke Models.

BACKGROUND: Cell therapy using stem cells is promising for stroke patients; however, stem cell therapy faces many problems. RMNE6 cells, a new stem cell line, are superior to other stem cell lines. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising candidate for stroke patients. In the current study, we determined the therapeutic effects of RMNE6 cells on a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of rats and identified the differences between RMNE6 cells and MSCs with respect to therapeutic effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RMNE6 and Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled MSCs were transplanted into the ischemic brains of MCAO rats. The behavior of rats was examined using the rotarod test with neuroradiologic assessment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Four weeks after cell transplantation, the rats were investigated by immunofluorescence staining to explore the fates of the graft cells. RESULT: After transplantation, RMNE6 cells and MSCs survived and migrated toward the injured area without differentiation. There was tumorigenesis in the brains transplanted with RMNE6 cells. Cell transplantation had no effects on the size of the ischemic volume. The behavior of the model animals showed no significant improvement. CONCLUSION: MSCs are still the preferred cells for cell replacement in stroke therapy, while RMNE6 cells need to be modified.

CD44 Deficiency in Mice Protects the Heart Against Angiotensin Ii-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis.

This study tested the hypothesis that CD44 is involved in the development of cardiac fibrosis via angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor-stimulated TNFα/NFκB/IκB signaling pathways. Study was conducted in C57BL/6 wild type and CD44 knockout mice subjected to Ang II infusion (1,000 ng/kg/min) using osmotic minipumps up to 4 weeks or with gastric gavage administration of the AT1 receptor blocker, telmisartan at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d. Results indicated that Ang II enhances expression of the AT1 receptor, TNFα, NFκB, and CD44 as well as downregulates IκB. Further analyses revealed that Ang II increases macrophage migration, augments myofibroblast proliferation, and induces vascular/interstitial fibrosis. Relative to the Ang II group, treatment with telmisartan significantly reduced expression of the AT1 receptor and TNFα. These changes occurred in coincidence with decreased NFκB, increased IκB, and downregulated CD44 in the intracardiac vessels and intermyocardium. Furthermore, macrophage migration and myofibroblast proliferation were inhibited and fibrosis was attenuated. Knockout of CD44 did not affect Ang II-stimulated AT1 receptor and modulated TNFα/NFκB/IκB signaling, but significantly reduced macrophage/myofibroblast-mediated fibrosis as identified by less extensive collagen-rich area. These results suggest that the AT1 receptor is involved in the development of cardiac fibrosis by stimulating TNFα/NFκB/IκB-triggered CD44 signaling pathways. Knockout of CD44 blocked Ang II-induced cell migration/proliferation and cardiac fibrosis. Therefore, selective inhibition of CD44 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for attenuating Ang II-induced deleterious cardiovascular effects.

Edaravone inhibits pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction by reducing expression of angiotensin II AT1 receptor.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to be involved in the progression of ventricular dysfunction and heart failure by eliciting cardiac fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether treatment with an antioxidant compound, edaravone, reduces cardiac fibrosis and improves ventricular function by inhibiting Ang II AT1 receptor. The study was conducted in a rat model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC). In control, rats were subjected to 8 weeks of TAC. In treated rats, edaravone (10 mg/kg/day) or Ang II AT1 receptor blocker, telmisartan (10 mg/kg/day) was administered by intraperitoneal injection or gastric gavage, respectively, during TAC. Relative to the animals with TAC, edaravone reduced myocardial malonaldehyde level and increased superoxide dismutase activity. Protein level of the AT1 receptor was reduced and the AT2 receptor was upregulated, as evidenced by the reduced ratio of AT1 over AT2 receptor (0.57±0.2 vs 3.16±0.39, p<0.05) and less locally expressed AT1 receptor in the myocardium. Furthermore, the protein level of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 was upregulated. In coincidence with these changes, edaravone significantly decreased the populations of macrophages and myofibroblasts in the myocardium, which were accompanied by reduced levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 and Smad2/3. Collagen I synthesis was inhibited and collagen-rich fibrosis was attenuated. Relative to the TAC group, cardiac systolic function was preserved, as shown by increased left ventricular systolic pressure (204±51 vs 110±19 mmHg, p<0.05) and ejection fraction (82%±3% vs 60%±5%, p<0.05). Treatment with telmisartan provided a comparable level of protection as compared with edaravone in all the parameters measured. Taken together, edaravone treatment ameliorates cardiac fibrosis and improves left ventricular function in the pressure overload rat model, potentially via suppressing the AT1 receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These data indicate that edaravone might be selected in combination with other existing drugs in preventing progression of cardiac dysfunction in heart failure.

Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from Ligusticum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between entophytic fungal community, habitations and varieties of Ligusticum.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The solidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) of plates was applied for the isolation of the endophytic fungi, and the identification was completed by spot-planting method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fifty strains of the entophytic fungi were isolated from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong collected from 6 habitations. They were morphologically identified as belonging to 13 genera, 4 families, 3 orders and 1 class.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There were some differences at quantity, species and distributing of the entophytic fungi in different habitats and varieties of Ligusticum, which was suggested that entophytic fungal community is related with specific habitat.</p>